Bella
I walk along the desolate road, the only one that leads this far north. I belt my cloak tighter to me and continue along; this late in the fall the approaching night brings with it a bitter cold. The woodland is broken up by the small farms that dot the area, tiny plots of structure carved into the wildness. Some patches within the darkened forest have started to glow; the magical flora reacting to the lack of sunlight with it's own luminescence. I climb to the top of a small hill, giving me a better vantage point. In the distance I can see the mountains, dark points that tear into the golden horizon with jagged edges.
I peer at the sky, shades of blue, orange, purple, and red cascade across the horizon as the sun sets. To my right, I notice a thick bank of clouds. Allowing my vision to shift, I can see the currents of magic contained within, a mass of chaotic magic with flecks of order caught in the turbulence. It looks like snow. I scowl at the clouds for, "Looks like I've got to find somewhere to stay."
I turn in a circle and see a farm not too far away. I hesitate at the idea of stopping at a single residence, but a harsh gust of wind assaults me, sapping what little warmth I carried and leaving me shivering. I sigh then hoist my pack onto my shoulder before trudging down the hill and across the small field to the tiny residence.
By the time I get to the home, the wind has picked up and small flurries are falling, sticking to my cloak and eyelashes. I knock heavily on the door, desperately wrapping my cloak around me against the wind. Despite the light on in the building, no one answers. I groan and slam my fist into the wood again.
I continue to make a racket until the door finally swings open. I find myself looking down into the face of a teenage boy. He has dark hair and dark eyes. We stare at each other for a beat before he comes to his senses and scowls, "What do you want?"
"I just need shelter." I say, "I'm not equipped to survive a storm like this."
He peers at the sky, then looks at me again, "Why are you up this far north without proper gear?"
"I wasn’t expecting snow this early."
"I don't know..." he pauses when a woman walks up behind him.
"Troy, what is it?" she asks, looking over his shoulder. Her bright blue eyes and golden blond hair stands in stark contrast to his darker features.
"This lady wants shelter." He says quietly.
"Then let her in." The woman scolds, "She'll freeze to death if we don't help."
"What if she's-" Troy begins.
"None of your conspiracies." She shoves him aside and opens the door wide, "Come on in. We can't offer much but we can get you out of the cold at least."
I sigh with relief and duck inside, "Thank you so much." I say quickly, surveying the room. It's not a huge space, but there's a large hearth and it's warm.
"You're welcome. Feel free to sit by the fire and warm yourself." She waves me toward the hearth, "I'm Sarah," she looks at me expectantly.
"Bella," I say as I pull my hood forward further, trying to cover my ears. I rub my arms and remove my pack, opening it up to find something to eat.
"Are you hungry?" Sarah asks.
I pause, "I have food."
"That's not what I asked," she says with a smile.
Before I can reply a small child comes streaking into the room. "Mama!" She shrieks, hiding in Sarah's skirts.
A moment later an older man hobbles into the room leaning heavily on a walking stick. "Sorry Sarah, she got away from me." He glares at the girl.
Sarah smiles but picks her up, "It's all right Marcus." She looks at the child with a stern gaze, "Sally, what have I told you about running from grandpa?"
Sally looks down shyly, "Not ta," she says quietly. "I heard people though." She looks up at me with hopeful eyes.
Sarah sighs and smiles wearily at me, "Forgive her."
"Nothing to worry about." My stomach growls and I flush, "Um, is that offer of food still on the table?"
"Of course," Sarah carries Sally with her as she crosses to the hearth and the pot there.
Marcus moves into the room with us. I can feel his gaze on my back. "What brings you here, traveler?" he asks as Sarah hands me a bowl of soup.
Taking the bowl I glance at Marcus, "Just passing through." I sit down at the small table as Sarah, Troy, and Marcus all join me.
I take a cautious bite of the soup, feeling their gazes on me.
Marcus clears his throat, "You travel without cold weather gear?"
I sigh, "I can't always carry it, so I sell it every season. I was going to buy a new set in the next town, but..." I wave at the windows where the snow is now coming down heavily.
"You don't look like a nomad." Troy says harshly.
I turn to stare at him, "Nomads have a specific look?"
He looks away, "I suppose not. You just... you don't seem the type."
I shrug, "Wasn't born the type." I finish my soup and look at them.
"Why did you choose to become a nomad? And why alone?" Sarah asks with a frown as she rocks Sally slightly in her arms.
I look out at the swirling storm for a long while, then say softly, "Sometimes life doesn’t give you a choice." I pause, "As for being alone... it's better that way."
An odd silence descends on the space only disturbed by the howling wind and Sally's soft snores.
At length Marcus clears his throat, "We don't often see Fae around these parts."
I snap my attention to the older man and our eyes meet.
He waits patiently for my reply, his gaze unwavering.
I swallow and fidget in my chair.
"Don't bother denying it." He says, "Even if you didn't give vague answers, I've never seen a human woman as tall as you."
I sigh and flip my hood down, revealing my ebony hair and delicately pointed ears.
“Why are you here?” Marcus asks.
"We all have our secrets." I reply, “but I swear on my life, I mean you no harm.”
Another uneasy silence settles on us.
"Based on how bad this storm seems, I might not be able to leave for a bit." I announce, "I'll gladly help with any work that needs to be done so I'm not a burden in the meantime."
Sarah and Marcus exchange a look and Sarah nods, "All right. You're welcome to set up a bedroll anywhere in here." She says as they all stand, almost as a one.
I nod, "Thank you, Good night." I wait until all goes quiet before unpacking my gear and settling down. As I'm staring out into the swirling snow a feeling of unease settles over me. The disquiet grows until I glimpse a dark form in the turmoil; it looks like a massive dog with red eyes and pitch black fur, but it's gone in a blink. Once it's gone the tension I'd felt fades away, though I can't help but feel something is about to change. I shake my head and roll over, putting my back to the window and willing myself to sleep.
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