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Roshinda

Roshinda

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(¯`¤'¯)

As was predicted, winter arrived early, announcing its presence with a fierce snowstorm. While the snow began to descend around us, we had to stay cooped up in the village. We continued to make our secret plans, though, and looked with excited apprehension for the coming of the caravan.

The snow fell more violently, half-burying the village in gathering drifts. Boredom struck each of us as we sat idle, trapped by the snow that deadened not just sound, but our thoughts as well. The men gathered in their Hall while the rest of us huddled around fires and bundled in layers of furs to keep warm.

When after days the raging storm showed no signs of letting up, I began to despair, for in that weather there was no way for Bec's father to get to us. I tried to keep her from worrying, but I knew she did anyway.

Early on the eighth morning since the blizzard began, I woke up with a start, jolted out of my sleep by something I had heard. I listened in the silence, straining my ears to hear what might have woken me, but I could hear nothing. It took a few minutes to process that it was the sudden quiet that had woken me, after days of howling wind and snow.

I cautiously poked my head out the tent flap, delighted not to be assailed by lashing snow. In the pale light of the pre-dawn, everything was still, bathed in a soft glow. The snow was laid out in undulating waves. In some places the drifts were nearly level with the roofs, while in other places the snow was sunken into troughs, showing the paths we had continued to use despite the storm.

The snow had been perfectly unblemished until I marked it with my footprints as I ploughed through the snow to Rebecca's tent. Carving the path again was tiring work, and I had worked up a sweat by the time I arrived. She was right on the edge of the village and her tent had been nearly covered by the drifting snow.

28-Apr-2007 03:34:43 - Last edited on 07-May-2007 01:40:28 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The storm had abated none too soon. The whole clan was tense, and tempers had begun flaring from being cooped up together for so many days. We all needed a chance to stretch out legs and breathe fresh air.

Rebecca didn't seem too pleased about being woken so early, but she shrugged on a warm jacket and boots and followed me outside anyway. Her eyes widened in childlike wonder as she looked at the world covered in a blanket of white.

"The storm is over," she gasped, "everything looks so beautiful now. My father should be here soon."

"Unless he got lost in the storm and froze to death," I said unthinkingly.

Hurt and sadness sprang to Rebecca's eyes. I kicked myself mentally for not thinking before I spoke.

"Bec I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." I began.

"No, you're probably right," she interrupted. She spun away and I could see tears in the corners of her eyes. "If he was on the way here when that storm hit, then he probably is dead. I need to go take a walk to clear my head ... prepare myself, just in case.... Alone, if you don't mind."

"Okay," I nodded. "Just stick to the plains. The snow will be deeper, but I'll be able to see you from more of a distance. Please?"

She agreed and set out to the west. The sun had only just begun to rise, but there was a decent amount of light and she was a smart girl, so I wasn't worried. I returned to my tent and started sharpening my axe. I watched my sisters sleeping peacefully, and I thought about how much I would miss my family when I left with Rebecca. Once I left there would be no returning. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make to be with her though.

28-Apr-2007 03:35:04 - Last edited on 29-Apr-2007 13:57:42 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
As my thoughts turned back to Bec, suddenly I didn't like the thought of her walking outside alone anymore. If the storm should return, she wouldn't be able to read the signs and take shelter in time. I donned my warm gear and headed out after her. On my way out I grabbed my father's spear that had been leaning against the doorpost, I thought it might be useful for measuring the depth of the snow.

She hadn't been gone long, but already she had gone quite far. I couldn't see her figure in the distance, but I knew there were a few hills up ahead, and she had probably rounded one and disappeared from my sight.

Her footprints were only slightly indented on the crusty snow, hardened by the wind. With every step I took though, I fell through the snow and sank to my knees. Cursing my stupidity in telling Rebecca to stick to the plains, I struggled on, calling her name every now and again.

