Soul of a Human

Saphine blocked Mors' way, defiantly putting both hands on her hips and giving him a stern look.

"What do you mean nothing? I talked to Orth yesterday, and he was not his usual self. After I asked him, he said it was nothing, but I'm sure it was something YOU did." She spat.

"Because I'm a commoner?" Mor asked with a dangerous tone.

"Yes, exactly. There can never come something good from a high noble like Orth mingling with a commoner like you." She huffed.

"You know nothing," Mor growled. "Get your facts straight, and then come talk to me again, and don't use that snotty tone with me!"

"You dare?!" Saphine began.

"Yes, I fucking dare! First, I had to deal with the oh-so-great Ranbor who trampled all over me, and now that I'm finally free of his torment, you show up and do the same!" Mor shouted over her.

"I just want some time for myself without you condescending nobles. You think you are so much better than the common rabble, but honestly, I am beginning to think you are much worse, and maybe..." Mor continued.

°STOP! Don't say anything more! You will only get in trouble again.° The human interrupted Mors's tirade.

Mor took a deep breath.

"You know what, never mind," Mor said, annoyed, and just left.

Saphine stood there stunned for a second at the ferocity of the commoner.

"What has happened?" She thought to herself.

"You shouldn't treat your comrades so poorly." A suddenly appearing Snow told the girl.

"What would you know?" Saphine countered.

"I know this one is done with being held down. He wants to move on his own path, a path none of you would ever understand." Snow continued on.

"I don't understand?" Saphine said.

"I know," Snow replied and followed Mor, leaving Saphine stunned again.

"What is going on?!" Saphine shouted into the corridor.

Snow quickly caught up to Mor and followed him quietly.

"Don't you want to ask me what's going on?" Mor said quietly.

"Not my business," Snow answered.

"Thank you," Mor told her.

"Don't mind it," Snow said.

Mor let out a deep sigh.

"I found out that the nobles kept at least one secret from us, commoners..." Mor said.

"And you think they might keep a bunch more," Snow said, and Mor nodded.

"What if they only think of us as disposable pawns while keeping their influence and power intact," Mor said.

°Yeah, this is probably it. Orth and Clare are probably rare exceptions from that,° The human said.

"I understand. You fear that if this gets known among your kin, there might be a conflict brewing." Snow said.

"Yes, and I don't know what I should do about it. Should I keep quiet, or should I talk?" Mor said, and Snow nodded.

"Quite the conundrum." She said.

"Yes, what would you do?" Mor asked.

"I will not answer this. It is for you to decide. But you need the power to follow your convictions anyway." Snow said.

"You're right. I can't do anything if I'm powerless." Mor said.

°Why is she helping you so much? This goes way beyond being "thankful," ° The human asked.

"Why are you so helpful to me?" Mor asked, and Snow smiled.

"I'm here as part of the "kin-ship", but you are the only one, except the chief, who doesn't view me as the stupid barbarian. You give me the respect that kin deserve from each other and are humble. Also, I can see the soul of ice in you. It just makes me want to help you." Snow explained.

"The soul of ice?" Mor asked.

"Yes, you struggle to overcome yourself every day anew, trying to become the best you can. We ice-kin are respecting that." Snow answered.

°I get it. Your hard work is paying off now.° The human said.

°I don't.° Mor said.

°In short, out of all the soul-kin, she can relate to you most and, therefore, is willing to share her techniques with you. She probably also knows that no one at this school would want to learn from someone outside the soul-kin, no one except you.° The human explained.

"You are helping me because I listen to you and want to learn from you?" Mor asked Snow.

"Now you understand, if you offer respect, you will get it in return," Snow said again, embracing Mor for a second.

"What's up with all this embracing?!" Mor asked, flustered after he was let go.

"I told you it's how we show that we trust someone," Snow said.

"How did you end up with something like this?!" Mor continued.

"Simple. When you live in ice and Snow, warmth becomes a valuable resource, but it also makes you vulnerable to attacks on your back, so sharing your warmth with someone else is a sign of trust", Snow explained.

°Makes sense.° The human said.

"I get it," Mor said, somehow feeling better after this hug.

They walked the last distance to the classroom in pleasant silence. Snow stayed with Mors's class the whole day, and after the final lesson was over, they both walked to the training room.

"Snow? What's that armor of yours? I have never seen anything like that," Mor asked.

"I told you about our coming-of-age tradition, right?" She answered, and Mor nodded.

"After you have slain your monstrosity, you bring the body back to the village. There, it will be processed into food, armor, and ammunition." She pulled out an arrow. "The fins on the back are feathers of a flying monstrosity." Snow explained further.

°That´s cool!° The human said.

"You are eating them?° Mor asked, surprised.

"Yes, we can't let anything go to waste, and fruits are not growing where we live. Therefore, we need to hunt the monstrosities regularly or starve. Also, we need to keep their numbers low because we don't have as strong a protection as many other kin, unlike your floating cities or the underground cities of the stone-kin. Getting used to your food is not that easy. At least you have some nuts, or your food wouldn't be filling for me." Snow explained.

°Told ya.° The human said proudly.

°You didn't, though. You said they were eating right and not they would eat mostrosities.° Mor countered.

°It is the same thing! Meat is good for your muscles.° The human said.

"But if you hunt them for food, why make clothes out of them?" Mor asked.

"I told you, nothing can go to waste. Also, the material keeps many of the original properties, so it is resistant against cuts and even protects a bit against magic." She explained.

"Is this why, Ranbors fire couldn't hurt you?" Mor went on.

"The loud idiot? No. I blocked this one's attacks with my daggers after imbuing them with power." Snow said.

"Meaning, you can fill those crystals with magic and then block other attacks?!" Mor asked, and Snow nodded.

°This will be so much more helpful than we thought at first!° The human celebrated.

°Yes, we need to learn this technique and get our hands on some of those crystals.° Mor said.

°Then we can do a two-in-one, saving energy for later and using it as a shield in the meantime!° The human said, and Mor agreed.