Through the Veil of Leaves: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Coldness. What the world was basked in. The dark, unlit courtyard was filled with the shadows of guests long gone. Winter winds seeped up every inch of land, bringing the frosty promise of snow and frozen ground with it. The mansion itself seemed to grow and reshape with the shadows. Up high above, in a barely visible room in the tower, a small light flickered. A window was open, and the cold breeze blasted into the room, causing the person inside to shiver. She glanced back outside, tightening her midnight blue cloak around her like a safety blanket. She could see the wind pelting through the trees and hear it. Its call seemed… familiar. In a strange way. She listened, closing her eyes as to fully enjoy the freezing weather outside. Her silence continued, only to be broken momentarily by the rustle and odd voice outside her door, but she ignored it. She turned around and glanced at her half-packed luggage, grinning darkly. In this weather, she had become painfully aware of the fact that there would be no room for so much baggage on her journey ahead, however physical or emotional. She crossed over to her mirror, glancing at her half-cracked reflection in the glass. She picked up her hairbrush and ran it through her tangles. She looked back down at her luggage and grabbed an old looking, frayed pack. Sure, it had been through much, but she knew she could depend on it. She carefully packed as much as she could, not allowing herself as much as a second thought. Once again she glanced outside, tightened her pouch around her waist, and leaped.