Snippet #2192

The cold wind blew through her short, silken strand of hair, whipping the white before her clear vision. The glacier seemed to be stretching endlessly out before her. She pushed down her shield over her eyes, protecting them from the reflected sun. Even through the slatted gaze, it was impossible not to recognise the beauty of such a landscape. The blues sky seemed to have distilled into purity from the ice, giving such indescribable contrast and clarity, that it took your breath away every time. Bright white birds circled above them, signalling they were coming to the Summer lands. Birds could not survive in the central lands, nothing lived there for them to eat.

Shifting the heavy leather straps that were bound tightly around her shoulders, she looked back at Orin. Her Spring born brother’s pale hair poked out from beneath the heavy furs that she also dragged along behind her. It was rare for anyone to be born out of the Winter or Summer courts, their tribe had called him “Early spring” Degrading his rarity because he was so weak to her kind. The people of Spring and Autumn died young, most did not live past their 5th birthday, so they were considered a treasure held higher than and currency.

When Orin fell ill her father had instructed her to go to the Summer King, gain his favour. Once her beloved twin was healed, he was to be sent back home and become the leader of their tribe. She was to stay as a gift to fortify the friendship between the lands of Winter and Summer. The Summer Kingdom was the strongest, their Kind wise beyond measure, many of the Tribes went to him for advise and help in times of strife. All they of the Winter had to offer were fine young warriors, the best their was, but their numbers were dwindling, becoming fewer and fewer in numbers every year.

Kaylin felt the little Spring kitten stir beneath her shirt, it had dosed happily through the journey and one day she would be Kaylin’s stead for war. Till that time though, she would have to trudge on. She lifted her tired feet, setting off once more into the distance. She would look at all times for a chance to return to her Kingdom of Winter, where she belonged. She could not bare the thought of not going home after all this.

Eventually they came to the very edge of the Winter lands, looking out from the grey rocky expanse, she could see field and houses. Sighing softly, she realised she had gone to far east, coming out a mile further from the castle than she had hoped for. Still at least the incline here would be easy and she could hire a coach once she reached the bottom. She jumped shocked at the feeling of her swelling kitten beneath the heavy leather of her jacket. Quickly she released the rapidly growing cat. Her father had given her the kitten as a leaving gift, telling her what she believed to be an olds wives tale. Apparently this kitten had been with her family for over 100 years, never growing old as it never came to summer, it was told that once it reached the Summer King’s castle it would be fully grown and once more lead an ordinary life. Yet much to her disbelief wit was doing just that, with each step they took its muscles rippled beneath its flesh filling out. The rippling of its striped emerald green, iridescent coat fascinated her, as it grew larger and larger.

They reached the small inn at the bas of the small mountain and the innkeeper rushed out to greet the. He took Orin’s heavy form, deftly removing him from his encasement and laying him along one of the padded benches by the fire. He looked in awe at the pale dawn like creatures at either side of her.

“Will you be wanting food? I assume you’re waiting for the next coach?” He asked looking in horror as the large cat walked in beside her. Now reaching her waist she was indeed a fearsome sight, but she looked innocently on, curling up beneath Orin’s bench protectively. The barkeep smiled nervously, before leaving to fetch their food. She had forgotten of the joint coaches that were active in the Summer Kingdom, it made travel far cheaper. She sighed, settling down on the corner of the bench. She smiled, closing her eye’s, a nap sounded like an ideal thing before dinner. Soon all was dark and then nothing more.