Wunjo was sitting near the campfire, in the midst of their hidden camp. It was surrounded by bush and tree and perhaps only birds could see them sitting. all of the northmen there, in a huddled circle warding off the chill breeze that snuck in the fabric of their clothes. Wunjo was speaking and with a love of the dramatic, or would that be the love of playing with fire, Kalf was fanning up smoke and ashes from the glowing blocks of wood. "Soon.. we go into the mountains.." He spoke with a broad smile on his face. His eyes were smouldering as he did, a trick of the light perhaps. He rose his hands whom cast long shadows on his features, "And .. I may have an idea .. to get through easier. With help." Everyone around looked at him with mixed expressions , typical to themselves, for they were very much free and not bonded by anything but cameraderie even if the elders in their wisdom (ofcourse) had a bit more say in matters of importance.
"How?", asked Froeydis, being rather eager to hear her mentor, or would that be former mentor, on the ways of the woodsmen, maybe there was something new and exciting to learn! Wunjo's hands balled up into fists, except for a single finger which was aimed for the tops of the mountains, specifically the tops in the north-east. "Whom here knows not the mighty Bard. The hero-king that is now praised in the Dale so much, that the folk still name themselves after him these days?" None replied, they likely all had, it appeared swiftly they were curious what this had to do with their plight. Kenaz tossed a new log on the fire, which caused sparks to go up and the cracking of wood to fill up the silence. "Another hero, whom folk call themselves after resides in the north." Some blinked with surprise and scratched their heads, a few were dumbfounded by this news.. Only Uruz truly smiled and as he did he placed a hand over his heart and nodded agreement. "What of it? Another king? In Wilderland? Speak sense if you plan on doing so and leave the riddles for children.", Jotunvir said. Alfknutr rose a brow and added carefully, "What are you thinking of?"
The gloom of the forest around kept them from speaking loud and long at this time, for now the sun was about to lower and then vile things woke up when others went to sleep. "I speak of heroes, no kings. The man Gri-" Uruz rose a powerful hand up, "We are at the wrong side of the mountains to speak his name openly brodr. Even the trees can not hear of him." Wunjo nodded in response, apologizing for something that seemed to be a matter of obscurity. "I speak of him.. of them we... hrm.. call blood-kin. Those with whom we battle if we must.. against ork and.. goblin and warg." "They are not easy to find and rumour has it that not all of them are so well-meaning towards Man.", Kirstjaan added thoughtfully, he was after all a man of the mountains and here was a subject his people would surely be familiar with. Wunjo nodded and at this Wulfaz slapped Kirstjaan with equal praise on the back. "I came prepared.", he took a flask. He pulled the cork loose with "Plump!" before he sniffed from it with his upper lip curled and his nostrils expanding, as if half-jesting. He passed it on for them all to do the same. "Honey?", Froeydis asked rather surprised to find this preparation to be rather.. simplistic? .. "A gift.. to recieve a word in return. With luck.. passage.. hrm hrm.. It would still surprise me were we not allowed to go home, but these are strange times." Uruz was the last who had the flask, he carefully stuffed it in a leather bag. "A gift for a word then? .. How do we lure him.. them..?", Ursell asked. Wunjo leaned in , "They guard the mountainroads. Mostly it is ork or dverg that really needs to fear. Others.. it varies." Wulfaz swung an arm over Kenaz' shoulders, "I belief that it is worth the try! Otherwise, I shall behead a few orks to show good will!", the young man spoke with fiery courage so impressive that he was rewarded with the first warmed up meat that evening by Kalf. Kalf added, "Here, eat and silence the rumbles of your belly..", yet more he wanted to have quiet perhaps from his young friend.
Wunjo allowed himself a small smile. Uruz frowned while he offered a rather dull smile himself. It was not too long ago that they themselves were that dangerous, how old age could change a man. Kirstjaan looked up, "Risky, but if it is wisdom and it works! Then I do not see issue to accept help.", he proceeded to bite from a wrinkled yellow apple and chewed from it slowly. Truly his calm inspired such in most of the group. Froeydis eyed her father whom was busy to untie the thoughts that he yet refused to utter. So she did not speak either, knowing that her papa would come with some council that brought much use and reason in it. Ursell held her thoughts inwards again as she had before, rather happy to just be there with so many friends and to listen and see them when they were at their best. Together. Then suddenly two small hands grabbed Uruz' shoulders from behind. The enormous man had not noticed it if not for Kenaz gently pointing at them. The man's hand scooped up the little creature that giggled with girlish laughter until she was put on a big knee. She looked at her dog Freki which had decided to lay it's head on Uruz' other knee to sniff at her feet. "I want to see a Bear-mann.. Bear-mann and Freki too! Joah?" Uruz not the swiftest or brightest stared down at the sniffing dog, expecting perhaps for it to suddenly open it's maw and speak of it's agreement. It opened up, but only for a sneeze that send matter all over the man's trousers.
Wunjo had watched them as they pondered.. particulary those that were unsure still. He spread his hands, "Better thoughts.. in your skulls? Let hear.. when they come out, until then.." He gave Asatrid her cue to say it again.."Bear-mann!!", she cried out with joy!
