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Snowall
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Nora and Lenora both woke up to heavy snow. Wood was hard to fetch this season and greenery nearly ceased. The winters of Nordin traveled north and fell over Snowall. It was a great fortress that mothered little villages all around it. The trees were rarely green. White conquered the lands and roofs that had been covered with thick woods to lock the warmth inside, and leave the cold outside. It was an early winter this year and the Pyreons knew so.
Lenora woke up with a start and was ready before the sun reached past the horizon. It was the same morning her lord brother arrives home from his long-lasting travels. Baron collected enough tales around campfires of the wild ones who ate the flesh of girl children and made sheaths and threads with the skin of their dead horses. They were cruel exactly how he'd expected them to be. But he had spent enough time in the desserts of Brolithia to know he had enough venturing.
The lord was not alone, he would have never survived. Admittedly, he never planned to have company, But the Gods saved him from his foolish plans. She was a pretty woman of thick and silky white blonde and a pale skin, and she was fearless. Wilderness with a touch of femininity and delicacy. They met when Baron was about to meet his death as he sat between the jaws of a wild beast. But she did not hesitate to throw hands and fight the beast. She claimed victory and as a trophy, she had cut its horns and traded them for gold.
The sky was bright and clean, but the seas raged, and the waves sent the lord's ship to spin and turn. It was hard to sail, and the arrival was delayed two hours later, and the ship docked at the North port somewhere after noontime. The Ladies waited far more than expected and they would have to wait another two hours during the lord's travel from the port to Snowall.
Nora wore black leather and had black gloves with golden pins, her sleeves cut in half from her elbow and below and were as long as her dress. Lenora wore the same clothes, everything in exact. The pins, the leather. They were clones of each other. But their personalities differed, and they argued more often. This time too, they had a disagreement. Lenora realized she had time to spend before the lord arrives, and her horse called. She ran to the stable unnoticed and applied the saddle. It had white hair with strands of grey around the neck and was taller than Lenora herself. The horse was a wild one from the ice wastes in the dead north. A rare breed.
Nora was ready to mount its back, but she was interrupted by an irritating voice. "If you leave the gates, I will make sure they lock you out and you may sleep on the snow" Nora shouted in the most disgusting way. Lenora gave an eye roll then turned while still holding to the rope. "I do not need mothering" she claimed.
"You have not seen your brother for over half a year, you stay here". She scolded while slowly approaching her sister. "My brother will see me later when he comes, Mother," she said with mockery then turned around and continued preparing her horse. "Lilac and I are leaving for a ride, you may come if you want, my lady," she said even with more mockery, and finally mounted the horse. Nora was flabbergasted, her jaw dropped and she approached Lenora faster. "Oh, trust me if I was your mother, you would not have a chance to talk to me this way" Nora cried to her face with anger; Her eyes reddened. Lenora did not answer nor give her attention, she kicked her horse with a side knee and galloped out of the stable and into the woods. They were easy to ride, the trees would take the snow under their branches and leave only a bit on the ground; you could still see grass and mud and insects still lived. Rabbits would often jump from their holes and wolves would howl each night.
The cold wind of Nordin reached the woods and brought flakes of ice down. Lenora Put on her hood and covered her head, but she liked the cold, and she liked to feel the snow hitting her face and melting in an instant. It was a nice feeling for her, and sometimes she wished her sister would come with her for rides. She would be happy to share those moments with her.
The wind danced for a couple minutes and soon stopped; the weather was pretty pleasing. Lenora decided to go out of the woods and ride the snow under the sky. Her horse was used to the thick snow layers, and ran perfectly. Nora got lost in her thoughts and the time passed quickly. In a sudden moment, a voice called. It was a far whispering voice, but she heard it. She called her horse and stopped. The young lady was looking around, with confusion. Lenora…Lenora…Lenora. The calls got louder and she stressed. "Who calls? Come out, coward. Let me see your face". She was brave and truly did not fear. But the voices stopped calling, and immediately, an echoing sound of a crying woman caught her attention. Then a voice of a man in pain was added, and they both cried in sync. But that did not end there. Soon, so many voices started crying and shouting and echoed through the woods. Lenora – frightened – opened her eyes wide and she did not wait. She hit her horse on the back and it sent its legs flying, she almost fell but she was able to gain control. She gave a last look to the horizon where the voices had come from. And sent her horse sprinting back to the fort. Sweaty and tired, her breath stuck in her throat. She entered the gate in a sprint and straight to the stables. Lenora jumped off her horse and fell to her knees. Her sister came rushing with a couple of guardsmen by her side.
