Dear diary,
The season of frost is indeed upon us. The grounds of the many lands over Evernia have bowed to the will of the falling snow. The winds howl bringing their strength and chilling bite into view. And though I must travel far, within the many dangers of these lands we once called our own I have reason to produce smiles and bare them. For every spoon of salt I must swallow, I know upon the dawn of my arrival I shall indeed be granted life in a land filled of power and serenity.
From the eastern snow shall rise an inferno of heat. A fire yet burning to destroy all in its path. But to the west shall come the salvation, the flaming soul of the just. Upon the soils of the waking shall the brothers feud. And within the victors wake tranquility shall come to pass within all worlds.
-Phalansiens DH 17-10
Three souls traveled the forest of Antria, a dense and protected
land known for its fallen clouds and deadly inhabitants. Throughout the year the blessings of the divine creators allowed the trees to remain rich with life; filling the senses with scents of pine and the eyes with set gazes upon never-ending displays of evergreen. Climate like most lands within this time of year remained just above freezing. Most travelers would not dare travel Antria during the winter season. Most of the living lacked the courage and knowledge to, with the exception of three beautiful women. They walked closely together, mingling body heat to aid in the success of their journey. The tallest of the three, Tonisa, strolled gracefully through the thick blankets of snow, her ankle- hemmed dark grey gown clinging to her sculpted figure. She kept a close eye over the forest ahead of them. The feeling of being watched coming to wash over her. She spoke little for those who followed close behind already knew where they were to stand in this excursion. There was but one major reason, and she would not dare repeat it now.
"Elder... sister," whimpered the second, a petite yet busty woman of figure with hair as black as the lands of never-ending night. Her pale cheeks had bloomed into petals of harsh red beneath her blue eyes. She shivered. The cold had found its way under her thick black cloak and platinum traveling robes. She held close to the youngest of the group. Their arms locked in an embrace as they made their way through the cold night. Abigelle, a short woman of kissed copper complexion had watched Tonisa travel without sign of the cold around them. She did not understand how a being of the sands could withstand the arctic chill of the forests this time of year. And though her mind was curious, she knew it was not her place to ask.
"Is there nowhere we may find warmth? I think it wise to make camp and soon...the temperature is dropping by the moment. This is not good for the babe we have traveled for."
She was interrupted by the voice of their elder sister coming forth with razor tongue.
"Has Abigelle given voice to discomfort? Or have you allowed your mind to trick you into foolish thoughts that it is you who now lead us?"
Zalia dropped her head and sighed.
"Tonisa, with her soft heart she would not give voice to such. I think only long term to aid your plans, not to overthrow your ranks of power."
Tonisa came to stop her pace and turning to face the two, she gave a nod and pressed forward.
"There is a small cottage not far from here. We can rest there for the night, but once the sun rises I wish to already be well on our way to the land of Dread."
With sighs of relief, Zalia and Abigelle followed. Along the way they both gathered sticks, twigs, and leaves when they came across them. After what seemed like an age, they reached the cottage. It was small indeed, and they wondered how anyone could have ever inhabited such a place. The roof was damaged, leaving a few holes to allow the snow to enter. The walls were cast of grey stone and embraced a single door of trazna wood. It was not much, but it would do.
With haste they made their way in. Combing it for anything usable, but found little.
"Start a fire. I will gather snow for water. We should fill our bellies before we set off again in the morrow."
Tonisa walked from the main room and into the forest once more. She kneeled down, removing her cloak from her head, locks of auburn brown coming to cascade down her cheeks and breasts. She began pushing the snow into a large cauldron. The feeling of the snow upon her palms, a sweet welcoming. The voice of the wind swirled around her and for a moment she wondered if it was the dragon who called to her. Having gathered enough snow, she found proper footing and headed back towards her shelter for the night. But as she did, the hurling winds came to an end; the forest seemingly falling still.
Zalia gazed out of the nearby window, its glass fogged with ice and age. She could see Tonisa, but she was not moving.
"Abby remain here. I am going to fetch our sister. I want to get supper started."
"No worries, I'll begin preparing the herbs. Take your time." "Tonisa, sister, come inside I need to-" Zalia stopped her words as Tonisa slid a slender and jeweled finger over her full lips.
The land had fallen silent, and within the cold climate came a vapor of warmth. It was then that Tonisa had realized it was he who had been watching her.
"Get inside now. Ensure Abigelle does not gaze from the window."
Fear captured Zalia, but she did as told. She rushed inside, grabbing Abigelle by the shoulders as she rose.
"Remain low!" She softly pressed her to the floor to sit turning her away from the open door and the window.
"What is happening? Why can I not?"
"I do not know, but remain facing away from the outdoors." Her eyes viewed the forest, and her heart nearly stopped beating as she gazed upon the black stag moving closer to them. Her eyes opened, and she tried to stand calling out to Tonisa to run. Zalia held her down, but her voice carried into Tonisa ears. She did not move, nor did she allow fear to take hold of her mind. She watched as the fog parted between the dark amber bark of the trees. It cut directly down the middle and swirled outward. The scent of death had come to greet them this night. The taste of copper filled her mouth. And from the darkness came the stag. "Why have you come from the comfort of your solitude? Have you found the courage to seek your brother once more?" Tonisa dropped the cauldron and against the teachings of her elders, locked gazes with the beast of eternal torture and death. His fur was as dark as the sin placed upon him. Eyes of smoldering crimson looked upon her. The eyes of the abyss, the eyes of a tortured soul. He stood strong atop the snow and where she sank into it, he remained seemingly floating. Antlers of wise age sprang from his mangled head. Wide and sharp they sat; their span far surpassing his own body. Torn flesh hung from his shoulders and snout. Each limb damaged and revealing bones of aged grey.
The stag did not speak; he was shifting the area around them, taking a peek into her mind. He kept his distance for now.
"Do you not answer those you torment?"
Tonisa stood her ground, her voice finding rage.
"If you have come to seek me in the way you seek others of my breed, you shall not find your pleasure here."
He stepped forward. A voice of the underworld filling her ears alone.
"I seek what is mine, to claim within my territory."
The voice was deep and hissing. His maw did not move, and
Tonisa realized it was his soul in which she spoke to.
"Be gone demon, I do not believe in your histories. You shall not claim me through lust or trickery this night. For my heart is locked with the love of my keeper."
A shadow of a man came to embrace the eldest of magic. A man with locks of onyx length and muscles of a warrior god. His touch was as soft as cotton and smooth as silk.
"I know who it is you belong to Tyliquin."
"Your tricks of the mind shall not throw me! Be gone! Be gone with you! In the name of the righteous gods who created those who created you!"
The shadow figure ceased, and the stag vanished into the night. Tonisa gathered the cauldron and the snow and made her way inside. She shut the door and looked upon the faces of her frightened kin.
"Fear not with the return of the wind. You will know he has moved on."
Zalia gathered courage and spoke question.
"What was that?"
Abigelle answered, "The black stag, the most feared of all original beings. His gaze is known to bring death around those around you.
Tonisa, my sister in magic, why would you stare into the eyes of death? Surely someone you hold dear shall come to fall to the hands of it."
"Then allow death to come and claim what is his. But for now let us eat, and allow our minds to wander from the tricks of the dead."
The three turned to tend the fire; the night rolling on as the winds returned.
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