Chapter 8

"Beneath the Snow's veil, I stand by your side, hoping for you to accept my warmth, beloved."

.

Immediately Mister Headstone made the declaration, the townspeople sprang into action. With bags, horses, and luggage in tow, they bid farewell to their beloved Evergreen, bound for a foreign land shrouded in rumor—a land said to be ruled by a vampire lord. The priest's warnings still lingered in their minds.

Just before departure, Mister Headstone excused himself, citing an urgent matter. The farmers had already begun driving their livestock along the winter road, while the hunters viewed the four-day journey as a mission. With everyone poised to leave, Headstone slipped away, walking deliberately toward the church.

He approached the church, ensuring no one witnessed his entry. Inside, the wooden pews stood like sentinels, while a majestic stained glass cross dominated the altar. Kneeling, he removed his hat and whispered, "I'm consumed by fear and guilt. No one would have taken us in. Peppers spoke the truth, but I cannot let my people suffer." His voice trembled. "Lead us to safety, I beg."

Headstone's knee creaked on the wooden floor, his voice barely a whisper, "What if Ashwood's promise is a lie? What if what Lord Valitis wants would cost years of not forgiving myself."

Guilt wracked his heart as he rummaged through his hair. "Why must something threaten those I love? Why did I ask Lord Valitis for shelter? I... I don't know what to do." He closed his eyes, and clutched the cross handing around his neck, seeking solace.

Moments passed, then he rose, donning his hat, clutching the cross around his neck. As he exited, Ferguson watched from afar, having returned for forgotten supplies. His eyes narrowed as Headstone emerged from the church. "What's troubling him?," Ferguson wondered. He hesitated, then decided against approaching. "Not my business," he muttered, turning away.

Headstone composed himself, taking a deep breath, with his face set in determination before rejoining the townspeople in the square. Rosemary approached, noticing a hint of sadness on his face. "The children have sweaters, and we have one pregnant woman. The path to Ashwood is clear," she said.

Rosemary's concerned gaze met his, but he offered her a reassuring smile. Beneath the surface, his heart racing.

As he joined the townspeople, He focused on the logistics, ignoring his emotions. "Women and children at the front, youths and men behind, hunters at the rear. Peppers and I will lead the frontline."

The priest's disapproving "Tsk" was lost amidst Headstone's continued instructions. "We'll cross the frozen plains on Day One, reach the Foggy Mountains by Day Two, pass through towns, and arrive at the Frozen Mountains by Day Three. After crossing the slope, we'll enter Ashwood—"

"You're forgetting one more thing to say again, and that's we need to ration food," Peppers cut in, frowning. "The frozen plains will be treacherous."

Headstone nodded. "Agreed. We'll distribute supplies evenly. Hunters as I earlier said, take rear guard. We'll protect our people. Now, let's get going."

****

The group set out on foot, some on horseback, as the small town of Evergreen receded into the distance.

In Ashwood, Valitis smirked upon receiving word of their departure. Seated near his bed, he received the letter from his butler and whispered, "He won't mind the price I'll name."

Meanwhile, Belladonna sneezed as she pushed a small cart, her horse carrying most of her luggage. Wearing a thick turtleneck gown, only her face exposed to the cold, she thought, "That's odd..."

"Don't catch a cold," Ferguson said, wrapping a scarf around her neck.

"Thanks, Doctor Ferguson," Belladonna smiled.

Ferguson raised an eyebrow. "You're mocking me with the title, aren't you?"

"Maybe," she teased. "A doctor's always caring."

Ferguson chuckled. Then, his expression turned serious. "Bella, I saw Headstone leaving the church before we departed..."

Belladonna's eyes widened. "Are you sure? He was probably just—"

"No, his face was worried. I've never seen Mister Headstone like that," Ferguson whispered urgently. "He's hiding something."

Belladonna frowned.

Ahead, Peppers and Headstone walked together. The priest's disapproving "Tsk" prompted Headstone to ask, "What's wrong now? More criticism?"

Peppers's anger flared. "I speak truth, not criticism. You're walking the Devil's path, and I won't stand idly by."

"What do you mean?" Headstone pressed.

Peppers stepped forward, tapping Headstone's chest. "You're guilty. Your masked face can't hide it. If harm comes, it'll be on you. You ignored the Sixth town's counsel, following the Devil's voice instead. Now, we're bound for Ashwood, where a Vampire Lord resides. Maeve's poisoning, the Vampire Hunter, and this sudden winter—are these mere coincidences?"

With that, Julius Peppers stormed off, leaving Headstone's emotions unreadable.

*

DAY 1[1 MORNING. 1 NIGHT.]:

Soon afterwards, the group ventured onto the Frozen Plains, the landscape unfolded like an endless white canvas. The biting wind howled, threatening to strip the warmth from their bodies. Children clung to their parents, eyes wide with wonder and fear.

Ferguson noticing the sudden increase in the cold, had to warn the people regarding the frostbites, "Make sure the sweaters worn are more than two. Make sure you have from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet, covered."

