Snow looked around the small room.

Even though VinWei¹Literally vin (hard) + wei (crystal) had personally led him there, proudly declaring that was one of the Temple’s best accommodations, the dark monster still had insisted on accompanying them, just to simply leave him there, with MenTar²Literally men (lake) + tar (wind) as his personal guard. If MenTar was there to prevent others from coming in like the monster had instructed, or to watch him so he wouldn’t run away Snow couldn’t tell.

Like most of the Temple, the room was all painted in white, the walls naked of any decorations, simply emitting that gentle light.

To his left was a small table surrounded by four simple chairs, all made of white wood. The same wood had been used to make the bookshelf behind it, even though it remained mostly empty, unlike the one in VinWei’s chamber. To the right, two armchairs, also white, faced each other. The floors were made of the same white stone that paved the corridors outside and, in front of him, another door led to the small bedroom that VinWei had showed him just moments ago. Furnished with one single bed, one dresser, one small desk and one chair, it was as white and simple as everything else.

VinWei had told them that most Jundai³Literally jun (work / worker) + dai (light). Or Workers of Light, or in service of the Light. Name given to the priests and priestesses of the Temple. that lived in the Temple stayed in accommodations similar to this, and Snow couldn’t help think that he wouldn’t mind living there either.

The simple lines were relaxing to his eyes, the bright spaces allowing him to relax, the general cleanliness making the air easier to breathe. He could easily see himself quietly living inside those walls, reading a book while sitting on one of the armchairs, strolling outside in that amazing garden under the sun. He was sure that, in there, time would flow silently and painlessly and, for a moment, he really wished he could accept VinWei’s invitation to stay in the Temple.

But, like most things in his life, that was nothing more than another wishful thought. In reality, even if he could accept VinWei’s request, he wouldn’t be living here, he would be sent to the Palace, a place that even that scary monster seemed to want to avoid at any cost. No to mention that VinWei thought that he was a golden-haired girl, which he obviously wasn’t. And he didn’t know what would happen if she were to find out about his gravest anomaly as a Celestial.

Releasing a deep sigh, he couldn’t help feeling depressed.

There was no denying it anymore. Even if he didn’t want to be this supposedly special being, even if he didn’t feel holy or sacred at all, even if all he wanted was to live a normal life, he might as well give up on such wishful thoughts and objectively accept reality. Blindly denying it was never a good option. It was much better to just face it all, so that he may prepare and be ready to act, no matter what may come his way.

He had to learn more, he decided with renewed assertiveness. Learn more about these Celestials, about this bond VinWei had mentioned, about what it meant to have a Chosen One. He most definitely had to learn more about that dark monster they all seemed to believe he’d somehow chosen. If that was true, which by now he was willing to accept it was, he had to do his best to understand what exactly bound them together and how to undo it, he decided, raising his head.

He’d learned a lot, that day. About his past and about who he was. And yet, even though he couldn’t help feeling more than a bit overwhelmed, he was perfectly aware that what he’d learned was far from being enough.

A heavy hand on his head made him flinch.

“Long day, eh?” MenTar’s familiar voice asked and he forced himself to relax. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll call you when they bring us our food.”

Snow lowered his head.

“JanHai⁴Literally jan (flower) + hai (laugh / laughter). …” he whispered, the name sounding strange in his voice. The men and women she’d led into his bedroom had always called her madame. “Is she …"

His voice faltered and MenTar, at his side, sighed heavily.

“No. Not yet. BigMountain is keeping an eye on her.”

“And the children …?”

“They’re all safe. I personally escorted them to the Temple’s orphanage. Tonight everyone will have a warm meal to eat and a soft bed to sleep in.”

“And then …?” he asked, raising his head to look up at him, and MenTar gave him one of his bright smiles.

“Well, it all depends on their luck, I guess. They could be adopted by some rich family. They can also stay in the Temple, if they choose so, and become Jundai. Or they can go and learn a trade once they’re old enough. Until then, however, they’ll be cared for by the Temple. So you don’t have to worry,” he added and Snow averted his gaze.

Not that he worried about them. He simply felt sorry. Sorry for what they’d been through, and for the scars that would remain, scars that no amount of warm meals would ever be able to erase.

A knock on the door made him turn around, lowering his head again to make sure no one would see his face.

MenTar went to the door and, after thanking whoever had knocked, closed it, running the bolt, and crossed the room towards the table.

“Our food is here,” he declared with a joyful tone and Snow followed him, peering curiously at the silver tray he carried.

It was actually made of silver, he knew before he could even touch it. And that strange knowledge was enough to make him instinctively want to keep away from it.

MenTar set the tray on the table and uncovered a rich plate of roasted lamb with new potatoes and carrots. The room was immediately filled with what most people would describe as a delicious, mouthwatering scent. Not as far as Snow was concerned, though, who immediately twisted his nose and took two steps back.

MenTar gave him a suspicious glance and, seeing his sickened expression, immediately placed the lid back in place.

“You really can’t stand the smell of it, can you? Cooked meat or fish.”

