Seth staggered up the drive towards the farmhouse. The blizzarding snow roared in his ears, the pain in his leg was excruciating, and Gloria’s breathing was beginning to slow. “We’re almost there, Gloria!” he panted, struggling to move his feet. “Just hang on a little longer.”

  He looked up and saw a flicker of movement in the window. Someone was home! Please be friendly… he thought, approaching the door. But before he could knock, the door swung open – and a pitchfork was shoved in his face.

  “I told you two to beat it and leave my family alone!”

  Seth froze and slowly looked up from the sharp tines to the face of a man with graying sandy hair and a thick beard. He frowned at Seth and lowered his pitchfork a little. “You’re not the couple we saw earlier.”

  Seth shook his head. The farmer narrowed his eyes, then raised his pitchfork back up. “Then who are you?”

  “We’re travelers from Northhorn,” Seth answered, watching the points on the pitchfork. “We got caught in the storm and were attacked by…bandits.” Seth looked up at the man and shifted Gloria on his back. “Please,” he pleaded. “My friend…she’s freezing! She needs help!”

  The farmer peered at Gloria, then his face softened, and he lowered his pitchfork. “Bring her inside.” Seth gratefully followed the farmer inside. Warm air graced his face, and Seth appreciated the reprieve from the wind.

  “Forgive me,” The farmer said, closing the door behind him. “Strange things have been happening today, so we’ve been a bit on edge.” Then he raised his voice and called out. “Kayla! Get some blankets and clear a space by the fire! We’ve got someone with frostbite!”

  The farmer gestured Seth forward. “This way! This way!” Seth followed him to a roaring fireplace in a small common room, where five children stared at him wide-eyed.

  “Move aside children, we need space for this young man’s friend.” The children scattered and the farmer called out again. “Kayla! Do you have those blankets?”

  A broad woman came around the corner carrying a pile of blankets, she blew a few wisps of hair out of her face. “Yes, William! Sorry, it took a bit – I had to dig around in the attic.” Kayla laid out a blanket on the floor, then looked up at Seth. “Alright, lay her down. Gently, now!” she chided as Seth bent to lay Gloria down. William reached out to help, and they eased her gently to the floor.

  Kayla glanced at the eldest child. “Alayia, get one of my nightdresses! Quickly!” The child bounded out of the room.

  Gloria stirred faintly, mumbling. Seth quickly took her hand and tried to rub warmth into it. Her skin was so cold he could hardly feel it. “Gloria!” he looked anxiously at her chilled face. “Can you hear me?” Gloria let out a small groan and her head lolled away back into unconsciousness.

  Seth heard little footsteps return and rubbed Gloria’s hand more, hoping it would help. “Gloria!” he called, growing desperate.

  Kayla put a hand on Seth’s shoulder. He tensed and whipped towards her. A night dress was slung over her shoulder. “I’m afraid I need to ask you to leave, I need to change her into dry clothes.”

  Seth hesitated and looked from Gloria to Kayla. He didn’t want to leave. He hardly knew these people! Could he trust them? They didn’t need to let you in, but they did.

  William nodded and put a hand on his other shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kayla will take good care of her. Besides, you look like you could use some tending to as well.”

  They’re showing you incredible kindness – Trust them. Seth squeezed Gloria’s hand, then carefully put it down and rose to his feet, watching Gloria the entire time.

  “She’ll be okay once I get her changed and she has time by the fire,” Kayla assured him.

  “Come on, son,” William said patting his shoulder. “Let’s get you looked at.” Seth slowly tore his eyes away and followed William into the kitchen. As William rummaged around the kitchen Seth began to pace fretfully.

  What have I done? he panicked, running a hand through his hair. This is all my fault! I never should’ve let her convince me to travel to Westfjord! I should’ve told her to go home! If she was home, then none of this would’ve happened!

  Her father’s face flashed into his mind and Seth grimaced. But if she had stayed, then she would still be under his thumb. He glanced in the direction of the common room. Which was worse? To freeze to death or live in fear and abuse?

  “She’s going to be fine,” William said, interrupting Seth’s thoughts, and walked to the kitchen table with his arms full. “My wife has tended worse, and they’ve all come back strong,” he set his burden down and laid rolled cloth, honey, and some herbs on the table next to a pot of steaming water and a mortar. William sat on the bench by the table and patted the seat next to him. “Alright, let’s have a look at your leg.”

  Seth shook his head and continued to pace. “No, I’m fine.”

  William’s voice deepened. “Given that you’re bleeding on my floor, I disagree.”

