Solo The journey through the Northern Reaches.

[Vidar]

The First of Summer, year 513

The sounds of his boots made a soft rustle, He had his bow in hand with an arrow notched. His hues scanning the horizon. His breathing steady, and his body moved slowly forwards. The forest felt wrong, he'd been uneasy for the past few days. As if something were stalking him, he knew these forests had been infected with wolves, and dire wolves, but he had not seen any since he'd entered the forest. This was odd, for they usually were quite common. He was not accustomed too the bow yet, though he knew how to use it his accuracy was not the greatest.

Step by step he grew closer to a small stream that ran through the woods, his water skin was empty and he grew thirsty from the long days travel. He stopped at the streams edge, his armor and clothes made him hot. Though he knew it could mean life or death, his shield strapped to his back and his axe at his side weighed him considerably. He turned to view his surrounding, the area was quiet, not even the birds chirped. He knew how to track, and it now seemed he was the one being tracked. The sun was half way in the sky, signalling it to be noon. He unnotched the arrow from his bow, sliding the arrow back into the quiver and leaning his bow against a stump. He removed his shield from his back setting it onto the forest floor. Loosening the water skin from his hip he knelt down to fill it in the spring before him. Taking one last scan of the area he filled the skin.

Setting the skin off in the grass he cupped his hands and drank slowly, the cool water refreshing his throat. He sipped for a few more moments, before grabbing the water skin and leashing it back onto his hip. He reached for his bow his fingers wrapping around the cool wood, and from the corner of his eye he saw a shadowy beast, quickly he turned, his fingers gripping an arrow and notching it before he had finished his movement, he had the bow fully drawn. The barbed arrow aimed straight for the beast, he was astonished by the size of the creature in front of him. It was a dire-wolf and one like he'd never seen. It was black as the night with no moon, and had eyes yellow as the purest gold on the land. Its teeth, long and sharp. The beast was twice as tall as himself, and must have weighed more than two horses.

Though the beast was frightening, he felt no fear. Though this standoff could result in his death, he only felt a soothing calm. His eyes locked with that of the creature before him. It moved slowly now circling him, and with it he moved. His arrow trained on the creature. The world was calm, it was just him and his enemy, maybe it would give him a good death, though none would know of his tale. He'd die with no fortune but he would die a warrior's death. Now in the calm before the storm he faced off with the massive beast.

Then the silence was broken and the beast lunged towards him its jaws frothing, its claws out stretched, he breathed out slowly and the twang of his bow was the only thing he could hear. The projectile flew at incredible speed, its aim was for chest of the beast as it sprang forth. It seemed time had slowed as the arrow sped to the creature. The arrow lodged it's self deeply into the chest of the monstrous wolf, causing it to crumple and fall at his feet. He leapt backwards his eyes locked on the creature, he notched another arrow, waiting for the beast. It slowly rose to its feet, murder in its eyes, he snarled and swated at Vidar with a mighty paw, he leapt back again, avoiding the paw. He drew his bow aiming for the beast once more, releasing the deadly projectile at the monster.

The beast dodged it, and leapt towards him knocking him onto his back, his bow fell from his grip and toppled into the grass. It stood atop him and howled loudly before attempting to chew his face off.

While the monster howled, his fingers gripped the hilt of his knife that was strapped to his lower back. As the monster moved in for the final blow, he jarred the blade into the mandible of the beast, driving the tip into the creatures cranial, it shook for a moment before falling to the side, the finishing blow had been quick. He rolled onto his side and slowly stood parts of him bruised, he looked down to the opponent. "You were a worthy enemy. And you died truly." He knelt down and removed his dagger, wiping the blood on the beast's fur, he sheathed the blade back into its scabbard. And removed the arrow from the creatures chest plucking the meaty bits and fur from the tip he replaced it into his quiver.

He picked up his shield strapping it to his back, then next picked up his bow and started across the river leaving the rotting corpse of the beast he had just slew. Mid way through the water he heard a lonely howl, the howl gave him a small chill. He was not out of danger yet. He hurried on covering as much ground as he could. Taking the more difficult paths to his destination. He stopped as the darkness began to smother the light. He stopped for the night removing his gear, he began to collect his tinder, making a small pile stacked neatly in a tee-pee fashion. He put what dried moss he could find into the center of the stack. He struck his flint against a small bit of steal sending sparks into the nest. The fire quickly was crackling. He sat down on the forest floor, hand on his trusty axe.

