Kira

The cold bit at my cheeks as I trudged through the woods, Marcus just ahead of me, humming some festive tune under his breath. Snow clung stubbornly to the leather of my boots, and every step felt heavier than the last. But I didn’t mind. Not today.

Marcus paused, resting his axe against his shoulder and looking over his shoulder at me with a grin that could light up the forest. "You good, Kira? Or do you want me to carry you too?"

"Funny," I said, rolling my eyes, though I couldn’t suppress my own grin. "Just pick a tree already. You’ve rejected the last five."

"Can’t rush art," Marcus replied, spinning slowly to inspect the surrounding pines. His hawk, Orion, perched on a nearby branch, ruffled its feathers impatiently.

I folded my arms, feigning irritation. "It’s a tree."

He ignored me, stepping forward and patting the trunk of a tall pine. "This one," he declared with the conviction of a man choosing a weapon for battle.

The tree was perfect—dense branches, a healthy green even under its frosty coating. It looked like it belonged in the woods, not dragged into our base, but I wasn’t about to argue with Marcus when he was on a mission.

"Alright," I said, watching as Marcus swung the axe with practiced ease. "But if it doesn’t fit through the door, you’re carrying it back."

"Deal," he said, grinning. A few sharp swings later, the tree toppled with a satisfying crunch, snow scattering into the air. He hefted it over his shoulder like it weighed nothing, and we started back toward the base.

By the time we arrived, my fingers were numb, but my heart was light. The others were gathered around the hearth, Elyse’s magical light orb floating overhead, casting a warm glow across the room. Kass was draped across one of the chairs, sharpening her blade, while Finn sat cross-legged on the floor, tinkering with what I could only assume was another explosive. Isaac flipped through a weathered book, and Caleb stood by the window, arms crossed, gazing out into the snow-covered world.

The tree caused a stir the moment Marcus shoved it through the door.

"By the gods," Kass said, sitting up. "You brought the whole forest?"

"Marcus couldn’t settle for anything smaller," I said, shaking snow from my cloak.

"It’s Yule," Marcus replied, setting the tree down in the corner with a thud. "Go big or go home."

Finn abandoned his contraption, bounding over to inspect the tree. "This is amazing!" he said, brushing the needles with a reverent hand. "We’re decorating it, right?"

"Of course," I said, pulling a bag of ornaments I’d scavenged from the market out of my satchel. They were mismatched—a chipped wooden star, a handful of colorful glass baubles, and a few strands of silver tinsel. "But everyone’s helping."

It didn’t take much convincing. Even Caleb, who had initially stayed by the window, joined us after Kass threw a bauble at his head and told him to "get festive or else." He grumbled something about wasting time but ended up hanging a strand of tinsel with a surprising amount of care.

Elyse created floating lights to hang on the branches, her smile soft as she watched the tree transform. Finn insisted on climbing up Marcus’s shoulders to place the star at the top, nearly toppling them both in the process. Isaac tied small bundles of herbs to the branches, explaining they were for protection and good fortune.

By the time we were done, the tree sparkled like something out of a storybook.

"It’s… perfect," I said, stepping back to admire our work.

"It’s ridiculous," Caleb muttered, but there was no bite in his tone. In fact, I thought I saw the corners of his mouth twitch upward.

Finn was rummaging through a sack of last-minute decorations Elyse had conjured, muttering to himself about finding "the perfect touch."

"I got it!" Finn exclaimed, holding up a sprig of mistletoe like it was a golden relic. He grinned mischievously, clearly up to something.

"That better not be going over my head, Wilder," Erin warned from her corner of the room, her sharp gaze flicking up from her newly polished boots.

"Oh, come on," Finn said, already tiptoeing toward her. "It’s tradition!"

"You come near me with that thing..." Erin retorted, twirling a throwing knife between her fingers for emphasis.

Finn paused mid-step, calculating the risk. "Alright, alright," he muttered, backing away with exaggerated caution. "No need for violence..."

With Erin effectively out of his plans, Finn turned his attention elsewhere. His eyes landed on Caleb, who was leaning against the window, watching the snowfall with his usual stoic expression.

"Perfect target," Finn whispered under his breath, creeping toward him with the mistletoe held high.

"I can see your reflection, Finn," Caleb said without turning around, his voice flat. "Don’t even think about it."

Finn huffed in disappointment. "You people have no sense of holiday cheer," he said, dramatically flinging the mistletoe over his shoulder.

