The morning of Mortfall appeared just like one might picture in a fairytale. A blanket of thick snow coats the ground, with vibrant red cardinals dancing jovially among the sea of white.

Under normal circumstances, Eben would have welcomed the holiday with open arms, eagerly anticipating the evening's celebrations. Instead, he fidgets anxiously as he sketches his self-portrait, wishing the night would never come.

It just didn't make much sense to force him to participate in the village's celebrations. What was the point? Acclimating him to a life outside Adder's reach? Even doubted the priest would be that considerate.

Still, even as he begs the sun to stay high in the sky, time's arrow marches forward. The horizon darkens more and more until It's time for Eben to go. The half-elf sighs, placing the drawing on the table as he picks up his cloak and scarf, dressing warmly for what most certainly would be a freezing night.

As he arrives he marvels at the sight of the decorations lining the stone streets. Red banners and ribbons are strewn everywhere, the vibrant color even more eye-catching against the pallid hues of winter.

Villagers are roaming the streets as the revelry of the night begins. However, they don't look very excited. In fact, the whole village seems to almost be consumed by some oppressive force.

Considering the more festive the celebration, the further Morthall was supposed to be, this village was very close to death.

"Hey! Elf!"

Eben jolts at the sound of a small voice. Looking to his right, he sees Kora running up to him. The girl is decked in warm clothing, a bright red fur-lined coat covering her small frame.

Eben scowls at the child, looking down at her from Fairy. "I'm not an elf, I'm a half-human."

Kora is unphased by the scolding. "You have pointy ears like an elf though."

The half-elf rolls his eyes, trying not to let the words of a child bother him. "Can I help you? I need to go see Father Sheppard."

The dark-haired girl grins. "No, you have to come with me. Father Sheppard told us to host you for Mortfall. Let me on your horse!"

Eben blinks, surprised. Was Sheppard trying to send some kind of message forcing him to spend the holiday with a human family?

"Okay," he sighs, extending a hand toward the little girl. "Climb up."

The child climbs onto Fairy's back and they depart towards the Artisan's home. As they walk through the ornately decorated cobblestone paths, the girl nearly talks his pointed ears off as she discusses the holiday.

"Is Adder celebrating Mortfall?" Kora asks.

"I'm going to give him a present tonight, but I think he's sleeping through most of it," Eben replies.

The dark-haired girl beams. "That's good! Even gorgon's should get Mortfall presents. Did you get me one?"

The half-elf smiles at the boldness of the girl. "No, I didn't know I was coming so I didn't prepare anything."

Kora huffs, disappointed. "Well, next year bring me a present. My favorite color is red and I like apple-flavored things."

Eben laughs, heart warmed by the assumption he would be welcome back next year. "I'll remember that."

As they arrive, Kora jumps off her horse and runs to her father. "He's here daddy! Look, we have an elf for Mortfall!"

Eben sighs, smiling as he dismounts Fairy. "Hello again Adler. Happy Mortfall."

Adler's face stays stoic, but he picks up Kora and opens the door for Eben. "Yeah yeah. Get inside before you catch your death."

Eben steps inside the cottage, grinning at how the home has become even more cozy with red ribbons and decor lining the halls.

"Take a seat in the kitchen. We were about to sit down to supper." Adler commands.

Eben nods and takes a seat, admiring the small but delicious-looking feast that Jacqueline and her husband have prepared. After a brief grace, the family digs in.

The elf follows their example, but his enjoyment is hindered by a sense of sadness knowing that Adder is alone in his cave. He sets down his fork and turns to Jacqueline, worry creasing his features.

"Did Sheppard tell you how long I have to stay?"

Jacqueline nods. "He instructed us you could only return after the midnight mass."

Eben grimaces. So he'd have to spend the whole holiday in the village?

"Midnight mass? I've never attended church on Mortfall."

Kora frowns, fork prodding a slice of ham. "It's scary."

"Scary?" Eben questions.

Adler places a comforting hand atop the child's head. "Let's just say Father Sheppard has implemented a...different tradition here in Nǣdre Tor. Just try to enjoy the night before then."

The half-frowns. That was ominous.

"Before we go though we open presents!" Kora crows. "I got a present for Adder! You'll give it to him right?"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Eben smiles. "Of course. I'm sure he'll be delighted."

The warmth of the fire and the cheer of the festivities chase away the dark thoughts in his mind, and Eben finds himself laughing and chatting with the artisan's family as though he's one of them. He can't help but enjoy himself, even if he's missing Adder...

When the time for gift-giving arrives, Kora eagerly tears open her presents. She squeals in delight as she receives a jar of candied fruit, two hand-carved toys, a peppermint stick, and a bright red pair of socks.

Next, it was the adults' turn. Adler received a new whittling knife, Jacqueline a hand-embroidered apron, and Eben was handed two burlap-wrapped packages. He grins with anticipation as he weighs each package carefully, trying to imagine what was inside.

"This one is for Adder," Kora adds, pointing at the hard rectangular one. "The other one is yours."

Eben places Adder's gift into his satchel before opening his own. His eyes go wide as a beautiful pendant slides out. It's a snake, intricately carved from a mossy green and white speckled stone. He examines the design, carefully noticing the strange way the snake seems to bite its own tail.

He looks to Adler as he puts it on. "Did you make this?"

The artisan nods, giving a rare smile. "Yes. It's carved from a stone called Serpentinite, and the design is an ouroboros."

The half-elf traces the delicate etchings of the pendant. "Ouroboros?"

"It's a symbol of rebirth," Kora interjects, "the snake eats his tail and then gets reborn from it."

"Thank you." He whispers. This is more than just jewelry to Eben, it's an admission of faith—faith in him of all people. He knew that he couldn't let them down now. He needed to become a person worthy of that trust.