  Seth stopped pacing and looked down at himself. Blood trickled down his right leg from where a broken arrow shaft stuck out. He blinked, then all at once, pain burned through his leg. He grunted and sucked in his breath.

  William strode over, wrapped his arm around Seth, then half dragged him to the bench. “Sit down,” he commanded, dropping him onto the bench.

  He reminds me of Dad…

  Seth gripped the edge of the table and sucked in his breath as William lifted his leg onto the bench and inspected the wound. William made a face before muttering to himself. “I’m going to need the pliers.”

  Pliers?

  “Erik!” William called. “Get my belt and my pliers from the barn!”

  “Yes, Papa!” Seth glimpsed a young boy race from the kitchen.

  “While we wait for the pliers,” William said, grinding some herbs in the mortar. “I’m going to change those bandages on your arm.”

  Bandages? What-? Seth’s eyes went wide in panic. The scars! He jerked back. “No!” he cried, then clenched the table in pain.

  William raised an eyebrow. “Those need to be changed, they’re at least two days old.”

  Seth shook his head, wincing. “No…They’re fine.”

  William narrowed his eyes. “Like hell they are,” Before Seth could react, William snatched off one of the bloodied rags, unveiling a glowing pulsing scar.

  William scrambled back. “What the hell is that?”

  Seth scrambled for a convincing lie, but he couldn’t think of one. He looked up at William. “I don’t know…That’s why we’re traveling. Gloria and I are going to the temple in Westfjord to hopefully get some answers.”

  William couldn’t tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing scars. Seth bowed his head and continued. “I understand if you want me to leave, but please don’t turn her out…”

  William blinked and furrowed his brows. “Turn you out?” he shook his head. “Don’t be daft. I’m not sending either one of you out into the snow – It’d be cruel.” William picked up the rolled cloth and drew close to Seth. “Obviously I can’t do anything for those scars, but I’m not going to leave bloody rags on them.”

  William began wrapping Seth’s arm. “Besides, it’ll frighten the children.” The clean wrap felt fresh and comforting as it hugged Seth’s arm and a sense of relief filled him when the blue scars were buried under the white cloth.

  “What’s your name, son?” William asked, tucking in the end of the wrap at Seth’s wrist. Then he mixed the ground herbs with honey and some hot water.

  Seth’s leg ached. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block out the pain. “Seth,” he gritted out. “My name’s Seth.”

  “Seth, that’s a good name,” William answered letting a cloth soak in the hot water with the herbs. “Strong. Not common around here though.”

  Erik returned and handed William a pair of pliers and a belt. Seth looked from the pliers to the arrow shaft embedded in his leg. This is going to hurt, he realized. …A lot.

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  William put the pliers on the table. Seth eyed the belt warily as William held it up and looked him gravely in the eye. “You’ve got two choices,” William said. “I can either try to hit you in the jaw, or you can chew my belt.”

  Seth swallowed and held William’s gaze. A name was one thing, but going unconscious? He wasn’t ready to completely let his guard down. “I’ll take the leather,” he said taking the belt from William’s hand and putting it in his mouth.

  William took the pliers, held down Seth’s leg with one hand then looked back at him. “Are you ready?” Seth gripped the table with one hand and the bench under him with the other. He closed his eyes and nodded.

  The pliers closed around the arrow shaft and gently tugged. Pain shot through Seth’s leg. He bit down hard on the belt. His knuckles turned white as he growled through the leather.

  “Breathe,” William said focusing on his task.

  Easy for you to say! Seth thought, breathing heavily through the belt. You don’t have an arrow being ripped from your leg!

  He shook and glanced down, then immediately regretted it. Nausea rose in Seth as he watched the bloody shaft inch out of his leg. He tore his eyes away and ground his teeth into the belt, struggling to stay still.

  “Nothing should break your focus,” Master Naboth’s voice echoed into his mind. Seth was fourteen and standing on a chair by a pond on a misty morning. "Pain, fatigue, not even strong emotion should break it. A wizard’s focus or lack thereof can be the difference between life and death.” Seth could still remember being shoved into the cold water and struggling to keep a ball of light lit.

  He screamed as the shaft was pulled out of his leg, the belt dropped from his mouth and fell to the floor. Seth panted and his hands ached from clenching the table and bench. Now only the arrowhead was left.

  William bent to pick up the belt when Seth shook his head. “No!” he wheezed. “Keep going.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Seth nodded, gasping. “Just…get it out…”

  William turned back to the arrow and gently turned and twisted the arrowhead, trying to find the easiest way out through his muscles. Pain screamed through Seth’s body and he struggled to keep his leg still. It’s too much! Tears streamed down his face.

