The Heathen

After her first memories, Aos couldn't remember much. She had been forced to be in her families tent for both her frail nature as a baby and the harsh unrelenting cold outside.

The few details she could remember had become well ingrained into her memory such as the name of her mother, Brenna, and the name of her father, Asger. She had been born in a good period. Her nomadic clan had settled down for the winter waiting for the most severe parts of the season to pass.

Only a few times had she heard the name of her clan. Every time she heard it, it was said with proud vigor and respect. The Fervir Clan was proud and powerful. They had been shaped by their harsh environment and their will to survive. They roamed the northern mountain range since before their spoken histories began.

Over the past few years, other than her parents there had been an old frail man who visited Aos. He would come and go once every few weeks. The old man always hobbled towards Aos with something resembling a large wooden staff with runes etched far into the wood.

When the old man reached Aos, his hand would slowly extend over Aos' eyes. Aos would feel a very sharp pain behind her eyes and the pain in one solid yet quick wave would spread to every corner of her body. She had asked her parents several times what the pain was but they always dodged the question never answering her.

In this pattern, days would turn to weeks and soon to months. The long winter that seemed unending eventually broke and the snow would lesson to manageable levels.

On one eventful morning, Aos heard a loud and deep horn signaling the clan that it was once again time to return to their nomadic travels.

Over the months that Aos had been living inside of her family tent, she had always wanted to explore yet was restrained due to the weather. She would finally be able to see her people and the land.

In the following minutes Aos' father, Asger walked into the tent and as Aos was visibly exciting shambling around the room with what seemed like limitless energy he warned Aos, "Be careful. The outside is very dangerous and is packed with vicious beasts. Stay close to the Clan. It's the only way to stay safe..."