White Night
The Uhr Valley in Mikramurka is one of the wonders of Matar's natural world, and is also the southernmost extend of Komak land. The river winds its way to the sea, from its glaceir-fed headwaters at the foot at of the Kesi Range, across the barren steppe and tundra which covers most of Mikramurka, and south to the treeline, where tundra ends and taiga begins. As the river nears the sea, taiga gives way to rainforest along the coast. It is in these coastal forests, sheltered from the worst of the winter storms, that the Star-Fire Clan in particular spends their winter.
The snowmachine rattled along at the breakneck speed of 20 or so kilometers per hour, its two passengers warmed by the heat of the engine and snug in their heavy clothing. A small boy and a middle aged woman, the two passengers, were in no particular hurry to get back to their camp, returning home from their day in White Point, the closest “town” of any appreciable size.
The vehicle bounced along the floodplain, and stretching endlessly in every direction were the dark silhouettes of cedars and firs against the glow of the snowy night sky. The driver shut off the vehicle's headlight as the glare from the falling snowflakes became too bright, and the small boy who rode seated in front of her was amazed at the sight.
“Oh... we can see better?” he asked aloud, in amazement.
“Yes, we can.” the woman replied. “White night.”
“Is that what that means when you say hello, Kyllsa?” he asked. “It means a night like this?”
Kyllsa slowed the vehicle down to negotiate a small creek they had to cross; “That is exacty what it means.” She stopped the snowmachine after crossing and turned the throttle down to a low idle, taking a moment to enjoy the view.
“It looks like everything is glowing...” he remarked.
“A 'White Night' is a night just like this, when some snow is falling, and there is no wind.” She smiled, looking around at the forest, the river, the falling snow, the visibility nearly equal to that of a cloudy day, though it would be nearly two months before the sun would even creep above the Kesi Mountains again. “It is just a quiet, peaceful night, and all the world seems to just glow.” she added.
He looked around for a moment more, wide eyed. “It isn't even that cold, is it?”
“No, Mitja, it isn't.”
“So when you say White Night to someone, though, you're just saying hello, usually?” he asked.
“Yep.” Kyllsa replied. She eased the throttle up a bit and put the vehicle back in gear, and the two resumed their trip. The cedars and firs passed them by as they followed the river, winding their way toward home, and a half hour had passed before either of them spoke again.
“That is a really nice way to say hello.” Mitja said.
Kyllsa was a bit startled; she thought he had fallen asleep. “Yes, it is.” she replied.
It would be nearly two more hours before they would arrive back at their camp. Mitja fell silent again, and after a moment, Kyllsa looked down to him wrapped up in part of her long robe and heavy skirts, sleeping soundly. The firs and cedars passed them by, and she drove slowly, carefully, making sure she did not wake him.
(( A little one off to explain the significance of "Hvit nott", or "White night" as some sebbies use it. ))
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Topic: White Night (Read 783 times)