Chapter 2: Winter Solstice

In the centre of the town of Penwortham, the townspeople gathered, ready to immerse themselves in the cheer of the winter festival. Above the road, hung lanterns slowly swing as though they too were joining in with the festivities. The stalls were lined up next to one another, their tables filled with mulled wine and festive treats and even a few of the shops had stayed open late, offering discounts on many of their products. There were crowds all along the street, all attempting to see the wonders that were on offer.

'Oh I do love a good winter's festival', said Argo. An advantage for him was that he towered over everybody at 6'4", giving him the ability of being able to see where he was going. The same was not to be said for his brother Nolan, who cowered behind his brother – attempting to weave between the people. Argo waved to many people, asking them about their lives and wishing them a joyful evening. Nobody acknowledge Nolan. It was something he had come to accept – you aren't noticed when your brother is one of the warriors of the town. It was hard to measure up to him, in both height and career.

There had been a time when Nolan loved the excitement brought by the winter festival – the exotic food, the merriment and the community spirit. A fond memory formed in his head of his father placing him on his shoulders and walking along the stalls with him. However, since the loss of their parents, he had become immune to the joy it seemed to bring to others, and instead he saw it as a painful memory of what had been.

'I think we've done our job, time for a drink', said Argo.

Nolan signed, and mumbled under his breathe. It was hardly a job, Argo was asked to walk along the street and make himself known to the people. He was to be seen, so that the townspeople felt protected. Nolan thought the only thing they feared was the unknown, and if only they knew what was - No, he snapped himself out of it and threw himself back into the present.

Argo pushed open the doors to the The Black Bull with ease. Nolan didn't dare try – the doors were solid wood and twice the size of him, so he would sneak in whilst his brother held them open. As soon as they entered, the smell of stale beer filled the air as the town's warriors gathered to drink their weight in ale. Around each table were men with large frames and muscles to match, trying to outdo one another in both alcohol and strength. It was like a private club in which the warriors gathered, a club that Nolan knew he didn't belong in. It was frustrating as Nolan knew he would hold his own in a fight against any of the men, if only he could reveal himself. One day, he hoped.

'Argo, Nolan! Come over here!' shouted Perseus. The alcohol had flushed his cheeks and slurred his words, and a large grin was plastered to his face. Perseus had also failed to notice that his shirt had been buttoned up wrong – not exactly the image the captain of the warriors should present.

'Whose round is it?' said Perseus, but as he turned around, he noticed the other men who were sat at the table were all equally blurry eyed. One of them, Jack, had passed out on the table and was snoozing softly, and also drooling. Unsurprisingly, nobody eagerly offered to buy the round, yet it was not due to financial reasons, but more the thought of having to walk more than two yards in a straight line.

'I believe it is mine' said Argo. A cheer erupted from the men. Jack jolted up, confused at what was going on but raising his hand he cheered alongside the other men.

No hand was empty of a drink, and the men settled themselves ready to put the worlds to right.

'What are you drinking Nolan? Vodka?' said Jack, knowing it was not.

'Water' said Nolan.

'Water?!'

'That is why I said it'

'Are you a man or a mouse?'

'I doubt a mouse would be able to even hold a glass'

Insulted by his jab at his intelligence, Jack stood up and launched himself across the table but quickly, Argo pushed him back, protecting his brother. There was a reason Nolan did not drink. He needed to be control of his senses all of the time, as if he let his guard down even for a moment, the consequences could be worse than death itself

'Men !' Perseus shouted. His voice boomed through the tavern, causing a momentary silence in the tavern. He leaned in close to the group, 'we should not be drawing attention to ourselves, or making Nolan angry as we all know what happens'. The other men muttered between themselves. Nolan fidgeted in his seat, feeling like the square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

'I believe that the boy is dangerous.' said Jack.

Nolan looked down at the floor. He was no boy. Nolan was only 2 years younger than Argo, yet they all seemed to patronise him, he knew why – because he was not a warrior. It wasn't for lack of trying. He had spent the entire summer training and preparing himself for the Autumnal Trials. Once again, he had no success.

'Jack, we know he isn't. Nolan is trying to control himself, we need to keep the secret between us', Argo replied.

'Filthy magic, polluting our world' slurred Jack.

Argo narrowed his eyes at Jack, who, fuelled with alcohol, was refusing to back down.

'It is people like you who will be the ruin of this town'

'I am warning you, stop', said Argo.

'Filthy', he spat at Nolan.

That had pushed him over the edge. Nolan would show him what filthy magic could do. The light above them began to flicker and shake. Nolan held his hand tightly in a fist, his hands clenched in anger. A few of the other lights in the tavern began to shake, drawing the attention of the other people around them.

'Stop it now' said Jack.

Nolan felt his breathing deepen, as the brave warriors began to cower in fear.

'Nolan' said Argo.

The lights stopped moving, and thankfully the others in the tavern had put it down to one too many beers. The men were frozen in shock, their eyes focusing on Nolan and what his next move would be. Nolan stood up, making his way out of the tavern. As he walked away he hear the mutters of the men he had dared to call his 'friends'.

Nolan approached the large doors once again, and this time he didn't care. He muttered under his breath and the doors opened before him. Once outside, the cool winter air hit him hard, causing him to shiver and wrap his arms around himself. The doors opened once again, he didn't need to look to know who it was.

'What was that back there?' said Argo.

'They were annoying me', replied Nolan.

'Yes, but you need to be more careful. What would you have done if a watcher was in there?'

'I don't care anymore'

'Nolan, we're in this together – you need to be careful'

Nolan didn't turn to face his brother, instead he began to walk away.

'Where are you going?' called Argo.

'Somewhere, which is more than could be said for the people of this town'

Argo sighed, and went back into the tavern. It was a regular occurrence, these outbursts of Nolan's. It was hard for Argo to protect him when he was going to push everyone away, but still he tried because of the promises he had made their parents.

As he began the ascent into the mountains, he began to reply the events of the past hour. It was not his fault, he repeated to himself. It was the plague – this is what those who knew referred to it as. It was okay for the warrior to have strength, but for him to have strength of mind it became a disease.

The mountains were a place of peace for Nolan, where he could be himself. It was where he would come to secretly practice, he knew there would be no one around as everyone feared the unknown. There had been many myths created that told of the horrors that lived in the mountains, it was where the magical creatures sought refuge. Since he had been coming up here, Nolan had never seen a single soul. The snow was thick and if someone was to live here, they would not last long in the bitter winter.

'Kovish' he said. A ball of light appeared in his hands, and he used it to show him the way. The winter months meant the sun did not stay very long, and by early evening the town would be complete darkness.

A blue light shot down from the sky. Nolan lost his balance, and fell to the floor. He remained there for a few minutes, frozen with both fear and the cold. Nolan had never met another who was magic, nor had he ever wished to. This was mainly due to fear, and a lack of understanding about his own powers. He got up and was contemplating going back into town, when he heard a loud shriek coming roughly from where the light had shone down. There was someone or something on the mountain, and it did not sound pleased to be there.

Authors note:

I hope you are enjoying my story, i'm a total novice so I'm sorry for any errors :) Feel free to let me know what you think so far ! Best Wishes – HappyLola x