It landed directly in Marcus’s hands. The big man examined it for a moment, then shrugged and hung it from one of the beams in the center of the room. "There. Problem solved."

"Problem created," Kass corrected, smirking as she glanced up at the offending sprig. "Now who’s going to be the poor soul caught under it?"

As if on cue, Finn made a show of walking backward until he was conveniently standing directly beneath it. "Oh no," he said, feigning surprise. "Looks like I’m under the mistletoe. Who’s it gonna be?"

"Not me," Kass said, crossing her arms. "I’d rather kiss Erin’s boots."

"Fine," Finn said, throwing up his hands in mock defeat. "I see how it is. No festive spirit around here at all."

Before anyone could reply, a loud, deliberate ahem drew our attention. Marcus stood under the mistletoe now, arms crossed and eyebrow raised, looking directly at Finn.

"Oh, no," Finn said, backing up a step. "Don’t even think about it."

"It’s tradition," Marcus said, his deep voice laced with humor. "You wouldn’t want to disrespect the Yule spirit, would you?"

"I’ll disrespect whatever I want," Finn shot back, though the faintest blush crept up his cheeks.

Erin walked past him without stopping, patting his shoulder on her way to the fire. "You’re going to die under there, Wilder. Alone."

The entire room burst into laughter, and even Finn couldn’t help but join in, his exaggerated pout breaking into a grin.

Later that night, we sat around the tree, its glow casting long shadows on the walls. Marcus passed around mugs of mulled cider, and Finn told exaggerated stories about his escapades in Westwind Vale, earning groans and laughter in equal measure. Kass joined in, her quick wit sparring with Finn’s hyperbole, while Elyse signed jokes that Isaac translated for the rest of us.

"Alright," Marcus said, clapping his massive hands together, "gift time. Everyone sit down. No peeking, Finn."

"I wasn’t peeking!" Finn protested, looking entirely guilty.

We all gathered in a loose circle around the hearth, Kass nudging Finn aside so she could stretch her long legs. Caleb sat cross-legged, arms resting on his knees, looking both bemused and skeptical. Elyse perched gracefully on a nearby stool, her expressive eyes gleaming with anticipation. Isaac sat beside her, already wearing the scarf Kass had knitted him earlier, its uneven stitches a testament to her stubborn determination to learn.

Marcus reached behind the tree, pulling out a bundle of crudely wrapped packages. "Alright, I’ll go first," he said, handing out small gifts with a grin. "No complaints about the wrapping. I had limited resources."

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

Finn eagerly tore into his parcel, revealing a set of brand-new lockpicks. His face lit up like the Yule tree. "These are perfect!" he exclaimed, holding them up to the firelight. "Thanks, Marcus! Now I can break into even more of Kass’s stuff."

"You’ll lose a hand if you try," Kass said, smirking.

Isaac opened his gift next, pulling out a leather-bound journal. His fingers ran over the cover reverently. "It’s beautiful, Marcus. Thank you."

Marcus shrugged, his grin widening. "Figured you could use it to keep track of all the weird remedies you make."

To Erin, Marcus handed over a flask of honeyed whiskey. "For the times when the rest of us get on your nerves."

Erin smirked, pocketing it. "A man of solutions. I like that."

Elyse’s turn came next. Her package contained a set of intricate hairpins, their silver inlays catching the firelight. She signed something quickly, and Isaac translated with a smile. "She says they’re lovely. And you’re not as hopeless as you look."

"High praise," Marcus said, chuckling.

Finn eagerly handed out his own gifts next, each one wrapped in chaotic layers of paper and twine. Kass opened hers to find a crudely carved wooden sword. "It’s for your collection," Finn explained, looking a little shy. "You know, when you’re not swinging the real thing."

Kass held it up, inspecting it with exaggerated seriousness. "I love it. You’re lucky it doesn’t weigh enough to smack you with."

I unwrapped my gift to find a small vial of glittering powder. "It’s for escape routes," Finn said proudly. "Throw it, and it’ll create a cloud that sparkles and blinds people for a few seconds. Good for getaways."

"It’s perfect," I said, smiling. "Thanks, Finn."

Caleb opened his package to reveal a small leather pouch filled with finely polished Zilaran dice. "Thought you could use some luck," Finn said with a cheeky grin.

Caleb huffed a quiet laugh. "I’ll take what I can get."

Kass handed out her gifts next, each one thoughtful in her brusque way. She gave Elyse a small silver mirror, Isaac a pouch of herbs, and Finn a pair of sturdy gloves "to keep your stupid hands from freezing."

