Neverwinter Forest spire bound

@Eydís

the morning mist clung to the forest floor, a gentle veil over the world as sólhárr strode through the quiet woods. the cold air nipped at his fur, but he paid it no mind, his focus sharp as he approached the den where eydís had taken refuge. the golden light filtering through the trees cast his pelt in warm hues, though his expression remained stoic, purposeful.

he paused a few paces away, lifting his head to call for her—a low, resonant sound that carried through the stillness. there was no urgency in his tone, only a calm request. he waited, his tail swaying slightly behind him, golden eyes fixed on the den’s entrance.

it had been some time since her arrival, and sólhárr found himself curious. how had she settled in? was she adapting to the ways of forneskja? his thoughts lingered briefly on her sharp wit and determination, traits he respected, though he would not admit it outright.

as the moments passed, he took a seat, the frost-covered grass crunching softly beneath him. the morning was young, and sólhárr had all the patience in the world. when she emerged, he would be ready to hear her words, her progress, and perhaps, her challenges. this was his duty—to ensure that every wolf under his banner found their purpose, their strength, within these woods.

Abruptly, Eydis found herself pulled from her sleep. A brow was furrowed, for the caller had interrupted a particularly pleasant dream.

But there was no sense in ignoring it. She was awake now, was she not? Silently she rose from her nest and crawled out of her den.

Her scowl did not dissipate when it was Solharr who entered her line of sight. Not yet had he won her over - though she found that Luhtar seemed to be the only one who had managed such a feat.

She did not dislike the man, but she found that something within her drove her away from him. Maybe it was his fault, maybe it was the fault of another. She did not know. She would not speak of it, so it would not be resolved. An inner turmoil for her to take care of on her own.

She would not speak, eyes fixed on the other as she waited for him to state his purpose.

sólhárr observed eydís as she emerged, her expression heavy with displeasure, though he chose not to acknowledge it outright. instead, he dipped his head slightly, a gesture of quiet respect. his golden eyes remained steady on her, studying her silently for a moment before his voice cut through the morning stillness.

walk with me? he asked, the words simple, his tone even. he didn’t wait for a response, turning slightly as if assuming she would follow. his stride was slow and deliberate, giving her the chance to decide without pressure.

as they moved, he glanced at her briefly before speaking again. how are you, eydís? the question was straightforward, but there was a subtle weight to it. eating well? speaking with others?

his tone carried no judgment, only a calm interest, though his eyes occasionally flicked toward her, watching for her response. it was his role to know the state of those under his care, but there was something more to his inquiry. he sought to understand her, to chip away at whatever barrier lingered between them.

the pack thrives when all its parts are strong, he added after a pause, his words thoughtful. you are no exception.

She followed after him, though remaining behind by a few steps. Reluctant, tense.

I speak to Luhtar, Rokkur. She recounted each event in her mind, one far more pleasant than the other. Things are fine. Not good, nor bad. But she was okay. Her itch to continue her search had not left, yet she was getting better at ignoring it.

Forneskja was her home now. They would find her if she stayed put.

She had grown more comfortable hunting, particularly alongside other's. It had become a cathartic experience, rather than merely a task necessary to her survival.

sólhárr glanced back at eydís as she followed, her steps hesitant, her tension unspoken but palpable. her reluctance didn’t bother him; it was her nature, and he respected that. yet, her words—simple, measured—left much unsaid.

luhtar and rökkur, he repeated, his tone even as he considered her response. he could see the shift in her since her arrival, subtle but present. fine is a fair start, he remarked, golden eyes catching hers briefly before turning forward again.

after a pause, he asked, his voice carrying curiosity rather than judgment, and what do you think of them?

he wanted more than just facts—more than fine. her perspective mattered, whether she realized it or not. perhaps her words would tell him as much about her as they would about the others.

He wanted to know what she thought of them. Was it some sort of trick question?

There was only one way to find out.

Luhtar is sweet, good. He listens well. She then paused, clicking her tongue as she reflected on her meeting with Rokkur. I do not get along with Rokkur so well. He was not someone she planned to speak to again, should she be able to avoid it. He asked too many questions, pushed her too far. They challenged each other in ways she did not wish to tolerate.

Eydis had no patience for those who could not understand her ways.

sólhárr listened intently, steady as eydís spoke. a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth when she mentioned @Luhtar. he is a good boy, he agreed softly, almost to himself, the warmth in his tone betraying his fondness for the wolf.

when she spoke of rökkur, his expression shifted slightly. the raised brow and the flicker of curiosity in his eyes were impossible to miss. rökkur, he repeated, his tone measured, thoughtful. what happened?

rökkur was one that anyone could get along with— or had his own assumptions misled him?

there was no accusation in his voice, only an open-ended question that invited her to share more. he watched her carefully, gauging her response, his calm demeanor unwavering. sólhárr was not one to push unnecessarily, but he also knew the value of understanding the dynamics within his pack. if there was tension, it was better brought to light.

Her expression grew further irritated, shutting her eyes as she let out a particularly long sigh. He asks too many questions. It was simple reasoning, but for Eydis that was enough.

He bothered her, left her thinking about home in the mountains - home with Chevy. Such a thing could be fine, if it had been better memories that she was reminded of.

Whether the intention had been to do so or not, he had left her with the same pit in her stomach. The one that left her full of doubt, the one that left her feeling ill.

She was too strong of a woman to feel such things any longer.

sólhárr listened without interruption, his golden gaze steady, unflinching against her irritation. her sigh echoed between them, carrying more weight than her words alone. he tilted his head slightly, acknowledging her frustration but letting it lie where it fell.

i will not press, he said quietly after a moment, his tone even, resolute. one day, perhaps, he will know.

his gaze softened then, a flicker of understanding passing through his expression. the women—callyope, y’var’la, even the cubkin—might find ways where i cannot. they are wiser than i. he admitted with a small, self-aware shrug.

he paused, glancing toward the trees that cradled heimtré. if you need space, the heimtré is yours. a place to be alone, to find what it is you seek.

he shifted his weight slightly, tilting his head toward her again. but tell me—have you found any tasks or ranks that suit you? anything that calls to your strength? his voice was calm, free of judgment. it was an invitation, not an order, for her to share what she willed.

Her furrowed brow turned to him as he spoke further. I do not need comfort, Solharr. Her tone was stern, akin to a mother scolding a child who had spoken out of turn.

She did not need to speak to anyone, she did not need to be cradled and treated like a troubled girl. Solharr too, was beginning to irritate her.

He asked her a question, one he had asked before. She would answer quickly, for she no longer wished to see him. I will hunt. She stated, growing cold just as she had when they spoke twice before. I will hunt if it means you will cease to bother me with your nonsense.

Her words carried an edge, one that had not been there before.

sólhárr turned, his gaze sharp as it settled on her. the warmth that often lingered in his golden eyes was absent, replaced by something unyielding, resolute. her tone had cut through the air, and he did not let it go unanswered.

it is not comfort you need, eydís, his voice was low, steady, but with an edge that mirrored her own. it is allies. and you will find them here, or you will struggle alone. i rule these lands, and it is not nonsense to remind you of what is needed to thrive within them.

he paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing, hunt, then. and hunt well. but remember this—respect is not a weakness, nor is forging bonds.

he turned away without waiting for her reply, leaving her with the weight of his words. if she wished to walk this path alone, he would not stop her, but he would not coddle her either. she had chosen her task. now, it was hers to carry.

exit solharr!