Horokeu dived out of the way of the snowball that had been thrown at him. The snow was deeper than he’d expected and his intended roll turned into a tumble. Knowing his opponent wasn’t going to stop, he continued to roll until he was a safe distance to stand up. He had a snowball in his hand, and he stood off with the enemy.
The little snow spirit, taking the form of a little humanoid golem slowly took its hand off and formed the snow into a ball. Horokeu stared at the spirit, waiting for the moment when he’d throw his ball. A clump of snow fell from a tree branch between them and the young boy threw his munition at the spirit before diving to the side. He’d been too slow however as his dive turned into a spin from the force of the spirits throw hitting his side. He crashed into the snow, laughing and rubbing where he’d been hit.
“Good job. You got me.” He said, standing up. He looked at the spirit, who hadn't moved out of the way of his throw. There was now a snowball sized lump in its head. Horokeu laughed and walked over. The spirit didn't move as he shuffled the snow around with his thick mitts until he’d made the golem taller with an symmetrical lump. “I had fun today. Let’s play again tomorrow!”
The snow spirit nodded, shedding snow until it was just a wisp on the snow. Horokeu watched it float away before turning back towards the village. The sparse forest gave way to a field and Horokeu saw the homes made of snow and wood. He ran through the field despite the intense snow fight earlier to enter the tiny settlement. He saw people moving to and fro, packing supplies and food. He nodded to several of his friends as he dodged around people and animal alike.
He finally arrived at his destination; the only building made wholly of wood. He kicked his shoes clean of snow and walked inside. It was warm, so he pulled off his fox fur poncho and the similarly crafted mittens and hug them on the antlers tied to the wall. He undid his boots and walked on the cold wood floor until he found his mom, who was in the eating room.
“Is there food?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Is there?” her mother answered, turning to face him and placing her hands on her hips.
Horokeu gave her a perplexed look.
“Did you get distracted by the spirits again?” she asked.
“Right” Horokeu said, remembering. “I’m sorry. I can go right now.”
“Too late. I got it myself. It’ll be ready for dinner. Go make sure your things are packed. Your father wants the clan to move north tomorrow at first light.”
The young boy nodded glumly and went to his room. It was empty except for a pack and a bedroll, since he had packed the day before. He checked the bag again to make sure his favorite items were securely packed; a stuffed animal his father had given him the year before, a set of dice he used to play with when his older brother had been home, and space for his favorite blanket. He also checked all his clothes, because he knew his mom would repack his stuff and leave his precious things behind if he didn't make sure to have those.
After that he went back to the kitchen and sat in the corner, out of the way but still warmed by the fire while his mother worked.
“When is dad going to be home?” Horokeu finally asked.
“Soon. You know he’s out helping people pack and get ready.”
“Do you think we’ll make it to the first camp tomorrow?”
“Spirits willing, yes. The snow’s this year have been light, so hopefully the way won’t be waist deep in snow the whole way.”
“When is Ko coming home?”
“Your brother just went to the Tower last year. He’ll be gone for some time yet before he comes back.”
Horokeu sighed dejectedly.
“Tell me about your spirit friend?” his mom asked while she chopped roots and put them in a pot of water over the fire keeping them warm.
“He’s a fast one. And he’s got good aim. I think I only got him a couple times all morning. Maybe we’ll see him tomorrow while we’re traveling, he seemed pretty brave, far as snow spirits go.” Horokeu explained animatedly. “On our last face off, I totally got him in the head, but his throw spun me around a dozen times.”
“A dozen times you say” her mother said when they both heard the front door open.
Horokeu got up and ran to the front to greet the person who’d entered their home. His father nodded to him as he took off his own warming layers and undid his boots. The big snow leopard that was his familiar shook its paws and rubbed itself against the young boy.
“Horokeu. Are you ready to leave tomorrow?”
“Yes, sir.” Horokeu said. “Can you tell me a story tonight?”
“I will if you can tell me one. Have you been practicing?” his father said as the three of them walked further into the house.
“Yes. A little bit.”
“It’s important that you memorize all our histories and stories, Horokeu, so you can support your brother when he takes over the clan. He’ll need all your help as the chief.”
