Embers of Frost

Chapter 2 - Dawn

A girl walked down the snow-covered road, her gaze fixated on its white surface. Her arms were pressed against her sides, half-bitten nails digging into her clenched fists. Every step that she took seemed like a drag, fur boots sinking into deep snow.

Am I doing the right thing? Should I be going there again?

She shook her head.

No, it's too late to return now. I have to see it again one last time. It's the only way for me to hold on to my past, to mother...

The girl sighed and glanced up. The sun was slowly drowning into the distant sea, its rays splayed across the evening sky. The puffy dandelion-like clouds were inching their way back home, as a cool evening breeze billowed against her face.

She closed her eyes, and sighed. I wish this could last forever.

Her wistful thoughts came to an abrupt end, an urgent tapping against her shoulder. The girl's eyes fluttered open, a scowl forming on her face.

A man was staring down at her, his towering frame shadowing her. A red woolen hat sat atop his head, a thick bearskin cloak draped over his shoulders. Even though he seemed like an ordinary person, her keen eyes didn't fail to catch the emblem sewn onto his armor plate below; a large red shield with a pitchfork at the center.

Damn, he's one of the guards.

The scowl disappeared from her face as she curtsied, plastering a fake smile onto her face.

"What are you doing out at this time?" the guard asked, his tone sharp. "Don't you know that it's forbidden to leave your house after sunset?"

"Forgive me, Sir," she said, not meeting his eyes. "I was on my way home but I got a little... lost. If you would be so kind as to tell me the way, I'd really appreciate it."

He grunted and eyed her. Large trousers were hanging off her legs, folded several times at the cuffs. Fur boots enclosed her feet, oversized mittens covering her hands. A thin sheepskin hood was pulled over her head.

He finally nodded, shrugging. "Well, the King has given orders that all residents should be inside their homes before dusk falls." If he noticed the girl's sudden cringing, he ignored it. "Which sector of Gemageia do you live in; Aristocrat, Commoner or Peasant?"

Her expression hardened at the terms, smile quivering. A familiar spark fizzled dangerously in her fist but the guard didn't notice.

Calm down, Dawn. You're not one of them anymore. If I lose control of my powers, this man will haul me away before I can get the chance to fight back.

"Peasant," she lied.

He raised an eyebrow. "It must be miserable to live in such an area. You folks are rarely allowed to leave, so this must be one of those days, eh? Even your furs barely provide any warmth in such chilly weather." He sighed then. "I'm glad it's not my problem. Anyway, you're going on the right route, lass. Just keep going straight until you reach the desolated streets of Gemageia. The rotten houses can be easily differentiated from the better ones here."

Dawn nodded. "Thank you very much for your help, Sir."

"It'll be troublesome if I let youngsters like you roam around freely," he muttered. "Don't want the King having my head as his next meal." He raised his voice and glared at Dawn's retreating figure. "If I see you out again, I won't be this kind!"

Dawn only kept walking, increasing her pace. Her stride eventually turned into a sprint, the sun's fading rays washing over her running frame. The hood was thrown back from her head, her light blonde hair flying behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. The guard was a mere speck in the distance now. Once she was safely out of sight, she released her breath and skidded to a stop.