With the wagon wheel replaced, thanks to a lot of extra hands to help, I turned to Bleek and the other goblins. "I need to prepare for the festival," I said. "There will be humans there as well, but they've come to accept Lady Churl and the orcs. I hope you'll all feel welcome."

Bleek nodded. "Reckon we can handle a few humans. Long as they don't cause no trouble."

"I'm sure they will say the same thing about you."

Bleek laughed "Yeah. That's fair. Where we gonna find this place?"

"It's called the Shadow's Respite," I said and gave them directions to the tavern.

Knowing I had little time left, I glanced at the darkening sky and hoped I had time. I needed to make two stops. I hoped they were both open and had what I needed in stock.

Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the direction of the new orc fort that had been built less than half a mile from the village to protect it and the roads. It was Urzan, wearing a scarred thick red jacket and black leather pants. The cold didn't seem to faze him much, but he looked uncomfortable, nonetheless.

As Urzan approached, he snarled at Bleek, who snarled right back. The two faced off and for a moment, I worried a fight was about to break out. But then they grasped wrists and grinned at each other before exchanging a few words in their guttural language.

"I forgot you knew each other," I told Urzan.

"Bleek good goblin! Make camp with Bleek! Him good cook!" Urzan cleared his throat. "Not as good as Varix!"

"That's nice of you to say, Urzan, but I bet he is a better cook than me. By the way, I was wondering if I could get some help later," I said. "How would you feel about wearing a red hat and carrying some gifts in a bag over your shoulder?" I didn't mention that I was going to ask around for something to make a white beard out of.

Urzan considered this for a moment. "Urzan maybe feel stupid! But Varix good to orc! Orc maybe help Varix!"

I smiled, grateful for his support. "I appreciate the orcs' help, Urzan. Thank you. Be at the tavern after dark. We're going to recreate the Festival of Word and Bone."

"Okay! Orc ready after dark!"

Bleek stared at me during the exchange and stifled a chuckle.

"Right, guys. I'm off to prep for the festival. See you later."

The pair nodded at me. Doan perked up as well, so I walked to him and told him about the festival I had planned. He liked the idea and said he would spread the word to the others.

"See you then," I said and shook his hand.

With Bleek sorted out, I next headed to the butcher's shop to check on her stock. As I made my way toward Shellen's place of business, the snow started to pick up. I kept glancing back over my shoulder, watching the flakes grow larger and fall more heavily with each passing minute. The wind picked up, swirling the snow around me and obscuring my vision.

I hurried through the streets, boots crunching in the accumulating snow. By the time I reached Shellen's shop, my hair and shoulders were dusted with white. I moved to the window and peered inside, but the interior was dark.

I backed up and looked up at the second story. The lights were out up there as well, and there was no movement behind the curtains. I banged on the door and waited, shifting from foot to foot in an attempt to keep warm.

No one answered. I banged on the window with the flat of my hand, hoping to catch Shellen's attention, but no one appeared.

"Well, hell," I muttered, my breath fogging in the cold air.

I jumped up, trying to get a better view through the upstairs window, but it was too high. The snow continued to come down, the flakes growing larger and falling more thickly by the minute.

I gave up on the butcher and headed over to the leather worker, hoping he had a leather sheath in stock that would fit Lady Churl's murder-chef-knife, as hers was almost falling apart. I had an idea to enhance it with some help from Seraphina, but first, I needed to locate one.

The snow continued to build as I made my way through the streets, and pretty soon I had to cover my face with my hand on my brow to keep the flakes out of my eyes. The wind whipped around me, driving the snow into swirling eddies.

I pushed on, determined to reach the leather worker's shop. This area was near the edge of town, with fewer buildings and more open space. I passed a few storefronts, their windows dark and shuttered against the storm. There was a small bakery, but they had closed their curtains. The tailor's shop had a "Closed" sign hanging on the door. This was most peculiar. Had a snow beast kidnapped everyone?

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Finally, I arrived at the leather worker's shop, only to find the lights out there as well. "Are you kidding me?" I exclaimed. I banged on the door, hoping someone might be inside despite the darkened windows. The door rattled in its frame, but no one answered.

I stepped back, my mind whirling. What could I get Lady Churl as an appreciation gift now? I had been counting on finding something at the leather worker's shop. I tried banging on the door one more time, but it was clear no one was there.

Looking around at the other shops, I noticed almost all of them had their lights out. What in the world was happening? It was as if the entire village had shut down in the face of the storm.

Just as I turned to leave, a faint voice caught my attention. I walked toward the edge of the village, straining to hear over the howling wind. More voices reached my ears, and then someone screamed!

Without hesitation, I raced toward the sound. More screams sounded. My feet were willing, but the snow was unyielding. I knew I wouldn't be much good in a fight, but I couldn't just stand by if the villagers were in trouble. I loved this village and its people too much to abandon them.

