The First Chapter (for a contest, this isn't a story I will continue)

The snow rested on the tops of the bare branches of oak and maple trees while the brown of its bark still showed from below. A similar affect covered the evergreens with their green pine needles. Sap from the trees froze as it escaped from the strong trunks and made smooth frozen drops on the rough barks surface. The snow on the ground lay untouched by animal or human wandering. This natural blanket shimmered as light made its way through the snow-covered branches making the ground look like glass. The only sound that could be heard was that of solitude, the cool nothingness that warms the heart and comforts the soul. As a cardinal flew overhead it sung its beautiful song of heartache and yet it still sounded joyous. How could a place be more peaceful?1

Kiana looked around at the beautiful scene, knowing well the peace would not last, this land soon to become a battleground. She walked through the pure snow, listening as it crushed beneath her feet. The child of 9 years had watched as her older brother went to train, ready for the war. Now the war was at their doorstep, and rumors abounded that their town would meet the enemy by dawn of the next morning.2

"Kiana! Come inside, before you become frostbitten!"3

"Yes mama" she called before making her way back to the house. However, she hadn’t taken more than a few steps before she heard something in the snow.4

"H-hello?" she whispered, but the only reply she received was more shuffling. Curious, she knelt down before the bush the noise seemed to originate from. She heard a small cry before further sound from the movement of snow. Pulling aside the branches, she found a small squirrel, its leg twisted, caught in the branches.5

"Hello there little fella... What are you doing here?" she asked it pointlessly. Picking it up gently and wrapping it in her soft red jacket, she ran for the house as the sun began to set.6

And so it began.7