From Winter to Summer

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter was tying up her bear skin bag while her mother paced anxiously by the fire pit, “Winter… why can’t you wait until next moon?” She asked as Winter glanced up at her mother with a calming smile. “Oh mother, by next moon the storms will have swept in and blocked my chance to leave the rest of the season. This month is perfect, it’s calm, the sun rides high and the moon will light my camps at night.” She said to her. “At least… take these” She said moving towards winter and gave her a satchel made of wolf pelt. “I put bear jerky in it, the spicy kind you like so much… and I even packed you ox jerky… something that will last you.” She said. Winter stood and took the pack from her before putting her arms around her mother. “It’s not goodbye… I promised I would return home soon and I’ll come with gifts for you, and father and brother too.”

Winter’s mother clung onto her child whom she thought was too young to be leaving her nest, not at all how she had been raised but her mate, her husband, had convinced her that this would be good for Winter. She hesitantly let go of Winter and stepped back watching her daughter as she packed away the food her mother had so carefully made special. Her mother’s Jerky was famous in all the tribes, and lots of families traded top stock just to have some of it. Winter put her sword on her bag and put her bag on her back as she turned to meet the eyes of her father and brother who waited by the entrance. “Look at you… going off to bring our family honor.” He said with a proud smile. “You should really wait to leave until Talons going away ceremony is over.” He said. Winter grunted slightly, “No thanks, besides it will just be a bunch of drunks and chauvinistic pigs belittling me.” She said as her whole family paused in the moment to stare at her.

“Chauvin what? What does that have to do with pigs and beetles?” Her father asked as Winter shook her head slightly knowing they didn’t understand the words she had learned from reading trader’s text that often came in with ale barrels stolen from the south. “Nothing father…” She said as she put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Winter! Don’t… go?” her brother stammered. Winter smiled, “No worries brother… I’ll be back, and I’ll bring you back some of that whiskey you’ve been wanting to try.” She said as he nodded. She sighed softly and smiled before stepping out of the tent, the sun was just starting to come up over the white plains of the open tundra.

[Talon Snowfang]

Talon Snowfang sat on a stump on the edge of the small built dwelling he and his parents lived at. He was an adult now and was to set out on a journey soon to bring some knowledge from the other parts of the world. He had long since obtained his pelt and sign he was an adult. He was preparing the several pounds of jerky, his only material he was going to take aside from his clothing on his back and pelts. He sighed as he cut up the last of the meat and placed it in his bag. He sighed a bit before standing and looking to the horizon. "I will be leaving soon..." He mumbled to himself looking out over the land.

His ears picked up some talking in the silence of the tribe. He looked over towards the building that was Winter's home. He tilted his head before grabbing his claymore and pack. He pulled his pack over his shoulder before moving towards the hut that was Winter's and stopped a few hundred feet away and slipped his claymore on his back. He looked around thinking to himself. "I wonder if she is planning on leaving now without the ceremony." He asked before looking to her door waiting on her to walk out. His eyes closed a bit before taking in the smell of his jerky and the dried fruit he had in his bag.

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter was distracted by the sight of Talon who had spotted her across from camp, ’Oh please don’t come over…’ She thought to herself though her thoughts didn’t help when she saw him coming towards her. Having to be polite and address him because he was in fact a man and men were recognized as the power in the clan she flashed a smile at him, “Good morrow son of elder Snowfang.” She said knowing she could not call him by his first name in public or it would show high disrespect coming from a lowly woman. “I hear that the entire clan is throwing you a humbling party this morning, I am sorry to say that I will not be able to attend.” She said to him lowering her eyes from his as she was taught to do by her mother. “But if you excuse me I will get out of your way” She said with a light sigh and side stepped around him.

Like a good woman, her mother taught her many things in order to live peacefully among the clan and they were as follows. Never look a man in the eyes unless he is holding a conversation with you first. Always call a man son of elder and then use their last name to show their family the honor it deserves for baring a son. Never argue with a man for any reason, he will always be right regardless. Slap a man if he attempts to man handle you before he has requested you for his mate and has come to an agreement with your father, though this still applies if he has not paid for you, or wed you. If a man challenges you to a drink off, always loose so not to dishonor his pride. He is not in your way, you are in his. And, your place in live is to serve your husband and care for his children and household, he does not expect you to like him or it but it is your only duties.

[Talon Snowfang]

Talon looked to her as she explained she knew what was going on and then mentioned she would not be going to his ceremony. He nodded. "Well I wasn't planning on it either. In fact, I was planning on leaving before hand. I dont see the purpose of celebrating my leaving if I have done nothing but leave. So I am gonna head out with you Winter." He said bluntly as he tossed his bag over his shoulder. "I dont see the point in me being sent off drunk or full to the brim with stew. I would much rather start off fresh and rested before leaving...." He said as he looked out over the horizon.

