Chapter 1. The Sin

A chorus of chilling winds whispered through the trees, teasing my chapped lips as if beckoning them to tremble. The enigmatic touch of winter's breath painted frost upon my very core, a shiver racing down my spine like a clandestine dancer. The frigid tendrils of cold had ensnared my muscles in their icy grasp, numbing every sensation from my cheeks to my fingertips. The world around me seemed hushed, draped in an ethereal shroud of silence that only winter's arrival could bestow.

My senses were tantalized by the aroma that hung heavy in the crisp air—a symphony of snowflakes, each one a delicate note contributing to the grand composition of nature's breath. This was a fragrance unique to winter, a blend of cold purity and untamed wilderness. The snow-laden ground and the towering sentinels of the forest seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the world to awaken from its frozen slumber.

For hours uncounted, I had stood sentinel, a lone figure amidst the vast expanse of nature's theater. With unwavering focus, I monitored the intricate web of traps that I had woven, hoping to ensnare any unwitting creature that dared tread upon its path. Yet, the forest, a realm usually bustling with life, had fallen into an eerie stillness. The wolves, graceful deer, and the elusive spirits of the wild that often graced this realm had chosen to stay hidden. It was as if the bite of winter's cold had driven them into the sheltered alcoves of the woods, seeking refuge from its icy grasp.

My eyes scanned the white landscape with a mix of anticipation and determination, each fallen snowflake a testament to the silent spectacle unfolding around me. Time flowed in tandem with the gentle rhythm of my breath, a pulsating reminder of the world's heartbeat beneath the icy veneer. Nature itself seemed to hold its breath, as if expecting the world to unfurl its frozen wings in a dance of vitality once more.

"I can't give up, not now," I muttered, as I extracted the final drop of water from its reservoir, cupping it with my finger. Abandoning my vigil would mean hunger for my two younger siblings, a fate I couldn't bear. I'd even promised Cali, the youngest, a feast tonight. But my trap remained empty, despite the encroaching dinner hour. None had succumbed to my meticulously set trap—designed for restraint, not death. In usual circumstances, no creature escaped my snare—jaw-curved, leg-hold traps that usually ensnared coyotes, wolves, lynxes, and even the rare jaguar.

The trap lay strategically where the creatures often ventured. No one escaped this web of steel. Powerful springs coiled the metal jaws and footplate, awaiting the slightest trigger. A short chain and metal spikes anchored the mechanism to the earth.

"Just a trigger, that's all I need," I reassured myself. The trigger would engage the trap, immobilizing the prey.

A faint rustling stirred within the deepening hush—a glimmer of hope. Tuning in to the sound, I sensed the approach of a large wild boar or perhaps a deer. My senses ignited, the forest's silence intensified, the strange creature's disturbance, the sudden shift in the frigid breeze from the northeast, all surged through me.

Footsteps echoed through the snow, the crunch distinct. A pair, likely. Heading toward the trap—most likely a bear, a massive one. To heighten my senses, I rubbed my hands together vigorously. Blood pulsed in response, pumping warmth through my veins. The freezing air had temporarily dulled my senses.

Stealthily, I advanced toward the trap, my heart racing, caution yielding to urgency. A wrong move, ill-advised. A deep breath steadied me as I expelled warm air, moistening my parched throat. The prey was inching closer, closing in on the bait. I took cover behind a colossal tree.

It's now or never.

The sound of metal grating on iron reverberated—the teeth gnashed into flesh. A triumphant resonance.

Suddenly, awareness sharpened, and adrenaline surged. The woodland's stillness, the tumult caused by the enigmatic intruder, the abrupt cold breeze's shift—all cascaded from my vantage point.

The crunch of footsteps persisted, an ominous drumbeat. I could see the trap, just a few meters away, undoubtedly the object of their trajectory. A bear, in all probability. A massive one. My movements transitioned from cautious to feverish. Action dictated by anticipation and gut instinct. I moistened my lips and readied myself. There was a ferocity in the wind, a sense of foreboding.

In a swift, focused maneuver, I lunged toward the beast. I was ready to bring it down with one deft blow. A swift, lethal spinal strike, and then it would be time to swiftly end it—strangulation. A quick, painless demise. I would shield it from the unforgiving sun, and the guilt would be less piercing when I'd later feast on its flesh.

