Written for an older prompt from fic_promptly on dreamwidth. It just sung to me 8D
The freshly fallen snow crunched loudly under Vigarde´s boots. His breath turned into white fog in the instant it left his mouth. The air was crisp and the coldness hurt his skin.
"The main entrance to the mines is 10 miles in that direction," a man with a heavy fur cloak, a goatee and a fur cap hiding his short red hair; he was the overseer of the mines in this region. Vigarde nodded and threw a glance at the mountain in the distance.
"Eep." Vigarde looked over his shoulder at the source of the squeak. Lyon hastily pushed himself up, swaying a bit because it was hard to find his balance again while shaking the tiny ice crystals from his face and hair, and hurried to catch up. He had to pull his legs up high; the snow went far over his knees and he was a short five-year-old to begin with.
Vigarde turned to his guide again. "Are the mines accessible during the winter?"
"They are, but you can't go very deep. Water often gathers on the stones and freezes." The overseer raised one gloved hand and wiped over his beard. It was covered with frost and Vigarde guessed that by now his beard was white as well. "Our workers know that, but sometimes travellers go missing." The man shrugged. "Nothing we can do." Vigarde frowned, but nodded. "We try to warn travellers that come by, but, well, if there's an emergency or if they don't listen..." He shrugged again.
Vigarde sighed lowly and asked the man to give him a short report about the output of the mines for this year. Soon Vigarde was immersed in a conversation with the overseer and forgot that Lyon was walking behind them.
Until someone suddenly grabbed his hand and he startled, involuntarily pulling his hand away.
"Father," Lyon said in a whiny tone and clutched tighter. Vigarde´s lips pressed into a thin line with the corners turned slightly downwards when he saw that Lyon was tearing up and his eyes pressed close. His hand twitched. "My eyes hurt." Lyon turned his face up to him. Vigarde shifted lightly and turned his gaze away without turning his head.
"What happened?" the overseer asked and crouched down next to Lyon. Lyon turned to him and clutched Vigarde´s hand tighter.
"The snow is so bright." The man nodded.
"I understand. That happens often." Vigarde blinked confused and his stance and expression relaxed. The overseer looked up to him. "That's snow blindness. It's pretty common for people who don't live in snowy regions. The sun reflecting on the snow is so bright that you get blinded. It's the same when you look directly in the sun." Standing up, the man released a deep breath and a large cloud of white fog. "Just keep your eyes closed and stay in a dark room for a while. In a few hours everything will be fine again." A small, relieved smile appeared on Lyon´s smile.
The man turned to Vigarde. "Even my brother, who grew up here, still gets snow-blind every time he comes to visit." The man laughed heartily. "And when we get back to the mansion, my master has to tell you the story of General Willem, who was too proud to admit he was blinded." He shook his head amused and his eyes twinkled. "Always worth to tell."
A smile tugged at Vigarde´s mouth and he nodded. "I will certainly ask him." When he looked down at Lyon, he was still smiling. Then he threw back his fur coat over his shoulder, bent down to pick up a surprised Lyon and sat him on his hip. As soon as Lyon had took a hold on his shirt, Vigarde pulled his cloak over him. "This will suffice until we return."
Vigarde felt Lyon snuggled closer when the overseer and he continued the walk and the conversation.