Dragonsoul

Chapter 31

Swishing and swirling of the magnificent portal had Leonie's full attention, while Toras was doing the relocation spell. It was the most mesmerizing thing in her whole life.

Having grown up with the knowledge of the existence of magic and magical beings such as Toras, the pixies or the dragons didn't make it any less fascinating for Leonie to see magic at work. She rarely got the chance to see it up close, and she enjoyed the privilege which was not available to most.

The spell was shorter than was necessary to satisfy Leonie's curiosity about the ways of magic. Although Toras had explained somewhat, Leonie still wanted to know the mechanics of it all.

When she used her bow and arrow, there were steps she had to follow, actions she had to perform flawlessly. She could not help but wonder if the same was true for the usage of magic.

Once the enchantment of the portal lost its hold on Leonie, a swarm of questions came back, flooding her mind and forcing her to put aside her good manners in exchange for satisfying her curiosity.

"What if something bad happens while you are gone? Can't you stay here? Use a spell to keep yourself warm instead of migrating like a bird?" Leonie said.

She clamped her mouth firmly shut upon realizing that her words could have been seen as inappropriate, especially when addressing someone of such power and status. Nevertheless, the pang of regret that usually followed her transgressions failed to appear.

"You have to know that sometimes the wisest course of action is to keep one's silence. We magical beings don't take it kindly to humans interfering in our business. No matter how special those particular humans are." Toras said.

"I didn't mean..." Leonie started to say.

However, Toras silenced her with a quick dismissing movement of his hand.

"There is wisdom in silence and foolishness in words. Courage is asking what no one dared ask before. Thus, because of that and because you are the daughter of my dear friend, I shall answer your questions." Toras said.

Rim came closer to Toras as if trying to show gratitude for Toras' being so understanding towards a little girl who had to grow up too quickly. Toras absentmindedly patted Rim on the hand before he went on to explain.

"Bad things are coming, my dear Leonie. The harsh winters are just one of the signs of its approach. The fact that winter has come even earlier than expected tells me that evil is not as far behind as I hoped. However, my magical senses tell me it's not here yet. Once it comes, both you and I will know." Toras said.

"How?" Leonie asked.

"Your nightmares will become unbearable. They will feel more terrifyingly real than anything you had ever experience before, and my magic will alert me that evil has approached. I put up a few evil detection spells around the forest and the village. The moment something evil steps foot on our territory, I will know and come back." Toras said.

Leonie did not dare say anything, having in mind how she had already said too much. Thus, she kept quiet, waiting for Toras to continue of his own volition.

"I have to prepare a lot of potions and spells for what is to come, although it feels like it might still be a few years away. However, I can't do that in the cold weather. No matter what I do, cold has a way of slipping in, which can be detrimental for some of my spells." Toras explained.

"I apologize for doubting your ways Mage Toras," Leonie said formally.

"That's quite alright. You are too young to understand that there are questions you shouldn't ask and that there are some secrets that I cannot reveal." Toras said, giving Rim a warning look.

Rim subtly nodded his head, which Leonie, engrossed in her thoughts, failed to notice. It occurred to her that she was still but a child trapped in the world of adults trying to find her footing.

Most of the time, it felt to her as if she was drowning, and the only thing that kept her going was the memory of her father's bravery and wisdom as well as her mother's love and care.

When Leonie went to show Toras out, with Rim trailing close behind, she could see how right Toras was in his judgment of the weather conditions. The air was already biting cold, and Leonie could smell the approaching snow with the skill of someone who has spent her whole life in close connection with nature.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Toras said, turning suddenly towards Leonie.

From the inside pocket of his coat, he pulled out a vial with bright purple liquid and handed it to Leonie.

"If you happen to need me while I am gone, throw this in the flame, and I'll get your summons. However, I must warn you, use this only in case of dire need. What I am going to do on the tropical island will be anything but rest." Toras said.

"Thank you, I promise not to use it unless there is an emergency," Leonie said.

Amitola came out of the house to say her goodbyes as well as Nald, so Leonie and Rim decided to check whether they secured everything. There should not be any open nook or cranny since winter knew how to extend its icy fingers into it and take over the whole room.

"We'll be okay. Besides, I am sure my dragon fire can keep the winter away as a last resort." Rim said as they checked and double-checked everything.

"I hope you are right because it would be bad if the one who was supposed to protect the world, defeat evil or whatever it was I was supposed to do, froze to death," Leonie said.

Everything was as ready as it could be, and Leonie was satisfied but at the same time annoyed that there was nothing else for her to do. It made her brain go to places where she wished it did not.

She started thinking about how it would be the first winter they were to spend without her father, the first of many. The mere thought started making her feel as if something was constricting her heart, stopping it from beating properly.

Her father was the one who drove the winter away from their small house by warming their hearts with his tales. Every tale was more exciting than the other. They made long winter days and nights bearable, even fun.

What was interesting about winter was that not only the body could freeze and die. Sometimes people's souls were lost inside their warm homes. It was the strangest thing ever, and even Toras could not fully explain it. All they knew was that one should not be alone when winter came knocking. It was the lesson they learned the hard way, after losing a few of the lonely villagers.

Every year it felt like winter was a sentinel being whose main goal was to take away the souls of those trapped in its cage of coldness. Many believed in the accuracy of that notion, it felt as real as the forest to them.

In the past, Leonie did not believe in those stories. However, learning the truth about what was, and what was yet to come made her reexamine her beliefs. She had to reevaluate what was possible. Perhaps the cruel winter was created by evil, by tempering with mother nature and its seasons. It could be a forerunner of what was yet to come.

Not wanting to think about all the danger that might be lurking just outside their windows, Leonie decided to focus on gathering enough tales to keep the others entertained throughout the winter. Some were her father's written stories, others only existed in her mind, but all could help keep them sane.

After being satisfied with what she gathered, Leonie had dinner with her family, except Rim. Upon escorting Rim to the cave, Leonie came back to her room, deciding that her mother and brother needed her protection more than a growing dragon who could already use his fire.