Melon's Nano's novel

 The winds of winter could mean two things. Snow was falling and covering the land in beautiful shades of whites and grays. Times of fun dancing and playing in the snow. Snow fights, and forts in the snow. For other's it meant starvation, cold, and sickness. It meant holding your children close and your tattered clothes would pile on top of each other. Winter was a different thing, a different motive depending on two different life styles. In the large city of Hales, the people who where lucky enough to have homes where quickly slipping into their homes, as the first soft snow of winter fell down and covered the streets with a sparkling white. Other's where hiding in alleyways up against brick walls together holding each other close under thin sheer blankets.

One little boy in particular, lucky enough to live in Hale's largest home the Hale's castle home of the royal family, was dancing and playing in the snow. Laughing in excitement under the soft cloth of his scarf, and putting together a packed snow ball, knowing that someone would be following right behind him, telling him to come in. A soft mischievous smirk appeared on the boys face as a young woman's voice chimed.

"Carno?" And sure enough, a young pale woman followed in behind him, looking around the large court yard for him. And once her eyes landed on the small dark-skinned boy the next thing she saw was full white.

"I just really got you Malrina!" Carno shouted and laughed, falling back into the snow as his guts hurt from the amusement he gained from the silly prank. Malrina shook off the snow and quickly picked up some snow and threw it right back at him, but to no effect as the boy was already drenched from rolling around in the white wonderland.

"I'll be sure to get you next time!" Malrina laughed a little, running over and held a hand out for him to take in order to help him up.

"Keep telling yourself that." The young boy rebutted and took her hand, but instead pulled her down into the icy cold, soaking her dress in the frozen water. She laughed and laid in the snow with him, and stared up into the gray sky, covered with the clouds of winter.

Malrina closed her eyes, as she laid next to her brother. The one person her life that meant anything to her, everyone else didn't matter as long as he was there with her. For some reason over all her friends and followers he was the most important.

Minuets passed by and the siblings basked in their own air, just their presences was nice to have around. Next to the quite the young royals laid in their own light. Up until their small moment of bliss was broken by a third voice.

"Princess, you mustn't lay in the cold snow like that." Malrina opened her eyes to see Jara, a young man who she was well antiquated with.

"If your pretty white dress gets to wet I'll be able to see your undergarments." His voice teased and Malrina's blue eyes rolled and she chuckled at him and shook her head.

"Jara, don't talk like that in front of Carno." Malrina said, sitting up and getting to feet, Carno doing the same. Jara laughed a little, and gave her a smile.

"Well, don't make it so easy for me." Jara spoke. Malrina had known Jara all her life, he'd been her personal butler since they where both little. Her parents had thought she'd be more cooperative if she had a butler around her own age. Though it ended up being true, Jara and Malrina also had ended up being best friends and Jara sometimes forgot his formalities.

"Mali, your dad wants you and Carno in his throne room." Jara told her, and Malrina nodded, and took Carno's small hand within hers and walked with him to her father's throne room.

The castle was large, and so it was a bit of a walk to get over to the throne room, winding hallways that Malrina wasn't sure if she had them memorized even after eighteen years of living in the castle. Luckily, the throne room was in the center of it all which helped things out a lot. Jara followed closely behind them, as was expected.

When reaching the large throne room, she noticed someone was waiting there for them. Danzle, Carno's body guard. Ever since the riots had started two years ago, Danzle was assigned to watch Carno, and though he was young he was a good enough fighter, and Malrina had to approve of his skills. He followed the three into the throne room and Malrina let go of her brother's hand as the two walked up to her father.

He was a large and powerful man, his face was worn with stress and age and looked a lot older then he could have. Even if he looked a little rough, in all honesty Malrina knew her father was a sensitive guy. She smiled at him. She also was a lot like him, as much as she didn't like admitting it she really did.

"Was there something you needed, dad?" She asked curiously, it wasn't rare that he asked to see her but Carno was a different story. But for the past two years, he's been in great danger.

Carno's existence was a secret to the world, if people had known that the queen had a bastard child people would be upset. If they knew that Carno was.. well.. Carno had an air aura. The air aura, was one of the lowest class aura's.

In this world, everyone is born with their own aura, what your aura is, typically depends on the genetics of your parents. Your aura also typically describes your place in the world, and assigned you with certain abilities you can have. The royal family typically had the aura of Spirit.

Spirit generally has the ability to see people who have lost their lives in the past, and are able to see future possibility. They also have their minds largely intensified and can use them at full capacity and read other's minds at times.