"Sister!" she called as she went down and held her hands. "What happened to you". Within the crowd, lady Katlyn emerged, pushing her way to the twins. "Is my lady hurt?" she asked with fear. Lenora did not seem to realize the situation, she was still breathing heavily and removing her gear with frustration. She looked Nora in her eyes and tried to unwind her mood. For a moment, Lenora wanted to tell her sister and lady Katlyn what she saw, or heard. But there was no way to say it. She could not find her words.
"I'm ok, I'm just tired. The snow was hard today". Nora seemed almost disappointed, she stood up and gave her sister a stare. "You scared me. I told you not to leave". She nodded her head in disappointment and disappeared into the crowd, though lady Katlyn gave her hand and stood the lady up. She laid her palms on her niece's cheeks and rubbed them with her fingers. "You should rest, come". She led Lenora inside to a warm room that had been loaded with herbs and flasks of mixtures.
The day grew colder and ice turned to drops. Lenora cuddled a leathered blanket as her aunt crushed mint and chamomile with a rock and flushed them into a boiling pot. It was a golden pot that had been carved with Nordish symbols. "Auntie", Lenora called. "May I ask a question". Katlyn smiled and reached for a wooden spoon and began stirring the tea. "Of course, speak your heart", she said and went to bring two glasses. Lenora swallowed her trouble and spoke. "Do people live past the woods?" she asked unsurely. The lady crunched her brows and pushed her lips against each other. She was unsure too. "The only people I'd say lived past the woods are way too far, they live in the dead north. and it's called this way for a reason".
At last, the tea boiled enough and the herbs melted into the liquid. Lady Katlyn held one cup and gave Lenora the other. "Are you warm enough?"
"I'm fine," she cut her off and insisted. They sat in silence for a good while. Lenora was sipping loudly and thinking; she raised her eyes to her aunt and inhaled. "Do the Pyreons know all?" she asked and waited eagerly for an answer. "no one know all, but the Pyre is an old place. The Pyreons know a lot" Katlyn answered. Lenora held the tea close to warm her hands and opened her mouth to speak, but a honk of horns interrupted her words. The ladies both looked at each other and said it in one mouth. "Brandon".
A honk by the northern traditions means that a noble or a royale has arrived. And it was true. Brandon and his clan poured through the gates like sheep. Bannermen and horselords lead the way in a long line, and Baron was in the center of it all. The keep was wet of melting snow and moss ripped out of the cracks of old stones and bricks. It was dark gray and had been built in exquisite architecture. It was minimalist yet had a special look. The towers were high and had green roofs with shades of blue. The gate had been sealed with dark steel and spikes to keep attackers away, but it was open to its fullest and all of the flags of house Belmont were waving in the air.
Baron entered on his brown wild horse that he has had since he was only a squirt. And his hair was curly and reached his neck, he had his sister's brown hair and his mother's looks, she was a Tairosh. She was a lady of Southstone and married the lord of Snowall as a youngster, but she was happy. She was lucky to find a husband who loved her, cared for her, and had the same desires she possessed.
Baron carried the name of Belmont for the sake of his dead parents. And carried it with pride. Between the crowd, his sisters stood bold and strong, and lady Katlyn on the side. They were smaller and shorter than the last time he has seen them. A whole winter, as long as half a year. Maybe more.
Nora and Lenora were happy, and Baronsaw. A hint of a smile grew on his face, then became bolder as he went close to them. He slid his body down and landed elegantly on the ground to greet his sisters and the rest of the standing. "My lord!" Nora assured formally, then Lenora jumped on him immediately. "Ron!" she said as she squeezed him. He felt released and covered with the warmth of family and home, so he wrapped his hands around his sister and laid his chin on her head. Nora's brows lowered and her mouth saddened. As soon as Lenora ended the hug, Nora looked at Baron sadly and hugged him tightly. Her eyes filled with tears and her voice was somewhat crying. "I missed you so much," she said as she closed her eyes and rest her head on his shoulder. Lady Katlyn smiled as she saw Nora letting her emotion out after years. She never saw her that way after their parents died.
"Nora, Lenora. I missed you both so much" he said as he held their small hands in his big gloves. "I trust your ride was not too hard my lord" Lady Katlyn wished. He looked at her and he knew that he was finally home. "Kate" he named her as he ran to her. This time, she wrapped him in her warmth. His eye teared only a bit, and the crowd watched. Ser Tarly was standing a few feet behind the scene, he felt the need to give them privacy, and in one call, he made the crowd leave. And the four just stayed there for a bit before walking inside.
