Pale Fire
Wrapping her arms around her body, Rosalind did what she could to keep the cold winter air from seeping into her bones, but she really wasn't having any luck with that. One of the many reasons she loved Alaska was just about the same as the reasons that she wanted to leave it.
Making her way towards her Jeep, Rose needed to get her ass in gear her shift started in about 30 minutes. While there was never more than 2 people that were working, she never wanted to make the person who was ready to go home wait for her. Jumping in, Rose got the vehicle started and waited for the thing to warm up.
As she started the Jeep, Rose couldn't help but wonder if this was all her life would be, get up, work, potentially use her training to save a life, go home. Her life wasn't anything that would be written about in the stars, but it was a good life. She had a loving dad who, while a bit exocentric in his ways of raising her, she wouldn't have changed it for the world.
As she drove through her small town of Galena, AK she swore she could have tossed a rock and hit the end of the town. Letting out a sigh, she pulled into the makeshift hospital and fire station. Quickly wrapping herself up, Rose double timed it into the building, not wanting to be outside unless she needed to be.
"Morning Hank." She said to the bush pilot.
Looking up from his coffee, "Morning Rosie, ready for another glorious day?" he asked her.
Pouring herself a cup, enjoying how the warmth of the coffee spread through her body, "You know it." Plopping down in the chair next to him, "Anything from the night shift?" she asked, not that she actually expected anything to happen in this town.
Shaking his head, "You know better than that." Looking outside, he watched as the first snow of the season stuck to the ground. "It's going to be a long winter kiddo."
Following his line of sight, she watched as the fluffy flakes made their way to the ground, "At least it's pretty." Grabbing her book, Rosalind could feel Hank watching her, "What?" she asked, not bothering to look up.
Rubbing his beard, he always wondered why she kept her nose in medical books, "Do you have any other hobbies other than reading?"
Rolling her eyes, "A few. I ride horses on the farm, hunt, and make knives with dad." Looking up, "What about you old man? What do you do for fun when you're not flying around?"
"Old man? Really? Smartass." Taking another big sip of his coffee, "Hunt, but really who in this town doesn't hunt? Ummm, I help my wife in her garden in the summer, and of course wood carving." He said to her. Pulling out a little whistle he made over the weekend.
Reaching over to take it from his hand, Rose couldn't help but admire its craftsmanship, "It's beautiful," she said, running her fingers over the mane, "You could sell this online to people in the lower 48." Leaning back over to hand it back.
Hank put his hands up, "No, you keep it kiddo. You're the horse whisperer around these parts anyway."
Staring at him, Rose couldn't help but smile, "Thank you Hank. Really." Putting in her pocket, she stood and gave him a hug. "I won't tell anyone, but your kind of a nice guy." Standing up, she moved towards the little kitchen, figuring she would whip up something for them to eat.
Hours passed and soon it was time for them to head home, looking over at the Chief who was coming in for the night shift, "Nothing to report sir. All good for our shift."
Tommy looked down, if he was a decade or so younger, he'd take a shot at Rosie, but he was way too old. Looking into her almost violet eyes, "That's good. Not too much happens here in Galena, does it?" He asked as she zipped her coat up.
Shaking her head, "No. It really doesn't. See you in the morning Chief." Slipping on her mittens, and hat, Rose made her way out to her Jeep, and started the trek all the way back to the family ranch.
As she carefully made her way up the winding road to the property, she couldn't help but wonder if this was as good as her life was going to get. She was about to turn 20, and her life was series of unremarkable moments. While she had a fantastic life, she didn't do anything that she really wanted to do, knowing that if she ever left her dad would have a hard time without her.
Letting out a sigh, Rose carefully got out, and carefully made her way inside. Kicking the snow from her boots as she entered the mudroom, she could hear her dad moving around, "Hey dad, how was your day?" she called out.
Jeff carefully hid at the top of the stairs, his eyes watching her as she slowly moved into the room, after many years of keeping her on her toes he could see that it was second nature for her to check her surroundings. Pulling back on the bow, he waited until she was standing in the center of the room before he let loose the arrow.
