He was greeted by the cracks and pops of a small fire.

“I think he’s waking up, dear.”

“Oh thank God.”

Two faceless voices soon followed, and one drew near. “Asvel? It’s me. Are you feeling okay?”

His head was slow, it was like thinking through mud. He had to have still been weak, since it took him so long to recognize someone so important to him. “H-Henna…”

“Mmhmm, it’s me.”

He felt a warmth in his hand, and then his forehead. It must have been hers. Her face was a blur, as was her green dress. “It looks like you’ll be okay. Get some more rest. We can talk later,” she said.

“Mmm… Shit…”

He drifted back into slumber. The warm third voice spoke, “he looks so peaceful.”

“Did you hear what he said? Did he somehow get even more rude?” Henna pouted.

The woman rested her head on her palm, looking at the boy like a doting mother. Henna, on the other hand, had her hands on her hips and a frank expression on her face. Let’s see, it’s been about a year so that makes him… 15? He hasn’t grown an inch.

In spite of his vertical difficulties, his face had become more defined. His ashen hair was a mess of clumps that reached his shoulders, and underneath those resting eyelids were irises that resembled a frozen wasteland. With his pale skin, he was the picture of a cold and lonely winter. It didn’t fit his personality at all.

“I’d be worried, too, you’re scary when you’re mad, dear!” the third voice said.

“You should try being on my side sometimes.”

“I’m always on your side. Come, let’s finish before he wakes up again.”

He laid on a straw mat, next to a fireplace. The wooden floors creaked and moaned as the ladies paced back and forth past the open door preparing for dinner. A small table for six was lined with plates for four.

The smell of fresh food roused the boy from slumber once again. Henna noticed him out of his bed as she was walking by and panicked. “Ah, don’t sit up so fast!”

“Whoa…” Asvel’s sense of balance was horribly out of tune. He took a second to steady himself, stood up, and showed Henna his palm in an effort to reassure her. “I’m fine.”

“Like hell you are.” Henna placed herself under the crook of his arm and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Do you think you can sit?”

“Yeah I can stand, too.”

“So you’re saying I should lay you back down?”

“... Can you help me get to the dining room?”

“Of course, I can.”

She guided him to the dining room, taking care not to go too fast, and then the dinner table.

Asvel snuck glances at her as they walked. She was still shorter than him, thank God, but she’d definitely grown. Henna was a year older than him, at 16 years of age. She had long brown hair tied in a braid at the back — just like her mother. Her freckled face was cute, with a button nose and lively hazel eyes.

"Mother, when do you think you’ll be done?" Henna said.

“It’s about finished already, but Grant won’t be home for a little while longer.” Hilda replied.

“That’s fine, I want to get an actual meal down this guy as soon as possible.” Henna pointed at him with her thumb.

After a while, Henna’s mother arrived from the kitchen with a hot bowl of beans, rice, and a small assortment of vegetables. Asvel took a look at her. Her name was Hilda, and she was definitely Henna’s mother. She always wore a smile and dressed in warm colors, which suited her. He made sure to keep his eyes on her face, because her chest was also warm, and abundant.

She placed the bowl in front of him. The thick smell made Asvel sick with desire, and he grabbed the spoon to stuff his face.

Henna smiled. “Pace yourself. We fed you a little broth while you slept, but only a little.”

“Howuh lohng wush I ashleep?” he asked.

“It’s been about three days?” Hilda responded.

“Mmhmm, three days.” Henna said.

Asvel stopped. His eyes went wide, he thought back to what he had left behind. His friends… he didn’t want to think about that now, but there was someone who could still yet be alive. “Thuh womun?”

“Wo-man?” Henna cocked her head.

“Yah thuh wom—”

“Venny, swallow.”

“Venny” was Henna’s nickname for Asvel. His surname was Venner, which reliably earned him strange looks, considering its implications. The name was a rare enough occurrence that, upon hearing of this, his classmates had responded with a, “you’re joking, right?” Unfortunately, one good look at his icy hair was all it took to dispel any doubts. It was out of his hands in Reed, but in Porinn he told no one, though it mattered little.

