Visions Vol. I

It was a cold and crisp morning as he ran to see her. On this faithful day the sun was as bright and glimmering on the snow as her hair shined a crown on her already beautiful features. His feet didn't hit the ground as he sailed over roads and streets jumping over puddles and avoiding the ice with the biggest smile in his soul and on his face. Today was the day.

He crossed over the old city, the cobble stones and vendors everywhere each trying desperately to warm their lungs by making known their talents. He saw children playing in the snow, making imaginary wars and claiming themselves heroes. He smiled remembering his own days as a young one, making forts and planning attacks on all who dared challenge his might. The days when innocence wrapped her arms around him tightly never left his mind. Those were the days when everything was simple and it all made sense. His young adult life wasn't exactly the same, but those were thoughts for another day. Today was no day for Grey clouds! Today was the day!

He wondered how it would all begin. Where he would go when he saw. As much as the voices in his mind said it didn't matter he still wanted to have it smothered in the essence of perfection. That was always his character. His reputation mattered more than anything, and he wanted everything to be immaculate. The sun kissed his face reminding him that it was the last of his worries.

He slowed his gallop down to a walk, his heart still running. He looked around and decided to take his time instead. The cold made him feel fresh and the blue sky just filled his soul with glory. There would be time, and he'd use these minutes to center. Something was different about the old city today. She invited him to stay and watch. It was something he could never resist. Just as he started to hum he was ambushed by the very little devils he was admiring awhile ago.

He looked around after the snowball had hit him in the chest - they all went into hiding. No doubt scared, there he towered over them in his uniform and they didn't know what he would do. He picked up a snowball and hid it in his coat as he smiled. All of a sudden something hugged his leg from behind. It was his little niece. How he adored that child. Her three front teeth missing and yet she was prettier than any angel he could imagine. How could she not be...all the noble lines of their family ran through her and yet her delicate features were nothing like his own. Soft as a rose and twice as pretty she knew just how to ask him for whatever she wanted.

"Uncle, where you going?!" she exclaimed with that toothless smile. He couldn't help but wipe that serious look off his face. There was no way to fool that little one. He picked her up and tickled her till she cried of laughter. "That's what you get baby goat" he said as he set her down, she pouted and laughed as she ran back to her friends who heard her laugh and came out of hiding. He spied his eldest nephew and let him have the snow ball in the face knowing it had been him who threw it. No one could deny today was the day. Everything was perfect. Today had to be the day.

The old town had its big Christmas tree in the square. What a tree it was! Big beautiful pine brought by the very group of officers he belonged to. He had scouted the location himself, though he never went into the square to watch the decorating. It always made him happiest when he would walk past the tree and smile at its beauty when complete. Church bells rang in the distance and he knew that the old church was full like it always was. Today was the day after all, everything in the universe seemed to echo it.

The snow on his boots was perfect. If the sky had shattered into the finest grains of sand it could not have been more pure. He missed his horses, he usually would be home spoiling them with apples and sugar cubes. He couldn't help but spoil the things he loved. His dogs knew that too, and never let him forget it. Those little rascals knew exactly which buttons to push though they knew when their master needed them there was no time for play.

As he got closer to his destination, he started to feel his mortality return to him. His body felt again, and he no longer sailed on clouds as he did before. Subconsciously checking for imperfections his hands moved over his pressed uniform and coat making sure everything was in place. He felt the badges and sword inherited from his own grandfather. He knew this was what he bred to do. Everyone has a calling he was told and this was his. There was no joy in what he did. His body rejoiced at it being used and his mind and soul never tired from being used and abused through the life that they had to live. It was hard but it was his destiny. Nobility echoed through his veins and his blood warm with the dignity of compassion and honor so ingrained in him through every childhood lessons and tribulation under the guidance of those who carefully molded him.

He smoothed over the final crease in his jacket and looked at his watch. It was time. His pace slowed even further and his chest expanded filled with the crisp morning air. There was no room for error, no time for hesitation. Today was the day he made the move. Today was the day he would join in his destiny.