Rosalind could feel the hairs on her neck standing on end, "Dad, come on, it's late and I'm tired, I really don't want to play war." She said to the house, but she knew that if that was what he had in mind, there would be no deviating from this course. Rubbing her face, she knew that the only way to get this over, was to keep going forward.
Hearing the twang of the sting, she turned towards the sound, her eyes watched as the arrow made a beeline for her chest. Letting the moment slow down, she brought her hand up catching it before it pierced her heart. Looking up at her dad, "You know, one day I could be having a bad day and not catch this." She said to him. Holding out for him to take back his arrow.
Making his way down the stairs, "Not in this lifetime kid." Wrapping his arms around her, "I'm proud of you." Kissing her temple, "I made stew, your favorite." Leading her to the little table, he grabbed a couple bowls, sliding one towards her.
Leaning over, Rosalind couldn't help but enjoy the smell, "Thanks pop." Humming around the first bite.
They sat in relative silence, but that wasn't anything new, her dad was not a man of many words, and while he tried his best to be a great dad and raise her well, he didn't have the capacity to treat her like a girl. If it wasn't for Debbie at the corner store, Rosalind would never have learned how to braid her hair or shave her legs. But she knew he did the best he could with the limited skills he had for raising a little girl.
"Pop, do you regret never reenlisting after mom died?" she asked him.
Looking up at her, he was honestly surprised by her question, "Yes and no Rosebud." Leaning back in his chair, "I was born to be a SEAL, and getting promoted to Commander and being a part of Team 6, was a lifetime achievement for me, but you needed me. As much as I miss being out there, I love you more. So, no I don't regret choosing you over that." Reaching over, "Have I ever made you feel like I did?" worried that he said or did something to make his kid feel that way.
Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, "No pop. You were an amazing dad." Looking around the cabin, "But I know that you were a fantastic soldier that did amazingly badass things for your country." Taking a moment, "You know, you could always go back, even if it's just as an instructor. I wouldn't hold it against you."
Looking into her eyes, Jeff could almost feel his heart breaking, she looked just like him, with her hair and shape of her face, but it was Sandra's eyes that stared back at him. "And if I left for Coronado, what would you do?"
Rolling her eyes, "Really, you've trained me to be a solider, there isn't much that I'm worried about in this little town. Just think about it, OK?" Perhaps if he pursued his dreams again, she could go forth and start pursing her passions, perhaps somewhere warmer.
Taking a second to really absorb her words, "You know what, how about we table this discussion after winter is over." Taking a second to stand, Jeff looked down at his daughter, "You know I love you Rosebud, but if you wanted to explore this world, I wouldn't do anything to hold you back."
Staring up at her dad as he started to wash the dishes, moving to stand next to him, she grabbed the pot of stew got the leftovers into the fridge. "I know you wouldn't hold me back, pop, but you know I care too much about you to leave you on this mountain alone."
Bumping her with his shoulder, "Listen here Rosebud, I'm the parent you're the kid, if you want to go out to the world, I want you to go." Bending down to kiss her forehead, "I know you're trying to look out for me brat, but you need to find yourself out there in the world. No matter where that takes you." Drying off his hands, he moved towards his room, "And crazy thing kid, they have these." Pulling out a cellphone.
Tossing the rag at his back, "You are so fucking hilarious." Shaking her head as he shut his door, Rosalind couldn't help but think about what he said, he wouldn't mind if she went out into the world. Looking down at the last of the dishes, she quickly dried them off and put them up. Taking a last look around the dining room, Rose made her way up the stairs to her room her mind wandering to the possibilities that her dad just opened for her.
As the days before and the month before that, Rosalind watched as the clock ticked slowly towards 7pm, banging her head on the table, she was just plan bored.
Hank watched as she groaned out, "You know, might not be an expert, but that could cause brain damage if you hit your head any harder." He teased.
Lifting her head up, "Don't judge." Shaking herself awake, Rose stood up and moved through the building, checking with the one doctor and one nurse, "Hey guys, I'm about to make some food, you want something?" she asked them.
