Quest The Hunt

[Kol]

Northern Tundra
Magrin Kor | Brenna

A storm was coming, an unnatural one.

Kol could see it in the clouds, recognized the signs of it. The wings of Frost Wyrms were said to be the cause of all Blizzards in the Tundra, but Kol knew that not to be true.

The storms caused by the great Wyrms were not natural things, they were far worse. Twice in his life he had experienced their touch, and twice in his life he had felt his flesh slough slowly from his skin. The pain had been excruciating, the cold nearly claiming him after only a few minutes of walking. He remembered those well, and when he looked upon the clouds around the mountains he recognized them.

"Is this my death?" The Sorcerer asked one of the grins which hung around his head, it's wide chesire expression only growing.

No whispers came to him, no answer to be found.

His fingers tightened for a moment, closing into a fist before slowly folding open once again. In his palm there was a pale light, a bright glow that burned more intensely than any fire. Kol found himself nearly blinded by it's light. "If they will not see me through this storm, then you will."

Kol said to the little light as he closed his palm and continued to trudge forward.

The future awaited upon that mountain, and he would seize it.

 

[Brenna]

A few months had passed since the little band who had set of from Nordengaard on a mission through the Southern Tundra had returned once more. At first, Brenna had thought she would never wish to go on such an adventure again. But her fathers blood burned in her veins and after a few months of returning to her mundane life of teaching and training with the other Cadets, Bre had been craving for something more again. When Magrin had rolled into town it had seemed like luck and she had quickly asked if he would accompany her on a hunt further North of Faarin. There had been rumours of nasty storms approaching and the Frost Wyrms that hid within them. It would do no good to her people if it reached her city and it was much safer to stop it far out here than it was waiting for the creatures to come to her.

At least it was no longer the heart of winter; spring was on the horizon. But it would not feel that way with how the blizzard raged around them. In the end she had given up on her human form and sought the comfort of her fur instead. Her vision was better this way even if she still lacked with her hearing.

It was her keen sight that spotted the shadowy outcrop of a cave and she gave a small huff, her breath misting and swirling with the icy flakes, before trudging them in that direction. As soon as they were in the shelter and out of the storm she shifted from the copper furred bear back and proceeded to rub at her arms a little.

I could smell them, further up. Perhaps we should wait for daybreak?

 

[Magrin Kor]

True to form he had fulfilled his promise to visit her again. It seemed as though he he had chosen an opportune time to do so. No sooner had the Nord arrived than was Brenna sweeping him up in another adventure. At first it may have seemed like Magrin was reluctant to agree however Brenna had persuaded him and in reality he had only been pretending he wasn't all that interested when mention of Frost Wyrm's was mentioned alongside the storms. They hadn't waited long before setting out.

***​

The Blizzard hit Magrin's features like a punch in the mouth, chilling him while he trekked forward alongside Brenna who had since shifted into her svalen form. As a Bear his companion was likely better suited to the extreme cold than he was but Magrin managed being no stranger to the weather and having dressed in thick woolen attire and the heavy cloak that helped shield him from the worst of it.

In the blizzard it didn't seem to matter that Brenna was deaf, the noise created by howling winds that spun around their heads meant that he couldn't hear much else. A hand would have raised too, shielding his eyes as he looked around.

When Brenna had spotted the entrance to a small cave Magrin had taken it as a good omen.

Once they were inside, out of the snow the Nord took a knee. Wiping his face he'd look as Brenna who was signing to him before replying..."Not a bad idea. Hunting this creature will probably be easier during the day."...at least he had found he had better luck with other hunts then. Rising to his full height again Magrin, noting how she rubbed her arms would would unfasten the heavy cloak from over his shoulders, approach Brenna and swing it around over her. It was tailored to him so it probably swallowed her up a bit but it was warm.

"I'll make a fire."...he'd have said before he turned away from Brenna and moved back to the mouth of the cave. Even without his cloak he could stand the raging cold for a short amount of time. He'd duck outside for a moment then reappear with a bit of tinder in his hands, nothing impressive before arranging it in a small pile. Using flint and the blade of his axe to create a spark the tinder would eventually start to burn.

 

[Kol]

The cold winds bit at him like a wolf.

