Black Wolf: Chapter 3: Hunters They said the winds of Fenris carried the screams of the fallen, that those who fell beneath the blades of their foes would return to hunt them, the winds were their song, cold and eternal. Nidhug never believed in the old tales, his mother told him the hand of Russ guided the children of Fenris, that fear was for lesser creatures. It was a poetic thought, it was also a lie, all things knew fear.......all things but him. He never understood why, but from his earliest memories he fought with absolute abandon, he tried to rationalize his actions as fighting for survival, but it was more than that. When children would not venture near the waters of the world-sea or run at the first sign of danger he never did. It wasnt bravery, merely instinct on his part as if there was nothing to protect. He had asked Ulrik once what Pariah meant, the old Priest smiled, bearing his fangs. Imagine the stories of the Upland, the Verse and the Underverse, all things are connected through it, learned men and the Skjalds call it the warp, we of the Vlka Fenryka know it by another name....Hel. Nidhug remembered the stories of his ancestors, the great wars in the sea of stars, he had always thought it myth, yet clearly the Sons of Russ were still waging this war. Humanity is infinite boy, we live and fight for the glory of the All-father, who sits still upon his throne of gold, yet even among the hordes of our people........things are born. you are one of them. Nidhug awoke, he realized that falling asleep had been a foolish mistake, the winds were howling, if he had believed the tales he would say they were screaming for vengeance. It had been two months since the old Priest had him sent into the wilds, yet he could still see the Aett, carved into the side of the mountains of Asaheim. Each day he came closer to his goal of setting foot back into the mountain, it kept him sane, or at the very least sane enough to continue his trek. All things are reflected in the depths of Hel boy, we have fought the beasts that call it home for longer then you can conceive, you cannot be corrupted, and you can cause them great pain, it is why we let you live and train among us. Nidhug had no idea why that memory surfaced, all he knew was that another storm was coming, he needed shelter. Suddenly he heard it, low growls, something was tracking him, something primal. He turned quick enough to stare into the face of a wolf, its coat Black as the night. Nidhug lunged at the beast, instinct took over as it had throughout his life. The wolf reacted, jaws open ready to tear his head clean off. Nidhug avoided the bite but not the paws, the wolf had him pinned, it was over. Just then before it went for his throat, it seemed agitated almost scared, something else was stalking them both, something that hungered for them both. It took only a moment, but Nidhug realized something was coming from beneath them, the wolf released him ready to attack whatever was about to come. It burst from beneath the ice, screaming from hunger, it was a Snow Wyrm, an adolescent, and it was starving. The winter had not been kind to the beast, its scales were a hideous shade of blue, the fur lining its back had mostly fallen out. It was dying of hunger, and would soon expire, yet even in knowing that it would die its instincts had driven it to the surface. Nidhug understood this instinct, to fight against all odds, he also understood that this creature was his last hope for survival. The Wyrm attacked, it wasnt elegant, it was desperate and in its weakened state it would be stupid. Nidhug avoided the beast and threw his knife into the back of its skull. The Wyrm turned enough that the blade went into its eye rather than its brain. The scream was horrific, far worse then when it emerged, it was partially blind but it was also enraged, Nidhug knew it would not rest until it killed him, just then he saw it, a shadow leap at the exposed Wyrms throat. The wolf had never left, it was merely waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Night had come, Nidhug and the wolf had butchered the wyrm for everything they could. The meat was edible, the skin smelled horrific but kept the cold at bay. I suppose you need a name, or are we going to try and kill each other again? Nidhug was making conversation with a wolf that stood almost as tall as he did I think Shade, yes that works, I didnt see you when you were by my side the wolf growled as if it found the name appealing. I have a long journey ahead of me still, if nothing else you could come along, should I die at least youll be well fed. The wolf merely looked at him and fell asleep. Two months had passed, Ulrik had felt something different about the winds of Asaheim this night, they were cold, that would never change, but they were strangely quiet, as if the lost souls of the all winter world were at rest. Suddenly he heard a commotion among the Kaerls, they were rushing towards the main gate, many stood there speechless. Ulrik saw it then a Black Wolf and at its side Nidhug, the Pariah had endured and returned to the rout. How? was the only question that sprung into the old priests mind, Nidhug looked at him and smiled I think it likes likes me.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:04:12 +0000
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