Before

It is getting dark. Night has come and it seems everything is ready. I breathe slowly sitting on an anthill anticipating that is to come. The owners of my mighty seat are long gone like everything else that can move in this forest. The presence nearby filled them with fear. I sense Roden moving next to me. I feel his tension and I smell the adrenalin in his blood, his hand gripping his sword.

It’s time I say and looking at him I see the fear in his eyes. Everyone knows the plan, let us begin.

Wait! Roden grabs on me, the leaves are whispering in suspense.

What is it?

I am sure it shan’t work Stefan. We will die in vain.

It will. It has to work dear friend. I say, resisting the impulse to use magic in my voice. I rise from my rest oblivious to the single ant, the guardian of the colony left behind climbing on my cape now quickly moving upwards. Leaves rustle behind us.

The men are ready captain.

I know. Wait for my signal.

Aye Sir.

We move towards the dark opening in the rock. Our steps are quiet, twigs, and needles of ancient pines help us gently to move our feet without letting up noise. A blue star appears right above and my signal tells the men...

Continue please. What happens next?

Many things happen.

I’m listening.

I don’t want to, too quick when it all happens, all at once and NO!

Breathe slowly. I count to 3 and you will experience time much slower. You will then recount everything that happens.

Ok.

One, two, three

I am standing slightly to the side of the clearing outside the cave. My vision is limited.

It’s weird to be a dandelion. What if we are stepped on?

Sh!

I’ve never heard men scream in such way, not without using magic intentionally. The rocks tremble while the earth shakes beneath their feet. Mighty arrows fly into the darkness finding and igniting what lies inside. The first group of attackers disappear into the tunnel their battle cry echoed as they charge to their death. Generations will remember them in songs performed in village halls and mighty royal banquettes, tears in the eyes.
It has awakened. Angered for waking him it’s coming. The semi circle of men shoulder to shoulder waits for the beast and when it appears their mighty cry is merging with songs of fear. Passing us the beast makes to break the circle and it is our time. Roden and I rise I halt the beast in its move, I scream so that the sky darkens, the stars hide
Now!
Roden strikes for the heart with precision. It should be dead instead he moves and makes for the soldiers picking them out one by one while we try again and again with two swords now. Men are running back to the woods and the monster is turning on us, on me. Roden drops, I cannot look why while dodging a mighty tale swinging at me I freeze. It’s called. Bizarrely cold. It’s like being dead. I am. So it feels cold to be dead.

It isn’t uncommon to experience death in dreams Ahley. I will count to five. When I finish you will be back in this room, rested, relaxed and comfortably warm... one,

No! We aren’t done here.

Stefan! I hear this faint whisper.

Who is it?

It’s me, Winter.

What are you doing?

Remember Stefan. Remember the fire you have eaten long time ago? It’s still inside you. I feel it every time I think of you.

And so there it is. I concentrate attempting to merge with it becoming fire so I can move even in such presence of hers.

You need to hurry. The beast is strong.

You are not helping! Saying this I realise I am moving again, alive with fire and eager to finish this before it’s too late. Before she tires and all my men will die. How long do I have?

I don’t know. The beast is strong. Hurry! Inside!

I understand. The heart we were looking for unsuccessful is not in the body we fight. I run and fleeting hope fills me. The cave turns into darkness, the torches haven’t lived long enough to even their target. I find them lying dead beneath bodies of the charging men unsuccessful in their attempts. In the darkness the element of fire brings light through me. I see clearly although I fail to brighten the cavern. I see however its vast emptiness and loose hope the same before Winter came. How will I find it?

It’s under the floor, in the rock.

Who are you?

I am ant.

Right. Do you know where?

About twelve steps directly ahead. Stand there, you will feel.

I move to the spot and unmistakably feel the presence of the beast just under my feet. I raise my staff readying to crush the stone open but such pain grabs my head I cannot stand on my feet.
DON’T
Why not?

It will kill as both. Think.

Think! I have not time for riddles!

Till you strike at the heart be careful. The beast will feel, it will come, Winter won’t hold it.

I raise my staff and touch it gently to the rock melting it under my feet. You are safe in my ear ant.
I reach for the heart and grab it with two hands while let go of the staff leaving it to float in the air about a feet away from us. I exit the cave not a moment too soon. It’s not long before the monstrous prisoner frees itself. I gently put the heart down and draw my sword to strike. It tips and rolls to its side before falls off the rock. I adjust my move and strike while its waken owner strikes for me. I hear her cry my name.
I’m freed from underneath the body. It was just an inch too slow although he nearly took me to my death with him. It’s dead weight. I’m alive. We are. Winter is gone, only some other time we will thank her. The men are relieved, joyful. Roden is dead. We haven’t left the forest before a song from the ranks of soldiers brings tears to my eyes.