Snowballs.
2368 Words
Back in the house, Storm walked over to Draken’s bed. After making sure that he was not under the blanket, he ran out of the house.
Draken, meanwhile, sitting on a tree, was thinking about many things. The scent of pine trees had a beneficial effect and thus created a blush on his cheeks.
Sitting much higher from the ground, he looked down and noticed Galen. Draken tried to be silent but the squeak of the branch, made him look up.
“What are you doing there?” Galen asked.
“And what are you doing here? Isn’t it time for the training?”
“I decided to take a break. After the icefield, my whole body is still aching.”
“Don’t you afraid of Leiandros?”
“No. Even if he wants to punish me, it will be running. And I am very good at running.” Galen answered and climbed to the first branch.
“Careful.”
When he was so close to Draken he held out his hand and said, “Help me.”
Sitting comfortable in front of Draken, he looked around. His handsome face took on a strange sad expression. It was as if something was bothering him.
Draken touched his nose and asked, “What is happening to you these days? You are making me worry. Is something bothering you?”
Galen stared at him. His shiny eyes were full of mixed emotions. “Don’t worry. Better care about yourself. Everyone is talking about you. You should be careful. If Leiandros is dear to you, then ignore him as much as possible.”
With a sigh, Draken replied, “Whether he is dear to me or not, it doesn’t matter anymore. And besides there are more dangers around. Thinking about love, is too selfish.”
Galen, with one finger touched the lace of his boot and thoughtfully looked down. “In this world, there aren’t many people with whom you can talk like that. I am glad that I can talk with you.”
“In this world, people forgot about moments like this. When you just sit and talk. In this world, there is a lot of vanity, but there is not enough soul.”
Galen brightly smiled and said, “Let’s always talk like that.”
Draken nodded his head and at that moment Storm’s voice came from below.
“What are you doing there?”
“Brother, don’t tell me that Leiandros is looking for us!”
“Get down! I want to show you something!”
Storm waved his hand and walked ahead.
“Where are you going? Wait!”
“If you sit in such a visible place, they will see you. Follow me now.”
“And where are you going?”
“I know one interesting place!” Storm shouted and hid behind the trees.
They quickly jumped down and ran after his distant figure.
Walking along the narrow path through the thorny branches, Draken asked, “And where are you taking us?”
Thorny branches entangled in Galen’s hair. “What is this place!”
“Just follow me,” Storm coldly responded.
“Maybe it was a good idea to join everyone on the training field,” Galen whispered.
“No one is holding you. You can go.”
“Brother what is wrong with you? Why are you so angry?” Draken asked and hugged him in a friendly manner.
Storm didn’t say anything.
Without noticing it, they left the thorny row of trees and now there was a high stone in front of them.
“This stone looks strange. It is like a wall,” Draken said in amazement.
Grabbing their hands, Storm led them towards a small round stone.
Putting his hand on the stone, he said, “Look.” He slightly pressed on the stone and it split into two halves.
Then, when the stone was split, there, on the wall in front of them, appeared a small passage.
“This mechanism was invented by Leiandros’ father. You press on the stone thereby you open the passage. It is simple.”
“And what is behind of this stone?”
“Let’s see.”
When they passed through the stone, another rock fell back to its original place and thereby closed the passage.
“This is very dangerous mechanism.”
“It works like that on purpose.”
Standing on a small field surrounded with high stones, Draken looked around but saw no one.
“What is this place?”
Storm continued his way.
“I am scared,” Galen whispered.
And again, standing in front of the another stone, Storm touched the surface of it and immediately disappeared.
“Where is he?”
“Brother!”
Fearfully grabbing his sword, Galen asked, “What is happening?”
“I am here. Just touch the stone.” The voice was heard somewhere in the distance.
“Where are you?” Draken shouted but nevertheless touched the stone and instantly disappeared.
Once, on the other side of the stone, he felt a little dizzy. “What was that?”
“It was a simple transition,” Storm replied. “This stone can feel your intentions. If they are good then the stone will make the transition. But if not, then you will be stuck there until the guards come.”
“Let me guess, this was also invented by Leiandros’ father?”
“No. But his great – grandfather.”
“Where is Galen? Or what, he has evil intentions?” Laughing, Draken said and at that very moment Galen appeared in front of them.
“Let’s go now.”
“But where are we going?”
“Don’t worry. We are already here,” Storm said pointing towards the wooden houses.
Small houses were scattered throughout the little village.
There were many gazebos and bonfire sites all around the houses.
But there was no one around.
Galen looking under his feet said, “It is much warmer here.” But then making a surprised look he exclaimed, “This place! Here I grew up!”
“What?”
With happiness in his eyes, Galen said, “This place, I studied here. When I was a child, my father sent me here.”
“So this is the place where future soldiers live and study,” Draken said.
“The school is far away from here. But here, future soldiers live and play.”
Galen almost burst into tears. “I remember my teacher. He always allowed us to play in our free time.”
Looking around, Draken put his hand on Galen’s shoulder and asked, “So why did you bring us here?”
“Because someone needs your help,” Storm replied and led them out into an open clearing strewn with strange small stones. The warm wind pleasantly enveloped them from all around.
“So, what is this place?”
Storm pointed towards the little house.
When they entered, they noticed a round lump of white wool. Draken, covering his nose from the pungent and smell, said, “What is that strange smell! What is it?”