It was going to be a long night, this he knew by the sounding of another howl, only this time three more answered the call.

[Vidar]

It was well past the middle of the night, he had stacked the fire well enough to last him through the dark abyss. His shield was a wonderful place to rest his head, while he slept. He had taken a long while preparing for the night, knowing he was now being hunted by a pack. He had eight smaller fires burning, each evenly spaced as to make a perimeter of light, casting out almost all darkness, save for shadows thrown by the few trees that helped form the perimeter. He awoke to the sound of branches and underbrush being trampled he rolled over, in a fluid motion he was on his feet crouching, axe in hand, his eyes scanning the darkness for the beasts. After a brief moment he relaxed slightly, they're testing his slowly dying perimeter, searching for away around the light. Their animal instincts made them fear the fires he had built, but it would not last long.

He stood now, looking for the remainder of the kindling he had gathered for the long night. There was not much left but a branch or two. He gave out a small sigh. "I won't make it out of these woods in one piece." His and quiver rested on the ground. He had no use for it. IF he were to fire an arrow at one of the beasts the other would kill him before he could switch targets.

The bravest of the four made the first move, a smaller dire wolf, it stood at about his height. Though it was brave, it was not the smartest of them it leapt straight at Vidar, the shield he wielded slowed the beast, it clung to massive wooden piece on his arm trying to gnaw at him over the top. It seemed almost rabid. Using the strength from his shield arm he shoved the creature to the side, and into the fire he'd started. With a loud yelp and a whoosh of flames it escaped the blaze parts of its fur burning still, rolling and flailing the beast was hysterical. He quickly brought his weapon down upon its neck, almost severing its head from the creatures shoulders. it crumpled twitching slightly. Knowing that the others had watched as he dispatched a member of their pack, they would approach more cautiously.

He sat with his back to the now almost dead fire. Occasionally checking over his shoulder. He stood his body was tired, and the dead animal was beside him, its corpse was already starting to smell. Picking up his quiver he slung it across his back, along with his shield, he slipped his axe into his belt. His bow in hand he began his trek across the land. He moved quickly, taking paths that could cause the hunters to lose his scent. He moved through streams, going against the current and finding difficult trails to navigate. He panted softly, a small clearing lie ahead. He stopped in his tracks. The last three wolves stood in the clearing. Two of them were bland, and had grey and white fur. and both looked to be siblings of the one he had killed by the fire. Their eyes were locked on him and their lips pulled back in a snarl, hatred burned in their eyes. They were about his height but both stood off to the side of the mother or father of the pack that now hunted him. It was large, very large. He notched an arrow, his eyes locked onto the beast. Though it did nothing but sit and watch him. No expression on its face, its chocolate hues locked onto him intently.

[Vidar]

He drew the string back, past his ear, the projectile ready to fly. The deadly point of the arrow centered on the head of the massive beast before him. It stood little over 100 meters away. From this distance his accuracy suffered greatly, but if it were to charge he could pluck out its eye possibly. At this moment he had wished he had used his long bow more often, the string was tight against his fingers the cool wood gave him no comfort. The air seemed charged with electricity, the tensions mounted the wolves seemed to notice because the smaller ones lost all control and charged they ran fast, very fast both circling around going in for the kill. He quickly picked out the fastest one, turning sharply to the left he aimed the shaft of the arrow at the one incoming. It was moving as fast as it could, saliva flying from the corners of its mouth. It was going to be on top of him soon he had to act now or he'd be dead. He knew what he had to do. If luck were on his side, he'd wound or kill the one coming at him, and he'd be able to turn around in time to intercept the one on his right with his axe. But he had no idea where the one behind him was at now.

The taught string slipped from his fingers the shaft of wood and feather, jolted forwards. Screaming towards the wolf its intended target was between the eyes of the creature, but at the last minute it jumped, and the projectile slipped past the creature's front teeth and embedded in the roof of the mouth, the arrow head lodging firmly in the monster's brain. Killing it instantly, no yelp, no noise. It collapsed dead. His fingers had immediately dropped the bow from his hands as soon as the arrow loosed. He gripped his axe and spun, but had judged the time of the second wolf wrong. It was too late, he tackled Vidar to the ground knocking his weapon from his back. The monster lunged for his throat, but he managed to throw his arm in the way, it gripped tightly. The wolf shook its head violently trying to rip his arm from his body. It weighed more than he did, pinning him beneath the weight of its massive body. The leather armor he wore saved him from most of the damage, its crushing jaws were beginning to cut the circulation from his arm. He used his other hand to crack the skull across the beasts face with no affect.

