What is this cold, wet feeling? I opened my eyes and noticed I was in a puddle of water. I tilted my head up to check out where I was, but my eyes felt like they were sealed shut. I could feel my hair freezing up to the roots of my head like frost is settling in. As my eyes fully opened I noticed there was a light behind me. I turned my head and seen my uncle’s house was no more, but a pit of fire. A little bit in the distance, I could see outlines of the soldiers tossing dead bodies onto the burning brush pile. I watched as soldiers were walking around the village, searching for more remains.

This really isn’t a nightmare. This is actually real. I survived that attack, but did anyone else live? I wonder if Garth is still alive. If not, what am I to do if I’m the only one left? I don’t know how to live in the mountains on my own. I might have to leave, but where will I go?

I slowly started crawling on the cold wet ground. All I could see in the dark is all the homes that are still burning, but most were no longer standing. The fires give off just enough light to see the soldiers dragging the bodies of my people to the nearest fire. I have to hurry, before I’m discovered as well. I don’t want to be thrown in like Tobie.

As I continued crawling, I noticed the feelings in my limbs were so cold and yet so numb. Almost like a cold burning feeling is felt on the toes of my feet. Sure I felt this before, but not this bad. I tried to get up on my knees but I planted back down. I tilted my head up once more and seen a shadowy figure making its way towards me in a crouching position.

“Emerencia? Thank the gods your still alive!” Whispered a familiar voice.

“Garth? You’re alive?”

“Yeah, Are you okay?” He asked as he cautiously looked around.

“I’m cold and I’m starting not to feel anything.” I whispered. Garth nodded and came closer to me. He gently scooped me up off the freezing cold ground and picked me up. Quickly he started making his way into the forest.

“I see you still have your sword with you. I’m happy that survived.” He said.

“My sword? My sword is broken remember?”

“This is your new one that I made for you. I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but plans clearly changed. There was no way I would have you set out with that rusty thing anyways.” He said.

“Thank you.” I quietly replied.

“You can thank me later when you get a proper look at that blade. Let’s focus on getting you to the hot spring. I can’t have you freeze to death on me.” Garth said. I remained silent as he kept carrying me. The forest was quiet, and all I could hear is Garth’s footsteps, his breathing, my teeth chattering, the owl hooting in the distances, and of course the soldiers making noises nearby.

My eyes were focused on the thick pine branches from above, covering the night sky. All I can think about is everything I seen earlier that keeps replaying in my head over, and over, and over again. I could feel tears begin to run down my cheeks. Out of everything, it’s the only warmth that I could feel.

“Garth?” I quietly asked.

“Yeah?”

“Is there anyone else alive?” There was a long pause. Garth just kept walking as he took a deep breath.

“No. It’s just you and me.” He answered. My heart quickly sank as it felt like it was ripped in two.

I could feel more warm tears drain down my face and quickly become cold. They’re all dead. I can still picture my father laying on the snowy ground as blood drains from his neck. I can also hear Tobie’s blood curdling screams echoing in my head as he was tossed into the burning brush alive. He was only six. How could these soldiers be so cruel?

“Is that all the ore?” Said a voice to our right. Suddenly Garth stopped in his tracks.

“Yeah. We’re all set to head out for tomorrow morning.” Said another voice. I soon heard footsteps from ahead walking from our right, all the way over to our left. They had to be coming from my father’s mine.

Garth waited awhile until the steps could no longer be heard. Finally he started walking again. Next thing I knew, it felt like each step Garth took became easier. He has to be walking on the beat down path that leads to the mine. I know just up ahead is another path that forks off and leads to the hot springs. It should be some easy walking from here.

“How are you doing, Emma?” Garth whispered.

“Still freezing.” I chattered. I could then feel Garth beginning to move at a faster pace.

“I’m trying to move as quick as I can without making too much sound.” Garth whispered.

“I know. Take your time.” I softly said. Looking up at Garth, I couldn’t see his face. Just a shadowy outline. Not even the moon could pass through the thick branches from above to cast light upon the frozen land. “What are we going to do now?” I asked.

