Sestra and the Wraith

A/n: This is a very Skyrim inspired short story about Russia and Ukraine. I haven't played in a while, so some facts may be off. It's just meant to be brotherly and sisterly fluff. I want to do more but I'm not sure how long it will take I'll make a slightly longer short story that will be posted separately to these short story practices. Yeva is a young thirteen year old girl who is gifted in early magic and has lost her home and family due to the war resulting from Ulfric Stormcloak's rebellion. She finds a mysterious entity in the mountains that changes her life. Yeva = Ukraine. It's my name for her. I know lots of fans call her Katyusa or something like that. I just like this one I looked up on a name website better. May have mistakes that I don't notice, I wrote this very early in the morning and I tend not to catch my own mistakes even when rereading. Port town doesn't exist in the game. Too lazy to use one from the actual game. And the orphan camp doesn't exist in the game either. Enjoy

Warnings: Um… charred bodies? Threat of death and a very scared Ukraine? And very fluffy Ivan. :3

It was very cold and the snow was almost waist deep on the child in places. Hardly a place for any child to wander around. Wrapped in an old coat, her pale blond hair trapped in braid wrapped bun, she carefully made her way in the snow. She kept her hands in her coat when she could, not having had enough money for gloves. Every so often the girl, who couldn't have been more than thirteen summers old, would stop and look around. She was thankful there were no trees, as giant frost spiders tended to thrive in cold wooded areas as well as caves, but she wished there was more cover from the wind. Just jagged black rocks poking up out of the snow. She was so far into the mountains, she wondered if there was only snow here.

She looked very lost and in a sense she was. Young Yeva had run away the moment the carriage's wheel broke, tossing many of the frightened children out of the back of the carriage. She didn't stick around long enough to be picked up by one of the adults. She ran. Yeva was a young orphan, a refugee. The war had displaced many of them when it killed innocent civilians. Many children who had no other relatives, like her, were loaded into carts and carriages to make the journey across the land, looking for an orphanage to take them. Most were already full, refusing more mouths to feed. Yeva didn't want to go to the final alternatives. The orphan camps were horrid places. It was more like a slave camp. Children would actually be worked, hired out to mines and households as maids and such. Yeva didn't want to die in a cave or a mine, mining iron or moonstone. That's where she'd go. She was sure of it. She was never lucky enough to get into a household.

But was this cold wasteland a better alternative? She couldn't even find food, let alone shelter. But it wasn't as though she could find her way back to any sort of civilization. By now all the snow covered hills looked the same. Each jagged rock… each mountain top. She sniffled, continuing on her way, head down. She tightened the long scarf around her neck. It had at one time been bright red and new, her papa's favorite, now faded pink in age and use. Favorite because Yeva and her mama made it together. Yeva wanted it to be long on her papa, so he could wrap it around his face during those long winter months at sea. Papa would leave for long periods of time, leaving her and mama at their lighthouse home. Mama would always keep the lamp burning bright, to guide papa home. When he would come home, he would always laugh a hearty laugh as he scooped them booth up in his great arms.

Yeva wiped her tears away, silently cursing the fact that she cried so easily. She had always been a crybaby and had never before been discouraged from doing so. In fact, it seemed that her parents loved it because they could cuddle her and comfort her. She was the only child in her family. Not even her aunts and uncles had children. She missed her home, her lighthouse, her family. They were gone. All gone. She would never see any of it again. She smiled weakly. At least there was snow. She loved the snow when she was younger. The way the snow piled up around the lighthouse, making the perfect conditions for tunneling around like rabbits. And taking the rides with her mama on their strong pony… right before coming back home to sit before the fire and drink sweet berry tea.

Hiiiiiiissssssssssssss

Yeva whimpered at the sound, eyes darting around to find the source. She hadn't wanted to be alone, but she didn't want something around that would hurt her! It hissed, so it wasn't a bear or a sabre cat. Thankfully. Yeva kept walking, hands to her chest. Her lip trembled as she tried to keep from crying. She prayed in her mind to the divines, hoping that they would notice a small lost girl.

