Duskfire Glacier wind and stream in the ardennes

Both figures sparked to life. The young boy was swift to rise and lower his head near Meerkat, keeping himself close to her figure. The scout was only slightly slower to fix her light brown eyes on the large northerner. Issorartuyok listened as she introduced the boy as her brother – Caracal – and go on to explain that she had ventured from Redhawk Caldera with him.

Ah, so that is where you went, the large man said, expression shifting toward a thoughtful frown. He had been looking forward to journeying with her, to finding their way through the wilderness as a pair. It was difficult to imagine that he might have done something to revoke the offer, that perhaps she had believed he wasn’t fit as a protector. A more bothersome thought found him. Perhaps Meerkat did not want her mother to meet him because he had dishonored her village in some way.

Issorartuyok opened his mouth, ready to clarify the questions that filled his head. Caracal stopped him before he could. The young boy greeted and then asked if the larger man was the leader of the glacier. A plume of breath was exhaled through the northerner’s nostrils.

Greetings to you, Caracal. I am Issorartuyok Tatkret, of the white north. I am leading while the glacier needs a leader. Have you ventured far, young spirit? The man’s gaze was fixed on the boy, fighting the urge to turn to Meerkat questioningly.