Between Ice and Water Part 2

Featuring: 1852 Aster, 1855 Varune & 1841 Eira

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Aster sighed, looking down at the bucket. He heard hoof beats behind him and knew his surprise was ruined.

“Aster? What are you up to?” Eira questioned, Varune following right behind her.

Aster looked up and gazed upon the two, Eira with her owl on her back, and Varune looking… more confident and determined than Aster had seen when Varune left for…. ‘Patrol’. Aster wasn’t quite certain why the young stallion had taken so strongly to being a guard for the island. With the bitter temperatures and occasional floods it wasn’t exactly a charming place just yet. Eira was working on it, but neither of the three equines minded the cold, and Eira’s water magic managed the floods just fine.

Besides, it was an island! Who would come to the far reaches of the north to raid an island?

Aster shifted slightly to block the bucket from their view as they got closer.

“Oh, nothing,” Aster said evasively, looking between Eira and Varune. “What have you been up to?”

Eira smiled, looking over to Varune. Aster couldn’t help but note the almost motherly look on her face as she did. Perhaps it was her instincts as a pregnant mare, perhaps it was just her kind heart and attachment after saving Varune, but Aster saw what they didn’t. Eira treated Varune as a son, and Varune treated Eira like a second mother.

Aster smiled, but the smile quickly turned to surprise as Eira spoke.

“Varune discovered his first magic, Cyrokinesis!” Eira said with a grin.

Aster felt a moment of jealousy. Aster had yet to find his first magic, and here was this youngster coming out of nowhere and discovering his first?

Aster quickly backpedaled from the thoughts. He had to admit, Varune had grown strong. Aster enjoyed the more…. Scholarly side to running an island, and wasn’t out exploring it every day like Varune was. His body was strong and in its prime, while Aster…. Aster had to admit he was getting a bit round from a lack of activity.

“Congratulations,” Aster finally said. “Thats a big achievement,” he added after a moment.

Eira sighed. “Don't worry Aster, you will find yours too soon, I’m sure of it,” Eira said encouragingly and Aster smiled at his half sister.

“I’m not too worried. I’m more interested in books and learning, after all,” Aster said. “A life of magic and adventure isn’t quite for me.”

Eira laughed softly and Varune looked between the pair unsure of how to respond.

“So, uh, what are you hiding behind your back and tail?” Varune finally asked to break the strange mood that had befallen them.

“Oh uh….” Aster paused and sighed. “I wanted to bring some of the festive Samhain spirit here. I know we aren’t due to head back to Queensbreak until later and thought we could do something fun here in the interim. But…. The bucket froze,” Aster admitted.

“Ah the curse of our bitter cold temperatures strikes again,” Eira said with a laugh as Aster shifted, revealing the frozen solid bucket with apples suspended in the ice.

“I guess so,” Aster admitted, and the three started at the bucket in contemplation.

“I could unfreeze it? And we could bob for apples?” Eira suggested, but the sun was going down and the temperature was dropping.

Aster shook his head with a rueful chuckle. “Not tonight I suppose,” Aster said looking regretfully at the frozen bucket.

Perhaps bobbing for apples in the far frozen north hadn’t been the best idea after all.