The other aura's in order are Emotions, Energy, Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Light. And so, Air is kind of low on the market for popularity. And so it was decided that Carno would be hidden from the world.

Two years ago, most of the air community had decided that they where sick of their unfair treatment, and a rebel group against the royal family had come up. Making Carno make the royal family look even worse to them, and they'd want to kill him off automatically.

Thus, why Danzel has been thrown into the picture. Still, something told Malrina that her father resented Carno, as he'd never look at the kid if he could help it and was a lot colder to him. Still, if no one else would Malrina would give the kid all the love he deceived.

"Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for an important meeting regarding the rebels" the kings voice boomed across the room even though he was only addressing a few people, he was strong and firm in his words. "So I'll need you to listen to your mother as she takes charge for the next few days."

Malrina smiled a little, her father was a busy man but always took the time to let her know when he was leaving and make sure she had what she needed and was happy to know that her father would be there for her when she needed it.

"Alright father, have a nice trip." Malrina chimed in almost a song, peppy and happy. The king nodded, his sign that she was dismissed and Malrina took Carno's hand once again and skipped out of the large room.

Still, she knew that it was about time she and Carno separated for the night. Malrina picked him up and hugged him tight, he'd gotten heavier and he was almost to big for her to pick him up at eleven, she still felt the need to hug him good night. Setting him down she spoke. "Good night Carno, I'll see you tomorrow."

Malrina turned over to walk towards her room and waved bye to him, as in this castle it almost felt like they where going to separate homes rather then rooms. Jara followed behind Malrina all the way to her room, and the first thing she did when she entered was change out of her soaked clothes.

"Whooo, man why does the gloomy weather always make me sleepier?" Malrina commented, looking out her window at the giant golden clock and seeing that it had not been that long. Malrina was more of a night owl, she didn't like being awake during the day. But today had also been a longer day this day, and she spent most of her free time playing outside with Carno which was a huge difference on her part.

Being royalty, Malrina had been spoiled and never really was one for physical activity. She tends to stay inside and play easier board games, or read. Or.. well.. socializing with the staff. Malrina just wasn't the type for physical activity. Still, as a princess she had to learn at least one forum of combat and was talented with her skills of controlling her aura.

"You're gonna let me sleep with you tonight right?" Jara walked over to her bed and jumped in and laid in there, as he spoke he gave a big teasing smile to Malrina. She shook her head and laughed.

"If I don't let Carno sleep here, no way in hell I'm letting you." Malrina teased, pushing him off the bed until he made a loud thud as he hit the ground. Malrina laughed and curled up in her golden sheets and feeling the warm slowly wrap around her.

She closed her eyes, a signal she was ready for Jara to leave and she heard him go into the door that connected their to rooms and shut it softly until she fell into a dark deep slumber.

Gun shots. That's what the sound was that penetrated the deep sleep of Malrina, she opened her eyes and looked around the room to see Jara quickly running in, with eyes full of terror.

"What's going.." But her words were cut off, after seeing his face. His eyes where all I needed and before he moved his lips she had realized that the rebels had come. And my heart skipped a beat and I hopped out of the protection of my bed and grabbed the nearest blunt object next to me.
    Carno. They knew about Carno. It wasn't a for sure thing but, Malrina was pretty sure about it and she wasn't going to let them have him. So she sped down the hall, ignoring the chaos of battle around her. Only one thing on her mind. She had to get Carno.

Running into his room, her heart skipped a beat, she hadn't even realized that her breath was out of sync she wasn't tired. He wasn't there. And neither was Danzel, meaning there was a chance he had gotten him to safety.

Malrina quickly left the room and ran out to the front, where she saw most of the action. Bodies were merged together in battle and red was spilled everywhere bodies had fallen, but no sign of Carno. Running back into the castle she ran to the court yard their earlier prints had been covered by the seemingly endless snow, and there laid Danzle, his body looking lifeless in the snow.

Malrina ran over and bent next to him, Jara next to her. She hadn't even noticed that he had been following her, her mind consumed and focused on Carno. Still, no time for that now, she worridly pushed away Danzel's bangs and wondered if there was anything she could do. Looking down she noticed the red soaked of his clothes, still dressed in his sleeping attire.

Jara ripped open the soaked cloth and placed his hands on the wound, and they glowed a bright light yellow as the wounds slowly closed themselves up. It took minuets, that to Malrina felt like hours. Not only was this her friend, but also the only one who knew where Carno was. She looked around, in hopes he was hiding, but somewhere deep down Malrina new.. she knew that was wrong.