His father had taught him well to be a warrior and respect the elders and nature. He loved being out and about in the world he had grown up in. He was also taught that you do not go out in two conditions and those are drunk or tired. And a combination of the two would prove very dangerous to any one even the male barbarians. He shifted on his feet and moved behind Winter following her as he thought to himself. He was starting to wonder if she hated him or something the way she wanted to avoid him and his going away party. Then he let it go knowing he would be skipping the party as well.

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter was younger than Talon, and growing up the other boy’s his age used to harass her and the other girls in the clan. She knew Talon, but hadn’t really ever gotten to know him, or any of the other boys who grew into men around her. He told her he planned to leave with her, but how did he know she was leaving and not just going out to hunt. The white fur boots, loin bottom, matching small top and gauntlets were all made of soft snow wolf fur and looked lovely on her bronzy looking skin. “How do you know I’m leaving? I could just be going out on a long hunt” She said as she moved down the well packed snow road between other families tents. “And besides… I’ve never heard of a man passing up free ale and food.” She said to him. She didn’t hate him, she simply didn’t want to be made fun of because of her gender, and subject for harassment.

It’s this reason she wanted to get out of the clan before anyone was up, and save herself a lot of harassment that she would get from other men and elders. She slowed up, letting him walk beside her, “Your point does make sense… surprising however” She said leaving it at that. “I see that you’ve gone ahead and got tribal markings. I put in a request to have them done but clan elder denied my request. Said that only true warriors can be granted such an honor… I suppose I am not honorable enough because I am female. The man is a fool.” She said as she cleared her throat slightly.

[Talon Snowfang]

Talon chuckled a bit and looked to the road ahead as he walked beside her now. He was what humans refered to as an adonis. He was a tall well built man with bronze skin similar but slightly darker than Winter's. He was one of the men in the clan who never harassed Winter or any woman for that matter. He was pretty silent when it came to being around the clan members or the women. "Your leaving because of the clan and what he said right? You want to prove your as good as the others dont you?" he asked before looking over at her. "But of course you will never be as good as me shorty." He joked smiling. He was a pretty care free guy.

Talon looked to his body seeing the markings that were a sign of the warrior. "I...I got these to please my parents. I am not sure if I am a honorable warrior just yet. I still feel rather weak compared to my father." He said noting his power and strength. He looked to the stars as they were fading from the sky. "I may not be as smart as you because you are able to read but I know some things others dont and I know your a strong warrior and I respect that...woman or not." He said before running forward. "Come on slow poke. Race you to the big tree down by the pond!" He spoke of the massive dead tree near the frozen pond. He bolted towards it having been treating Winter much like he would one of his friends.

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter looked over at Talon, he wanted to race her to the dead tree growing down by the frozen water’s where their tribe often ice fished in the summer seasons like now. Though that tree was dead others were alive around the pond, frost tree’s were a strange sort of plant that was completely white on the inside as well as the outside and were known for their pure ice like leaves that could be picked and melted down into pure fresh water for drinking and cooking. Though it was summer, the snow drifts where still in places waist high, and others only knee high. The air was still bitterly cold for all other races that lived outside of the tundra. He took off running and she found it to be a very childish thing to ask, though it was a contest. Even though she picked up the pace and began to run she did not run her fastest.

She slowed up to insure he was the victor, a bad habit her mother had taught her to do in order to keep the men pleased. She however had gotten good at making it appear that she truly had been beaten and when she arrived she slowed to a stop and looked at him, “Well I suppose this is why women never win at races… men have longer legs” She said to him in a convincing tone. “Are you picking any ice leaves for your water supply before we leave? Might not be a good idea to eat the snow the further south we go.” She said looking up to begin picking noticing there were no clouds in the sky at all. She glanced to the west and then to the east seeing nothing but sky, “Hmmm might want to pick extra… there is going to be a storm tonight” She said opening her metal canister and began placing picked ice leaves inside.

[Talon Snowfang]

He pulled out two metal canisters and began shoving ice leaves into them both. He was not leaving his home without being fully prepared. He looked to her and admired her soft bronze skin. He licked his lips knowing he would be looking for a wife some time in the future. He sighed before hearing her mention the storm. "I see..." He kept shoving ice leaves into his canister before looking back to her. "We dont have longer legs. I have seen you move Winter and your fast." He said before capping his canisters and slipping them in his bag before taking a leaf and putting it on his tongue. "Since we are going to be travelling together Winter....I figure we should make in as interesting as possible." He said before stretching his legs out. He looked out over the land. "It's going to be a harsh storm from the looks of the horizon...."

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter filled her canister with ice leaves and then put it in her pack. She turned slightly looking out at the sun raising in the east. The cloudless sky and red sky warned her that it would be a rough night. “We need to get moving… we can reach Vangor Ice Cave by early afternoon if we make haste. I plan to camp there, the storm will move in later in the afternoon and I fear it will go well into tomorrow morning. If that is the case I wish to gather supplies along the way, and hunt on route if we have the chance. I am sure we will happen along something between here and there.” She said starting to move forward, trudging through the knee high snow. Rumors of winter’s hunting skill had spread through the clan after she made her first hunt, a 14 year old girl had hunted and killed a polar bear on her own.

