The air was felt frozen and the snow was heavy as it piled up, if it weren't for the beast roaming around the snow would stand tall at five feet. Under the freezing air every step erupted a crunch and every crunch left a footprint of snow.
There were many footprints in the snow most from the beast that roamed other's from soldiers who climbed the snowy hill.
The soldiers climbed under the influence of their commander Lily Percival. Her figure tall with a height of 5'10. She was fit and firm with her skin smooth and deep reddish-brown complementing her afro pom pom.
She and her soldiers were dressed with armour such as vambraces, chest plates, and greaves or shin guard if you will. They each possessed a weapon some on their waist, backs or shoulder's.
Lily had her specialised axe on her back. It was vastly bigger than the average axe since it covered the whole back. The blades on each side crystallised at the tips forming a blueish hexagon pattern.
The soldier's successfully climbed the snowy hill with no problems. Atop the hill, the footprints of beast were replaced with a reddish liquid which tainted the innocent feel the snow gave of.
Lily went towards the liquid. From up close she could see the streaks of a gooey icky black within it. She picked the black goo up as she brought it to her nose for a sniff.
The soldiers watching her from the side-line could feel themselves gag some expressed their hint of disgust other's remained calm.
Lily walked back towards her soldiers as she took her place in the front. The soldier standing beside her expressed his confusion with a whisper.
"Why'd you smell the goo?" His voice deep with a intimidating feel yet also smooth. He could scare and calm. He was part of the one's who remained calm despite their commander's actions.
"Obviously to weed the good from the bad. You should know that Einar you are my right hand man after all." Her voice raspy and deep enough to still sound feminine and pleasant.
Einar Raygor, her right hand man. He stood tall at 6'3 with a lean fit physique. His skin was light white. His eye's sky blue with the outline of his face boxed with a patchy but soft facial hair. His hair was slick back in an undercut way with a short back and side fade.
He himself carried a long sword on his back and a dagger on his waist. Unlike his commander Lily Percival's weapon he himself wasn't lucky enough to attract the attention of a master class forger.
They continued to move atop the hill searching for something when they stumbled upon a fully made wooden hut. Lily sent a female scout ahead the scout acted as stealthily as she can with her Spirit. Her Spirit Conceal as the name applies, allows her to conceal her presence and any noise she makes within a 10 metre radius making her good enough as a scout.
She made her way to the hut which at the front door she found markings. The first two markings where both spread diagonally from the top right to the bottom left but the third marking was inscribed with the letter "L".
Taking mental notes and a lap around the perimeter she returned to state her findings.
"Commander Percival." The scout did a ninety degree bow before lifting her head to speak. "There is nothing dangerous around the perimeter, only blood has been gushed at the back of the hut."
"I see, anything else." Instead of the commander speaking Einar took her place. It was a way to show the female scout what value she held in the face of the commander. The only thing she did was scout, if Lily wanted to she could've asked anybody else.
The Spirit Conceal can only do so much on the battlefield especially with a measly radius of 10 metres. So naturally to Lily the female scout was nothing but a sacrificial lamb ready to be used at any time.
"Y-yes vice commander. I saw three markings on the front door. Two were diagonal from the top right to the bottom left but the third one was and inscribed 'L'".
Lily and Einar glanced at one another, they knew damn well what that "L" stood for. Seeing their satisfied look on the report the scout returned to her position in line awaiting orders.
Lily's body tilted her once firm standing figure slouched with her front leg's knee slightly bent while the other stood firm resting her weight on it, her hand on her waist and her expression changing from neutral to amused.
On the other hand Einar continue to stand firm with his arms crossed. He watched in silence on his commander's actions. A chuckle erupted from her mouth as she flicked her hand at Einar then brought it to a half with all five fingers straight and firm.
With a nod Einar commanded, "Rest!"
The soldiers slowly dispersed half cut down nearby trees as seats the other's along with some scouts went out looking for food. It had been some time since they ate anything.
A kilometre beyond the snowy hill was a river surrounded by meadow which had been piled up by the snow even though freezing the river was still running although it's speed decreased.
Floating along the river was a rowboat with a boy too young to be child but too young to be considered an adult. He wore black on black with his clothes wavy and light. Black vambraces were tied on his forearms, he wore a black half robe it's length reached down to his waist tied around his top half.
His pants were banded and laced, loose around the edges but became tight and compact coming down to his ankle. The white scarf made from wool wrapping around his neck gave a sort of contrast and feel to his outfit.
His skin a light caramel black with an attractive face. His eyes brown while his hair was corn-rows in four lines running straight to the back of his hair where they were tied into a short knot.
He rest's on a rowboat with his closed eyes letting it flow down stream. He had no weapons insight all were hidden. He was feeling peaceful. The birds chirping calling one another, the air freezing yet excitingly warm. His breathing unbothered on this river of time he felt nothing could slip his grasp yet the more he flowed the more time passed.
Before he knew it the sun position moved, it was an inch from the horizon line.
A deep sigh left his mouth before he picked up the oars and directed himself toward the land. He exited and pulled the boat out of the water leaving it at it's position.
He knew his way throughout the snowy forest he even made a mind map of which areas where dangerous or safe and he stood at the foot of the snowy hill.
He stared at all the footprints that ascended it. If he could he would turn back now sadly he felt himself being watched and he didn't feel like taking the chance so he ascended the hill.
Even though it was a small hill the air lowered in temperature he could feel his body lower more into the snow.
The more he ascended the more tree's had been cut off it was surely a big group. Finally reaching atop the hill he saw a camp stationed near his hut. He immediately noticed most of it's members especially...
"Lily." His voice was young but slightly deep, it had a clear feeling but it lacked any emotion.
"Adeus." Lily replied with a soft grin.