Asvel nodded and did as she asked. “The woman. Wasn’t there someone else with me?”

“We didn’t see any women. You didn’t travel here alone?” Henna said.

“No… I ran into her on the way. She was bleeding. I put her on the back of the horse.” Asvel said.

“Sorry to say, Venny, but you were the only one we saw." Henna said, "did you see anyone, mother?”

“No, I don’t believe so.” Hilda said.

Asvel thought back. The last stretch of ground he covered before reaching this house was all a blur to him. It was entirely possible she fell back off the horse and he didn’t notice. He hardly knew her, so his conscience wasn’t particularly strained. He would miss his coat, though. “And the saddlebags? What have you done with them?” he asked.

“They’re in your room, I’m surprised you didn’t notice them.” Henna responded.

He made a note to himself to remember to look through those bags once dinner was over and the family had retired to their rooms.

Henna looked as though something were bothering her. “So, is that all you had to say?”

Asvel looked at her blankly. Henna pouted, she was adorable, so Asvel wanted to meet her expectations. “Where’s Grant?”

Henna’s face went red. “‘Thank you’! You’re supposed to say, ‘thank you’! Or even, ‘how have you been?’ I would’ve liked an, ‘I missed you!’”

Asvel scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin. In reality, he knew what she had wanted, but he chose to tease her instead. A tiny flicker of guilt sparked in his chest — this was the comfort he was trying to avoid. But since he was already here, he may as well accept it. He shot her a winning smile. “Thanks, I missed you, Henna.”

Hilda fanned her face. “Oh my, you almost made me blush!”

Dull pounding footsteps resounded from the parlor. The trio turned their heads to watch its door. “Who’s in here makin’ my wife swoon?” the voice said.

“Well, there’s the answer to your question, meanie.” Henna said, turning her face away from Asvel so he couldn’t see her blushing cheeks.

A man so big he could eat a whole couch and have room for seconds came barging in through the dining room door like a raging bull. It was Henna’s dad, Grant. With a rough and friendly voice, he spoke with his eyes closed, “yeesh! It is a cold one, I tell ya’. Doesn’ matter how many layers ya’ wear, one breeze and yer froz—”

Grant noticed who was up and walking around. He made eye contact with Asvel, and crossed his arms. Ten long and painful seconds passed without a single word exchanged. Henna’s face was blank, Hilda was smiling in blissful unawareness. Asvel couldn’t comprehend this intense pressure.

The big man grinned with his grisly teeth. “Welcome back, kid!” he said. He stepped up to Asvel and slapped him on the back, full-force. The impact made Asvel almost cough his food up.

Hilda scolded the man. “Honey! He’s still recovering!”

“Ah, yeah…” He shrunk and scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry ‘bout that kiddo.”

“No problem, pops. How’ve you been doing?”

“Gettin’ by. You? Keepin’ out of trouble?”

“Y’know…getting by.”

“Now that’s bullshit! Gyahahahaha!”

Grant curved around the table and took a seat by his wife, still laughing. Asvel gave a playful smile, then he went back to stuffing his face. Grant wasn’t finished with him, though. “Now, I doubt it ‘cause it’s been three days and nothin’ has happened, but… you weren’t bein’ chased, were ya’?

“No, not anymore.” Asvel said.

“But you were at one time?” Grant asked.

“Pa’, let him eat. You can question him later.” Henna said.

“Don’t worry, all I wanna know is if I should be expectin’ visitors soon.” Grant said.

“Why, so you can kick him back out into the cold?” Henna frowned.

“Henna, my lil’ rainbow, you know I’d never do that without a good reason. I just gotta be ready to kick out some rowdy kids!” Grant lifted his arms and punched his left palm.

Asvel finished his bowl. He wiped his messy mouth off with the cuff of his tunic, and stared Grant in the face. “And if it were the Adjudicators?”

Grant paused and rubbed his chin. “Then yeah, I’d toss your ass out there and let you get what’s comin’ to ya’.”

