. I

rubbled remains

My toes sunk deep into the fresh snow shrouding them in a cloak of cold- but no matter, I wouldn't be here long.
"Faust?" Taralf's Voice Rang from behind me- I blinked in surprise and turned to lock eye contact,
"Midnight stroll huh?"
He asked and sat down upon his door step
Patting the spot next to him as if urging me to join, I pondered not to- but I did none the less and sat down
Knees to my chest for extra warmth and nodded in return to his question
"Just going to look around is all.."
I breathed, Seeing the subtle mist of my own breath flowing from my lips and disappearing into the winter air
"I tend to do the same in the summer. Always relaxes me when times get harsh" he gave a rather kind smile in my direction and I looked with a blank expression
(I never really know how care free I look, must be awkward).
"I told a lie"
I suddenly spoke

"Oh?" Taralf was a bit stunned by the sudden change in subject-
Perhaps expecting me to chat more of nightly strides,
"I was not going for a walk, I came to Ivarstead for an answer and have not came close to finding it"
Honest answer,
Taralf stared as if waiting for the right words to come to him in order to proceed on with my claim- I stared back which caused a peculiar silence to dawn upon us,
"And... what were you searching for?" He asked

"I just told you- an Answer"

"Well yes.. but an answer to what?" He snorted

"I have no memory of
My life. Wiped clean from an incident involving a caravan I was supposedly traveling with, it was said it was arriving here or would be passing by"

"So you came to see If Ivarstead could jog your memories back"
Taralf understood.
I nodded and slowly looked up at the sky, three moons dawned upon us,
Round and glorious With their wonderful glow of a subtle blue.
Riddled with stars that danced together in the back of the moons they traveled with,
"Correct, though a woman tells me that a caravan was never meant to arrive."

"Well. That's true.
Listen... I refrained from mentioning anything because our town is lovely in its extent and frankly didn't want to frighten you three.
But a good seven months back a family was murdered in the abandoned burnt house at the end of town" he began,
Joining my gaze at the stars and watching them twinkle just as I was.
"It was a whole scandal that spread through the land like a wild boar, I'm surprised you hadn't-"
He stopped midway and looked at me
"Nevermind." He gave a nervous chuckle
"Moral of the Story is That no one has wanted to come here since then since the suspect was never found. So I doubt a caravan of plenty would stride by"

"I see. Thank you. For now I think I will proceed for a walk to ease my mind" I stood and held the pelt tight. A slight breeze was coming in so there must have been another storm soon
"Did you hear a word I said? They never found the killer so it's not best to walk at night-"

"I'll be alright I won't be gone long"

"Hm, then keep this by your side. It's done me justice when I needed it and I'm sure it will do the same for you"
Taralf quickly stood and disappeared into the dark of his home, I watched from outside and stared at the door
As he took roughly five minuets before returning,
In his hands rested a sword- reflective of the moon on its blade and handed it in my direction.
"Hopefully you know how to use it considering you're- you know,"
He murmured,
My hand reached without my knowledge and curled my fingers around the handle and lifted the blade from his grasp and held it up to view it fully,
It was about the length of my arm, made of iron and Laced in marks and small chips along the edge, it was roughly old and you could tell it was a veteran to battle
"I appreciate your kindness greatly. I won't be long" I gave him a smile and turned and started down the snow filled road

There had to be more out there.

I walked for a good ten minuets, my hand held tight upon the handle of the blade whilst my other held the candle a few inches from my body, the mere five houses were all locked securely most likely to the tale of the criminal who took the lives of the innocent.
I walked a little more till I came across the remains of a home that had seemingly burnt down.
This must be the place.

I stared at the resting place of a family that would still be alive if not for a blade..
My chest tightened at the grueling sight yet I took a quick act and entered the exposed structure, my eyes danced from
Place to place in the rubble, stepping carefully over splintered wood, dirtied snow and burnt belongings-
There were a few books burnt to ash,
A probable carpet-
Demolished furniture and the remains of what was probably a table.
It was sad to see such a sight.
My cold toes brushed past something rather soft which caught my attention- I bent down and held the candle above the item and saw it was a child's doll.
Burnt almost all the way leaving the buttoned eye and a portion of its yellow yarn pigtail exposed to leave behind the memory of a child's happy days with their parents.
"Pity" I murmured and stood up straight
Gazing upon the rubble of a house with a blank look etched upon my face.
The feeling of nostalgia waved over me like the force of winter that acted against me before, it was strong as if I had been here once before but not in the way I thought, I had been to Ivarstead once sometime in the past for whatever reason- I don't suppose as a residence considering someone here might have remembered me if I had.