Private Tales Further on up the Road

[Thane Jackdaw]

Apparently, Arnor, son of Skuldsson, was not going to simply back off from finding the answer to his initial question. He didn't recall Nordenfiiri being so curious.

"The continents have become more dangerous than before." Thane explained coarsely. "In my line of work - you adapt or you die."

 

[Arnor Skuldsson]

Arnor turned to him, watching him shiver and shake in the cold. Made sense- even the hardest of men could be brought to heel by the winds of the Tundra. He removed his coat and let the man have it, feeling content even without it. The heavy furs- designed for a larger man, at that, draped around Thane's shoulders- and it was heavy, to say the least. The leather-lined fur overcoat doubled as another layer of protection for him- and it kept him quite warm, even here.

But, his bloodline was more suited to the cold than the Monster Hunter's was.

"I do not think a sword, even a better one, could be called adapting. Adapting is something new. You are-" He put his finger up, emphasizing his choice of words.

"Improving! You are improving, my friend."

Arnor seemed careful and cautious with his words, each one thoroughly thought of.

He was probably annoying Thane to death.

Rhi trotted along with the pair, up the icy road.

 

[Thane Jackdaw]

He covered himself with the additional fur silently, a slight nod as a thanks to the Nordenfiir. Thane expected it to be frigid, but not an ice age. Even if his dark magic enhancements that branded him a mutant in the eyes of many was not enough to guard him, he wondered whether a normal human being would simply freeze to death.

The monster hunter squinted at the road ahead. All seemed the same. He really hoped this adventure was worth it.

“What are you set to gain from this...endeavor?” he swiftly changed the direction of the topic.

 

[Arnor Skuldsson]

What was he going to tell him, this early? He had to tell him something, anything, really.

He turned his head to the mutant, frowning.

"Peace of mind, if you will."

As he spoke, silhouettes trotted closer to the pair... on what appeared to be their own mounts.

 

[Thane Jackdaw]

Thane glared at the figures showing up ahead on mounts of their own. His enhanced vision revealed they were humanoid but all the furs and leathers they donned covered their features.

However, their sheathed weapons were as bright as day.

In a land where he was a foreigner and naively took on the words of a stranger, the monster hunter's hands itched for the handle of the blade on his back.

He remained silent and observant.

 

[Arnor Skuldsson]

"Relax."

Arnor said quietly, as he approached the fur-lined Nordenfiir. They seemed interested in him, albeit- moreso in the grand horse, and the white-haired human riding with him. They rode on beasts that looked like giant Warthogs.

The words exchanged were not seen to be kind. Fingers were pointed at Thane, then at Arnor. Arnor returned the favor, stinging words falling from his mouth in their native tongue.

And then, Arnor said his name.

The riders narrowed their eyes, and without so much as another word, trotted off. Not so out of fear, but apparently out of disgust. Arnor stared as they trotted off, apparently wanting nothing to do with the pair.

"Welcome to the Tundra, friend." He said, as they began to ride again, free from further accosting by the locals. For now.