"Summer Breeze" by Steffen M.Hess

   “Love is like a warm summer breeze.” the wizard mused as I sharpened the edge of my dagger. “The difference is that you’ll never know how long it lasts. Sometimes it is just forever, other times it is just for a well defined period, short or long. Then comes a short fall and a cold winter, both with unclear timelines. Then, when you are ready, there is always this spring that inspires you again to live. And then summer comes back, there is no mistake. It will always arrive, no matter how long all seasons have been before.”

   I smile as I hear his thoughts. He always tries to comfort me like this in the coldest and palest winter nights. I then sigh and crave some words for my next poem on my left hand, using my dagger. The sharp steel bites into my skin, kind of comforting in the deepest midnight buried in the blank snow.

   “You know…” the wizard then says to me “… this isn’t good. You should write those down in your booklet instead.”

   “I know.” I respond “But these words are my very flesh and soul.”

   “Come on, it’s not so bad. You’re just hurting yourself. There will always be a light. Trust me.”

   “We’ll see, we’ll see…” I sigh as I look outside the window to observe how the tender snowflakes lay on the white ground.

   The wizard and I have always been comrades and friends for every situation. Our duo has outlived many adventures. We have our tales to tell, but we are there always for one another. I am the warrior, who endures the biggest hardships, but he is my mind and wisdom, the one that always stands by me to respond to any situation and to make me think when all seems lost. We have always endured the world, since we have known each other. I always smile at how he draws the best out of me even in the worst times. Yep, the wizard is just part of me. We are one.

   Right now we wander around these cold lands, looking for a quest in our lives. It is hard to endure times in which even the most dangerous monsters prefer to hide away in warm caves. Our money is soon out, still the wizards loves to laugh. Almost too optimistic, or so I say. But it is precisely that bit of his optimism that makes me see life from a lighter side and laugh even in the worst weathers. Like the last few months. Gods, this is lasting too long.

   Nightfall has already come in as we arrive in town and look for a place to stay. The pubs are open, reeking with the sweat of the travellers that look for a warm safe place. Well, there is nothing dangerous out there now, it is too freaking cold to even prey. We sit down and order our drinks. My attention is drawn to the fire, so hot and mysterious. I yearn to get closer.

   “My, don’t desire my friend. Get closer.” the wizard disturbs me in my concentration. “Just get closer.” I wave him off. I don’t want to go there, just watch and desire. But suddenly I hear the arcane musings of my companion as the prepares a new spell. I don’t pay much attention at first, still staring at the fire. But suddenly I see an image in the flames. It is the one of a Faery, svelte and pretty. It cutely flutters its wings as it smells flowers and plays in grasses so green I never could have imagined. The searing heat turns to a warm summer breeze and I can swear I hear the birds chanting above the chatter of the travellers and drunks.

   “Don’t desire, my friend. Just go.” the wizard repeats. I look astonished for a while, as the beating of my heart grows silently. I like the look of her. She is beautiful in my eyes, with a smile incomparable. I get closer to the fire, not listening to the complaints of the other travellers. I reach out. But then I withdraw my hand, fearing hurt. Something like this had happened before, although what exactly I could not remember anymore. This Faery had made me forget it. I do not care anymore.

   “I’ll go into our room.” I say to my friend, who looks a bit disappointed at my decision. Thus the night ends. How can I reach to thee, my dream? I write in my notebook before I sleep. But I already know the answer to that question…

   The wizard’s voice wakes me up: “It is finally spring!” he yells exited. Yeah, I feel like that too. I look out of the window and observe as the birds flutter around and sing beautiful songs of joy, just like yesterday in the fire. It fills my heart with happiness and hope, something I had thought that would never fill me again. Or at least until today. We pack our things and prepare to continue our wanderings. Yeah, maybe we will get something to.

   Days pass and we actually are hard working, as always, rescuing princesses and slaying dragons, as we used to do. My companion has noticed lately that I seem to have gotten more merry. I am active as never before and he sees that I have changed in some way. Indeed, I feel better, much better. He does know why, although he often pretends to ignore it. My main thought lately has been the Faery. Her eyes bedazzle me up to now, and all I do think about is her. Truly, she has worked wonders in me. My creativity has augmented strongly, making it possible for me to write new poems like never before. Yes, my heart yearns again, but I know I can reach it.

   I feel the warm summer breeze surround me. The spring turned out to be a pretty short one, although I can not define when exactly it ended. It is all thanks to the Faery. I saw her the first time in the fire of the pub, but as the days passed I saw her more often, flying above beautiful flowers all around the blossoming fields and lush forests. First I was not sure about what to do. But soon I got to sit next to her and talk for a while. This amazing beings just kept enchanting me with her charms. She herself shines a own light that leaves all darkness out of any heart.

   Gradually we knew each other better and better, coming to be in almost no time big friends. I surely did hesitate a lot to accept her, but I did not want to repeat mistakes. Until the first time she sat on my shoulder. I knew suddenly that I had to give it all to her and just risk it. There could be no more doubts in me. Yes, I feel it is summer again, and this one will last a long time.

   Right now we sit around the fire and enjoy a well deserved rest.

   “I could swear you both look cute.” the wizard smiles towards us. We both answer with a gesture as I gently stroke her hair. Her brown eyes enchant me again, as they do every time I look at them. “Maybe this summer will finally last longer than ever…” the wizard adds “… maybe even forever”

   I just look up to the stars. “Yes, forever… “ I muse in my peace of mind.