Summer Solstice [Part I]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Midvinter​

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Himmeldal

It was the solstice, the arrival of the thaw had heralded the renewal of the land. He had not been back to Midvinter since the war on the Vinterbound and the subsequent events that surrounded that. So much had changed, not only for the planet and it's people, but for him too. Théo no longer the young man full of confusion about the way of the galaxy or himself for that matter, and although he had come to terms with the death of his grandfather, he had not with the new King. That was for another day, that would need to be faced in time. So no one knew he had returned home, not even his sister Mysa nor the rest, but that was the way of it.

A small ship he had acquired from the manifest of the Sanctum touched down on the the slope near Himmeldal, the Heavenshield home whist on Midvinter, it had been some time since he had played in the fields of snow around the home, but that is not his purpose nor his will any more, they are but childish games to him now. It felt strange in a way, looked upon the land he loves so much, that he had lost a connection to it, and by his coming home he hoped to renew that as well. Ah, but there is too much of the Valkyri blood in him to be denied, and when his feet touched the cold earth, it was like he lived again.

The field of white flowers spread out across the grassy slope, they are mother's favourite and he could see why. They are of delicate petal and a strong scent that intruded one senses without invitation, they had graced her hair on the day she married his father, they are a summer bloom to give hope in a place of isolation high up here in the cradle of the mountain range. Danger is always in the sky, the clouds that float by either deem to pass or stay awhile and unload their laden bounty of ice. Théo looked up to them, a high wind pushing them beyond and over the range, it is summer and no snow threatens the visit.

But he is not here for recreation, although that will come but more for a purpose and it is time to get to work.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He did not enter the house, but rather walked around it until he found the small path that lead up higher into the mountain. Himmeldal is cradled between two rangers protected as best it can be by the location, but as a child Théo had explored the area well enough and knew of a place within the rocky out crop that would suit his purpose. It would only take him twenty minutes to reach the location, his legs pumping and pushing against the ground to pull his body up the steep slope, before he vanished from sight behind the large boulder. The high wind in the mountain tugged at his clothes, Valkyri leathers and black fur, even in summer this planet is cold at least in the mountains.

With a good healthy packet of credits in his bank account earned from work salvaging with the Dashiells, he had acquired items off world to trade for resources here on Midvinter, nothing unique or foreign to them, but would serve a good purpose to the people. He had hired labour to bring the resources up here, and to a smith he had commissioned the forging of a large metal disk, slightly concave with the workings and markings of the Valkyri inlaid upon the surface. That disk and the wood he needed all gathered and ready for him to begin.

His hand reached out to touch the disk, it was perfect for what he had wanted, the cold metal bit his skin and he could feel the ridges of the design under his touch. A smile lit his face, this would do greatly. He pulled off his fur and laid it over a rock before grabbing his black leather gloves to being. The foundation of this building already set, the base of it to be the stone of the mountain. The design of the build was formed in his mind, all he had to do was build it.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

After measuring the area of the floor, hammering in the pegs for the guide ropes, Theo picked up the shovel. He would dig the holes for the stumps and supporting poles before the base of the house would begin, this was going to be long and hard work and already he felt the sweat building on his body. Although the day is not hot, the sun beats down on him, providing him with company as well as warmth. He raised his arm to look toward it, eyes shielded by the shadow his arm provided and he smiled. "Sun God indeed", he spoke aloud to it, his 'grandfather'. "Did you ever dig a hole in your life?, I bet you didn't", strong muscular arms rammed the shovel into the soil once more, before his foot pushed it deeper, with a grin on his face. "[member="Thurion Heavenshield"], master builder, my old man! at least he knows a good hole when he sees one".

