Blackfeather Woods winter is coming

Atshen, to his surprise, continued to struggle against Miraak's greater weight. The man snarled, more in anger and frustration now than simple simulation of a fight. The man's jaw moved from the boy's side to his neck, careful not to clamp down too hard, but just enough to give the man a firm holding over the boy. Again he snarled: Submit,

Atshen was finally getting to the point where a different outcome of their fighting was looking very unprobably. So instead of resisting, the child laid limp under the other's weight. But even with his physical submittance, he could not help but to get the last word of it with a low growl.

Miraak, finally feeling the boy underneath him relax in "submission". In any other wolf he might not accept it, but this was enough from Atshen. He only lifts his head, his teeth still dangerously near the boy's throat. Dead again, The man growls, more emotion corrupting his tone than the last time. He dare not be as emotion-driven as Atshen is now, but his anger is palpable. That Atshen was still so blind with anger, leading by his emotions rather than common sense, even after Miraak showed the futility of such actions time and time again, rankled him. Miraak does not lift off of him, not until Atshen fully showed his acceptance of the circumstances.

Miraak remains imposing and his voice a deadly grumble. Finally taking the hint, Atshen ceases his growling and flattens his ears, sensing the emotion in the man's voice. He holds himself accordingly, as he waits in anticipation for Miraak's next move.

Miraak, now satisfied by Atshen's slumped body, pulls his head away from the young boy's neck. His bared fangs were now hiding by relaxed lips, the man showing none of the anger that overtook him before. He snorted away the snow clumped in his nostrils, then, after one final look at Atshen, turns away, disappearing into the dark and empty forest.

Just like that, Miraak was gone. Atshen remained in position for quite some time as he dwelled over just what had happened. But, eventually, the young man pushed himself onto all fours and shook off the snow that had clamped to his fur when he was on the ground. Unsure what to feel Atshen stole a glance in the direction of where the older wolf had gone before going his own way in the opposite direction.