My Dearest Lady Cotton

Company

  Dark leather boots sank into the marshy grounds of the winter woods. Red light peered past the leafless branches above as Cotton gingerly plucked herbs and dry berries.

  It was another cold evening in the Nordlands. 2 years have passed since the young wife moved to the Capital of Icetonia. Adjusting to the hustle and bustle of city life had never been so difficult, but she didn't mind it. Not one bit. As long as the forests were nearby for her, she was satisfied.

  And besides, she grins. Some company isn't bad.

   On either side of the lavender woman walked a tall burly Knight and a tea green haired lass. The girl swung her empty basket from side to side, singing marvelously loud. Meanwhile, the middle aged man whistled along with her, howling like a wolf every now and then. 

   She cringed, her watchful blue orbs searching around the forest for any signs of trouble. Honestly, do these two know how dangerous it could be? They're lucky this path had been cleared of bandits. 

   Twirling in her spot, the young'n bumped elbows with Cotton, smiling too wide for someone who had just recently lost her parents. "Sing with me Mrs. Knight!" She declares, pulling on her arms. "Please?" The young wife chuckled a slight, adoring her pleading pout. "I'm not sure, Soetnos. I don't have the sweetest voice." 

   "Oh nonsense!" Spat the child, skipping ahead. "I bet ye're a wonderful singer! Just free Y'er voice, like this!" Kulning into the darkening sky, her high pitched voice traveled far and wide, echoing off the tree tops and into the clouds. Impressed isn't what Cotton felt. She was astonished. Beyond dazzled. 

   Watching Soetnos express her voice across the path, she couldn't help but frown from the sad tune she produced. Nearby, the blond Knight trudged along just as melancholy as her. It wasn't fair to the 12 year old. How could she lose her parents so quickly? And how could she sing so happily? 

  Abrupt heavy weight pressed over her right shoulder, snapping the lavender woman away from her depressed musings. "No need to feel that way." Sir Elsker whispers, keeping his violet eyes on his niece's dancing form. "She's alright. This is her way of coping." 

   "Perhaps..." She sighs, clutching her full basket tighter in her hands. "Sweet Soetnos did not deserve any of this. If only her parents had survived the sweeping flu."

   "Aye Mrs. Cotton. We all think that." He utters, folding his hands behind his back.

   The sweeping flu. A deadly sickness that swept all across Icetonia last summer. The heat doubled it's affects, killing all who attracted the illness in a matter of days! It was devastating. All she could recollect were the days when she'd desperately begged Louis to stay home all summer. But alas, the silver Knight embarked on a journey for a cure. Which thankfully, only lasted for a couple of months. 

   But by that point, the damage had been done. Almost half of the population died, leaving Icetonia to be raided by nearby enemies. It was only thanks to the Stars that the Kingdom survived. However, it brought the Nordlands into a sense of despair from all that they lost. Including Soetnos.

  The two adults watched as the girl sniffed every winter flower she could find, indulging herself with it's sweet and enticing scent. She giggled so brightly, so uncaring about the world around her, to where it broke Cotton's heart. Despite the horrors the young girl had faced, she brushed it behind her wide, glorious smile. 

   Finding happiness in the worst moments of life was admirable. Cotton was able to find happiness in her loneliest days. But it was hard. How did she do it? Perhaps she could ask the little girl. They do say that young ones see the world in a different light.