This job alone would take Theo the best part of the day, and now as the Sun traveled toward the west, he had shed his shirt and worked onward bare chested, sweat and dirt colouring his body. A hand raised to rub the back of his neck, not out of awkwardness but to rub away the stiffness as he stretched his back. The body of a man works the soil, lean, shaped and strong. It was time for a break, and Theo rested the shovel by the rocks and took up his water bladder while perched high on the boulder with one leg bent. His eyes looked down into the valley in which their home is nestled, nothing for miles it seemed save for ranges capped with forever snow. It is so peaceful up here, he could see why mother had chosen the location yet he suspected it had more to do with the flowers.

Theo raised the water bladder to his lips and took a large belly full of it, even allowed some to spill down his chin and run down his chest to cool off. He took in a deep breath, and expel his lungs with satisfaction. With the rest he felt energized again, but turned where he sat and looked behind him up to the tip of the mountain. "I never did get up to the top, tell me grandfather .. what lay on the other side?". The other side of the mountain? He grinned at the thought. The adventurous boy was still alive and well and one day he would climb up there and see for himself. He had never been east, only as fair as Himmeldal, and the explorer, the Valkyri was stirring inside him.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Well these poles with not jump into the ground on their own accord", he said to the Sun and placed aside his water bladder. Théo jumped down off the large rock and wiped his hands of dirt on his work trousers. He would not use the force to place each one in position, he wanted to build this workshop through the sweat and muscle of his own physical ability. There is nothing like good hard labour to strengthen the body, and mind and the sense of reward at the end of it, priceless. Firstly, he would position the stumps, in each of the holes there is a strong base of rocks for the stumps to sit on before securing them in place by replacing the dirt around them. They are set deep in the ground and directly below them is the hard rock of the mountain. The walls and structure of the building would indeed be strong.

The day was growing long now, the sun starting it's final descent over the distant horizon and long shadows cast across the field of white flowers. They have closed their petals for the night and will open once more on the coming of the Dawn. Once the last of the stumps had been secured, Théo stood up and looked to his handy work, he was pleased with the day effort, but tomorrow he would position the support poles to hold up the roof and it's beams. There was going to be greater work, he would need to rig up lifting pulleys and pivots on the hoists. The large long poles weigh over a ton each, even he is not strong enough to lift those on his own.

Théo gathered his discarded shirt and jacket, threw them over his shoulder and started the climb back down the slope toward Himmeldal. The air is much colder of an evening, the bit of it began to cool his hot body and as the sun dipped below the horizon, "Good night grandfather, see you in the morning". He smiled as he reached the door of his home, it felt good to be able to say that, even though anyone watching him would think he run mad. He chuckled to himself at the very thought.

He pushed open the back door and entered into a dark cold house. The very first thing to do was to set the fires going, in the kitchen and the main living room. It would take hours for the entire house to warm up, and feed into the upper level where the bedrooms are, so Théo decided to spend the night in the main room. Once the fires had started he would cook his meal soon enough but first he needed to wash his body. And he knew just the place for that.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

To the side of the house on the lower level, is a hot spring in which the family can come and wash and relax. Mother and father had used this place many times to heal their hearts and bodies from war, and no doubt in the future Théo would do the same, but this evening he would wash a hard day's toiling off his body. On his way to the springs, he stopped by the kitchen and took a piece of meat out of the cooler, solid as a rock and set it aside to thaw. This might need a little help through the force to do so, as on Midvinter even in summer thawing meat could take days, and his stomach could not wait that long.

The hot spring which is fed into the pool from a fissure in the ground and springs up from the bowels of the mountains, bubble away gently and formed a soft mist across the surface. It is open to the outside today, and around the edges is a thin layer of snow from a dump a couple of days ago. Even in summer it is not unheard off for snow.

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Théo peeled off his clothes, until he stood stark naked on the edge of the pool before climbing in. The cold air hit his body like a whip but soon he had entered the hot water and sat on a stone beneath the surface. He rested his back and allowed his body to sink slowly into the water, and as he did so the aches and tired limbs relished the healing touch. He did not stop until completely submerged, his long black curling hair splayed out around his head and all the sweat and dirt lifted from his skin. It felt so good, so soothing that he almost fell asleep right there and then.