Next came Elyse’s gifts. She handed out her presents with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

For Kass, there was a delicate ribbon and a beautifully carved wooden comb. "To keep your hair in check," Isaac translated, struggling to suppress a laugh.

Elyse gifted me a pair of elegant earrings, each dangling with a soft blue gem. They were undeniably beautiful, and I felt a pang of gratitude as I put them on. "These are stunning," I said. "Thank you."

For Erin, Elyse had selected a delicate perfume bottle, its floral scent wafting through the room as soon as Erin unwrapped it. Erin wrinkled her nose. "Perfume? Really?"

Elyse smirked, signing something that made Isaac chuckle. "She says you need all the help you can get."

For the boys, Elyse gifted practical yet thoughtful items: a set of polished knives for Finn, a pouch of rare herbs for Isaac, and a hand-sewn scarf for Marcus. Caleb unwrapped a small, enchanted flask that would always refill itself with water. He raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "This is... useful. Thank you."

Elyse grinned smugly.

When it was my turn, I handed out my carefully chosen gifts, feeling a little nervous. "They’re small," I said quickly. "But I hope you like them."

I gave Marcus a set of carved wooden hawk figurines for his growing collection. Elyse received a hand-embroidered handkerchief I’d found in the market, its design reminiscent of Aethelwald patterns. Finn unwrapped a small, engraved compass. Finn grinned, pocketing it immediately. "I’ll treasure it forever."

Kass received a pair of thick, lined leather gloves. "For smithing," I said. She grinned.

Caleb opened his gift last. Inside was a simple pendant. It was engraved with a wolf, a quiet nod to his origins. His expression softened as he turned it over in his hands. "Thank you," he said, his voice low but genuine.

Isaac cleared his throat, sitting cross-legged by the fire with his bag of gifts at his side. He reached into his bag and pulled out a beautifully folded dress. The fabric shimmered faintly in the firelight, a deep emerald green with intricate silver embroidery along the hem and sleeves. It was elegant without being ostentatious—practical, but undeniably beautiful. Isaac held it out to Elyse, who blinked in surprise.

"This is for you," he said, his voice soft. "I figured you might like something... different from what we’re all used to."

Elyse’s hands hovered over the fabric for a moment before she took it, her eyes wide with awe. Isaac’s cheeks flushed faintly, but he looked pleased.

Next, he turned to Marcus, pulling out a hand-carved wooden container. When Marcus opened it, he found an assortment of dried herbs, bundled neatly with labels in Isaac’s careful handwriting. "It’s for your cooking," Isaac said. "Some things to add a bit more flavor when you’re making meals out of rations."

Marcus grinned, shaking his head. "You’re keeping me spoiled, Reed. Thanks, mate."

Erin stood by the Yule tree, arms crossed and her usual sharp gaze daring anyone to say something about the haphazard pile of presents at her feet.

"Don’t make this weird," she said, her tone flat but not unkind. "Just take your stuff."

With that, she reached down and grabbed a package, tossing it across the room without so much as a glance. Marcus caught it easily, his reflexes sharp as ever.

Inside, he found a hand-carved whistle on a leather cord. It was simple but well-made, and he turned it over in his hands, inspecting the faint engraving of a hawk on its side. He looked up, his brow raised.

"For Orion?" he asked. Erin shrugged, her expression unreadable.

"Yeah. Thought you could use a backup in case your voice gives out," she said, already reaching for the next gift.

Finn was next, practically diving to catch the small, oddly shaped package she tossed his way. He tore into it with his usual enthusiasm, revealing a pouch of finely ground powder. His eyes lit up.

"This... is explosive powder," he said, looking up at her, half-shocked, half-delighted.

"Figured you’d blow something up anyway," Erin said, her voice dry. "Might as well do it right."

Finn grinned, clutching the pouch to his chest like a treasure.

Isaac caught his package with a fumble, the brown paper crinkling in his hands. He unwrapped it carefully, revealing a small, sturdy field kit. Inside were several neatly packed supplies—bandages, vials for herbs, and a compact set of tools for stitching wounds.

Isaac looked up, surprised. "This is... actually really useful."

"Don’t get used to it," Erin muttered, already tossing another gift.

Elyse’s package landed softly in her lap, and she raised a brow before peeling back the paper. Inside was a small book—its cover weathered but clearly well-loved. Elyse opened it, her eyes scanning the pages quickly, and a faint smile curved her lips.

