Gavin walked the lonely trail as stars covered the night sky. He held in his hand the picture he showed her back in the cabin. He felt a bit of peace of mind after revealing the truth to his once lost daughter, but truly he felt a bit of sadness to open the old wound back. He noticed it slowly started to snow, the delicate dust flakes started to cover the air almost like a very fine powder… he smiled a bit, he also enjoyed seeing these scenes from time to time… but admitting that he was growing tired of the cold.
He adjusted his scarf and kept his steady walk back as he was almost getting home.
After years of staying in this old winter village he did start to feel homesick at times. But, to be honest, there was not much of a home to begin with back in his Autumn Village. Maybe what he missed was the good times… when he had her in his life, or more like when she was present.
As he came into town he noticed the silence that place had, every day it seemed lively and eventful, but at night… It was almost like a ghost town. It wasn’t even that late, it just barely got dark and people, almost like bees when the sun went down, went dormant.
‘So strange when they look like almost wolves in the night… always thought they were more of night beings but turns out they are just little blue busy bees’ he thought to himself as he stood in front of his doorstep. He opened the door and let himself in, as usual it was dark...he sighed a bit as he looked inside of his bag and suddenly a little glowing light was pulled out of it.
‘At least my crystals always give me some light’ he murmured as he walked with the pale blue crystal guiding himself around the home, trying carefully to not stumble over his things.
He finally came across his lamp and lit it up in the room. Again his messy main library was covered in books and dust.
- I should clean up the place… - he said as he dropped his bag on the floor, as it hit the floor a cloud of dust lifted. - MOST definitely – he said as he started coughing from all the dust that suddenly filled the air. He walked around his room and started to randomly picking books from the floor, he didn’t feel like sleeping at the moment, so much had happened that he was restless, so for a change he decided to take priority on his surroundings… to keep his mind off from what he was thinking and over all… remembering.
Gavin fell asleep after some time of cleaning, just collapsing in his seat, but the home looked a lot tidier. No books or dust to see, he even had a desk worth writing again. As he was limp and asleep in his chair he suddenly heard a knock on the door… He opened his eyes, trying to adjust himself in the chair… a sharp pain cut in his back, being sitting in an awful position would hinder anyone.
The door knocked again…
- Oh I’m coming… hold your horses – he said as he lifted himself up from the chair as he hit his lower back with his fist, almost like trying to make the blood flow better. As he opened the door there was Frost and Nebbia standing, the sun hit him in the face covering it with his hand.
- Good… morning? - Gavin said a bit confused – Wow, it’s early – he expressed in a raspy voice.
- Sorry to disturb you this early – Frost said
- No no, come in… is everything alright? - He said as he welcomed them in.
- I… have to do some work today, and I can’t leave her by herself in the cabin. I just don’t feel she is safe by herself – He explained. Nebbia was a bit quiet as she walked in looking at the place, also a bit surprised at how tidy it was now.
- Oh… oh right, I forget you do things… - he said as he yawned – But that’s fine, she can tag along with her...old...man?- he said smiling to Nebbia that seemed in her own world.
- I am sorry, but… I will be here later tonight I promise – he said as he started walking to the door.
Frost walked to Nebbia as he looked at her and smiled, he leaned to her and whispered something to her, she nodded to him and smiled at him.
- I’ll be back later tonight, thank you.- he said to Gavin as he walked out the door and smiled at Nebbia, he closed the door leaving them behind.
Nebbia looked at Gavin still close to the door, she looked a bit awkward standing there almost in the corner of the library. Gavin smiled a bit and walked to her.
- Did you have some breakfast? - he asked her.
- Not much… - she said as he showed her bandages still on her throat. Gavin inspected her.
- Well, at least some coffee? Sure I need some of that – he said. Nebbia agreed as she started to take her heavy cape off. Gavin took it and hanged near a coat hanger in the door and led her in the kitchen. As they got deeper in the surprisingly cozy home the kitchen was a bit bigger than she expected. Pots and pans hanging and an actual kitchen oven and a bunch of other more traditional but better than the fire pit back at the cabin.
Gavin grabbed a teapot and started to rattle around some things. As he prepared the coffee Nebbia looked around a bit amused in the place.
