Prompt: "Day 30 —Write a short entry that ends with the line, 'The silver dust of moonlight settled coldly on the night.'"
Naere collected herself on a nearby tree stump just off the Path. Just on the horizon she could see it - Winter's light softly falling from the sky. "Sebastian, look!" she managed just above a whisper. The downy snowflakes barely made an audible noise as they descended to the ground. "Aren't they beautiful?" Closing her eyes and refocusing her mind just beyond the steady stream of snow her senses touched the edge of Aria, the first in-between town. Taking in a deep breath Naere heard the noises of wood being cut to warm the households and people making lively talk and children laughing.
Sebastian's bark brought Naere back to her immediate surroundings. The autumnal wood with its golden leaves and scents of crisp apple blossoms maturing into fruit greeted her. Sebastian forced his head under her hands and beckoned her onward. "Yes, I suppose it is time, right?" With an encouraging bark he lifted Naere from the stump and onto the Path once more.
When they first entered the town Naere's heart grew weak with excitement. She steadied herself on Sebastian's firm back and he led her through town. The people kept on their business but those that saw her greeted her simply with a warm, "Hello!" or wave. "Sebastian it's so pretty here." Snow had piled onto their cabins' roofs and the icicles that had formed were long and beautiful. Standing tall Naere reached and slapped one down delighting in the noise it made. Like a soft chime. Then another. And another until she had her fun when a smiling old woman approached.
"You must be a Child of Ascension," she said with knowledge. "I've been waiting for you to arrive. Come, I shall show you the Shrine of Winter we house in our town." Naere patted her thigh to gesture Sebastian to follow which he did so eagerly. Licking her hand he trotted along happily. The shrine was simple and small and comfortable. "I am excited to see what your prayers will bring our village." Naere nodded and thanked the old woman for her time. As soon as she scooted out the door Sebastian came in and sniffed around.
"It's cute, isn't it?" A large snowflake had been arrayed, woven together from the flakes that had first full moon of the year. Or so the stories had been told. Upon closer inspection each one was perfectly preserved. "What holds you together?" It looked like ice. Aside from this grand snowflake there were no other decorations to behold. "We should cleanse ourselves before we offer our prayers, right Sebastian?"
Returning when the sun hung low in the sky, Naere thought about what it was that she would pray for. It made her nervous that she hadn't thought of anything solid before hand and she tried to keep what her father had said in mind: "You'll know when the time comes." What a terribly vague statement.
Taking a deep breath Naere cleared her mind and focused gently on the majestic snowflake before her. Releasing her breath she noted the care with which had been handled and thanked Haven she was not here to witness it in person. "Beloved am I who sits upon this frozen floor hallowed by your presence, Great Arbiter of Frost. I offer my name Naere and lay down my soul, mind and body for Resurrection." A soft nipping at her skin awakened her to the presence of a spirit. "I speak my claim as a chosen Child of Ascension: I wish for deliverance from my ignorant mind." She wasn't exactly sure what she meant by that but in her heart she dreamed of adventure and so many thoughts poured from her mind.
When Naere opened her eyes a full moon's breath greeted her. Taking it in herself she felt the cold touch her lungs, not unpleasant. Exhaling she saw white ring surround and pale the village, her breath the silver dust of moonlight settling coldly on the night.
Finally done. I am finally letting this post be public because I'm going crazy trying to rewrite it many many times. DONE. I might keep this for future use though.
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