Hisssssss

Yeva sped up a little, now tripping over her boots a little. She knew what that sound was. Even if she'd never actually seen one in person before. Her mind thought back to her mama's books. Her mama had many books that Yeva liked to read. Her mama was a mage after all and taught her many things, often using these books. Yeva whimpered. She could use a little magic, but not enough to actually defend herself. She could be killed. Maimed. Eaten. The sound of ice crackling, clinking together, and the sound of a cold breeze filled the air as the creature got closer. Yeva took off in a run, her mind filled with terror. She didn't want to die! Not out here and not alone!

Her feet crunched through the snow, slipping here and there. She kept whimpering as she ran but she could still hear the sounds. The hiss and the crackle of ice. Her mind conjured up an image of a whole army of the creatures. All eager to freeze her to her death. Yeva cried out as her foot caught on a buried rock, making her fall face first into the snow. She tried to catch herself with her hands but it wasn't successful. She slowly lifted herself out of the snow, snow clinging to her reddened face. She stayed on hands and knees, shivering and trembling from fear. She heard it right behind her now and she knew if she ran again it would only catch her.

Hiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssss

Yeva looked up and screamed. She fell onto her rear and scuttled back. The ice wraith watched, its reptilian body twisting and snaking in the air. It was frightening. It was transparent in places and frost danced around it. Oh but the teeth! It had large teeth in its gaping maw, a large lower jaw that could easily snap bone. Though, it would surely freeze her first with its frightening power. It slithered closer in the air, never staying on one level for long. It went high then low and never kept a straight pattern, as if it was an energetic child. Yeva covered her head with her arms, sobbing into her knees.

Hisssssss hisssssss

But death never came. Yeva stayed there for a while, trembling. She was even colder as she sat in the snow and the tears were beginning to freeze on her cheeks. Slowly, she looked up, wondering why the ice element didn't freeze her solid already. She squeaked as she found it almost nose to nose with her. It stared unblinking at her, its body flicking around to keep it floating in the air. Yeva didn't know what was going on. Why was it just… staring? Ice wraiths always attacked creatures on sight, even if the creatures weren't actually trying to harm them. They were naturally violent creatures, always in cold places or spreading their cold to survive. They didn't eat and didn't sleep. They just collected energy from the cold around them. But this one wasn't attacking. It seemed… curious.

"H-Hello?" Yeva whispered.

Slowly the wraith circled the trembling girl. She became rigid, not wanting to move and make the creature hostile. Her blue-green eyes were wide, following the icy form when she could. Before long the wraith nudged her shoulder with its nose, causing a bit of frost to form. But Yeva didn't feel it any more than the cold around her. When she didn't move the wraith twisted its head. Then it moved closer as if sniffing her scarf. Yeva wondered if the thing could smell. Did they have noses? Would they really need noses in the cold? Her nose was sniffly from the cold, bright red at the tip of her nose. The wraith seemed to like her scarf. It nuzzled it but backed up in the air as that part of it froze. It looked up at the girl's face. It bumped its nose on her chin. Surprisingly, the frost wasn't that cold. It melted almost instantly on her chin, the resulting water dripping off quickly. The wraith made a small sound and did it again.

"You… are a silly little thing… aren't you?" Yeva said.

Slowly she brought her hands up. The wraith watched them for a moment, turning its head left and right to do so. When her hands brought no harm, it allowed her to cup her hands around its cold body. It seemed to dance in the air, reveling in the warmth she gave. Yeva giggled. It was friendly? Strange, but wonderful! She ran her finger under the creature's chin, giggling as it purred as she scratched.

"Do you like that? You're so gentle, I was surprised. You frightened me, little one." Yeva said.

Yeva continued to rub the wraith's chin but had to stop soon. She put her hands into her coat's pockets as they grew too cold. The wraith didn't like this. It made more hissing sounds, darting around her and nudging her with its nose. Finally, it realized she wouldn't bring her hands out again anytime soon. So it wiggled into her scarf, wrapping the long end around its thin body. It looked back up at her and Yeva could see its eyes shining in the dark sockets. They were a bright glowing blue, far lighter than her own. They were a pure blue while Yeva's had a hint of green in their depths.

