Tear of Ice

Chapter 2

Upon reaching the house once more, Icarus separates, continuing to patrol on his own. I ensured the cloth was stored securely in my skirt and would stay that way. Opening the door, to a wide array of wolf cubs and teenagers who all welcomed me home. Instantly I was petting and loving away. Finding Grandma petting an almost grown wolf, White like all the others, but with striking blue eyes matching the leader. They spot me, and leap down from the mattress.

“Carmine! Carmine! Where’s my dad?” She calls to me, bouncing with her tail wagging back and forth.

“He’s on patrol, Lia. He’ll be back at dusk.” I picked up one of the cubs, cradling their soft body in one arm. Shaking off the snow and lowering my hood.

Lia deflated, ears turning downward and a whimper.

“Come now, Lia. Icarus is awfully busy protecting the family. And so are your aunts and uncles.” Grandma spoke up. “And Carmine as well.”

My smile was wider than it should’ve been. Being constantly faced by Icarus’ doubts really put my own on display. I walk over with the cubs in my arms, many more following my every step. Before I twist around and sit on the bed. Lia jumps up and joins on the other side, before turning and settling on a pillow.

“Sooner or later you will even come to understand the powers of Wiesse.” Grandma says, her voice soft.

“I doubt I will take it as quickly as you say you did.” My hand pets the cub as I set them down to play with their siblings.

“Of course, dear. I was fairly young when I took up the helm. I’ve had many, many years to perfect the blessings I was given.” A small laugh, “And unlike current times, I was encouraged.”

“It really isn’t accepted now, is it?” The words left a numbing feeling in my chest. Remembering my couple of visits to the nearby villages in the Guecedand, they were never too welcoming to us. It was very discouraging, especially when I saw grandma’s wrinkled eyes shift.

“It is a shame,” she intertwines her long fingers, “But one I bear the blame for during my younger years...”

My eyes lowered and curiosity churned in my head. An old hand touches my gloved ones and I look up to her.

“And when the helm is completely transferred to you, Carmine. It will make you even more of an outsider. I'm sorry. ” Her eyebrows rose, ensuring I understood.

I smile, “ I’ve lived in a magical snowing forest with an old lady and a pack of wolves for a decade. I think I’m an outsider already.”

She laughs haughty and leans back. “True,” Then her cheery demeanor leaves. Her crows feet and deep dimples as sweet as ever, before they fade as her hand grips mine. Flipping my hand around to just hold them together securely. “But when you become the Vessel. It will change you.”

For a moment I wanted to ask how, to dig deeper into what she meant by that. Loraines were people capable of power that act as the vessels for the Hexes, ancient magical beings. And considering the woman before me was the sole Loraine of the Hex, Wiesse, there were so many things Grandma could know. Before, whenever I asked, she brushed me off or completely avoided the question. Or simply telling basic information to keep me from asking more. But now, with the helm so close to my reach, with the Ice Solstice arriving soon, and me becoming the next Wolf Ringer of the Neigless forest, she can’t deny me an answer now, right?

“Dear, you look like you’re staring off into space or being eaten from the inside out.” Her voice interrupts my flurry of thoughts.

“Grandma,” I pause, wondering how to word it. “Would it be okay if I asked?”

She stares at me for a moment, but nods. Our hands still clamped over one another.

“How will I change from this? What is it like being a vessel of Wiesse?”

A small hum from her, as I see Lia’s ear flick from the corner of my eye. I wait patiently as the older woman tries to word her experiences.

“Physically nothing will change; you will continue to be as you are. You will age much slower, yes. But nothing too out of the ordinary. But when in contact with the tear-”

I nod, egging her to continue. She tries to find more words as her other hand taps her chin.

“You will become stronger; Wiesse’s magic is turbulent after all. Like all of the Hexes. And we Loraines sometimes can barely channel them; not without help or years of practice.”

“So, will I gain power like you? Is that it?” My question was met with a nod.

“I know it doesn’t sound amazing now, but you will understand the struggles when the time comes.” She brings our hands to her face as her eyes close and she leans into them.