He stay for as long as possible, before the need to take breath urged him out and when he did his skin was pink from the sudden change in temperature on his skin. He remained resting there for hours and allowed his thoughts to take him where they may. It was nice to be alone with ones thoughts .. especially if those thoughts are of something and someone pleasant to his heart.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He opened his eyes only to find that night had descended on Midvinter. Something scurried in the night among the rock nearby but did not intrude on his repose, he could sense the creature snuffling about for food before darting off to higher ground. There was the call of the night birds in the distance, down in the valley beyond the twin ranges, which sounded like a cry of the gods themselves, as if seeking a lost stranger. The night air is much colder and bit his exposed skin and it was time to return to the warmth of the house. Theo climbed out of the pool, the water streaming off his tight lean body onto the rocky surface, a few step found his white towel which he wrapped around his waist and secured it in place. Stepping back inside and to the warmth of the hearth, he ran his fingers through his long black hair as if to comb it with them.

A kettle was placed over the flames to boil the water for a brew, before he padded to the kitchen to prepare the meat for his meal. Long skewers hung over the bench along the wall, he grabbed one and pierced the meat through the center of the piece, laid it on the bench and seasoned it with salt and herbs. Satisfied with his preparations he carried the meat back to the main room and placed the skewers on their holds to begin the roast.

Still dressed only in his towel, Theo leaned back, cocked up one leg while resting his arm on his knee and watched the flame lick the raw flesh, before the fat began to drip into the fire. It had been some time since he had been alone, not since Nar Shaddaa living in those horrible quarters at the back of the Pub. That placed did not afford him any repose, every night ones nerves were on edge and alert to dangers that threatened the door at any moment. He had had no time to think, not until he reached Kashyyyr and took himself off into the forest, but here he could rest at ease. Nothing but the winds and wilds for company ...

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Leaning forward, Théo basted the meat in it's own juices, the hiss from the fire immediate as he turned the skewer around the cook the other side. Sitting back, he reached for his tankard of honey mead and took a large gulp with a satisfied release of breath. One might think that he would sit contemplating his grandfather, but no, he had rested his own soul with the fact that he was gone. Théo missed him of course, of but he no longer kept the sadness dwelling there in his heart. It was odd, he felt kind of empty without it, all the suffering of grief had slowly melted away and left him with nothing to feel, nothing had replaced the sadness.

Not much had happened on Midvinter since that day, and the crowning of his uncle, save for the rebuilding of the Tháinbroek and it's walls. The rebuilding of lives shattered by it, families busying themselves for gathering goods and food for the next winter, kept themselves busy in order to try and forget their grief. They would never forget ... not when they continue to expect their front door to open and see their loved ones walk through it. The cloud of sorrow still hung over this fair land. Tháinbroek would never be the same again, not like the time before.

Some things are lost, some things will remain the same. It was time to move on.

Half twisting his body, Théo put his tankard on the a small table by the side of the sofa on which his back rested. He gathered his plate and carving knife and cut a thick piece of roasted meat for himself, no vegetables or salad, he could not have been bothered with it. But as he did, the juices oozed with the rarity of it, just the way he liked his meat. Blue.

Once dinner had been completed, he pushed his plate away on the floor and now with full stomach and the day's work Théo was tired. He stood up and threw away the towel from his waist, gathered the furs and laid on the sofa which would be his bed tonight. He felt great, tired from physical activity and little else to plague his mind, he drift to sleep and would sleep soundly for the first time since the war.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He had awoken before the rise of the Dawn, and dressed. The want for food first thing had not taken his body, but he did prepare a bag to take with him up to the site. But before he would go there was something he needed to do, that was more important to him. Grabbing his fur coat and slinging it around his broad shoulders, Théo stepped outside the front door, into the cold dark morning. They say it is coldest just before the Dawn, and whoever they are, are right. A chill ran through his body, coming from the warmth of the house into the biting cold, yet it did not worry him much. He needed no light to 'see' his path or direction, he knew that well enough by now, and soon he found himself in the field of white flowers and sat on the ground to wait.

