Alexei had never expected to see snow cover Libertine’s island and its presence was a cruel reminder of his continued failure at freeing his uncle. So he sat before the crystal window, glaring at the softly falling flakes. Yala sighed heavily at his feet and he reached down to scratch her stiff ears, earning an affectionate nip on the hand. With a final pat on her head he stood.

“Where are you off to now?” The wolf asked.

Alexei shrugged. “I do not know but sitting here accomplishes nothing.”

The wolf rose and not for the first time Alexei admired how much she had filled out. No longer a gangly pup but now a wide shouldered wolf that had become adept at stalking the fairy forest at night to bring him unenchanted foods.

“We have searched the island thrice over and seen no sign of the pendant. A day kept inside while the snow falls will not harm us.”

Alexei snorted and shook his head, pacing across the floor. “I hate this place,” he growled, “I feel disconnected from the world as though nothing I do can affect anything. It is . . . maddening . . . to feel so helpless.”

Yala brushed against his side. “You are doing much, princeling. Do not doubt yourself.”

“Then why are we still here?” Alexei demanded, “We should be long gone from this place! Returned home where we belong.”

Yala was silent beside him.

Nearly half of a year wasted. Two thirds of his time on the island gone. What was he to do now? Soon even winter would be gone and spring would be on its way. He missed Sofiya and her easy laughter. He missed his father and his quiet intelligence. Alexei ground his teeth together. His father would have figure it out by now, he was sure of it. Not for the first time a nagging voice whispered in his mind, telling him how foolish he had been to think that he could do this. This wasn’t some childish dream. This was for adults to see through, not some bastard prince who had laughed at the world he had been given.

He climbed the stairs to the firebird’s room and sank down among the pillows he’d collected to soften his chosen room. Muted sunlight filtered through the glass, the sky as grey as his mood. The firebird was off somewhere, undoubtedly enjoying its few hours of freedom. With a growl he flung himself back among the pillows, staring up at the sky but not really seeing it.

Time passed and the sky began to darken as the sun slipped away. The hiss of feather on feather signaled his uncle’s return and the room suddenly flared with reflected light. Alexei rolled onto his side and buried his face in his arm, feigning sleep. Warm feathers brushed over his face and something heavy was dropped next to his arm. He resisted the urge to see what it had been until the sounds of the firebird’s preening stilled and the room was caste in silence.

His ploy must have turned into reality for he was suddenly jerked awake by an unnatural shriek. Sitting up in a rush he peered about him, his body tense for any attack. His arm brushed against a large ripe apple, sending it rolling a few feet away. Yala had left his side at some point during the night and he feared for her as the sound repeated.

“Uncle . . .”

“Hush.” The firebird hissed.

“But . . . that sound . . . shouldn’t we find out what it is?” Alexei whispered.

 The firebird shook its head. “No. When Libertine is angry it is best for everything to stay away from her. The faerie concept of justice is different from ours, Alexei. When a faerie is wronged everyone is in danger from their anger.”

“Libertine?” Alexei asked in surprise. “But . . . she’s never sounded like that when something makes her angry.”

The firebird gave him a pointed look. “It’s never been winter before either.”

Alexei shut his mouth and frowned.

His uncle sighed. “With each season she changes. The Libertine of fall is quiet and calm. She sits back and lets things happen on their own. Fall is over, Alexei. That Libertine is gone. What you hear now is the Libertine of winter. Winter is cold and cruel. No one can escape its wrath. I know you have not taken my warnings seriously and how could you when Libertine has been kind to you?

“That has changed now! You must be wary of her. It is best for you to stay as far from her as you can. Do nothing to antagonize her, Alexei. With winter her powers wane but her fear and anger increase. Be wary of that.”

There was a painful scream and a laugh that made them both shrink in on themselves. It faded and Alexei turned with a frown as a soft tapping from the stairs caught his attention. After a moment Yala’s grey head appeared as the wolf labored up the narrow steps, barely able to keep purchase with her large paws. He heard the firebird shift uncomfortably behind him and Alexei moved farther from the firebird, aware of its fear of the predator.

“What did you see?”  He demanded, reaching out to bury his fingers in the thick grey coat as Yala lay down before him.

“Libertine was angered by the dragon that lurks in the southern part of the island. It wandered into the eastern forest for food. She’s chained it.” The wolf growled.

Alexei scowled but kept his peace. To chain any creature, even one as dangerous as the dragon, bothered him. He captured the escaped apple and consumed it in the uneasy silence. “Well that would make our search of the southern area safer. We’ll go back there tomorrow.”

The firebird hissed at his words and he shrugged.

“The last few times we were there we had to keep one eye open for the dragon. I’ve always feared that we missed something.”

Gathering the blankets around him he drew Yala’s warm form against him and slept. Morning came far too soon but he dutifully rose despite his sleepiness. He had been provided with warm clothes by Libertine’s wisps and he pulled them on. To his surprise the firebird followed them to the southern part of the island, insisting that it was there to keep them out of trouble.

Through glen and glade they wandered searching for anything that might hold the golden pendant. Alexei was positive it had to be somewhere on the island itself for he had gone through every room of the crystal palace and not once had he caught the scent of magic. He and Yala had even pawed through the rooms of treasure, going over each piece to make sure it wasn’t the golden pendant.

