Winter Falls

Winter had fallen over the usually lush and green land of Jarenkul. As vibrant as the land usually was, it was now a silent blanket of white.

Heron found this exciting, as in Amriel it barely snowed and even when it did, it was a very sparse snow. So there was something about actually seeing a really thick layer of snow that delighted him.

His friends were not as delighted, having been used to it. In fact, Kur seemed distasteful of the snow, well, not looking at it per se. He did not wish to go out in it at all. Even more than usual the wizard shut himself up in the library refusing to go outside.

Elswyth was still easily talked into going outside, having no particular hatred of the cold. She did fuss though and make sure that Heron was completely bundled up before letting him go outside in this weather. She seemed amused watching his childlike romping through the snow.

For as soon as Heron went outside he dove right in, delighted at how very soft the snow was. It always hardened quickly in Amriel, but here it was loose and easily shaken up.

And there was enough to actually do stuff with it. For the first time, Heron could actually make a good snowman, that wasn't very small and very laborious to get enough snow for. Hazel would have enjoyed this as well.

Elswyth didn't just watch him play either. She joined in, making another snowman right next to his. Hers was decidedly better made, and Heron had a feeling she had done this before. She still complimented his though, and it wasn't that she was being patronizing either. She criticized that it could be better but he had done a pretty good job considering it was his first time.

Heron managed to show it to Kur, though from inside the castle. But Kur was not against looking out a window at the snow. In fact, despite his utter hatred of the cold, he seemed to take a peculiar delight in looking at the snow. Almost a smugness that he wasn't out there in it.

Heron was not sure even Tira would be able to drag the elf out in this weather.

Anyway, Kur did appreciate looking at the snowmen and actually remarked that he had seen them out making them, and they seemed to be having fun. He still didn't want to join in though (Heron had asked).

So for a week, Heron thought that the only person who would play with him outside in this weather was Elswyth. He was startled when Serendiah joined one afternoon, though not for long because as usual she was swamped with duties.

Actually, Kur did join them that afternoon, having been besieged by both Serendiah and Tira who had been invited by the queen to do so. At first he was a bit sullen but he did seem to end up somewhat enjoying it.

It was Serendiah's idea to have a snowball fight. Another thing Heron had never actually gotten to do, as snowballs in Amriel had too much dirt mixed in.

He ended up being surprisingly good at it, having fairly accurate aim from practicing with knife throwing. It was a bit different, the balls of snow being lighter, but he could easily take that into account. He was also pretty good at dodging the others throws. So other than Kur he ended up hit the least.

The others, except for Kur, also were very good at it, for much the same reasons. They were not as light on their feet as he was though, he couldn't help but notice. Well, Tira was about the same, though that might have been her elven heritage.

Kur's only thing going for him in this game was he was light on his feet, and thus could dodge. He was not all that good at throwing though.

By the end of the afternoon they were all worn out. And Kur declared he would not go out again until spring came. Well, he declared that after going inside and the snow melted leaving him wet.

According to Tira, this was normal for the elf. He had a limit of only one winter excursion per season. After that he was recemented in his general dislike of wintery outdoors. He did though have some fun in snow, which was why they could talk him into it once.

Serendiah had to leave to go back to her duties as monarch. She was a bit overworked, Heron had noticed before. When he had mentioned that she probably needed help though, Kur had told him that there was supposed to be someone helping her, but Serendiah had yet to choose the one. Apparently in Jarenkul the job of monarch was supposed to be shared between a married couple, but Serendiah had yet to marry. Thus leaving everything to her.

Before she left though, she had ordered some servants to bring the rest of them a hot cup of cocoa. Heron had had the drink before, though it wasn't particularly common in Amriel. Partway due to its having to be imported. And partway due to the fact that winters in Amriel were not usually that cold.

They actually dried up pretty quickly due to some spell work by Kur who seemed to want to get rid of the wetness of melted snow quickly. So they sat in the library drinking the cocoa as they talked. It felt very warm.

Heron might miss home and his family, but he wouldn't give up this year and the making of these friends for anything.