He sits face east.

The first sign of the coming Dawn was the sound of the avian. A gentle song rolled up from the valleys below, a cry of a large bird cut the silence crisp on the air. Although he would not see the Sun for some time, the light of the Dawn began to colour the morning sky. A soft yellowish light broke the darkness, glowing around the edge of the mountain directly east. No warmth bathed him, that would come, but the white flowers in the field in which he sat began to open their petals and soak in the light of day. It was a marvel, a sight one would not forget having witnessed. Théo smiled, the Sun God is coming.

In a land of fire and ice.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZXlQlDsSuI​

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Having greeted his grandfather this morning, Théo stood up grabbed his bag and began the climb to the site. A long day ahead of him, filled with much toiling but each day would be one step closer to his goal, a new path for him to tread not only as a man, but as a Jedi. Although he enjoyed his own company, that only lasted a certain time and now this morning he wanted for the quiet serene words of another dear to him. But where was she? He only allowed her into his mind for a moment, this distraction as much as pleasant as it was, needed to be removed if he was to fulfill today's work. Besides, it only served to make his heart ache.

Upon arriving, he put down his bag and took off his fur coat, it was time to rig the hoist and get to work.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

With bent back, Théo pulled on the rope. A leather cloth rested on his shoulder to stop the rope burning his skin, his black leather gloves saved his hands from being ripped to shreds but nothing would stop the burning in this limbs and lower back. His muscles screamed with the build up of lactic acid, his shoulder blades protesting the exertion and his skin flecked with red patches of blood rising through the layers, but little by little, the last of the support poles is moved into place. He had little energy left, but enough to set in place the final stage. The hoist sat in position and with the rope now secured to one end of the pole, the pulled yet again until it rose up on an angle and dropped into the hole in the ground.

Each one of the support poles was secured in place until such time as he was sure they are firm and stable in the ground. It was only now that this phase of construction had been completed did he allow himself to stop work, and he collapsed on his back on the ground. He laid there motionless for some time, unable to move even if he wanted too, but he opened his eyes to the sky to see the Sun directly overhead and beaming down upon his body. His bare skin drenched in sweat suddenly felt cold as his body cooled, but with shallow breath he would enjoy the moment. Now he could see why his father, [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], loved this so much but what he would give to have his father's strength of arm here now to help him. The feeling of achievement and exercise for the body, helped the mind and soul. The rewarding feeling of doing this without the use of the force or by another's hands was tenfold.

Théo turned his head to the side and his eyes found the bag full of food, it was time to take a break and provide the body with much needed energy, but the only thing able to be lifted now was his head, try as he might, he could not move the body off the ground. He smiled at this weakness before laughing only weakening him further, "You going to help me Sun God?", as if to answer him, a dark cloud glided in front of the sun and vanished. Rain began to fall, a summer shower which wet his sweaty tired body. "Great! thanks for that".

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Eventually Theo exacted himself out of the mud and rolled to the side to push himself up off the ground. He grabbed his bag and found some shelter in the form of an overhanging rock and sat to eat hoping this would give him back some energy. He could see the site from where he sat, the next job to be completed would be the flooring bearings and joists, and lay the boards. The wall frames and roof next, but before that he would have to secure in the disk he had custom fashioned for himself, that was heavy and large and would need lifting into position before the wall could go up. Else he would never get it inside.

He pushed his back to the surface of the rock face behind him, the cold of the stone enough to wake his sense more, but the food helped greatly and he could feel his strength returning. Although a nap would be nice. He poked his head out from under the lip of the rock and looked to the sky, the cloud that had dumped its watery load had passed, drifting onto pastures unknown, replenishing and renewing the land. The warmth of the sun had returned and bare chested, Theo crawled out and stood to stretch his back, now caked with dried mud, chunks of it lifted from his skin and fell to the ground.

