Grey Nights in Greycloaks

[Tattles]

It's cold outside.
My mother and father are dead.
I don't understand exactly what the man in armor says after that.
I'm too young to recognize what it really means.
It's snowing,
and it's cold outside.

The flowers are blooming.

It's spring and the sun is out,

but I'm running for my life.

I have to get away from him.

I have to get somewhere that isn't there,

anywhere that's safe.

It's summer.

The sun beats down on the training grounds for the younger Greycloaks like me.

The High Lady visits to watch us but I don't feel like she was impressed.

Savael teaches us how to shoot a bow.

I keep looking over at the older Valeborne with rifles.

I decide that I'll use one of those.

Bullets move faster than arrows.

The trees turn orange.

Osronans visit our city.

Their queen calls us savages, but the High Lady accepts her meetings.

I show some of the kids who came with her the cauldron in our tower.

Ilsa becomes my first friend.

It's winter again.
Weiss is dead.
Savael is dead.
The Therian rogue is to blame.
My hands are covered in blood after I was given my brother's head and delivered it to Asta's feet.
I make my vow to the spirits to never tell a lie.
It's snowing,
but this time I understand.

It's autumn.

I am sent to Osrona to investigate the murder of a young priestess.

There's some arguing at the funeral service, but I meet Romani.

He says my hair is dirty and wants to wash and style it later.

I let him.

He becomes my best friend.

It's a cold night.

I am invited to play a game with my friends.

Some of them confess their feelings for one another.

I am poisoned by Nebula Lockwood.

I am ashamed of what I become.

It's summer.

We march against Theria for allowing Duana Kurokaiyo into their home.

I meet her on the battlefield.

I don't hesitate to pull the trigger, but she beats me anyway.

I expect to die, but the witch lets me live.

I am spared by my worst enemy.

She's later killed by a Saint.

It's the middle of winter.

Nothing good happens when it's cold.

But I fall in love with Amy all the same.

It's snowing,

but it's warm outside.

The snow melts.

I am made a Mistseer, the youngest ever at the time.

But the pride doesn't last.

I escape the Osronan King's wedding after everything goes wrong.

Only Kofe is keeping me sane.

The Crown recognizes me.

The midday sun is blistering.
I am forced to fight the Osronans.
I shoot Ilsa in the stomach and take her prisoner.
I try to send letters to Romani, but nothing sticks.
I am allowed to return Ilsa to Marie.
This is the last time we're all together as friends.
It's bittersweet.

The leaves are falling.

I watch Sythaeryn drag Serea Astor's body into the city center.

I fight him to the death.

His blade is at my throat,and then at my gut, but I don't die.

Asta demands he release me, he gives her a command.

I watch my friend Siegfried die.

I demand a Spirit's Witness.

My heart is scarred, my ribs are broken.

Asta leaves me to die, but Amy and Walter bring me back to life.

It's snowing outside.

Marie is killed by Nebula Lockwood, a witch all along.
Osrona mourns.
I wonder what will happen when the fighting is over.
I wonder if any of my friends will even recognize me.
I wonder if they'll be dead.

It is a bitter, cold night.
The High Lady Asta is defeated in battle,
I give the orders to bring the city to its knees.
The Valeborne heed my commands.
I leave Ilsa to drown in the river.
Osrona burns.

I try to pick up the pieces.
I marry Amy, our son is born.
The Vale is healed under my watch, but Kalina is killed.
Walter leaves Myllenoris unhappy with his cut.
I sense his greed growing, but say nothing.

The spring flowers wilt at the edge of the Vale.
While Rolim leads the armies of Myllenoris against Lockwood's plans,
I enter the Vale and make a second pact with the spirits.
I intend to sacrifice myself to save our sacred woods.
I have a Chiron gem in my pocket to see the deed through.
I am struck with an illness, but do not pass away.
Nebula Lockwood is dead.
The meteor falls, but Esshar lives on.

It's sweltering in the city, 

but the Vale's canopy fills the valley with cool shade.

Amy undergoes the Rite of the Chrysalis.
I stay with her within the crystal.
We have more children.
Eurydice grows older.
Things are quiet.

The leaves fall in piles.
Osrona is in disarray,
but I stay home.
I call my Valeborne back.
The humans can have their human fights.
My hope for their kind wanes.

It's snowing outside.
The young girl Nephele is discovered to be a witch.
Her death is only the first of many as peace breaks apart.
Walter kills Ophelia.
Romani disappears.
My last friends are gone, and I don't understand.

I make sure it doesn't stop snowing.
The leaves turn white.
It is always winter now.
I meet Walter at the base of the Tarian range,
and I face the monster I have created.
My hope for humanity is broken.
I make him feel his sins.
I can't stop hearing my own.

There's a blizzard outside.
Demons roam in the woods.
The Coven continues its work.
Eurydice is killed.

And we march to our duty,

Never faltering,

even in the cold.