he shouted into the wind and then in a flash, was gone from sight, as he was using his magic to be sure he would be able to reach everyone on his list before morning.

They traveled quickly through the frozen night, the wizard stopping at each home and hovel to drop off a gift or two, occasionally hanging a small present on a Yule tree, if one was within the home.

Moving quickly, with the aid of his magic, they arrived at the last stop on his list barely an hour before sunrise. Digging around in the bottom of his bag for the final gift, Chricrin straightened up and was surprised to find the small boy who lived in the house standing in front of him.

With eyes wide in fear and curiosity, the boy said, "Yer not me father."

"Er, no lad, I'm not," Chricrin said, thinking fast.

"Then who ye be?"

"Um," the wizard mumbled, then thought about what the boy had said."Right, lad," he said, smiling down at the child. "I'm not 'your' father, but this is the Winter Solstice and I'm, uh, Winter itself. Uh,that is, I'm 'Father' Winter. Right," he said holding out the leather ball he had taken from his bag. "And I bring gifts to all the good little boys and girls."

The little guy stared at the ball for several moments, perhaps not believing his eyes. Then he looked up at Chricrin and said, softly,"Really? For me?"

"Aye, lad, just for you." He held the ball further out. "Here you go."Take it, it's your's."

Slowly the boy reached out and took the ball, then cradled it in his thin arms. "Thanks," he whispered.

"My pleasure, lad," Chricrin said and ruffled the boy's hair, then turned to leave.

(Is this because it|s Christmas?|

(Christmas, is that what they call the solstice here?|

(I believe so.| The little boy replied.

(Then Merry Christmas little one.| Cricrin said.

"Wait," the boy cried and the mage turned back. "Do you have a name?"

He smiled and said, "Aye, lad. I am called Chricrin."