She signed something, and Isaac translated with a grin. "She says it’s her favorite poem collection. How’d you know?"

Erin shrugged, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face. "Lucky guess."

Next came Kass, who caught her package with one hand, her other still holding a mug of cider. She ripped it open to reveal a set of throwing knives, their sleek blades gleaming in the firelight.

"These are... really nice," Kass said, flipping one of the knives over in her hand.

"Figured your old ones were getting dull," Erin said, leaning against the wall. "Don’t stab Finn with them. Yet."

Kass smirked. "No promises."

My gift came sailing through the air, and I caught it with both hands, startled by the weight. When I unwrapped it, I found a small wooden box. Inside were several packets of seeds, each labeled in Erin’s precise handwriting.

"They’re for herbs," Erin said, before I could ask. "Figured you might want something green around here."

I blinked, my surprise melting into a soft smile. "Thank you, Erin. This is... really thoughtful."

Finn, of course, was the first to break the tension. "Erin, you’re secretly really nice, aren’t you?"

She shot him a glare so sharp it could’ve cut steel. "Say that again, Wilder, and I’ll use Kass’s new knives on you."

Laughter erupted, and Erin rolled her eyes, her smirk returning as she leaned back against the wall. She didn’t say it, but the faint warmth in her expression made it clear she didn’t mind the chaos—not tonight, anyway.

Finally, Caleb handed out his own gifts, each one practical and tailored. A new whetstone for Kass, a set of surgical tools for Isaac, and a small bottle of rare ink for Elyse. When it came to my turn, he handed me a package wrapped in plain brown paper.

Inside was a leather-bound book, its pages filled with Zilaran proverbs and lore. I looked up at him, surprised. "This is…"

"I figured you’d appreciate it," he said, his voice gruff. "Might come in handy one day."

I nodded, clutching the book tightly. "It’s perfect."

The warmth of the fire crackled at the center of the room, its light dancing on the mismatched decorations of the Yule tree.

Elyse tapped me on the shoulder and signed something, her movements brisk and insistent.

"She says it’s time to light the Yule candles," Isaac translated from his seat by the fire. He raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Apparently, it’s non-negotiable."

Kass rolled her eyes, dragging herself up from the rug where she’d been arm-wrestling Finn. "You elves and your rituals," she teased, though her smirk betrayed her good humor.

Elyse responded with an elegant flip of her fingers—something that needed no translation. Kass barked out a laugh and moved toward the table, where a cluster of unevenly carved candles stood, waiting.

"It’s supposed to represent hope and unity," I said, defending Elyse as I grabbed a tinderbox. "And after this year, we could use all of that."

Marcus took a candle, his broad hand nearly swallowing the simple taper. "Do we make wishes or something?"

Elyse nodded and signed again.

"She says we each light one for what we’re hoping for," Isaac explained. "For ourselves or others."

Caleb, who had been standing near the window with his usual guarded expression, stepped closer. "Sentimental, but practical," he said dryly. "Fine. Let’s do it."

Finn perked up. "Do we get to say them out loud, or is it all mysterious and silent?"

"You can do whatever you want, Wilder," Erin said, leaning against the wall. "Though I think we’d all appreciate less talking for once."

Ignoring the banter, I lit my candle first, the flickering flame catching easily. I didn’t say my wish aloud—it felt too personal. But as I placed it carefully on the table, I couldn’t help but glance at my friends. They were my wish. Safety, survival, and maybe a sliver of happiness for all of us.

One by one, the others followed. Elyse lit hers with a serene smile, her magic briefly sparking the flame into a brilliant silver glow before it settled. Marcus mumbled something about strength and family as he set his candle next to mine. Finn dramatically closed his eyes and made a show of concentrating, but I noticed how his face softened as he lit his candle, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through his mischief.

When it was Caleb’s turn, he hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the flame. Then, with a sharp inhale, he struck the tinder and lit his candle. He said nothing as he placed it alongside the others, his expression unreadable.

Kass lit hers, muttering, "For smashing the bastards who deserve it," earning a ripple of laughter.

Erin stood back, arms crossed. "You’re all so sappy," she said, though there was no bite in her tone. She lit her candle with a swift motion and simply added, "For surviving," before placing it with the rest.

The night carried on, filled with warmth and laughter. For a brief, precious moment, the weight of our mission lifted, and we were just a group of friends, gathered around a tree, celebrating the simple joy of being together.

For a while, the war felt far away. The base felt warm, alive, like a home.