White and Brown

Snow fell beautifully on the dawn line. The fir forest was perfectly covered in white. Rabbits peeked out from their dens and then hid after a wolf passed by.

The wolf was white, large, and walked weakly as if returning from a great battle. After passing by a tree, he turned into Gideon, only in trousers.

He didn't sleep. He went to those pine trees to cut one down. He managed to make a small part of Emberfall's palace visible.

He walked under the branches. The wind moved it so that the snow fell on Gideon's head. He kept walking.

The skin of his taut, muscle-filled chest was almost as pale as the snow. His hands rubbed his face. He knew he wanted to cut down more.

Nearing the cave, he stopped. His face looked up. The cold air reminded him of his wolf. on the mountain.

"Huuh...."

Last night was a full moon. People were able to sleep, but not him. He always had excess energy when the moon danced in the sky.

***

The thick jacket on her body made Elestria a scurrying ball of fur. She carried chunks of meat, put them in the pot, and then went back for the seasoning.

The weather had dropped drastically since arriving in this valley. Breakfast had to be ready soon or they would freeze and starve.

The large pots were filled with stewing meat. The fire beneath them burned brightly. Straight lines of smoke soared into the sky.

Elestria went to the second cart to get the rest of the condiments. However, she found that something small had just entered there. She immediately remembered that her job was to guard the foodstuffs.

Without fear, she climbed up the carriage, a little struggling. Inside, she looked around while squinting.

Behind the wooden box behind Elestria, a rabbit held a carrot with a racing heart. It peered at the girl, then quickly hid.

"Little thief, I'll catch you."

She walked to the other side, away from the grey rabbit. The rabbit thought it could jump out immediately. As it turned out, Elestria guessed its movements. It was then caught.

Elestria snatched the carrot from it. The rabbit held it tightly. Elestria gave a low growl. Rabbit finally gave up.

"Haha... gotcha."

She jumped off. Her face was all smiles. She ran to the cook to show off the rabbit.

"This is a fat rabbit," she said happily, holding it up high.

Suddenly, the rabbit disappeared from her grasp. An eagle half the size of her body snatched it up.

Elestria crouched in shock. Meanwhile, the warriors returning from patrol stared at it in silence.

The eagle flew far and high. It belonged to Gideon.

Sometime after that, people ate breakfast. Elestria ate near the cart. She took a bite of stewed meat happily.

"Very delicious," she mumbled with full cheeks.

Keir ate but didn't lower his guard. His sharp eyes looked to all sides. They would arrive at the gates of Seraphim in another month. This area was a pseudo-border. It was unclear who owned it as many people passed this way.

Their journey northwards would probably be more challenging. If the weather was bad, the journey would be hampered and supplies would not be enough.

***

The group moved from the morning, rested briefly at noon, then moved again until sunset. It was like living in time all over again. The ground looked the same. The difference between night and day is the sun and the moon.

Elestria was so bored that she yawned a lot. She thought the task would be stressful like having to deal with bandits, wild animals, or something else. She watched the cooks sleep carefree.

"I'm the assistant cook instead," she pouted.

"This is not my cup of tea." Scarlett nodded in agreement.

Elestria leaned against the wooden box. Her eyes were watching the white ceiling. "What exciting things will happen when we get there?"

"Where?"

"The... place?"

"You don't even know where it is."

Elestria nodded as she realized. Keir had only given her a job without saying where they were going. 

She hadn't forgotten the directions. She remembered they were moving north, through mountains, a valley, and even blizzards. No one ever talked about the destination.

"I'll ask Keir."

Elestria stood up. She partially opened the carriage door through the back. Her body shuddered at the pair of yellow eyes there.

"What's that thing?"

The yellow eyes blinked. It moved and sounded like a giant creature.

Her eyes widened. "Bear!"

Before her shout reached the warrior's ears, the large creature ran towards the cart. Its arms dense with muscles shook the cart madly.

The bear's back was sprinkled with snow thorns. He roared like a tiger.

Elestria held on to the wooden box while keeping them from falling. Meanwhile, the cooks woke up but didn't know what to do.

The warriors took out their swords. One of them came forward with his sword raised. He was instantly knocked down by the brown bear's left arm.

The bear roared again. Its pointed teeth glistened under the old moon. Its saliva dripped onto the ground.

Elestria shuddered until blood rushed to her head. Her hands and feet were cold. The bear would soon tear through the door and the ceiling.

She looked at her palm holding the wooden box. This cart and its contents were her responsibility. She stared at the back door.

She turned to the cooks, and said, "Please exit through the front carefully."

The warriors tried to draw swords on the bear's body. They surrounded it. Some threw poisoned daggers. He was amazed it made the bear throw itself to the ground.

The bear lay on the snow. Four brown wolf paws stepped on its stomach. Scarlett raised her chin proudly.