Even with his heavy fur cloak he could feel the ice forming on his flesh, slowly crawling and threatening to consume him. His eyes felt glazed over, lips long turned blue as he took another step. The Mountain loomed above, the storm slowly sweeping around it's slope.

His gaze turned away from the peak, wandering towards the three grins that now seemed to permanently hang around his head. They whispered to him now, taunting words that seemed to echo again and again.

The Sorcerer stopped, freezing in the snows as he spotted something just above him on the mountain side. It was the barest glimpse through a haze of white, but as he saw it the whispering suddenly came to a jarring stop.

Kol glanced at the grins as they shrunk, and then continued up the mountain towards what he had seen.

 

[Brenna]

Bre threw her companion a grin when he tossed the cloak around her shoulders and nodded in thanks. It wouldn't take her long to adjust but sometimes there was a little shock when switching between the thick fur and human skin. When he disappeared she set about pulling some of the large stones forward so they could use them as seats and pulled out a few bits and pieces: a small cooking pot, some herbs and spices. She collected some snow too so that when Magrin finally had the fire going she was able to boil it into hot water and make them both tea.

Once it was ready she sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top from her pack and passed one to him before sitting down beside him with her own steaming mug. A small noise of bliss escaped her throat as she breathed it in then took a hesitant sip.

With the howling wind they would have been hard pressed to hear his crunching footsteps as he approached but she knew the smell. Brenna sat up a little straighter, her head turning towards the entrance of the cave with her head tilted to one side, eyes searching for the figure in the storm. Then there, finally, came the glow of his light and she stood. She spared a glance for Magrin who would no doubt have seen and smelt him too by now.

He's a friend.

 

[Magrin Kor]

The Tea was an unexpected addition. As Magrin sat on one of the stones Brenna had pulled closer, his hands outstretched and warming on the small fire he'd built he watched as she prepared their treat by first melting the snow and bringing it to a boil in the small cook pot. When she handed him the steaming mug he'd have brought it closer to his mouth and blown on it carefully before taking a sip.

The warmth of the tea filled his body at the core then radiated outwards towards his limbs slowly but it was the cinnamon that caught him offguard..."What luxury is this?"...he joked with Brenna as he sat across from her, the howl of the blizzard raging outside filling his ears in the background. The Nord was thankful to be out of the cold and into shelter but it wasn't long after Brenna had senses another, smelling him at a distance that Magrin also caught the scent though it was unfamiliar to him.

Instinctively he'd set a hand of the haft of his axe, prepared to pull it free if necessary. When Brenna indicated the newcomer would be a friend Magrin hesitated, his grim features relaxing only a tad as he replied..."If you say so."...he trusted Brenna's judgement, if she vouched for this person than Magrin would accept him however it was clear he remained leery of strangers. Well not so much strangers, just strangers who were also out wandering in the blizzard the same as them. Maybe they were on a similar quest though.

Magrin adjusted how he sat on the stone so that he could focus on the entrance of the small cave, he'd see the mans silhouette as he approached but that was all at this point. Relaxing the hand he'd set on his axe he'd take another drink from his mug and watch carefully...

 

[Kol]

Kol stepped into the entrance of the cavern, his fur cloak still tied tightly around him and the hood half obscuring his face.

He noticed Magrin first. The bulky man was not easy to miss, though Kol did not know if he was Nordenfiir or of some other northern tribe. His gaze lingered on him for a moment before passing to Brenna, an odd expression crossing his features.

"Little sister." He said out loud. "It is a surprise to see you here."

A grin appeared behind her, wider than any he had seen in some months.

Kol's eyes fixed on it, his hand coming up to pull down his hood. They would be able to see the wear upon his skin, the frost upon his flesh. Brenna especially would be able to note new scars, though only if she remembered the many he'd already had.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna laid a hand on his shoulder then gave it a squeeze but she didn't say anything; she wouldn't begrudge him being on edge and she had a feeling he might only tense more when he saw the man that was approaching in the full fire light proper. She could see how Kol's looks might be unsettingly to people but to Bre he was simply a friend, and a friend who had gifted her with her hearing for an evening. It was a memory she would cherish for many years to come.

When he finally did step into the firelight and greeted them she beamed and then moved forward and threw her arms around his neck in a deep hug. When she pulled back she ran her eyes over him then pulled him closer to the fire, turning to Magrin to half explain.