The falling snow crescendoed, a symphony of nature's elements. And within this crescendo, something shifted within me. An awareness, a realization surged—a heightened sensitivity. The rustling of the snow, the vibrations of the forest, the unique disturbance of the creature, and the swift alteration of the cold wind—all fused together, resonating within me.

Cautiously, I positioned myself closer to the trap. A sudden surge in me called for action. My grip tightened around the dagger strapped to my side, its presence reassuring. Prepared for the impending encounter, I found myself at the brink of explosive action.

With a breath, I catapulted out from behind the tree, seizing my opportunity. The animal was nearly ensnared in the trap, a fraction of time from ensnarement. It was monumental, something that hadn't transpired in my entire trapping history.

I leapt, positioning myself in the trajectory of my prey. My left hand poised to deliver the decisive spinal strike. In that heart-stopping moment, time seemed to dilate.

Impact.

My form collided with the creature's, my hands clamping down on its heaving body. My fingers dug into its fur as I exerted pressure, rendering it immobilized. The snowflakes danced around us, a mesmerizing blur.

Then, realization dawned—something was amiss. This creature wasn't a bear, nor was it a prey I was accustomed to capturing. A jolt of astonishment surged through me as I comprehended the truth—it was not an animal.

A being of royal blood!

An elf of high stature lay ensnared in my trap, bloodied and weary. The mere idea was preposterous. How could a ranking royal, one of the nobility, be entrapped by such a rudimentary contraption? A bear, yes, but an elf of that stature? It defied belief. Such high-ranking elves were nimble, adept at extricating themselves from any predicament.

A hoarse, soft voice implored, "Help me... T-take me away from here."

Unlike some, my ability to communicate hadn't withered in the wake of the enchantment. This marked the first encounter of my life with a member of the royal family. The elves of high status often resembled haughty oaks, concealing their turmoil beneath regal veneers. This girl, this royal, lay before me like a fallen log, despite her lineage. Even ensnared in my trap, she exuded majesty.

"Help me. Get me out of here," she repeated, her voice tinged with desperation and the tremors of fear. Her wide eyes held the weight of a chased prey, a hunted quarry in search of sanctuary.

Her request found its mark within me, sparking a fire of compassion. I was to exact my vengeance on the elven royalty, yet her beseeching gaze extinguished the flames of resentment, leaving only a sense of urgency to assist her. For her, I'd push aside my grudges. It was arduous work, attempting to escape the steel clutches while suffering the pain. The left leg was unyielding.

With careful resolve, I knelt before her trapped leg, collecting my thoughts. My hands settled onto the levers of the trap, steadying the structure.

I bit the dagger's sheath and placed it in my mouth. The leather would offer a modicum of relief as I eased open the jaws. "Alright, madam—or should I address you as 'your highness'? I'm uncertain. Bear the pain and bite down hard on the scabbard. This will hurt."

A palpable anguish punctuated the room as the royal elf clenched her teeth, the sheath muffling her groans. The relentless pull on the trap's levers alleviated the pressure on the jaws. The anguish was near unbearable; her groans held a unique accent. Her brow was beaded with sweat despite the cold's grip.

As I finally lifted the metal trap, a spill of royal golden blood marked her liberation. My focus remained on her, grappling with the shock of an elite elf being ensnared. How had this happened? How could such a high-ranking figure be caught in such a basic trap? Wasn't the pinnacle of knowledge and power supposed to reside at the upper echelons of society?

"Why aren't you healing? Can't you heal yourself?" I blurted out, my eyes fixed on the gilded flow from her leg wound, my surprise unveiled.

No response. Perhaps she was too weak, too drained. Her golden blood—vital yet vulnerable.

I maintained vigilance, ripping the sleeves from her elegant attire, composed of a rare silk. I had no access to such luxury—this kind of opulent fabric was far beyond our reach. She permitted me to shred her garments, her eyes trained on my actions even as their brilliance dimmed due to her weakened state. Swiftly, I retrieved a chunk of ice from the floor and wrapped it around her injured leg, hoping the cold would aid in slowing the blood's flow.

"Are you being pursued?" I questioned, perplexed, as she groaned in pain, her expression a mix of fear and agony. A need for escape was apparent in her frightened tone, yet I had no insight into the threat or pursuer. The weight of her circumstances hung heavy in her weary eyes. She'd borne suffering, that much was evident.

