It's Almost Winter

On the day when Elestria came to the palace, Madam Rachell was coming out in her carriage. The partially curtained glass made her staring eyes look like a ferocious predator.

Elestria looked small from the carriage. She was walking happily. That made Madam Rachell more upset. She thought her frowning face would leave wrinkles.

Madam Rachell's carriage traveled south. She continued to daydream, thinking of ways to avenge Elestria's bravery that the people supported.

"Raggedy wolf. Who do you think you are?" She gripped her fan tightly.

The carriage passed through the marketplace. The merchants were displaying thick clothes that were cheaply priced according to them. The hot food stores were open and very crowded.

Her eyes found Alfafa's Boutique just after the market. As the carriage went, she stared at the signboard with the flowery script with interest.

Lusi's shop gave Elestria refuge, and the owner was willing to defend her simply because Elestria hadn't done anything wrong.

"Finally... " she whispered, almost giggling.

Madam Rachell thought this idea would slap Elestria in the face.

***

Elestria wore orange as a top and dark brown as a skirt. It was her new warm dress from the rest of the boutique. She sewed some parts to make it prettier.

Her feet had walked confidently from the boutique. Gradually, she lost her enthusiasm. The cold wind didn't quite wipe away the sweat on her temples.

The girl walked on the road to the palace gate. The two armored guards at the gate immediately stopped her. "Where do you want to go?"

Elestria looked up higher to see those eyes. She smiled slightly and replied, "I came because I received an invitation from Keir."

They looked at each other. Keir's fans weren't few. Some of them were pretty crazy.

The one who spoke to Elestria said, "What were you invited for?"

"To become a warrior." Her eyes twinkled in line with her greatest wish.

They looked at each other again. Keir was very strict about choosing subordinates. The little girl was not Keir's choice. Must be one of his fans.

"How do you make us believe?"

Elestria rubbed her nose. Her eyes swiveled to the right, then the left. "Keir asked me to come at lunchtime to the soldiers' camp. Do I have to have a paper invitation?"

The other guard was busy scrutinizing her appearance. He thought he had seen her somewhere.

"You don't have to, but we need proof that you came because you were invited."

"That means I have to have an invitation."

"Not really, I already said that. We just need proof."

Finally, the guard remembered. "You!" he called out, "you're the girl in the newspaper, the one who was so heroic!"

"The heroic girl?" His partner turned his head.

"The heroic girl?" Elestria scratched her cheek.

***

The guard escorted her. Elestria became awkward because she didn't understand how she became so famous. So, she just walked over with a small smile in response.

Not long after, she saw Keir beside the lamppost. The guard left her, and then Elestria went to Keir.

"Nice to see you here."

Keir remained stunning with his good looks. Elestria felt lucky.

"I'll explain about your job right away."

Keir turned around and walked away. Elestria was at his side a little behind. She became an obedient little wolf following.

"You'll guard the food supplies from being stolen, tampered with, and spoilt."

Without turning his head, he studied her expression. She had her ears perked up correctly. Keir was pleased.

"You'll work with a cook and a few guards. Do you have any questions?"

Elestria muttered quietly for a few seconds. "I'll be working in the palace?" she asked.

"Not in the palace. An expedition, so important that you can't tell anyone."

They walked towards the storage area for supplies. The burlap sacks still looked good. All were arranged in a covered cart.

"It's your responsibility, to keep them safe before leaving, during the journey, until they're done cooking."

Elestria looked up, then looked down again. There were five large carts in total. She thought the expedition was very long. 

"How long... how long is the journey?" She looked at Keir expectantly.

"Two months."

Elestria blinked. One trip was already two months. To return also took two months. Four months in total. 

"Wanna ask again?" Keir smiled faintly. He knew her concern.

She shook her head. Those four months would be her longest journey yet. If traveling in winter for that long, then...

"When is the expedition?" She turned to him nervously. A bead of sweat the size of a corn kernel slid from her middle forehead.

"The beginning of winter. Better to prepare warm clothes as much as possible."

As Elestria pondered, two guards carrying notebooks ran up to them. They had just remembered that someone had come that day.

Keir looked lazily at them. It was always like this when the weather got colder. He left a message to guide Elestria further.

Elestria was greeted by the two soldiers. For a moment, she endured the disappointment of watching Keir leave. She wished she could spend more time with him, who was as warm as spring.

***

A beautiful snowflake flew down onto Gideon's shoulder. His steps stopped. He looked at the line behind him. He thought he was going out of his mind.

At that time, he hurriedly thought of returning to Seraphim. Only then did he remember the purpose of this journey. His pale palms rubbed his face in agitation.

Wan at behind him. He was curious for three days in a row about his general. "Are you good?"

Gideon let out a long breath. He glanced at Wan for a moment. "Give me the paper."

Wan gave him a piece of paper from his bag. A paper made from plant fibers that he had made himself. He was proud that the General was finally using it.

Gideon scribbled with a pen made from crow's feathers. He informed the palace that the troops were retreating from the border of Emberfall territory. Instead, they would go to the river closer to Emberfall Castle.

Finished writing it, he rolled it up and threw it into the air. A large eagle caught it as it flew away.

"General," Wan whispered, "do you feel anything new... in Emberfall?"

"I feel it."

Wan was more excited. It was finally time for Gideon to warm up to meeting his mate. "How do you feel?"

"Annoyed. You're more chatty." Gideon took another step. His black cloak fluttered along with the chill in the air.

Wan looked at his back with a stiff jaw.