"Wiesse's power is not to be trifled with, no Hex’s power is. We as their Vessels are bound to their power and their soul. We must embody their ideals." She looks at me, before holding out her hand and allowing a wisp of blue to float between her fingers. Before simply letting it fade and the cold of her hands freezing me even through the gloves.

“And when your time arrives, please be safe.”

I nod, “Of course.”

“She won’t need to be!” Lia springs up to her feet on the mattress. “I will be there to take care of her! I’m next in line after all!”

“Then why did you skip out on morning patrol?” I stare at the teen wolf, one eyebrow rising.

“I value my sleep!” She argues, while I hear Grandma laugh behind our joined hands. Gently releasing mine as I ruffle Lia's fur.

“Lia has a point though, She is taking up the helm just like you.” Grandma says behind her hand. “Icarus is connected to Wiesse, which is why our pack is so special.” She said as she brought her hand up to Lia’s cheeks and gently petted her.

“Your father and I have been through so much together. And you and Carmine will go through much more.” Lia nods, sitting obediently. “Stay by each other, you are a family after all.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Lia nuzzles her snout to Grandma’s cheek as the older woman giggles. Joy fills me, before looking towards the tall old clock.

“It’s lunchtime. I’ll go ahead and make a stew.” I rise to my feet and unhook the cloak from my shoulders. Gently folding it and putting it on the bed.

“Light seasoning.” Grandma called out as I jogged to the kitchen.

“I know!” I called back, toiling away on a simple stew for us to enjoy, while making some meat for the wolves inside.

By the time we all finished eating, the morning patrol finally returned, Icarus entering the home and shaking the snow off of his already white fur. The other adults are doing the same. Icarus looks at another group of adults and nods. They return it and then bolt out the door to start the night patrol. The returning party all come over to their respective cubs and begin to eat, play and relax. Lia instantly jumps down from the bed, and runs over to Icarus.

“Dad!”

Icarus instantly rewards her enthusiasm with a soft chuckle, nuzzling her head gently. “Hello, little one. Slept in again?”

She giggles and nuzzles back, just happy as can be. It brought a smile to my face, as he continues to give his daughter attention.

He looks up at me, and it is the moment I turn away. Unsure if I should meet his gaze right now.

“Rose.” His voice calls out, and for a moment I freeze. Was he going to tell her about the cloth? Would he do that?

Grandma replies with a hum, tilting her head kindly. Icarus pauses for a moment, before walking over and putting his head nonchalantly on the bed beside her.

“Pet.” He states.

“Of course.” She replies as her hand meets his head. Relief went through me like a swift breeze. As I can’t help but laugh at his softer side. She told me of the years they've spent here in the forest and many of the trials and tribulations they faced. It speaks volumes about how Icarus seems so hesitant to even trust me, even if I’ve known him for so long.

“Have you eaten, Carmine?” I hear him ask.

“Oh, yeah.” It came out as a stutter. As I rise to my feet and offer him my spot on the bed. He takes it and curls up beside Grandma easily.

“It is time for the nightly patrol as well. Lia, go with her.” His voice is softer even as he gives an order.

Lia stands tall and gives a small howl. “Got it!”

I grab the cloak and put it on, hood up and all. Placing a hand in my pocket to ensure the cloth is there, I felt the small bunch of fabric and walked to the door. I look at Icarus, my eyes stern. He caught my gaze and gave a subtle nod, and with that I opened the door.

Unlike the silent stillness of this morning, the sky was a fading purple hue and white flurries fell upon the already blanketed snow. Lia runs ahead and rolls into the snow, laughter bellowing as I close the door behind us.

“We should be patrolling, not playing.”

“Why not both?” She calls out as her head pokes up from the small pile of snow that had already accumulated from her playing.

”Because something can happen while you’re too busy to pay attention. Come on.” I walk past the wolf and her snow pile, waiting to hear her footprints behind me before speeding up.

The patrol was not as smooth as the morning; Lia lacked the calmness and attention span of her father, leaving me to reeling her in from getting off the path or just running around aimlessly. It was irritating, and now, I was getting on my last nerves. I was trying to focus on remembering something about the cloth, to figure out where it came from and why I recognized the odd blue and gold border on it. But I couldn't file my thoughts well with my attention constantly being redirected to making sure Lia keeps up with me!