- You like cooking? - he asked as he poured the hot water over the strainer and filter.
- I guess, I had a little kitchen back at the apartment… but it was good enough for just me – she said as she sat in a chair near his little table. - I tried to make meals for myself… it was less expensive to cook than to buy food out – she said.
- Well that’s good – he gave her a mug with the dark liquid in and offered some cream in a little pot. Nebbia smiled a bit as she found the whole set adorable in a way. Gavin took a big drink of his coffee and shivered. - Oh that hit the spot – he said as he sat across from her. Nebbia took a sip and just sighed.
- Oh this is wonderful… I thought I would be drinking tea till the end of time...- she laughed a bit.
- Ah yes, you are my blood indeed. - he said, smiling a bit and kept drinking from his white colored mug.
They drank in silence for a bit, but the quiet wasn’t for long as Gavin noticed her a bit anxious in her demeanor. The way she played with her mug with her fingers reminded him of her mother… and he knew she was trying to fix the words she wanted to say.
- What is it darling? - he asked, Nebbia looked at him with a frown on her face, if her face could speak… if her eyes could say the words she was trying to speak up. Gavin understood and drank his last drop and poured some more of the coffee in his mug, he offered it to her and she accepted… He poured the last of it in her cup. - I think we can start this by telling you how we met – he said as he adjusted himself.
- Was it here in the winterland? - she asked with curiosity. Gavin nodded denying it.
- No, it was back home actually. It was… interesting to say the least.- he declared.
“Back in Autumn land I used to live by the River of Spirits. It was a very beautiful area, my family was originally from a farther deeper part in the Oak forests, my family lived out of lumbering but my mother was more of a spiritual being. When I got older I decided it was time to move on my own. I was in my 20s, maybe around your age when I set myself into my own home.
There was the River of Spirits my mother spoke of with a lot of passion and she knew that with my knowledge and abilities I would be a good help in that place.
So I found my way there and it was very welcoming. Everyone was warm and they received me with open arms, it actually made me feel like I made the right choice. Except for the Village Elder...”
Gavin laughed a bit as he stopped his story.
- So… does every Town have like a bunch of Elders in charge? - Nebbia asked.
- Yes, but… in that place it was very different. For this to make sense… you need to understand your legacy. Our people are spirit speakers.- he said, she smirked a bit trying to explain what it was but he knew it would be weird to understand, specially for someone that never interacted with this story of practices.
- You mean like… seeing ghosts and stuff? - she asked, Gavin was a bit thrown away.
- Yes, something like that, BUT some of us… have different abilities. Some can speak with the dead and spirits. Some can see nature spirits as well… some can bend spirits in their favor. It really depends how you are entwined with the spirit world. - he said as he crossed his fingers in a weird manner. Nebbia was a bit confused still.
- So… that means that I can see...things? -
- Not necessarily…the energy that affects that sort of sensibility comes from the water.- Nebbia looked at her coffee. - Ah… ok no, the WATER from the river – he corrected.
- Oh… so water that comes from the river makes me see things? -
- I know it sounds confusing when you say it out loud… BUT no- he said, passing his hand over his chin.
- I’m sorry… You need to understand that I come from… a very different world. I am not over the fact that Frost can create ICE from his hands… let alone the fact that he is a blue skinned man with glowing eyes… - she said a bit frustrated – I come from a place… that you need a scientific explanation to make it real – she explained.
- Your mother faced a lot of issues herself when she was washed into this world...- he said sadly.
“The night I found her we had one of the worst thunderstorms in the season. Autumn land has a lot of beautiful days of sun and warmth, but the rainy season can be brutal at times… and that night was especially violent.
I used to have a home actually near the river bend, the home they offered me was a bit shabby, but the owner said that if I could fix it and make it livable it was mine to keep, so I did… and because my father taught me how to make ANYTHING wood… it was rather easy for me to rebuild that old house.
I loved it, you could see the river clear from the front door, and we had a little pond on the side that at certain night little flame spirits illuminated almost like glowing. Also was the place where I started gathering my crystals that have that glow.