Asvel smiled, a quiet sadness in his eyes, that was the right answer. He couldn’t be allowed to get this family into any more trouble than he already had. That was the reason he’d left in the first place. Thankfully no one had seen his face in his most recent brushes with the law, and anyone who could rat him out was most surely dead. He never told any of them about this house anyway, why would he? He thought, the right answer, but not the real one. This big softie could never sell me out. He doesn’t have it in him.

Asvel grabbed another bowl filled with water, and washed down his meal. He felt refreshed. “Don’t worry, shouldn’t be anyone coming after me. I’ll wait for the snow to pass, and get out of your hair.”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Henna looked concerned about Asvel, Hilda looked concerned about Henna, and Grant was concerned about food. “C’mon, honey! Fetch your hard workin’ husband a meal, would ya’?” he said, patting the table with his hand.

“Oh, right, of course!” She scurried off to the kitchen.

Soon the rest were able to eat as well. Asvel sat and chatted more with the family. Grant told stories about his incredible adventures with his coworkers and customers. Hilda talked about the lives of friends and acquaintances from church. Henna was strangely quiet, and every now and then, Asvel caught her staring at his face. She was sitting next to him, so it was really obvious. Every time he looked back, she’d quickly turn her head and pretend it never happened at all. So cute.

They worked out living arrangements for the duration of Asvel’s visit. His horse, who he still needed to name, would stay out in the stable, but it’d be up to him to provide it food and drink. He considered just selling it, but figured if did he’d likely never leave this house. He was given the guest room upstairs; where he’d stayed before. Though, it would be a little more empty than he was used to.

It was night time and he was laying down on his fluffy bed, on top of the covers, staring at the ceiling. By now, the rest of the family was likely asleep. He stood up out of bed and went through the saddlebags tossed into the corner of the room. It was a surreal event, he wasn’t even sure he’d find anything out of the ordinary. Maybe he imagined the woman entirely?

Sure enough, reaching the small bag in the back, he opened it and saw a couple of very strange objects. Before he was able to take a closer look, the door right next to him creaked open. Asvel looked up to the open door. “...Henna?”

“Eep!” She jumped back when she saw him. They spoke in hushed tones. “What are you doing sitting over there? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“It was just bad timing.”

“You’re blaming me?”

“Why not?”

“I guess we were both doing something weird…”

“What are you here for?”

“... Want to come to the balcony?”

“...Sure.”

He knew what she was intending. It wasn’t that long ago that they used to spend time every other night there. He decided to bring the saddlebag with him and resume his inspection once he was there. He followed her through the hallway, then to the drawing room, and stepped out onto the balcony with her. It was cold, he shivered and wrapped himself in his arms. Henna had a coat, he didn’t, he’d lost his. He whined, “is this really a good idea? I should save my energy, right?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you out here for long.”

The view was gorgeous, just as he’d remembered. The balcony was only just above the ground floor, but their house was near the apex of a hill, allowing them to see over the rest of the neighborhood.

A checkerboard of lit windows revealed patches of snow descending to the earth. Far in the backdrop, towering above the city-scape, were the clock tower and other large structures reaching to the sky. In the center of the city, its presence overwhelming, was a massive glass dome tinged with a ghoulish blue glow. Inside was a flower, an iris, reaching out and stretching its petals past just past the surrounding towers. “It’s already this big, huh?” Asvel said in admiration.

“Yeah, a few districts have ether lines set up, now.”

“Have you tried it out?”

“It’s convenient, your house stays warm without fire, and you can light candles with a snap of your fingers.”

“Yeah, I know — Porinn’s is really big. I never liked being around the stuff when it’s thick, though, makes me feel like I’m choking.”

“That’s definitely in your head. I’ve been right next to it and felt fine!”

Asvel smiled, then closed his eyes.

“They think they can just feed everyone that blue gunk and we’ll forget that we’re starving.”

He shook off his thoughts. “Is Kim still around?”

“Don’t worry, she’s fine, she’s visiting family.”

“Not very assuring.”

“Would it make you feel better if I told you she’s coming back tomorrow? I”m sure she’ll be really happy to see you.”

