France, 14th century. The Great Plague claimed many lives. Almost everything is the same as ours. Only in this world are saints immortal, and elves live among people: warriors, scientists, healers and minstrels. But now they are accused of causing the pestilence. “Her face was covered with snow. The eyebrows, once black, turned into two thin white feathers and the hair turned frosty, like gray hair. - Marin! She lay on a mountain of other dead people, thrown into a gateway like everyone else. They didn’t have time to bury. Even nobles. The heiress of the castle of Chinon is equalized with a peasant woman. The plague doesn't care. Why didn't he come back earlier! What if he came back? What could he do? The plague is not dangerous for him, but not for her. Etienne carefully ran his hand over her cheek. Cold. Snow Maiden. Moonlight on his hand. A thin silver ring sparkled on his finger. There, behind the episcopal palace, along the frozen Seine, the snow drifted and Notre Dame turned white in the moonlight, like a snow castle. The air is saturated with smoke, alas, which does not save from the plague..." From the author: The story was first published in the magazine "Chemistry and Life - 21st Century". Cover by Nimrodel Dark: