“Breakfast is ready, but we got to go right after.” I turned to see Caen’s hand on my shoulders as he emerged from the building. The smell of breakfast hit our noses as I recovered from my shock again. Aria looked like she was suppressing a burst of laughter at my expense.
* * * *
Aria devoured an ungodly amount of food while I shared some trail tips with Caen. It seemed like he knew most of them already, and the ones that he didn’t know were small quirks particular to our region. I still couldn’t get around Aria not feeling cold, or temperature. What a strange quirk. Was it because she was a mage?
Soon enough, we were off to the races. Caen and I discussed the travel route while Aria played around. We could take what we called the ‘winding trails,’ a long path that was the only way through the area during the winter. I had to explain to Caen why the slow and steady route was in fact, not very steady at all. The layout of the winding trails makes it easy pickings for both bandits and wolves.
We made good time, and soon we were setting up camp. Caen was off hacking firewood as I set up the tents. Aria had been reading a book, her silver eyes focused on its contents before she abruptly closed it and walked over to my side.
“Charlotte, do you need waterskins refilled?” I looked around, but there was nothing but snow. I reached underneath my coat and tossed her two waterskins anyways.
“By the Pact, I evoke!” I jumped as she shouted the sacred incantations. My eyes began to widen, a silent gasp as I watched her perform the impossible.
She was creating water.
In front of her, a globe of water was slowly forming, tiny droplets of water fusing into a single orb. Droplets rushed out of the snow, rapidly at first, then slowly as the snow dried away. The water was like a living creature, dancing at Aria’s command. Then it stopped growing, her hands and brow relaxing as she moved the projection of water around. She might have been showing off, but I was mesmerized.
She grabbed one of my waterskins, and the water poured itself into it, directed by nothing more than her will. I sat back, stunned, as the water flowed inside, before disappearing with a final pop.
“All done!” Aria chirped, her silver eyes shimmering with excitement as she threw the waterskin at me. “Catch!”
I shook myself out of my daze before catching the thing. It was just a normal waterskin and still looked the part. Was it safe to drink? Would something happen to me if I drank it? Aria seemed to be waiting for my reaction, a sly grin on her face. I couldn’t say I didn’t deserve it.
I unscrewed the cap and took a swig of the magical brew…and my eyes shot open. It was the freshest water I’ve ever tasted. I couldn’t put it to words, but it tasted so different. No sour, metallic, or weird taste that plagued everyone’s well. It was completely pure. I took another swig, savoring both its lack of flavor and its uniqueness.
Aria let out a giggle as I turned to her, surprise still coloring my face.
“You can just make fresh water?” I looked down at the waterskin, then at her again.
“Yep! It’s a little tiring, but I thought it would be faster than boiling water.” She gave a happy shrug as I capped the waterskin, looking down at it then back at her.
“That alone…” I whistled. “That alone could save a town. Or create a town. Anywhere. No wells required.” I struggled at the implications that people existed that could create water. Sure, the priests told of Pact Mages raining down destruction for transgressions against the Trinity. Making water though. That was the kind of practical magic that the church should advertise.
Instead of being excited, she avoided my gaze, a cautious frown across her brow. I thought better of it and let the topic drop. There was a moment of silence between the two of us, but she was the first to speak.
“It’s…very flattering, but my magic isn’t like that.” She twirled her hair with her slender fingers, slight nervous fidgets as she continued to speak. “I only wish to help, to show that I’m not some child that can’t contribute anything. You understand, don’t you?” Her eyes sparkled desperately, hoping that I understood. I was one step ahead of her.
“Ya, I get ya. I’m the youngest kid of the family, at least the youngest one that grew up.”
Aria let out a gasp of surprise as I chuckled. Her eyes were so vivid, they were like a mirror to her soul.
“But you’re so tall!” she complimented me as I slowly walked over. I wasn’t sure how she’d react, but it felt right. I reached out and gave her a pat on the head, only for her to make cute giggling noises. That brought a heartwarming smile to my cheeks.
“I’m tall now, but let me tell you how I tried hunting my first bear. Trust me, my dad was not impressed,” I began as Aria let out a jovial laugh, listening intently until Caen returned.
Chapter 4: Three Against Many
Once the first snow had arrived, more snow was sure to follow. It had been a few days since the first leg of our adventure, and Oakhenge was a few short hours away. This morning was different. The sky was grey with malicious intent. The snow was falling faster now, scratching at my cheeks. A blizzard was coming.
“Wait up…” Aria shouted, dragging her boots through the snow.
Despite her immunity to the cold, she’d underestimated just how deep the snow went. You’d think as a short person she’d think of these things, but I guess that would give our tiny Pact Mage too much credit. I shook my head with a great deal of concern as she dragged herself through the ankle high snowbank.
“Aria, I have some snowshoes in my pack. Do you want them?” I turned around to ask but she was too busy forcing her way through the massive snowbank.
“I refuse to get tired that quickly!” Aria exclaimed, crossing her arms in a smug assurance before a haphazard “Aah!”
I held my mitts around my mouth, holding back a burst of laughter as she fell face first into the soft snow. Even Caen joined me in a chuckle.
“…not my proudest moment,” she admitted, soft red cheeks contrasting against white snow as she picked herself up.
“Charlotte, how far are we?” Caen asked as I threw Aria my snowshoes. “We’ll be in trouble if we can’t reach the town in time.”
I nodded in agreement as the two of us instinctively glanced up at the sky. The wind was picking up as our progress brought us deeper into the heart of the storm. It wasn’t a matter of if, but a matter of when.
“Almost there. We passed the last waypoint this morning.” I perked up. The snow hadn’t buried the shorter path yet, but it was close. By the look of things this was going to be the last day this trail remained open.
“Oh, and we’ll also be taking a little bit of a shortcut down the hill. It’s around the same time to get there, but I figured that Aria might like a bit of sledding.”
Aria’s eyes widened at my suggestion. She probably had no idea what sledding was. “Also gives you a hawk’s view of the town.” I added the strategic element in and Caen nodded. He liked the tactical aspect.
“Sledding?! What do you mean? I didn’t see you bring any sleds with us!” Aria raced over, having resigned herself to snowshoes. At least she knew when to give in.
* * * *
A few days had passed since I met Aria and had been entranced by her. Although, after trekking with her and having to face her often, the spark had gone out, or at least, for her mysterious eyes. There was also a part of me that felt like she wasn’t being honest with me. Every now and then I would catch her being serious, her chipper tone descending to a sad melody before returning to her usual self moments later. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. We lived in such different worlds.
“You don’t really need a sled. A wood board is usually fine. Then you slide down a snowy hill and ride it down. It’s fun!” I returned an inviting smile, thinking back to how this was her first winter.
