A Cold Winter (1)

"Dari, my baby," she smiled. "Let's go to the Winter Market".

Diana grabbed a long cloth, gently wrapping Darian in it. She made a baby sling, tying Darian to her chest. Darian was facing forward, his two legs dangling, but his arms were free to move.

'Wow', the little boy thought. He was impressed by his mother's handiness.

Grabbing a large, old winter coat that belonged to Renbrandt, she put it over herself, closing one of the buttons high enough to cover her child's body but not his face so he could breathe comfortably. Heading towards the entrance of their home, she grabbed a large basket, carrying it with one hand.

"Alright, we're set," she smiled, looking down at him.

"Abaaa!" Darian smiled back, babbling excitedly.

Taking the first step forward, they were off. Darian was excited, it was the first time they had gotten ready to go anywhere. He was keen on discovering more about this world.

…

Finally at the Winter Market, Darian noted their house was quite far from the main area of the village. The Winter Market was extravagant! Villagers were selling all sorts of goods in their stalls. From fish and salted meats, grains, trinkets and jewelry, baskets, carpets, as well as clothes, there seemed to be no end to what could be sold.

The market was well decorated with banners and decorations hanging from building to building. The banners contained a house's insignia, no doubt from the noble who sponsored the event.

"Thank Count Wainan for always sponsoring the Winter Market," said one villager.

"He's always been generous with the village," said another.

Count Wainan was a fair man, he managed his territories well and made sure to provide them with what they needed. After all, treating people fairly ensured they stayed loyal, and any talent that decided to stay in the county to work for him was a major plus. It increased his merits and he would look good in the eyes of the crown. There was no reason to turn down a win-win situation.

He not only sponsored the winter market but also sponsored the local inn: "Heidor Inn," ensuring all the prices for drinks were halved for a day. He'd given 5 silvers to the innkeeper, or 500 coppers, a sum enough to feed 100 people.

Darian took note of Count Wainan's name. He needed a way out of the village in the future, it wouldn't hurt to try and garner the Count's attention in some way. An important connection was worth more than its weight in gold.

"I'll have 2 dozen eggs," said Diana, talking to one of the villagers at their stall who was a farmer.

"3 coppers"

"Here you are," she said smiling.

"Have a nice day," said the villager.

Diana promptly put the eggs in her basket.

Most of the villagers selling their goods were selling excess stock they didn't need for the winter.

Diana continued to buy goods in the Winter Market such as grains, cured meats, bread, and more. She bought enough food to last the winter so that they didn't have to go outside unless it was necessary. Winters in Lumen were freezing cold, and going outside didn't really amount to much since daylight was limited.

Before leaving the village center, Diana paid a visit to Heidor inn where she used to work as a barmaid and maid.

Inside the inn, a tall burly man with a white beard sat in a chair while people were drinking and dining to their heart's delight in front of him. He seemed gentle and sweet like a grandpa. He wore a pair of glasses that rested easily on the bridge of his nose. Paying no mind to the shouting and laughing around him, he continued to read a book while several workers kept tending to customers, his son Juvenis included.

Greeting him, Diana waved her hand and smiled sweetly.

"Mr. Heidor, it's good to see you're still in good health. It's been a while!"

"My! My!" Jonathan Heidor's eyes widened in surprise. "Why yes it has! It's great to see you," he replied with a warmth in his tone. "...And I see you have a little one with you, what's his name?" He continued, wriggling his fingers in front of the baby's face.

"He's mine and Renbrandt's child, his name is Darian. He's only a few months old."

"Ahh… it's almost as if it was yesterday that that man swept you off your feet. You were always saying you would never find a charming young man to marry, though I suppose with the men we have here in Lumen… It's understandable," he said, sneering while glancing around at the men in his inn drinking and shouting.

Diana and Renbrandt met 3 years ago. Diana was only 20 then, and Renbrant was 23 (Diana is currently 23 and Renbrandt is currently 26 in the present time).

"That's right," she said, caressing the top of Darian's head.

Interrupting them was a shout from an ugly-looking man with a beer in his hand"

"Aye Innkeeper, who's the lovely young lass next you, she selling? Ahahaha," the man laughed and snorted.

Diana looked like she was about to blow a fuse, but before she did Juvenis slammed the buffoon's head down onto the table putting a dagger against his neck.

"You watch your tone, you blockhead while in my inn!"

"Aye aye easy, I didn't mean none by it, I swear," he said, putting both his arms up as a sign of apology.

"You better watch it, else I'll throw you out next time. If her husband hears about this, he might just gut you before I do, and you wouldn't want that"

Diana made eye contact with Juvenis, thanking him with a smile.

"Aye aye I understand. But who's her husband?"

Every local resident looked at the man, surprised he didn't know who Renbrandt was.

Juvenis raised an eyebrow. Most of the villagers knew who Renbrandt was, he was known for saving a few of the residents from a small pack of young dire wolves. He had fought fiercely, slashing a majority of them into pieces and causing a few of them to run away back into the woods. It was a bloodbath, and the fight had been one-sided the whole time.

Renbrandt was a farmer and hunter of course, but everyone knew of his skills. They had a respect for him like that of a protector of sorts.

"He's the only man here in this village who can annihilate a pack of dire wolves like they were nothing but easy prey."

"I'm sorry miss," the man said apologizing, fearing he would get targeted not just by Renbrandt but by the whole village as well.

Darian, meanwhile, was impressed. He didn't think of his father that way at all. He seemed more like a man dedicated to getting food on the table. As far as he knew, his father was soft. He had never seen that side to him at all, and if true he hoped to never incur his father's wrath.

"It's alright, do better."