Helena giggled as he saw both Fred and Brynn showing their curiosity despite knowing their position in this discussion, she continued speaking “As it might have crossed your mind, we were not exactly hiding. We were running from war. Our home city was at war with mages. Heard of them?” her voice somewhat trembled as she reminisced the past events, while her gaze was pinned to the ground, she looked up at Fred as she questioned his knowledge once again. Fred did not even fret and just shook his head.

“Thought so. During the hectic moments during their attack on our capital, me and Miriam changed into children so we could hid in a cupboard and thereafter escape through tunnels” Fred looked at their clothes to see them in pristine cleanness despite them being thorn and worn out “It’s magic, you could say it is pride or just a wish to not see ourselves in such a deranged manner” Helena continued speaking while gently caressing her nightgown. “We just headed north afterwards and to our surprise we did not encounter any snow at first but only mist. Mist so dense we could barely see anything. We wondered in the mist for many days. Could not keep the count as we couldn’t tell if it was day or night. “ she made a long pause then took a deep breath “Then all of a sudden it started snowing, during this time Miriam had fainted. And somewhere a day or two afterwards I passed out as well. All I can conclude is that we were buried by the snow, for how long? Again, I cannot tell, nor know.”

Fred could tell she did not go into details; she just scratched the surface of what has happened to the two of them. “Are you of high standing?” he stroked his chin as he rephrased “In your city were you of high status?” Miriam within a breath replied, “I am, she is not” Fred continued “Is this why she’s protecting you?” Miriam looked at Helena as if looking for an answer in her eyes, Helena once again showed indifference towards Miriam’s need of help. This made Miriam explain the relationship the two had “Neither of us are in need of protection, but our relationship has deeper roots than just hierarchical support” she quietly collected the empty bowls while she continued “My status is of no importance with our people gone.”

Both Fred and Brynn pondered on what more to ask, fearing the two girls would stop answering until further provided with a reward in return for their knowledge. Then Brynn with a crooked smile asked, “What is your true age?” Helena just rose an eyebrow, as to why would that even matter. Miriam smiled back and replied calmly “We are around your age Brynn.” Brynn’s face brimmed with joy as he did not like serious conversations. “That’s so nice, were you married?” Helena just cut in the middle “I think that will be enough. We will ask one simple question, when will we be arriving to your city, home, settlement. Whatever you call it”

Fred was starting to get enough of Helena’s attitude and how she behaved “We’ll get there by tomorrow. Now stop that attitude of yours of all great and mighty. Look at you, you have nothing, just another lost soul, just like you.” Helena couldn’t hold back, she immediately stood up to face Fred “Watch it, old one” meanwhile Brynn was trying to calm Fred to take back what he said “ Now, now… Don’t take it to heart Helena, he’s just old and senile.”

All this making Miriam aware that there is a high chance for a fight to break, hence without any remorse she grabbed Brynn’s jaw. Leaned closer to his ear and quietly spoke “Careful of what you’ll do Brynn. Unlike Helena I am fed and fully rested” she tightens her grip making her nails slowly dig in his skin “Don’t make me rip off your jaw, I am sure you’re still in need of it.” During this time Helena were too busy getting ready for the element of surprise or how to counter it. This made them misunderstand the purpose of Miriam’s approach to Brynn. Miriam stood straight after the quiet whispers left her lips but did not let go of Brynn’s jaw. She mimicked Fred as he stroked his chin and smiled angelically “You sure have a handsome face Brynn.” From this point on Brynn did not see Miriam as an innocent and idyllic beauty, but the horror that will hunt you until you rot and even then, it will still chew on your bones.

Despite Fred’s silence Helena replied to Brynn “And you expect me to excuse everyone that is old and senile, if I did so, this world would be damned to nothing.” The huntsmen started to notice the tension between the four of them as time passed, and quietly encircled them. Fred did notice a few of his men, he could’ve only guessed what their intention was.

Miriam and Helena could hear the huntsmen moving closer towards them. Helena smacked her lips in displeasure of the situation that they have gotten. Thereafter she pointed her right hand up and left hand down, then moved them clockwise as they changed positions. Behind her hand a trail of fire remained, forming a circle. Fred was shocked behind his believes, he quickly stumbled to stand up while erratically looking around for his men. “Move in men, encircle them” Fred shouted, but no one came. They were just as sacred and confused like their leader of the unknown. As no one interrupted the incantation Helena put her hand in the middle of the circle. Grabbed to what look to the human eye fire. But in reality, it was a small rock, unique to its own. The so-called substance emitted by the rock was not fire but concentrated sulfuric gas.

Fred saw some of his men hiding behind a few trees and shouted once more “Do you want these monsters to reach the capital? Do you want them to kill your loved ones?” No answers still, but you could hear as some branches were getting snapped as they were moving. Helena wandered, were they running? Charging? What matter to her was to get everyone out of hiding. She did not want any loose ends.

The silence once again settles as if the huntsmen stopped their movements and awaited the right signal. This gave Helena a chance. Suddenly, she screamed grabbed her shoulder, which made the spear cut further into the flesh around it. She fell on her knees as more and more blood tainted the snow.