Snowland Ballad[]
This is a story circulating in Northland, though no one knows if it's true, but a minstrel wandering the Northland collected it in an anthology... Two blond Aurorian orphans from parts unknown met in a Northland village and form a solid bond through mutual aid and acceptance. In addition, we will also get a glimpse into the daily life of Northland Aurorians in the story.
Introduction[]
Dorothy had followed Martha's directions to the saltwater lake, but a blizzard kept her from coming home. While seeking shelter, she unfortunately encountered ravenous wolves.
Volume VI: Trapped in the Snowstorm[]
A shuddering Dorothy marched in snow, fighting fierce wind every step of the way. She could barely see what was in front of her, and started to regret every decision she made today. After herding the sheep back to town, she should have gone home to curl up next to the fireplace. She should have realized the detour to the lake would be treacherous halfway through and turned back. Even after getting to the lake, she should have checked the weather, rather than waiting for the water to freeze... The blizzard roared all about. Worse still, it was getting dark. Dorothy looked around and prepared herself for the worst: Spending the night out here in the snowy wild.
At that thought, she groped her way through the boulders, searching for a crevice to take shelter in. Fortunately, she found one, just big enough for her to squeeze into. She sighed in relief as she rested her head on the slab behind her.
She couldn't help but be concerned for Cruz. Would he panic and cry? Maybe even brave the storm to beg the elder to send a search party for her? Would the elder even send one given the adverse conditions? Would Martha be worried because she isn't home? Or would she just sit by and stare into the fireplace?
Dorothy could read Cruz's mind. He wanted her to approve of Martha and keep her as family, not merely a neighbor staying over temporarily. But they didn't even know where Martha came from. Her past was a blank slate that she never divulged.
Dorothy recalled how Martha sat before the fireplace: Her head lowered, blond hair dangling next to her cheeks, peaceful, tired, even worn. Dorothy saw Martha smile only at the dining table, a quick relief from leaving the past behind for a fleeting moment. Dorothy believed she should not trust such a person, that Martha would not make good "family". She came here bearing secrets, and that would be the way she leaves. Dorothy had already enough of the losses...
Fortunately, Martha's house was almost fixed.
Dorothy finally realized the blizzard seemed to have died down. She massaged her numb legs, left the crevice and tried her best to plot a path in the dark. Suddenly, she heard faint noises. She felt her blood freeze when she saw green glows slowly converging on her.
In the dying wind, she could hear them breathing.
They couldn't be anything else but wolves.