VoS: Midwinter's Vigil Part 2

Part II:
Midwinter is the longest, coldest night of the year. In the magical world of Siyyon, the bravest souls gather around fires dotted across the land, taking vigil against the dark. On this night, fearsome spirits of ice and snow hold sway over the world, and it is the job of every Emberwatch to keep the sacred fires lit so that they may call back the sun. It is a reminder of the fragility of life, and the warmth of sentient spirit. Let Markel know you would like to take him up on his offer by December 7th by commenting on this journal! Then, depict your character watching over their sacred flame in the midst of darkest midnight.

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She sat in the lonely hut looking up at the stars and sighing. Nothing to do, no one to see. It was cold, miserable and she could not help but feel more unwanted or not needed. She rubbed her arms and chewed her bottom lip hopelessly. She had no way out of this village, not talent not even a form besides how she was born. She began to sulk again and feel self pity when she remembered Oni. Maybe her master would not mind her coming to visit? It was better than sitting around her miserably. She picked herself off the ground of her hut and made her way down the road to Oni's hut. When she knocked on the side Oni's son came to the door. Nyarai pinned her ears back suddenly self-conscious. She didn't know her son came to visit...."Ummm....is Oni home?" she was afraid now she was impeding on the family time.

He chuckled and stroked his beard. "You're her apprentice in the shop...Nala right? No...Ma went to Markel. She volunteered for the fire duty. I sort of surprised her. What ya need kid?" Nyarai sighed....it was Nyarai....not Nala....she'd been Oni's apprentice for 4 years and he still didn't have it right. Still....maybe fire duty was better than being home...and it brought an idea to her.

"Ohh....I just thought I'd take her place doing Emberwatch." she lied. There went the original intention.

"That's nice of you! Just see Markel and we'll owe you! I'd love to have her home tonight." he patted her on the head and messed up her hair.

Nyarai just nodded and waved. She went in the direction he pointed out. It was dark and she shivered as the wind picked up and brushed against her bare arms. She wished she'd had presence of mind to grab a shawl or something sensible...but for some reason the cold did not bother her much. She usually was quiet warm, unnaturally so. She was weird. Nyarai already knew that. As she came into town square she saw Markel giving directions. She flagged him down after he finished talking to a stag and mentioned her idea to replace Oni fireside. He laughed and was thrilled with her community spirit....had he any idea what really motivated her he would think less of her.

Eventually though she got a hug from Oni and a few chit chats latter she was on Emberwatch. It was quiet. So she stood trying to see the stars through the smoke. The hours dragged by and she played games with herself like seeing how many stripes she had.  *Yes I know I forgot them XD* When a blast of cold wind hit and came upon her suddenly. Flakes of frost and streams of light were gathering in clusters of mini snow storms. The Emberwatch was milling around trying to protect the fire from the ensuing swarm of spirits. Nyarai was frozen staring at them as it registered those lights were spirits. Her mind went blank. What did you do against spirits....and there were so many of them...A watcher yelled for her to moved but she didn't hear him. They formed into large clusters then descended upon the group. A large cluster bulldozed towards Nyarai. She heard her name being called. She brought her hands up to shield herself then.......a great heat run through her blood and a light poured from her hands. She felt water drench her, ice strike through her and then....it went dark.....happy midwinter vigil to me....sigh....