Winter brings sadness
Winter had come early, the snow already ankle-deep. The wandering [Clans] settled to the [Havens], with the winter store worryingly low. Jowen [child of the Otter Clan] offered a prayer to the [spirits] hoping that spring would also come early as [he] rearranged [his] [shawl] to keep the cold out. [it] was [his] turn to top up the firewood to keep the [permanent dwelling] warm. The [Chiefs] would be bargaining with traders to make sure nobody would go hungry, the [elderly] making and repairing winter clothing so nobody would freeze, everyone is doing [their(pl)] bit to keep the [Clans] strong.
As [he] marched through the forest [north-west] of the [settlement] following the [stream] looking for the right tree to fell. [birch] and [pine] would burn too quickly; [it] is too far south for [beech]; [iron wood] was better used elsewhere; [holly] might be alright, this one's a bit small though, too close to [evil] for comfort. That must be the [chestnut] the [Druid that specialises in plants and medicine] planted, better not touch that. Then [his] train of thought stopped. Something was wrong. Something was odd about the surroundings, but [he] wasn't sure what. There were no tracks. No broken branches, only the eerily quiet trees. [he] felt unknown eyes on [him], a predator? [his] body tensed. [bronze axe] in hand [he] moved to brace for an attack.
Thwump.
A snowball right in [his] face. [it] was well-aimed [he] would later admit, but now [he] was high on adrenaline and looking for a fight. [he] was a proud [man of the Reindeer Clan] even if the [Druid] would not give [him] the [sacred tattoos] until sundown. [he] would not let an attack go unanswered. [he] would repel anyone who fought they could attack [him]. [he] would maintain the honour of [his Clan].
[it] was [his half sibling] who threw the snowball. Barely eight years old and already on the way to becoming a skilled hunter. Today [their(pl)] job was collecting [hazelnuts] from trees who were just as surprised by winter as [us]. But hiding in the undergrowth, throwing snowballs was much more fun. Especially against Jowen, [he] has been acting like [he's] all grown up since [his] voice broke. "(Blejan, Come back here. We need to carry the basket home)" called Arthfael, [they] didn't know if [he] had ever met Jowen. But [they] were referenced by name, so [he] knew [they] were around. [their] cover blown Blejan came out of hiding, made eye contact with Jowen, and threw another snowball at [him]. "(you little toad)" Jowen roared as [he] tackled the child and began stuffing snow in [their] coat. [their] shrill shriek and infectious giggles echoing through the forest. This passiveness didn't last before [they] began to wriggle, [their] foot colliding with [his] face with a crunch that made [them(pl)] wince. Jowen fell backwards landing on [his] backside, [his] hand going to [his] nose. "(what's your problem?)" hissed Jowan, [his] nose bleeding. [it] wasn't broken but that was more luck than intent, [it] would still require first aid but not immediately.
"(i'm sorry)" muttered Blejan, emptying the snow from [their] coat "(I only wanted to play)". While that may be a valid reason for [them], a child, it didn't explain why [they] had decided to bother [him]. [he] would be an adult by nightfall, adults don't just abandon work because of boredom and [he] knew that [he] hadn't been given this job just to keep [him] busy. [he] had been sent alone to this job was because many of [his] [Clan] were sick. They were the last to arrive at the [temple] with some of the [tent] collapsing under the weight of the snow. [his Clan] needed the warmth of a fire more than [his] half-sibling needed to play in the snow with [him]. [he] had already wasted enough time with [them]. [he] shouldn't have been baited into a snow fight. Eyes back on the [holly] [he] picked up the [axe]. Barely sparing [his] sibling a glance [he] stated: "(our work is needed)" This didn't impress Blejan [he] could practically hear [their] pout. "(you used to be fun)". That set something off within Jowen, something thick and dark, [it] boiled in [his] gut, tasted like bile on [his] tongue and imbued venom to [his] words. [he] took a deep breath hoping [it] would contain the anger, turned looking [them] in the eyes, then the ugliness broke through.
