Usko instantly blanched, what little color he had draining completely from his skin. He attempted to jerk his wrist from the tight hold it was in, but let out a pained yelp. The beast had tightened his vice grip and caused the man's bones to grind against each other.

"W-what do you want with Tino..?" Usko's eyes were widened fearfully and he seemed to almost shrink.

The beast's eyes narrowed cruelly and he snorted in the merchant's face. Ignoring the man's question, he spoke in a low growl. ".. Bring 'im t' m' 'nd I won't kill y'."

If I can just get out of here, I'll be fine. I'll be safe once I reach the town. Usko told himself desperately in his mind. "A-alright..! Anything!" he spoke quickly, hoping the pressure on his wrist would lessen as soon as possible.

The monster surveyed him carefully for a moment, as if he could tell if Usko was telling the truth just by looking into his eyes. ".. D'n't try 'nything funny.." he grunted, letting the man's wrist go. "Send 'im b' t'morrow. Or else." The beast's eyes resembled freezing shards of ice – he didn't want to be tested.

The Finn collapsed to the ground with a gasp, rubbing his raw wrist. He couldn't even speak. What in the world was he supposed to tell Tino? They couldn't just suddenly move away from Kollola. This was their livelihood. Tino and Usko had lived with the same routine for around twenty years. The man nodded meekly, skidding on the slick snow and ice as he got to his feet. He stumbled frantically off back towards the horses and carriage without another word.

Usko earnestly wished the journey home took longer, but it was shorter than ever before – almost like something was urging him onwards. Making the carriage travel faster than it ever had. He cradled his wounded wrist in his lap, dark purple splotches beginning to spread across the skin. Great.. well, that would certainly make carrying things much harder.

The ringing bells of the horses and clops of their hooves against the pavement was known well by the townspeople of Kollola – especially Tino. The Finn could always hear them coming from a mile away. He rushed out of his room, down the stairs, out the front door, and ran all the way down the street, "Dad! You're home!" he cried happily, a bit breathless.

His father forced a weak smile and dismounted from the carriage. Unfortunately, his eyes couldn't hide the fear and utter turmoil he was feeling inside.

Tino gave him a quick, tight hug and pulled back. Immediately, his grin slackened. ".. What's wrong? You took a bit longer than usual.. everyone was worried." By everyone, he really meant just him.

"I'll.. talk to you once we get home." Usko nodded slightly, forcing his brittle smile to widen. "Don't worry." But it was impossible not to.

The Finn looked at him quizzically but nodded slowly. He took the reins of the horses in his hands and began to lead them back to the stable. "C'mon.." he told the beasts. "I bet you're exhausted." He patted their manes and smiled softly, though his thoughts were elsewhere. Usko was all smiles, just happy to be home, even if he had lost some of his cargo or other. Something was really bugging his father – and Tino was determined to figure it out.

Dinner proved to be even more awkward – Tino stuck at one end of the table and his father at the other. The only sounds that broke the silence was the clattering of silverware against plates. Usko didn't seem to have much of an appetite at all, as he pushed his food from one side of the plate then back to the other.

".. Dad?" the younger Finn finally spoke up, breaking the long silence.

Usko visibly jumped but let out a relieved sigh when he realized it was just Tino speaking to him. "Yes?"

"What really happened to your wrist?" he questioned. Usko opened his mouth to interject but his son was having none of that. "I know you tried to hide it from me. Just tell me what happened."

His father set down his fork carefully, obviously taking his time. "Just hurt it a bit." he spoke through his teeth.

"Well obviously." Tino snorted and rolled his violet eyes impatiently. "But I want to know how."

Usko paled. "I.. I just ran into someone. A misunderstanding."

The Finn's eyes narrowed as he raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Who, Dad?"

"Nobod-"

"Just tell me, please."

The merchant's resolve was broken. ".. There's a large.. huge castle near town. About a mile or so down the road. Did you know that?"

Tino's gaze grew puzzled and he shook his head. "No. … Why?"

"Somebody lives there." Usko swallowed nervously. "A beast.. h-he's a monster, Tino."

"And he's the one who did that you?" the Finn tipped his head towards his father's wrist.

