Slay an ursur and harvest its pelt, Frey had told him.
And so here Tal was, in the early days of Flowerbirth when the cold threatened to sap all strength from limbs and froze tears to ice on eyelashes in heartbeats, out with Bell and Boreal and three of his strongest, most steadfast wheel dogs.
And his friend Deimos, whose wisdom was sorely needed today.
The sled was running light, empty yet, behind the four dogs, and Boreal circled high overhead, scouting out sign of their prey. Tal had the long, crossbraced spear slung across his back and his trusty axe at his hip, but it was the training he had undergone in Leafchange and Deepfrost that he knew would make the difference today.
His hands were steady on the sled's handles and his balance was sure on the runners, but there was a tightness in the eyes behind his goggles and his lips were a grim line beneath his scarf.
The scars across his ribs ached fiercely.
"Any sign yet?" he called to Deimos, trying not to let the anxiety bleed into his voice but not succeeding as well as he hoped.
And so here Tal was, in the early days of Flowerbirth when the cold threatened to sap all strength from limbs and froze tears to ice on eyelashes in heartbeats, out with Bell and Boreal and three of his strongest, most steadfast wheel dogs.
And his friend Deimos, whose wisdom was sorely needed today.
The sled was running light, empty yet, behind the four dogs, and Boreal circled high overhead, scouting out sign of their prey. Tal had the long, crossbraced spear slung across his back and his trusty axe at his hip, but it was the training he had undergone in Leafchange and Deepfrost that he knew would make the difference today.
His hands were steady on the sled's handles and his balance was sure on the runners, but there was a tightness in the eyes behind his goggles and his lips were a grim line beneath his scarf.
The scars across his ribs ached fiercely.
"Any sign yet?" he called to Deimos, trying not to let the anxiety bleed into his voice but not succeeding as well as he hoped.