"(stop being spoilt)" [he] spat. [his] words cutting [them] in a way [his] axe or knife would never reach. [they] only wanted to play and, despite [his] all grown-up act, [he] was [their] favourite [sibling], who [they] only got to see a few times a year. Tears began to gather in [their] eyes as [they] tried, and failed, to not cry at the unfairness of [it] all. Why was [he] being so mean? Since when was wanting to play being spoilt? [they] thought [he] looked sad and wanted [him] to play so [he] can cheer up. That always worked in the past. Why is [it] bad now? The tears were running down [their] face and beginning to stain [their] shawl.
[they] were crying, why were [they] crying? Nothing [he] said was unfair or inaccurate, [he] had work [he] needed to do for [his] sick [Clan] and [they] were demanding that [he] abandon that to go play. No, not even demanding, that would require [them] to consider that [he] might say no. [they] just dragged [him] in, then acted offended when [he] tried to get back to doing the work [his Clan] relied on to not die of sickness. [he] was tired, not sick, just tired. [he] refused to complain though, not while everyone is working so hard. Not when [his mother] was busy mixing medicine despite being sick [herself]. The crying is getting worse [he] dimly noticed. [he] had no idea how [he] was supposed to deal with this and wasn't sure [it] was [his] job to do so. Maybe the stranger calling for [them] would be able to help or take [them] away so [he] can get back to the [holly]. Only one way to find out.
Arthfael was having a very, very bad day. [he] was currently standing in a clearing with a large, full [basket of hazelnuts] staring at huge black dog, [his] guide Blejan had run off, [he] has no idea where [he] is or how to get back home. [he] was not yet used to the cold but if [he] shivered the dog would sit on [him]. Again. Going out to collect nuts sounded like a great idea when [his female father*] suggested it this morning, having something to do made sense to [him], and getting out of the [temple] whilst the [merchants], who usually didn't come this far south, made [him] less nervous. Blejan, a [child] being [his] guide hurt [his] pride slightly but [they] did know the land better than [he] did, and as [his] [grandfather] liked to say "(practicality before pride)". Arthfael would prefer to never think about the man ever again, but if he didn't then [he] might spend the time getting angry at a child for acting like a child. If [he] was going to be angry [it] might as well be at [him], that old man was much more deserving of [his] ire. "(Blejan, Come back here!). (We need to carry the basket home)" [he] called hoping that it would summon [them]. How [them] were able to just disappear into the forest [he] will never know. In [his] youth [he] read stories about savages able to magically disappear and reappear into the forest at will. [he] had assumed that had been propaganda, from when the [freed battle thralls] tried to invade the [old forest] to control the tin trade, but apparently, there was some truth hidden in the bigotry. [he] heard a shriek; it might have been Blejan. Bending down [he] took out [his] boot-knife with an aim to follow the noise, only to be knocked down and sat on by the dog. [he] rolled over, careful not to cut [himself] or the dog, looked the dog in the eyes. "(You are the worst, shit, I don't know the word, nanny, I've met)" [he] growled at the beast above [him]. The beast clearly didn't see the insult in [his] words, tail wagging [she] started to lick [his] face. "(hi kinsperson, Blejan is here)" a stranger's voice echoed throughout the clearing. [he] didn't think they were from the [wolf clan], so [he] figured that [they] must be kin to Blejan. [he] needed to get to the voice before [he] lost it , shame the dog was still crushing [him]. The dog wasn't going to move and [he] didn't know the command to make [her] get off [him]. Blejan did though. "(is it possible that you(pl) come to me)" [he] shouted as loudly as possible with a dog on [him]. Several moments passed [he] hoped that [they(pl)] wouldn't say no. If [they(pl)] did [he] would be stuck until someone came looking for [him]. "(yeah, we can)" replied the stranger, at that moment [he] could kiss [them]. [he] hadn't been stuck under the dog for long, but [he] was already starting to lose feeling in [his] legs. The dog was heavy, and seemed to get heavier the longer [he] was here.
