Page 13 of A Winter Redemption
“And you’ve come at the beginning of the Solstice season! Why, it is only the second day,” she said. “How perfect. You will experience all this magical season has to offer.”
“Why do you care so much about Winter Solstice?” It was just the longest night of the year. He knew some marked the occasion in Bordertown with feasts and whatnot. But Jarne had no time for such events.
Apparently, in Ores, Winter Solstice was a bigger deal.
“You don’t know.” Her brows rose. “Well, the Solstice season starts exactly four weeks before Winter Solstice. But Winter Solstice commemorates the birth of Ores.” She gestured to the village. “It is a chance to remember the day the oreads saved the lost and starving human travellers as they made their way through the Norend Mountains. The oreads gave them food and shelter and saved their lives.”
She took a deep breath. “You see, many years ago, humans lived in a village at the foot of the mountain, and bandit—”
“I’m not planning to stay until Winter Solstice,” Jarne interrupted. He knew he’d asked the question, but really he had no interest in some long, boring tale. “I’ll only be here a short while.”
She smiled tightly, eyes growing frosty. “I see.”
He had been brusque, but his time was important, and she still had not answered his original question. “Where is Aryn?”
She pointed a finger in the direction of several cabins.
“Which cabin?” he asked.
But she turned her back to him and strode into the cabin. “Sorry. I have things to do.” She closed the door behind her.
“I guess I’ll just have to find him on my own, then,” Jarne muttered.
ChapterTen
Which one does Aryn live in?
Jarne surveyed several similar-looking cabins. He supposed he’d just have to knock. He tied his horse to a nearby tree. He’d have to find somewhere to stable her, but he could do that once he located his brother.
He strode towards the first of the cabins. Raising his fist, he prepared to knock. Suddenly, the door swung open, and the man on the other side stepped towards him before coming to an abrupt halt.
“Aryn,” Jarne said. What luck that the first cabin he’d approached was his brother’s.
Aryn’s mouth fell open. “What are you doing here?” Aryn asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“I was looking for you.”
Aryn didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just stood there.
“Are you going to invite me in?” Jarne asked.
Aryn’s mouth moved, but no sound came out.
“It’s cold outside.” Jarne understood his brother’s surprise but felt that this response was a bit of an overreaction.
Finally, Aryn stepped back, and Jarne entered. On one side of the room, several chairs and a table had been set up. The other side held a large workbench and shelves with lots of jars and utensils, and behind it was a giant oven. Why did Aryn need such a large oven?
He turned to Aryn. But Aryn stared at the floor. He glanced at Jarne. Looked back to the floor. Looked at Jarne again. Then stared at the floor once more.
Jarne had expected a cold reception. That was reasonable considering everything that had occurred with Sasha. But he hadn’t expected his brother to behave so oddly. He didn’t quite know what to do.
“What are you doing here?” Aryn repeated the same question Jarne had just answered.
“As I said, I was looking for you.”
“But why?” Aryn asked.
“I wanted to discuss certain things.” Jarne walked to the chairs and sat on one of them.