Rachel looked up from her computer, "I'll take a bit of whatever you make. Thank you." Turning to Mark, "You too?" she asked him.
Covering his mouth with as he yawned, "Of course, thanks Rosie." Spinning in the chair, he knew that the wintertime was the slowest time for them, most people were bundled up and keeping themselves inside.
Rose smiled and made her way to the kitchen and whipped up something that would keep them full until they got home. This time of year, deer meat stews were a staple, and if you didn't know how to make one, were you really an Alaskan?
Sitting down to eat, Rose looked over at the four people that were on her shift, for whatever reason, she felt like she needed to ask them about their lives outside of Galena. "So, if you guys didn't live on the mountain, where do you think you would live?"
Hank was born and raised here, and in his opinion, there was no place better in the world, "I'd like to visit Hawaii, but this place is home, I want to die on this mountain."
Mark looked over at Hank, he couldn't help but agree, he left for medical school, but came back as soon as he could, wanting to bring medicine to his town. "I enjoyed Fairbanks while in med school, but this is home." Taking a big bite of the stew, he looked over at Rachel.
Wiping her face, "Honestly, I think I'd love to retire in Arizona or something like that, but I still a decade of Alaska living in me before all that."
Rose watched as the 3 of them looked to her for her response, "Honestly, I don't know where I want to end up, but I would most definitely like to see the world." Perhaps when the thaw was here, she would take a trip to the lower 48, see what her country had first.
Sitting on her bed, she couldn't help but plan her first real trip, looking at the hotel, it was right on the beach, she could touch the ocean. Smiling at the pictures, it was beautiful, Key West. Taking a virtual tour, she finally settled on a cottage, while a bit more expensive, Rose would rather stay in a home then in a sterile hotel room.
Letting out a yawn, she saved her search wanting to show her dad before she booked it, figured that he'd want to weigh in on her little vacation. Closing her laptop, Rose wrapped herself under her blankets, and drifted off to sleep, her dreams were filled with white sands.
Jeff watched as Rosebud mucked out the stalls, he told her earlier that she could enjoy her day off, but somewhere in his body, he knew that she wasn't going to, like him she needed to keep busy, or she'd find stuff to do, some of it would be productive, others would be on the tad reckless side.
Finishing up the last stall he was working on, he watched as she brought the waste out towards the compost heap. "Thanks for the assist brat." He said to her as she came back.
Looking up at her dad, "Of course." Giving Jupiter a rub on his nose, "Anything else?" she asked, hoping that it was it for the day, she really wanted to shower and head to town, her book she ordered finally came into the corner store.
"No, I think I got it from here," chuckling as she gave him a salute and darted inside. Looking at the horse that was now whining for her, "Jupiter, you know she'll be back," rubbing the side of his neck he could feel the tension in him. Stepping back, Jeff looked over his property, trying to see if there was a predator lurking about. Not one to take too many chances, he locked up the barn and headed inside.
While he knew the horses would scream if something bigger than a bobcat got too close, he double checked his rifle wanting to make sure it was ready to handle whatever upset Jupiter.
Rosalind groaned, feeling like she was spending more time drying her hair than it actually took to wash it. Looking at herself in the mirror, her blonde hair finally starting to dry, "Thank god." Taking a second to finish up, she took the time to put a little product in her hair and put it in a simple braid. It wasn't fancy, but she really wasn't one for all that girly shit all the time.
Getting her boots and jacket, she made her way downstairs, she found her dad looking out the window with his rifle on his back, "Um everything OK, pop?" she asked him.
Nodding, "Yeah, I think so. I locked the barn up, Jupiter seemed a little upset, figured there might be something out there." Looking over his shoulder, "I'll walk you to the car, please call me when you get back."
"OK." Opening the front door, she let her dad step out first, once he indicated for her to come out, she didn't waste too much time getting to her Jeep, "I have my Glock on me too." She said as she shut the door. There wasn't any place in this town that she didn't go without a weapon, while the bears were asleep, the wolves, mountain lions, and bobcats were very much awake, and winter was their time to shine.