So, it turned out that Blejan was responsible for someone. Someone who didn't know the [forest]. Someone [they] left alone to go play, why [they] were unable to play with this stranger [he] didn't know, but [he] was determined to find out. Whilst [he] marched [his] half-sibling to the clearing [he] was trying not to make eye contact with [them], whilst [they] were busy trying to explain why it was perfectly ok to abandon someone. "(he wasn't alone. I left my dog "hug" with him)" [they] named [their] dog hug. [they] are definitely a child. "(she is a nanny dog, so he will be ok)" if [they] wanted to play in the snow why didn't [they] play with [their] dog, why did [they] need to find [him] in the first place. "(is this evening your ceremonial rites?)" a fairly obvious diversion tactic but [he] wasn't interested in the last topic so [he] let it slide, again. [he] wondered if [he] would actually be able to do [his] work, [he] hoped there was a good tree to fell there so this wouldn't be a complete waste of [his] time. [he] could hardly go back empty-handed, it's embarrassing enough to come back empty-handed from a hunt but [he] was sent to get wood from a forest, [he] was even allowed to use the [bronze axe], nobody would think [he] is ready for [his] [sacred tattoo] if [he] is too incompetent to find wood in a place full of wood with the best equipment available to [him]. "you know it is, I will be an adult tomorrow)" [he] said absentmindedly, wondering where [they] were going with this. Probably nowhere good, [his] mind was already spiraling to dark thoughts. "(aren't adults supposed to be patient with children like me?)" [they] tried to explain a way out of [his] anger, this was a novel approach. [they] usually tried to act closer to [his] age because [they] wanted to be included in [his] childhood games. [It] was one that often worked with [their(pl) father] when [he] would spend time with all of [his] children. [he] could almost admire [their] adaptability, but that's not going to stop [him] from putting [his] foot down. "(not if they were misbehaving)" [he] said noting again how loud [their] pout seems to be as [they] led [them(pl)] to a clearing. There was the dog Blejan mentioned but where this stranger, Arthfael [he] thinks that was the name, [he] could not say. "(Alright Blejan, where's your friend?)" [he] was about to say before [hug] jerked unnaturally, suddenly every scary [campfire] tale flashed in [his] mind. [his] body was quickly between Blejan and [their] dog and [his] axe between [him] and whatever is hiding in [her] fur. [It] was a hand, [it] looked human, the rational part of [him] deduced [it] was probably Arthfael. Shame the rational part of [him] wasn't holding the axe, that part of [him] was far more interested in protecting [them(pl)] from whatever else may be attached to that hand, apologies could be made later.
"(This beast will be the death of me)". Arthfael thought darkly, still trapped under the long fur and densely packed muscle. [he] had lost feeling in [his] legs a while ago and struggling only seemed to make the dog heavier. The cold was punching [his] throat, stealing [his] voice. [it] almost made [him] miss [his] mother's homeland where dogs wouldn't dare get taller than [his] hip or tackle someone to the ground. [he] took a breath, [he] needed to stop expecting others to follow to a set of rules [he] had rejected when applied to [himself]. [It] is petty and hypocritical, not who [he] wanted to be. In the short term, what [he] wants to be is to not be trapped under this gods dammed dog, with a long term goal being a good person or something. [he] hadn't put much thought into [it]. [he] didn't want to think about [it] now, but there was not much else to do. Is someone there? [he] didn't hear anyone come here, but then again the people of the forest know how to move quietly through the snow. Trying to ignore the panting of the dog over [him], [he] concentrated on the sounds. [It] sounds like speech. Someone talking. Yes, Blejan and the stranger are here. [he] just needed to show them [he] was trapped. Shoring up [his] stomach muscles [he] lifted [his] torso jerking the dog, who still refused to move, and forced [his] hand out into the cold, hoping [it] would be enough. There was a sound of movement. [They] noticed! [He] was safe, [they] were going to free [him]. Any moment now. Any moment. [He] was losing feeling in [his] hand. [He] tried waving [it] again in a vain attempt to get attention. The dog huffed a complaint at [his] movement but was not bothered enough to move. Arthfael considered [it] a loss. Eternities could have passed for all [he] knew, stuck beneath this behemoth. Until. Until a voice pierced the fluff. High and commanding. The weight began to lift, freedom sang to [him]. [He] took a deep breath, [his] ribs protested the exertion after being so thoroughly crushed. Dizziness almost overcame [him] as he rolled over. A pale golden glow drew [his] eyes as [he] searched for [his] rescuer. Bronze, a metal [he] didn't expect to see again. Suppressing panic [he] began to assess the situation, hostility could end with either blood or gold. [He] had no gold on [him]. One potential hostile in front of [him], [he] has put larger men on [their] back in training. An axe has a longer reach than [his] knife, but the guard was poor. A quick feint should break that guard then a slice to the throat would end the problem, no, that would kill the boy. Arthfael thought to [himself], if [he] was to kill a barely trained boy [he] would have to be honest with [himself] about [it]. A part of [him] idly wondered who [they] could be to get [their] hands on such a rare metal but so unskilled at combat. Any attempts to move [his] body to a better stance were ruined by [his] coat snagging against something. "(See I told you he would be fine)" spoke [his] saviour, Blejan, stepping out from behind the boy. The stranger snorted, [they] clearly knew each other. [He] nearly attacked the kin of [his] kin. Hopefully, [he] didn't seem hostile or [he] could destroy [his] reputation before [he] could build [it]. "(I've seen corpses with more blood in their cheeks)" the boy was berating Blejan, there may be some sympathy to make use of, before turning to [him] with a question. "(You from somewhere warm?)" "(Why do you ask?)" A touch of defensiveness crept into [his] words. [he] needed to stop that if [he] was to gain allies here. "(Never saw someone actually fight with their coat before. I thought it was just a saying.)"The boy shrugged as if to indicate the question was simply idle curiosity. Arthfael was forced to concede that the boy had a point. Fighting in unfamiliar clothing was something [he] never thought to consider, everybody is to some degree familiar with moving in armour. Sensing the rabbit hole that thought could lead to Arthael decided to focus on the situation in front of [him]. Quickly deducing that conversation could override the previous fuck up [he] decided to be as helpful as possible. "(My name is Arthfael, I was born of the [freed battle thralls] but I decided to join my father's clan. May I know your name?)". [He] was rewarded with a sentence that was unintelligible to [him], maybe [he] wasn't as fluent in the tongue as [he] thought. "(In the forest tongue, brother)" interrupted Blejan. So the boy's first instinct upon meeting someone was to change language. Interesting. "(Piran)" the boy blurted out, cheeks reddening adorably "(that is my name, I'm of the reindeer clan)" [he] finished. Taking an opportunity to look at Piran. The first thing [he] noticed was the blood darkening the neck garment. If Blejan wasn't so relaxed [he] would assume a concussion, [he] should probably ask about that. It also became clear how pale [he] was, skin more bronze than the traditional copper. Blood loss didn't seem the cause, likely mixed race like himself Arthfael's concluded.
[it] was [his half sibling] who threw the snowball. Barely eight years old and already on the way to becoming a skilled hunter. Today [their(pl)] job was collecting [hazelnuts] from trees who were just as surprised by winter as [us]. But hiding in the undergrowth, throwing snowballs was much more fun. Especially against Jowen, [he] has been acting like [he's] all grown up since [his] voice broke. "(Blejan, Come back here. We need to carry the basket home)" called Arthfael, [they] didn't know if [he] had ever met Jowen. But [they] were referenced by name, so [he] knew [they] were around. [their] cover blown Blejan came out of hiding, made eye contact with Jowen, and threw another snowball at [him]. "(you little toad)" Jowen roared as [he] tackled the child and began stuffing snow in [their] coat. [their] shrill shriek and infectious giggles echoing through the forest. This passiveness didn't last before [they] began to wriggle, [their] foot colliding with [his] face with a crunch that made [them(pl)] wince. Jowen fell backwards landing on [his] backside, [his] hand going to [his] nose. "(what's your problem?)" hissed Jowan, [his] nose bleeding. [it] wasn't broken but that was more luck than intent, [it] would still require first aid but not immediately.
"(i'm sorry)" muttered Blejan, emptying the snow from [their] coat "(I only wanted to play)". While that may be a valid reason for [them], a child, it didn't explain why [they] had decided to bother [him]. [he] would be an adult by nightfall, adults don't just abandon work because of boredom and [he] knew that [he] hadn't been given this job just to keep [him] busy. [he] had been sent alone to this job was because many of [his] [Clan] were sick. They were the last to arrive at the [temple] with some of the [tent] collapsing under the weight of the snow. [his Clan] needed the warmth of a fire more than [his] half-sibling needed to play in the snow with [him]. [he] had already wasted enough time with [them]. [he] shouldn't have been baited into a snow fight. Eyes back on the [holly] [he] picked up the [axe]. Barely sparing [his] sibling a glance [he] stated: "(our work is needed)" This didn't impress Blejan [he] could practically hear [their] pout. "(you used to be fun)". That set something off within Jowen, something thick and dark, [it] boiled in [his] gut, tasted like bile on [his] tongue and imbued venom to [his] words. [he] took a deep breath hoping [it] would contain the anger, turned looking [them] in the eyes, then the ugliness broke through.
"(stop being spoilt)" [he] spat. [his] words cutting [them] in a way [his] axe or knife would never reach. [they] only wanted to play and, despite [his] all grown-up act, [he] was [their] favourite [sibling], who [they] only got to see a few times a year. Tears began to gather in [their] eyes as [they] tried, and failed, to not cry at the unfairness of [it] all. Why was [he] being so mean? Since when was wanting to play being spoilt? [they] thought [he] looked sad and wanted [him] to play so [he] can cheer up. That always worked in the past. Why is [it] bad now? The tears were running down [their] face and beginning to stain [their] shawl.
[they] were crying, why were [they] crying? Nothing [he] said was unfair or inaccurate, [he] had work [he] needed to do for [his] sick [Clan] and [they] were demanding that [he] abandon that to go play. No, not even demanding, that would require [them] to consider that [he] might say no. [they] just dragged [him] in, then acted offended when [he] tried to get back to doing the work [his Clan] relied on to not die of sickness. [he] was tired, not sick, just tired. [he] refused to complain though, not while everyone is working so hard. Not when [his mother] was busy mixing medicine despite being sick [herself]. The crying is getting worse [he] dimly noticed. [he] had no idea how [he] was supposed to deal with this and wasn't sure [it] was [his] job to do so. Maybe the stranger calling for [them] would be able to help or take [them] away so [he] can get back to the [holly]. Only one way to find out.
Arthfael was having a very, very bad day. [he] was currently standing in a clearing with a large, full [basket of hazelnuts] staring at huge black dog, [his] guide Blejan had run off, [he] has no idea where [he] is or how to get back home. [he] was not yet used to the cold but if [he] shivered the dog would sit on [him]. Again. Going out to collect nuts sounded like a great idea when [his female father*] suggested it this morning, having something to do made sense to [him], and getting out of the [temple] whilst the [merchants], who usually didn't come this far south, made [him] less nervous. Blejan, a [child] being [his] guide hurt [his] pride slightly but [they] did know the land better than [he] did, and as [his] [grandfather] liked to say "(practicality before pride)". Arthfael would prefer to never think about the man ever again, but if he didn't then [he] might spend the time getting angry at a child for acting like a child. If [he] was going to be angry [it] might as well be at [him], that old man was much more deserving of [his] ire. "(Blejan, Come back here!). (We need to carry the basket home)" [he] called hoping that it would summon [them]. How [them] were able to just disappear into the forest [he] will never know. In [his] youth [he] read stories about savages able to magically disappear and reappear into the forest at will. [he] had assumed that had been propaganda, from when the [freed battle thralls] tried to invade the [old forest] to control the tin trade, but apparently, there was some truth hidden in the bigotry. [he] heard a shriek; it might have been Blejan. Bending down [he] took out [his] boot-knife with an aim to follow the noise, only to be knocked down and sat on by the dog. [he] rolled over, careful not to cut [himself] or the dog, looked the dog in the eyes. "(You are the worst, shit, I don't know the word, nanny, I've met)" [he] growled at the beast above [him]. The beast clearly didn't see the insult in [his] words, tail wagging [she] started to lick [his] face. "(hi kinsperson, Blejan is here)" a stranger's voice echoed throughout the clearing. [he] didn't think they were from the [wolf clan], so [he] figured that [they] must be kin to Blejan. [he] needed to get to the voice before [he] lost it , shame the dog was still crushing [him]. The dog wasn't going to move and [he] didn't know the command to make [her] get off [him]. Blejan did though. "(is it possible that you(pl) come to me)" [he] shouted as loudly as possible with a dog on [him]. Several moments passed [he] hoped that [they(pl)] wouldn't say no. If [they(pl)] did [he] would be stuck until someone came looking for [him]. "(yeah, we can)" replied the stranger, at that moment [he] could kiss [them]. [he] hadn't been stuck under the dog for long, but [he] was already starting to lose feeling in [his] legs. The dog was heavy, and seemed to get heavier the longer [he] was here.
