Packing for the trip was hard. He didn't often wear anything other than the woven pants Maria made him and a shirt when it was cold. He almost never wore shoes either, but he was going into a place of ice and snow and his feet would freeze.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL0vFiqLKv
He threw saddle bags over the white stallion's back later the next morning, filled with clothes and food. Moth pricked his ears towards him in confusion, cocking his head. He pulled the horse close to the barn to saddle him right as the sun started to peak up over the horizon. He shivered as goose bumps trailed up his arms. The mornings were starting to get colder. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv796s0QEI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTktAZDeIC6
"We're going near death's pass," Tian explained quickly before running off once more to go get the last of his bags. The horse whinnied quietly, shaking its massive head with a huff. He was packing blankets in case he fell into water and a shovel in case he was trapped.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXqAbcQkQU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYirilX8QqP
"Maybe not the shovel," he commented to himself.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK03EpsN46
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQbSF63zCk
"Take the shovel," a familiar voice stated and turned to see his best friend, Axel.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YGKpHj7Z3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCO84gofQ
Axel was a year older than him with fiery red hair that came down to his shoulders. He had the palest skin out of the whole village with millions of tiny, dark freckles, and came from an entire line of red heads. He was the only one who had his father's deep oceanic blue eyes. Axel was the third eldest out of 8 kids, but he was his father's third son. When Axel was eight, his father had had an accident that led to his untimely death. He left three sons and 2 daughters behind, all with the same fiery red hair and millions of freckles against their pale faces. His mother remarried to a man named Josh from another tribe and the man treated all the kids as his own. Even though Josh's kids were brown haired and different, they didn't think none the different.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnGHsVXzAs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wm21ub3OY
"Did the hunting trip go well?" Tian asked, turning his head to meet the elder's eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocxMzGvgYB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO3jeXnD4U
"It was alright. Not as fun without you, but we brought home two more mule deer from the southern herd. They're surprisingly close for this time of year."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisjU2KLUJ3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeYGHMsAp4
Tian chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm sure Barbaros helped a lot with chasing them down."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Y2o0cWD4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9HFL0LajG
"He cried after we killed the deer. He cried while chasing the deer. He started crying and he didn't stop," Axel sighed, barely keeping his smile at bay. "He could've cried us enough to make a new river. I lead the chase though, brought down the largest."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCqTE1Pqhc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzNWeX4Twj
"He's an idiot, but he's only 12. Sorry I wasn't there, Maria didn't want me chasing with the threat of another raid so imminent."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc2fA2yIYW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNbfjzSJid
"It's ok. Not your fault, she keeps you on a tight leash," Axel snorted. "She doesn't trust my ability to protect you anymore." 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0iz8mw9vv
Tian simply hummed as he threw the saddle over the horses' back. He reached underneath moth's chest to grab the cinch and pulled it tight. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k7PXtDoas
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6B4HW4kNM
"Where's your make up? I can see the lines against your neck," Axel commented, coming up behind Tian. "You know how Maria gets mad if she finds out you're not wearing the makeup."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvxa9gDPNa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNpiipIfRg
"I didn't want to have to put it on," Tian commented with a shrug of his shoulders. "Plus, I'm going somewhere I won't need it either. The mountains.""175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiPvHRKw6j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIn6E8kaD5
He was strapping the pack tighter against Moth's sides when he felt cold fingers against his neck. They traced up the black lines only to stop at his hairline. Something uncomfortable settled in the pit of his stomach, like a warning. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxktPJTSg6V
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVFYVCZh6u
"Unique," Axel whispered under his breathe before retracting his hand away. "Why is Maria letting you go into the mountains?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHiPg1InZn
"I'm going close to Death's Pass, rescue mission before the snow set in up top," Tian replied, turning around to face Axel. "I think I have enough time before the Warriors get here for another raid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIGxewHcus
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBuz1cxCgG
"You're not actually going are you? You'd be stupid to. The warriors could be here in a week! You need to get ready to go below the ground again."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnEU44fP19
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ew0I78XVo
"I have reasons to go. I'll be back before the end of this week before the snow sets in completely."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmrT14buhz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1orSJT8Aj
"Tian, you're not going. You don't know what the pass looks like, and we're too close to winter as it is. It'll be nothing but snow up there, snow and wolves!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojydVdGumH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBAso1jkV
Tian sighed before setting down what he'd been holding. "Axel, I've already went through this with Maria. She let me go."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp7up2p0xi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpoD7gCs0R
Axel shook his head. "Then I'll go yell at her! This is Death's pass Tian, no one who goes there comes back alive! It is one of the most dangerous passes on this continent, Nothing compares. It becomes a hundred times more dangerous when the snow sets in! Even with the old roads, you don't know what's up there. There's too many risks, I can't let you go. Too many of our people have already died on Death's Pass. You can't be another. I won't allow it." 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctieWeWdNK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIdbYO8PJD
"They went up in the winter Axel, it's still late autumn. The snow isn't as deep yet. The river is probably still flowing down from the mountains, as well, without ice. It'll be ok. I can make it. I've played up in those mountains enough times."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM21UHQwU9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbyNYeoEI2
"I'll go with you then. I'll take mom's horse, Mana. Just let me get packed and I'll come with. If you go, than having someone else there is best. You may need help."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkUujzqLGb
Tian bit his tongue. Axel often forgot that the strongest person in the village happened to be Tian. The man with the most endurance, the most fortitude against the elements. Perhaps he couldn't control his power just yet, but snow struggled to freeze him when all other humans were so cold they couldn't move. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWVO8Ll82I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwdbyNjutR
"You'll slow me down Axel. I'm the strongest to go out there. I can withstand even the worst of the cold." Tian reminded, putting his hand on Axel's shoulder. "It's going to be ok. I'll be back in a week, top. Just don't get too lonely without me around. You can flirt with all the girls until I'm back, they won't be fawning over me as much."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyfvQF3uGj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsfDb6Lu60
"Idiot!" Axel scoffed, slapping the back of Tian's head. "You say that like there's more than one girl our age. There's just Meredith and she definitely looks like her mother."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiiYStAL9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aEA0imdKZ
"Aw come on Axel, I know there's someone you like!" Tian teased, a grin spreading its way across his face. He slid the bit into the horse's mouth, before patting the stallion's head. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4XucgiMBb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVeRQW97Ch
"Yeah, there is," Axel said, barely a whisper.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E8ypL0mvo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70lKe047Ee
"When I get back, tell me who she is ok? She must be beautiful to catch your eye, you've never had any interest in other girls," Tian laughed before trying to swing his leg over Moth's back.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Q7Dh3YAI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIM6akMo6I
Axel smiled before grabbing his foot to push him up. "Gorgeous. They're absolutely gorgeous Tian."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9w51jRnDt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaHpDOOBmv
Axel looped a rope around Moth's back and guided him towards the front of the barn. The sun was low in the sky the morning Tian left. The clouds hung over the land and shrouded the buildings in haze. It was a colder morning, hinting at the coming winter and perhaps a little rain.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdGoIjnPE7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs9Mf933s1
"Tian!" Maria shouted, racing up to the horse. She came to a stop at his other side, clutching a bowl tightly in her hands. "Are you ready?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w94AeI0Dp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYm0OiZZgr
"Ready as I'll ever be," Tian shrugged with a smile.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI58zzy4NJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy2VN551Ru
"Just... be careful. Don't get lost please. I brought some mash for you in case you miss home or get too hungry. Here's the last two flares... in case you need a rescue... I'll be watching the skies as much as possible," Maria stated, rubbing her eyes awkwardly. "I love you kid, be careful out there."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OwGpGZRo0
They didn't mention that they wouldn't be able to see Tian's flares, anyway. If he got hurt or failed, no one would know until the snow receded once more in the Spring. He was the only one who could go up this late, and he'd be the last one to go up. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoMKZX1QBP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl4JMiNCP1
"Thank you Maria. I'll be home in one piece, promise." He hoped it wasn't going to be a lie. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nzGpS9NuW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwQ4cTiDWT
"Of course you will. You learnt from the best after all," she smiled but it did nothing to hide the fear in her voice. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPIIJBzgM5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy11ulNbUW
Tian snickered before reaching down to hug the woman. "Don't worry. I'll be ok. I'll see you in a few days."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RNePNcMdg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BElFcz7jQ
Maria pulled one of his bags towards her and stuffed a small knitted charm into the deepest pockets. "Mom made that for you. It's a mountain charm, and she said it'll protect you from bad spirits. It'll give the stag spirit your exact location to find you, if you need help. Keep you safe and all. He's the only one who can help you now."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd14jKvWlJv
Tian's face turned sour. He hadn't told them about his dreams last night when the spirit had come to him. He feared he'd be completely, utterly alone up there. With no safety net, he had to be ever more so careful.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwp6RzmrPd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI7aDHN6oA
"And," Axel quipped on the other side. He pressed something into Tian's palm. "My compass, so you can find your way home no matter what. So you don't get lost out there. Remember, home is always north west by about 40° but I don't know how accurate the compass is anymore. My hunting group always finds their way back home, so it helps." 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7ofwOyzQi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmHwD1lruF
"Thank you guys, really. I'm not going to die out there."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCOEICoULe
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48QaDM5f3f
Maria stepped back with a tense nod. "We better let you get going then."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V1yUDnsRj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Ao0YHKcb
Tian readjusted against Moth's back, tightening his feet against the stallion's sides. He wrapped the hair around his fist to hang on. "Stay safe. Ha!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk85oaA1WM3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1reKRsqoDL
He kicked the stallion in the sides gently and Moth sprang forwards, breaking into a canter with ease. They shot to the edge of the village. Tian wished he'd never left.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDQxYJh84E
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUhNG0pglY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGDdpv72W4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsA91nLUJp
When Moth grew tired of running, he slowed them down and slid off the horse's back to walk. It wasn't entirely fair to be carried all the way. When the sun was still high in the sky, they'd found one of the old roads that split off to somewhere called Denve. The sign was horribly faded and it quipped his attention. By sundown, they had made it to the base of the mountains, an old town called Boulder. The buildings had long since fallen apart and the roads had all split from plants and trees growing in between the hard stones. The village must've once been beautiful though, especially to have sit at the base of the mountains. What he wouldn't give to be able to go back in time and see the village when it was alive and bustling. There must've been thousands of people who lived there.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D2s7nIsbJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9gk21KBsW
"It's kinda spooky though," Tian commented, looking over at Moth. He could practically hear the ghosts and spirits slinking around in the shadows. From what he'd heard from the elders, the people in Boulder and Denver perished by a plague and were unable to escape before it was too late. They'd laid in the streets, bleeding and coughing until their lungs filled with blood and they suffocated to death. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Owm30nxzx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeixypsOC7
The horse simply blew air at him and shook his head before turning to graze. He patted the horse before stepping towards one of the fallen ruins of a building. "We'll stay here tonight, and continue up when we have daylight."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP3ohqZtx1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM9C0pU1IM
His partner didn't say anything. But horses couldn't talk anyway.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX9aCdhWmX
