The Winter kingdom

Version 2.0

At first light, they travelled through the lands of Winterhaven and passed through fields that were known to them but sadly abandoned. They traversed uninhabited lands with rolling hills and no human contact; they were wild lands. With no defined roads or paths, other than faint outlines of where the occasional trader passed through, they forged their paths.

Using the knowledge, they gained from the children of the forest, they had a rudimentary understanding of the lands and their direction, but it was left much to themselves. Day after day, their journey remained monotonous, with the trio travelling under the vast expanse of snow-covered plains during daylight. Nights brought respite next to a warm fire and each other, just trying to survive.

With little change, the days became one until finally, the horizon changed. After arriving at the crest of a hill, they spotted a village. It seemed quaint from afar, nestled into the open plains but buried under thick snow, with no smokestacks or worked fields.

The trio approached the seemingly abandoned village, having to track through the thick layers of snow that had built up. Ice encrusted the houses as icicles hung from roofs like iron bars. The roofs weighed down by vast layers of snow cast eerie shadows on the empty streets.

Hanging doors swung lazily on rusted hinges, their creaks echoing through the desolate village like mournful cries. Open window hatches exposed interiors to nature, with furniture draped in sheets of snow. The air carried a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional groan of timeworn structures and the distant rustle of leaves in the wind.

"Looks about as abandoned as a village can get," Edric nudged a house, which creaked and groaned as he did so.

Brandon gazed upon the village. "Probably the first of many."

"Alright downer, it might be abandoned for other people, but it is good for us, some walls and a roof will be a nice change," One of the nearby house roofs finally buckled under the strain of snow, letting out a mighty snap, shattering into the house below, dust and snow billowing out.

Brandon turned to Jon with raised eyebrows which earned a pointed look from Jon. "You can have that one, you can cuddle up to the snow, it might even like your negativity," Jon said giving him a pat on the shoulder before moving further into the village.

They didn't spend much time exploring and picked a house to camp in before the moon became too high in the sky. The broken door groaned softly as it swung open, revealing a scene of a lost home.

The furniture, once carefully arranged, is now broken and abandoned. Dust-covered chairs and a broken table with only three legs sat tilted in the centre of the room, adding to the stale air of the house. Tattered remnants of what might have been a fur rug lay crumpled on the floor, watching as its home around it fell apart.

Snowflakes, carried by the chilling wind, found their way through a slightly open window, forming delicate patterns on the ground and making a small snowdrift building up near the window. The hearth, now cold and lifeless, its stone exterior showcased remnants of charred wood, and even held some fresh logs that were never light.

With walls and a roof acquired, they broke apart the furniture and started the hearth fire once again. And with a fire roaring, food could be brought out. A simple pot, some melted snow, some stored vegetables, and a hearty stew were simple to make. (Even more perfect was that it was practically fresh with how cold it was outside; the food was nearly frozen.) With a filling meal ready and a knocking at the door, they were ready for food.

Edric is the first to react, quietly drawing out his blade lying next to him. Jon quickly joins him as they both move to the side of the door. Brandon, unlucky drawing the short stick, got up last with a sword in hand.

He was greeted by a fair woman with matted brown hair, touched by streaks of winter's silver, cascading down to her raised shoulders. Loose, rich thick furs hung from her body, finely crafted and well-kept, swung in the wind as they draped across her rooted body. Through her hair, deep hazel eyes shone through, burning their way through her tangle. Her feet dug in, as the snow squeaked underfoot, leaving a similar trail behind her.

"Sorry to interrupt your meal, I am Lyanna and are you willing to do a trade for some food?" she croaked. "I will give you some blankets, firewood, or clothes, and I get a meal from you. There are plenty of hungry people out there, but one bowl will be enough for them." Hollowing eyes bore into Brandon, the fire within like a light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

"And if I say no?"

Her voice suddenly clear. "Then I don't get a bowl of stew and you lose your balls."

Brandon looked down, observing a simple bronze dagger glaring, almost winking at him.

"A fair trade I suppose. Blankets for food." Whilst rooted at the door, Edric was kind enough to complete the trade.

She stood firm as the house swayed in the winds; she steadily took the bowl. "I don't take without giving in return so I will be back with some blankets and as an apology for this, I will give you three blankets. Many thanks..."

He smiled awkwardly. "Brandon."

"Thanks again Brandon, my sister will appreciate the meal." She then seamlessly disappeared into the winter-covered village.

Brandon looked back to see Jon smiling at him. "What?"

"Bran. You just got robbed, Haha." Going back to his seat and starting his dinner.

"Thanks, Jon, really feeling the love."

Edric still stared out. "Do you want to go after her?"

"Not now, especially with it getting so late. I almost lost my balls once; I don't want to try again. Besides, I got bested fair and square. Getting some kind of revenge would just be petty, and if she is truly doing it for her sister then at least some good came from this."

"Ooh, since when did you become such a big man? Haha."

"Shut up," punching Jon on his arm.

"Do you want to start this again?" Jon's eyes flared.

Brandon merely smiles at him. "You're on first watch, for being a dick."

"But-…" Getting nothing from Brandon he turns to Edric to find that he has already gone to bed. "Fine, but I'll get revenge."

/

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