"I wonder why you're out here by yourself. Do you have family, little ice wraith?" Yeva said.

The wraith either couldn't answer her or just wouldn't. Instead it kept looking up at her from her scarf. Yeva didn't mind that it made that part of the scarf freeze. It seemed to like her scarf. It seemed to like her as well. At least it wasn't trying to kill her. But it was curious. Normally ice wraiths were at least seen in pairs. It was rare to see just one. And such a calm one it was. Yeva wondered if it felt lonely by itself. It must, she thought to herself. What creature would actually like being by itself in such a lonely place?

"I don't either. Mama and Papa died in the war. I'm all alone now and I do not think I can find my way back." Yeva said.

The creature let out a little hiss mixed with a small roar. It was almost cute, she dared to think. A roar that wasn't the least bit frightening. Maybe this was a baby wraith? Could there be baby wraiths? Yeva shivered. She felt so cold right now. She needed to find someplace warm or at least some place to make a fire.

"Would you come with me, little wraith? I know I'm not much company and I cry a lot, but… it's so very lonely here." Yeva said.

When the wraith didn't untangle itself from her scarf, she took it as an agreement. She smiled and stood up, brushing snow from her bottom. She looked around before she began walking. She didn't really know where to go. But just standing there in the snow was a less favorable choice.

"I wonder where we should go. Do you know?" she asked.

The wraith wiggled free from her scarf. It twisted in the air a moment before it circled her. Yeva watched, her eyes no longer holding fear for the elemental creature. Slowly the wraith began to slither slowly in a direction, looking back after a moment to see if she would follow. Yeva began to follow. She didn't know where this wraith would take her. It could be taking her toward a Wispmother for all she knew. But she didn't think it would be so cruel. Call it childish innocence but she trusted the little wraith. It led her further and further as the sun moved across the sky. She kept shivering, arms crossed across her chest. After a while of just walking in silence, she decided to speak to it again. She didn't care if any of her words actually made sense to it. It just felt nice to talk to it.

"I wonder… if you have a name? My name is Yeva." Yeva said.

Her only response was a hiss. She smiled.

"It means "life". That's what my mama said. She named me after my babusya, my grandmamma, who lives in mama's country. Mama sometimes calls it "the old country". I don't know what that means. When I was little, I thought it meant everyone there was really old." Yeva said.

Yeva laughed. What a silly child she had been.

"I used to live with mama and papa in our lighthouse. But it's gone now because of the war. I don't really like it here in Skyrim, not anymore. People leave too easily." Yeva said, her eyes downcast.

She was surprised as the wraith nuzzled her chin before going back to leading. She giggled.

"I like you so much! Can I name you? Let's see… I think I will call you… Ivan. Yes, Ivan." She said.

Yeva watched as the newly dubbed Ivan began to whirl around in circles at the bottom of the hill. She looked up at the top and she shuddered in excitement. A building!

"Oh! Ivan! Thank you! You did so well!" Yeva said.

She bit her lip. What if there was someone living up there? She could be saved but what would they do if they saw Ivan? She took out her hands, motioning for Ivan to come to her. Ivan obeyed, curling against her chest. Yeva's hands were tingling from the cold but she cared more for Ivan than her hands at that moment. Her magic kept frostbite at bay for this long; it wouldn't hurt a few more minutes? She was sure a warm fire was near in her future. She began to climb the hill but it was steep. She found herself slipping and sliding at every step. She grit her teeth and refused to let go of the little wraith. Finally, Ivan seemed to have had enough, he wiggled free and took her scarf in his teeth. He tugged and tugged, urging Yeva on. Giggling, Yeva climbed the hill.

"Oh… this will be worth it, I tell you Ivan. We're almost… there! I hope they have something… to eat… and will share. Are you hungry… too?" Yeva said.

Yeva wondered if Ivan would eat anything. Wraiths didn't require food, just energy. She wanted to offer him something as a reward. She supposed it didn't matter.

"If we could just… Whoa!"

Yeva almost tumbled backwards. Ivan quickly slithered behind her and began pushing her back up with his head. He took up this spot for the remainder of the climb. At the top, Yeva nearly fell over as Ivan was still pushing with all his strength. She wanted to jump up and down with joy. She'd done it! But she froze, eyes wide and fearful. Tears pricked at her eyes. She trembled, taking Ivan in her arms at the sight.

