Erick returned to the kitchen feeling rather embarrassed. Shaking his head as he ignited the gas stove, chastising himself for being so forward. The poor woman was likely to be put off by that sort of behaviour.
He leaned over the counter, bracing himself on the kitchen sink. Erick realized his body was shaking as his mind tried to process what had just happened. The creatures… “frost wolves.” Was he really awake? Was this some sort of nightmare? What was this blizzard? Did it bring Farryn and the frost wolves to him, or did it bring him to their world? Or somewhere in between… With questions ricocheting through his brain, Erick splashed some water on his face, the cool sensation disputed the idea that he was dreaming.
To give his mind a break, he busied himself with the preparation of breakfast, chopping up the potatoes before adding them to the oiled frying pan. They hit the hot iron with a loud sizzle. While he continued frying the sausage and the scrambled eggs, he glanced back and saw that Farryn had taken a seat at the counter. She was staring at his handiwork with intrigue.
“So these are all cooking devices…” she mused.
Erick nodded. He was quite surprised at her confusion.
Seriously! Where did she come from? It looks like she’d never seen basic kitchen appliances before!
Erick knew she wasn’t messing with him, after all the things he’d seen. And no one could be walking around with body temperatures in the near-freezing range. Something very strange was definitely going on here.
When he finished his cooking, he brought the piping hot food to where Farryn sat. He poured her a glass of orange juice (to complete a quality breakfast) and encouraged her to eat.
“Dig in!” he smiled as he offered the food.
She looked up at him quizzically.
“Ah… please, go ahead and eat.”
“You have my thanks,” Farryn replied taking a bite of the fluffy scrambled eggs.
“Oh! This is… this tastes-”
She couldn’t finish her statement as the priority became eating as fast as possible.
Erick took this opportunity to finally study his guest a little. Her hair was rather ragged, like she had been trying to cut and maintain it with her battle knives in the most utilitarian ways she could manage. Her clothing was looking rather worse for wear too. It was mostly comprised of metallic-looking material, with a leaf-like motif present throughout, obviously some sort of light armour. It was lined with fur, which he imagined was taken from Farryn’s battles against the frost wolves. Overall it looked rather insufficient for the harsh, snowy weather outside. But considering her freezing body temperature that probably wasn’t an issue. And seeing how fast her breakfast disappeared, he figured she hadn’t had a decent meal in a long, long time.
Despite all of this, there was something about her he couldn’t place his finger on. Something… mystical perhaps? Unsure if it was merely how she moved or carried herself, or an almost magical aura or presence, he couldn’t say. It was subtle, but Farryn seemed a little beyond mere human
“That was most excellent!” Farryn said as she finished her meal, “I don’t remember ever tasting something so delicious! At least, not for a very long time.”
“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it!” replied Eric.
“Tell me, I’m quite curious,” Farryn began to ask, “how long ago was this cabin built here?”
“Oh geez,” replied Eric, scratching his head, “that is a bit of a long story. I think my grandfather started building it around 50 or so years ago? Or maybe he took over from his father… But my Dad and I just finished it up about 12 years ago. This plot of land has been in my family for a few generations though.”
“That seems impossible,” Farryn said, “I have been wandering every part of this accursed, frigid peak for many years and haven’t laid eyes on a single soul the entire time.”
“Yes, it is very strange,” said Eric, “I’ve been coming to the cabin since I was a kid, and it barely ever snowed. Only a handful of times that I can remember.”
“Some unheard-of magic must be involved,” Farryn said.
“Magic?” Erick said skeptically, “It’s true that one of us definitely is out of place… but magic? Is it real?”
Farryn looked surprised at his response.
“Of course… it is quite commonplace. I find it hard to believe you’ve never come across it!”
“Huh. Where I come from, magic is only in stories, fairy tales and such. I’ve never come across it and I have gone on my fair share of trips. Er… travels.”
“Your country does not use any sort of magic?” asked Farryn, “that must be a severe disadvantage in the realm.”
“Ah… I think this goes beyond country. I’ve never heard of magic being anywhere in the world.” said Erick, rubbing his chin, “I’m starting to think we’re not even from the same realm…”
Farryn’s eyes widened slightly at the idea.
“A different realm entirely… could such a thing be?”
“And those frikkin’ snow demon werewolf things! Never has anything remotely similar been seen in my world! Er… realm,” Erick said, “and not to mention you. You aren’t exactly human… are you?”
Eric caught himself.