Theo threw away the remainder of his lunch, no doubt some small scurrying creature would find it and run off with the prize, he brushed his hands against his trousers and decided to get back to work. And by the end of the day the bearings had been laid and secured as well as the floor joists. A good solid hard days work had been completed, and Theo walked back to Himmeldal trying to pick out wood splinters from his fingers with his teeth. His body not a exhausted as yesterday, physically growing accustom to the exercise but still he would sleep well tonight, after a good meal to fill his belly.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Midvinter Solstice​

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The day of the Solstice had arrived. This morning would be a grand day for Théo, and one in which he could take much pleasure in viewing the arrival of. It would be the first Solstice that his grandfather would oversee, strange how that all turned out, but this day would be when his grandfather was at his most powerful. Théo wondered what his father thought about this, about what the elder had said and described his father to be. Did [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] believe? would he sense the coming day? Théo was uncertain himself, even though the Gods had spoken to him on that horrid day, but would they grant such high station to one as mortal as his grandpapa? They are but their own power and so anything was possible. He liked to think that Thrand now watched over them all, it gave Théo much heart to believe this.

Although he wanted to get on with the construction of the workshop, today would be a day off. Instead, Théo had packed a bag will food and water, some rope and climbing hooks to prepared to leave and climb the mountain to the east. This morning when it comes, he will witness the rise of the Dawn from the peak of the mountain, watch as the golden light bathed the lands in it's glory and bring good hope to those that see it. The sun god would nourish the crops with it's goodness to provide what is needed to his people so they may survive the coming winter with food aplenty. Would they know? would the Valkyri stop this day in pause of remembrance of their King? He ventured to think that some would, those that had heard the words of the elder might heed them. But no matter, his grandson would, now and forever more.

Théo dressed in his black leather jerkin and trousers, it was the same he wore the day they set fire to the funeral pyre and watched as his beloved Thrand was sent to the Hall of the Gods. He grabbed his gloves and fur in preparation to leave.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Cold hands set in leather gloves gripped the rock above his head, pulling his weight up equally pushing with his feet, the climb continued. Buffeted by the strong wind high in the mountain, flecks of ice cut his cheeks and specks of blood froze solid before it had the chance to run. There is no guide rope, no second to look on for safety sake this is pure determination with goal set and Will be done, stubborn as his mother. His head turns upward, to find the next hold before his arm swings to grab on, with momentum Theo swings across the face of the rock until he reaches the foot hold on a small ledge, so respite for moment before the climb begins again.

It is a good thing to reach the top, every fibre of your being burning with pain of the exertion but scream in joy for it and the achievement heady to the mind. He stands grinning like a kid once more, and it seems odd that now he can't move as he stands on the flat ridge on the peak. There is no effort here now, to walk as normal yet for moment he cannot. Theo allows his shoulders to slump and his bag falls away from his shoulder to the ground in a thud, he leaves it where it sits and walked to the edge facing east, his feet crunching on the ever snow on the cap.

He looks out on a most extraordinary view, a horse shoe formation of rock and in the center a pinnacle, most likely once the core of a volcano and between a cleft the first rays of the Dawn begin to appear. And he watches ...

Pale blue is the morning sky, taking over the darkness and lighting the land beyond the horizon. Theo's gaze falls upon the east, he can see forever beyond the deep valley below, to another range not a high as that in which he stands, but long and as he follows the range it vanishes into the distance, north to south. As the sun beings a higher journey, he turns in a complete circle taking in everything around him, the valley below now far away and Himmeldal but a dot, Thainbroek nowhere to be see. North facing, the ranges stretch below his feet, primordial peak cut the sky line and head toward the land of the Vinterbound or so they say. And yet his heart aches for the east, to take a journey to know his land, in it's entirety. One day ...