Kol is from further North, amongst the Nordwwir. We met before the trip South.

She fished around in her bag for another cup and then poured him a steaming mug and pressed it into his hands, beckoning for him to sit.

 

[Magrin Kor]

By just looking at the man, Kol he had given Magrin a sense that left him ill at ease but Brenna soon explained that she had met him prior to their journey south with Maude and the others. Still the mention of the Nordwiir made the hairs on the back of his neck stand briefly. Magrin had never dealt with the Nordwiir, at least not on a personal level but he had heard the name whispered around campfires almost as though it were an ill omen.

Nonethless Kol was here now and the Nord, loosening his grip on the haft of his axe seemed to relax. The way Brenna greeted him seemed to indicate they were close. Magrin looked at Kol, especially all of the scars the man seemed to have. The Nord might have a few more himself were it not for his particular circumstances.

Once Brenna had beckoned him to join them by the fire Magrin would take another drink from the tea she had made, letting it warm him again as its warmth radiated back out through his body and to his limbs. Lifting his other hand he'd rub his chin slowly.

"Greetings, Kol."...he'd have said and then allowing him a moment to settle in Magrin would inquire of him..."What brings you up into the mountains? It's not often you run across a familiar face, especially in a blizzard."...he made his questioning seem as friendly as possible, he didn't want Brenna to think he was interrogating her friend and he knew she could read his lips expertly.

Anyways, Magrin would look towards Brenna and smile between sips of his tea while waiting for Kol to answer.

 

[Kol]

To say that the greeting shocked him would have been an understatement.

An expression crossed over the Sorcerer's face that was a mixture of discomfort, confusion, and outright shock. He and Brenna had shared a conversation, a kind one where he had given her the gift of her own voice but this...this was entirely unexpected.

As she pulled away from him and pressed a cup of tea into his hand Kol was still somewhat frozen in shock. His face eventually shifted to a simple frown, as if his mind could simply not quite process the minute affection Brenna had shown him.

Kol was almost glad when the Nord spoke to him, as if it offered some reprieve. "Whispers bring me here."

He glanced down at the tea, frowning before he looked up and continued. The warmth of the fire giving him some small relief against the cold.

"The sounds of the blizzard and the one that has caused it." Kol further explained. "I seek a Frost Wyrm."

 

[Brenna]

Brenna seemed more than content and happy with the change in circumstance but then an avalanche hadn't dulled her sunshine spirit so it seemed unlikely there was much that would turn her smile upside down. Once Kol had accepted the tea and settled himself opposite she swept back to her seat beside Magrin and pulled the cloak around her once more. It wasn't so much she needed it more than it was just cozy by this point. Whenever Magrin smiled she returned the gesture also in between her sips of tea but her keen eyes were focusing on the conversation that passed between their lips. It was a relief Magrin had learned the basics of Sign after their trip so they could communicate easier but she knew Kol possessed minimal knowledge of it - unless he had been studying since last they met which she highly doubted.

A spark of interest when he mentioned what he was doing up in the mountains.

Us too. She paused. Cleared her throat. She had been getting better at speaking out loud since her travels.

"Us too," Bre glanced to Magrin, would let him explain further if he wanted too before she took another sip.

 

[Magrin Kor]

Magrin wasn't surprised to hear that Kol sought the same thing that they did, there was no other sane reason to venture into a raging blizzard. When Brenna spoke, actually spoke rather than using her signs it caused the Nord to turn his head towards her in mild surprise. He'd heard her speak but the words were off due to her disability and having signed for such a lengthy time. Now when he heard her voice, even though it had only been a couple of words it seemed much smoother.

Nodding his head once Magrin would have confirmed what Brenna said..."Aye, as Brenna says we seek the Frost Wyrm as well."...there was a mild chuckle in between a sip of his tea..."When I arrived in Faarin Brenna had been set on hunting the beast that would threaten her home with these blizzards, I agreed to tag along."...he would downplay his role slightly though the mirth had lightened his otherwise stern features momentarily.

Glancing over the rim of his mug as he took a longer drink of the tea Brenna had made Magrin looked between her and Kol, taking a moment before offering...."We could all hunt this Wyrm together."