There’s some extra meaning loaded in there, isn’t there? He thought.

“Hey, why’d you bring that along? Something in it?”

Asvel looked down at the saddlebag. “I’m not sure. Maybe nothing, actually.”

“Did you steal it?”

“Kind of. I didn’t steal what I’m expecting to find in it.”

Henna didn’t look pleased, but she let it roll off of her. The magic of the night was stealing her edge, or maybe he had stolen that as well.

Asvel placed the saddlebag on the floor and opened it up. He reached inside and pulled out a number of curious objects. A sheathed dagger with ornate decorations on the hilt. A black device that resembled a pistol, though much bulkier. Then, finally, an onyx jewel with elaborate golden trimmings. He did not pull it out of the bag, something told him he shouldn’t.

“And… With your bare hands… Do not touch the jewel…”

Henna, who was watching, did it for him.

She clasped the jewel in her exposed hand, and in response it transformed from onyx to emerald with a magnificent glow.

“Wow…”

“H-hey! Don’t touch that!”

Asvel attempted to swipe it from her hands, but she pulled them back out of his reach. He stepped forward to corner her, and she raised the stone as high as she could behind her with one arm. His arms were longer than hers, and she was backed into the edge of the balcony, so he was able to reach it.

They both clasped the gem from each side, and when Asvel made contact, it transformed once again. This time from emerald to a snow white quartz. The glow was so beautiful Henna forgot to hold onto it, thus it ended up in Asvel’s hands. They looked at it for one transcendent moment, then he turned around and put it back in the saddlebag.

“Ah, sorry,” she said, rolling her index fingers together.

“It’s fine, most likely.”

Asvel’s finger tapped a lazy rhythm on his hip, and Henna played with her braid.

“So… how have you been?” she asked.

Asvel sighed, releasing the tension in his body. He brushed the snow off the railing and sat down. “Honestly? Not great.”

Henna stood in front of him. If she wanted, she could have pushed him off at any moment. He found it strange he considered that possibility.

“Wanna tell me about it?”

“What do you want to hear?”

“How about we start with why you came back?”

Asvel winced. Henna noticed.

“Oh…”

“Can we try something else?” Asvel looked apologetic. I’ll probably end up telling you about it, but not right now, he thought.

“How about better times?”

“Better times...I made friends.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

Asvel was unamused, but it was clear she wasn’t trying to be mean. He turned his head to look back at the city. “There were 12 of them, but my group was just me and three others. I failed to find anyone willing to give work to me, and when I ended up having to steal again, they took me in.”

Henna studied the side of his face. A small smile formed in his cheeks. “Thomas was a real stiff guy, he was the type who wanted everything to be planned in advance. It’s not like he couldn’t improvise, it was more like he just didn’t want to have to improvise. Leah was his polar opposite. She was a crazy tomboy who had something to prove, mainly that she could kick any of our asses if she wanted to. She wasn’t actually good at it, though, she just had a lot of spirit. And Samuel…”

An image flashed in his mind — the pained face, the gushing blood. Asvel staunched the nausea welling up inside him.

“Venny?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Samuel… Was a real piece of work. He hated my guts when he met me, but we got past it. He knew the town in and out, and if he wanted to disappear you’d never find him. He also had a talent for sneaking drinks out of bars. We owed a lot of fun nights to him.”

Somewhere in his story, Henna had become aware he was referring to his friends in the past tense. That explained a lot, and the explanation was terrifying. She had already suspected he’d been in danger, but it settled in that he really might have not made it home that night.

Asvel stopped for a moment, as if gathering courage. “He… Reminded me of Jacob.”

“...”

“Henna?”

“I’d rather we stuck to the better times. Let’s not dig up old graves, okay? Not tonight, at least.”

“Right...Well really, that’s just how I lived that year. Drinking, thieving, and hanging around.”

“Sounds like fun, besides the thieving part, and aren’t you too young to drink?”

“Alcohol is a basic human right. And… It was fun, but it was a little empty.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well…”

Asvel looked at her. You weren’t there.