The snow was falling harder now, and the wind whipped it into my face, stinging my eyes. I could barely see more than a few feet before me, but I pushed on, determined to reach whoever was in trouble.

I reached the end of the street and burst out of the village at the edge of one of the lavender fields near a hill that led up to the main road. Off to the right, I spotted lights, their glow diffused by the falling snow. I squinted, trying to make out what they were. Were those torches? Lanterns? I couldn't tell.

Suddenly, a voice yelled, "Watch out!"

Instinctively, I stepped back just as something low to the ground raced past me, missing me by inches. A child sat on a sled, grinning from ear to ear.

I blinked, trying to process what had just happened. A sled?

I turned, taking in the scene before me. The villagers were outside the walls, enjoying the snow. Laughter and shouts of joy filled the air as children and adults alike played in the winter wonderland.

I put my hands on my hips. "Well, that explains a lot."

Sleds of all kinds dotted the hillside. Some were simple devices, just a flat piece of wood with a rope attached for steering. Others were more elaborate, with curved runners and even small seats carved into the wood.

As it spun by, one sled caught my eye. It was made from a large barrel cut in half lengthwise, the inside lined with straw for padding. A group of children took turns pushing each other down the hill in it.

Another sled looked like it had been cobbled together from an old door, the hinges still attached. A father and his daughter sat on it together, the father's arms wrapped around the girl as they sped down the slope.

I breathed a sigh of relief and made for the gathering. When I reached it, I was able to find Shellen with Caden. I breathlessly explained what I needed and apologized for bothering them with this while the whole village was out playing in the snow.

She told me that she had exactly what I needed for the festival and would drop off a huge bag in a few hours. I thanked her.

"It's no problem, Varix. You're one of my best customers."

"I don't want to tear you away from this," I said, waving at the fun around me.

"Can't play all day. Besides," Caden put in. "We didn't plan this. When the snow got deep, someone dug out their old sleds and brought them outside. Others soon followed. We haven't had snow like this in…"

"At least ten years," Shellen interjected.

"I'm glad the entire village wasn't kidnapped. I was worried." I laughed. "Thought snow beasts had taken everyone."

"Snow drifts, more like." Caden laughed.

"I need one more thing. Is Rogar out here?"

"Sure. I saw him a few minutes ago near the top of the hill."

"Great, thanks! Hope you all can make it to my impromptu festival later."

"Count on it." Caden nodded.

Marching up the hill past kids and parents taking turns on sleds, I located the leather worker, Rogar, and explained what I needed. He said he had a sheath that should work, but based on my knife measurements, he would adjust, moving the closure snap up a little before bringing it over. Rogar explained that it was an easy fix despite what it sounded like.

We agreed on a price. I dug out the coins and happily handed them over.

As I was turning to head back to town, Shellen shouted for me to try a sled ride.

"I don't know if I have time!" I yelled back.

Others called for me to try, and I had to admit, it did look fun.

"Fine," I said with a laugh.

I surveyed the various sleds, trying to decide which one to try. The barrel sled looked fun, but I wasn't sure I'd fit comfortably inside. The door sled was creative, but it seemed a bit too rickety for my taste.

Then I spotted a sturdy wooden sled with metal runners and a curved front that reminded me of a toboggan from back home.

"I'll try that one," I said, pointing to the toboggan-like sled.

Caden grinned as he walked up toward me and helped me drag it to the top of the hill with his intact right hand. "Good choice," he said. "This one's fast."

"I'm only going once, so it needs to count."

"’Just once.’ I've heard that one a few times today, and no one has left yet."

I positioned myself on the sled and gripped the rope tightly. The wood was cold against my hands, but I could feel the anticipation building in my chest.

"Ready?" Caden asked, standing behind me.

I nodded.

With a mighty shove, Caden sent me flying down the hill. The sled gained speed quickly as it cut through the snow with a hiss. The wind whipped at my face, stinging my cheeks and watering my eyes.

"Put your hands up!" someone yelled from the sidelines.

I hesitated momentarily, then let go of the rope and thrust my hands into the air. The sled seemed to fly even faster without my grip to slow it down.

"Woohoo!" I yelled, my voice echoing across the field.

The snow-covered landscape blurred around me as I sped down the hill.

As I neared the bottom of the hill, someone had built a ramp out of packed snow. I leaned forward, shifting my weight to the front of the sled.

The sled hit the jump and soared into the air. For a moment, I was weightless, and my stomach was in my throat. Then gravity took hold, and the sled slammed back onto the snow, jolting me to the bone.

I let out a whoop of joy as I coasted to a stop and tumbled off the sled into the soft snow, laughing breathlessly. I pondered how much work I had to do back at the tavern. My eyes found Caden and Shellen at the top of the hill.

"Maybe just one more time."