However as the last gift is given, a solemness overcomes the family. The time approaches for them to make their way toward the church. With grave faces, they mount their cart while Eben, atop Fairy, trails behind them.

As they join the throngs of villagers making their way to mass, a palpable tension seems to hang in the air as they march. Eben shivers, spooked. Whatever was awaiting them definitely wouldn't be pleasant.

As Eben approaches the grand doors, goosebumps break out as he steps into the massive cathedral. The air is dense with a sense of foreboding, and the dim light of the flickering candles only adds to the unsettling atmosphere. But it's not until he follows the gazes of the anxious churchgoers that he truly understands the reason for their apprehension.

The walls of the church are adorned with ominous blood-red banners, their stark color drawing the eye toward the altar. There, surrounding the pulpit like a silent congregation, are the petrified victims of Adder.

The sight sends ice coursing through his veins.

Sheppard stands among the frozen expressions of fear and terror, a mad gleam in his eyes as he revels in the atmosphere of dread.

Eben grits his teeth. Clearly, the man was making a statement—obey or he would use the gorgon against any who stood against him.

Sheppard raises his hands, hushing the crowd instantly.

"My dear children," the man's voice echoes eerily, "I am so pleased to see you all once again for another Mortfall celebration."

Eben clenches his scarf, glaring daggers at the priest.

"While the rest of Aaradivirsi takes part in sinful revelry to keep the God of death at bay, Nǣdre Tor recognizes the value in death. Without inviting death into our lives, we cannot survive. Just as the snake must slay the rabbit, so must we slay those among us who would seek to do us harm."

The priest's face sobers, head bowing. "Still, it is a tragic thing when we discover it is one of our own who seeks to destroy us. That is why with a heavy heart, I must announce two members of our congregation will face execution for their crimes."

Eben's heart races as villagers murmur fearfully amongst themselves. So they decided to execute Fern? Who was the second person? Surely not who he feared...?

Sheppard motions to the guards who drag two women to the stage. Without their habits on it takes a moment for Eben to recognize who they are, but as the fearful gazes of the victims meet the crowd, the half-elf instantly identifies the women as Daisy and Fern.

The priest continues. "Fern Lazan and Daisy Adolphine came to this village seeking redemption for their monstrous ways. But unfortunately, both have relapsed into their old habits, endangering our way of life."

Eben feels sick to his stomach. Sheppard was a bastard, but would he really murder two innocent women over this?

"Kindly, I have decided to allow them the rest of winter to reflect on their transgressions. However, come Koranelia this spring, they will be dispatched by Adder to honor the Goddess Giakora."

A ruckus breaks out as villagers react poorly. Among them is Jacqueline, who stands from her spot in the pews.

"That's enough!" The woman roars. "This has gone on too long, Sheppard!"

The chapel goes eerily quiet as Sheppard raises his hand to silence the angry murmurs that echo through the chapel. He regards Jacqueline with an icy smile, seemingly unaffected.

"Please, Jacqueline, speak your mind as you so love to do."

"You cannot carry on in this manner any longer," the woman hisses. "You cannot suppress us, especially not with the gorgon! Adder is meant to protect us—Helia did not raise him for this!"

The priest's façade of calmness vanishes, white-knuckling as he grips the podium. "Helia? You mean the witch who betrayed us? Who are you to speak her name in this holy place?"

Adler attempts to grab his wife, eyes wide and fearful, but the woman shakes him off. "I was her friend, and I was by her side building this community long before you ever came!"

The woman's fury is palpable as she confronts the priest, her eyes ablaze. "You're nothing but a usurper," she spits venomously, "You took advantage of her kindness, made her into what you wanted, and then cast her aside like she was worthless. Now you sit here on your throne of corpses, thinking you are a God!"

The crowd murmurs in agreement, their unease growing with every passing moment. Sheppard's expression turns cold, his eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity. He raises his hand, clenching his fist.

The action seems to cause a strange shimmer in the air. Eben recognizes it immediately—magic.

Several voices in the crowd exclaim fearfully as Jacqueline collapses to the ground with the motion. Eben tries to reach the woman but is roughly pushed aside as Sheppard's men drag her away. Kora screams, crying inconsolably as her limp mother is taken into the depths of the church.

Sheppard leans over the pulpit, green eyes blown wide. "See how this malignancy spreads? How one aberration turns a peaceful flock into a pack of beasts? We must keep order or we will become no better than the wicked creatures which roam this forest. I will bear that heavy burden, no matter how high the price."

The elder takes a few calming breaths, straightening out his stole. The mask slips back on, returning Sheppard's eerily peaceful expression. "Now that all that unpleasantness is over. Let us commence the service in earnest..."

The congregation shifts uneasily in their seats, still reeling from the intensity of Sheppard's words. As the service begins, the elder's words take on a mockingly soothing tone, guiding the flock through prayers and hymns.

Eben can hardly focus on the ceremony, the somber harmonies only seeming to sink him further into distress.

Desperately, he tries to think of a solution, but meets a dead end at every turn. Sheppard's power was too vast, always one step ahead of the half-elf.

The only answer he could fathom was challenging the man with magic. But even that plan was weak—Eben had tried to summon the power again to no avail. They seemed to ignore his every command, no matter how he begged and pleaded in his mind.

As the service finally ends, Eben follows Kora and Adler out of the church hurriedly. With one last somber look toward the artisan and his daughter, the half-elf mounts Fairy and begins making his way back to the cave.

Snowflakes begin to flutter down in rapid flurries, blurring his vision. Logically, he knows he should head back and shelter with Adler, but he pushes Fairy through the storm. He needed to be somewhere he felt safe as soon as possible.

He needed Adder.