"Th-They're all-all b-burned!"

Slowly, Yeva edged forward. She didn't want to go near the scorched bodies or the charred buildings. It had at one time been a temporary camp for an excavation, most likely. The buildings were hastily built and now let snow into the single rooms they held from a lack of roof. Yeva wondered fearfully what had happened. She swallowed hard.

"I-I think… a d-dragon did th-this." She said.

Ivan darted into her pocket, frost quickly taking over the material around his body. Yeva bit her lip anxiously as she watched his head poke out. He must have known what she was talking about. She supposed wraiths didn't like dragons, specifically fire breathers. Why… it would melt him! Luckily these charred remains were old and long cold. There hadn't been a dragon near for a long, long time. Yeva guessed the rumors about dragons returning had been true after all. She'd never seen a dragon, just as she had never seen a wraith before. She just hoped she never would.

"I-It's alright, Ivan. Th-The dragon's g-gone now." She said.

Yeva walked up to a building and peered in, hands on the frozen wood on the doorway. She swallowed hard, tears streaming out as she spotted the badly burned corpse. This one hadn't died right away. The poor man. He'd managed to climb onto the surviving bed. He died in his sleep. Be it from the cold or his injuries. Yeva sniffled, walking in. she edged closer, eyeing the small leather bound book lying on the small bedside table. Ivan slithered out of her pocket, curiously slithering near the corpse. Yeva reached a shaking hand out and snatched up the book. The quick motion startled Ivan and he quickly followed Yeva as she ran back out.

She stood outside the hut, dropping the book as she put her hands over her eyes and sobbed. Ivan circled her, hissing and roaring in fret. Yeva couldn't stop crying. She'd never seen so much horrible things! She had never been allowed to see dead bodies as the carriages she rode in passed battle fields or dead bodies from bandit attacks on the roads. It was frightening. She wanted her mama. Finally, sniffling, she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She picked up the book and shakily walked over to the surviving fire pit. She was shivering as she cleaned it out, brushing as much snow away as she could. At least there was wood to use. She walked over to the woodpile and thanked the divines that there weren't any bodies over here. Ivan followed her every step. He stayed by her as she piled the wood next to the fire pit and began to put it into place.

"I-I need to make a f-fire. G-Get warm." Yeva said.

Biting her lip she held her hands out before her, palms toward the pit. She concentrated, willing her small amount of magic into her hands. Flame sparked to life on her palms, small and warm against her skin. Not at all hot and burning to her touch. However Ivan shrieked. He darted away as she made the flame appear and shoot into the fire pit, lighting the kindling and logs. Yeva made the flame go out on her hands and quickly turned toward Ivan. Her eyes were wide and fearful. She didn't want him to leave her! He was her friend! She didn't want him to leave her alone!

"It's alright, Ivan! It won't hurt you! See! It's good! Warm!" Yeva said, putting her hands out to feel the warmth radiating from the fire.

But Ivan stayed away, hissing and roaring for a bit longer. Slowly he slithered closer. His head swiveled, looking from the fire, to Yeva's hands and finally to Yeva's face. Yeva gave him a smile

"I need warmth to live, Ivan. I'm too cold in the snow. It's alright. It won't hurt you if you don't touch it." Yeva said.

Ivan ventured closer, flinching back every so often at the heat that blasted toward him. Finally he settled in the air next to Yeva. He tilted his head as he stared into the flames. After a while, the wraith settled onto Yeva's shoulders, wrapping its body in the scarf. Yeva giggled.

"You like my warmth better, don't you? You're so cold… Do warm things make you happy?" Yeva wondered out loud.

Yeva slowly lowered her hands back down, settling them in her lap. She sat down fully, no longer on her knees. She smiled again. Ivan was snuggling her scarf, making her tell him about it. Talking seemed to distract Yeva and soon she wasn't so bothered by the charred bodies. Most of them were face down in the snow anyway, so charred they were just husks. Yeva liked talking to Ivan though she felt the need to explain things to him. It was almost as if he were a child.