The village had just passed out of sight behind me when I saw something that froze my blood. Intersecting with Rebecca's footprints was another set of prints, but they hadn't been made by any human. They had been partially covered by blowing snow, so I knew that they were a few hours old, but it meant that there was a Sabre-toothed Kyatt in the area. It was the only animal I could think of that would leave such large prints, though I knew relatively little about them.

Kyatts normally live quite far north, where it snows year round; I had never heard of one being so close to human dwellings. I could only assume that the blizzard had brought this one further south. At least, I hoped that there was only one.

"Bec!" I called again, louder and more frantically. Ignoring the exhaustion of running through knee-deep snow, I began to sprint. Twice more I saw a Kyatt track cross over Rebecca's path. From what I knew about the large cats I concluded that they were made by the same animal, as Kyatts are solitary hunters.

28-Apr-2007 03:35:18 - Last edited on 01-May-2007 13:25:22 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
"Bec if you can hear me make for the trees!" I shouted, hoping that she wasn't too distracted, and close enough to hear me.

A few minutes later I came to the crest of a hill where I paused to catch my breath. The plains were laid out before me, and I could see Rebecca, still walking west.

"Rebecca!" I called to her once more, but she kept on walking and didn't acknowledge in the slightest that she had heard me. She had, I noticed, at least adjusted her course and was making for the cover of the trees.

I hurtled down the hill as I let gravity pull me faster than I could have run. I came to the bottom in a spray of snow that obstructed my vision. When it cleared I was met with a sight that filled me with the worst kind of dread. Between Rebecca and I, but a few hundred yards to the right, a large white shape emerged from the snow. The Kyatt had its sights on Rebecca, and I saw it crouch.

"Run Bec! Run for the woods!" I screamed hoarsely, and following my own advice I ran through the drifts with a speed I had not known I was capable of, nor would have been had it not been for the adrenaline pumping through my veins. She must have heard the note of panic in my voice, for she looked over her shoulder just as the large cat sprang to its feet and started towards her at a dead run.

She turned towards the trees and tried to run, but she sank deep into the snow drifts and struggled to gain any momentum. I saw her trip and fall forward just as the Kyatt pounced. It missed, as Rebecca was no longer standing upright, but the feline was only momentarily confused by the sudden collapse of its prey. Lowering its head, the Kyatt closed its powerful jaws around Bec's neck and stabbed her with its long teeth.

"No!" I screamed at the same time I heard Bec issue a piercing, if muffled, scream of agony.

28-Apr-2007 03:35:26 - Last edited on 01-May-2007 13:25:38 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I was now close enough that the animal was within range of my axe. I threw the weapon with all my strength: my only thought was to distract the beast from its prey for as long as I could. The blade struck its hind flank, and a vivid red spot immediately appeared, staining the animal's pristine white coat.

The Kyatt raised its massive head and glared at me balefully, as if contemplating how serious a threat I might pose. Blood and saliva dripped from the long, knife-like canines that gave it the name "Sabre-toothed". It lashed its tail like a whip, and I could see the powerful muscles of the Kyatt quivering beneath its gleaming fur. With another twitch of its tail it suddenly leapt towards me and I yelped, bolting for the woods with a Kyatt on my heels.

My aim was achieved, but I had no idea what to do from there. I had made yet another stupid decision, and I honestly feared that it would end up a fatal one, to both Rebecca and myself. I wasn't going to be able to out-run a Kyatt for long. Most of what happened next is a blurry memory that I would rather forget.

My lungs were burning from the short, rasping breaths I had been taking, and there was a cramp in my side that made every step painful, but there was nothing to do but keep pushing myself onward. When I made it to the treeline I did the first thing I could think of. I was grateful that I had strapped my father's spear to my back before I started running down the hill so my hands were free for climbing. I didn't know if Kyatts could climb trees, but it was my only chance.