He quickly jabbed the wolf's eye and it yelped, with his arm free he gripped his dagger quickly unsheathing it he went to bring the blade to the throat of the monster. The wolf realized too late what was happening and moved to the left, the blade slipping into it's shoulder. Growling fiercely it jumped off of him, limping slightly, the being's maws trying to pull the thorn from its shoulder.

Vidar rolled over, gasping for air, his fingers grabbing the handle of the axe, his hues found the Alpha sitting calmly in the middle of the clearing. He got to his knee's and then slowly to his feet. He turned to face his opponent. It had managed to free the dagger from the wolf's shoulder. He looked into the eyes of the pup before him. "I'll finish you, and your family you wretched monster. I'll send you back to the fiery pits from whence you came BEAST" He ran towards the wolf, his axe raised. And it seemed to charge with its three good legs in an hobbling fashion. He swung quickly catch the wolf in the side, crushing ribs and slicing it deeply. The entire body crashed into him, although it was mortally wounded its teeth sank into his shoulder tearing his leather armor. The teeth managed to rip into his flesh, throwing its head his shoulder was ripped and torn. He yelled out in agony, Using his free hand he pulled the axe free and with all his strength hacked at it's side breaking and cutting more ribs. Finally it fell still all of its strength spent. Resting its massive body across his, the wolf let out large wheezing breaths. He managed to slide out from under the hair body. Standing up, he eyed the other one. It still stood freely in the clearing watching him with no interest of getting involved. He bent down grabbing his dagger, and walked back over to the fallen warrior. Kneeling down by it, he ran the blade across its jugular allowing the creature bleed its precious life blood out onto the forest floor. He stood facing the final opponent.

He knew that this final battle he could not win. He walked into the clearing, weapon in hand he walked straight towards the Wolf. Stopping less than 10 meters away. Still not moving, only watching Vidar contently. Its dark hues scanning the males broken body, nostrils taking in the scent of its fallen apprentices, the scent of the human male's blood.

"Do you wish to die too wolf? Do you wish to fall as your children have? As your pack has? I have no desire to kill anymore today, but if you do not leave I will have no choice but to fight you!" Still it did not move. It only studied him, judging him. The being before him seemed like no ordinary Wolf, it had an almost human look behind its eyes. Vidar's patients wore thin. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?" He yelled at the beast. Through lack of sleep and sheer wariness he had lost it. He shook the blade at the being before him. " I WILL SLAY YOU! I WILL RID YOUR EVIL FROM THIS FOREST BEAST! " After a few moments he grew tired. The world seemed heavy, and he fell to his knee's. He had no more energy to spend, if he were to die, then this is where he would fall. His vision slowly began to fade, and the earth came flying towards him. His face landing in the tall grass, the smell of the earth, rushing into his nostrils. Before he was out he heard something very human speak to him. "I'll be watching you child." And then it was all darkness. He awoke in the middle of the night, his body aching. He managed to sit up, his ribs and shoulder especially hurt. After awhile of looking around he finally got up. He wondered over to where his belongings were scattered. He removed his axe from the corpse it lay in. sliding it into his belt, he sheathed his dagger and slung his bow around his shoulders. The string riding across his chest. He began his walk in the dark through the clearing. His good arm holding the shredded shoulder.

By dawn he had covered some distance, the forest was calm and peaceful no feelings of danger, no feelings of darkness. He simply wondered his wound throbbed. He was pretty sure some of his ribs were cracked, but had no way of telling. He looked to his shoulder at first light and was surprised at the sight. It was no where near as bad as he had remembered. The cuts had stopped bleeding. He could use some stitches, but had no way of doing so. Not until Avanthal, but by then it would have healed enough that he wouldn't be able to get it sewn up any way. He needed to remember to get his armor sewn as quickly as he could, it had served him well and will need too in the future.