The wind gusted and snow fell off the branches outside. The snow held a special place in his heart. Everything slowed down when it fell. The moon reflected off the forest floor creating a peaceful blue hue outside his window.
The snow flakes gently brushed the evergreen’s needles as they fell.

The outside was so cold and unforgiving compared to the warmth and safety of his one room cabin.
On the wall, by his bed, hung his old sword, its handle worn in all the right places and its blade casting firelight all over the small room in strange patterns.

He lay in his bed with the covers pulled up almost over his head. He knew tomorrow would be the same as yesterday. It always was. It wore on his mind day after day. He knew that he would find them, he just had to. He didn’t have a choice. Tomorrow he would leave the safety of his cabin and venture southwest. There had to be something there, it was the only place he hadn’t looked yet.

The fire was all but embers as his eyes closed and his dreams took him.