Doubtless Brenna would enjoy the idea, she seemed fond of this man but Magrin wondered if Kol would choose to go it alone; he could definitely respect that decision considering his own lifestyle wandering from place to place more often than not. That said the Nord didn't believe anyone should hunt a Wyrm alone unless they intended to die themselves.

He looked past Kol towards the mouth of the cave briefly, listening to the howl of the blizzard outside. It was unnatural and if that was any indication this creature was not to be trifled with on a whim.

 

[Kol]

Kol blinked in surprise. "You have found your voice."

Before, on their first meeting, he had used magic to let them speak. It now seemed that she had found her own way to speak. For some reason he found that somewhat pleasing. A smile touched his lips for a moment, bit then he quickly turned his attention to Magrin's words.

His fingers played over the cup of tea for a second, lips thinning as he learned they too were chasing the Wyrm.

The Sorcerer did not have anything against hunting together, he doubted that their end goals would see them clash. No doubt they wanted the monsters Body, Kol only wanted it's soul. Such a thing would be precious in the coming months, especially with the path he and Ormr had begun to forge.

"We will hunt together." He confirmed. "But first I must ask."

His lips thinned and he continued. "Do you know what it is you hunt? Truly?"

The Gods had whispered the truth of it to him, and it was why he had questioned his life. Though it seemed they had now blessed him with companions. A rare gift.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna's cheeks heated and scored her cheeks in a pink haze when both of the men turned to her in shock when she spoke aloud. It was partly why she didn't like to do it, it drew attention. She also couldn't hear how the words sounded, could only go by the vibrations she felt in her mouth and throat, so it was hard to have more nuanced discussions that required tact. But it would do for now. For this. She sipped her tea to try and hide some of her embarrassment in her cup and the steam.

Her heart was glad when Magrin extended Kol the offer to join them and gladder still when Kol accepted. She didn't entirely understand the mechanics of his magic in full or how much he could actually do but if their journey south had taught her anything it was that sometimes it was helpful to have a mage amongst your ranks. A soft shudder ran down her spine at the memory of the creatures they had faced and she pulled the cloak a little closer.

To Kol's question she raised one shoulder in a half shrug and spoke softly.

"The usual myths," her blue eyes watched him calmly before flickering to Magrin. He was more experienced than her which is why she had asked him along with her. Perhaps he knew a little more.

 

[Magrin Kor]

As Brenna said they were hunting the usual myths. Truly, Magrin had ideas of what they may have been hunting but he didn't know for sure and there was no guarantee that they would ever discover what they sought. Try as they might the duo, now a trio could search the Mountain while the blizzard raged and after it had calmed and never discover what they sought.

On the other hand the three of them might also find something unexpected. It would not be the first time a group found more than they were looking for here.

Eventually the Nord would respond, not long after Brenna and state..."A creature of scale and claw, one that might freeze the blood in our bones and shatter us like ice."...according to some of the myths anyways..."If you believe everything you hear that is."...a small smile touched his features, Magrin believed and he thought Kol did too.

Another sip of tea and the Nord discovered he had finished it all which caused him to shift slightly in Brenna's direction before asking..."Anymore?"...even with the blizzard raging outside, the newcomer to their fire and the threat of death if they found what they were looking for Magrin enjoyed a good drink. In this case it was tea.

Leaning to one side he took a small handful of the remaining tinder, which wasn't much and placed it on the fire so that the ambient light continued to glow and the heat radiated out from it.

 

[Kol]

So they did not know. Interesting. Would they turn away when he told them? Or would they simply not believe?

It was hard to tell. He knew Brenna's quality, but not this Nords. For a brief moment Kol only smiled, and then slowly the expression died as he began to speak. "You hunt Jarlgrin."

He wondered if their myths overlapped with that of his own people's.

"Among my people he is known as the father of the Frost Trolls, worshipped as a god by them and thought of as an aspect of the Blizzard themselves." The winds themselves seemed to pick up and howl outside the cavern. The screams of the storm growing more and more furious. "He is larger than other Wyrms, said to spawn his folk from the mountains he roosts upon."

Frost Trolls were strange creatures. Filled with rage and skin tough as stone, Kol had never much liked facing them. "If I am right. It is he who now rests upon this mountain."

