Chapter 8: Winter to Spring

The lights were on at the Grinas village, in a small wooden house. It was ten days after the Day of Luz. In a room, lit wax candles swayed dimly. One could barely make out the details of the room.

The walls had shelves arranged with different things. There were some clothes neatly packed, many towels, closed containers, and several bottles. They were set up to make it accessible at a glance. These were all baby products and necessities. 

There were two cradles in the room and a figure lying on a rocking chair covered with a fur blanket. She had messy brown hair draping to her side. Her eyes were closed as she breathed evenly. Her beautiful visage didn't lose its charm even with dark circles and eye bags below her eyes, even her messy hair made her rather sensual.

In a cradle, a child opened its mouth and started sobbing. It caused the other child to start whimpering but it was much quieter. The once quiet room was filled with life once more. In the fuss, the lady woke up and looked at the children. Her dark circles and haggard face said she was tired but a loving smile formed on her lips. 

She snapped her finger and drops of light were formed. They danced like fireflies catching the babies' attention. Soon, they were laughing and trying to reach out. The cradles softly rocked back and forth as the fireflies dimmed over time. It wasn't long before they fell asleep and she sighed with relief.

She found her way back to the bed-like rocking chair, glanced at the window, and sighed again.

'I hope the house is repaired quickly. I want to sleep on a bed,' she grumbled.

She resented her fragile body which had not yet recovered even with her superior healing skills and regeneration. It was an effect of magic residue left off from the birth ritual, preventing her from quickening her recovery.

Her heavy eyes soon drifted to dreams.

…

Time seemed to have flashed by. The pair of houses had been fully rebuilt and repaired. With the help of some villagers, the walls, roofs, flooring, doors, windows, and chimneys were made steady and durable for the winter. Some furniture such as seats, tables, and beds were given to them. The weed-filled yard was plowed and a wire fence circled the two houses. 

Behind the houses was a shed in which a milk cow, a rooster, two hens, and a sheep were placed. That was courtesy of the villagers' goodwill and donations. This was more help than the Alaric and Howell couple had expected from the villagers. Their good intention was somehow burdening. 

"It is such a beautiful winter. Nothing like the capital," said Bianca.

She appreciated the sight while out for some fresh air. Snow blanketed the land as far as the eyes could see. All one could see was white. So much white! It was difficult to discern the distance which extended; so close yet so far.

Very much like an oil painting, entrancing.

The temperatures fell below zero for most days while little sunshine could be felt from time to time. Over three months, a lot happened. With the help of the elderly midwife, Bianca and Anette became more accustomed to nursing the children.

There was the challenge of changing cloth diapers and nappies, cleaning them, and reusing them. Fortunately, the midwife's daughter, Fiori was there to help. She was a lovely, cheery, freckled young girl in her late teenage years. No younger than sixteen.

She stayed with the mothers in the day explaining key points with practice and helping with the children. Of course, this included making meals that were healthy for mothers who breastfed the children. 

The men, Mitchell and Merlin went into the village often to help around and learn more about the village. It wasn't just to get along with the villagers but, they were genuinely curious as to why the village was cut off from the world.

Why bother? This was to ensure there were no latent dangers to their newly found homes. 

They bid goodbye to Winter and welcomed Spring. The month of beginning according to the custom. The snow had melted away and leaves began to sprout once more. Buds bloomed on flowers and trees alike. It was truly a season of renewal and life. 

It had been roughly thirteen weeks since the birth of the children. In a few more days would be their hundredth day in life. As tradition had it, they would be named on this day after careful consideration. 

Bianca was looking at a paper parchment with a list of names. She would sometimes read it out loud and try to observe her baby's reaction. A frown formed on her lips since the child had not reacted much to any of the names and she was running out of ideas. At least for meaningful name ideas. 

The child was pouting with dissatisfaction as if it could understand Bianca. Bianca found this greatly amusing, she would even repeat it a few times to see such a cute reaction. She would later laugh in joy but the child would threaten to cry until she apologized. Merlin was sitting in the corner of the room reading a book. An ancient-looking book with a strange hardcover. It was one of his newly found hobbies when he had nothing else going. He had a lot of free time since the village had greatly limited his freedom to use magic. With that a lot less interesting endeavors. 

Merlin glanced at this and thought to himself.

'Can he truly understand? That is a silly thought!' He focused once more on the book on hand.

In another room was a dark-haired woman with striking blood-red iris, staring at a child with similarly ruby eyes. Their reflection in each other's eyes. The child's eyes shone with innocence and joy looking at his mother. He would laugh ever so often at whatever action she took and try as much to reach out to her. Her cold glare could not help but soften and a smile appeared on her lips before slowly receding.

Mitchell watched this curiously as though there was nothing else worth paying attention to. He would only look away when Anette glanced back at him and tried to clumsily busy himself. He could not help but look at a paper slip of the final decided name of the child. It seemed most fitting for such a bundle of warmth.