Tome of Naedithas: Biweekly - Winter Remembrance

#97 Does your character celebrate a holiday? Write about or draw them doing one of their traditions for it.

 

Streets covered in snow, illuminated by beautiful and colorful lights in the dark of the late evening. A mesmerizing sight if one actually payed attention. Children who were building snow men covered the tracks with their footprints and showed how much life there was in this small city. It was great to experience for the seasoned warrior Naedithas who has by now been part of its population since a few months but unlike other people he couldn’t really enjoy the upcoming holiday.

 

It was meant to be shared with family, something he didn’t have anymore. They were all gone and he was far from home, strayed far from who he used to be, who he wanted to be, and it weighed down heavily on his mood. With a nostalgic gaze he watched some of the children run past him, engaging in a snowball fight and laughing. May they enjoy these calm times as long as they could.

 

His footsteps lead him to the plaza of the city where many people gathered to listen to others playing music and singing. Warm beverages were distributed in exchange for small coin and it smelled like fresh cookies everywhere, paired with the refreshing air of winter. Naedithas inhaled deeply when he suddenly noticed a tug on his scarf which caused him to turn his head to the side. There a steaming mug of hot spiced wine was being held in his face, paired with a warm smile of someone he couldn’t be happier to see right now.

 

“I had a feeling you would show up!” The guard captain Tyrvalor smiled at his right hand man and handed over the wonderfully smelling mug. Naedithas grunted in return but didn’t refuse the drink, its content warming up his cold fingers. “Thank you... Honestly this is just what I needed. I don’t really like this time of the year.” He paused for a moment and muttered the upcoming part. “… It makes me feel extra lonely.” Tyrvalor, being as perceptive as he was, shot him a surprised expression but it was quickly replaced with a heartwarming smile, followed by a gentle touch on the other his shoulder. “How about I keep you company? I don’t have any plans yet and it looks like you don’t either!”

 

Due to what he went through in the past, the Barbarian subtly shrunk under the sudden touch but he didn’t back away unlike usual. This man made him feel safe, even if lingering urges should arise… Nonetheless he put his free hand on that of the other and calmly freed his shoulder. “I don’t think that I’m the best company to be around but if that’s what you want, I’d be happy to.” Naedithas smiled barely and quickly covered most of his face with the mug to take a big sip of the warm beverage. It left a nice lingering sensation in his throat, something he could almost get used to.

 

“I have to do something at first though if you don’t mind.” The guard captain shook his head in response and took a sip from his own mug as well. “Take all the time you need, I won’t be going anywhere!” I sure do hope so… The half elf made way through the crowd of people towards a big tree standing in the middle of the plaza. It was the most beautiful of them all covered in ornaments, all of them handmade and one more colorful than the other. Many of them were made by children and in contrast to that the craftsmanship of all sorts of adults was displayed as well.

 

Beneath the beautiful tree were mementos, placed by people who lost loved ones but wanted to call to them during this time of the year. It was a small custom specific to this city and when Naedithas heard about it, he immediately went to the barracks to carve something for his parents. A small figurine for both of them in the shapes of their respective animals, together with their son in the middle. Where he grew up, everyone was given a respective animal at birth, befitting their soul. His father used to be a boar and his mother a snow owl, Naedithas ended up to be a Himalayan black bear.

 

Now standing in front of said tree he took his crafted piece out of his pocket and placed it right besides those of the others of various sizes, shapes and color, giving a short prayer to leave behind a message.

 

I can’t wait to see you again, mother, father. Please forgive me for I can’t forgive myself. I love you.

 

Tyrvalor saw this happen and understood what must have happened to Naedithas but he didn’t say a word about it. Instead, he welcomed his friend with open arms, lent him an ear and indulged him in positivities.

 

Even though he used to feel alone during this time of the year, he definitely wasn’t. He found a new home, a warm place to stay and someone he could open up to.

 

This time of the year wasn’t so bad after all, at least not with Tyrvalor by his side.