The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow on the snow blanketed village in the country of Nightsreach. The world outside was a serene expanse of white, silhouettes of towering mountains could be seen guarding against the eternal night.
10 year old, Caden Starhaven, was sleeping peacefully covered in his blanket and warmed by a small fire next to him. Suddenly, he hears footsteps crunching the snow outside his house. A chill went down his spine as he discerned that the footsteps were coming closer to his house. Seconds later a knock was heard on the front door. Caden's father, a fierce warrior in his thirties, Thorian Starhaven, went to open the door unaware of the mysterious visitor that was awaiting at the front door.
As the clock chimed softly in the stillness of night, Thorian paused sensing something unusual outside. He took a moment to steady himself, the anticipation thrumming in his chest. He grasped the handle and pulled it open. The creaking hinges broke the silence of the wintry night. Standing at the doorstep was a woman, dressed in silver as the glowing moon. Her eyes reflected the stars and her hair white as the snow that covers the entirety of Nightsreach.
"What can I do for you?" Thorian asked, a note of suspicion lacing his voice. She replied in a soft and steady manner, yet it carried an underlying tremor that hinted at her vulnerability "Please." She said. "I am in need of a shelter for the night. I was separated from my husband. My name is Celestine Avernight."
Thorian, the name Avernight seemed familiar to him but he shaked the feeling off and without hesitation, feeling a rush of emotions and captivated in Celestine's beauty couldn't help but say, "Please, come in." As she entered, a gentle breeze followed, carrying the scent of snow. At this moment Thorian felt an inexplicable shift in the atmosphere, as if something significant had just occurred.
Caden, feeling a mix of curiosity and fear, entered the room his small hands clutching his mother, Elara's. Elara went to get some tea for Celestine and Thorian was preparing to make a hearth fire to warm her.Caden started to unwind and slowly approached Celestine with a smile wanting to talk to her.
As she stepped further into the cozy glow of hearth, Celestine took a deep breath, her shoulders finally dropping from their tense perch. The warmth enveloped her like a comforting embrace and for the first time in what felt like ages, she allowed herself to close her eyes briefly. A soft sigh escaped from her lip as she sank onto the soft rug beside the fire.
Yet, as warmth seeped into her bones, exhaustion crashed over her like a wave. And before she could process the safety of her surroundings, she slumped to the side, unconscious, just inches away from flickering flames.
Caden's heart raced as he watched Celestine collapse. "Is she okay?"he cried, his voice trembling. Panic surged through him and tears filled his eyes. He felt a heavy guilt in stomach, as if he had somehow caused this.
Thorian's pulse quickened as he knelt beside Celestine, his protective instincts kicking in. "Celestine!"he shouted, shaking her gently. Fear gripped him, uncertainty clouded his thoughts, he needed to save his family. Elara gasped, dropping the steaming cup of tea and rushing to Celestine's side. "What happened?" Her voice trembled as she brushed Celestine's hair, urgency flooding her voice "We need to help her!"
Thorian finally coming back to his senses "Bring a towel and a tub of hot water!" He asked to Elara. Thorian took the towel and soaked it in hot water and put it on Celestine's head to protect her from fever. They stayed awake for the rest of the night beside Celestine in case something were to happen again.
Fortunately, as the first ray of daylight fell on her, she woke up, full of enthusiasm. Thorian and Caden went to hunt food for breakfast and Elara was at home preparing a hot bath for Celestine.
"What do you think, son? Do you think she is trustworthy?"asked Thorian. They were walking in the White forest, trying to hunt something delicious which would satiate their appetite, especially after staying awake the entire night. "I like her!"said Caden, smiling broadly "She can be my elder sister." Thorian couldn't help but smile a little as he looked down on the white snow.
Caden notices something moving in the brushes and notices a healthy rabbit "Look father, there is a rabbit behind that tree!" Thorian quickly takes his stance, takes out his bow, aiming at the rabbit hiding behind the tree, he fleetingly fires it without hesitation as if he were a seasoned veteran in hunting, which he indeed was.
Few hours later, both father and son return home with three rabbits, out of which, a young one, was caught by Caden, it was his first prey and he was very happy. As soon as he entered he first showed it to Celestine hoping to get praised on his first successful hunt.
" It looks delightful. Good job Caden, I am sure you will become a great hunter one day." Celestine praises him. Four of them then sit down to eat. "So, tell us Celestine, why were you wondering in the outskirts of Nightsreach. A noble like you should be in the capital, but here you are in the countryside." Thorian asked in a stiff manner. "I have come from a land far away, a land that is beyond the Tempest sea and over The Land of Eternity."
Thorian thinking in his mind "Hmm! Avernight, where have I heard it before! Wait, a land that is beyond the tempest sea and over The Land of Eternity, meaning..." Celestine further adds, avoiding Thorian's previous question" I have disturbed you for long enough, I will take my leave for now, my husband probably would be in a great distress for me. I should go as reach to him as promptly as I can. And you people have my gratitude for taking such a good care of me."
"But how, and where will you go? If you are going to the capital then I should accompany you. You may have come here unscathed but the journey back would not be easy. The White forest is not a place for a women to freely wander, notably alone. I, Thorian, have protected you for this whole night and it is, therefore, also my duty to see you back to your husband safe and sound, as the Chieftain and a former commander of the army of Ebonridge."
"Very well! If you insist"said Celestine, with a wide smile on her face "I will also feel a lot safe if someone like you would be beside me. Caden, would you like to be my escort too, I can tell you about the world that I have travelled. You see, me and my husband have set off on a journey to travel the world. But as we were departing from the capital Noxthistle and going to Shadowfen, we were confronted by a small group of bandits. My husband told me to run away to get help and he acted as a decoy, and before I could ask for your help I had collapsed onto the floor."
"Aren't you worried about your husband, something could have happened to him."added Thorian. "It's true that there is uncertainty of my husband's well being but there is a strange relief in my heart that's saying that I needn't worry, my husband is safe." Celestine speaks in a soft voice and her eyes become watery. Thorian comforts her "Don't worry, let's leave as quickly as we can and go to Noxthistle so that we can look for your husband, I am sure he would have had no problems."
With this word the three people Celestine Avernight, Caden Starhaven and Thorian Starhaven depart for their journey to the capital of Nightsreach, Noxthistle.