Posted - 4 years 2 Days ago
It seemed as though humans had brought nature's wrath down upon themselves. This year's winter was especially cold and unrelenting. None of the old folks could remember weather this bad in their lifetime. The wind whipped up just as quickly as it subsided. It thrashed like a ferocious beast that had broken free from its leash, snapping at everything in its way. Nothing could survive unscathed, neither decrepit hovels nor merchant stands, neither workshops nor taverns the wind mercilessly tore off the shutters from the windows, broke signboards and carried them away. It violently bent and broke off tree branches, leaving behind only bare, solitary trunks. The sky was shrouded in dark clouds, which was unusual for this time of year. An endless torrent of snow fell from them. Caught up by the strong wind, the snow beat against the windows of homes, swept through the streets, and settled on the rooftops, adding to the ever-growing snowdrifts as soon as the wind abated. The City was slowly drowning under the blanket of snow. On Christmas Eve, to everyone's delight, the rough weather eased off. The snow finally stopped and the sky cleared up. Little by little, the City was coming back to life. In the Castle, the preparations for Christmas dinner were in full swing, and this year's feast was expected to be especially rich and generous. Ayrin loved participating in preparing holiday gatherings and this year was no exception. She sent out invitations ahead of time. She single-handedly drew up an elaborate menu and picked out the decorations for the Castle. The kitchen had been buzzing with activity since early morning; there was a lot to be done. Ayrin woke up early. She'd had nightmares that night and got up in the morning with a pulsing pain in her temples. "How fortunate that I gave all the necessary instructions for the feast yesterday," thought Ayrin, standing in front of the window in her gown and rubbing her temples, trying to alleviate the pain. Resting her forehead on the cold glass, the queen felt a modicum of relief, and as she gazed into the snowy landscape outside, she became lost in her own thoughts... A knock on the chamber door brought her back to reality. "Please wait a moment," the queen replied and hurriedly slipped into a robe. Ayrin approached the dressing table to make herself look presentable. As soon as her morning routine was complete, she settled down behind the desk and asked the guards outside to let the visitor in. A young servant entered. He had come to report that, at dawn, a messenger had ridden into the Castle, carrying a letter from the Malbrock family, saying that they would not be able to join the Christmas festivities because of the death of their newborn child. The whole family was in mourning and it was not the appropriate time for holiday spirit. Neville, the head of the family and a close friend of the queen, was especially overcome with grief. Ayrin raised her eyes and saw the servant still standing there. She thanked him for the news and let him go.Ayrin couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The news of the Malbrock family only worsened her suspicions and now the queen clearly felt an ever-growing uneaseIn the meantime, the day went as planned and almost all the food for the holiday feast was ready. Guests kept arriving at the Castle. A friendly group gathered at the table. Ayrin didn't like strangers at family gatherings, so she invited only those closest to her Meriones, Thaddeus, Haemon, Alrick, and their families. All of thembrothers and sisters in armshad more than once come to one another's aid in battle. Alrick and his son were a little late.Children were playing by the fireplace, occasionally tugging on the colorful decorations on the Christmas tree. Doria glanced at them patronizingly and a barely noticeable smile hovered over her lips. Meanwhile, a lively conversation was unfolding at the table. "Ha-ha-ha! Well, I can't say I'm surprised that the story struck a nerve with the old man! Although if that hadn't happened, we probably wouldn't be here right now So what did that mawkish bard tell you this time around?" Meriones asked, the laughter in his voice giving way to worry."Doria enjoys serenades and smooth words spoken by poets of dubious origin," Ayrin responded with a hint of irony and reproach. Doria's face turned almost crimson from embarrassment. "As luck would have it, the bard had an interesting story to tell, about the origins of winter and ice in lands.""And what's that about? The same fantasy as the story about Maximus with a pumpkin for a head?" Haemon laughed."Watch your mouth, old man. That fantasy took the lives of too many of my warriors," replied Thaddeus menacingly, with his eyes glaring.Haemon, who hadn't been in that battle, realized he'd said too much and went quiet for a moment."Our warriors, friend, ours. Old Haemon was stuck in the portal tower, busy flirting with young apprentices, ha-ha-ha!" said Meriones, who was already tipsy, in order to break the tension. "You owe us a considerable debt, brother," he hinted at the flustered Haemon."No doubt, friends! I wasn't able to answer Alrick's call in time and now I owe all of you doubly. You protected us, homes, and children. So let's drink to their future!" declared Haemon, raising his inlaid cup high."And to the wisdom the spirits may give to children in choosing that future for themselves and for their families' honor!" Ayrin added, directing a cursory glance at Doria.Suddenly, red from embarrassment and now anger as well, Doria slammed her cup on the table loudly."You're insufferable! How long are you going shame me regarding matters of the heart, mother!? It's always the same, and you'd never say anything like this to Kate!.." yelled Doria angrily, before stopping, realizing too late that she'd said too much.Ayrin went pale as memories of fruitless searching and loss, all barely locked away, flooded back into her mind All of a sudden, the door to the chamber swung open and a messenger, his legs stiff from the cold wind and unable to hold him any longer, collapsed onto the marble floor. He looked like hed been lucky to escape from some fierce battle. The guards came running after him into the room. Doria gestured to them to help the guest. He was lifted up. The messenger saluted and, addressing queen Ayrin with his lips trembling from the cold, declared:"Your Majesty, I'm a messenger from Lord Alrick. It's all true!.. The City is buried under snow and ice due to the cold winds and magic her magic the Frozen Queen herself!" The messenger sank to the marble floor again, shaking.The table fell deadly silent. The words reached Ayrin from afar, as if her mind was shrouded in a thick veil of fog
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