“Yes sir.” Horokeu said as he followed his father and the snow leopard into the kitchen. The big cat went to the corner Horokeu had been in and curled up and out of the way.
Horokeu watched his dad hug his wife and start to say something when the they heard the front door slam open. A woman came in, followed by a fox.
“The Ice Walkers are attacking! They’re coming from the east and west!” she exclaimed.
Horokeu's father nodded. “Horokeu, stay here with your mother. We’ll deal with this.”
The young boy stayed planted as the great cat was up and running out the door with the woman and her fox before his father, who had to stop and get his boots on before slamming the door shut.
“Is he going to be OK?” Horokeu asked.
“Of course he is. He’s not the chief for nothing.” His mother answered. “But we should hide.”
She herded her son out of the kitchen and into a large storage room. She stomped on the floor, causing a square section to dislodge itself. She pulled the square up, revealing a small underground room. Horokeu went down the ladder first into the chilly room carved straight out of the frozen ground. She followed and placed the faux floor piece in place. It was dark, with only a little light piercing the cracks. The two huddled in the far corner to keep warm.
“How long are we going to stay down here?” Horokeu asked.
“Oh, I don't think very long. Your father will push back those nasty raiders, and then he’ll come get us. I just hope the stew doesn't burn over the coals.”
Not long after she reassured her son, the piece of floor moved and was lifted away. Horokeu's mother nodded, and started forward until a head peaked into the room.
“Oh, look here. I knew I’d find something if I broke away from the group. Nobody ever listens to old Frost Paw. But he always gets the loot.” The stranger said.
“Get behind me, Horo” his mother whispered to him. He looked from behind her to see the stranger drop down into their hidden room.
“A woman and a boy, not too bad.” The stranger said. He pulled a long knife from his belt. “Kill you two, steal your stuff, and the clan will respect old Frost Paw, oh yes they will.” The stranger muttered.
Horokeu’s mother took a fighting position, widening her feet and putting her hands in front of her face.
“Oh, think you’re going to fight off old Frost Paw?” the man said. “I like that. Makes it more fun. But not too much, Frost Paw doesn’t have lots of time.”
The two adults faced off in the small space. Frost Paw struck first, thrusting the long knife at the woman’s face. Horokeu watched as his mother’s fist slid along the inside of the attack and pushed the blade out and away from her. The enemy tried to stop his forward momentum, but instead was launched back as the woman threw her other fist into his chest.
“Oof. You aren’t some fine and dandy woman. Frost Paw is going to have to get serious.” The man muttered. He withdrew a second, shorter, knife and rushed. Horokeu watched as his mother tried to defend herself, but she took several cuts from the strangers’ onslaught.
“No!” he exclaimed when she took a particularly deep looking cut along an arm. It fell limp to her side. Horokeu backed up to the wall. “Help! Someone help!” he cried.
Frost Paw laughed. “No one’s going to come stop old Frost Paw, boy. The rest of the fighters are stuck at the edge.”
The boy’s eyes flickered to the corner of the room, noticing the familiar shimmer of a nearby spirit. “Please, help us” he asked it. The spirit tilted its amorphous head, and then nodded, fading into the wall.
“Talking to spirits boy? Frost Paw thinks you’ve gone mad.” He rushed the mother again, bringing both blades towards her neck in a pincer move. Before he could land the blow, he tripped and fell to the ground, forcing Horokeu’s mother to back up.
“What in the deep ice?” Frost Paw he looked at his feet to see the earth slowly engulfing his feet. He tried to kick them free, but the earth didn't let him free. Everyone looked up at the sound of heavy boots. The stranger started to curse and kick harder. The earth only swallowed his legs faster.
Horokeu's father dropped into the room, a grim look on his face. He strode forward, kicked the knives away from Frost Paw and threw a fist into his still cursing face. The stranger dropped to the ground, and Horokeu saw the earth release his feet and even back out.
“Are you two OK?” he asked.
“Some cuts and a bruise or two. Nothing the healers can’t patch up.” His mother answered. “I’ll need help up though, my arm’s useless.”
More boots stomping overhead and they saw the woman who’d appeared earlier peek her head into view. “Is everything alright, brother?”
“Yes. Though I’ll need help getting Yuna up. Her arms cut up.”