“Hmm… I get it.” She grinned and rubbed her chin. Then sat on the railing beside him, swinging her legs through the gaps. “You missed me, didn’t you!”

“Ah, you read my mind!?”

“O-oh, that was it!?”

“N-no no, I mean…”

Henna giggled. “Samantha misses you, too, you know? And so does Michael.”

“Oh right, her. Are you sure? I’d be surprised if she even remembered me.”

“She’d be so hurt to hear you say that, Venny. You should visit her.”

“And have her parents turn me away at the door? No thanks.”

“You can still easily find her in the library most days, you know, I could even fetch her for you!”

“Ah, a dog fetching a cat. That’s a cute picture.”

“I can’t tell if you’re making fun of me.”

“It’s a compliment, probably.” She flicked him on the forehead. “...Anyways, don’t think I didn’t notice you left someone out.”

“Ah, yeah, Michael. He should be… 12 now, right? I still don’t know if I can face that kid…”

“What do you mean?”

“... Weren’t you the one saying we shouldn’t be digging up old graves?”

“True, that’s true, but this is different. You know how his dad is, he needs our support.”

“Well… I’ll think about it.”

“Thinking is too slow.”

“I promise to probably do something about it before I leave.”

“Even if you don’t, I will!”

She stuck her tongue out, a playful demonstration of her lack of faith.

“Henna…” Asvel looked her square in the eyes.

“Hmm…?”

“I think I’m going to freeze.”

She noticed the frosty snot accumulating under his nose and hopped off of the railing. “Okay, let’s go back in.”

Asvel left it as well, and led the way back in. As they walked across the drawing room he felt a warm and pleasant sensation spreading across his back that stopped him in his tracks. She was hugging him from behind. He was at a loss for words.

“I missed you too, meanie.”

----------------------------------------

The next morning, a ways away on the second floor of a large mansion, a woman in a black and red dress waited. If one had the courage to steal her with their eyes, they would be treated to a bounty. Her long luxurious white hair conformed to the lithe contour of her exposed shoulders, reaching all the way down to her generous cleavage. Her dress left little, but just enough to the imagination. Yet one look into those eyes, the deep crimson of blood, would pierce into their souls and bind them for eternity. She commanded lust and fear both. Even the purest angel would not remain uncorrupted in her presence.

She sat at the end of a long wooden table. Checkered beneath it were legs with excessive curves and bends. It sat atop a large multicolored rug, with blues and whites and yellows distributed symmetrically into a design resembling a lotus flower. The walls were strategically laced with beautiful paintings that were strategically purchased from famous painters. Tables topped with pottery lined the edges of the room, for no apparent reason besides giving the maids something to do.

Her impatient foot tapped a thunderous rhythm. He was late, and she hated being made to wait. It couldn’t be helped, he was new, and taking over for the one who usually handled these affairs. She stared at the equally fancy door on the opposite end of the room, her elbow propped up from the table and her hand supporting her head.

The door opened, and in walked her expected guest. After he entered, he showed the proper grace with a bow, and took his rightful seat at the opposite end of the table.

“Do you know what time it is?” she asked, clawing at her cheek with three fingers.

“I apologize, your ladyship, but I assure you it was not without good reason.”

“You may continue.”

“The forest was searched up and down, but we were unable to find the girl.”

“Your ‘good reason’ is failure?”

“No, we did not find her in the forest, but we did find a body that likely belonged to her. It was near the city of Reed.”

“I’m guessing you checked the body?”

“It was looted clean, your ladyship.”

“So it’s failure that kept you, after all.”

“P-please, I promise that is not all that I came with. Last night, someone touched a jewel. Two people, in fact.”

She crossed her legs and frowned. The man was sweating. Her tone grew harsh. “This is getting worse and worse for you by the second.”

“One was green… and the other was white.”

The woman raised one eyebrow. “White? You’re positive? Those vulgar old men weren’t drinking on watch again?”

“Y-yes, your ladyship — I am certain this is accurate information.”

“I should have been told sooner. We need to move immediately. We’re likely already behind. This time, just cleaning up won’t be good enough.”