Waving her off as she drove towards town, he could hear Jupiter whining a bit more, shaking his head, perhaps he just didn't want Rosebud to go. Her ability to connect with the horses was something that amazed him. Making his way inside, he kept an eye out on his property, trusting the flood lights to come on if anything came too close to the barn, but the more he thought about it, the more he just assumed that Jupiter wanted Rosie to take him out for a ride.
Rose couldn't contain her excitement, holding her new book, "I've waited for this thing for months." She said to Debbie.
The older woman at her, unable to keep the smirk off her face, "Well don't keep me in suspense, what book is it?" she asked her.
Ripping open the box, smiling at her book, pulling it out, "How to make medicines with plants in the wild." Unable to keep the smile off her face.
Rolling her eyes, "And here I was thinking it was one of the sexy time books." Blowing some smoke out, "Only you would get excited about a medical book." She teased.
Shrugging her shoulders, "You know me, I like learning about my craft, I'm an EMT/RN and as lovely as our little town is, I don't get to use my skills, so I keep learning so that in the event it's needed, I'm prepared."
Walking her to the door, "Well, I hope we never need your skills sweetie, but I feel safer knowing that you're here for us." Letting out another billow of smoke, "Text me when you get home kiddo. It's getting late."
Jumping into her Jeep, "I will Debbie. Stay warm." Grabbing her book, she put it in her backpack and started the process of heading back up to her home.
Driving along, Rose kept her eyes on the sides of the road, trying to clock any movement as she moved through the town, moose tended to dart in front of vehicles in the evening hours. Made for driving at night a little more stressful, but she honestly didn't have the patience to wait for the morning to get her book.
Turning off the main road that led towards her house, she could feel the ground starting to shake. Slamming on her brakes, she looked up, and could see the trees swaying back and forth. "HOLY SHIT."
Grabbing her bag, she got out of the vehicle, wanting to be able to run and move as needed. Taking a few steps back, Rose moved towards the open meadow, wanting to put as much distance between her and the trees that were starting to come down.
It was difficult trying to stay upright, but the sound of a tree crushing her car pushed her forward. Sliding to a stop in the center of the meadow, Rose laid as flat as she could, praying to God that the shaking would stop. In her almost 20 years on this mountain, it was the first earthquake she ever experienced, and she was not a fan.
Cracking brought her out of her thoughts, lifting her head, she tried to find the source, but as she looked around, the ground beneath her gave way, as she screamed out in fear, she fell into a blue light, then it all went black.
Illyrio looked over his estate, his eyes taking in the vast size of his home, he was lucky to be born of a prince. Which was now his title after his father passed some time ago, but along with Prince being bestowed upon his head, Magister of the Free City was now his to uphold and manage.
Enjoying his wine, he watched as his servants tended to his gardens, while there were no slaves in Pentos, the rest of Essos was not so lucky. His father taught him long ago, slave or servant, if you show them basic kindness, you will have their loyalty, you treated them like dogs, eventually they would turn on their master. It was a lesson that he took to heart, his father was well loved amongst the people in Pentos, and now they looked at him with judgment in their eyes, would he be the man that helped bring peace and prosperity to their lands, or would he fail and bring about ruin?
These were the questions that he asked himself every day, was he going to be the man the people would praise, or secretly plan to kill?
Turning his attention to the Wise Women, "What does my future hold?" He asked her, making his way to the interior of his home.
Turning her eyes to her Prince and Magister, "Great things, my lord." Tossing some herbs into the fire, smiling as the smoke turned the color of blood, her eyes finding his, "Power is in your grasp, but you must wield it carefully or it will bring ruin to the city."
Rubbing his beard, "Tell me old woman, what is this power that you speak?" he asked, wanting as much information as the witch could provide him.
Tossing bones into the fire, her eyes watching them crack, gasping at the signs, "A traveler not of this world will come." Looking up at him, "Your path is intertwined with her, if you hurt her in anyway, great devastation will fall upon your house, however, if you nurture her, teach her, it will bring a peace that this land has not known for centuries."