Slightly pushing the wool which was lying in front of them, Draken screamed and climbed into a chair next to him.
A white ball of wool suddenly turned out to be not a wool, but a living creature. Pulling out four short hooves, the creature turned in their direction and a small head with expressive, black eyes looked somewhere ahead, then making a strange sound, the creature slowly walked away.
The round and fluffy body of the animal stretched after sleep and the snow - white fur became even fluffier.
The creature itself looked like a snowball.
“What is it?” Galen asked standing behind Storm.
“This is a snowball. You should thank it, because of it, you feel warmth of your coat and boots.”
“So our clothes are made of its wool?”
“Yes. I think I heard about them before,” Draken said still shocked.
Storm looked at them and pointed somewhere ahead. “That is why we are here.”
When another door was opened, their eyes fell on hundreds of Snowballs.
Their eyes were closed and sometimes their small round noses flinched. Lying right on the ground, they ignored them until Galen bumped into one of them.
The creature lazily lifted its head and looked at Galen.
Storm took a long comb and gently stroked the animal. “Help me now.”
“I won’t comb them,” Galen said stepping aside.
“What are you afraid of?”
“I am scared of their eyes. So, intimidating,” Galen answered and climbed onto a wooden box.
Draken sat down and carefully laid the fluffy animal’s head on his lap. “These creatures are very smart. I always wanted to see them.” Combing its fur, Draken in a matter of seconds was covered with its fur which was like a snow.
He looked at Storm who happily was singing something. The Snowball lying in front of him made a quiet sound and closed its eyes.
“Brother, how did you find this place?”
“I come here to calm my thoughts. Combing their fur helps me to calm down. It is like a meditation.”
“It is really soothing. And it is also warm here. It is unusual that there is no snow on the ground.”
“Why is this snowball looking at me like that?” Galen asked with fear in his voice.
Draken moved closer to Storm. It was obvious that something was bothering him. So Draken asked, “Are you alright?”
Without looking at him, he said, “You know that you are like a brother to me.” It wasn’t a question but a reminder before what he was about to say next.
“You are my brother too.”
Storm fixed his gaze on him and then seriously said, “Be careful. Your name is known everywhere. Therefore, rumors began to circulate about you.”
“What rumors?”
Storm bent his head and whispered, “Everyone thinks that something strange is happening between you and Leiandros. I know that it is not true, but still, I am very worried.”
Draken nervously smiled and tried to look indifferent. “Me and Leiandros? I am scared of him! What can be between us?!”
“Draken, you should be careful. Just remember that this world is not the world from your books,” Storm said as if he knew everything.
After saying this, his expression became calm. Approaching Galen, he threw a ball of wool at him. “What kind of soldier you are if you are scared of these creatures.”
Galen grabbed a comb and wanted to throw it at him, but he stopped.
“So you want to have a fight?!” Storm exclaimed and pulled him to himself. They fell onto a pile of wool.
Draken seeing them lying on the wool, laughed and said, “You will scare away all these Snowballs.”
“You! What are you doing there?” Suddenly someone’s loud voice was heard. Draken turned around and his eyes fell on the elderly man with a long white hair. “Who are you?” He looked at Galen and Storm who were lying on the ground. “You scared all my animals!”
Draken stood up and bowed. “Excuse us, but we are here to help.”
Looking at him from head to toe, the elderly man furrowed his brows and said, “You are Leiandros’ disciples, right?”
“Yes.”
He thought about something but then abruptly changed his displeased expression. Now, acting more friendly he approached Draken. “I know your teacher. I know him very well. When you go back, tell him that I don’t want to see him anymore. And also tell him that in my memory he is an arrogant and ill – mannered man. He should stay away from here.” Saying this the man angrily threw his stick aside.
Draken looked at Storm and then with an obvious curiosity in his voice, asked, “I am sorry but who are you to teacher?”
Throwing another angry glance at him, the elderly man replied, “I am his grandfather.” And on the word “grandfather” he raised his voice and gave to this word a certain tone.
“Grandfather?!” Draken asked recalling what Leiandros said earlier. And according to his stories, his grandfather died long ago. “But teacher’s grandfather.” he wanted to say but the elderly man grabbed another stick and with all his might threw it at Storm and Galen.
“Now get out of here!”
Galen took his coat and quickly headed towards the gates.
Addressing to Storm, the man shouted, “I don’t need your help! How many times should I tell you this?”
“Excuse us. We just wanted to help you. You are all alone here.”
“I don’t need your help! Now, where do you think you are going? Clean up this mess!” he shouted grabbing another stick.
Storm began to collect all the wool in one pile. While the fluffy creatures woke and walked towards the gates.
The elderly man angrily looked at Draken and then entered the house.
“Who is he? He is angry,” Galen asked.
“He is a farmer.”
“He said that he is Leiandros’ grandfather.”
“Don’t listen to his words. Sometimes he talks all sorts of nonsense.”
“So, he lied?”
“Yes. Everyone knows that Leiandros’ grandfather left this world a long time ago.”
Once again, throwing another wooden stick, the elderly man grumbled, “Leave now!”
“He has so many of these wooden sticks. Where does he get them?” Galen whispered closing his face.
“We will go now.”
The man looked at Draken and angrily said, “Don’t forget to tell him about my words.”
- Writer