"Ivan, will you stay with me, always?" Yeva suddenly said, "If you do… you can be my little brother. I can be an elder sister, I think."

Yeva giggled as Ivan nuzzled her chin. Suddenly she stood up. She turned toward the huts.

"We're going to need food, little brother. I hate the th-thought of going near them. But… there might be something to eat. It could be really old though… I don't want to get sick… but if I don't get something… I will get sick anyway." Yeva said.

Mustering up her courage, Yeva set her face and walked toward the huts, leaving behind the leather bound book near the spot she had been sitting in. she avoided the hut with the burned man and instead went to the second of the three huts. She found a table with various shards of pots and broken gears. She even found a rusty old sword. But nothing she could eat. She did laugh as Ivan slid into a mostly intact pot, peeking out at her through the missing chunk.

"Playing hide and seek? You're good at it but you can't peek. I'll see you!" Yeva said.

Ivan retracted his head through the hole but his glowing eyes still made him obvious. Yeva put her hands on her hips and laughed. Soon Ivan came out from hiding and they left the hut. The final hut was more promising. Yeva was excited to find several pots laying on a table and frozen bread on some shelves. They were as hard as rocks but she put them into the pots. She could defrost them with the fire. Ivan began to nose at a drawer, gnawing at a knob as if trying to open it. Yeva went over and opened it.

"Oh, this is some rabbit meat. I wonder if we can eat it too? It's been frozen a while. Should be alright. I think I can remember how to make stew. Papa liked rabbit stew. It's good." Yeva said.

Yeva put the rabbit meat into the pot as well, adding a few frozen vegetables in for good measure. She took it out and set it near the fire. She emptied the pot, filled it with clean snow and put it onto the hook that thankfully still stood in the frozen ground over the fire. Yeva sat back down and watched the snow in the pot melt into water. As soon as it began bubbling, she put the frozen meat in and the vegetables. She placed the bread on one of the rocks that lined the pit, hoping that this would work. When she made stew for her papa, it was always fresh ingredients, not frozen. While she waited for everything to thaw and begin cooking, she looked at the leather bound book.

"Look, Ivan! It's a journal! These people were excavating a Dwemer ruin! I bet it was exciting. They found so many things. Eek…. Even some still working mechanical things… I wonder what a centurion is? It sounds scary from the description. I don't want to go there, little brother. I'm fine staying out here, even though it's scary here and snowy." Yeva said, reading.

Yeva began to grow warm. She carefully unwound the scarf and placed it on the ground next to her. The moment that she did, Ivan darted into it, rolling around to make it wrap around him. Yeva giggled. He must really like her scarf, she thought. Yeva began rubbing Ivan's side through the scarf. He seemed to really love warm things. How odd for an ice wraith. She didn't mind sharing her scarf at all. As Yeva sat she glanced toward the hut she hadn't searched. She didn't like the thought of going back in there… but she'd seen a chest. It might have some blankets, a sleeping roll or some warm clothes. It was worth a look.

She stood up and walked toward it. With a shriek, Ivan untangled himself from his cocoon and followed closely. Yeva entered the hut slowly.

"I'm n-not scared. I have you with me, I-Ivan. Not s-scared." Yeva whispered.

Yeva didn't look at the corpse, instead going for the chest. Thankfully it was unlocked, allowing her to open it. Casting a glance at the corpse, she dug through the contents. She knew it was silly but she had a fear that he would suddenly jump up, screaming in horror and pain. It made her nervous. He was dead, so he couldn't do that, right? Yeva quickly gathered up a blanket and a bedroll. She pulled out a small coat as well. She looked at it curiously. It looked like it belonged to a child, tan in color. What was it doing here? There were no mentions of any children in the journal. She kept looking and found more children's clothing. Biting her lip, she picked them and the bedroll and blanket up. They didn't belong there. She'd take them out. She didn't know what she would do with them. They were too small for her and they were meant for a little boy.