Horokeu watched as the two helped his mother climb the ladder and get out of the room. He followed after his father and went into the kitchen while he replaced the floor boards. The soup smelt bad and he saw his father’s leopard wrinkling its nose.
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“Oh, the soups ruined.” His mother complained.
“Yuna, go find the healer. We can eat at Asuna’s tonight.”
“Oh really? You think I left enough food over for your family? You eat like a bear just before winter.”
“We can go somewhere else, if you want.” His father said. Yuna left the two siblings to bicker. Horokeu cuddled up to the huge leopard.
“No, its fine. I’ll pull something together. Go find your wife and make sure she gets to a healer. That arm looked really bad and the Ice Walkers use poison sometimes.”
Horokeu’s father nodded. Then he looked at his son. “Wait here with Snow.”
Horokeu nodded and waited as everyone left the house. While he waited, he talked to the cat. The big animal didn't respond, and soon enough everyone was back, bandaged and carrying a pot of food. They all ate quickly and headed to bed. Horokeu lay in his, staring at the roof, thinking about the spirit who had helped save his mother.
“I forgot to thank him.” He mumbled before falling asleep.
The young boy forced himself awake before his parents, the earliest he’d ever gotten up. Tip toeing around his room, he folded up his favorite blanket and the bed roll. Once done, he took them to his pack. Before he put the blanket in, he took out the bone dice. Once they were free, in his blanket went, and the bedroll was tied to the top above the cover.
He grabbed the dice and left his room, continuing to walk as quietly as he could, he made his way to the now empty storage. He pushed around the hidden panel, but try as he might he couldn't get it to open. He punched the floor in frustration.
A corner popped up and he nearly cried in relief. He pulled it up and did his best to be quiet as he set it against the wall. Then he climbed down the ladder into the chilly earthen room.
“Hello? Are you there?” Horokeu asked, directed in a general direction. He waited a few minutes, before placing the dice on the ground. “These are my favorite bone dice. I used them to play against my brother cause I think he cheats. I want you to have them, in thanks for helping save my mom.” The boy said, hoping the spirit was around to hear him. After another minute, he left the dice and climbed up the ladder.
“That was very thoughtful of you.” He heard his mother say quietly. Horokeu nearly fell back down the hall in surprise. “I wish your dad recognized your gift.”
“What do you mean?” Horokeu asked as he worked with his mother to replace the panel.
“You have a gift, my son. Spirits seem to have an affinity for you, and you in turn seem to naturally know how to interact and honor them.”
Horokeu nodded, not quite getting it, but happy to hear praise. “Does that mean I won’t get an animal companion like dad and Ko?” he asked as they left the storage room.
“That’s for the spirits to decide. But would you be sad if you didn't? I don't have one.” His mother responded kindly.
The young boy nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’d still like one though. But not a leopard like Snow. He doesn't talk to me very much. Maybe a fox, like aunt Asuna.”
Yuna laughed. “Go get your things, your father is outside organizing the clan. It’d be bad if he left us behind.”
“Yes, mother.” Horokeu said, now jogging to his room. He grabbed his pack and took it back to the door. He got his boots on, and grabbed his poncho and mittens and pulled them on before leaving the wooden structure.
He met his mother outside, and stood beside her as she stood beside his father. They were looking at the crowd, full of clansmen who would be joining them in the trek to the northern parts of the land now available.
“Once more we leave the safety of this settlement.” His father spoke to the crowd. “To keep balance with nature, we go from place to place, so that we do not over use the resources that the great spirits give to us. In return, we offer our thanks, and tokens of appreciation.”
At this, his father pulled out a bundle of flowers, a rare thing in their northern homeland.
“Oh, great spirits, please accept this offering of northern princess flowers, and continue to watch over and provide for us.” He finished, placing the flowers in the town shrine they were next to. Inside were other offerings given by villagers and clansmen, with prayers for blessings Horokeu knew.
Everyone put their hands together and bowed their heads in a moment of silence.
“Alright, trail blazers, lets head out. Asuna, lead the rest of the clan behind. Great Spirits willing, we’ll make it to the first camp before sun down.” He told the crowd. Before he joined the trail breakers, he turned to his own family. “Stay safe, Yuna, that cut was bad. Horokeu, look after her, and help Asuna. She’s a good example for you.”