"... I.. I was picking some of the roses outside the window." his voice was growing higher in pitch. "I didn't know, but- they were important to him, for some reason. He got angry. Told me I should die for picking them."

Tino's amethyst eyes widened in surprise. "What happened then?" he asked hurriedly. "How are you here? Alive?"

The merchant's hands quivered slightly. "I told him I had a son. He said.. h-he said you could die in my place. I had to decide by tomorrow."

".. Oh." Tino's brow furrowed and he crossed his arms. His gaze fell onto the tablecloth, "It's alright, I'll go in your place." He let out a forced laugh, "We both know I wasn't going to inherit the family trade."

"What? No, Tino. You're young and-"

"You're old. I get it. But it's alright.. maybe I can convince the 'beast' to change his mind." he smiled lightly.

"I won't let you." Usko spoke firmly, his hand in a tight fist on the table.

"But Dad-!"

"It's final." the merchant shook his head and got to his feet, causing the legs of the chair to screech as they slid across the wood floor. He left the room and headed upstairs. "I'll talk to you in the morning."

Tino's violet eyes slid shut as he let out a sigh. His life was his business, wasn't it? If he wanted to spend it by sacrificing himself for somebody else he cared about, then he really didn't mind. He had lived a good enough life.

Dad didn't even think of me trying to leave. A voice in his head whispered. He blinked before standing and fetching a cloak from the hook beside the door. He knew Usko would be furious, but he was moving numbly. Rashly.

Tino slowly turned the knob of the front door, wincing when it creaked. He crept outside, shivering slightly when the cold air hit him. He had never gotten quite used to that. He made his footsteps as light as possible, hoping the crunching of the snow wouldn't give him away as he headed towards the stable.

The Finn snatched the reins of the nearest horse and shushed it quietly. "Don't worry.. it's just me." he whispered as he climbed carefully onto its back. He always felt bad for doing this, but he dug his heels sharply into the horse's sides – causing the animal to break into a gallop. Dad said the castle was about a mile away. It shouldn't be hard to spot it.. hopefully.

His fears of being caught vanished once he had passed the town's limits and began to move down the road. It was dark, but the moonlight reflected off the snow just enough that Tino was able to see. It was almost eerie the way the light was refracted off of the cold crystals. Surreal. Reluctantly, he urged the horse onwards.

The path seemed normal enough as he glanced down it. The same trees, the same rocks. Oh! A rabbit. The same metal gate- hold on. Metal gate? Tino pulled at the reins, forcing the horse to come to a halt. He slid off the animal and approached it curiously. Surely this had to be what his father was talking about. The Finn turned the horse back towards town and slapped it on the rump, forcing it to break into a run back towards Kollola. Someone would see the horse and know who it belonged to.

Tino pushed open the gate hesitantly, letting out a soft squeak when it made a shrill creak. He drew the clock around himself, almost protectively. But it wouldn't be that much of a help in the end. The boy shuffled down the path, eyes widening in shock when the castle loomed up ahead through the trees.

It was massive. And also terrifying. Who would ever want to live in a place like this. He shivered and walked right up to the large front door. It was so large, in fact, that four Tino's would have to be stacked on top of each other if they wanted to be able to touch the top of it. He rapped on the worn wood timidly. "H-hello..?"

Silence.

He dared to step inside, and meant to left the door open behind him as means of escape. But it shut all by itself. "Hello?" he repeated, forcing his voice to stay calm. "My father was here.. I've come to take his place."

A low growl sounded moments later, and Tino could swear he heard something brushing the walls. But it was so dark he could barely see anything. The only light was the lit candles on either side of the door, illuminating the Finn. "Hello?" he said fearfully. "Who's there?"

The beast was crouched in the darkest corner of the room, his ice blue eyes locked on the boy in front of him. He was.. he was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. Tino's skin was pale ivory, untouched and unblemished. All thoughts of killing completely fled at first glance. He tried desperately to force his voice to make speech that didn't sound like a growl. He failed, "'m th' master of th's house.."

The raspy growl echoed around the room, causing the Finn to jump. He took a quick step backwards. "You're going to kill me, right?" he challenged, standing as tall as he possibly could.

For once, the beast was lost for words.