"T-take me somewhere safe. Take me south," she pleaded, her voice trembling in tandem with her throbbing leg.

My gaze remained locked on her, her condition provoking empathy. She could well have been my mother's age. I couldn't help but wonder if she left behind children of her own amidst her station. My heart softened, the resentment I harbored for the elite waning as I contemplated her ordeal.

With her support, I guided her shaky form for several minutes until we reached the solitary refuge I knew to be secure. The sun had dipped beneath the horizon, casting darkness upon our path as we arrived at the only sanctuary I had in mind. Not far from the mountain's base, where I often ventured for hunting, lay a humble abode crafted from raw red pine. Every facet, from walls to ceiling, comprised this sturdy wood. An aura of homeliness cocooned the cabin, its entrance emitting a faint squeak as we crossed the threshold.

"Poras! Cali!" I called out as the royal elf and I entered. Gently, I placed the unconscious figure before the hearth. She lay still, her presence a contrast against the flickering flames. An elf of royal blood, rendered frail, now rested in my abode, her life hanging by a thread.

As the kitchen bustled into motion, Poras and Cali emerged. Poras, his robust build and shaggy brown hair belying his mere sixteen years, was draped in an old fur coat and leather boots. His towering frame often deceived people about his age. His expression oscillated between shock and fury. Our quarrel from earlier had left its mark, the discord simmering.

"I'm boiling water," Poras responded, his tone begrudging. We were two years apart, but in most matters, he held the upper hand. As an adult, he often opposed my decisions, particularly when he deemed them imprudent. Our ideologies were at loggerheads, resulting in frequent clashes.

"Cali, gather some clean rags," Poras instructed, and her small voice chimed in confirmation. With haste, she scurried off. Her face mirrored shock, mirroring my mother's years ago. Aghast, she shielded her lips with trembling fingers, her gaze oscillating between the fallen elf and me.

"Idrish, w-what happened? W-why did you bring a ranked elf into this house?" Poras demanded, his brows furrowed in a mix of astonishment and anger. His unruly hair gave him an even fiercer appearance. I had anticipated his reaction. The Poras family harbored a deep-seated resentment for the elites.

"Boil the water, Poras! I'll explain later. Please!" I commanded, my voice tinged with urgency, fueled by a mounting dread. It wasn't just her life hanging in the balance; mine and my siblings' existence was intertwined with hers.

Poras hesitated, his gaze locked on the unconscious stranger. His demeanor was torn, a battle between resentment and responsibility. His footsteps carried him to the kitchen, despite his internal conflict.

"Ate, here are the rags," Cali piped up. Her innocent voice offered a thread of solace amidst the turmoil. I shot her a grateful look before she vanished from the doorway.

The grand feast that I had once promised them had dwindled into a meager offering: a humble bowl of mushroom soup and unadorned cereal. Poras and Cali's silent consumption mirrored my own feelings of regret, settling like a heavy cloak around my shoulders as I positioned myself before them, my remorse tangible.

As the last spoonful of dinner was savored, an unspoken tension hung in the air, and Poras' silence was a palpable weight. Our earlier disagreement seemed to have fanned the flames of his resentment towards me. I had passionately advised against his impulsive foray into the woods, wielding our father's bow in pursuit of a hunt. Though he bore the appearance of a young man mature beyond his years, the wild had its own lessons to teach—lessons he was still in the process of comprehending. My caution and his impetuosity often clashed, the eternal struggle between foraging and hunting, a rivalry that simmered beneath the surface.

With Cali nestled into her bed, I embarked on the cherished ritual of reading her a folktale. The soft touch of her lips against my forehead served as a bittersweet reminder of my unspoken concern. Returning the gesture, I lovingly draped the covers crafted from the pelt of a wolf—my father's triumphant trophy—over her slight form.

Leaving Cali's room, I turned my attention to the solitary figure seated on the couch. A delicate cough, like the rustle of leaves, drew my gaze. Her presence remained an enigma, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled, and my footsteps carried me toward her. Her eyes blazed like ember meeting my own, a silent declaration of her uncertain health and her destiny shrouded in mystery.

"Idrish."

A puzzle within a riddle. Did this stranger truly know me? "How do you know my name, Royal Elven?"

"Your brother addressed you by it earlier. Idrish is a beautiful name," she rasped, her voice a soft ember amidst the enigma surrounding her.