Winter gently weaved its first cloak and covered the streets of Terrun. Low houses with high-pointed roofs were trying out their new white hats that perfectly matched the facades of light stone.
Large snowflakes fell lazily as if they did not want to touch the ground. The day was already tired and slowly falling asleep, while the house's oil lamps and candles were waking up simultaneously, casting golden reflections over the blanket of snow. The air smelled of chamomile and mulled wine, and a muffled murmur echoed from the homes.
A fat cat was sitting on a wide snow-white street, blinking drowsily as the snowflakes caressed its fur before melting. It relished the chill, defying the infinite white vastness with its thick black fur. In the flash of the moment, it couldn't be said precisely whether it was the cat purring or if the snow creaked at the feet of two boys who rushed out from behind the corner.
"There it is, Luke! We have it now."
The cat abruptly widened its light blue eyes and, with a loud meow, ran haughtily down the street. The boys chased it tirelessly, holding wooden swords high above their heads.
"Hurry up, Luke, it's going to get away," shouted the dark-skinned boy, on whose black curls the snowflakes were constantly melting and catching up anew.
The fat cat was quite fast and moved more easily on thin layers of snow. Soon, it escaped them again.
"Follow the trace!"
"It leads to the right..."
This time, it greeted them sitting in the middle of the trail, less surprised. It ran lazily, almost not caring, just enough to escape them. One could almost read from its eyes: these cubs are very persistent.
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"It can't get away from us now."
"Get iiiit!"
"Stop, black demon! The holy Legion is on your back; you won't get far."
The curly-haired boy rushed in and screamed like a roaring lion. He threw himself from the ground, spreading his arms towards the animal, which sped up the pace to escape.
The door to their right opened, revealing a woman with a grim face, a pointy chin, and a spiky nose, whose dreadful shadow rushed angrily toward the boys as if to swallow them. They eluded it by a hairbreadth.
"Who's screaming in front of my house at this time of night?"
She thinned her already thin mouth even more, keeping her chin exceptionally high, which accentuated her long neck.
In hiding his eyes, Luke silently stared at the boy lying in the street, his head buried in the snow.
"I am Legionnaire Leon, from Bruno of Terrun," the boy replied, rising to his feet. He stood tall, straightened up, and looked her squarely in the eyes.
She sneered. "You're just a little savage, that's what you are. Where are your parents?"
Luke was still looking at Leon, not speaking.
"We are the holy Legion, and we are saving Terrun from the black demon." Leon didn't answer her last question.
"You are hunting an ordinary cat and howling like a donkey; you're no legionnaire!"
The boys watched her in silence. As Luke gazed to the ground and watched the snowflakes reluctantly reach the earth, Leon blushed.
"One day, I'll become a legionnaire," he finally said, painfully but decisively.
"Don't let me report you to the Council for this nonsense! Both you and your foolish father allowing this!" She shook herself. "Get out of here, right now!"
She entered the house and slammed the door behind her.
The boys retreated with red noses and cheeks, their footsteps creaking through the eerie silence of the street. Their long coats erased the traces behind them.
"I have to go home. It's late," Luke said. "I hope she doesn't tell my father we played legionnaires. He wouldn't like that. He keeps telling me that magic is a cursed thing..."
Leon didn't speak. He was staring at his snow-soaked black boots.
"Leon?"
"I will become a legionnaire. One day, I'll become a legionnaire, and she'll be ashamed she didn't believe in me."
Not far from them, the cat was licking itself proudly. It was finally able to enjoy the first snow unbothered.
