Pure white snow drifted lazily down, adding to the piles of grey snow; blanketing the naked trees and rolling hills. The bleak landscape was calm, serene even as the biting winds restlessly swirled around the snow. All was quiet as a grey palomino trudged carefully through the soft slippery snow covered hills carrying a young woman. The woman had a noble yet laid back aura about her. She sat sidesaddle on the mare but allowed the horse to roam where the mare pleased. She wore an ebony lace dress that clung to her slim shoulders, the coral petticoats teasingly danced from the delicate slits made from the waist down. Her skin appeared as if she had been made from the very snow surrounding her; enhancing her raven locks. Her hair flowed freely down her back but half of it was securely bound in a plait. Lush red lips formed a half smile as she held her hand up to allow a small jet black Dragon land. The palomino snorted as if unimpressed and tossed it's ashen mane in contempt. The woman laughed as a gentle wind tossed her hair away from her pointed ears and made her silvery wings sway playfully.
"Mistress please, come back to the palace! Your Guardia Real is frantic with your disappearing act." The rather high pitched reprimanding voice came from the Dragon, "Although they should be quite used to your frolics by now. Signora knows you do this every year!" The Dragon's native language lacing it's words and giving him a more pronounced accent. The woman sighed as she glanced past the winged creature to gaze at the looming castle that seemed to always be there no matter how far she ran. It's grey stone blocks made the snow around it shine with eye watering intensity. Iron spiked palisades encircled the half frozen moat, it's icy waters churning rapidly. The Wings of Night Clan flag flew above the tallest tower with false pride. The reigning Clan's insignia was a gaudy sight to the woman. The flying crow looked more jester-like with the tilted crown atop it's head while two stags locked horns in an eternal struggle for dominance. It sported an array of muddied colors and the motto was simple - "Strive for Strength". A very unladylike snort of disgust escaped the woman as she gathered her reigns, making them creak as she guided her palomino away from the castle.
"Mistress!" Squeaked the Dragon, "Please reconsider these rash actions you are making!"
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The woman tossed her hair back as she rode; urging her mare into a canter. "I refuse to be apart of their destruction. What they are doing is worse than the criminals who stole my future. Sugar coating theft and murder does not make things any less ugly or true." The palomino tossed it's head in agreement. The dragon fell silent as it glided behind its stubborn mistress, the horse now in a full gallop across the snowy fields. In the distance; a group of riders trailed after them unnoticed.
The repetitive snow covered hillside lost it's wonder and magical like qualities to the woman as she began to feel the stinging cold more and more. She shivered constantly and she worried for her thin grey wings. Even though she was of the Winter Fairy clan, her wings were strangely delicate and had a tendency to freeze. While other Winter Fairies could fly freely; she was limited to her hourly outings her Father had strictly set for her. Glancing up at the sky, she grimaced from seeing fat snow leaden clouds as a fierce wind started to pick up. A frown marred her face before she clucked her tongue, urging her tired mare into another trot while she scanned the bare landscape for shelter. The Dragon perched itself on her shoulder and though he disliked his Mistress's wild ways he silently heated his tail to help warm her wings. He was a unique breed of Dragon that is bred further southwest in the Autumn Fairies territory.
"What would I do without you Sabin? Don't overheat yourself for my benefit." She halfheartedly scolded him; grateful for his thoughtfulness. Sabin only growled in response, making her right side vibrate from the sound. The palomino nickered tiredly as she slowed to a stop and pawed the frozen ground with her hooves. "I know Avila, we just need to find shelter soon." The woman patted the mare's neck and nudged her forward. Sabin flared his wings in a burst of outrage and as he screeched vehemently near her ears.
"Enough of this evasiveness Lady Alina WinterStar! You are the next Contessa for the Winter Fairy Clan, Maevi Starlight. Your Holy Materno would be most vexed at your attempted escape! She has made delicate alliance plans with Wings of Night as you are very well aware of. We need this alliance if we are to keep being the head Fairy Clan. You have a duty to marry Lord Ramiro Blackfrost by the next moonless night!" Sabin puffed out a coiling stream of black smoke before continuing, "He is awaiting your arrival back at the castle, I ardently advise you to turn around and go greet him properly."