Neverwinter Forest longfur

the glade lay quiet, blanketed in frost that shimmered beneath the pale light of the winter sun. sólhárr's towering figure stood amidst the stillness, his fiery pelt stark against the cold, muted hues of the season. the air was crisp, each breath forming soft clouds that dissipated into the sky.

he stood still for a moment, head bowed slightly as he surveyed the land around him. then, with a deep inhale, sólhárr tilted his head back, his lone golden eye catching the light as a haunting, resonant call broke the silence. it echoed through the trees, a summons carried on the wind to wherever @Kalyska roamed.

he waited, his gaze steady, ears flicking to catch any hint of movement. his stance was calm yet expectant, the weight of his presence undeniable as the glade seemed to hold its breath. he called not out of urgency, but with purpose, a steady thread of connection extended to her.

the call reached her like a ripple over still water, threading through the frost-laden trees and brushing against her ears with a haunting familiarity. Kalyska lifted her head, her breath curling in the cold air as her hazel eyes flicked toward the direction of the sound.  

gathering herself, she rose from where she’d been pawing at a patch of frozen earth and started toward the sound, her steps deliberate yet unhurried.  

as she entered the glade, the sight of him brought her to a halt. Sólhárr stood like the breaking of dawn, the heart of a furnace keeping the cold at bay.

call for me she said softly, her voice carrying through the crisp air. her tail swayed lightly behind her as she stepped closer, her gaze meeting his without hesitation. assist need?

not this time, sólhárr said, his golden eye steady on her. the glade’s frost caught in the fiery hues of his pelt as he shifted slightly, his breath misting in the cold air.

i wanted to see how you are settling in, he added, the weight of his voice softened by genuine curiosity. he studied her, the way her frame carried itself, the flicker of confidence or doubt in her expression. forneskja demanded much of its own, and he needed to know she was prepared to meet it.

is it what you expected? he asked, tilting his head slightly, his focus unwavering.

Kalyska met his golden gaze, her hazel eyes steady despite the quiet storm of emotions she carried. she shifted her weight slightly, the frost crunching beneath her paws, and let the silence stretch for a beat before speaking.  

it... more than expected, she admitted, her voice thoughtful, though not uncertain. long time since surrounded by so many. quiet of solitude... lingers.

She glanced briefly toward the edge of the glade, where the forest stretched endlessly beyond, then back to him. but i adjust. i start gathering herbs to build cache. small but it a start. her tail flicked lightly behind her, a gesture of resolve.  

pack feel strong. purposeful she continued, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

this is good, sólhárr rumbled, the approval evident in his low voice. his golden eye remained fixed on her, the weight of his gaze as steady as the ground beneath their paws.

he tilted his head slightly, considering her words, the faint flicker of a smile that touched her features. is healing what you wish to do? he asked, his tone carrying genuine curiosity.

his breath curled in the cold air between them, his imposing frame somehow softened by the openness in his question. he waited, patient, as though her answer held the weight of shaping her role within forneskja.

Kalyska’s ears flicked at his question, her gaze dropping momentarily to the frosted ground. rhe weight of Sólhárr’s words pulled her thoughts to the surface—ones she’d long kept buried.  

not always she began quietly, her voice carrying the remnants of old uncertainty. healing was expected of me, skill that would make me valuable, desirable, asset the pack could trade away.  

she lifted her gaze to meet his, her hazel eyes steady now despite the memories lingering in their depths. long thought it was just that—so i  begin learn. it became way to distract from that fate.

she paused, her voice softening. but, i see the way healing holds it own power, to pull someone back from death, see new life come into world... it something sacred. something i grow to care for.

then you shall be our jurtvörður, sólhárr said, his golden eye steady on her, his voice low but firm, carrying the weight of his decision.

he stepped closer, his presence commanding yet calm, like the sun breaking through the frost. you will tend to the earth, to the cycles that bind us all. your hands will cultivate life, healing the wounds of both wolf and land. a sacred duty, one that speaks to your skill and reverence.

his gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained resolute. this is more than expectation. it is purpose. strength. you will not be traded, nor cast aside. you will be rooted here, kalyska, as vital as the forest that surrounds us.

he drew back just enough to see her expression, waiting for her response, a faint flicker of something proud glinting in his eye.

the warmth in Sólhárr’s voice, the weight of his words—it was unexpected, striking her in a way that made her chest tighten.  

jurtvörður, she repeated softly, the word tasting unfamiliar yet fitting on her tongue. her hazel eyes shimmered, caught between surprise and humility as she lifted her gaze to his. i... thank you, hárkonungr.

her voice was steady, but the faintest hint of a blush warmed her cheeks beneath her fur, the vulnerability of being seen—not as a tool, not as a transaction, but as something vital—settling into her heart.

she dipped her head slightly, a gesture of respect and gratitude with a resolve rooted in gratitude and purpose. thank you, Sólhárr, for seeing me.

you’ve earned it, kalyska. the words rumbled from him with a finality that left no room for doubt. sólhrárr stepped closer, his golden eye locking onto hers, unwavering.

this role isn’t given lightly, he said, his tone carrying both gravity and trust. it’s yours to carry, to shape, to strengthen. i trust you’ll do it justice.

he lingered for a moment, his presence solid and steady, before giving a small nod. you are seen because you deserve to be. remember that.

kalyska’s ears twitched slightly, and she dipped her head in acknowledgment of his words. For a moment, she let the weight of his trust settle over her like a mantle, the warmth of it sparking a faint flicker of pride.

speak with such certainty about what bring i to forneskja, she pondered, her tone thoughtful. but what about pack itself? what you see for it future?