Slowly the young man's eyes opened to reveal the green iris' under neath. Malrina looked at him, and sighed in relief she'd been breathing rapidly and hadn't noticed, but she slowly told herself it was okay and got a hold of her breathing once more. Danzel sat up and looked around, and then jumped to his feet, and hand on his sword as though he only remembered.

"Shit.." he spoke under his breath and Malrina knew then... her suspicions had been right.

"Where is he?" She asked hoping that he'd have an answer and Danzle looked at her and then at the ground, before looking up and running over to another part of the courtyard.

"They went this way!" He shouted, determination suddenly flowing through him. Malrina, stopped for a moment, hesitating taking a moment to realize this was hopeless. Then another moment to not care, and her feet ran after him. She was breathing heavy again, but she followed and ran despite the burning in her legs and despite the want to sit down she needed Carno. Until they reached the end of the courtyard, and back into the labyrinth of the castle. Still, she followed right behind Danzle trusting him to lead her to her brother.

Until they reached a balcony hanging high above the ground, Malrina looked out, to see several people standing there fighting off guards, standing tall above them, one had a limp body handing over their shoulder. And she knew that the body had to be who she thought it was.

From the balcony, Malrina looked down at the man holding him, he was tall and dark skinned, darker then most. She looked at him, memorized him and realized that he would be the one that she'd need to find. She'd have everyone that she ever knew go and look for this man, as he defeated the last solider and faded into the forest behind him. And then it hit her that her brother was slipping away from her and, she was stuck.

Looking at Danzle, who was also pained she wasn't sure what to do, and it was killing her.

"I'm going to jump for it!" She shouted, getting up on the railing, but two strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back and though she struggled, it was then that she felt the tears that had been streaming down her face. "Put me down I need to save him.. I promised him he would be okay.. I promised..." But even Malrina knew that it was hopeless and her flailing arms fell to her sides and though her movement stopped the screaming of pain and the wet tears clinging to her cheeks wouldn't stop.

Things had calmed and the battle was over, and the young princess was in her room sitting in her chair and just looking at the ground. Her young butler stood in the corner, waiting for a request but his heart was also broken from the new loss.

The silence was almost worse then the sound of pained screams and men died, the silence of the dead. No birds chirping, no people working just dead silence showing the loneliness of the whole situation. It was almost maddening to the young princess, and when the door opened to break the silence Malrina almost kissed the woman's feet.

The maid's soft chubby face looked at them both before speaking quietly.

"The king would like to see you."

Malrina had been waiting for this, she knew her father would have something to say. And she slowly got up and made her way to the room. All she wanted to do was lay in bed and forget about things, and not move for days. But she had to move, or father would be upset and that was almost worse then anything that could happen to her now.

Walking into the throne room, she looked at her dad, and just waited. No words coming out of her mouth, and just waited. There was more silence until her father spoke, once again in his loud booming and confident voice.

"Your mother and I have talked, and have decided on what to do with Carno."

Malrina smiled a bit, would they revenge him? Would they revenge her little brother, and perhaps stop the rebels finally? The thought almost sent shivers down her spine, she was excited. Happy to know her father at least now have motivation to end the stupid war. And Carno's death wouldn't go in vain.

"We have decided to do nothing."

The words struck me, she looked up at him in disbelief, NOTHING? HE'D DO NOTHING. And all of the young princess' apathy was gone and was replaced with anger at her father.

"What do you mean you'll do nothing?!" Her voice was louder then she could have ever remembered, and almost scared even herself as the words echoed through the tall ceilings. "We have to do something, revenge him, SOMETHING." She desperately pleaded she couldn't just let this go to waste, for nothing.

The king was taken back the loudness and rebellion of her daughter, it'd been a long while since she'd argued with him. Normally Mal had been a good daughter, always doing as the king said. He then glared down at her, dis pleased with this reaction.

"We don't have the time or men to deal with revenging him, we need to protect the home front before anything."

Malrina was full of anger, he couldn't just let Carno's death go in vain, he just couldn't. But, what could she do? Well.. nothing for now.

And so, she briskly turned and walked out, leaving without a word, and anyone could swear that she was almost steaming from the ears and she steamed down the hall. She heard voices trying to talk to her, but no. She didn't want to listen to them all defend her father. She wanted someone on her side. She wanted Jara.

