An answer to Kristian's opening sentence prompt...
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The wind felt like thousands of knives pricking her skin. She ran the short distance to her shelter, managing to trip over the fire wood. She slammed the thin wooden door and slid down the rough surface. The entire structure of the hovel was shaking as the pounding of hooves became thunderous. The shadows on the walls seemed to be dancing and advancing towards her.
She heard the hunting horn and the whoops of the riders. The hounds were yelping in excitement. They had locked onto prey. Something slammed into the door and began scratching at it. Brighid let out a whimper. She heard the crunching of hooves on the fallen leaves. Her nails bit into her palms as she tried her best to stay silent. “There’s nothing here boy.” It was a female’s voice. “Come on, let’s rejoin the hunt.” Brighid held her breath until the sound of galloping faded away. She swiped away the tears that were streaming down her face. Every scenario of why the girl didn’t even try to open the door raced through her mind. Then she heard a piercing shriek and understood. They found somebody else. Another screech pierced the forest and then came the melodious chanting that used to be so soothing. It now caused her to tremble uncontrollably.
Silence.
Brighid was frozen in place and the only thing she could hear was the pounding of her heart in her ears. Is it over? She raked her pale and shaking hand through her cinnamon hair. She blinked away the tears and let out a breath, “I’m safe,” she whispered. She slowly stood, feeling like a newborn foal. She brushed off the dirt from her roughspun skirt and peaked through the window. There were glittering flakes of white falling in the obsidian night, the first snow of the season. “It’s over.” She fell to her knees in relief, barely noticing the cold breeze that tickled her neck.
“Is it?” It was a male’s voice and sent a spike of ice down her spine. Brighid watched as the window began to frost over. The layers became thicker and thicker until the ice became opaque and she was forced to confront her unwanted companion.
He was swathed in a white cloak of animal fur which almost matched his skin tone. His black hair seemed to be tipped with frost. He was surrounded by a ring of ice that all of the other ice in the room seemed to emanate from. Brighid knew exactly who he was. He was the Winter King.
“M-my lord.” Despite the cold she was sweating.
He had his head cocked and was examining her like she was a stock animal up for auction. “A decent addition, I guess.” His voice was deep. He withdrew a flask and slunk towards Brighid, “Open up.”
Brighid finally found her voice, “Wait! I can be useful. Much more useful in this form.” She started laughing nervously.
He rose an eyebrow. “How?”
“I know what the humans are planning. I know where they are planning to strike.”
“How.”
“I’m easily ignored and when they do notice me, they assume that i don’t understand what they’re talking about. Changelings, after all, are perhaps the least valued denizens of my village.” Her back hit the wall.
The Sidhe lifted the sapphire flask to her lips. “I’m sure that information will be quite valuable, after you drink.” Brighid sealed her lips together and the Sidhe’s brow knitted together, “It’s only winter wine.” His cold finger trailed down her cheek.
“Winter wine,” Brighid murmured. A bad move because as soon her mouth opened he poured the wine down her throat. It felt like her veins had been flooded with ice water.
The Sidhe smiled. “Welcome to the ranks of the Sidhe. I do hope you will be as useful as you promised.” Brighid’s vision became fuzzy. “It’s time to enter your new life.”
Her world dissolved into thousands of swirling snowflakes.
I've said it once, so I'll say it again. I LOVED this story. I like how you interweaved lore and your own take on it.
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