  Another memory flashed into his mind. He was eight and had gotten a hook stuck in his thumb after a fishing trip with Dad. He remembered whining and bawling, terrified of how it was going to hurt when the hook was taken out.

  “It’s alright, Seth,” Mom said, stroking his head while Dad grabbed his tools. “Everything will be fine.”

  “Let the boy be, Nora,” Dad said when he returned. “He needs to learn to deal with pain like a man.”

  Mom pursed her lips but moved aside when Dad came over with a small pair of pliers. He looked Seth in the eye and put a hand on his shoulder. “Pain is a natural part of life. What makes a man is how he handles it.”

  The arrowhead was wrenched free. Seth let out one last cry, then sank back, panting in agonized relief. He looked up at William who dropped the bloodied shaft on the table with a clatter.

  “Almost done,” William said, gently cleaning the wound with a fresh cloth. Then he reached for the salve-soaked cloth and gently laid it on Seth’s leg. The salve burned for a moment, then began to soothe the pain. Seth heaved a sigh and bowed his head in exhaustion.

  “Well done,” William said bandaging his leg. “I don’t think I could’ve done it without the belt at the end.”

  Seth sagged and barely registered William pulling him to his feet. “Let’s get you somewhere to rest.” Seth groaned and leaned on William; It hurt to stand on his injured leg. “Come on, young man. Let’s get you warm.”

  Seth hobbled with William to the common room. He looked up and blearily saw Gloria lying by the fire piled under a heap of blankets with Kayla rubbing her arms. He smiled wearily when he noticed a little color returning to her cheeks.

  Kayla smiled softly at him. “She’s going to be fine; she’s recovering quickly. You got her warm just in time.”

  Seth heaved a sigh of relief. She was going to be okay! William lowered Seth beside the fire, next to Gloria. He struggled to keep his eyes open and stared into her face. “Thank Crim you’re alright,” Seth muttered so quietly only he could hear it, “I would’ve never forgiven myself if you had died out there.”

  He wobbled and then felt strong hands gently lay him down. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep next to Gloria. The last thing he remembered was a blanket draped over him and the crackling of the fire.

  Seth found no peace in his dreams: Fire consumed, ocean drowned. Screams echoed, a glistening crown. Gloria’s frozen body lay stiff on the ground.

  Seth jolted awake, his heart pounding from the dreams that had tormented him all night. He sat up and put his head in his hands, panting. The image of Gloria’s frozen body lingered in his mind. He shook his head, guilt twisting like a knife in his gut. I can’t take her with me!

  He looked around him and saw Gloria still asleep next to him. Her face was peaceful and her cheeks had more color.

  “Are you alright?” Seth looked up and saw Kayla lay a warm compress on Gloria’s head. “Sounded like you had quite the dream.”

  “I’m fine,” Seth looked away. “Just a bad dream.” He fidgeted for a moment, then threw the hot blanket off him and climbed to his feet. His injured leg almost gave out, but he caught himself on a nearby stool.

  “What are you doing?” Kayla cried. “Sit down before you hurt yourself!”

  “I’m fine!” Seth insisted, gritting his teeth. “I just need some air.”

  “With that leg?”

  “I’ll…be…fine!” Seth ground out clenching his jaw as he limped out the front door. He ignored Kayla’s calls and shut the door behind him then leaned against it.

  Seth heaved a misty sigh and stared up at the grey snow-filled sky. How…? he wondered, then stepped forward and held out a hand to catch a snowflake. He felt the soft flake land on his hand but couldn’t feel its chill. He furrowed his brow and watched in amazement as it melted away. The image of the blue scars and the strange woman came to his mind. He shuddered as the strange feeling of being ripped away rose like a wisp of smoke.

  Seth thought back to Gloria lying by the fire and shook his head. I can’t do it. I can’t bring her with me. Then, without another thought, he began to limp away from the farmhouse.

  Snow crunched under his feet as he made his way towards the drive. She’s going to hate you for this.

  I know, but I can’t justify myself anymore. Seth’s leg wobbled under him, but he gritted his teeth and tried to press on. I’ve almost gotten her killed multiple times now. She’ll be safe here. Maybe William and Kayla can help her get settled in a nearby village or something.

  “Where are you going?” Seth looked back and saw William with an armful of wood. He looked at Seth’s bare feet with furrowed brows.

  “I’m leaving,” Seth answered and turned to keep going.

  “Without your shoes?”

  Seth ignored him and kept going.

