“Greetings Miss Glass.” Asha froze. She felt the wind whip
her hair and stopped in her tracks. A voice. That was a voice! “Do not be
afraid. I will not harm you.” Asha looked round, shaking, with cold and worry
now. “You must keep us a secret. What you are about to see, you shall promise
not to tell anyone else in the world. Do we have your word?” Swallowing, Asha
took a deep breath. “Yes. I promise. I’ll never tell a soul.” She listened for
a reply but had gotten none. “You have a word. I never break a vow once I make
it.” The voice came again. “You shall swear it in blood?” Blood?! What?! “Yes, by blood.” She answered after a moment of
silence.
“Very well. We shall come forth now.” Said the voice. Asha
took in a awestruck breathe as the Stag that all of the girls were talking
about, coming forth, graceful and proud, he carried his antlers high and noble.
Coming closer, he looked strict and yet, pleased at the human before him. Once
he had walked proudly over, he stopped a meter away. “I am Seth, leader of the
Winters Herd in the North Pole.” He spoke, with the gentlest of tones. “Look
closer now, Miss Glass and do not fear what you see.” Asha looked, her eyes
trailing upwards somehow, of their own free will. She caught her breathe again,
amazed at what she was seeing. The antlers, tall and strong, were glowing a
dim, shining silver!