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“After the soldiers leave tomorrow, we’ll follow their tracks to Edinburgh. I have a gift waiting there for you.” Why follow the monsters from where they came? It sounds to risky.

“Garth, we don’t have to. What if something happens.” I said, try to change his mind.

“I know, but it’s the nearest place to go out of these mountains. I also have two friends who live there that could help us.” He said. “For now, let's try and get out of this mess. I once again lost more of my family. You’re all I have left now, and I’m gonna make sure not to lose you.” He sniffed. I wasn’t sure how to respond. If I died. He would truly lose everything. What would he do? What would I do, if I lost him?

Garth kept walking for a while at a fast pace. I could feel my body grow colder and colder at each passing second. Suddenly I noticed he was taking me downhill. I could feel a slight warmth in the air as he finally made it to the bottom near the spring. I turned my head and sure enough, I could see the moon’s reflection on the steaming surface of the water. I know the hot spring is a bit far from the village, but Garth made it here really quick. Finally, as we made it down the hill, Garth carefully placed me down on the cool ground.

“You made it here a lot faster.” I said as I tried to sit up. I looked around and seen steam raising up high in the air from the spring water.

“You think you can get in the water on your own?” He asked.

“Should be no problem.” I replied.

“Good. Drink as much of that water as you can too. It’ll help you stay hydrated in this weather. I’m gonna head towards the clear cut to gather some wood for a fire. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Suddenly my heart froze to the sound of that.

“Garth please don’t!” I plead with fear leaking through my voice. I just lost everyone today, but him. I don’t want to be left alone out here. I especially don't want to sit here in worry until he returns or not.

“I’ll be fine, Emma. I’m sure the soldiers are all gathered in the village keeping warm next to the fires for the night. Just wait here. I’ll be back before you know it.” He said turning his back as he started walking away. I sat on the ground and watched my uncle make his way up the hill towards the village.

As soon as Garth disappeared, I stood up and began to take off all my damp clothes. With the mild breeze still blowing, the frigid temperature felt worse hitting against my naked body. If he’s building a fire, I want my clothes to hang up and dry.

Quickly as I could, I immediately submerged myself straight into the hot spring making a splash. Right as my body hit the warm water, I instantly felt like I was being boiled alive. Not only that, but I felt itchy all over. My feet, hands, thighs, arms, and chest. It all itches and burns. I know this feeling well, but it has never been this bad. Whenever a part of your body is freezing cold, and it touches warm water this always happens. Nobody knows why, but my mother says it’s your body quickly adjusting from one temperature to another at a fast rate.

I popped my head out of the water and took a deep breath. What’s worse is that my feet are touching the stone spring floor where the warmth is rising from the ground below making the itchy feeling worse. Gods I really want to scratch, but I know it’ll encourage the itchy irritation.

Slowly as each second passed, I lowered myself down and tilted my head up until I could feel the hot spring water rise above my ears. The tension in my neck and back slowly became at a relaxing ease as the water began to rain all my thoughts away. Now that I’m getting use to this, my body no longer feels itchy.

There’s something about taking a hot warm bath in the freezing cold. Bathing in nice warm water while breathing in cold air. I always think it feels heavenly. As I stood up straight, my body was half way out of the water. I slowly started dragging myself back towards the edge where there’s a big rock that’s perfect enough to sit on. I could feel the cold air once again blowing against me. It felt almost relieving as the itching feeling slowly swept away as the freezing breeze numbed it. With each little step, I could feel my toes burrow beneath the little stones. Another gentle step and I felt my toes softly hitting against the big rock. I turned myself around and sat down on the toasty warm bolder. I always loved this spot. Just perfect enough to sit down with the water up to your neck.

With a handful of water, I splashed my face and began rubbing my eyes back into cold reality. It’s so different bathing here at night. All the men in the village usually come down here during the afternoon, or at night after swinging an axe down all day. As for us women, we had to bathe before noon. Usually there would be women down here whenever I arrive. Sometimes I’d get up extra early to bathe alone for a peace and quiet soak. Kind of like how I am now. Though this time, I really am alone here. It’s just me, and that moon shining from high above as it’s watching me from the blackened sky.

