Prologue
Frost covered the forest floor in thick blankets, moonlight glinted across the frozen lake, and animals hunkered down for a deep hibernation. All seemed calm and peaceful. In the distance, a village slept and lantern flames flickered in a gentle breeze. Not too far from the entrance, there was something amiss. The hooves of a horse pounded the ground, its hooded rider clutching the reigns awkwardly with one hand while in the other he clutched a bundle to his side. Both man and beast were exhausted to the point of collapsing.
Behind the lone rider, a force not to be reckoned with approached with an inhuman speed, bringing forth a howling wind that ripped and tore at the surrounding trees and brush. It rushed forward with an angry howl, furious that its prey was getting away. In its desperation, it summoned forth its "Nightmares"-beings that take on the form of what one fears the most. A silent command, a fierce cry, and the "Nightmares" rushed after the rider, intent on fulfilling their master's command.
The rider had just entered the woods on the other side of the village when the "Nightmares" cry reached him. Panic surged in him, but he quickly stamped it down. For the sake of the bundle he carried he had to stay focused. If anything happened to it, the world would surely fall. The rider shook his head and reprimanded himself. She, for the bundle he carried was a child. If anything happened to her. . .
The rider spurred his mount forward, deeper into woods. He had heard stories, when he was younger, of these woods and a man with untold powers who lived here. What hope the rider had left was put into this information and the man who could supposedly protect this child. He peered down at the sleeping infant. She had been born two months ago and already her hair was three inches long. It was blonde almost to the point that it was white. She was also intelligent and loved to laugh. Someday she would grow into a wonderful young woman. It was a shame they were being chased.
As if on queue, a formless, black mass rammed into the side of the horse. The rider grappled with the reigns to keep them on course, and at the same time tried to keep the child in his arms. Unfortunately, his grip on the reigns loosened and he and the child were thrown from the horses back as it reared up in fear. In a panic, the rider wrapped his arms around the fragile two-month-olds body and head, right before he hit the ground. The rider coughed, sat up, and checked the child for a pulse. She was alive, awake, and staring straight at him, her piercing blue eyes depthless in themselves.
The black mass hissed at the rider and drew forward, sensing that the child was awake. As it came closer it began to form distinct limbs. It was an ugly thing with long arms and legs, clawed nails, sharp wings sprouting from its back, and a tail that snaked around its feet. It stood on two legs and stared at the rider and child, hungrily, with bright red eyes.
The rider was frozen in fear as he stared back at this giant bringer of death. He knew the thing was ordered to kill him and take the child, but he couldn't possibly hope to run. These things, these "Nightmares", fed on fear and pain. They became stronger with every human they reduced to a sniveling, crying, wimp. To those the "Nightmares" fed on, death was a welcome paradise. But as hard as the rider tried, the "Nightmares" hold was unyielding. He could himself slip, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't break free. He knew he was dying.
screeeeEEEEEEEEEE. . . BOOOM
Light spread out between the rider and the "Nightmare", followed closely by a massive heat wave. The rider clutched the child tighter and turned so that the child would be safe. When the light died down, the rider looked up in time to see a hooded figure raise their hand and a soft breeze blow the "Nightmare" into dust. The figure then turned to the rider and walked toward him.
The rider held the child closer to his chest in order to keep her from harm. Whoever this person was, he was far more powerful than the "Nightmares" master, and the rider didn't know if he meant good or harm, and at the moment everyone wanted to harm her.
Seeing the rider's protective hold on the child, the figure laughed. It was a joyous laugh that reminded the rider of his childhood: early mornings and the smell of a fire; freshly fallen snow and hot tea; laughter and snowball fights. Strange, the rider thought, all of my memories are of winter days. The figure removed his hood to reveal snow white hair, crystal blue eyes, and pale skin. His face was relatively young and his eyes held a glint of laughter and mischief.
"Be calm." The man said. "I do not wish to harm her." His voice, though calming, was deep. A voice that told stories and made you want to listen. The rider found himself believing the man and relaxed his hold on he child. The man knelt down before them and the rider removed the cloak surrounding the child.
Upon seeing the man, the child giggled and reached out for him. He took her in his ms and stood up. The rider watched as the man reached down into the snow and straightened up, a necklace in his hand. It had a slim chain and a snowflake pendant. The man place the chain around the child's neck, and a small light was produced. It spread slowly until it surrounded them both.
"Fear not. She shall be protected." The mans voice range out, barely reaching the rider. But he knew the child would be safe, as the light died down and he saw they were gone. Some how, deep down, he just knew.