So when she walked into the room she felt the tears stinging the side of her eyes as she slammed the door close and Jara was sitting there in a chair waiting for her, and before he spoke he stood up and she ran over and wrapped her arms around him, begging for his arms to hold her.

Her face hidden in his coat she felt his warmness wrap around her as she let more tears fall. At least she was feeling again, the apathy was a lot harder to deal with at least this way she had a way to vent it out.

After minuets passed, Malrina pulled away and looked up at him and shook her head.

"He wont do anything." her voice choked out the words, and Jara placed a hand on her head and gently stroked her blond hair and nodded.

"I know.." he whispered, and held her again, and they stood there for a moment before the door broke the silence again, and Jara instantly pushed Malrina away. This wasn't out of embarrassment, but they're close relationship was almost taboo, due to his low glass.

Looking at the door, she saw Danzel and grew annoyed. She didn't want to see him, he should had done his job he just really should had have done something. She looked away from him in anger, and yet he still spoke.

"I know you're mad.. but I have a suggestion." Malrina wanted her ears closed off, but couldn't help but listen. "I think we can go save Carno." Malrina looked at him in surprise.

"Save? They killed him.. or have by now." she spoke looking at him rolling her eyes. His stupidity was almost amusing if only she had the ability to laugh right now.

"That's the thing.. I don't think they did... because when they  came for him they didn't want to hurt him at all and just gave him a little sedative.. that's it." He spoke desperately, obviously a little hurt that the princess would be so mean to him. "I talked to the king.. but he wont listen.. but if you give me permission to go.."

Malrina looked up at him in surprise. Go save Carno? That was a crazy idea, it had to be. Carno wasn't alive he couldn't be, could he? She bit her lip, all her life she'd been told to never hope but still.. hoping was.. well.. all she could do. Looking at him and at the ground.

"Dad would be mad..." she started and looked at Danzel in the eye and realized what she wanted. No, what she needed. She needed to go save Carno. "So you have to take me." And for the first time in a long time, Jara had to comment.

"Princess, I can't let you do that." He spoke "It'd be dangerous, and I couldn't let you just.. do something like that."    Malrina was touched by his worry, but she shook her head.

"Don't you understand Jara? I need to do this,  for my own sanity, I need to at least go, and I can't stay here if I let him go.." She looked at Danzel. "So you'll be taking me with you." Malrina nodded, she was firm and nothing would change her mind.

Danzel looked at her in surprise, and had to take quite awhile before finally answering.

"Fine." Jara sighed, disappointed his last hope had failed him and then nodded.

"I'll be going as well then princess." He said, commanding her for once. Malrina almost called him out on it, but shook her head and laughed a little.

"It wouldn't be any fun without you, silly." She commented, hoping to break the tension. She looked at Danzle and shrugged "Well, when do we leave?"

The snow had been melting over the previous day and now mushed under the ground of the three's boots as they walked toward the edge of town, the three had spent the day getting ready and preparing to leave and now all of them were out on the first steps of their journey. Stopping at the gates, Danzel stood and looked around, a slightly annoyed look on his face.

Malrina looked around at the brick roads and wondered what in the world he was looking for, when suddenly a random gust of wind powerful enough to blow her over, came to her, and next thing she knew the princess was face first in the ground.

"What the fuck?!" She shouted, jumping up and putting her fists up ready to punch and kick the shit out of anyone that attacked her, but instead a young boy with curly brown hair clinging to his face was grinning in front of her and snickering at his own joke.

"Jokes? Don't like jokes? Okay. No more jokes." He speedily said, once again snickering at his own words. Malrina stared at him for a moment, what was he doing? She stopped and gave him a once over once more.. and laughed with him? She wasn't sure why but she couldn't help but laugh with the boy. Something about him just made it funny even if she was wet now.

"Miles, you get the horses?" Danzel asked, interrupting their awkward encounter. The curly haired boy, nodded and pointed out the gate.

"They're just on the other side Danny Boy." he commented, and lead the boy over to the horses, Jara and Malrina followed after him, both feeling quite confused and out of place. Once they reached the horses, Danzel paused and turned to the two.

"Oh right. Guys, this is my old pal Miles, he's a farm boy and is letting us borrow his horses." Miles waved and laughed a little. "And.." Dan looked at the horses and counted in his head once more. "Apparently is coming along?" He asked questioningly.

"Eh, things are boring at home, thought I'd help you out." He commented, and hopped on to obviously was the best horse, and laughed. "That's the princess right?" he asked looking over her once more.

