No Weapons

[Jor Kvall]

Once the small pod had situated itself on the snowy surface, Jor leapt out of the pilot's seat and began rummaging through the craft's storage compartments while [member="Lira Kros"] turned to face him. It was only after a moment that he realized she asked a question.

"Krownest," He answered her bluntly, and hefted a pack of supplies over his back. The faint beginnings of a grin could barely be seen on his face.

As he exited the escape pod, the planet's unforgiving cold was there to greet him, blowing tufts of snow across his cheek. Reaching into the pack he had brought, Jor pulled out another cloak -- this one thermal. He set the pack down momentarily and threw the cloak over his shoulders, lowering the cowl to cover his hair. Then he turned back to Lira.

"If you're going to live on Krownest, you'd best familiarize yourself with the landscape," He said to her. "The cold must be respected, or it will consume you the moment you cease to fear it. There's another thermal cloak in here for you."

He gestured down at the rucksack at their feet, and then moved to stand at her shoulder, leaning in close and pointing to the horizon.

"See that mountain? That's where we're headed."

 

[Lira Kros]

Lira placed a hand on her hip and shifted her weight slightly to the side, frowning at Jor's rather blunt answer. As she watched him lift the rucksack to his shoulder, she spotted the corners of his mouth turn upwards just so. Brown eyes narrowed. He was enjoying this, wasn't he?

The escape pod was now open to the elements, and in they swiftly came. A bone-chilling breeze and flakes of snow met Lira's face, instantly drawing a rosy hue to her cheeks and nose. Stepping out behind Alor Kvall, she gazed out in wonder at the snow-covered scene before her.

Her boots carried her forward and sank down into the snow with each step. This place was a far cry from their desert home. Lira took in the words spoken by [member="Jor Kvall"], puffs of breath showed upon the frigid air. Before she knew it, he was leaning in quite close. Her dark eyes followed the line of his finger – all the way to the mountain that stood in the distance.

“That?” She asked, still gazing forward. “It must be at least a day's walk from here.” Was he mad?

Turning her head slightly to look at him, she then realized that the side of her face was surprising close to his, enough for him to feel her breath. Quickly, she ducked down to take up the extra thermal cloak from the rucksack and stepped aside to fasten it around her shoulders.

Clearing her throat, she felt it best to begin the trudge through the now. “The mountain,” She started, returning her eyes to the rocky peaks. “What is it called?” She drew the cloak tightly around her form.

This was a test, that much Lira had guessed. She'd make the trip without complaint, even if she felt like muttering a few curse words at the snow.

 

[Jor Kvall]

The spring in LIra's step seemed to have been sapped as she stared across the horizon, taking in the distance between them and the mountain. Krownest's unforgiving cold had a way of draining a man's resolve. She was getting an emphatic dose of the local weather today, as they happened to arrive during a snow gale. [member="Lira Kros"] would have to grow accustomed to it if she was to survive here.

"Half a day," Jor said, turning to her, "If we travel at a good pace."

He then blinked as he turned, suddenly finding himself face-to-face with Lira, their noses barely an inch apart. Jor drew away from the awkward position, then strangely regretted his recoil. His betrothed was easy on the eyes, no doubt. And he had only known her for a few hours, but Jor didn't mind being close to her, able to feel her breath and find the flecks in her eyes. Clearing his throat, Jor made an effort to move those thoughts aside.

"You gaze upon Heorot. My family's ancestral mountain, empty for generations, but now there is life in it again," Jor answered her, echoes of hope and yearning apparent in his voice.

Heorot did not match the days of old yet, for it was not teeming with as much life and activity as it once had in the days of yore, but it was a start.

"I know camping in the toxic sands of Kalevala is nearly impossible, but have you spent an evening in the wilderness anywhere else?" Jor said, already walking at a brisk pace through the snow with the rucksack slung across his back.

 

[Lira Kros]

“Heorot,” Lira repeated, committing this name to memory. Alor Kvall's tone conveyed just how important this mountain truly was. Fixing Jor in a sidelong glance, it was easy to see the determination in his eyes. An empty mountain stronghold, now a home for Clan Kvall once more. Though she hadn't know [member="Jor Kvall"] for very long, she had a feeling that he would restore Heorot to its former glory.

As she gazed at the Alor, she even wished to help him do so.

Lira's brows arched slightly at the mention of camping. Unlike many, she had not had many opportunities to leave Kalevala. It felt silly to admit, but she was something of a simple woman. She only hoped that he wouldn't think less of her for it.

“I haven't camped in the wilderness before,” She answered, trying to match Jor's quick pace. “My father did. He was able to travel at will, but I kept to my duties at home.”

Someone had to look after the others in the Alor's absence, especially when Talos Kros had the tendency to go missing for periods of time. Lira wondered how they would get on without her now.

“Do you do much camping here on Krownest, out in the cold and snow?” Lira canted her head to the side, “There is game to hunt, isn't there?” The tall trees and mountain landscape made her think of hares and other woodland creatures, but she was sure that there ought to be larger game here as well. Perhaps it would be fun to hunt.

 

[Jor Kvall]

Jor offered [member="Lira Kros"] a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. You will learn."

Continuing to walk ahead at a brisk pace, Jor's boots sloshed through the heavy snow beneath. He did not think less of Lira for not being far-travelled. Clan Kros, like his own, had deep roots, which was something to be respected. But Lira would have to adapt to her new environment all the same. Jor knew he was walking briskly, and if he continued at this pace, Heorot would be reachable by nightfall. He would make an effort to slow down soon though, so that they could pitch camp before dusk. He would enjoy the journey rather than thirst for the destination.

