Welcome to the Advent Calendar Story Train, where you can read through 24 stories under the theme Surprise.

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Wintertide was Grayson’s least favourite seasonal holiday.

Perhaps things would be different if he hadn’t grown up isolated from his family, weighed down with the burden of one day following in his father’s footsteps. Even after the source of his suffering had crossed into the afterlife, the strained, weak familial bonds remained as such, despite his efforts.

One would think years of Wintertide gatherings around a banquet of festive food, crackling fire warmth and soft music would bring out their better natures. Alas, it was only an opportunity for theatrics. Conversations either forced, rehearsed or poised with backhanded compliments and insults. He’d always done his best to promote equality, yet within their small family, there’d been none.

His mother had long abandoned her role as wife and mayoress to live out her inheritance in Spero-England. His brother’s resentment had driven him out of the country, his fate unknown. His cousin had recently begun a quest to find said missing relative, and their grandmother was a powerful, terrifying mage who resided in the Amazonian jungle and refused to return to the city she harboured a hatred for.

This wouldn’t be his first Wintertide alone, but it certainly would be the loneliest.
It was important for Gray to prove to Belle Vue city that he had everything under control, even if his personal life was in shambles.

He opened his curtains, flooding his room with kaleidoscopic colours as the rising sun beamed through stained glass of greens, blues, yellows and pinks.
He opened his balcony door and stepped out, draping his winter dressing gown over his body to peer out into his domain.

Belle Vue’s trademark cobble stones of gold, silver and copper had the town glinting with history – some would say the three-tone brickwork was needed as a reminder of hierarchy, others would say it was a unique detail no other city was known for. Gray was in the process of uprooting its uniqueness to pave a more universal path for its residents.
He had made a point of uniting Lowborns and Highborns by building new homes in both Gateway districts, affordable for Lowborns and those recently seeking residency and employment, free from their chains as slaves. The gates dividing the Gateways had been removed, opening entry for all classes.
He’d put his wealth to good by employing those lost in life, aiming to rebuild a new governing body of all social standings. It was a work in progress, one he felt huge pride in fulfilling.

It took him an hour to prepare himself mentally and physically for the outside world. The halls carried an array of smells blending to unlock a core memory where he’d watched Martell at the age of eight rush through the halls with his dog, Ginger. Gray had stopped following his father to stroke the canine and was severely berated for it while his brother had watched him with solemn eyes, quickly cooling with indifference.
Once he reached the stairs, Gray was surprised to find his assistant, Peregrine, overseeing workmen who were transporting crates of food through his large manor doors. Food which would be distributed to the homeless shelters tomorrow.

Peri flashed a welcoming smile as she caught him descending the steps. “Good morning, Lord Jackson!”

“Morning, Peri,” he greeted back as Sega, his faithful raven, landed on his shoulder. He stroked her black feathers tenderly while his other hand tightened on his cane.

“There’s something you must see! Come along!” She grinned excitedly, cobalt eyes lighting with joy.
In pure Peri fashion, she was dressed in another one of her brightly coloured checkered suits and white blouse. Red and black this time. He followed her down the holly and pinecone decorated halls. Every room had a large mechanical fir tree made of copper wire, powered by a large winding key to rotate on display. Crystal wreaths of citrine, ruby and aventurine hung over archways. Animatronic robins flapped their wings and carried bird songs down the corridors.

When Peri stopped outside his library with her hands on her hips and told him to close his eyes, Gray clasped the crystal pommel of his cane with both hands.

“No. I don’t close my eyes for anyone.”

She pursed her lips, red cheeks puffing in displeasure. “Oh, you’re no fun. In you go.”

Peri threw the doors open and he stepped inside the bright study, freezing in place at the new addition. A floor to ceiling mirror of pure obsidian glass had been fixed where a large bookcase used to be.

Gray touched it immediately resonating with its power as his hontoro nature hummed from its familiarity. This was a portal. One which would take him straight to the Makenian tribe.

“Where did this come from?” He asked in awe. His heart hammering wildly in disbelief.

“Where do you think?” Someone other than Peregrine answered. Gray whipped around as his heart skipped in disbelief.
Before him stood a powerful woman, once known as Lady Enya Jackson to the city, but forever Majenya to the Makenian tribe.

A cloak of bear fur draped her small frame. Her blue eyes thawed with rare warmth. Her thin mouth upturned in a smirk as she clasped her hands together. Her fierce red hair was braided in several plaits with shells and feathers adorning each lock. Dark skin glowed with Sacred eminence, and when his raven left his shoulder to perch on hers, a smile touched his lips.

“Grandmother…you’re really here?”

Majenya smiled. “With you creating so much positive change, I thought it was time to create my own. That is, if you’d have me as your guest.”

He embraced her tightly, surprising her. “You’re not a guest, you’re family, and you’re always welcome.”

She returned his hug, chuckling softly. “Now then, why don’t you show me what you’ve been working on.”

Her surprise visit was a salve over the long term wound in his heart.
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The beginning of a new era, the first ever warm Wintertide, and certainly not the last.
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Thank you for reading today’s story. The next one will be available to read on December 23rd, titled “Sir Chocolate and The Graffiti Artists“. This link will be active tomorrow when the post goes live.

If you missed yesterday’s you can go and read it here.