Are
The sparse canopy of leafless and needled branches had become a place of silent contemplation to the cobbler. Somewhere to go both for needful things and thoughts. A place where he wouldn't be reminded of the broken life he lead but could turn his attention fully to the task at hand. Letting each snare and deadfall claim his whole mind for the moments they took to set was almost meditative, but the long wait in between clearing and re-setting felt like small eternities. No amount of gutting, skinning and scraping by a crackling fire could drive away the worries for long. There came a moment when there wasn't a single scrap of fat or flesh left, all the hides had been framed and only the soft noise of the wind and the crackling fire remained to keep him company.
He had seen it before, at the crack of dawn when the sun barely kissed the sky. The soft glow could be seen between the gray trunks, only just though. So weak that Are at first thought his tired eyes had deceived him. Marsh lights to lead him astray he thought at first, but no, it felt different. Much to warm and inviting. He couldn't take his mind of it this day, and as it grew later and later he found himself dawdling. Almost hoping darkness would catch up to him as he packed up and left the embers of his camp behind with the day's catch in tow. Not impressive, but enough to keep him alive and busy for a few days.
There it was again, but much more noticeable now that dusk had settled over the woods. Curiosity killed the cat as the saying goes, but one convinced he was already dead seemed to have nothing to lose. Mouth agape, he let his pack slide off his shoulder and approached the great tree, softly glowing in the waning light. For a moment or two Are just stood in its presence. Greedily drinking the sight. He found himself in a curious state of solemnity, much like when visiting the shrine in the temple. It reminded him of offerings left to Skade to ask for good fortune while hunting.
Somehow it felt right. At the base of the tree, Are placed a rabbit on the soft bed of moss. Kneeling before the great tree he let his eyes close for a moment, allowing the calming aura to soothe his mind. He knew he should say something. "Gods of this world. Take my simple offering, a token of my gratitude. A lost man wandering the dark woods, he asks not for mercy, but the strength to not need it."
He had seen it before, at the crack of dawn when the sun barely kissed the sky. The soft glow could be seen between the gray trunks, only just though. So weak that Are at first thought his tired eyes had deceived him. Marsh lights to lead him astray he thought at first, but no, it felt different. Much to warm and inviting. He couldn't take his mind of it this day, and as it grew later and later he found himself dawdling. Almost hoping darkness would catch up to him as he packed up and left the embers of his camp behind with the day's catch in tow. Not impressive, but enough to keep him alive and busy for a few days.
There it was again, but much more noticeable now that dusk had settled over the woods. Curiosity killed the cat as the saying goes, but one convinced he was already dead seemed to have nothing to lose. Mouth agape, he let his pack slide off his shoulder and approached the great tree, softly glowing in the waning light. For a moment or two Are just stood in its presence. Greedily drinking the sight. He found himself in a curious state of solemnity, much like when visiting the shrine in the temple. It reminded him of offerings left to Skade to ask for good fortune while hunting.
Somehow it felt right. At the base of the tree, Are placed a rabbit on the soft bed of moss. Kneeling before the great tree he let his eyes close for a moment, allowing the calming aura to soothe his mind. He knew he should say something. "Gods of this world. Take my simple offering, a token of my gratitude. A lost man wandering the dark woods, he asks not for mercy, but the strength to not need it."