As thunder and lightning was hitting all around me, suddenly one bright light rose over the river's edge… I remember the sky opening as it happened. I ran to the door and saw near the river bend someone that was washed from the waters. I ran as fast as possible and I remember perfectly how the rain just stopped for that moment and… there she was laying on her side, your mother. She was soaking wet and not responding, as I lifted her up she started coughing water and that’s when I picked her up and brought her back to my home.
Marie…” he stopped for a moment as he mentioned her name, he covered his mouth a bit, trying to keep himself from tearing up. Nebbia sat silently looking at him.
- Was… she good to you? - she asked as she kept looking at her cup.
- Yes, she was. For a time. – as he finished his sentence there was a bit of bitterness in his words. Nebbia wasn’t shocked by it.
- I honestly think… for most of our good times, she thought she was dreaming. Like she felt a bit disconnected from reality even. - he looked blankly into his hands.
“Our love was strange, but… in a way, from my perspective, it was like a blessing from the spirits. I think that was my mistake… to take it as a gift. The Elder did advise me to not be so entangled with her, because her presence in this world will only create chaos, especially with how delicate the energies are in Autumn Land.
Marie was also a lonely soul, she told me all that she suffered in her life… how she spent most of her time alone and pushed away just begging for a bit of love and acceptance. And I think that’s why she accepted me, because it was the only thing I could offer her in return. I was young and naive. I should have known better and… after a year of being by my side we wed. I loved her and wanted only for her happiness. That’s all I ever wanted to offer her.
And I felt happy, again… just for a bit.
One day I noticed she was having walks in the middle of the night. I found her several times at the edge of the rive, right in the spot where I found her back then.
And… the storm came back. She was… I have never seen her so altered. She screamed at me that she wanted to go back home, that this place was driving her insane… that something was lingering in her thoughts.
She ran me out that night, she pushed me, sadly I lost my footing and fell on my back, and as I tried to stand up she ran quickly into the storm. As she went to the river that light came back, that bright rising light, but this time… I saw the hands, they came from the river shining in white and suddenly thunder hit and she was no longer there. I felt my soul leave my body, my broken mental state made me think she drowned and I look down the river and up. There wasn’t any body to find.”
His hand was shaking as he held his cup and Nebbia reached for him and held it. Gavin looked at her, she had a saddening expression on her face.
“After that, the Elder explained that it was the spirit of the waters that took her back, and she warned me that it would happen… it could happen any time it decided it was time to go. Or… she wanted to go also… it was a matter of decision from her. And I didn’t believe it. In my heart I thought that THAT THING took my love and pulled her away from me.
I went on a pilgrimage to find a way to go back to her, and I did.
Like I said before, to come and go there’s two ways, one of them is… by a pact and the other is to find a portal, and those are VERY RARE. Just so happens that I had luck there… pure stupid luck, thanks to my crystals that guided me in the right path.
For a year I wandered around till I found that spot, and when I crossed the portal I was in your world.
It was frightening but, luckily my stupid crystals still worked… turns out that all my power was… slowly being drained as I kept being in that place. It took me a week of my life to find her… when I did she was so different, she was even in disbelief that I was standing outside her door.
She wasn’t happy… she seemed like a shell of the person that I knew. But...” Gavin smiled at Nebbia and held tight from her hand.
- When I saw you, I felt that light in you… almost like all of her energy was poured in you. I remember picking you up and I was in shock and I begged her to come with me and be a family, I’d do anything to keep you both safe – he sighed and looked down – But her words where… Just take her I don’t want anything to do with you -
Nebbia chuckled a bit – of course she said that… -
- I wish I did, but… I was afraid, I barely got out of it in one piece and I knew that you would be hurt or something even worse. I promised you that I would take you back...- he grabbed her hand with both of his almost lamenting it – I’m sorry for not doing it, I am so sorry – he said.
Nebbia stood up and hugged him tight, she reassured him… it felt like her mother not only hurt her but both inadvertently.
-I have no true resentment towards you, Mom never didn’t say much about you or whatever you two had… but her attitude towards me was pretty obvious – she said as she sat back.
- was she that bad? – he ask as he sat back in his seat.
- My mother always treated me as a stranger, she saw something in me that she didn’t like and I never did feel like there was a connection with her at any point. As I was a child, a bit more aware of things, I did try to gain her love and attention but she always was there to sustain me as… almost as a pet, an unwanted pet – she said bitterly – But, there was people that luckily saw me more than a nuisance and took care of me. So I wasn’t really alone. But… I missed having a real mother or parent – she admitted.