Yeva carried her findings out to the fire. She put more wood on the fire, stirring the small pot with a spoon she had found. Yeva wrapped herself in the blanket, smiling as Ivan cuddled his way into the blanket as well. It seemed the wraith now craved warmth and touch. That was just fine for her. She'd gladly give it to him. But it worried her a little. The little wraith wasn't moving around as energetically. Didn't he gain energy from the cold? What would warmth do? But Ivan just hissed when Yeva tried to put him back into the snow. She let him be. Hopefully, if he did need the cold, he would do it on his own.

Yeva ate when her stew was done, dipping the cold but unfrozen bread into the broth. Full, she put the pot into the snow, letting it cool and freeze. Maybe she could take it with her? It wasn't nearly as tasty as the stew she and her mama made for her papa. But then, she hadn't had any salt or other seasonings. But it filled her empty belly and made her happy. Yeva continued to sit by the fire as the sun went down and night fell. The dark sky was filled with stars but it all paled in comparison to the bright rainbow lights dancing in the heavens. Yeva wondered what created those lights. Maybe the divines? Maybe they watched it from… where ever they were. Yeva soon yawned, feeling sleepy. She began humming and before long she softly sang. It was an old lullaby she remembered her mother singing.

Yeva gave a yawn. She was getting very sleepy. She should stay up. Sleeping in the cold like this was dangerous. But she'd been walking all day. Her limbs still hurt from the exercise and from the cold. Her very being hurt from using her magic so much in one day while still being so young. Slowly she unrolled the bedroll and climbed in with the blanket. It was warm, fur lined. Ivan slithered in the air above her. She smiled at him.

"I'm going to sleep for a little while. In the morning, we'll leave. I think if we can just find the ocean, we can follow it to a port. But we have to be careful of horkers. They're dangerous. Then we can find someplace to live. I can do some chores and earn money. Maybe we can get a nice house close to a town. Someplace further away so that no one will get scared of you and try to hurt you. Someplace warm but also cold… someplace that has spring and winter." Yeva said.

Yeva yawned, curling up in the roll.

"You'll like spring. All the flowers are so pretty in the spring. We'll plant some near our house… Ivan? Can you watch the fire for me? Wake me up if it starts to go out…" Yeva said sleepily.

Yeva quickly settled into sleep, feeling warm. Ivan watched for a moment before he wiggled into the bedroll. He liked her warmth. Couldn't get enough of how she hugged him, talked to him, and sang to him. His frost was beginning to thaw and his eyes were shining even brighter as he watched the flames. He liked warm things. Didn't like the cold.

Yeva found herself waking up a few hours later. Dawn was beginning to appear along the horizon and it felt a little colder. She swore she felt something patting her chest. She yawned, eyes opening to see the dying fire. She had to get up and put more wood on. She sat up, yawning.

"Ivan?" she said sleepily.

She was suddenly awake, noticing that the wraith was not circling her or slithering in front of her. She felt alone, afraid, as she jumped up. Had he left her?

"Ivan! Where are you?!" Yeva cried out.

"Sestra." Came a little voice next to her.

Yeva jumped and turned. She blinked rapidly as she saw the little boy, possibly half her age, maybe younger. His face looked very pale and bright violet eyes looked up at her. His large nose was almost completely covered by the faded scarf wrapped around his neck. He looked fairly silly in that scarf. It was more scarf than boy. Yeva recognized that scarf. It was her scarf! And the coat… pants… boots… they were the ones she found in the chest last night. The boy tugged on her sleeve.

"Sestra, the fire is going out!" the little boy cried out, the scarf slipping off of his mouth to reveal the childish smile as he pointed toward the pit.

"I-I-I-Ivan?" Yeva said.

The little boy… wraith… what was he? Yeva didn't know. But she knew what Sestra meant. It meant sister. That smile told her that the boy was affirming her suspicions. Yeva sputtered as she put more wood on the fire. Then she turned back to the boy. She knelt down and looked him over. He looked like a boy, an Imperial like her. His ears were a little pointed, also like her own. But hers were because of the faint traces of elf blood in her family. Ivan giggled as Yeva patted him.

"That tickles, Sestra!" Ivan said.

How did this happen? He was a wraith when she went to sleep. She woke up to find him a little boy! Yeva sat down, overwhelmed.

