NOAH
”I’ll tell you as if hunting one wasn’t our goal today. As if surviving alone, was.” Noah glanced sideways at Liam, his breath fogging in the cold air. The crunch of snow beneath their boots was steady, their sled creaking behind them. “First thing,” he said, voice low but even, “you’ll smell it before you see it. Blood, mostly. Musk. Sharp, like copper. That’s your cue to turn around, not press forward.”
He adjusted the strap of his pack, eyes scanning the treeline. “Second—ursur don’t bluff. If it looks at you, it’s already made up its mind. Don’t wait to see what it does next. Either you’re ready to shoot or you get the hell out.”
He kicked at a crust of snow, revealing a hint of older tracks beneath. “And those tusks?” he added. “They’re not just for goring prey. I’ve seen ‘em toss a grown man ten feet easy. Armor won’t stop that. Doesn’t matter how thick it is.” Noah looked back at Liam, a flicker of seriousness beneath his calm. “Fast matters up here. Stay light. Keep your eyes open.”
He adjusted the strap of his pack, eyes scanning the treeline. “Second—ursur don’t bluff. If it looks at you, it’s already made up its mind. Don’t wait to see what it does next. Either you’re ready to shoot or you get the hell out.”
He kicked at a crust of snow, revealing a hint of older tracks beneath. “And those tusks?” he added. “They’re not just for goring prey. I’ve seen ‘em toss a grown man ten feet easy. Armor won’t stop that. Doesn’t matter how thick it is.” Noah looked back at Liam, a flicker of seriousness beneath his calm. “Fast matters up here. Stay light. Keep your eyes open.”
i'd fashioned my own cross
been crushed by its weight
there's no stronger message
than dirt in your face
been crushed by its weight
there's no stronger message
than dirt in your face
