Chapter 59: First White Out
Anyone who grew up in the northern region knew what winter had in store for them.
After going to sleep with a heavy grey sky and no sign of the moon peeking through, they knew that the next morning everyone would wake up to a new world. The excitement made it hard for Irene to settle that night, but it didn’t stop her from rising quickly the following morning.
Normally she would have topped off the wood at her stove, but that day she ran straight for the window and threw the thick curtains open.
Having only just woken up, she had to squint at first. The sky was still cloudy but the whiteness everywhere was intense after being in a dark room.
She noticed she couldn’t even see the mountains as her eyes went further and further. This was the winter they had been promised.
Despite the cold, it made her feel warm.
She finally put more wood onto the stove, vowing to remember to get more from the Duke’s Tower. After doing the usual morning routine of washing her face, teeth, and hair, she then pulled on her layer of clothing starting with underclothes, tunic and pants, surcoat, armor, and cloak. Her belt was put on over that with her belt already attached and she was ready to go.
As she looked around her room, making sure that everything was as it should be, Irene escaped to the hallway and bounded down the stairs. Other apprentices were already out of their barracks while a few others were just leaving—the same as her.
The moment she was out of the barracks, she was shocked to see others walking forward with the snow up to their ankles already. The excitement to run through took her over and she managed to move quickly even though each step required a bit of a hop.