Prologue
He sat in front of his parlour room window and watched the snow fall. Winter was such a depressing season. What joy could be found in a time of cold: when the land was barren? The Gods covered the world in a mantel of white that brought death. So much despair came with that grey sky. He didn't understand how children could play, carefree, in that frozen, lifeless world.
He stood up and walked to his chambers to retrieve his coat. As a man of the nobility, he had to maintain good relations with the other families of the aristocracy. Wrapping a scarf around his neck, he climbed into his carraige and the driver snapped the reins.
The sky was black as coal and the winter air seemed to bite at him through the windows and door. With any luck he would arrive at the estate of his sister and her husband shortly. At least he hadn't lost her yet. He gripped the pocket of his coat as he stepped into the bitter chill of the night and up the steps of the Lord and Lady Abarai's manor. He couldn't bear losing his little sister, not after all that had happened many winters ago.
XXX
Snow balls whized through the air as common boys and girls played. Some of the projectiles made their mark and others missed. Playful screams could be heard from the village girls as the boys chased them accross the snow. Young gentlemen and women skated on a near-by pond, weary of the frolicing children. One such young woman sat on a bench near the pond reading a book. Her waist length, bright auburn hair was pulled into a braid down her back. She asked a passing gentleman for the time; 15.30. She thanked him and went back to reading. He should be arriving shortly.
The sound of quick breaths and heavy steps caused her to look up. She smiled and closed the book. He stood there, bent over, hands on his knees, panting. When he straightened up, he was a good five inches taller than she was. His hair was in helpless dissaray but his face shone with love and tenderness.
She stood up and the two embraced. He snuck a quick peck to her cheek and she blushed. Together, they walked hand-in-hand down the street. They stopped only once for hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts, which they shared.
When they stopped at her house, a respectable building, he bade her farewell. With a lingering kiss to her lips, he took his leave. She walked into her home and closed the door behind her. She hung her shawl on the coat rack next to the door and walked upstairs to her room.