Everfrost

Souls are believed to be within everything - from the smallest rock to the roaring waves of the oceans, and to the tallest mountains. In the forest to the east of the village, it is said that the soul held within is one of the most ancient. However, the soul's corruption corresponds to the age of the soul. It was natural to fear such a forest and never enter it - For no one could predict the evil and dangers that hides within. This forest was unlike any other, mist clung to the trees like spider silk, and writhed like snakes as if beckoning those who look within to enter. You could say that the the trees were tall but that would be an understatement - the dark green trees extended into skies as if they were trying to block out the sun from those that rely upon it. Naturally, entrance into such a place was strictly forbidden; not only to protect the lives of people, but also to avoid angering the forest soul.

And so, when the villagers saw someone approaching the forest they were frightened. Shouts and screams followed as they dropped what they were doing to rush to the stranger to stop him. Perhaps, the stranger was bewitched by the forest. Perhaps the stranger didn't hear the villages; or perhaps they chose to ignore the villagers. Whatever the case, the stranger unhesitatingly approached the imposing forest. Barefoot and walking haphazardly, he was quickly approaching the forest. The temperature in the air dropped further the closer they got, until it was freezing.

They can't enter. They shouldn't enter.

The stranger proceeded on regardless, fearless of what was within the forest. The villagers' knew that there wasn't anything they could do regardless of what they wanted. The stranger was now within the forests' territory. Their hearts became heavy as they worried on how the forest would retaliate to this intruder.

They hesitated for a moment before returning to the village. They needed to let everyone know as to what had transpired earlier. However, as they were returning, their feet became heavy with dread and fear as to what was coming. They knew that they were helpless in the face of the forest, however, they held onto the hope that only those who had chased after the stranger would face retribution from the forest, rather than the entire village.

After walking in silence for about 10 minutes, the villagers who had followed the stranger finally arrived at the village - it was a small village, nothing too grand. However, you could see that it was an aged village, the walls that had surrounding were worn as they had faced off against the elements each year, green with moss and lichen. Imposing upon the village, a tower unlike everything nearby stood lone and solitary, like a knight guarding their lord - faithful to the end standing the weathers of of time. This tower had stood here even before the village had been established, and it was where the villagers held their meetings. If one were to ring the village bell once it would call for a village meeting. If you were to ring the bell twice then it declares a state of emergency and a village meeting. And, thrice, for an enemy attack. Of course, the bell has never been rung thrice in decades. Finally, fourth for impending doom.

Margot, the local woodworker, who had been one of the ones to attempt to stop the stranger from entering the forest reached out her shaking hand and rung the bell four times.

*Ding* *Dong* *Ding* *Dong*

The silence that followed the final ring had spoken volumes as to how the inhabitants were feeling. They were at a loss. Fortunately, this had only lasted a moment, before they all scrambled towards the tower in order to gain insight into what had occurred. Of course they knew why the bell would ring four times, but they refused to accept it. They couldn't accept it.

The inhabitants arrived at the tower, it's imposing height made them sweat as they tried to swallow their fear before opening the red doors to the tower - to gain answers. The door opened up to a magnificent sight. Shelves upon shelves of books could be seen, containing knowledge of the realm that they reside in. In the centre of the tower was a projector that showed the locations of constellations upon the walls of the tower. It was a magical place. Both literally and metaphorically. Flying through the air were drafts of research papers and ideas that the researchers had produced - more likely than not containing mystical ideas.

The once silent tower broke into a clamour as the inhabitants of the village had entered. Each of them questioning another to see whether the four tolls were a mistake or not, and if not what that meant for them. This clamouring, however, was quickly cut short as the village chief descended from the upper floors of tower. The village chief was unlike a typical village chief. He was not a spindly elder, but a quite attractive older man. Possibly in his late fifties, but with a youthful vigour and figure. He waved his hand, and the research floor was replaced with a meeting floor - truly magical. As the inhabitants begun to take their seats, according to what house they lived in, the village chief.

The village chief opened his mouth and spoke, "Could the one who rung the please stand up and speak your reason for ringing the bell four times?" His voice attractive and authoritative.

Margot tightened her fists and rose, "Whilst I was patrolling the outskirts of the village with Emile, Catherine and Wagner, we had spotted someone approaching the forest-" Emile, Catherine and Wagner stood up to affirm that this was true, only to garner shocked gasps throughout the meeting. The inhabitants had an idea on what had happened.

"-Upon seeing the stranger approaching the forest, we chased after them to try to stop them. We tried everything but to no avail. They had entered the forest."

A silence spread out amongst the inhabitants of the village. They knew this was bad, but what they didn't know was how the forest was going to react.

The village chief spoke once again, "Since we do not know how the forest will react to 'the stranger' entering his domain. Whether he will-" He looked towards Margot, Emilie, Catherine and Wagner "Punish those that were there, or punish us all, we must prepare for the worse case scenario"

Silence ensued. They didn't know what to do. They were frightened. After a moment children crying could be heard. Perhaps it was too heavy a topic, but they still needed to know what would happen regardless whether they were children or not. Some even begun to blame Margot and the others for what will happen to them and their families.