The people who had worn thick sweaters had to multiply this, by wearing another. All children, although uncomfortable had to wear more than three thick knitted sweater, with Headstone inspecting everyone. The hunters were the only ones who had worn just one. They had faced worse experiences than this, so, their main focus was the people's safety.

Before them lay a vast expanse of snow-encrusted ice, stretching towards the horizon. The ground creaked beneath their feet, a chilling reminder of the unforgiving terrain. Jagged ice ridges jutted from the ground, like nature's own barricades. Belladonna took gasps as she moved against the cold, she watched Ferguson's continuous check on the people, the elderly and the children. Ice crystals had formed on her eyelashes and the exposed part of her hair had become frozen from the cold. She again continued forward, helping as well to check on the children who had worn a sad face. Majority of the children complained, and their parents had to assure them better things ahead.

As they trudged forward, the group encountered scattered clusters of frozen trees, their branches etched like skeletal fingers.

Nearby, Belladonna walked towards Aunt Mae, her condition worsening. She had been placed lying on the wagon, with multiple sweaters and kept warm.

Ferguson checked her fever, his brow furrowed. "We need to keep her hydrated. This cold isn't helping."

Belladonna worry increased, as she saw her Aunt's fingers. It had turned purple and not from the cold. The poison slowly has began circulating. She however didn't want to cause tension, so she whispered a short prayer, leaving her Aunt to rest further.

The cold slowly reduced as afternoon wore o. They had to set up a camp, their tents a fragile refuge against the elements. But snowflakes danced around them, hypnotic and merciless.

Headstone made sure the hot soup prepared with a bonfire which surprisingly didn't extinguish, alongside bread, touched everyone's mouth. The people seeked warmth around the fire as Peppers said a prayer for protection.

Rosemary had helped Aunt Mae with some spoonful of soup. Belladonna watched from a distance as she overheard her telling Headstone, "Her condition is worsening. She needs the Antidote or else, she would die."

Belladonna gasped as she heard these words.

****

Slowly, night descended, casting an inky blackness. The wind screamed, threatening to rip the tents from the ground. Inside, huddled figures shared body heat, praying for dawn. They had all eaten some Winter Vigil stew [A rich slow cooked stew made from frost-resistant stew, snowdeer meat(which some of the hunters had caught earlier) and warmth keeping spices.]

Peppers had the children gathered while he told them reassuring tales, he might have an odd personality, but the children loved him.

Headstone on the other side talked outside to Ryker the head of the hunters and also the most skilled Hunter. The next day, they would all venture into the forest and definitely the forest housed dangerous creatures, far worse than the cold.

Belladonna watched as she layed by her aunt's side, the people all sharing their experiences with the other.

Suddenly, Aunt Mae spoke up in whispers, ".... I.... Make..... Elodie.... Belladonna... Safe... She..."

Belladonna suddenly got close to her Aunt Mae's whose eyes were closed but her lips moved, "Aunt Mae! What are you saying?."

Rosemary, who sat close by rushed towards their side, "What's wrong?"

"She's whispering some words!" Belladonna replied with a worried look.

Rosemary brought her ears closer, hearing the same whispers, "I..... Will.... Make.... Queen... Elodie.... Your..... Belladonna.... She's safe..."

The seamstress face turned concerned and their smal commotion brought Ferguson to the scene, "What's happening? Is everything okay?."

Rosemary nodded, "She's just whispering some inaudible words."

Ferguson understandably nodded, "It happens. Just some memories flashing, I'm sure she would be okay," He said, trying to make Belladonna who was close by feel more calm. And it worked.

Rosemary got up and smiled, before making her way out of the closed tent. Ferguson remained behind. He held Belladonna's hands, "Everything would turn out just fine. Get some rest, okay?."

She nodded, and after he said these words, she didn't know when her eyes closed, but Ferguson made sure everyone had enough warmth. He arranged a blanket on Belladonna and her Aunt. His eyes filled with worry, he knew her aunt's condition got worse as each day passed by.

Outside, The stars above twinkled like ice chips, the cold has reduced, so when Rosemary stood with Headstone who wore a worried look. There wasn't much effect except for the built-up tension.

"She said those words and called the name Elodie, Queen Elodie, Your Belladonna. By chance do you think she's from...," Rosemary paused, then continued when Headstone didn't say a word. "I don't know, a Royal family?."

Headstone rubbed his eyes, he had lots on his mind and now, another, "Rosemary, I'm just hoping things get well for Maeve. She would tell us more when we get the antidote in Ashwood, I'm sure."

Hearing these, Rosemary did not say another word. She knew Headstone had exhausted all his strength for the day. "You're right," She said, "I'm off to bed, make sure you too take a good night rest."

Headstone nodded as she walked back into the tent. Soon afterwards, he as well, walked into the tent, to have a short rest. As the townpeople all slept off, The hunters took turns to keep watch.