As I mentioned in the summary, I saw some other stories where the author writes a one-shot for each day of Advent, and I was intrigued, especially since my household is in full-on Christmas mode right now. I'm also really struggling to get through the next few chapters of The High Lord's Fate (I have already written ~50 pages post-battle and know how to connect them, but putting the words on the page is a lot harder than I thought it would be). So I decided to write these as well since I enjoy them and can write them quickly, so they often give me inspiration to keep working on things that are harder. I know I'm late to starting, so I will probably post 2-3 a day until I catch up.

These are all set in the universe of The High Lord's Fate which, so far, means canon. I plan to do four pre-Magician's Guild ones (starting with this one) then one for each year stating with The Magician's Guild. Those of you doing the math will probably realize that I am going to quickly jump ahead of where I am in The High Lord's Fate. I do have the full plot outlined for that book, so they will follow where I am planning to go with it. That being said, I am not planning to put any major spoilers in this for The High Lord's Fate. There will be some additional characters that crop up who I will introduce more fully in The High Lord's Fate later and I suppose there will be "spoilers" of a sort for the Sonea/Akkarin relationship (though I'm sure most know where I'm going with that), but I do not plan to give away what is happening with Sachaka in my AU (maybe if you squint really hard, there will be a slight reference, but it would probably only make sense in retrospect). I will put an additional disclaimer once I start to get ahead of The High Lord's Fate so you can stop reading if you don't want to risk spoiling anything.

As always, I own nothing.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Lorlen of House Tarrel had always loved the Midwinter celebration. As the youngest of four children, the holidays were lively, and there was always a pile of presents for the baby of the family. Though he had enjoyed the six months he had spent at the Guild so far, he was looking forward to spending the holiday with his family. There was something special—almost magical, albeit a different form of magic than what he was learning at the Guild—about it.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten the book he had bought for his eldest sister in the Novice's Quarters, so he had snuck out early on Midwinter's Eve to retrieve it. As he was walking back to the Guild gates, book clutched under his arm, he spotted a lone figure on a bench in the gardens. Lorlen slowed his steps, confused, for most novices and magicians spent the holidays with their families, typically leaving the Guild empty except a skeleton staff in the Healers' Quarters. Given the early hour, the person's presence seemed even more incongruous.

Curious, Lorlen stepped closer, frowning when he recognized the figure as a novice from his year. Akkarin of Delvon was more than a year younger than the other novices in their year, but he had a commanding presence and a bravado that made him a natural leader despite his age, so much so that Lorlen often forgot about his youth. Right now, however, he looked younger than his fourteen years. He sat staring into the gardens, his shoulders slumped, seeming unconcerned with the snow piling up slowly in the folds of his cloak.

Clearing his throat, Lorlen stepped closer. Akkarin startled and turned to face him. His lips turned up in a smile when he saw Lorlen, but Lorlen could tell it was forced. "Akkarin, what are you doing here?" Lorlen questioned.

Akkarin shrugged. "I've always liked watching the snow fall, and it's quite nice in the gardens."

Lorlen decided to rephrase his question. "Why aren't you with your family?"

"Ah. . . well. . . my eldest brother just got engaged. Second cousin, once removed to the king or something like that. . . perfect match."

"Congratulations?" Lorlen said though the word came out more as a question, for he did not seem happy about the match nor did it explain why he was not with his family. "Should you not be celebrating with them then?"

"I would just be underfoot. There is far too much for them to do to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch." Akkarin's voice was wooden as if reciting something he had heard many times. The picture he was painting of his family life was not the one Lorlen had expected from the generally devious, jovial boy. Looking closer, Lorlen realized that the fire that usually burned brightly in Akkarin's eyes had dimmed.

"Surely you are going home for the Midwinters' Day celebration tomorrow though."

Akkarin shrugged again. "There's not much for me to do there. On the whole, I think that I could be far more useful here, maybe get ahead for next term."

Lorlen did not even have to think before making his next offer. No one should be alone on Midwinter's Day. "Why don't you come home with me? I was just headed there now."

Akkarin's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No, I do not want to burden anyone."

"You would not be a burden, Akkarin. I have two brothers and a sister, and two of them are married with three more kids between them. Trust me, my parents won't even notice someone else in the house." Lorlen saw a sparkle of hope in his classmate's eyes, but he still refused.

"I thank you for the offer, but I will be fine here. Spend the time with your family." Lorlen heard the stiff formality of court speech and noted that Akkarin had adopted a neutral expression, concealing all of his emotions. However, Akkarin was not the only one who could be stubborn.

"Akkarin, I want you there," Lorlen told him sincerely. The mask slipped briefly, and Lorlen had a chance to see the glimmer of hope in the other boy's eyes along with a hint of tears. Akkarin allowed himself a small smile.

"Then I suppose I have no choice but to accept your offer." He stood, brushing the snow off his cloak. Lorlen smiled at him.

"Come on, it's a nice day for a walk through the snow, and Mother generally has spiced sekar on cold mornings." Lorlen turned, leading the way to the Guild gates, and he heard Akkarin's soft footfalls behind him. He also heard him whisper something, so soft the words were almost lost on the breeze, but Lorlen caught them.

"Thank you."