A woman? "I am already married, why am I to be responsible for this traveler?" he asked.
"The Gods to not say, my lord. She is yours to watch over, until the time that her paths cross with her other half."
As Illyrio went to ask another question of the crone, the ground beneath their feet started to shake, "WHAT IS THIS?" he bellowed out.
The witch could only smile, "She comes, my lord, she comes." Opening her hands, sending the prayers to the Gods, "Bring her to us, great gods of the lands, let her journey be safe, so that our Lord can teach her the was of Essos."
Lighting cracked outside, sending the servants scrambling away, but the old crone couldn't help but smile, grabbing her Lord, "Come my Lord, you must witness her entry to this world."
Stunned and a little frightened, he let the old woman pull him outside and down the steps towards the gardens. Seeing everyone else has run inside, "Are you sure this is safe?" he asked, worried about the weather that was now whipping everything around.
"For us, yes." Holding her hands up, "LOOK!" she said pointing to the sky.
Following her line of sight, Illyrio watched as the sky cracked open, like a scar on the flesh, dropping to his knees, sending prayers to the Gods to protect his house and the people within it. Not taking his eyes off the hole in the sky, he watched as a streak of blonde came tumbling out.
Not moving, he looked over the body that was now laying in his flowers, "Is she dead?" he asked, not even sure if it was even a woman, the clothes that she was wearing were large and bulky, he never seen such clothes.
Resisting the urge to yell at his stupidity, Ciar looked at her Prince, "No my Lord." Standing up, she made her way over to her, her eyes taking in her face, she was young, beautiful, her hair was lighter than the Lannister's, but darker than the Targaryen's.
Crouching down, she held her hand over her face, smiling when she felt her breath on her hand, looking up at the Magister, "Let's get her inside, when she wakes, she will be in for quiet a shock."
Helping the woman bring her into the house, he placed her in room closest to the garden, he watched as the witch stripped her of her clothes, turning around as she placed something more suitable for his home, "What did you mean, she will be in for a shock? Did she not bring herself here?"
Looking over at his back, pleased to see that he was taken her words to heart about taking care of her, "No my Lord, she did not. She was brought her by our Gods. The poor girl will be lost, scared." Clearing her throat, "She is dressed my Lord."
Turning around, he made his way to the edge of the bed, his eyes taking in her appearance, she was beautiful, many men would vie for her, "How will I know who is right for her?"
Ciar couldn't help but laugh, "She will tell you. She is not to be sold, or bartered, if she does not choose it, forcing her will bring great sorrow." Taking a seat in the chair next to her, her eyes finding Illyrio taking her words, "You must claim her as your niece, no one knows your family, it will work."
Nodding, "I will do so." Letting out a sigh, "Watch over her Ciar, I'll have Mesi come in with you, send her to me once she awakens."
Bowing her head, "Of course, good evening, my Lord." Turning her attention back to small woman on the bed, taking her body in, while she was short, she was curvy, the silk dress clinging to her body. Ciar knew that she would have men all over Pentos wanting to be hers, but she knew that her heart belonged to the strongest of them all, and she couldn't wait for that day.
Across the grass sea, in the Holy City of Vaes Dothrak Khal Drogo watched the old crones sing and dance, it seemed as though the prophecy has begun.
"The Great Stallion rejoices, the mother of all Horses has come, she has come to bring The Stallion that Mounts the World! PRAISE THE GREAT STALLION!"
Drogo watched as the Dosh Khaleen danced and sang, drinking his fermented mare's milk, he watched as his people started to join in. Leaning back, it was his mission to find this woman, claim her as his, and bring forth The Stallion that Mounts the World.
Even as a young child, he knew that she was destined to be his, that is why he never married, he wanted to be ready for her when she came, and now she was here, it was only a matter of time before he found her, and claimed her as his.
Closing his eyes, he began to imagine what she would look like, hoping that she would be as beautiful as the moon itself.
