The March North

[Benejeseret]

The evergreens rustled over the crunch of boot to snow. Brander wanders east of Njords Crest, following the great wolf Grasulfr's tracks within the melting snow.

The ringing call of the Aesirs Chime broke over the crest and filled the small valley with echoing sound. With a start, Grasulfr broke up through a snow drift, head tilted inquisitively. The wolf stood still in the ringing warmth as panting sweat clouds rose above the jet black, heaving fur.

Some twenty feet behind and knee deep in snow Brander called to his denbrother, "Ujak!" an old orcish word for wolf, and Grasulfr's training command for come/heel. As the Dire came in closer he slid his fingers through its scruff to dislodge the pine cones nestled within. "Darman Fund [orcish:winter ends] and we are called to the village."

The wolf casts longing eyes back toward the bush, where rabbit scent drifted thick, before bounding through the snow after the departing Brander, toward the manling village with its plethora of interesting smells.