So, it turned out that Blejan was responsible for someone. Someone who didn't know the [forest]. Someone [they] left alone to go play, why [they] were unable to play with this stranger [he] didn't know, but [he] was determined to find out. Whilst [he] marched [his] half-sibling to the clearing [he] was trying not to make eye contact with [them], whilst [they] were busy trying to explain why it was perfectly ok to abandon someone. "(he wasn't alone. I left my dog "hug" with him)" [they] named [their] dog hug. [they] are definitely a child. "(she is a nanny dog, so he will be ok)" if [they] wanted to play in the snow why didn't [they] play with [their] dog, why did [they] need to find [him] in the first place. "(is this evening your ceremonial rites?)" a fairly obvious diversion tactic but [he] wasn't interested in the last topic so [he] let it slide, again. [he] wondered if [he] would actually be able to do [his] work, [he] hoped there was a good tree to fell there so this wouldn't be a complete waste of [his] time. [he] could hardly go back empty-handed, it's embarrassing enough to come back empty-handed from a hunt but [he] was sent to get wood from a forest, [he] was even allowed to use the [bronze axe], nobody would think [he] is ready for [his] [sacred tattoo] if [he] is too incompetent to find wood in a place full of wood with the best equipment available to [him]. "you know it is, I will be an adult tomorrow)" [he] said absentmindedly, wondering where [they] were going with this. Probably nowhere good, [his] mind was already spiraling to dark thoughts. "(aren't adults supposed to be patient with children like me?)" [they] tried to explain a way out of [his] anger, this was a novel approach. [they] usually tried to act closer to [his] age because [they] wanted to be included in [his] childhood games. [It] was one that often worked with [their(pl) father] when [he] would spend time with all of [his] children. [he] could almost admire [their] adaptability, but that's not going to stop [him] from putting [his] foot down. "(not if they were misbehaving)" [he] said noting again how loud [their] pout seems to be as [they] led [them(pl)] to a clearing. There was the dog Blejan mentioned but where this stranger, Arthfael [he] thinks that was the name, [he] could not say. "(Alright Blejan, where's your friend?)" [he] was about to say before [hug] jerked unnaturally, suddenly every scary [campfire] tale flashed in [his] mind. [his] body was quickly between Blejan and [their] dog and [his] axe between [him] and whatever is hiding in [her] fur. [It] was a hand, [it] looked human, the rational part of [him] deduced [it] was probably Arthfael. Shame the rational part of [him] wasn't holding the axe, that part of [him] was far more interested in protecting [them(pl)] from whatever else may be attached to that hand, apologies could be made later.
