Bas, Tam, Sirius, and Orion went to the graveyard that night. It was cold and still snowing, but they crouched behind the large rocks scattered around.
Some of the snow had melted and then refroze into ice. Orion almost slipped when she moved her leg—her foot was falling asleep. She was bored and desperately wanted to watch videos of cats, people being dumb, or video game playthroughs. Even her older sister’s dumb novels would be something.
Sirius laid down beside her, unbothered by the snow.
The cold in the air grew even more biting as the wind picked up. Bits of snow were flung into the air.
“We should go back and sleep,” Tam suggested, her voice a bit hoarse. She was blowing at her hands to keep her fingers warm. She had on a scarf, a wool hat, and gloves but was still shivering.
Bas had his hands shoved in his pocket; if not for the cold, he would likely be tapping his leg as he thought up a response.
“We’re freezing to death. If we keep waiting here, the necromancer is just going to be reviving us,” Orion agreed. She tried to keep the frustration out of her voice, but wasn’t very successful.
Bas looked up and saw the stars that stretched above them, and the movement of the moons in the sky. He knew how to tell time and location by the night sky—something he had attributed to both his adventures and studies. “Alright. We can pick up the traps then head back.”
“Traps?” Orion questioned.
Tam nodded towards Orion. “That’s what Bas and I were doing earlier.”
“What you were doing, not me,” Bas corrected, jokingly. “I still don’t know how to make anything more complicated than a basic snare.”
“My ass is so fucking cold,” Orion complained as she stood up. She spent a few seconds brushing the snow off of her pants and Sirius’ pelt.
Bas shrugged and started to follow after Tam, who was looking for her traps. “Ours are too.”
Tam frowned and looked at the other two. “Stop bantering and come help me.”
Bas and Orion were quick to get moving, as Tam seemed to be genuinely bothered this time and desperate to get out of the cold. The snow crunched underneath their steps.
One of the traps had been sprung at some point; the wire was mangled. Some sort of animal had likely been caught and then struggled until it escaped the noose.
Bas viewed it with obvious suspicion, but didn’t insist on staying further at the graveyard.
On the walk back, there was a brief snowball fight that Orion won despite being teamed up on by Bas and Tam. Her elemental contract with ice meant that it was also an incredibly hefty victory. She challenged the losers to a rematch if they could convince Hazel to join them.
The town was situated in the plains, by a lake. Despite how late it was, the whole place was teeming with life and fire. The snow storm had run longer than seven days—according to their customs and deity of the lake, this meant the next Spring would be blessed. To celebrate this, bonfires were made with driftwood from the lake. The main road of the town was full of drinks and firepits. It was a festival, and all those in the area were welcome.
When Orion, Bas, Sirius, and Tam walked through the town, they were surprised by the shift in mood until someone happily explained it to them.
It was a bright night with many cheerful people, some completely drunk. Food and water were free, but the alcohol—a local brew with honey—was being sold on the side of the street.
Orion was staying behind Tam and Bas, using them as a shield. She didn’t like people when they were drunk; bad memories.
Tam tugged on Bas’ elbow when he was about to keep moving forward, and their small procession stopped. “I’m pretty sure that’s Hazel.” She pointed.
The only real light was from the bonfire on the edge of town. Clouds of the snowstorm were blocking out the light from the sky.
The person Tam was pointing to had goggles around his neck and had the same clothes as Hazel earlier that day. The man had his bangs pushed back, but a hand over his face. He tried to keep drinking and his cup spilled onto the soot blacked snow. Next to him was a lady dressed in rich clothes and jewelry, not even trying to hide her wealth. Her hand was on the man’s shoulder. The two of them were sitting on driftwood that would be fuel for the fires eventually.
Bas saw the rich lady and immediately stepped back, although his expression was concerned.
Tam bit her lip and stood in front of Bas, shielding him from the drunk, rich lady’s eyesight.
“She’s a noble?” Orion questioned. She wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but she didn’t like what she was seeing. Her eyes were glued to Hazel now, and when she saw him shift away uncomfortably, her fears were undeniably confirmed.
“Yes. In charge of this territory, technically,” Bas confirmed. He was also shifting uneasily and had his arms crossed; his hand was tapping a rapid beat against his forearm.
Orion grinned. “Perfect.” She glanced at her two friends and double checked again, but only received two nods.
Just because the prince couldn’t make trouble with the nobles, doesn’t mean she couldn’t.
And she would.
Orion formed a ball of snow and packed it together densely. With a wicked grin, she reeled back and launched the snowball at the woman.
The lady cursed and staggered to her feet, turning around. Her hat had been knocked off and lay in the black, contaminated snow. “Who was that?” She screeched.
No one in the other group around the fire looked over, either asleep, drunk, or apathetic to be involved.
Orion stepped forward and promptly locked the lady in a choke hold. She knew how to do it properly; that move was one of the only things her older brother had taught her.
Hazel turned his head and slurred out, “Orion! Nice to see you. Nice to see you.”
Bas avoided Orion’s ongoing yet slowly quietening conflict, and wrapped one of Hazel’s arms around his shoulder. He stood up and pulled Hazel with him, trying to keep the drunk man from falling over.
“Nice to see you all,” Hazel said with a big grin. His bangs had been pushed all of the way up, but he had his eyes closed as he swayed. “I love seeing you three, even that animal.”
Sirius nosed against Hazel’s shin and whined lowly.
“Was there a rock in that snowball?” Bas asked, both half-frustrated and half-knowing. He put Hazel’s goggles on and rewrapped the older man’s scarf.
Orion tried to hide her smirk as she lowered the lady to the snowy ground. “Maybe.”
Tam pushed at Bas’ shoulder. “More importantly, let’s grab Hazel and go. She probably has knights or some sort of bodyguard with her.”
“Fuck. I forgot about that.” Not every noble in Malamut was crazy enough to travel around without an entourage. Fortunately, Orion cast a look around them and didn’t see anyone suspicious.
Hazel stumbled and glanced at the unconscious woman. “We should probably leave tomorrow morning,” he suggested in a brief moment of lucidity.
“That’s a good idea.” Bas kept Hazel moving as the older man rambled about the different types of wood for making fires, specifically when wanting to make signal fires or to stay hidden. After that was guerilla war tactics, then the proper way to clean a trumpet.
It was slow going with a drunk person setting the pace. Despite that, the walk felt a lot more nice with the bonfires and revelry around them.
Tam stayed at the back of their group, making sure that there were no problems until they arrived back at the inn.
Bas made sure Hazel drank some water, and then the four went to sleep in their respective rooms.
A/N
Genuinely this will always be one of my favorite things I’ve written: Orion hitting someone with a rock. Also, for anyone worried. Hazel was drunk and uncomfortable, but nothing happened to him. Okay? He’s safe.
