Snowcapped Solitude [Ch. 2]

Chapter Two - Strange Encounters

The earthy-colored wolf finished the last of his chores, and was surprised to find it was only mid-day. Starting early in the morning might've had something to do with it, yet he usually finished them by the time his older brother got back from doing who-knows-what, be it chasing after the innkeeper's daughter, or priding himself by climbing to the top of the highest tree.

Whenever Aeron managed to finish his chores early on, he would usually find some odd job to do in the village. But today, the youth felt especially adventurous today, he felt he should prove his worth, and, yes, go into the forest. He'd hunt for himself today, and if luck was especially  on his side on this fine day, maybe he'd catch more than enough, so he could sell some to the butcher.

Aeron, feeling suddenly very cheerful, got up and promptly headed outside, where he was greeted by the warm sun. Now, if he had intended on hunting larger animals, he would've brought some form of wrist protection (where one simply wrapped some leather strips around your wrist.) for a number of reasons. However, he only intended on catching rabbits, or even small goats, if he was lucky enough.

Only intended.

Aeron, still humming his quaint little tune, set off towards the mountain, where a green forest lay nestled at the base. Looking back to make sure nobody saw him, he increased his pace until all he could see was the trunks of trees, and the ground was mottled with shadows. The young wolf smiled, his pale green eyes glimmering with what could only be described as pure content.

The woods were alive, practically brimming with life, from the occasional twitter of a sparrow, to the soft pawsteps as a squirrel bounded across his path. The ground was soft, and moist from the melting snow, and seeped between his toes as he padded on. But he didn't care, for he was signifigantly more alive, more free, more... happy, I suppose is the word.

He could have caught the previously mentioned squirrel, but he didn't. He would get to his original intent later.

Aeron continued on for a good amount of time, until he just happened to glance down at the ground, and see that he had just so happened to be following what appeared to be deer tracks. Perhaps it was a coincidence, or a stroke of luck, or perhaps the gods had something to do with it. Whichever one it was, Aeron didn't know, nor did he particularly care.

He tracked it for quite a while before he finally caught sight of it, a perfectly healthy young doe. But she was... alone, no sight of the rest of the herd that they usually travelled in. She had appeared to be stopping to take a drink at a small stream that Aeron had somehow failed to see or hear. The young wolf shrugged it off and, his pale green eyes focused on the target.

What he failed to remember, was that without proper protection, he could easily break (or somethign similar) his wrist, foot, and maybe even fracture some bones in his leg. Taking account into his age and not-quite developed strength, along with his general lack of experience hunting larger game, it was an accident waiting to happen. All too late he realized this, as he had already pounced and sunk his claws into the doe's hide.

In case you wondered, he did not break anything on contact, but rather, the doe somehow managed to fling him off and rear onto her hind legs, and while she was coming down, she somehow managed to step on his front leg. Because of the previous factors already stated, you can imagine the damage she caused to his fragile bones. It wasn't too unbearably painful, but Aeron, stranded in the woods (thankfully he knew the woods better than the skin on his bones), with an injured leg, wasn't feeling the cheer he once was.

Fate must have favored him today, because at that very moment, what appeared to be a... traveller walked in on him. Aeron at once assumed it was someone from his village, because quite honestly, they didn't get many travellers, nomads, or adventurers. But upon closer inspection, he soon realized that was not the case. The people of his village all had a similar build that one developed over time. A strong, sturdy build that Aeron had not quite fully developed (but there were clear signs of it on him, nonetheless)

Instead, this traveller had a surprisingly.... sleek build, for a fox, but obviously well muscled. He had the build of a fighter, whereas the people of the village did honest-to-goodness, hard labor, and in turn, that reflected onto the inhabitants.

"Stranger! Would you be so kind as to-"

The stranger shook his head. "Save the formalities for later. You're obviously hurt, and while I would normally leave such a fool to whatever fate he deserves, I fear this calls for an... exception." The stranger's voice was gruff, but not unpleasent to listen to. Rather, he seemed... impatient? Yes, that's the word. Aeron, while still somewhat young, should have known not to trust someone who he barely knew. You could call it a hunch, or a sixth sense, or intervention from the gods, but Aeron suddenly felt he could trust this man.

As he worked on his injury, he inquired about Aeron (after scolding him that he should be more careful, the norm.) and his home, his life, while revealing little about himself. This Aeron noticed when the strange man inquired about his name, yet did not give his own. So, Aeron asked.

"What is your name, my good sir?"

The fox looked up. "This is knowledge I do not hand out freely." He paused. "But if you must know, my name is Raadsel."

Raadsel, as it happened, used to work for the rebellion, the 'Guardians', as they liked to refer themselves to. Apparently, Raadsel had worked for them until he grew tired of the military, and instead took out the opposing side in his own way.

Aeron could relate to that. While he had a perfectly good life in his village, something was missing. He was not content just... living, he wanted to do something with his life, as stupid and cliche it sounded.

So as Raadsel worked, he made up his mind.

He would accompany Raadsel, for as long as the old fox would let him, and help him fight the enemy. Perhaps he'd even join the 'Guardians', too.