"(This beast will be the death of me)". Arthfael thought darkly, still trapped under the long fur and densely packed muscle. [he] had lost feeling in [his] legs a while ago and struggling only seemed to make the dog heavier. The cold was punching [his] throat, stealing [his] voice. [it] almost made [him] miss [his] mother's homeland where dogs wouldn't dare get taller than [his] hip or tackle someone to the ground. [he] took a breath, [he] needed to stop expecting others to follow to a set of rules [he] had rejected when applied to [himself]. [It] is petty and hypocritical, not who [he] wanted to be. In the short term, what [he] wants to be is to not be trapped under this gods dammed dog, with a long term goal being a good person or something. [he] hadn't put much thought into [it]. [he] didn't want to think about [it] now, but there was not much else to do. Is someone there? [he] didn't hear anyone come here, but then again the people of the forest know how to move quietly through the snow. Trying to ignore the panting of the dog over [him], [he] concentrated on the sounds. [It] sounds like speech. Someone talking. Yes, Blejan and the stranger are here. [he] just needed to show them [he] was trapped. Shoring up [his] stomach muscles [he] lifted [his] torso jerking the dog, who still refused to move, and forced [his] hand out into the cold, hoping [it] would be enough. There was a sound of movement. [They] noticed! [He] was safe, [they] were going to free [him]. Any moment now. Any moment. [He] was losing feeling in [his] hand. [He] tried waving [it] again in a vain attempt to get attention. The dog huffed a complaint at [his] movement but was not bothered enough to move. Arthfael considered [it] a loss. Eternities could have passed for all [he] knew, stuck beneath this behemoth. Until. Until a voice pierced the fluff. High and commanding. The weight began to lift, freedom sang to [him]. [He] took a deep breath, [his] ribs protested the exertion after being so thoroughly crushed. Dizziness almost overcame [him] as he rolled over. A pale golden glow drew [his] eyes as [he] searched for [his] rescuer. Bronze, a metal [he] didn't expect to see again. Suppressing panic [he] began to assess the situation, hostility could end with either blood or gold. [He] had no gold on [him]. One potential hostile in front of [him], [he] has put larger men on [their] back in training. An axe has a longer reach than [his] knife, but the guard was poor. A quick feint should break that guard then a slice to the throat would end the problem, no, that would kill the boy. Arthfael thought to [himself], if [he] was to kill a barely trained boy [he] would have to be honest with [himself] about [it]. A part of [him] idly wondered who [they] could be to get [their] hands on such a rare metal but so unskilled at combat. Any attempts to move [his] body to a better stance were ruined by [his] coat snagging against something. "(See I told you he would be fine)" spoke [his] saviour, Blejan, stepping out from behind the boy. The stranger snorted, [they] clearly knew each other. [He] nearly attacked the kin of [his] kin. Hopefully, [he] didn't seem hostile or [he] could destroy [his] reputation before [he] could build [it]. "(I've seen corpses with more blood in their cheeks)" the boy was berating Blejan, there may be some sympathy to make use of, before turning to [him] with a question. "(You from somewhere warm?)" "(Why do you ask?)" A touch of defensiveness crept into [his] words. [he] needed to stop that if [he] was to gain allies here. "(Never saw someone actually fight with their coat before. I thought it was just a saying.)"The boy shrugged as if to indicate the question was simply idle curiosity. Arthfael was forced to concede that the boy had a point. Fighting in unfamiliar clothing was something [he] never thought to consider, everybody is to some degree familiar with moving in armour. Sensing the rabbit hole that thought could lead to Arthael decided to focus on the situation in front of [him]. Quickly deducing that conversation could override the previous fuck up [he] decided to be as helpful as possible. "(My name is Arthfael, I was born of the [freed battle thralls] but I decided to join my father's clan. May I know your name?)". [He] was rewarded with a sentence that was unintelligible to [him], maybe [he] wasn't as fluent in the tongue as [he] thought. "(In the forest tongue, brother)" interrupted Blejan. So the boy's first instinct upon meeting someone was to change language. Interesting. "(Piran)" the boy blurted out, cheeks reddening adorably "(that is my name, I'm of the reindeer clan)" [he] finished. Taking an opportunity to look at Piran. The first thing [he] noticed was the blood darkening the neck garment. If Blejan wasn't so relaxed [he] would assume a concussion, [he] should probably ask about that. It also became clear how pale [he] was, skin more bronze than the traditional copper. Blood loss didn't seem the cause, likely mixed race like himself Arthfael's concluded.