"I travel up and down the mountain every day, when I can," Jor said. This by itself would be a six mile journey. "It keeps me fit, and I can visit the village at the base of the mountain. There is plenty of game in the forests and rivers nearby. Why, are you interested in hunting?"

As they continued and dusk rapidly approached, Jor reached into his rucksack for the shovel inside. He would need it to dig through the snow momentarily, as they approached the beginning of the forested area that flecked the base of the mountain with tall pines. He turned to Lira.

"It may not be like home, but the air here is fresh and pure. Unlike our old Kalevala," He said, with a smile. "There is a comfort to the simpler life here. It binds us, makes us stronger. Elevates our times of rest and joy. I'm glad you came, Lira."

 

[Lira Kros]

Lira nodded, returning Jor's smile with one of her own. She gave her thermal cloak a firm tug, and held it close around her form. Listening to the sound of their boots in the snow, Lira continued to observe the wilds of Krownest with interest. It was very different here, but she already liked the tall trees. Fit as she was, snow travel was proving to be quite tiring. Still, the mountain of Heorot loomed in the distance, waiting.

“Really?” She glanced at Jor, brows arched. “Perhaps I shall join you on your daily walk.” Lira smiled, though she had not yet traveled the way herself yet. “I am interesting in hunting, yes. I'm good with a bow, there's something very appealing about the old ways to me.”

The sky above began to grow darker, Lira walked closer to [member="Jor Kvall"] without even realizing it. She was relieved when his pace slowed, and she grew curious as she watched him pull a shovel from the rucksack. Lira found Jor's blue eyes as he turned, and his words warmed her heart. He knew what home was to Lira, that meant quite a lot. And Lira felt better knowing that he welcomed her presence at his side.

“Are we camping tonight?” She asked, stepping closer. “I can think of no better way to spend my first night on Krownest. With the wilderness, with the snow, and,” Lira's gaze softened. “With you.”

Rather than become overly mushy, Lira grinned. “Now, show me what needs to be done.”

 

[Jor Kvall]

The clouds swirled around Heorot, the jagged peak looming closer with every footstep before hiding behind the jagged arms of trees. Jor knew these woods well now; although his time on Krownest had been short thus far compared to Kalevala, he had staked out nearly every mile of his family's once and future domain. He wanted to know each tree and rock better than the palm of his own hand. Heorot was already a strong defensive position, but with complete knowledge of his surroundings, Jor could make himself and his House nigh impenetrable in their ancestral domain.

He thought about spending his time hiking every day with [member="Lira Kros"]. He had never considered having a companion for his journeys until she mentioned it, and the thought made him realize that he had not yet considered the impact of what had happened on this whirlwind of a day. Did he even want a companion? His life had been an exercise in solemn solitude, from his journey to serve with the Death Watch up until the point his father let go of his mortal coil, leaving Jor once again alone, this time at the reigns of a tribe. He had managed up to this point by himself, and had supposed himself happy -- though perhaps that was out of necessity rather than desire. He had never allowed himself to consider his own desires, aside from a few fleeting whims of lust on far-off planets. Only now, as he trudged through the snow with Lira at his side, did he think about what it would really be like to have a wife. Jor turned to her, being met with her snowy beauty that already seemed to match the landscape of Krownest. There was no question that this woman was blood of his blood. And despite being given no choice in the matter, she wanted to please him. Perhaps two was indeed better than one.

"I would like it if you joined me," He replied to her with a smile.

It was time to build camp for the evening. Jor began digging with his shovel, carving through tufts of snow until bare dirt was revealed underneath. He would continue to move his shovel around, slowly clearing away the snow from a small area at the base of the nearest tree.

"We need firewood. And branches about yea big," Jor said to Lira, holding his arms out and gesticulating the size he was looking for. "They need to be large enough to support other branches on top of them. Can you collect some?"

 

[Lira Kros]

Lira watched as [member="Jor Kvall"] began to dig, the spade piercing snowy ground and turning it over until there was rich soil. Her head canted to the side ever slightly. The Alor clearly knew what he was doing, so she would follow his lead. Lashes fluttered quickly as he spoke, asking for firewood and branches, Lira realized then that she'd been staring. A hand rose to the side of her face, and she tucked a few strands behind her ear, hoping that he hadn't noticed her eyes upon him.

“Firewood,” She repeated, and held her arms out just as Jor had. “Branches, yea big. Certainly. I'll be back shortly.”

A flicker of a sheepish smile appeared on her face, but she soon turned away to set to work. Lira made sure her cloak was fastened securely and set off into the woods. Reaching down, her hand slid over the curve of her hip, where there was normally a hunting knife to be found.

“Ah, blast...” She muttered, breath showing on the cold air. Lira's weaponry was back on Kalevala, she sent a small glance over her shoulder in Jor's direction, but she pressed on. First, she began to gather an assortment of smaller branches to start a fire, and then slightly larger branches to build their fire a foundation that would burn longer.

Once her arms were full, she returned momentarily to the Alor and set the wood on the ground. He was making progress, she could see. But she was swift about moving back into the woods to look for the larger branches he'd specified. Absently, she began to pile branches on the ground next to her. Lira brought her hands up to her mouth and blew into her palms, they were freezing.

Her eyes found the mountain peak in the distance. Lira wondered if she would be happy here. She couldn't say for sure, but when she thought of Jor there was a definite warmth in her chest that she couldn't deny.

Lifting the pile of logs at one end, she let their ends drag through the snow, marking the ground as she made her way back to Alor Kvall. “Will these do?” She asked upon her return.