The Winter kingdom

Version 2.0

The interior of the farmhouse enveloped them, the air carrying the scent of burning wood from the crackling fireplace, as the floorboards creaked under their feet.

As they settled in, each found themselves surrounded by furniture that, while functional, was designed for people slightly larger than them. The chairs and tables, hewn from solid wood, boasted scratches and dents acquired over years of use. The room itself felt expansive, as they felt like little kids in their parents' home.

Despite the wear and tear, there was a comforting charm to the place. The mismatched patterns of worn-out rugs adorned the creaky wooden floor, and the walls, adorned with simple but faded decorations of past kills, some worn armour, and simple carvings.

"So, you've come here looking for a child of the forest then. Well, you're not going to find it here, and I'm not going to help you look for it. So, what do you want," he grumbled with a low rumble.

"Well, we were wondering if you have seen it," Jon said. "It's traveling with a group of ice spiders. We believe that they might be conducting some kind of ritual and need a pair of humans for it. We need to track and find out what it is doing and how it relates to everything that is happening of late."

The giant man stared at the group for a moment, nonchalantly, his eyes assessing them. "I don't go out much these days, so no, I have not seen anything like that. But if it's looking for humans, your best bet is east of here. That's where most of this village went when they left, heading towards the sea, hoping it will sustain them."

"Why didn't you go with them?" Jocelyn asked.

Lyanna, intervened, "Jocelyn, what have I told you about asking rude questions? Apologies, we mean no offense."

The man just shrugged his shoulders and offered a gruff response, "You can stay the night, but you should be gone by the first light."

He proceeded to get up and return to what he was working on before the travellers disturbed him—a miniaturized wooden wolf slowly taking shape under his skilled hands.

With a home offered to the travellers, they settled in, taking warmth from the fire and savouring the smell of a welcoming home. While they made themselves comfortable, Jocelyn couldn't resist her curiosity and nosiness, exploring the house to get a glimpse of the giant man's life.

The farmhouse appeared to consist of only two main sections, with a central dining/living room and a side room hosting two beds all in an open space. Despite the simplicity, there was an abundance of furniture, mostly aged with occasional repairs here and there.

While Jocelyn busied herself snooping around, Lyanna's curiosity was more directed towards understanding the man who lived there.

"Thank you for letting us stay here. Sorry, I don't think we got your name," Lyanna asks. He looks up, and everyone else expresses their gratitude.

"Name's Hother," he says, unbothered, as he returns to his carving.

"That's a nice wolf, for anyone special."

"Thanks, I put a lot of effort into them."

"You've got a lot of scars. Where did you fight?"

"You're very curious, aren't you, just like your friend," he says, finally looking up from his carving and towards Jocelyn, who has been caught snooping underneath the second bed. She hears it and quickly puts back what she had picked up, smiling sweetly at Hother, though he seems to care little.

"Did you fight for some of those Kings around? My dad said that they claiming themselves kings of their land."

"If you say so," he said, going back to his carving. Lyanna just gives a slight smile as a light huff before leaving Hother.

The massive man seemed unfazed, sleeping peacefully through the hours. The group, respectful of the man's space, hurriedly packed their belongings as dawn approached, guided to the door by their taciturn host.

"Apologies for disturbing your day, and I'm sorry for your loss," Lyanna offered as they prepared to leave.

The man turned his head toward her, a silent inquiry etched on his face.

"You have two beds—one pristine, regularly cared for, and quite small. I assume it belongs to someone younger than you, perhaps your child or a relative. There are wooden toys beneath it, the same kind you were carving," she explained.

His face remained stoic as he glanced between Lyanna and Jocelyn. "Sisters, then," he replied, seemingly indifferent to their curiosity.

As the group exited the farmhouse, he spoke again. "It was my son. He died before I could get back to him."

Lyanna looks into Hother's eyes. "And do you think he would be proud of what you have become after his death?" Her words lingered, as he stared into the distance for a while before retreating into his dwelling.

As the group began to walk, Brandon sidled up beside Lyanna.

"I thought you said it was rude to get into someone's life like that, Lyanna. Hypocritical, don't you think?" he asked.

"That's only for Jocelyn, she gets too noisy for her own good, beside I understand Hother," she responded.

"After a single day?"

"You can understand someone through how they live. He's a man that lost everything dear to him and is just living out his life now. I mean, look at his farmhouse; it is falling apart, and all the other villagers left, but he stayed. Parts of his house are a bit of a tip, yet others are pristine, like the kids' bed, the other side of his bed, and the dining area. Places where a family rests and gathers."

"Impressive," Edric complimented from behind the pair.

"Thanks," Lyanna said, glancing towards him.

"And the comment at the end?" Brandon inquired.

"He needed to get his life back on track."

"And not because you were noisy?" Jon smiled.

"Yer sis, I thought you said it was rude," Jocelyn chimed in.

"It is when you do it, sis; you have no tack," she said, smiling at her, while Jocelyn scrunched up her face before sticking out her tongue.

As the group ventured through the snow plains, the landscape stretched out in vast, serene beauty. The snow-covered ground glistened under the sunlight, and the air carried a crisp, invigorating chill. The plains seemed endless, interrupted only by the occasional gentle rise or depression in the terrain.

Upon reaching the eastern edge, the snow plains transitioned into a stunning coastal view. They approached the beach; the distant sounds of crashing waves reached their ears along with the calls of seagulls. The beach, a strip of frozen sand, revealed a multitude of seals dotted the icy waters near the shore, their sleek bodies breaking through the surface as they navigated the frigid sea. The occasional whale spout punctuated the horizon.

Far into the distance, on the horizon where sea and sky converged, lay a massive island. Its sheer magnificence stood out against the vast expanse of the ocean. The island, resembling a colossal spear tip emerging from the water, sloped gently upwards, gradually transforming into a singular, towering peak.

The island's shores were embraced by the gentle lapping of ocean waves, leaving a halo of white foam along its base. As the land ascended, it formed a lush and verdant landscape, with large swaths of the land-covered dark rock it created an imposing view. Trees, their foliage a mosaic of vibrant hues, dotted the lower slopes.

Continuing their journey along the coastline, the distant silhouette of a village gradually came into view.

Nestled against the icy landscape, the coastal village emanated a sense of peace. The buildings, constructed with sturdy materials to withstand the biting cold, huddled together in a protective cluster.

The village's main trade, evident from the gear strewn about and the smell of blubber in the air, was centred around whale and seal hunting. Large, weathered boats, equipped with harpoons and other hunting tools, were anchored along the frozen shoreline. The scent of blubber processing and the rhythmic sounds of work resonated through the village.

Despite the harsh conditions, the community displayed signs of life and activity. Smoke spiralled from chimneys, and people moved purposefully about their daily tasks.

"Well, we have found human life," Jon says.

"And hopeful this child of the forest."

"And Ice spiders," Jocelyn says.

"I don't understand why you like them so much," Lyanna says.

"I just think that they are cool." She says whilst the group makes it into the village.