What makes a heart? Is it the soft beating against the ribcage? Or the cadence of footsteps against hardened snow? Or is it that obnoxious ticking that rumbles the ground?

  -A concerned citizen, probably.

  The sun started descending from the sky. Painting the sky a purplish, orangy, pink. The scent of iron was heavy in the air. I pucker my face at the bits of flesh that rest on the ground. In the distance, a soldiers set up camp, detering passersby from getting close.

  “...Please Stay away from this area…”

  “...But I live here!...”

  A distressed passerby stomps in frustration.

  “...Follow me…”

  With a heavy sigh, the soldier heads back to a tent. Other than the occasional banter, the afternoon was quiet. I tap my feet on the ground as a biting chill nips through my shoes. A good sign to head to the tavern.

  A pleasant warmth emulated from the entrance of the tavern. The sounds of chatter echoed out into the frigid air as I made my way in. People kept their heads high, laughing away to the taste of ale.

  “Hey, Over here!”

  My ears perk up to a familiar voice in the distance. It was Lily waving towards me. Without much hesitation, I made my way over.

  The scent of food in the air rumbled my appetite. However, a tenseness hung on my shoulders. Pushing through the knots I ask,

  “How’s it been?”

  With a forceful hmm, Lily smiles,

  “It’s been well. Just a lot going through my mind. How about you?”

  I shift on my chair and sigh,

  “It’s been slow. The days feel groggy. Like I'm in a perpetual state of… I don’t know”

  Lily nibbles on some bread quietly as I gather my thoughts. However, nothing emerged. We sat in silence, listening to the ambiance of the tavern. The soft beating of my heart, bumping against my chest.

  “What would you like to order? How about a drink?”

  The voice of the tavern keeper brings my attention away. Shaking my head, I sigh,

  “Gimme something to eat, stew perhaps?”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Alright, how about you miss?”

  Lily props her hand against her face,

  “I’ll take stew as well.”

  With a quick nod, the tavern keeper runs off into the kitchen. The sounds of joyful laughter drowned away, as we both waited for our food.

  “So…”

  “So, how is your time in Idosa?”

  Lily takes over my sentence in a fitting manner. My thoughts scramble around, recalling the past events.

  “It was quite the adventure. But even since that incident, my heart hasn’t been the same”

  I slump back, as Isabella’s face flashes in my mind. With a slight shudder, I take a deep breath,

  “Other than that, it’s been all right.”

  In the following silence, The tavern keeper walked by with two bowls of stew. Its savoury scents trailing into hazy steam.

  “Here you go- Just a second!”

  He places the bowls in front of us and turns away to attend a rowdy customer.

  “Shall we eat?”

  I ask as Lily nods. Without much hesitation, I take the first bite of stew. It’s nostalgic, savory flavors coating my tongue. However, it carried a dullness that did not settle well; like an ashiness that hazed my soul. Stirring the stew around, I take my time with another bite.

  “Not hungry?”

  Lily asks with concerned eyes. I stared at the stew, it wasn’t bad, but it was missing something. With a begrudging hum, I force the rest of the food down.

  I look up to Lily wiping her lips with a cloth. Her dignified manners had a strange appeal to it. Peeling my eyes away, I tap my foot on the floor.

  “This winter is rather long, isn’t it?”

  Her voice bounces around my ears as my ears flush red.

  “I-indeed… but spring will come, eheh”

  A slight chuckle was it? I scratch my head awkwardly as Lily smiles and slightly adjusts her glasses.

  “The winter freezes the skin and gnaws at the heart. But spring will definitely come!”

  She lets out a silly giggle and gets up from her seat. Left alone, I stared off at the table. I close my eyes and listen to my heart. Listening to the softness of each beat against my ribcage. Soon, the tavern started to empty out and I made my way to my room.

  The night was too warm and too cold. Thoughts raced through my mind as a lingering ember glows in the darkness. The memory of smoke stings at my nose as chills run down my spine. But my eyes did not waver. I take in a deep breath as flowers bloom on top of the snow and sand.

  “Where are the colors of my world?”

  A blue glint bounces off the fields of small petals.

  Winter comes and goes,

  With a gift of flowers

  To greet spring’s come

  For that is the glory of the snow.

  I hold my cold hands as warmth sprouts from my heart. However, it fades as quickly as it came.

  My eyes awake to the soft sunlight piercing through the window. The sun’s warmth was noticeable this time around. Without much resistance, I hop out of bed and go to Lily’s door. With a faint knock, the door opens slightly. The room was empty, except for a written letter on a wooden desk.

  To, Disciple Clover,

  It seems the Beldonian Academy urgently calls for my assistance once more. I must apologize, for I cannot ignore this one, as this relates to my Master’s legacy. I hope you stay well, for spring is bound to come. Also keep your studies up! I want to see your progress in magic when all is said and done. Other than that, I don’t demand much. Handle the situation in Idosa, and when it isn’t safe, or if it’s too much, leave.

  P.S

  When you do reach Beldonia, look for Carmenos’ Wizard tower. You’ll be able to find it.

  -Lily

  A sudden weight hung on my heart as I reread the contents. Numbness tingles on my fingertips as I roll the paper into my hand. With a sniffle, I keep my head forward and head out the door.