Gavin looked at her, at first he thought that that same feeling of desire for love that her mother had back then would also cloud her perspective on what she felt for Frost… but her eyes said something different.
– I wished I didn’t lose all those years that I could have been there. I was just afraid to hurt you in my desperation… but – he sighed and smiled – I had hope, something in me said… keep waiting, keep looking and well… all that time was well worth -
Nebbia smiled and took a deep breath. - I always imagine that my lost father was from a far away country, with a name I can't pronounce right, maybe with stinky cheese as a delicacy or I don't know something more mundane…not a magical man in another world– she said as she laughed slightly.
- We do have stinky cheese… - he said and burst into laughter. Nebbia laughed as he did. There was indeed a lifting in the room.
After a while they lingered in the library, she noticed that Gavin was rather tired and pushed him to get some sleep. She was alright for a moment by herself and if anything she would entertain herself with the books that he had all over the room.
She looked around but nothing really caught her eye. She sat back on the single love seat that was in the middle of the room, even with the clean up it still looked old and dusty by its age. She sat down and looked around.
- Dad does have a lot of stuff here...- she said as she looked around. Her sight suddenly was triggered by something that randomly moved on the corner of the room, instantly she thought “A mouse?”. She focused on that particular corner, the lighting was a bit dim but she could see it with no problem… again something moved on the other side, she almost jumped out her seat. She slowly stood up looking at both sides… “Of course he has an infestation, I wouldn’t be fucking surprised by that!!” she shivered at the thought of little mice running under her feet.
All of a sudden something fell on the desk across her, she walked closely towards it and behind a pile of books a little white ball with two little glowing blue eyes showed its little head out.
Nebbia walked closer, the curiosity was overpowering her.
-The hell is that thing? - she said almost whispering, trying not to scare the little thing. As she got closer the little ball walked almost to the edge of the desk… it did not have a form, it looked like a little ball of cotton, fluffy and almost glowing in a very dim white light. She got closer and kneel a bit to see it close, the little fluff did not feel threatened or scared it was as curious as her.
- you are … adorable honestly – she said as she tried to touch it. As she tried to poke it the little fluff looked as it smelled her and ran back into the piles of books. - Aww, I think I was scared it – she said as she stood up. “Maybe it’s part of the fauna here? Shouldn’t be surprised like this at this point” she thought as she walked back to the sofa and laid back. She felt a bit sleepy as well… the encounter from the day before didn’t let her sleep well. Hopefully Frost was ok, she thought to herself as she drifted in her tiredness and slept.
Frost left Gavin’s house in a rush, the morning was getting late and he needed to be at the work area soon. Even when his father being the owner, his responsibilities were not void or pardoned.
As he walked hastily down the road he suddenly felt a hand over his shoulder, he felt a bit stunned. As he turned, a younger man smiled at him and started walking next to him.
- Morning Frost, didn’t think I would be seeing you back so soon! - the younger darker blue skinned man with short hair was one of his coworkers. Frost slightly smiled.
- Morning Luke, I had been busy with some problems, that's all – he said not slowing down his step.
- Ah, interesting - he said in a teasing tone. Frost didn’t pay mind to him, Luke usually bothered him out of boredom, Frost just learned to ignore his skims. As they got closer to a big building, just at the outskirts of the village they noticed more people moving around the area, carriages with merchandise and other sundries were being moved and arranged. The place was more like a warehouse, and the head chief was Ram, Frost’s father.
As they got in the building Frost looked around to see if he could see Ram. Luke just patted his shoulder - I’ll see you later – he said as he walked to a back door. Frost felt a bit anxious while being there, he always felt out of place as usual … but he did have responsibilities that he didn’t want piled up on him. As he walked around taking his cape off he still looked around trying to see the familiar face.
- How can a man that big fuse to the background like that??- he said to himself frustrated.
- FROST!- he heard almost in a roar, he sighed a bit knowing that tone…
- Here we go...-he whispered, as he turned he saw Ram as towering as usual. Ram came towards him looking as his usual annoyed but a bit confused to see him.
