Through the Snowy Woods

     Rather unusual for the Brain Tree to request a Snowflake of all things he could ask for; it is what it is, however. And what will be, will be. And what “will be” turned out to be…

     “…a very rare, never-before-seen snowflake straight out of the legends,” the Brain Tree was saying. His large, round upper form took on the shape of a brain — if brains were made up of dry autumnal leaves and long branches that snapped and rustled each time a breeze blew — while his lower body appeared to be an average thick tree trunk of dark wood after a storm. He gestured with his branches now as if to say, “Good luck with that.”

     Chloe the Yellow Kacheek felt her mouth pull up into a smile as she signed. Impossible.

     If not for the Brain Tree’s education in Non-Verbal Communications — including her own learning under the close tutelage of her parents and a specialized tutor when she was younger — they would not have been able to communicate at all. Chloe felt a great sense of warmth and gratitude towards the infamous figure of the Haunted Woods.

     Brain Tree rustled his bare branches in the air. A show of good-natured laughter.

     “Not impossible, Chloe.”

     How so?

     “Because there is truth in the legend.” He stopped to consider his words. “And in truth lies all the answers you’ll ever need.”

     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     This doesn’t look very safe.

     The Angelpuss in Chloe’s arms emanated a bright glow in agreement.

     Beyond them stood the trail that would take her through the Haunted Woods to its very heart — where the Invisible Snowflake was rumoured to be hidden.

     So that’s why Brain said it was "never-before-seen"— because of its invisibility.

     It was an interesting epiphany…

     But how would they find something that couldn’t be seen?

     She nervously hugged Whiskers tighter to herself with a first step forward into the Haunted Woods.

     Then another. And another.

     They were suddenly plunged into total darkness…

     …or so she thought.

     At the first snap of a twig underfoot, Whiskers’ glow erupted hotly like the surface of the sun. It exploded outward until its rays reached the edges of the Haunted Woods before them. Strange, thought the Kacheek, squinting through the brightness at the Symol holes there. There are freshly dug Symol holes here. She had learned in school from her textbook that Symols didn’t live in the Haunted Woods; they were native to Meridell, where the well-known Symol Hole was located.

     I’m beginning to wish we had gone there first for our dailies. Chloe awkwardly signed while still holding Whiskers. To Meridell.

     The anxious Angelpuss just shivered in response.

     Chloe’s mouth lined with worry. Maybe bringing Whiskers along had been a mistake. He seemed to appear afraid — but so was she, inside.

     Whiskers sneezed as if he had heard her second thoughts.

     Alarm went through Chloe like a Money Tree Ghost until she sneezed, too. And just like that, she was shivering.

     Oh Whiskers, you’re so cold! She opened her Chomby and the Fungus Balls jacket for Whiskers, where he climbed comfortably into the PetPet pocket Chloe’d sewn in for him before the last Month of Giving. It was lined with soft fur. Curling up, he began to quietly purr as he warmed.

     She sneezed again.

     It grew colder as they continued to move deeper into the Haunted Woods; all the while Chloe thought of a list of cons, of reasons why they should turn around.

     Until something white drifted past her vision.

     Curiosity finally got the best of her, then, urging her to look up. She was astonished at what she saw there. She found groups of puffy white clouds had gathered overhead over everything since they had started their journey. On treetops, weighing down branches.

     No, not puffy clouds...

     Snow.

     They couldn’t stay there without growing colder; it was important that they kept moving for warmth and to find the legendary Snowflake for the Brain Tree. Chloe already had raced ahead, feeling cold to the bone. Whiskers peeked from her jacket collar, the tops of his soft ears tickling the underside of her chin. She felt him purr, and hugged him closer. At least he was still warm.

     Up ahead their trail had eventually given way to an open clearing as they progressed. It resembled something Chloe remembered seeing once on a map of Neopia in school — but life-sized.

     It was a snowy, albeit gravelly filled-in empty space. Scraggly trees bordered its outer perimeter whose scratchy branches reached this way and that, down and up, around and around, as if they were stretching, practising yoga.

     And in the middle of it all stood a strangely robed figure.

     With their back facing the pair, the young Kacheek could see well that the mysterious figure was unlike others. They were too tall to be anyone else but a faerie, she guessed. Judging by the pastel blues of their long robes, lined inside and out with warm fleece. Whiskers’ glow emanated brightly at that moment. As it did the faerie turned quickly, startled. There was a vibrant shimmer to her robes with the sudden movements. Like freshly fallen snow, thought Chloe. Dark hair framed a fair-toned face, curling at the temples with blue eyes so blue they reminded her of Terror Mountain.

     At seeing the pair the faerie visibly relaxed.

     You made it safely.

     Chloe felt momentarily caught off guard. This stranger just signed. To her.

     Who are you? Chloe signed.

     I am the Keeper of Legends.

     But you’re a Snow faerie.

     The Keeper smiled warmly at that. It is why they chose me to meet you. You’ve been assigned the task of finding the Invisible Snowflake, just as I have been assigned to guard it. She lowered her hands until they found their way into the warm pockets of her magnificent robes. It shimmered again under what little light infiltrated through the trees above as she moved.

