Tenshi no Fuyu
Through the snowfall on the fells, Kari and Brochael are on horseback. The ravens are circling above them, mere shadows in the falling night. The fell ponies race through the mist of loose ground snow up to their knees. The air has a distinctive cold, but earnest feeling to it.
They're currently heading towards the Jarlshold. Kari had recently awoken at midnight. His mind had been full of hauntings and slivers of distant memories. They both knew something had happened, and they have to warn the Jarl.
Loud howling climbs higher into the night sky. Wolves are scattered at the edge of the Jarlshold, but they seem content where they are. The guards stand watching them, unnerved. The villagers have stayed inside from fear of the wolves, but just as they haven't moved closer; they refuse to leave.
"Skapti, have you ever heard of anything like this before?" Wulfgar asks.
"Wolves standing watch over humans and not attacking; I'm afraid not. There haven't been any songs like this before," Skapti replies; his eyes shining with mirth.
"I'm surprised you aren't locked away in your room," Wulfgar chuckles.
"No," Skapti replies. "I already wrote one. It's shorter, but I'm more worried about Jessa right now. I can remember this scene tonight, and write more from memory."
"That's good," Wulfgar comments.
"Speaking of Jessa," Skapti frowns. "How is she?"
"Margrethe was unsuccessful," Wulfgar sighs. "Gerda and Einar Grimsson are tending to her now. If they fail, then we can only hope Kari arrives soon."
Skapti glances off to the side. Through a crack in the door, he can see the glinting gilded eyes from outside. Deep down, Skapti has a bad feeling over whether Gerda and Einar's chances of success. He daren't voice his doubts though, that would make them seem ever truer.
"Skapti, you did send for Kari, didn't you?" Wulfgar asks, tiredly.
"Of course," Skapti replies haughtily, feigning confidence. "Besides, Wulfgar, even if I didn't, how could he not know?"
With those words, the two of them fall into a weary silence. Torchlight licks at the walls behind the two, reaching higher with a strange desperation. If only they had taken the time to look at their shadows. Then, perhaps, they might have seen their shadows engulfed by the flames that take on a paler, and more snake-like form.
In an ice cold room, Thorkil sits next to a lavish bed on a rickety chair. His head in his hands, he keeps thinking about how things would be if only he had acted differently. He trembles quietly in the pale light from the window. Slowly, he reaches for her hand, and squeezes it reassuringly. Reluctantly, he stares up at her peaceful expression and hopes she will awake soon.
"Sorry. I meant to visit you the night before," Thorkil croaks, choking on his words. "I don't understand what swayed me from doing so… No, I do. I know. I didn't want to be in the cold, and so I left you to your lonesome. It's my doing. I should have taken more care. You wouldn't be like this if I had."
He sits up straight, and peers at her. His hopes of her awakening before his eyes are swiftly dashed. He leans against the back of the old chair; worn and weary. Blame and guilt are his only company in the ever cooling night. Thorkil, just as Skapti and Wulfgar did, doesn't notice all there is to the incense-filled room.
Ssssssssssssssssssss
The wind breathes as it writhes and twists in the night air. Gathering mists turn serpentine in their silvery white shades. Two transparent dark eyes appear above the snake, peering into the room. Staring directly at Jessa, and flicking to her cousin now and then.
Instantly, like a striking snake, the air is charged with negativity, but disappears just as swiftly. Without feeling now, the eyes desolate of life, and snake devoid of everything, a smile coats the air invisibly.
The eyes remain fixed in the room, despite the wailing of the girl standing at the foot of the Jarlshold.
Author's Note: I'm sorry! Please read this! Einar Grimsson and Gerda are the actual herb-woman and healer listed in the last book. Margrethe was created by my own ignorance, and so she is now no longer included in the story, but I may include her later on.
*- I couldn't get rid of that gap. The line wouldn't appear, and when it did, the other line disappeared.
Now, I've had the best inspiration for this chapter. 衛蘭- 愛沒有假如 KTV and 方炯鑌&弦子-暗示KTV. I don't expect anyone here to know them all the same. They're my inspiration for this chapter, and if you enjoyed it, please feel thankful for them too.