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

The first sign of the God of Light appeared over the far horizon in the form of a golden glow that bled into the blue before the beginnings of the sun peaked up bright and piercing to the eyes. Light cast across the lands and filtered up into the mountain range on which Théo stood, he sucked in a deep breath filling his chest to capacity and allowed the light to wash over his face and body. The warmth of the sun prickled his skin, and filled him with a sense of hope in renewal like the strong arms of someone hold him with love, his grandpapa's arm. Théo could almost hear his grandpapa's chuckle and he smiled.

The snow in the valley below sparkled as did the snow on the peak around his feet, and he raised his arms until outstretched to embrace the new day. Alone up here, as far as he knew, save for a few mountain creatures, he had the sudden urge to voice his joy. Filling his lungs to capacity, he let out a loud bellow that echoed down the mountains and bounced back to him. This action startled some avian deep in the valley which set to flight and he laughed.

And so Théo spent the best part of the morning high on the peak before he decided to return to Himmeldal. The climb down more easy in part yet on occasion he had to take care of his footing but by the time the Sun had reached it's zenith, Théo walked the path back to his home. The summer solstice would always be a day in which to celebrate, for him at least and the night was yet to come in which he would hunt and feast for the God of Light.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Night fell ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0PvZGVPiJU&list=PLkLimRXN6NKw5fGiFWzRXtAXFf2XjIbPl​

And below in the valley shrouded in tall pine, Théo hunted. Dressed in nothing more then a leather loin cloth to hide modesty, and his body and hair coated in a thick layer of pig fat to hide his natural scent, to hide his pale skin dirt and grim sticks to the grease, he treads the forest floor light of foot. For one as big as he is now, he still holds the skill of the hunt, each foot fall placed deliberately carefully not the make a sound of a twig snap to startle prey. There would be no use of the Force on this hunt, at least to the best of his ability, yet his senses are on high alert as there is not only boar on Midvinter that pose a threat and danger to him.

The forest is alive with life tonight, the moon sitting high in the sky full sending streams of white light through the pine tops and blanketing the forest floor in a dull grey hew. There are many small creatures at home in the darkness foraging and paying him no attention, holding no fear of his presences .. they know they are not his target. The sound of a avian high on the branch calls to it's mate yet all the while it's head turns almost completely full circle to watch him pass by. How strange these creatures be that walk the earth with wood and metal, for many a years has he seen them hunt this way. Wings span and lift it's body off the branch as it sores through the night air downward with talons pushed forward and open and in the blink of an eye it takes hold of a small rodent and carries it away.

Théo moves behind a cluster of brush, beyond it his quarry snuffling in the ground at the base of a tree. The male boar is large, they grow big on Midvinter, with tusks long and sharp enough to ripped the gut out of a man. His raises both his arms, holding the bow before him, the arrow head nocked and as he pulls back slowly on the string it creaks under the tension. Yet, the boar unaware of him lifts it's vast head eyes darting around the forest to keep vigil of any approaching predators but finding none resumes his foraging. Théo pauses .. one foot lifting placed behind the other to side step, his body shifting to transfer weight so slowly it is almost unseen. His eyes firmly fixed on the boar, he looks down the line of sight along the arrow's shaft, the tension if the string almost ripping the flesh off his fingers commanding to be let fly.

It would be denied no long .. the arrow propelled forward, the air of the night bit the fletch as it hissed through the air.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Gnarling teeth bared and bit down the shaft of the arrow, the boar trying to rid itself of the pain and the arrow head, yet it could not. The arrow had struck the hind of the boar and sunk deep into it's flesh, not a fatal strike and all this achieved was to make the porcine angry. A low bellowing roar left it's mouth out of anger and fear, it's lungs puffing out large volumes of air which formed into hot mist seen on the rays of the moon. The boars vast head turned in the direction from which the offending arrow came from, and found the silhouetted figure of a man preparing to nock another arrow.