 

[Brenna]

There was a small fire of excitement that burned in the depths of her blue eyes as Magrin spoke of the creature they hunted. The South hadn't sated her desire for adventure - if anything it had made it worse. As Magrin turned to her to enquire after more tea she took the cup with a bright smile and got up to refill both of their cups. This time she added some ginger and gave him a sly smile as she passed it back to him before returning to her seat. Not everyone liked the kick that ginger gave but Brenna liked a little spice in her drinks.

Quietly she listened to the information Kol had on what he believed they were hunting. The name made her frown, it was unfamiliar but the description he gave slowly brought an understanding and by the end she was nodding in recognition.

"Jinniyaat - mother of Frost Trolls," it was a softly spoken correction and she smiled into her cup. It was interesting how the myths varied and yet had kept their core between the two people. It had sense if what they sought was such a creature, it would explain the severity of the storms for one but it would also mean there would be more than just a wyrm to fight on their way up this mountain.

 

[Magrin Kor]

The Nords face soured briefly at the mention of Frost Trolls, the creatures were difficult to kill at the best of times though not incredibly intelligent. Magrin had had encountered them before though never in large numbers.

As the conversation turned to the Frost Wyrm the Nord remained silent, taking the tea from Brenna and raising it to his mouth before taking a small drink. When the ginger filled his senses it actually opened his sinuses briefly, the root was powerful and Magrin made a face but adapted to the drink shortly thereafter. He definitely preferred the bit of Cinnamon.

"A Frost Wyrm of legend."...he'd have said, finding it somewhat mirthful that both Kol and Brenna refered to the same creature by a different name. It seems as though a small gap in the cultures had given way to a slightly different interpretation between the Nordenfiir and the Nordwiir. Magrin shrugged his shoulders..."Well whatever its name is killing it, even wounding it will be no small task for the three of us."...especially if it was surrounded by Frost Trolls whom the three of them would need to battle through prior to reaching it.

Thinking on it, Magrin knew the best case scenario might be to wound such a creature and come away with their lives. He knew a few things about Wyrms dependent on the species. "Wyrms aren't noted for their intelligence."...he said..."I don't imagine a legendary one is that much smarter than the rest only larger, stronger and maybe filled with more of a predatory cunning. If we have something it wants perhaps we can lure or bait it into a trap."....to him it sounded like a plan with merit though admittedly Magrin had no idea what they might use to bait the Wyrm. If either Brenna or Kol knew the legends of the creature better they might be able to suggest something.

He'd wait to see what his companions thought. Looking at Kol he wasn't sure how potent he would have been in a direct confrontation that involved an entourage of Frost Trolls as well as the Frost Wyrm, he knew Brenna to be a capable fighter but that only left two of them in the thick of it.

 

[Kol]

He gave a soft chuckle of amusement at Brenna's correction.

"I would not underestimate the Wyrm." Kol said with a slight frown, though largely he agreed with Magrin's greater point.

He knew that most Wyrm's were not smart enough to see past their next meals, but the legends surrounding this one had his hackles up. That and the whispers of the Dark Gods made him far more weary than he usually tended to be.

Something else was going on here, and it seemed more than just fate. "I believe that I can lure the beast."

Kol stated.

"But we must reach the mountain's peak, or near to it." Along the way they would undoubtedly find the other piece that he would need; the Heart of a Frost Troll Matron.

 

[Brenna]

Brenna giggled at the expression that crossed Magrin's face when he sipped the tea this time, but she muffled it a little with her own cup. She watched the conversation in silence. In truth she didn't know much more than the stories that surrounded the Mother Wyrm, as she was sometimes referred to amongst her people. There were stories of sacrificed and things that had once been given, when the Gods were revered more than they were now, to appease her and keep her blizzards at bay. Sometimes they were animals or jewels, other times they were young Nords to satisfy her blood lust. There was one question that bothered her though from the conversation, a small frown marring her face.

"How?" her head listed to one side as she looked at Kol. His magics were still a little fuzzy to her and she didn't doubt he would be able to, but she worried he would do it and the cost. Her gaze briefly flicked to the scars with clear concern.

 

[Magrin Kor]

"Lure the beast."...Magrin mused while taking a second, smaller sip from his cup weary of the beverages potency now that it had opened his sinuses once before saying clearly..."Oh you might lure the beast. Wyrm's do have voracious appetites after all."...it was a particularly black joke that insinuated Kol would need to get himself eaten for their plan to succeed however shrugging he followed his quip with..."That would be the most direct way I imagine."