“Sorry! I’m not trying to offend-“
“Human? What do you-… Oh! Mankind? Of course not,” Farryn replied, “I am of the Elvaehen people. Have you never met my people before? We can be found all over the realm.”
Erick pressed his lips to gather and slowly shook his head.
“Again, stories, myths, legends.”
Farryn leaned back slightly in the chair.
“Your notion of us being from differing realms is sounding more and more likely,” she said thoughtfully “and your ability to disrupt the curse lends further weight to the idea.”
Erick nodded, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of different realms. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
“And it looks like I am the visitor to your realm. Well, me and my cabin. Though the power is still on! So maybe I’m not completely in it?” Erick sighed, “Ugh, I don’t know!”
The two of them sat in silence for several moments.
Erick decided to change the subject slightly.
“So… that thing upstairs, when we first met. Was that some sort of Elvaehen greeting or something?” he asked.
Farryn’s eyes widened in as she remembered herself desperately clinging to him. Though her pale skin did not blush she looked extremely flustered as she covered her face with her hands and looked downward.
“Ohh… gods…” she almost whispered, “it’s not… sorry no. I got caught up in the moment. I just haven’t been able to feel anything thing other than bitter cold for many long years!”
She paused for a moment before placing her hands back on the table.
“When I felt the warmth of your skin… honestly my arms would not let you go. Please, forgive me if I caused-“
Erick stopped her.
“Hey don’t worry about it! I know you meant no harm,” he assured her, purposely forgetting the part with the knife to his neck.
“Does it have something to do with that ‘curse’ you mentioned earlier?” he asked.
Farryn nodded slowly as she looked away, lost in thought.
“Yes. The price I paid for defeating the Wizard of Winter. With his dying breath, he struck me with some sort of curse. Likely a powerful spell he concocted in an ungodly manner.”
“Oh geez! That sounds pretty intense!” Erick exclaimed. “Is that why you look, and feel so…”
“Cold? Yes, that is why I look like this,” she held up her pale arms.
“Ever since that day, I’ve only felt cold. Nothing could bring me to feel warmth, not the thickest fur blanket nor the hottest blaze. Nothing.”
Erick sat silently, not knowing what to say.
“And the same curse has bound me to this mountain. I cannot even leave to seek a way to undo it,” Farryn continued.
“That’s… I’m sorry, I can’t even imagine…” Erick said quietly, “How long ago did you say this happened?”
“I couldn’t even say,” Farryn replied. “Years. seven, ten, twenty, perhaps even more. I’ve been unable to keep count of the days. There is little difference between them.”
Silence fell as Erick processed Farryn’s story. The accounts of his fellow veterans and the troubles that plagued them when they came home had always gotten to him. They way some gave so much of their lives and limbs only to be neglected in return. Farryn’s tale was similar but also seemed worse in many ways. It also sounded completely unbelievable! And yet, it weighed truthful as she recounted it.
He cast a long glance at her and could almost see the same tale written through the pale, battle-scarred skin and her distant demeanour. She had the look of someone who’d long accepted her lonely fate. Yet he also caught a spark of something else, perhaps the tiniest bit of hope, defiance perhaps? Or maybe she was just happy to speak to another person after all this time.
“Farryn…” was all he could manage to say.
“Forgive me for burdening you with my sordid tale,” she said suddenly, “I didn’t mean to pour out so much. I, I just haven’t spoken to anyone in so long…”
She trailed off and they both sat silently.
“Why do you suppose this Wizard fellow didn’t kill you back then?” Erick broke the silence, “If he was able to hit you with such magic why bother letting you live if he was just going to die anyway?”
“I cannot say for certain,” Farryn said, “the Wizard of Winter was an unfathomably cruel man. And he was completely enraged as I ruined his schemes and defeated him.”
She sighed and shifted on her chair.
“Perhaps he thought a simple death was not revenge enough.”
“It was long ago,” Farryn continued, “there may have been more to it and I think about it often. Trying to uncover something I missed.”
She paused once more and looked thoughtfully at Erick.
“I wonder, why is it that you ask?” Farryn inquired.
“Well I was just thinking there might be some sort of clue in that battle. Perhaps an outside perspective could help a bit.”
Farryn stared at him quizzically.
“A clue?”
“Yes! Some sort of, ah, hint that might lead us to a way to break your curse,” replied Erick.
“Us!” Farryn exclaimed. “Are you saying you wish to help me?”