- I thought that you were taking care of your problem as of late, did not expect you to show up so soon.- Frost felt his tone a bit frustrating but he kept his manners and respect.
- I thought you needed the help, and the problem has settled for the time being… she is alright and safe if you were curious – he said in a condescending tone, one that Ram did not appreciate.
- Go with Luke and help him, we will talk later after the morning rush settles. - He said as he turned to his other duties. Frost nodded and walked away from him, he felt how he saw him as he went on his way. After all the events that occurred he felt his distancing from the family was farther than ever, he always had that type of distancing normally but this time it was more than obvious. He tried to keep himself from doing or saying anything, for him… it was just a paycheck at that point.
As he worked his way to his coworker he found him, as usual, talking with another group of people… people he usually worked with but really had no real interaction other than just working in the place. He tried to form some connections with them, but the range of mindset was so off from him, besides feeling if he got entwined with them it would only mean more trouble or unwanted attention. But of course the word went out and now eyes were set on him and his… new situation.
He started to grab boxes and arrange as the usual activities were, he received and tried his best to focus on his responsibilities of the day… also trying not to worry about Nebbia.
The morning passed with no incidents other than the looks and the whispers that Frost already was filtering by his own. He tried to unwind farther from everyone, just to keep a bit of peace and quiet for a moment. He found a spot on the back where they kept the horses while they filled the carriages with materials. He sat on a wooden crate just enough for him to just rest his back, it had been a while since he came and worked so his body was feeling it today.
- Taking a breather? - he heard suddenly, of course Luke was going to bother him in his time of rest.
- From everyone, yes – he bluntly said. Luke chuckled as he ate an apple he had on his hand. He offered but Frost just gave him a look and continued to ignore him. Luke smirked a bit and sat beside him.
- Gotta be nice to have some company – he said
- If you mean by you, I prefer the horses, at least they don’t talk – Frost said as he laid back putting his arm up and resting his head over them.
- Oh I mean about that lass you have over your place, we all know you are a hermit. So it’s gotta be nice the… “company” - Frost looked at him almost piercing him with his eyes.
- there you said it, are you happy now? - Frost sat up and started to walk away.
- Hey hey, I’m just messing with you! Besides… it beats the last chick you wander with-
Frost stopped and clenched his fists… Luke smiled as he kept eating his apple. Frost did not make eye contact, he just started to walk away trying to keep himself from doing something he would regret. As he walked off he suddenly bumped with Ram.
- Ah I was looking for you Frost, we need to talk -
Frost sighed – wonderful… - he said in a bitter tone.
They both walked into a room on the back of the building, filled with barrels and other crates. Frost felt trapped for some reason but if there was something to be said better make it now than fest over it longer.
- So you got rid of the girl then? - Ram asked bluntly. Frost chuckled and crossed his arms looking at him a bit disappointed. He did not answer but he felt his stance made it clear. - So is she or is not? - he asked, demanding an answer.
- No, she’s still with me. Right now she’s with her father … At Gavin’s place – Ram frowned a bit confused.
- Did you find her family then? -
- I don’t have to explain anything, all you need to know is that she is safe and she is still at my place… is there anything else you wanted to ask me? - Ram didn’t like the tone he was giving him.
- No – he said, also trying to keep his temper down.
- I’ll get back to work then – he said as he started walking out .
- Your sister is coming back in a month or so, just a heads up… - he said as he walked out, Frost stopped cold.
He didn’t say anything, he stood there for a moment and left the room without saying a word to him as he got back to his duties. Ram stood a bit annoyed but he couldn’t do or say anything to him, it was out of his hands…
Nebbia woke up after a long nap, there was something about the warmth and silence of the room that just made her drift into a deep sleep. She stood up stretching, she did notice that the pain in her neck was almost gone as she passed her hands over he bandages.
- Wow, I feel so much better… - she said as she stood up. She did look around to see if any other little cotton ball was wandering around… but there was no movement.
From the bedroom door came out Gavin a bit more freshen up.
- Are you feeling better , dad? - Nebbia asked.
- Oh yes, nothing like a good sleep… fixes the minor problems. I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long, I bet it was boring – he said as he walked to his desk.
