Urses

He heard the laboured wheeze escape from the mans lungs and found the strength to even bear his shield had waned shortly before it slipped from his grasp and landed with a thud on the grass. His feet felt as if they had become mountains as he trudged forward and his mouth agape at the sight that had set before him, his fingers loosing the axe he once held with what he believed to be the might of his forebears.

Ioranir sat quietly in front of the fire that sat in the middle of the hut, stirring a bowl of fish head stew slowly. He had only returned to his hut a few moments before everyone had gone to sleep and decided a quick meal wouldn't hurt. With the fresh snow coming in, only people who had undergone the rites of passage into becoming a fledged member within the tribe were allowed out during the night time due to the various predators that stalked in the fresh night air.

The man sat upon a stone, pipe between his lips that loosed wispy clouds of cherry tobacco. Softly humming as he flipped the sizzling bacon on the skillet, looking over to his companion. A bear of a man, hair a dulled silver but yet his face hadn't seen more than thirty winters. Several markings decorated his face, most notably a band of blue runes reaching from cheek bone to cheek bone, bridging over his nose.

The trees swayed along the gentle breeze as leaves fell from their towering homes. Falling upon the lush, green grass that seemed to grow abundantly in the small glade where a man knelt and prayed quietly.

"I heard about what happened, and I am here to tell you that you do not have to do this alone." The man stood, his hands behind his back as he watched. 

"You know why I do this, you know why it must be done." Pellam replied quickly, his tone was hushed and calmed as he continued to meditate. 

Men hustled and moved about the camp, some men preparing their armor, others their weapons or food. Fires smoked and cracked, sending ashes into the dusky sky. The sun was just beginning to come up over the peaks, gracing the land with a beautiful red glow.