Setting the Scene

“The first thing she noticed were clusters of berries, gleaming like drops of blood in the snow. Dead shrubs stood valiantly against winter’s harsh grip, lined out in symmetrical rows and mapping out a strange pattern around the open garden. A frozen fountain sat at the garden’s center and pathways extending from it had been dusted to unveil the hidden, ice-coated earth. Snow fell over their heads in gentle waves and when she looked back over her shoulder, she realized the castle was keeping the high mountain winds at bay. High into the sky it arose so the tops of the uttermost towers were masked by lazy clouds that hid the face of the sun. Even though they were standing in the castle’s shadow, it was brighter than anything she had grown accustomed to during her stay.“

– Vynasha, Part One