Since that moment she became the apple of ever eligible bachelors eye not only in her own clan but the Bear clan a hundred miles west and the Ox Clan 50 miles north. Winter was from good stock as it was, the Silverclaw’s were known for their strength, honor, and skills. A silverclaw son or daughter would be considered a trophy for any family, and well known for their girls baring sons first. Winter was aware of all of this, which made her go with caution. Talking of settling down was not a talk she liked having and often had arguments with her mother over them. She wanted adventure and to see things other’s in their clan didn’t get the chance to see before even thinking of settling down. The last thing she wanted to do was become a mother before she had her fill, and before returning home on her own time.

[Talon Snowfang]

As Talon walked with Winter further down the path leading farther and farther from the tribe he was feeling less jumpy. He looked around noticing small tracks of small animals running through the snow. He sigh and looked up then to Winter. "There is a hoofed animal herb not to far from our position. We could easily take one of the smaller ones down to share between each other." He was known to be a pretty decent eater most of the time able to eat a small calf in on sitting if he was hungry enough. His stomach growled at the thought of it. "Plus we could easily store the meat in my pack." He said patting the bag he carried in his arms.

Talon walked on a bit more before coming up on the heard of animals. He crouch in the snow and set his bag down before removing his sword and gripping it handle in one hand. He looked around noting a few older elk and a baby near the center. "Those are to protected...." HE mumbled to himself before glancing and seeing a teen elk near the back trailing behind to eat. "How bout the one in the back Winter?" He asked curiously before rubbing his neck. He was curious if she would help him with the kill or rely on him like most the other females. He wanted her badly to run with him. To see her body sweating and heart pounding in her chest from the thrill of the hunt along. "I hope you plan to join me on this little kill Winter....I would enjoy that." He said in a serious deep tone.

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter was leaving the path into the snow that was not normally walked on, “It’s late summer the winter caribou will be grazing 16 miles from here. It is on the way to Vangor Ice Cave. I’ve caught them they before this time of year, the pond at the edge of the valley is always thawed and the drink their fill ntil the winter month starts we will catch something there. Besides, with the storm, it will give me time to skin it, and slice the meat up to dry out fireside; will make for good jerky chews.” She said. She was being stubborn, but following the instructions and tips her father had given her days before she planned to leave. She turned looking over at him as he wanted to hunt now, and she did not want to lug it’s carcass the 30 miles to Vangor. She turned her head away, “Kill it if you want but it will be on your shoulders for the next 30 miles.”

“That is a lot of ground to cover in only 12 or so hours when the winds will start. Use your senses” She said pausing to take in the air, smelling it and everything traveling on the light breeze. “The herd is twice as large this year, no doubt will make for a good hunt if we flank a prospect in the valley. The hills around it and the frost tree’s will provide cover and protection, and allow a clean easy kill. From there, the 1200 pound beast can be yours to carry for 14 miles, a much shorter distance. And when we arrive I can do what I need to do to it, saving us time from doing it now and risking getting caught in the winds.”

[Talon Snowfang]

Talon looked to her and blinked. He didn't understand alot but 16 was larger than 14. He nodded and stretched. "We do it your way then." He said before crossing his arms thinking to himself. He looked around before taking a deep breath. "Winter you know this journey together will be interesting." He said confidently before stepping forward heading to the Vangor Ice Cave following her closely. His eyes looking over her bronze skinned legs. He admired her beauty briefly before looking out over the snow plains that weren't normal traveled. "Do you think we will meet any humans out there like the traders that come once a year?" He asked curious on meeting new people.

[Winter Silverclaw]

Winter had started to walk forward again when Talon said they would just do it her way, giving her a feeling of a bit of power in the situation. However when he said this trip together would be interesting she couldn’t help but wonder what he meant by that. She didn’t get much of a chance to ask him what he meant when he asked her if she thought they would meet any humans out in the world. “Traders don’t come up here Talon… they just come close to the tundra’s edge and we raid them for supplies and ale. If your father had told you otherwise he’s given you the delusion we as a race of people never do anything wrong. I am without a doubt positive we will meet humans and they will not be happy to see us. I mean… after all we rob their caravans when they come too close to the edge of the tundra, we are large menacing looking people”

Winter smiled slightly and glanced back at him, “And why is this journey going to be interesting? As far as I know we may only be traveling together for a week at most and we will most likely want to go our separate ways… I think I’d like to go east… I saw a parchment once with drawings on it that appeared to be the world… seems there is something called an Ocean over there and I’d like to see it. For so long we have been told of the edge of the world… but I’d like to see this edge for myself” She said looking ahead of herself again. “If the humans don’t like me then tough, I have the strength to protect myself… I am not as weak as the other females. I want to prove it not only to my family but to the clan and too myself as well.”