Running on pure instinct the boar charged toward Théo, fighting through the pain to get to him and kill him as the fear of death propelled it faster. The ground covered between the two was impressive and the feet dug into the soil and before Théo could let fly the next arrow, the boar was ascending on him. There was no time for the bow, no time or space to prepare, so Théo threw it away and reached for his knife which had remained tied to his loin cloth. The boar only had one thing on it's mind, to take revenge for the pain and probable death from the injury and when it reached but a meter from him the boar leaped upward lifting it's large body off the ground with such strength and deft aim.

The impact of the two bodies was bone crunching knocking out the wind in Théo's lungs as he hit the ground on his back with the boar on top of him. He grabbed for the shoulders of the boar pushing it back so the gnashing teeth would not be able to rip his throat. Long large tusks only inches away from his face dripped with saliva and froth, eyes wild and unreasoning looked down into his. Both man and boar wrestled fighting for the advantage over the other, or for one to make a mistake, Théo's mind racing, his heart pounding in his chest and his blood .. his Valkyri blood burned with desire for the kill.

He never felt so alive as now...

Théo manipulated his body and pulled his legs up under the belly of the beast, he could use the force and strengthen his limbs, but that would not be a fair fight, the boar deserved more then that. With all his physical strength he pushed against it's belly and lifted the boar off him and through the air several meters away and the beast landed on it's side letting out a ear piercing scream of pain. Théo jumped to his feet with his knife in hand and readied himself for the charge he knew would come. For a moment, the boar stood looking at him, sizing up his options. They are cunning creatures, deadly and swift .. the charge began. Théo did not wait however and charged as well, heading for a clash. The boar lowered it's head, tusks prone to sever the belly of it's opponent and as they met the thick solid head of the beast hit Théo in the stomach lifting him off the ground as it continued to run.

The pain shot down Théo's back as he was rammed into the trunk of a thick pine, the fear of unconsciousness was enough to keep he alert but the crushing on his torso all but made him pass out. The boar's head ground on his body before a swift swipe of it's strong head set one of the tusks into his side. Théo let out a roar of his own, a primordial sound rising up from the depths of his soul, his powerful hands took hold of the tasks and twisted the head of the boar strong enough to throw the beast on it's back. The time had come, one of them would be victorious ..

The boar writhed on the ground but Théo had straddle the beast his weight forcing the boar to the ground. With one hand he wrenched the head until the neck was exposed, the other holding the knife plunged into the neck and the blade sliced across the flesh. Théo felt the hot liquid on his face, his hands and chest .. there was no more sound from the boar, only the throes of death ..

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Which was the blood of the boar or his own, Théo could not tell. His hand rested against the gaping wound, trembling, trying to stem the flow of blood, and fight through the pain. His breathing laboured pulling in vast amounts of air to help keep his mind .. his. Raising his eyes to the sky, he could see nothing save for the shadows of the high branches of the pine but he is not seeking anything but a little rest. All he wanted to do was sleep, but that would dangerous here in the forest. The creatures of Midvinter, those that prowl the forests at night for prey would come to the call of the scent of blood. But with his mind reeling dropping in and out of rational thought it was hard to think of what to do next.

Théo looked over to the still form of the bore, the battle between man and beast had been fierce, a war of inches that he had won and the bore deserved better then to rot or be torn asunder by a chance predator. Théo did not relish the idea of it happening to himself, either. His free hand pushed against the ground as he turned his body to the side to try and get up. The pain of the movement ripping through his body causing him to fall back to the ground almost exhausted from the effort.

It was easy to just lay there, still. No pain. His breathing became more consistent and shallow almost resigned to a fate. Théo's head lolled to the side, his vision blurring, but in among the trees he thought he saw something move. Illusions of delirium? Again a shadow passed between the trees, a white glow began to appear to grow and move forward toward him, Théo could not take his eyes from the vision. He was completely at mercy to whatever come for him. As his mind began to fail him, darkness closing in on his sight, a white light brilliant pierced his mind and from his lips a whisper of a word .. "Belawir".

Unconsciousness claimed him.

To be continued ..​