The boy nodded as his father hugged his mother and then headed off. The couple wandered through the crowd, and Horokeu watched as his mother talked with family and friends. Horokeu saw some boys who were a little younger than him, and he ran off to hang out with them. They all had packs and bedrolls, and they talked about all the places they would play when they got to the first camp.
Soon thereafter, the clan started to move north, through the town and the field Horokeu had run through. He stayed at the front with Yuna, though he kept an eye out for the snow spirit he had played with the day before.
They walked all morning, following a stamped-out trail made by several of the men ahead of them. As the sun reached its peak, the group caught up with those in front and they stopped for a much-needed rest. Horokeu found his father, and they ate at a small camp fire. His family was often joined by members of other family units, people checking in and wanting to say hello now that they were all together.
“When we get to camp, we’ll swap stories, Horokeu.” His father told him as he stood up. “We were interrupted yesterday, but we shouldn't be tonight.”
“The Ice Walkers won’t retaliate?” his mother asked.
“They shouldn't.” Asuna answered as she came up to them. “We beat them pretty soundly. And leaving that rogue at the village boundary will let them know how serious we are.”
Horokeu’s father nodded. “Alright Yuna. Give the clan a bit of time, and then follow us. We should make it as the sun sets. Maybe a bit of moon light walking.”
“The moon is full, which will be a blessing.” Yuna said. “Stay safe.”
The older man nodded and headed out, calling the names of the men who would cut through the snow ahead of them. Horokeu washed his bowl with cold snow melt and put it back in his mother’s pack before following Asuna around, trying to remember all the things she said and did as she organized the clan back into a hiking group.
Before they left, he caught sight of the little spirit he had played with before. He waved at it, and it waved back before vanishing into the white woods.
After that he continued to follow Asuna around as they marched for the rest of the afternoon through the quiet woods. She went back and forth through the group, checking on the young and elderly. They both spent time along the edges of the crowd, keeping a watch for dangerous animals or vagrants who survived alone.
They reached the first settlement as the sun touched the distant horizon. It was a small area, surrounded by stumps. Several homes made of wood sat huddled together, and Horokeu saw a huge fire in the middle. As they walked through the cluster of homes, he also noticed many homes had small fires in them.
“The buildings seemed to have weathered the winter well.” His father told Asuna when they met by the bonfire. “A few holes need patching, but we should be fine here for a while.”
“Good. I already dispersed the clan, so you just need to take your wife and Horo. You should be proud, Ghira, he’ll be a great second when he comes of age.” Asuna said.
“I’m glad to hear it.” His father answered, favoring his son with a smile. “It is late, so let’s get inside. I’ve already set up a watch, so don't worry about it tonight.”
Asuna nodded and left with her snow fox familiar. Ghira took his wife and child to their home, which was no different than the others. There was only one room inside, with a dent in the middle surrounded by rocks where hot coals kept the space warm. Snow was lying near the fire, his eyes closed.
Horokeu set his pack down and sat gratefully against the wooden wall.
“Set your bed up before you give up.” His mother chided him. The young boy nodded and stood up. He undid the bed roll and found a flat spot on the ground near the fire to place it. Not too close, as he pulled his favorite blanket out. He didn't want it to burn like his old one had.
“Alright, tell me a story.” His father said after they had all sat by the fire.
Horokeu nodded and stared into the flames. Once he had picked a story, he told it back to the chief without hesitating. He stopped for a moment when he heard the faint sound of an animal’s cry to the moon. Then he continued as if nothing had happened, since his parents hadn't done anything.
“Good, good. And nothing forgotten. So, let me tell you a new story, and pay attention, because this is the next one for you to learn.”
Horokeu nodded enthusiastically. He listened intently as his father told him the story of how their clan had been saved by a great animal spirit. About a terrible winter and why they spent the season near the coast of the land they called home. The young boy drank it all in and did his best to commit it all to memory.
When they finished, the young clansmen got into bed, punching the pillow he’d put in the bedroll. He pulled his favorite blanket up and settled down to sleep. Before he dozed off, he once again heard the distant sound of an animal’s cry, as though it was calling out for someone.
