Amelia Snowbird's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Amelia Snowbird pressed her mittened hand against the frost-covered map. The flame crystal had to be out there somewhere. Ten years ago, it had melted her entire village in one terrible night. Now she would find it, no matter how far she had to travel across the frozen lands. She rolled up the map and tucked it into her pack. The Sweet Haven Bakery would be her base for now. Its pastel walls and storybook windows made it look cheerful, but she didn't need cheerful. She needed a place to work, to plan, to prepare. The owner had left for the winter season, and the rent was cheap. Amelia walked through the snow to Winter's Hearth Cottage in the town square. She pulled a notice from her pocket and pinned it to the board by the door. "Information wanted about flame crystal. Any clues welcome." Someone had to know something. Someone always did. Back at the bakery, she set the Rainbow Frosted Crystal on the counter. It glimmered with icy rainbow colors in the dim light. If she could learn to handle this without her hands going numb, maybe she could survive the real crystal's heat. She pulled off one mitten and reached toward it. The cold bit into her palm immediately. She gritted her teeth and held on. This was just the beginning.