Like Brenna, Magrin would listen to Kol's proposed idea though and shifting where he sat he'd spare another wayward glance back outside where the blizzard still raged. If they were to ascend this mountain then it would do them all well to rest their limbs awhile and regain their strength. It wouldn't take Magrin long, he had the benefit of a particular condition on his side which seemed to aid him to an extent but he wondered about his companions.

Surely Brenna was capable but Kol didn't appear in the best condition for traversing a mountain. Still, he had made it this far.

Reading the concern in Brenna's gaze as she looked at Kol the Nord remained silent, listening for him to explain his plan to the two of them while he sipped on the tea he'd brought up to his mouth. Scrunching his features again Magrin wasn't entirely sure he'd ever get used to the taste of ginger added to tea but all things considered it tasted better than boiled snow and he'd drank that more often than not....

 

[Kol]

He smiled, though on his scarred and burned face it looked more like simply showing his teeth. "I do not intend on ending my time in the stomach of a Wyrm."

At least not any time soon.

Long ago, a decade almost, he had slaughtered two of the Great Wyrm's family within the Lost Isles. The Creatures had set upon him one after another, bloodied him, nearly killed him. He would have lost his life if not for the Dark Gods, if not for their blessing.

His fingers curled for a brief moment, before he cleared his throat.

"There is a clan of Frost Trolls who dwell upon this mountain." Kol explained. "From them I can...procure."

Carve out of the Matron's chest. "Something that even the Great Wyrm will not be able to resist."

Magrin Kor | Brenna

 

[Brenna]

It was rude to pry and magic was a ... well it made her uncomfortable. It was with an absent mind that her fingers brushed over leg where beneath the thick fabric lay a scar from where the demonic poison had seeped from a twisted creatures claw into her blood. She had been worried they would not be able to save her leg but the mages of Kiringssal had both awed and terrified the young Nordenfiir. Her nose wrinkled like a frost bunnies at the memory of the scent.

Her feet shuffled as she thought over the plan and examined it with the mind of a daughter raised by one of the Nordenfiirs greatest fighters. It sounded largely sound and she knew her warrior father would have shrugged and rolled with it. But her journeys down south had taught her caution.

"That sounds..." there was a pause as her tongue struggled with the word she had never heard only read. "Logical. A good a plan as any," her eyes flickered to Magrin. He had more experience than her in the field.

 

[Magrin Kor]

Nothing said seemed to surprise Magrin. Seeing as how they were hunting a creature of legend known as the Mother of Frost Trolls it made sense that a Clan of Frost Trolls dwelt here on the mountain. In fact he would not be surprised to learn that several clans lived here, dispersed across the mountainside making the trek more dangerous than it already was. Of course Kol seemed to have more innate knowledge of this Mountain than Magrin did.

The Nord would nod his head, share a look with Brenna then clear his throat and state..."Then it is settled. We will assault the Frost Trolls first and acquire what you need Kol."...Magrin had turned to regard Kol then and went on..."You seem to know this mountain or at least what lives on it. When the storm abates some we will follow your lead to our next destination."

Having said all of that Magrin raised the cup he'd been holding to his mouth, drank the rest of the warm beverage within and went to hand it back to Brenna. Once that was done he spared a swift look in the direction of the cave entrance, noting that the blizzard still raged outside. By his estimation even with a Frost Wyrm of legend living high on the mountain the storm would eventually ease and until then he would lean backwards into the rough stone of the cavern wall, tilt his head forward til chin met chest and rest until the time was nigh.

 

[Kol]

It took time, but the storm passed.

Kol did not speak much as they waited of course, always preferring to be silent. His expression remained blank, though a few times Brenna engaged him. Eventually the storm went away, and slowly the Sorcerer stood from his place on the cold ground.

"It's time." He said, shrugging his shoulders in a stretch and taking a step back so that he was a bit apart from the other two.

"The Frost Trolls will be out after the storm." This he knew to be true. Kol had slaughtered enough of the creatures to know. "They will make their way across the new snows in search of food."

He glanced at the two. "I need but one alive."

With that he could lure the Matron.