My fingers and toes don’t really hurt as much as it did before I entered the spring. So that’s a good sign of no frostbite. Then of course the rough part is getting out and keeping warm by the fire to dry off. The lumbermen were planning on building a hut next to the spring so we all could warm up faster in there. I really wish they could've built it much sooner. I leaned myself forward and tried to take as easy as I could.

After a good while passed, I suddenly heard a stick snap from the top of the hill with the sound of footsteps coming my way. I brought my head up and looked over at the hill. With the tree’s blocking the moon’s light I couldn’t see who was coming. Very likely it was my uncle. I kept my eyes focused on the hill as I heard the footsteps come closer.

“Emma?” My uncle called out in a worried tone as he stepped into the moonlight. Just enough to see the shadowy outline of his body. In his arms he had what looked like a half dozen logs stacked up to his chin.

“Yeah?” I simply replied. My uncle then let out a breath of relief as he looked in my direction. Perhaps he couldn’t see me where I was at. Luckily it’s dark out, or he would see all of me.

“Thank the heavens you’re still alive. How are you feeling?” He asked as he began walking near the spring.

“I feel fine. Just a slight bit itchy. My clothes are over there, I was hoping you could dry them off next to the fire. They’re pretty damp.” I said pointing my finger where my clothes laid. My uncle turned his head to the direction where my finger pointed and looked back at me.

“Good thinking. That’s the only change of clothes you’ll have until we get out of these mountains. I’ll get that fire started and do what I can to dry them.” Garth said as he walked over to a pit where we use to have our fires. Garth kneeled down and carefully started stacking the pile of logs into the bit.

“Ashes are still a bit warm from earlier this morning.” Garth said rubbing his fingers together. I turned my focus off him and looked back up at the hill.

“You think they’ll see the light from our fire?” I asked.

“That hill gives us good cover. They may hear our fire crackling, but for all the times I come down here at night. I never see any light from the village. I think we’ll be okay.” Garth said as he stacked the last log.

“Now how are we gonna start this fire? It’s too risky carrying a flame here from the village.” I said. Garth held his hand up to the logs and didn’t say a word. I’m not sure if he’s trying to feel heat from the ashes below or just thinking of an idea. All of a sudden, a small flame blew out from his hand. I quickly flew back in surprise making a small splash in the spring water. I watched in awe as the flame kept blowing out of his palm until one of the logs started to catch fire. I wasn’t sure what to focus on. Garth, his hand, or the fire shooting right out. I seriously never seen anything like this until earlier today. The flames then came to a stop and Garth lowered his hand from the burning logs.

“What hell was that!”

“What?” Garth said with a confused look.

“What? What do you mean what? You don’t get to ask that! That fire, and your hand! I seen some soldiers doing that earlier.” I shouted.

“Fire magic. One of the gifts Runus gave to mankind.” Garth said as he stepped back from the fire. I heard about the god, Runus. I just never thought magic was an actual thing. I never thought my own uncle could do such a thing!

“Could I do that too?” I asked.

“Anyone can do it. It really takes a lot of time and patience just to get a start.” Garth said raising his hands up to the fire for warmth. Suddenly we heard loud hoot in the distance. We both then fell silent as we heard all soldiers in the distance laughing, and shouting.

“As you seen earlier, those men are very skilled with magic. I can definitely tell they’re having the best of fun. Just hearing them irritates the hell out of me. How could they all sound so happy after what they done?” Garth complained.

“They killed innocent men, women, and even children. I don’t understand why it had to be like this.” I said. Suddenly I feel like breaking down in tears. I could feel drainage coming running down my nose. With a sniff, I pulled everything back up.

“Are you crying?”

“I’m trying not to.” I replied under my breath.

“I know it sucks, but we’re gonna have to live with what happened. I already lost my wife, and my daughter. It’s okay to cry. I’ve done it many times.” Garth said with a sadness in his voice. I shook my head.

“I don’t understand… I don’t understand how someone like you can cope with something like that after a long time. It was always my dream to set out to see the world with you, but not like this.” I said as tears began to run down. “It feels like… I’m clasping a fallen wish with broken fingers!” I cried.