They had the kitchen for themselves, the same kitchen Lenora had sat in with her aunt earlier.
Brandon looked around and examined the building, he was happy to be home. The twins looked at each other with a smile and then back at their brother, now they knew they were finally safe. "Did you bring any gifts?" Lenora was quick to ask. Nora looked at her in disbelief but she did not care too much, she was too happy to see her brother. "I'm afraid the desserts do not include many shacks, sister" he laughed. Lenora laughed too. They all laughed, even Katlyn. A knock on the door had caught the fourth attention, he waited only a moment then entered the room with his head gazed down, and gave a bow.
"Tarly" called Baron, "come sit with us. Nora smiled and looked at him with a nod of a head. "Ser Tarly, it has been long since we met". She said. "Yes m'lady" he answered. He was formal. But what could he do? Knights are raised to be nothing but a shield and a servant. But it was lady Katlyn who then assured him that he had no longer to be a knight, and for a moment rest with them. "I was about to make green tea; would you like some?" he was a bit nervous to answer, but the look on her face was motherly and comforting. "If you insist, m'lady".
Ser Tarly approached to the table to put his helm upon it and sit next to Baron. Katlyn rose to her feet then Nora asked. "Why do you never ask the maids to make you tea?". Katlyn looked at her with a light smile and pulled her loose sleeves up. "I love making tea, it brings me comfort". Lenora already had her tea so she ordered her aunt to not include her in. the rain turned to snow and snow turned to ice. The storms of Nordin had hit the North, this time for sure. Ser Tarly looked out of the window into the storm, gave a twist with his mouth, then turned back. "The seas were hard. But we had replaced our ship at the docks of Ashaii. Their woods are strong and can bare," he said. Lenora stared into her brother's eyes with disappointment and nodded her head. "But, did you leave the ship behind?" she asked worriedly. Baron did not seem to understand why it was such an issue, but he could tell that she was bothered by it. She then stood up and began pacing with her back to his face. "How stupid can you be?" she yelled. "Watch your tongue, sister!" Nora jumped. Lady Katlyn had been busy stirring the tea but she paused and her face saddened. She hated watching them fight. "You sold the only memory we have of our parents" she proceeded to shout upon his head. He tried speaking but could never slip a word. "We used to sail this ship with them always. this ship!" she reassured. "Please, let's calm the spirit" lady Katlyn tried to smile it off. But Baron had joined in the mess. "They are dead" he yelled out of his lungs. "And this ship will never bring them back". Lenora paused and looked into his eyes with tears, and ran out of the kitchen. Ser Tarly was awkward and he had no clue what he might do to ease the situation but sit in silence and look to the floor. Nora followed her sister out and chased her to her room. She wanted to scream at her so bad, but she knew Lenora was emotional and upset and has some truth in her anger.
When she pushed the door, Lenora was already on her bed with her face drowned in her pillow. Her breath was heavy but she balanced it in a second. "I know the ship was important to you…" she started. Her feet hit against the floor and created a nice calming sound. She sat on her side and put a hand on her back. it was odd to see Nora like this. But she was. And they both sat there for as long as they needed.
The night grew dark and the storms turned into nice rain. The hour was too late and the North was about to sleep. Lady Katlyn was walking all around the keep, she had not seen the girls in hours after the fight. As she walked fast to Lenora's room, she stopped. When she opened the door, the girls were sleeping on the same bed, cuddled. A smile grew on his face and she went in. she moved the hairs out of Nora's face and put her palm on her cheek. Thunder began. And the wind was cold. This storm was confusing and changed moods every now and then. Katlyn snatched both ends of the blanket and covered the girls. She remembered the old days when their parents were still walking this earth. When the storms were hard in the north, Nora and Lenora used to sleep on the same bed, and wouldn’t leave each other until the morning dawned, and the snow stopped. And now, ten years later, they still did the same. Katlyn took one last look at them before leaving and left a slight gap between the doors. Her night came to closure. Now she only had Brandon left to see. He was nowhere to be found, and Katlyn was tired. And she was a woman of age. She needs rest. And so, she did. Her room was next to her sister's, and every night before heading to bed, she would go in there to light a flame in her and her husband's memory. The lord and lady of Snowall who now rest eternity beneath the Brolithic sea.
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