December 2 – Jack Frost<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Molly blinked, and she was back in the town square. Jade\u2019s snowflake glimmered at the top of the tree, just like it had in the…memory? Molly shook her head. Maybe I was just caught up in the story.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You and me both, <\/em>Schrodinger said, pressing against her leg as if he needed help standing. Did you see the feast too?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes.<\/em> Molly looked around at the crowd, but if anyone else had shared the experience, she couldn\u2019t tell. The faces turned to the dias were shining with happiness, clearly enjoying the scene. Maybe because we\u2019re closer to Jade?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe. <\/em>He shrugged. Here comes Jack.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, as Jade stepped back, Jack Frost stepped forward to take her place. \u201cWhile I did not come to the colony for that first Christmas, I did have the pleasure of several Christmases with Captain Carter, and for that, I am glad. The founder of the town was a great man, and his spirit lives on in all of you.\u201d He held his hand up, and a red maple leaf shimmered into view, silver frost highlighting the delicate tracing of veins throughout it. \u201cThe year I remember best, the snows were late, so the harvests had continued long after they should have stopped. It was a good year for the Cove, but not for some of their neighbors\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crowd swam in front of Molly\u2019s eyes again. When the mist cleared, she and Schrodinger (she could feel his warmth pressing into her leg) were still in the town square, but instead of snowbanks, the ground was packed dirt, swept clean by the brisk sea breeze that tugged at her hair. The tree was in front of them, the Snow Queen\u2019s snowflake shining on the top. Behind her, Molly heard a familiar voice, and she turned around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you certain you want to allow them in, Captain?\u201d Jack Frost leaned back against one of the rough-hewn tables, stretching his legs out before him. Rather than robes, he was dressed in dark green pants and vest, leaving his arms bare to the shoulder. His skin was not so much pale as it was grey, the faintest hint of bark peeling away from trees, and his long hair was reddish in the light of the setting sun. \u201cAfter all, you hardly know them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know that they are hungry,\u201d Captain Carter said. \u201cThat\u2019s all I need to know. This town will never turn away those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd if they betray you?\u201d Jack plucked an autumn leaf as it flew by on the breeze. \u201cIf they try to take control of this town you\u2019ve nurtured, once they see what you have?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Carter shrugged. \u201cThey have already seen it. If they want to fight, then we will defend ourselves. Hopefully it won\u2019t come to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jack stood up. \u201cI hope so too. I will let them know.\u201d And he vanished in a swirl of leaves, leaving Captain Carter standing alone in the square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you know who they are talking about?<\/em> Schrodinger asked her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Molly shook her head. Not a clue. This is obviously after the first Christmas, but still early. There were several other settlements that were nearby, and not all of them survived.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And then, in another swirl of leaves, Jack was back, with another man who looked slightly discomforted by their mode of transport. This newcomer was dressed, not in leather and wool like the Captain and Jack, but in a long robe of dark blue, and his white hair was intricately braided with a leather thong and beautiful glass beads. His dark, weathered face was kind, and once he regained his balance, he held out a huge hand to Captain Carter. \u201cGreetings, Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGreetings, Logan!\u201d Captain Carter clasped the hand warmly. \u201cHow are you settling in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other man\u2019s eyes clouded. \u201cIt has not been an easy year,\u201d he admitted, and Molly could feel the pain in his voice. \u201cThe crops did not do well, and I do not know if we will be able to carry all our people through the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould you reconsider my offer, then?\u201d Captain Carter said. \u201cPlease? We have more than enough room, and if we pool our stores, no one needs to go hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut who will guard our lands through the winter if we move to the Cove, James? We may survive the winter only to be homeless when the snow melts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat too, we can help with,\u201d Captain Carter said. \u201cWith the crops gathered, our young people will be looking for things to help keep them occupied. The hunting parties can make sure no one else moves into your land, and your people will be warm and safe here in the Cove.\u201d He put his other hand on top of the hand he still held. \u201cPlease, Logan. This will be the best for both of us, and I will not have to worry about finding your stubborn corpse frozen to the ground.\u201d He paused and added, \u201cMaria would never forgive either of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Logan looked sharply at him, and Captain Carter winked. The big man laughed. \u201cThat is true! And to be honest, I am more afraid of her than I am of the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou should be,\u201d Jack said dryly. \u201cYour wife is a force of nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Logan and Captain Carter both laughed at that, and Logan added his free hand to their handshake. \u201cThat she is,\u201d Logan said. \u201cI shall go now and let my people know what we have agreed. But before I do…\u201d He released Captain Carter\u2019s hands, and reached into his robe. He withdrew a dark red leaf that he broke in half and handed one piece to Captain Carter. \u201cAs a gift,\u201d he said. \u201cTo bind our groups together. As long as both of these parts are kept safe, our people will be as one.\u201d He turned to Jack. \u201cWill you witness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGladly.\u201d Jack came to stand next to them, and he reached out and touched the pieces. Each leaf became a whole leaf, threaded with silvery frost. \u201cNow these leaves will never wilt,\u201d Jack said. \u201cUntil and unless the compact is broken. Witnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWitnessed,\u201d Logan and Captain Carter said in unison. Logan put his leaf back into his coat, and Captain Carter tucked his leaf into the tree next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, I shall go and get my people together,\u201d Logan said. He squinted at the sky. \u201cThere will be snow soon. If I hurry, we can be back here within a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you need help? Carts?\u201d Captain Carter asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will let you know once I get back,\u201d Logan said. \u201cBut I shall walk,\u201d he added, as Jack reached out to him. \u201cIt is not far. And I will not vomit all over my wife\u2019s clean floor if I walk.\u201d He strode out of the square, his robes billowing around his long legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jack and Captain Carter watched in silence as Logan disappeared between houses, heading for the outskirts of the town. Once he was out of sight, Captain Carter looked at Jack. \u201cYou still think he will cause trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHim? No.\u201d Jack shook his head. \u201cBut Logan is not the only member of his group.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cBut perhaps I am a cynic.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" December 2 – Jack Frost Molly blinked, and she was back in the town square. Jade\u2019s snowflake glimmered at the top of the tree, just like it had in the…memory? Molly shook her head. Maybe I was just caught up in the story. You and me both, Schrodinger said, pressing against her leg as if …<\/p>\n