  “And your friend?” William put down his wood and strode up beside Seth. “How do you think she’s going to feel when she wakes up and finds that you’ve left her?”

  Seth halted and looked down at the ground. “I can’t take her with me.”

  “If you can’t take her with you, then why was she traveling with you in the first place?”

  Seth put his hands in his pockets and looked away from William. “It’s complicated,” he said trying to avoid his gaze.

  William crossed his arms. “Try me.”

  Seth pursed his lips. There was so much! So much he couldn’t say!

  “Well?” William said, breaking the silence. “I’m not going to let you leave until I get some answers.”

  Seth shook then his head snapped up to William’s. “That’s why!” he cried. “She’s looking for answers to questions that I can’t give her!”

  William raised an eyebrow. “Because you don’t know the answer?”

  “No!” Seth threw his hands in the air, the motion sent sharp jabs of pain through his leg. “Because she’ll die if she knows!”

  William was unfazed. “There must be more to it than that,” he said calmly. “Why would she leave home for pure curiosity?”

  Seth’s face began to redden with shame. “She didn’t…Her…” Seth tried not to relive the memory. “Her father beat her! I…I drew a knife on him to give her time to leave.”

  “I see,” William furrowed his brow. “So, you saved her from her abusive father, raced, wounded, through a blizzard to save her from freezing to death – and now you’re going to just abandon her?” He glared at Seth and scoffed. “Very noble of you.”

  “You don’t understand!” Seth cried, his leg throbbed now and was threatening to give out on him. “I’ve taken everything from her! Back home she at least had a warm place to sleep and food to eat. Out here?” He gestured to the snow-covered plains and gave a bitter laugh. “I almost killed her.”

  William’s gaze didn’t waver. “You will not leave her here.”

  Tears sprang to Seth’s eyes; his leg finally gave out and he fell to the ground. “I can’t do it!” he sobbed dropping his head in his hands. “She has so much faith in me.” Seth shook his head. “She thinks I’m brave and noble, but I’m not!”

  He looked up at William with wide tearful eyes. “The man she thinks I am doesn’t exist. I…I saw her father hitting her and I was this close to running and abandoning her!” he hit the snow with his fist. “Only a coward does that!” he cried.

  He stared at the snow. “They all think I’m better than I am,” he muttered. “So many people’s hopes and dreams rest on my shoulders and I’m going to let them all down.” Silence hung in the air and Seth saw blood beginning to soak through the bandages on his leg.

  William sighed, stroking his beard, then sat on his haunches beside Seth. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. A coward didn’t come to my door yesterday, a brave young man did. A young man who put someone else’s life and needs far above his own.”

  William put his hand on Seth’s shoulder and glanced down at him. “I’d say that’s someone worth putting faith in, don’t you?”

  Tears rolled down Seth’s cheeks and he shook his head. “I can’t let her get wrapped up in my problems!” he put his head in his hand. “She doesn’t deserve that!”

  William gazed off into the distance. “Crim works things in mysterious ways,” he said quietly. “And it is always for our good.” he smiled. “Despite what you say, I have a feeling that Gloria was meant to come with you. That she’s supposed to be your companion in your quest.”

  Seth shook his head. “I can’t…She doesn’t…”

  “You didn’t force her to come with you. She could have turned back.” William pointed out. “She chose to come with you.” he squeezed Seth’s shoulder.

  Seth shuddered. “I don’t know…”

  “No man is an island.”

  Seth slowly looked up at William with a pained look on his face. But being an island was so much easier. No one else to worry about, no one else to get hurt because of him.

  “If you take anything from what I’ve said, take this: Crim has his reasons." William met Seth's eyes. "So, be brave; be bold.”

  The words struck Seth. He looked away and mulled them over in his mind. Could he do it? Could he be brave and continue with Gloria? Seth looked out at the road. Maybe… but if he got up and ran right now, he’d never know.

  “I’ll…” Seth swallowed and folded shaking hands together. “I’ll try…” he said.

  William clapped his hand on Seth’s shoulder and rose. “That’s the spirit! Now, let’s get you out of the cold and rebandage that leg of yours – it’s a wonder that you aren’t freezing like your friend.”

  William pulled Seth painfully to his feet and helped him back to the farmhouse. Seth looked over his shoulder at the road once more. She chose to come with you…

  Maybe William was right… Maybe he could become the man that Gloria saw. The man they all saw – Master Naboth…The Autumn Knights. A flicker of resolve ignited in Seth’s chest. He turned away from the road and let William help him hobble back to the farmhouse.