Snow. That’s all that matters. That and two people. Two very rare people, the only ones who won’t hurt me. Lilac. Evelyn. MY people. So, what if one has no powers and the other can only turn into a snowy owl? Anyone who has anything to say about them can face me and my frostbite.

Astrid trudged through the snow. The Frost Wood, the only way to get to Druid's Range, home to some of the most terror-inducing creatures. And where I’m is headed is not much better... Druid's Range is home to outcasts, assassins, and thugs. But it’s the best place for trades and news for the low class. Especially when your own MOTHER abandons you and you're forced to take care of yourself AND your little sister who has no power whatsoever. And the "amazing" king and queen sit on their butts while I’m breaking my back just to support my people. Stupid king. Stupid queen. Stupid kingdom!

The snow pounds on Ash as she finally sees a light up ahead. The tavern! Using her enhanced agility and snow manipulation, she quickly runs to the tavern. As she opens the door, she gets hit with a strong smell of cheap alcohol, a stench that younger her associated with her mother.

She looks around for her normal hook, Desdemona Keres, a woman in her 50s with grey, ratty hair, black soulless eyes, a coat made of animal skin, and a horrible grey cat that matches her perfectly. She was a mage for the king until she was cast out of the kingdom. She never says who it was that cast her out. Ash spots her by the bar next to a passed-out (or more likely dead) man. Ash walks up to her and sits a seat down from her, close enough to talk but never touch.

"You’re doing?" Ash says, pointing to the man.

"And the stuff he was drinking." Desdemona laughs, a grating croaking sound. "Why are you back so soon, Thornwick?"

Ash looks around, anywhere but at Desdemona, for she had been wondering that herself. "I need more supplies," Ash says.

"And how do you expect to pay? And why do you need more if you got some last week? That's not in our agreement," Desdemona spits.

"You know why, and I can pay either doing quests or getting more information for you," Ash says.

Desdemona laughs. "You think errands and info will make me help you? You're mistaken, my dear. You know what I want, you know how to make it happen, you did it when you were ten. Why not do it seven years later?" Desdemona slides a list to Ash. "Complete the list, and I'll get you everything."

Ash hesitates before taking the list but grabs it. "How many are there?" she asks.

“Three, but it’s an easy job for someone like you!” Desdemona lips curl into an evil grin. “Don’t worry, you can complete it before the end on tomorrow. You will complete it before the end on tomorrow.”

Ash tries to respond but Desdemona had already disappeared stupid shadow teleportation! Ash looks at the first name on the list, Nevio Yaktaa, with a image of him. Home: 1378 Sparrow Street, Middle class. Day job: Store clerk Night job: Thief and broker. No wonder he's a target, Middle class but a store clerk? Neon sign saying "IM NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, PLEASE INVESTAGATE!" Odd, Desdemona would normally love to have a person like this under her grimy hands, He probably refused her and now she wants me to do the dirty work of killing him.

Ash makes her way to Sparrow Street, her breath visible in the cold night air. The snow crunches under her boots as she approaches Nevio's modest home. She takes a deep breath, feeling the familiar chill of her powers coursing through her veins. She doesn't want to do this, but she has no choice. Desdemona's hold on her is too strong, and without her supplies, Ash and her sister wouldn't survive.

Stolen story; please report.

Nevio Yaktaa is inside, oblivious to the danger lurking outside. Ash watches him through the window, noting his every move. She waits for the right moment, then slips inside silently, her enhanced agility making her movements almost invisible.

Nevio looks up, startled, as Ash steps into the room. "Who are you?" he demands, his eyes narrowing.

"A snowy Angel," Ash replies, her voice coated in sarcasm and cold as the snowstorm brewing outside. She raises her hand, and a flurry of snow swirls around her, ready to strike.

Nevio smirks, not intimidated. "You think you can scare me with a little snow? I have my own tricks." He whistles sharply, and suddenly, the ground beneath Ash's feet begins to tremble. Moles burst from the floor, their beady eyes glinting with malice as they surround her.

Ash doesn't flinch. She channels her power, the snow around her forming into sharp icicles. With a swift motion, she sends them flying at the moles but not before one bites her forearm, freezing them in place. Nevio's smirk fades as he realizes he's underestimated her.

"You should have never crossed Desdemona," Ash says, her voice icy. She lunges at Nevio with lightning speed, her agility allowing her to dodge his desperate attempts to fend her off. She grabs him by the collar, lifting him off the ground effortlessly.

"Please, don't!" Nevio begs, his bravado gone. "I can give you anything you want!"

Ash's eyes are cold and unyielding, but inside, she's conflicted. She doesn't want to kill him, but she knows she has no choice. "You had your chance," she says, her voice wavering slightly. With a final, powerful surge of her snow control, she encases Nevio in a block of ice, his pleas silenced forever.

She steps back, breathing heavily, and surveys her work. Another name crossed off the list. She turns and leaves, the snowstorm outside swallowing her as she disappears into the night, her heart heavy with the weight of what she's done.

Ash looks at the next name on the list of death: Fenris Oakheart, an old man with green eyes. Street: 5678 Low Class. Job: None. Family: None.

Ash makes her way to the dilapidated part of town where Fenris is known to stay. The snow falls gently around her, a stark contrast to the turmoil she feels inside. She clutches her forearm, where a mole bite still festers, a painful reminder of her last encounter.

As she approaches a shabby shelter, she spots Fenris huddled near a small fire. His eyes, though old, are kind and warm. He looks up as she steps closer, his gaze softening.

"Hello there," he says, his voice raspy but gentle. "What brings you to this part of town?"

Ash hesitates, the weight of her mission heavy on her shoulders. "I'm here to... talk," she says, sitting down beside him. The warmth of the fire is a welcome relief from the biting cold.

Fenris notices her discomfort and the wound on her arm. "That looks nasty. Let me help you with that," he offers, reaching for a small pouch of herbs.

Ash watches as he works, his hands surprisingly steady for someone his age. "Why are you helping me?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Because everyone needs help sometimes," Fenris replies, applying a soothing salve to her wound. "What troubles you, young one?"

Ash bites her lip, struggling with her words. "I was sent here to... to kill you," she admits, the words tasting bitter in her mouth.

Fenris doesn't flinch. Instead, he looks at her with understanding. "I see. And who sent you?"

"Someone who wants you dead," Ash replies. "I don't know why."

Fenris nods, as if this revelation doesn't surprise him. "People have their reasons, I'm sure. But you don’t need to follow them, if you don’t wish to that is."

"I don't know if I do," Ash says, tears welling up in her eyes. "If I don't do what they say, my sister and I won't survive."

Fenris takes her hand in his, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Listen to me. You are stronger than you think. There are other ways to protect your sister, other paths you can take.”

Ash looks into his kind eyes, feeling a glimmer of hope. She knows she can't take another life just because she's ordered to. "You're right," she says softly, standing up. "I won't kill you."

Fenris smiles, his relief palpable. "Thank you."

"But you need to get out of here," Ash continues, her resolve strengthening. "I can take you to the royal guard. They help children and the elderly. They'll protect you."

Fenris nods, grateful. "Lead the way."

Ash helps him up, her grip firm and supportive. Together, they make their way through the snow-covered streets to the royal guard's post. The guards, recognizing Ash, take Fenris in without question.

As she watches Fenris disappear inside the guard's sanctuary, Ash feels a strange sense of peace. She's defied Desdemona's orders, but she knows it was the right thing to do. She turns and disappears into the night, ready to face whatever consequences may come. Third person be dammed. But out of curiosity she checks.

Evelyn Frostfeather