she tilted her head slightly, her gaze steady and inquisitive. her voice was quiet but resolute, the question carrying more than idle interest. she wanted to understand the vision that had shaped this place, the foundation she was now a part of. but she what was beginning to dawn on her was the potential to be more than just an assest. as she asked him this question, she was unknowingly asking how she herself may be able to climb the ranks and help forge what future he sought, and option that was not available to her in a previous life.

he shifted his weight slightly, the oxen fur on his shoulders settling as he spoke.

forneskja will be a beacon, he said, his voice low and resolute, carrying the weight of his vision. a place of strength and medicine, where healing and warriors are forged side by side.

his gaze softened for a moment, though his tone remained firm. we will create balance—those who mend, those who protect. the gods have given us this land to build something greater than ourselves. a sanctuary for those who seek purpose, and a proving ground for those who wish to grow.

he tilted his head slightly, meeting her gaze with quiet intensity. you are part of this now, kalyska. your hands will heal. your strength will shape. and together, we will make forneskja a name that stands unshaken.

kalyska listened in stillness, the weight of sólhárr's words settling over her like a mantle. for a long moment, she said nothing, her hazel eyes steady as they held his golden gaze. there was a quiet awe in her expression, a recognition of the vision he carried, the gravity of what he was asking of her—and of what she had already begun to give.  

something worth defending she had found an unexpected confidence as her eyes looked down at the small clutter of herbs she managed to gather. 

you have my hands, my resolve, and... her voice dipped, the smile softening into something more vulnerable as she hummed my faith.

looking to meet his gaze her eyes flickered to where the badger wound that brought their paths together rested. wound heal well, no scars sadly she mused.

gaze flicking to the spot where the wound had been. ah! no scar, he echoed, his voice rich with playful warmth.

his smile widened, a rare softness in his usually stoic demeanor. a shame, really. scars tell the best stories! he teased lightly, his tone inviting rather than mocking.

his gaze lingered on her, catching the flicker of vulnerability beneath her words. but maybe it’s better this way, he added, his voice quieter now, carrying a thread of sincerity. your faith is enough to defend.

the words hung between them, simple yet weighted, as sólhárr’s smile lingered, warm and steady.

kalyska’s ears flicked at his playful tone, a faint chuckle escaping her as she met his gaze. no scar, she echoed softly, tilting her head with a small smile. scars do tell many great story... but not all need be worn on skin.

her gaze drifted briefly to the frost-covered ground, then back to him, her hazel eyes glinting with a mix of humility and quiet strength. maybe reminder instead—of what can be mended. of what worth mending.

The sincerity in his words lingered in her thoughts, and she allowed herself a moment of quiet reflection before continuing. she used her paw to push back on some of the fur growth on her chest to reveal the fire scared skin beneath it. she had spent days rubbing medicinal herbs and praying for her fur to still have the ability to grow. i thought i be ugly forever if fur not grow over fire wound.

sólhárr’s golden eye softened as he stepped closer, his gaze steady on the scar she revealed. for a moment, he was silent, his expression unreadable but for the faintest trace of something warm, something almost tender.

ugly? he murmured, his deep voice low, carrying both a hint of disbelief and quiet conviction. no, kalyska. scars don’t make a woman ugly.

he leaned slightly forward, his nose hovering just above the scarred patch of skin. they make you strong, he said, the words deliberate, firm. this is proof of what you’ve endured, what you’ve overcome. it’s a mark of your resilience.

his gaze lifted to meet hers again, a small, faintly teasing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. and strength, he added, his tone softening, is far more beautiful than any unbroken skin.

she could not help blushing as she turned her gaze away from him. often she saw herself as plain, not overtly pleasing to the eye but enough to fade into the background without so much as a second glance.

strong words from strong man. only can pray to meet man like you. wife and pack fortunate to have such leader.

letting out a short chuff, she kept her head dipped but returned her gaze upon him. much healing i need before can see own beauty but i always see beauty of others. her tail wagged softly at the thought, her beliefs taught her such that even when the predator ravaged the prey, there was an odd sense of peace, of beauty. this was the way and all she wanted was to help guide it on its path.

but first must get know pack mates better, i like to make new friends.

he brought his muzzle to her cheek, brushing it lightly against her fur in a reaffirming gesture. the warmth of the contact lingered as he pulled back, his voice low and steady.

if it is a husband you seek, he began, his tone carrying both warmth and a hint of teasing, you may find one at the wedding.

he allowed the suggestion to hang in the air, his expression touched with a faint smile. the subtle wag of her tail and the openness in her words did not go unnoticed, and his gaze lingered for a moment longer, carrying an unspoken assurance.

you will find it amongst yourself, through friends, he added after a pause, his voice softer now. we are better for having you here, kalyska. take your time. there is no rush for healing—or for finding your place.

with that, he stepped back slightly, giving her space, but the weight of his presence remained, steady and unwavering.

fade in your next?

kalyska’s ears flicked at the gentle contact, her tail swaying faintly before stilling again. his words brought a warmth to her chest, though she couldn’t quite stifle the soft huff of laughter that followed.

husband at wedding, she mused, tilting her head as her hazel eyes met his. suppose that a fitting place as any to start look, though doubt i need fight off any suitors yet.

glad for time, she added, her tone steadier. to heal, to settle.

her tail gave a small flick, and a faint smile returned to her lips. but thank you, sólhárr. for remind that it all right to take time. 

kalyska dipped her head and held for it for a second before continuing to lower it towards the ground, picking up the herbs she had managed to salvage. internally she thought to herself how she would need a better way to transport such herbs rather than carrying in her mouth such long distances. as she lifted her gaze to meet his, she offered him a farewell nod as she begun to return to the place that she was to now call home.