“Carmine? You’re really quiet.” Lia says as she runs in front of me. “Wanna talk about it? You and Dad seemed on edge.”

I look away, “We’re in a fight right now.”

“A fight? Why?”

“None of your business, that's why.” I step by her and march on.

“Hey! Rose just told us to stand by each other. Talk to me! I’m supposed to be your partner!” She rushes by and blocks my way again.

“Lia.” I start, clearly annoyed. “It has nothing to do with you. We’ll solve it on our own. And everything will be fine.”

She growls a bit. “I get that. But still!”

“Still what?” My voice was sharp, growing louder. My hand clenched into fists and my shoulders get tense. “I told you we will be fine. And that we can still do what we need to do. Get over it!”

Lia’s blue eyes blink, and a pang of regret surges through me. My hands loosen as my mouth opens. Only to be cut off by another growl.

“Lia, wait-”

Before I could blink, she lunged at me! My balance was lost instantly as I fell back into the snow. She hovers over me as I push her face away and kick my feet. Panic set in quickly as I yelled at her.

“What the hell are you doing? Stop!” She barks in reply, as her snout lowers.

Lia is my family, I can’t believe she would attack me! She fights against my pushing, her own claws digging into the snow as her snout reaches the waist of my white skirt. Digging her face there as I grab a chunk of her fur and push her away. Her own body falling into the snow as I crawl up to a nearby tree. Grabbing it and using it as leverage so I catch my breath.

“Why would you do that?” I yell at her, Before She slowly sits up and giggles…

“What’s this?” voice laced with confidence. In her teeth sat a ripped patch of cloth, and I stared at it with wide eyes. Before lunging at her.

“Give it back!” I shout.

“No way! Tell me what it is!”

“Give! It! Back! Lia!” I grab her cheek fluff as she shakes her head furiously. Before I grab the cloth forcefully, hoping to just pull it out from her bite.

And then it echoes, a shrieking sound of a rip.

My body flung back as I looked down to my hand to find only a corner section of the already torn material. My heart drops. This random cloth that I was already attempting to investigate, to prove that I can do something right and protect our home. Ripped literally into even more pieces. I stared at it, my mouth hung open as snow fell on my now exposed head. Gathering in my palms as I breathe out in puffs.

“Carmine…” Lia’s voice stutters quietly. I hear the crunch of snow as she approaches. “I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t mean to-”

“He doesn’t believe in me.” My voice shakes as my hand grips the cloth. Struggling to keep the little amount of composure I had. “So much is going to happen. So much is going to change and he can’t even try to encourage me.”

“That’s not true. Dad is just worried. It’s the family after all.”

“I know that!” It came out as a yell, “It’s his family- our family! He keeps repeating that! But for me to be a part of this family he really does seem to think I wouldn't want to keep us safe!”

“Carmine…” Lia nuzzles my face, in an attempt to comfort me. “It’s a lot of pressure. On both of us.”

“You seem to be handling the pressure well.” I gently swipe her snout away from me.

“Because I was afraid of this. Afraid you would work yourself up so hard and just start to panic. You’re not alone, and we can handle it together.”

Gently I look at Lia, her blue eyes so soft, before placing the rest of the ripped cloth into my hand.

“Whatever it is, I got your back, Partner.”

It wasn’t perfect, and I was still very upset about the cloth being broken before I could even truly recognize where it came from. I stare at the soft blue of the fabric once more. Almost trying to dig around in my memory for wherever I saw such a vibrant hue of blue. But it came up empty, and I sighed.

“Thanks, Lia. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you.” My hand comes up to pet her head. Her eyes closed at that comforting feeling.

“No, it's fair. I’m sorry I jumped at you, I just wanted to grab it.” She nuzzles me once more and this time I accept it. Before rising to my feet and swiping the snow from my vibrant red hair.

“Ready to go?” She prompts as she faces the trail once more.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

From then, the rest of the night patrol was spent airing out the rest of how I felt. And I suppose now I can understand how Grandma and Icarus are so close. It’s nice to have a partner.