28-Apr-2007 03:36:05 - Last edited on 29-Apr-2007 13:58:43 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Luckily for me the lowest branch was around the height of my head, and I pulled myself up with little difficulty. Before I could reach for the next branch, the Kyatt pawed at me, raking my leg with its sharp claws and gouging out chunks of flesh. I kicked wildly, hitting it in the face with my foot, and then kept climbing, scrambling up the tree like it was second nature. When I chanced a look down, the Kyatt was standing on its hind legs, pawing at the tree. I didn't think it would be able to reach me, but then it jumped and hooked itself on the branches and began climbing the tree after me. I climbed faster.

I noticed that some of the branches of the next tree over were touching the one I was climbing. Until then I had thought only about speed and not about caution, but seeing the ground so far below me made me reconsider. Carefully I inched my way along the overhanging limb, but despite my caution I heard a crack just before the branch gave away under my weight. I fell to the ground with a thud and lay there for a moment, briefly winded.

Scrabbling to a sitting position I grabbed my spear and held it out as my last defense: there was nowhere to run, assuming I could even get to my feet. I watched the large cat coil its haunches and pounce, dropping down on me from the tree. It impaled itself on the spear head, and the sheer weight of the animal pushed it down the shaft and onto me. One of its sabre teeth pierced my shoulder as the light of its eyes dimmed and went out.

I was pinned by the limp but still warm body of the great beast, but once I freed my shoulder I was able to push the weight off me and roll to my feet. I was covered in blood, the Kyatt's as well as my own, and I felt cold and sick to my stomach. I leaned against a tree while I recovered my breath and strength.

28-Apr-2007 03:36:15 - Last edited on 01-May-2007 13:26:20 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
As soon as I was able I sprinted back to where Rebecca lay. The snow around her was stained with blood, yet there was still life in her, I could see her chest rise and fall ever so faintly. I took off my jacket and wrapped her in it, too numb to notice the chill air. As gently as I could, I picked her up and began the trek back to the village, ignoring the stabbing pain in my shoulder.

I was weary, hurting, and scared and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out, but I was also desperate. I kept pushing myself on for the sake of my precious burden. When I was within shouting distance of the village I gave a cry of alarm, and soon people came running to see what the trouble was. I took two more staggering steps and then dropped to my knees. I had lost a lot of blood myself and was too weak continue.

"Bec... hurt. Need help. Kyatt..." were the only words I managed to speak to the first person to reach my side. It was then that I became aware of the frozen tear drops on my cheeks, though I couldn't remember shedding them.

I looked then on Rebecca's face, so peaceful and still. I touched her cheek, and it was cold and her lips were blue. I heard someone tell me that there would be no help for her.

"There is no help the dead, not in this life," the voice behind me said. I wouldn't listen, I didn't believe him. Bec couldn't be dead. I clutched her to me and kissed her cold, unyielding lips. I felt numb and I wanted to cry, but I didn't, I just cradled her body and rocked back and forth.

28-Apr-2007 03:36:23 - Last edited on 29-Apr-2007 14:15:18 by Roshinda

Roshinda

Roshinda

Posts: 6,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Someone tried to take Rebecca from me, but I resisted. Instead, he helped me to my feet and I felt myself being guided, supported on either side by faceless men. After a time I came to the tent of the shaman and she was taken from me. I passed the rest of the day there in grief while I was healed of my physical wounds. Later I learned that men had gone out to the field to figure out what had happened, as they learned very little from me. They had found the Kyatt corpse and brought the hateful thing back to the village.

At sundown Chief Dolkor came to me and briefly I wondered what new trouble I was in. He didn't let me wonder for long.

"Arise, Arik Bloodfur, son of Bartin Ironclaw," the chieftain commanded, "and shed your grief. This is a day to celebrate. You have earned your name, and from this day forth you are welcome in the Hall of Men!"

Those were the words I had longed to hear my whole life, and now that they were spoken I was loath to hear them. The irony was like bile in my throat. I had failed as a man when it most counted, and Rebecca had died as a result. In spite of that, nay, because of it, I was now come to manhood.

I reflected sadly on all the things Bec would never get to show me, then I stood up and joined the ranks of the men.

28-Apr-2007 03:36:44 - Last edited on 29-Apr-2007 22:35:25 by Roshinda

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