- No, I also doze off… I guess we were more tired than we thought – Gavin smiled and led her to the kitchen.
- Let’s make some food, it would be good to have something when Frost is back, I bet he will need the extra grub – he said as they walked in the kitchen.
The work day passed fast, or at least it felt quick for Frost. As he walked in a slower step back down the road. He had his mind lost in his thoughts. It felt like every time he went to that place it was just… so out of it, he did it at the end of the day just to appease his father… but for what? He didn’t live under his roof, most of the things he had were by his hunting. Frost had his own life and way of surviving and at the end of the day he did not need to be at that place… not now anyway.
For years he just did it to do something and have some type of routine. But when Nebbia showed up he completely forgot about that routine… and just went day by day, and he was fine with it. Fine… to an extent, because he did not enjoy the constant danger she fell into over and over… “not by her choice...” he said to himself.
As he got close to Gavin’s he felt something odd, like if he had butterflies in his stomach. “Why am I nervous?” he asked as he got closer to the entrance. He stood there for a moment before he even knocked on the door. He finally took a breath and knocked on it, he heard voices and suddenly Gavin opened smiling.
- Ah welcome come in lad, we are just finishing some food - he said as he pulled him in.
- It’s ok… I -
- OH is he saying no?? - Nebbia asked as she was still back in the kitchen.
- I caught him before he ran off! - Gavin said as he closed the door behind him. Frost was a bit confused with whatever chemistry was happening here… like if when he left something just switched magically.
Nebbia was serving some type of stew and some water, She smiled at Frost in a way welcoming him. Frost was a bit taken away from this… scenery.
- Nebbia thought you needed some food after the day's end – he said as he brought another chair close. Frost stood there looking at the table in silence. Nebbia noticed he was a bit confused.
- Is everything alright? - she asked, a bit concerned, he seemed a bit off. He sat in the chair and looked at the food, the savory smell hit him and he looked at her. - What’s wrong? - she asked again as Gavin stood beside Nebbia and made a face of “you better not ruin this you idiot”.
- Sorry it was… just a long day – He started to eat in silence, Nebbia looked at Gavin a bit confused but he shrugged. At the end of the day Gavin knew he was very much like that so he didn’t worry about it. But for now they enjoyed a nice meal.
Nebbia and Frost walked out the door and said their goodbyes, it seemed like the evening was rather pleasant after a good dinner.
- Nebbia you are always welcome if you need anything, as I always say to Frost any way… even though he really doesn’t take my word for granted but it’s always good to mention it. - He said as he smiled. Nebbia smiled back at him as she adjusted her cape.
- Thank you again Gavin, we will see you soon – Frost said, nodding his head in gratitude.
- I’ll see you soon Dad, take care of yourself – she said as she started walking off and Frost followed close.
Gavin stood looking at them as they walked down the street towards till they got lost from his sight. He felt again that strange feeling of home.
- You better not fuck it up kid – he murmured to himself as he closed the door behind him.
Nebbia and Frost kept walking down the road, almost getting close to the forest edge. Even in silence Frost noticed Nebbia was in a better state, he did notice that she was not using the bandages on her neck anymore. Maybe the light was a bit dim but he did not see any of the marks or bruises that were so prominent the day before.
- Everything ok, Frost? - Nebbia asked.
- Long day – he answered
- You said as much, but… are YOU ok? - Frost smirked at her and took a deep breath.
- I don’t think I want to go back to that place. I know I am helpful… but I was doing it just for routine sake.- he said a bit bitterly.
- If you think Gavin minded me at his place, he didn't, he actually enjoyed the company. It was… also very informative. - she grabbed the crystal that still hung from her neck, she inspected it as it still had its dim glow. Frost looked at her as she had a light smile on her lips.
- If you wish… you can stay with him – Nebbia looked at him a bit surprised – he is your father after all… -
- Yeah, I’ll think about it –
They kept walking slowly, the cold wasn’t as harsh as other nights and it was rather pleasant.
- Do you mind? - she suddenly asked, Frost looked at her a bit confused. - If I keep staying with you? -
- I don’t mind, there’s enough space… -
- Alright – she smiled and noticed a bit of blushing in her face.
COMING SOON CHAPTER 9
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