They slipped through the beginning of the woods that circled the island, keeping within sight of each other as they trudged through the snow. The trees glistened, their branches heavy with ice. When they stopped for lunch Alexei took a few moments to enjoy them. It was then he noticed that there wasn’t a single creature within hearing distance. He pointed it out to the firebird who shrugged.

“The dragon is nearby, I can smell it. If it has been chained it is probably angry as well as hungry. It is no wonder there are no creatures nearby.”

Yala nodded, her nose coming up to sniff the air. “We should head back soon. There is another storm coming.”

Alexei stood, brushing the snow off of his pants. “Not yet. I want to see the dragon.”

Both firebird and wolf stared at him as though he were insane. Ignoring the looks he began walking only to find his path blocked by a wall of grey fur.

“Are you crazy?” The firebird demanded, flitting over the wolf’s back.

“It’s a perfect chance! I’ve never seen a dragon close up. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” Alexei insisted, pushing past Yala and the irate firebird. Their protests were silenced as they neared a small glade where the trees thinned out. Alexei knelt next to a tree, peering at the center of the glade where a large serpentine form lay curled about a massive oak tree.

Near the dragon’s snout the snow had been melted and steam rose from its nostrils. Occasionally large yellow eyes would open and the massive head would lift. The firebird practically buried itself in Alexei’s hold as the dragon’s forked tongue flickered out, tasting the air.

Nodding to himself Alexei stood, depositing the firebird next to Yala as he strode out into the glade. From behind him he heard the shocked cries of his friend and uncle but he ignored them as a large snake-like eye suddenly fixed on him.

“Peace, great one.” Alexei called out, holding up his hand.

The dragon drew back in on itself in a striking position.

“I have come to see if it were true. How sad to see one so wondrous as you chained like a common dog.”

Powerful jaws opened, giving Alexei a perfect view of the sharp teeth. He fought down the fear it inspired in him.

“You truly are the master of the skies, great one. A terrible sin was committed in your capture.” He replied, bowing slightly to the dragon.

Slitted eyes narrowed. “Why do you speak to me as though I am equal? Your kind has ever treated mine as nothing more than dumb animals.” The dragon demanded.

Alexei shook his head. “There is no such thing as a dumb animal, my lord dragon. Only dumb creatures that think there are.”

The dragon eyed him, its tongue flickering out to taste the air. “What do you want?” It demanded.

“To free you,” Alexei replied, “You belong in the sky, not chained to the ground.”

Again he received a disbelieving look and Alexei laughed.

“Naturally I would require your word that you wouldn’t kill me in my pursuit, or afterwards.”

The disbelief disappeared and was replaced by a shrewd look. “And why would you do that? Why risk the rusalki’s anger?”

Alexei smiled and folded his hands before him. “Because she is no friend of mine. I came here to free another creature of fire she has cruel enslaved. I could do no less for you.”

The dragon sniffed. “She will not let that one go easily.”

Alexei shrugged. “She will find me not so easy to defeat either.”

The dragon laughed, the hissing sound sending chills through Alexei. “And how do you expect to remove this collar, hmm?”

“Every lock has a key.”

“This key belongs to Libertine alone.”

Alexei smiled. “Then I shall simply have to retrieve it.”

The dragon stared at him in silence for a long moment. “I do not believe you would free me.”

“I swear it on my name. If you promise not to harm me or my friends I will free you.”

There was a moment of silence and the dragon dipped its head. “Why?”

“Because it will anger her.” Alexei replied.

The dragon laughed again. “I like you, human child. Come closer and I will tell you a secret.”

Alexei staid where he was. “I would have your word, dragon.”

The serpentine head nodded. “I swear on my life I will not harm you, or your friends; so they can stop lurking in the bushes.”

Alexei laughed and strode forward. The dragon’s great head dipped low. “Do you know why she chose this tree, human child?” It asked.

Alexei shook his head negatively.

“Look above you.” The dragon directed.

Alexei turned his attention to the branches stretching high above him.

“Do you see the chest high above in the uppermost branches?”

Alexei narrowed his eyes but as the dragon had said he could make out something sparkling in the branches above him. “Yes.”

“Inside is what you seek. The key to the firebird’s freedom is kept inside the chest. But the chest must be broken open and the only way to do that is to push it from the tree. However the chest is far too heavy for any mortal child to push. When the chest is broken open a rabbit will flee from the chest. You must catch the rabbit. When you do it shall turn into a falcon which shall fly free and fast. Inside of that falcon rests what you seek,” the dragon snorted, lifting its head, “I have been sworn to challenge all who would try to take it.”

Alexei frowned. “But do you not break that promise by telling me this and swearing not to harm me?”

The dragon shook its head. “You did not listen to my words, human child. I swore to challenge all who would take the chest. This I will do. I challenge you to get the key from the rusalki and set me free. If you do this I will break the chest for you for you will have satisfied my challenge.”

Alexei smiled and nodded. “I shall not fail you.”

The dragon snorted and curled itself back around the tree. “We shall see, human child. We shall see.”