Snow shook his head, his mouth watering but in nauseating way.

MenTar raised another lid but thankfully the bowl beneath it contained a simple vegetable broth, small pieces of cabbages floating at the surface.

“I’ll go try to find someone, and tell them to bring you something else to eat,” MenTar decided, already on the move, but Snow grabbed his sleeve as he passed by him, stopping him.

“No need.”

“You have to eat something!” MenTar argued, a bit too fiercely, and Snow immediately released him, taking a step back.

“There’s the soup …”

“That’s hardly a soup! That’s hot, salted water with a couple of leaves floating in it!”

Snow couldn’t help smile at his description and expression of indignation.

“It’s more than enough,” he whispered, which was the honest truth. For someone who had eaten as poorly and scarcely as he had his entire life, that bowl of soup was equivalent to a feast.

MenTar sighed but seemed to give up on his idea of leaving to look for someone to pester about their meal.

“Fine! But you have to eat the entire thing!”

Snow’s eyes widened in alarm. That bowl was obviously too big for one person alone. But he immediately gave up on arguing his point of view. It was no use, he knew from all the time he’d spent together with MenTar. Always with a smile on his face, no one was more stubborn, more obstinate than him. And once he put an idea in his head the only one who could dissuade or talk him out of it was his brother, who wasn’t present at the moment.

Resigning himself to his present situation, and making sure the door was really locked, he finally lowered his hood an begun the apparently hard endeavor of getting rid of the scarf tied around his head. He was sure that if he tried to eat with it still on he’d end up spilling soup all over the delicate fabric. And even though it was obviously a woman’s accessory, he couldn’t bring himself to ruin such beautiful piece of clothing.

“Here. Let me help you,” MenTar offered and, before he could accept or refuse his offer, MenTar was already leaning over him, his hands quickly taking over and easily undoing the entire thing.

“Many noble women tie scarves around their heads in this fashion, when they’re on the road. It is seen as a sign of decorum and, at the same time, protects them from the elements.”

MenTar smiled, sliding the scarf off his head and gently straightened his hair, which made Snow cringe again.

“You really don’t like people touching you, do you?”

Snow lowered his head, feeling guilty for being rude to someone who was just trying to help him.

“Well, I suppose it is to be expected, taking into account all you’ve been through.”

Those words made him blush from embarrassment, the image of that bedroom, of those chains, suddenly very clear in his mind.

“You have nothing to feel ashamed of!” MenTar declared in an unusually serious tone and, placing his hand on his head again, made him look up at him. “You were just a child! And you were heavily sedated! Whatever happened, it wasn’t your fault and there was nothing you could do about it. If anything, you should feel proud! Proud that you survived all that! Proud that you are now able to stand on your own two feet! And that, no matter what they did to you, you never lost your soul or your heart! You are one heck of a brave kid! I know many grown-up men, acclaimed by their heroic acts, that wouldn’t have survived a week in that bedroom, tied to that bed. Me included. I would have gone completely insane! So don’t lower your head, no matter what others might say! Do you understand?”

Snow blinked his tears away and nodded the best he could with that hand weighing on his head.

“Good! Now lets eat. And then it’s bedtime for you. If everything goes according to plan we’ll be back on the road by tomorrow afternoon. You need your rest.”

Snow nodded again. He couldn’t deny that, no matter how much he wished to look strong, he felt extremely tired, his temples aching. A warm soup and some sleep sounded like true heaven.

Taking into consideration that the mere scent of the lamb would make him sick, MenTar simply watched as he ate. He also didn’t complain when, as expected, Snow couldn’t finish the entire bowl.

After finishing his meal, Snow quietly excused himself and went to his room, happy with the prospect of finally being able to take off that dress. The simple nightgown that waited for him, carefully folded on the bed, was much more comfortable, the soft linen pleasant against his skin. He washed the best he could on the small basin placed on the bedside table and sat on the bed pondering on what to do.

The monster had instructed MenTar to watch over him and to not allow anyone else inside the room until he came back. Which meant that MenTar would probably spend the night somewhere else. But did that mean the monster would stay there instead? There were no other beds in that small bedroom and, unlike the luxurious bedroom at he Fortress, the armchairs hardly made for a good sleeping place.

On the other hand he doubted very much that the monster would simply leave him alone, free to roam around and even escape, should he choose to.

Taking these aspects into consideration he suddenly wanted very much to be awake when he arrived. Even though he’d slept in his presence lots of times, he still couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable and a bit scared at the idea that he’d be completely vulnerable and unaware of his, or any other person’s, presence if he fell asleep.

Yawning, Snow rubbed his eyes. It was no use, he really needed to sleep, he sighed looking at the bed. But he really hated beds. He’d much rather sleep on a pile of hay, or on a patch of grass.

Grabbing the smooth blanket, he pulled it of the bed and dropped to the floor, crawling under the bed. Wrapping himself in the blanket he finally laid down. Now that felt much better, he sighed in contentment, closing his eyes and falling asleep.