"Did I do well, Sestra? The fire was going out so I woke you up!" Ivan said, eyes eager for praise.

Yeva nodded dumbly. Then she smiled. She was still very confused… but this wasn't bad. She opened her arms as the boy gave a cheer and launched himself at her. He hugged her as he sat on her lap. Yeva's brows furrowed as she felt how cold he was. Not nearly as cold as he was as a wraith but fairly cold as a child. Was that bad? Would he get sick? What now?

"Very well done, Ivan. I am proud of you." Yeva said, "But, Ivan, when did this happen? What happened to you?"

The little boy either didn't hear her or wouldn't answer. He snuggled into her chest, smiling.

"I like your hugs, Sestra. So warm. I like warm!" Ivan said.

Yeva giggled, running her hand over the boy's ashen hair. It was such a fair blond, far blonder than her own hair.

"I know what else is warm. Do you want some soup? I can heat some up." Yeva said.

Ivan nodded his head quickly, making Yeva giggle. However he wasn't as keen of letting go. He took to whining quickly. Yeva had to convince him to let go so she could retrieve the pot from the snow. As she had predicted, the soup had frozen. She put it over the fire and welcomed Ivan back into her arms, snuggling into the bedroll for warmth as the land was reacquainted with the sun.

"Sestra? When is spring? Is it far? Can we go there after soup? Can we see the flowers?" Ivan said, his voice soft.

Yeva giggled.

"Well, Ivan we're in the mountains. We have to find our way out to the ocean. Remember? I think I told you before bed." Yeva said.

Ivan nodded.

"We will go right after soup. It may be a while until we see spring. But I can show you some flowers soon. I'm sure there are some somewhere. We just have to find them." Yeva explained.

Before long the soup was bubbling and ready to eat. Yeva kept Ivan on her lap, blowing on each spoonful as she fed him some then fed herself some.

"It's good!" Ivan announced after his first bite.

"That's great! I bet this is your first time eating. I'm glad I made something you like." Yeva said, giving the boy a great smile.

Taking turns, they finished the soup. Then, they packed up their camp, packing a bag Yeva found. She made sure the bag was still light enough to carry on her back as she filled a slightly smaller one with frozen food. She put it on Ivan's back as Ivan wouldn't stop insisting until she did so. He wanted to look just like sister. Before they left, Yeva also tied some wood onto the top of her pack, tying some twigs to Ivan's so that he would be happy. Taking his small hand in hers, they began walking.

"This way, Sestra! This way!" Ivan insisted, pulling his new sister along.

"How do you know, Ivan? It all looks the same." Yeva said as she followed.

"I know! I know! This is the way, Sestra! I can feel it in the snow!" Ivan said.

Yeva smiled, though didn't understand it. Perhaps it was just something as a wraith he knew. She decided to go along with it. She didn't have any other plan and as they crossed over the crest of a hill, she nearly cried at the sight of the ocean. She kept the tears in, not wanting to worry Ivan.

"Oh! You-I don't know what to say, little brother! You are amazing!" Yeva said, patting the boy on the head.

Ivan stared at the water as they walked along the bank.

"Look! There's ice! Why?" the boy asked.

Yeva found it curious that the boy asked this. Didn't he know? Maybe he had been a baby wraith after all. He didn't seem to know much, about as much as his childish appearance seemed to suggest. So Yeva did her best to answer his questions, which seemed endless. By afternoon, Ivan was looking up at Yeva with wonder in his eyes.

"Sestra! You are so smart! You know everything!" Ivan said.

Yeva giggled. If her cheeks weren't so wind burned, she'd have blushed.

"Thank you, Ivan. You are very smart yourself. Why, you have so many talents." Yeva said.

Ivan grinned widely.

"Someday, can you teach me to light the fire and do magic, just like you did?" he asked.

Yeva frowned a moment.

"Someday. You're too little to learn yet. It's very dangerous. It isn't a toy, that's what mama said."

Ivan pouted at this but didn't argue. For a while he forgot about it before he spoke again.

"Am I older now?"

"No, not yet." Yeva said with a smile.

"Oh… How about now?"