     Instead of asking how this faerie knew she sought the legendary Snowflake, she signed: The Invisible Snowflake — it exists?

     The Keeper just smiled with a knowing tilt of her chin.

     If one had no knowledge of what to look for, then they wouldn’t find it. But Chloe?

     Chloe knew.

     It was very subtle, just a slight glimmer hanging in suspense midair where The Keeper had just been standing. She’d moved a fraction, but just enough. There were brightly shining points of light; each represented a unique point. And within their centre traced an intricate network of lines and various little shapes.

     The Kacheek felt her breath catch.

     The Invisible Snowflake of Legend.

     Indeed. The Keeper signed. Only a few of us — Keepers of the Legends — exist, but, as a Snow faerie, it is I they have assigned to watch over the Invisible Snowflake. And I cannot allow you to remove it. I’m sorry, Little Chloe.

     Chloe frowned. The Brain Tree requests it.

     This Snowflake is what keeps the Woods’ heart cold. If removed, and exposed to the outside world, it will melt, and so will the snow here in its centre. Without its existence the temperature would rise — and these Woods would wilt and wither away.

     The Kacheek frowned again. If the Invisible Snowflake was removed, it would melt away. If it disappeared, then the Woods were next. And without the Haunted Woods…

     She didn’t want to think about that.

     Too many of her friends were Team Haunted Woods. What would they do without a team to cheer for during the Altador Cup?

     There had to be some way she could get the Invisible Snowflake to show Brain Tree, at least. She wondered since meeting The Keeper — not for the first time — if maybe it could be borrowed. Before she could sign anything, however, the faerie shook her head sadly.

     May I ask you to meet Brain Tree with me? He would trust your word.

     The Keeper of Legends shook her head again with a sad glimmer of icy blue eyes. She moved closer while signing to Chloe, conspiratorially. As Keeper of Legends, I am not to leave my station. Only during True Winter for meetings with the other Keepers — that is, the true cold season in the world outside of Haunted Woods — can I travel. And then, only then, will the Snowflake in my care be safest without my constant guardianship.

     For one minute? Chloe panicked. She had to complete this quest; it was important to Brain Tree. She didn’t want to fail him. But if The Keeper couldn’t even take her eyes from the Legend for just one minute…

     The Snow Faerie underneath the title of Keeper smiled genuinely down at the little Kacheek as she knelt upon reaching her. She was rummaging through pockets that Chloe had not noticed earlier. Maybe she would ask Santa Skeith this year for a robe with pockets, too.

     Take this token in the Invisible Snowflake’s stead and give it to him. The Keeper held out an ornament — no, not an ornament — a Snowflake.

     Chloe accepted the replacement as the faerie placed it on her palm. It was a small Snowflake. Much smaller than any other. What set it apart from the ordinary was the complex series of lines and shapes that made up its shimmery centre which reminded her of an ancient language long forgotten with age and time. Something about it tickled at her memory, trying to surface with clarity.

     It’s a symbol of some kind. She managed to sign with calm hands.

     It is the symbol of the Keepers of Legends. We are few in number but great in power. The Keeper fondly smiled down at the symbolic artwork of the Snowflake in Chloe’s hands before rising to her booted feet. Much like her robes, they, too, were lined with fleece, she noted. Take that to Brain and show him. He will understand. For centuries he has shown his gratitude towards young Pets in this way, by teaching them the old legends. I would know, for we are good friends.

     Young Chloe had many questions she wished to ask, but knew that this cryptic faerie would be unable to answer them. Not without giving away the secrets of her kind.

     Safe travels — and good luck on your future quests, signed the Keeper.

     As she turned to take leave of the faerie, she looked back one last time.

     Thank you, for everything.

     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     The trek back through Haunted Woods brought a lighter step to the Yellow Kacheek’s stride as she easily found their way to Brain Tree.

     “I have great faith you have brought me what I seek,” Brain Tree signed.

     Whiskers’ fluffy ear tips tickled her cheek as he began to wiggle with excitement. She pet his head lightly before taking out the token from her jacket pocket and holding it out for Brain Tree wordlessly. Based on what she’d been told of the friendship between Keeper and Brain Tree, Chloe had a feeling that no words were necessary, to explain from where and how she had gotten this token, or why it was this she offered in place of the legendary Invisible Snowflake.

     Brain Tree shook his branches in congratulatory cheer.

     “You have brought me Keeper’s Token. Young Kacheek, please keep it as my gift to you, as a memento of your journey here today.” His branches bent in odd angles as he quickly signed to keep up with his words.

     Again Chloe felt great appreciation and gratitude towards him.

     Thank you, thank you very much.

     A smile carved its way onto Brain Tree’s trunk where she assumed his face to be.

     “Today’s youth shall uncover the secrets of yesterday’s past. And with that said…”

     Brain Tree’s pause captured Chloe's attention — including Whiskers as he tilted his head in waiting.

     “I grant your quest completed.”

     The End.