Preface
It was snowing, the world sleeping underneath a soft white blanket. The night was serene and calm; not even the wind dared to disturb it. Not a noise could be heard for miles around. She was completely and utterly alone.
She stood out in the cold, a dark silhouette contrasted against a white world. Letting out a sharp, steady breath she wondered what it was that she had been searching for out here. What had she come out here for? Looking on with watering eyes to the barren land ahead of her, she scanned it for any signs of life. Nothing.
“Princess?” a boy came up behind her, the sage green color of his hair was freckled in spots of white from the melting snow. His tawny eyes were distraught with worry for her. This she did not appreciate. She turned her eyes back to the wasteland in front of her, ignoring the boy completely.
“I really think we should be leaving now, Your Highness,” his voice shook nervously as he took another uneasy step towards her. She didn’t turn around.
“Princess,” another, older boy came up on her other side and put a hand on her shoulder. “They are not here. No one is. It is time for us to move on,” unlike his brother, he didn’t allow his emotions to show so easily. Even so, she could feel the pity and sorrow coming off him in waves . It made her feel ill.
“I know that. I just wish to pay my respects,” she replied in a sharp tone. She jerked her arm out from under his olive-skinned hand. The older boy paused then gave a slight nod as he went to join his brother where he stood.
The wind picked up around them, blowing the freshly fallen snow in all different directions. Rikku thought she’d spotted the dark forms of people coming towards them out of the gloom, but knew it was only her eyes playing tricks on her.
Walking forward, she noticed something half-buried beneath the snow. She bent down to pick it up, the wind blowing through her as she did. She barely noticed. Brushing off what she’d found, she noticed gleaming sliver hidden under streaks of black. It was a spearhead. Slowly she stood up, taking the spearhead with her.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured as she brought it close to her chest, her eyes closed. A single tear escaped, freezing on her cheek. She wiped it away. After a moment, she put the spearhead into her pocket and walked back to where her comrades awaited. This was no longer a time for shedding tears. It was time to leave the past where it belonged. Behind her.