This conversation lasted a few more minutes before Yeva stopped for a break. They sat on rocks or at least Yeva tried. Ivan kept wanting to play in the water, picking up various rocks and clams. Yeva kept having to go retrieve him so that he wouldn't get too wet. She didn't want to risk seeing if he could get sick. Ivan didn't seem to mind scolding, much to her relief. Being an older sister was hard… but she loved every moment. She got the feeling that she'd learn just how hard it would be once they were back in civilization. She wondered how she would trick people into believing she wasn't a runaway orphan. The last thing she wanted was to be picked up again and separated from Ivan. Something told her that would be a disaster for everyone involved.

After walking the entire afternoon, taking stops when they could, Yeva could tell that finally Ivan was beginning to run out of energy. Soon she found herself carrying him, the scarf wrapped about both of them. Ivan was fairly light but Yeva didn't know how long she would be able to carry him. She was a young girl still. Finally, they stumbled into a port.

"Oh, look little brother! We're here!" Yeva said.

Yeva quickly made her way to the inn. People were already staring and she knew they were looking at her ratty coat, patches littering it, and the mud on both of them. A warm fire greeted her when she finally pushed open the door, not wanting to put Ivan down yet. Ivan's wide purple eyes looked at everything, darting around as Yeva walked up to the counter. She could barely see over it, making her wish she was taller.

"Excuse me!" Yeva called out to the barmaid.

The woman looked down at her surprised.

"Um, we need a room. But I don't have any money. I can do some chores though! I'm really good at cooking and cleaning." Yeva said quickly.

The woman looked at them, skeptical. She planted her hands on her hips.

"Do your parents know you two are here? It's dangerous to be in port towns by yourself, little girl." The maid said sternly, yet kindly.

Yeva shifted on her feet. Think of a convincing lie. She hoped Ivan wouldn't say anything to ruin the lie. But he seemed to have clammed up when they entered. Yeva nearly giggled. Ivan was shy.

"Yes. They were actually sending us to live with our grandmother because of the war. But the carriage we were in tipped over and killed the driver. We've been walking all day in the mountains. Please, we're very cold and tired. I wish I could show you some sort of letter. But it would take days for me to send a letter back to them asking for it." Yeva said.

The barmaid observed Yeva a bit longer before she sighed.

"Oh alright. I think I can find something… for you to do. Just make sure you and your brother stay out of trouble… Is your brother alright?" she said.

Yeva had noticed that Ivan was shivering, burying his face in the scarf. Hiding. Yeva cooed to him, telling him it was alright. He was scared. This was all new to him after all. This seemed to melt the barmaid's heart further. She was a very sweet woman after all, despite being hardened from working around drunken sailors. And she absolutely adored children, having two of her own.

"Poor thing! That accident must have been horrible. Did you lose many of your clothes? Let me show you to a room and I'll fetch you something else to wear. Luckily my children were your sizes once." The barmaid said, hurrying around the bar.

The two children were ushered into the empty small room. Yeva took off Ivan's coat and unwound the scarf from both of them. She set their belongings into the chest, making a note to give the raw food to the barmaid. She could use it. Finally she hung both her coat and her new brother's coat on a chair to dry. She'd have to wash them but that wasn't a pressing matter. She sat Ivan down on the bed, slipping his boots off. She wiped at the big tears going down his face.

"Oh Ivan! I'm sorry! I forgot you aren't used to all this. It must be scary… It's alright. Sestra will protect you." Yeva said.

Ivan let out little hiccups. The barmaid returned with some clothes, which Yeva thanked her for. The barmaid assured them that warm food would be ready soon and not to worry.

"You can start chores tomorrow. Just rest up now. Thank the divines you both got here when you did. A snow storm is coming over those mountains. I don't know what you would have done if you got stuck in it." The barmaid said.

Yeva nodded.

"Thank you." She said.

The barmaid left them and Yeva helped Ivan to change into the new clothes. Then she settled him under the covers of the blanket before sliding in herself. Instantly Ivan clung to her, leading her to cuddle him. Slowly, Ivan's hiccups lessened and his shakes ceased as Yeva began to sing to him. The warmth began to lull her to sleep as it had done to Ivan. She fell asleep, smile on her face as she held her brother close.