Disclaimer: All I have of the Snow-walker trilogy is my love for its characters, and the inspiration is spurred.


Pale fingertips froze above the door handle as laughter exploded from the other side, leaking through the coarse wood to his ears. Kari smiled, he would know that infectious twinkle anywhere.

Jessa.

Of course, he had known she was here. He knew the second she had stepped onto the lands surrounding Thrasirshall. When she stood outside of his room, calling him, it had taken all of his strength not to run out and greet her. No, not strength… It had been fear that held him back, making it impossible for him to face her. Even now, as he stood here listening to her laugh, he felt all the courage he had gathered start to flee once more. Sighing, he leaned his forehead against the door. He couldn't continue on with this cowardice. It wasn't fair to Jessa, and if he didn't confront this then…

Kari gasped as the images that had been haunting him came rushing back to his mind. No, that future could not happen. He had to talk to Jessa, no matter how nervous the thought made him. And rightfully so, seeing how everything depended on how tonight went. As it was, nothing was going to be the same as it once was. This alone was unsettling to the young snow-walker, he had never been a huge advocate of change. He was perfectly content with how things were. Living here in Thrasirshall with Brocheal in peace, being able to use his powers to help the Jarlshold instead of creating fear, having friends, like Jessa…

Frowning, Kari reconsidered that last thought. If he was being honest, he couldn't really include his friendship with Jessa with the constants he enjoyed in his life. It was strange, for since the moment he met her he considered her a strong pillar, unmovable. Not that she necessarily changed, no she was still the same Jessa. Fierce, confident, intelligent Jessa, who never left his side, no matter what or who was against him. Still, recently Kari had sensed something different in their bond.

At first, it had felt like their friendship had only been growing stronger, closer. But then something changed, becoming something new, exciting and utterly terrifying. It was something Kari couldn't fully understand, and this confusion only increased his worry. If he couldn't overcome this small change he felt between them, how would he be able to handle the imminent consequences of tonight?

One thing was for certain, standing on the opposite side of the door was not going to get him anywhere. Steeling his nerves, he took a moment to compose himself once more before throwing open the door into the room where his friends waited.

A seemingly empty room greeted him.

Confused, for he could hear muffled voices and sensed their presence in the room, he ventured further in, barely avoiding being hit by a kicked chair as he approached the table. Shaking his head, he gingerly sat back on his ankles to peer under the table at the scuffle that was taking place between the two. All that could be seen was an entanglement of limbs shoving back and forth at each other, unintelligible mutterings joining the noise of the brawl. Kari gave a tolerant smile, wondering what had set the fiery tempered girl off this time. Deciding to save Brocheal further injury, to body and pride, he gave a low, interrupting cough.

The effect was immediate. Jessa's head jerked up with a cry of 'Kari!' so fast that she slammed it right into the underside of the table. Groaning, she rubbed her sore head and took his proffered hand. As soon as he helped her up she dropped his hand and took a step back, trying to hide her flushed face. Kari felt his lips tug down at the action and the sudden feel of needle-like prickling he felt rush through her emotions. What did he do to make her so nervous around him all of a sudden?

Brocheal's deep voice drew him out of his thoughts, and he scolded himself. It wasn't right for him to be sensing Jessa's thoughts and emotions, even if they were being broadcasted so loudly. Instead he focused his attention on finding out why there had been a fight in his kitchen. He turned to his care-taker, "Do I even want to know what you said to irritate our guest?"

He felt joy surge through the girl at him taking her side, and the bright smile that lit up her face was so distracting he barely caught his care-taker's out of breath mutter of, "Don't know why she's so sensitive about it, poor Uric was the victim… only wanted to dance with a pretty girl…"

Uric…oh. Kari clenched his fists trying to fight off the blush he felt rising. That wasn't a moment he was proud of. It had been the first time he had lost control of his magic in years, and it coincidentally happened at the same time as Jessa's attack that he almost didn't notice he had acted at all. His help wasn't needed, as proven by the slap Jessa had dealt. He still was uncertain at why it happened at all, he hadn't felt any different…perhaps it had been too much wine on his part that led to the lack of control. All he knew was the moment he saw that man grope Jessa a surge of energy broke through him, and suddenly the man was unconscious on the floor.

"This is your fault," Jessa said pointing her finger at his chest. Kari's eyes widened, denial ready on his tongue. She couldn't know, he hadn't told anyone the truth about that incident. He felt bad that Jessa was mocked for it, but he felt the truth that he had lost control would cause more harm than good. Besides, it was all in good humor. In fact everyone loved the story of how she had knocked out a celebrated warrior with one hand.

"What do you-"

"If you had been down here with me, I wouldn't have had to deal with this oaf's nonsense!"

Brocheal grabbed Jessa in a great hold, rubbing his knuckles lightly on the squirming girl's head. "Oaf! So this is the greeting I get after months of being away from whom I thought a dear friend! And to think of all the work I've done to prepare for your visit. Bah, you young ones have no respect!"

Kari smiled as he watched the interaction. Jessa was beating her hands against Brocheal's arms, fighting to get free but her eyes were shining and her loud laughter echoed throughout the room. He was suddenly caught off guard as a burly arm grabbed him around the shoulders, yanking him into what was now a swaying embrace. His head clunked against Jessa's as Brocheal squeezed them tightly, saying how great it was that more of the family was here, and cold silver eyes clashed with warm brown.

Kari found his vision swallowed by her laughing face, and although he tried hard to tune her out, the bright and exuberant feeling of warmth and happiness that flowed from Jessa shot into him, making it impossible for him not to smile back. Distantly he felt his mind instantly saving the memory away with other cherished moments he wanted to remember forever.

Then they were released, and seated around the table, idly eating their meal and exchanging conversation. It was nice, and with each story or laugh from Jessa, Kari realized just how much he had been missing his friend. However, with every passing moment the night drew to a close, and he heard the shifting logs in the dying fire as crashing reminders of the darkness that was soon to come. When Brocheal scooted his chair back with a heavy screech, standing to stretch out his long limbs, Kari knew he had run out of time. Their previous life was now over, and the one ahead of them was to be decided in mere minutes.