"Yes, I am." Malrina cut Dan off before he could answer, and then she picked up the closest horse and hopped up on it's back. She didn't look at Miles, trying to look more important and proper then him. She wanted him to realize that she was a princess, and needed to be respected like one. Miles was funny, but it wasn't okay to treat her like that, she wanted respect.

Malrina looked down at the horse and bit her lips as she hoped it'd obey her. But she'd never really had great luck with horses in the past. Her heart raced faster, in hopes that she wouldn't come off as dumb as she looked at the horse. At least she had been able to get on it correctly. Looking over at Jara, who was having a little more trouble with that, she wanted to get down and help him, but Danzel had already beat her to it as he helped him on the horse.

Jara looked down and attempted to hide his face but Malrina knew he was just as embarrassed as she was. She looked over at Miles and wondered if it was really a good idea for him to be there, all it would do was cause awkwardness between the group. But, without any words following Dan got on his horse, and the four where off, leaving the town.

Looking back, Malrina finally had the realization that this would be the first time that she had left the safety of the city walls. There were stories that the outside life was harder then within the large safe and secure walls, but Malrina hadn't ever paid attention to such stories, having no interest to leave the big walls. But here she was, doing it without hesitation.

Malrina's crystal blue eyes went back to the group in front of her, and she wasn't sure what made her so confident this was the right thing or what made her so sure that she could trust the two such much that it would be alright. Malrina looked at Danzel, who had spent two whole years just protecting her brother. And though she was resenting him a little for failing, she had to admit he did care for the boy. She sighed, well it was the only chance she had and she was going to take it.

And so the four road and road into the what they weren't sure was a for-sure thing. And they knew that they weren't sure what was going to come next, but it would be worth it in the end. At least the young adventure's hopes were high.

The four reached a point where Malrina was seeing large plains of flat land, the land having no trees and was just flat land. She wondered if she was seeing the result of the supposed apocalypses that had happened years and years ago. It was also once again defining silence in the area. Miles had been talking a lot, blabbering on and on and catching up with Danzle, things Marlina hadn't been paying attention to. She didn't realize how much she appreciated it.

"Do we even know where we're really going?" Jara whispered next to Malrina, and the realization hit her, why would Danzle have an idea on where the young prince was? Looking up at their supposed leader she wondered for a few moments before looking over at Jara.

"Well, I guess I can find out." Malrina commented, and had her horse speed up and trot up next to Danzle and gave him a sweet smile.

"Danny." She cooed at him, picking up the nick name that Miles had been calling him through the whole trip. He looked at her, and gave her a smile back, waiting for her to continue her statement. "Where are we going exactly?" Dan looked around at the fields.

"Well, we were going to go see some water and earth auras and see if they had any information on where the rebels could be hiding." Danzel replied, being as honest as he could.

Malrina nodded, thinking back to the studies. She remembered her teacher with glasses standing at the front of the class. Teaching her about the different Aura's. Water and Earth tended to go hand in hand and lived out on the flat plains of the earth to plant and grow food for them.

She couldn't help but think about her teacher too, wondering how she would do after not having either her brother or her to teach. Would she still have a job? Miss Ahkwa had been so kind, even though she could be a little eccentric at times and talk about fish.. a lot. Thinking to the three aquariums in her classroom, Malrina made a mental note to go and buy her another fish the second she returned with Carno.

Malrina got lost in her thoughts once more, letting everyone else chatter amoungst each other until Danzle reached a point and stopped everyone, and had everyone get off, and tie the horses up.

Malrina hadn't ever been on a horse that long, and her legs had been hurting, and figured she'd feel better after she began walking around. Sadly, that wasn't how it worked out and she felt more sore then ever. And took a moment to just sit down and let her muscles ache and scream at her for a moment.

Everyone waited for a moment, as even Jara seemed to need to take a moment to streach everything out. But eventually they felt good enough to get moving, and started following behind Danzle. Until they reached a little small village. Honestly, Malrina hadn't realized there were other towns besides Hale, but she supposed not everyone could live there and it wouldn't be to everyone's tastes.


Current word count: 5130

NOTE: PERSONALITIES MAY NOT FIT, I MAY BE MOVING TO FAST, AND I MAY BE A FUCKING SHITTY WRITER BUT THIS IS FOR MY OWN FUN CRITIQUE IS HELPFUL BUT BE NICE OKAY? Chapter five isn't done.