Margot and the others were too stunned to speak. Perhaps the children. If only they had seen the stranger quicker. If only the were faster. If only they were louder, then maybe they would not be in this situation. What's done is done. All they could and should do now is focus on their next steps.

That night, the temperature was below freezing point, some people had frozen to death in their sleep. Others, had come down with a strange illness. Their skin was turning green, as they went red with a fever. large puss filled boils grew all over them and their skin was hardening. The villagers had transferred the illness stricken villagers to the medical floor of the tower. While the entirety of the village moved into the tower, with the pregnant women at the top of the tower. This was because the tower was enchanted with warmth attraction and cold resistance, meaning they would be bale to get through the subsequent nights without death.

Sadly, those who had passed that first night were unable to get a funeral as the villagers would have no time to prepare for them. The dead villagers became ice statues within the next few nights.

The tower, despite being large, was not well equipped to handle this many people. It did not have enough resources to sustain them for a long time. This knowledge, however was kept as a secret by the village chief, his magical teacher and Catherine, the midwife in order to prevent chaos and panic.

Each night, it was getting colder outside the tower and, the enchantments could only last for so long before they would break, and the instance they did, everyone within would become ice statues within seconds. However, all was not bleak, at the top of tower, Catherine, who had been monitoring the pregnant women's conditions, had begun to notice abnormalities. As the days passed, the women had begun to get stronger, they could now eat very little and still have enough energy to go throughout the day. Moreover, their physical appearance also begun to change. The muscles they had only became more pronounced. Their faces began to glow. Hints of blue and white could now be seen in their otherwise dark eyes and, strands of white begun to appear in their hair. The changes that had occurred could not be explained normally. Its cause was obviously magical, so Catherine approached the village and the tower master, in order to get them to check up on the women.

"We have more important things to do than to look at the condition of the pregnant" was what they had said. Whether they truly had more important things to do or not, that did not matter to her. She had seen the condition that everyone was in - Gaunt, yellowing skin, signs of starvation. She knew that if the last abnormal change had been made known, then everyone would participate in unsavoury business. The pregnant women now produced large amounts of heat, to the extent where the room was warm, and their regenerative capabilities had improved drastically. They could now heal almost instantly. 'if the villagers knew of this, then the chances are that the women will be tortured through cannibalism'. Catherine shuddered at the very thought. She knew that they would. She's seen the hunger in their eyes.

Catherine had to get these women out before it was too late. She new that they would be fine. Their bodies would be able to repel the cold outside and they would be able to survive for long without food. The only problems were finding a way out and convincing them.

Maiah, the youngest of the seven, had arrived not too long ago in the village. She had been beaten and bruised, with her belly full with child. The village had welcomed her with open arms. Though she was a little hesitant at first, probably due to past trauma. Upon hearing of what could occur and of the changes in her and the chances of her surviving out there, Maiah did not hesitate to wish to leave.

Olive and Rosemary, the second and third youngest of the women were sisters. Twins specifically. Here they were orphans, and though they were married, they were certainly not happy in their marriage. The chiefs' son had taken them both in as his wives against their will. So, they too did not hesitate to wish to leave.

The next three, however did not wish to leave. They had grown up in this village and believed they had an obligation to die in the village. Catherine didn't comment but she questioned whether it was even possible for them to die now. She just gave them a hollow smile before asking Arya, the oldest of the seven. Her husband had died that first night, with her two children. You could see the emotional devastation that she was in. In fact it was through Arya that Catherine had discovered the change in the pregnant womens' appetite, for she had refused to eat since the beginning. And, unlike the villagers below, she was not gaunt, but rather glowing. Arya still hadn't spoken since that night, and Catherine was unsure on whether or not she would. However, Catherine didn't need her to speak, only to listen. After listening to Catherine, there was no reaction from Arya, almost as if she didn't care. However, once Catherine brought up the fact that Arya may have a miscarriage, and if she didn't, then her child would likely face the same fate as her. Upon hearing this, her eyes trembled. She obviously didn't want her child to experience that. And so, when Catherine asked her once again, a weak 'yes' could be heard from Arya.

Catherine had employed the help of Margot, Emilie and Wagner. They felt sorry towards the women about the situation they were facing. If it wasn't for them then they would not have to run away in the middle of the night in order to avoid being eaten. Margot was currently in charge of night watch, this meant that she could ensure that when the women escape they would not be seen. Emilie was in charge of common resources such as blankets, bags and so and so forth, so she had helped to provide the necessities to survive in the wild, and Wagner used his skills as a cartographer to create a map on where the women should go.

And so, when the next night came, Catherine handed the women a notebook containing information on how to give birth, as well as emergency medical supplies along with everything that Margot, Emilie and Wagner had supplied. Catherine watched as the four women disappeared into the snow storm.