The clouds were very dark tonight. As the sun set, all of the light dwindled into the feeble glow of a single candle as Keria stood on top of her city's wall, sheltering the weak little flame with her slightly-calloused hand. Eventually she realized she had no reason to be here; not only was it too dark but a thick fog had descended and smothered most visibility. Sighing, she climbed down a set of steps at the side of the wall, followed by a single, silent guard who'd she had forgotten was with her. "This will be the worst storm in years," she murmured to him. He nodded. Keria's hand tightened on her staff. "I hope the scouts make it home alright. I wouldn't have sent them out if I'd known..." She muttered as she entered a large complex not quite worthy of being called a palace. "Order the weavers to give me any of their clothes or blankets," she ordered the guard as he was about to leave. "And prepare my horse."

---

Kilugna was in a hurry. She scuttered across the snowy wasteland with four rabbit carcasses and a squirrel bumping against her as they were slung across her shoulder and tied messily by the feet to her clothing so they wouldn't fall off of her. The catch had been good today, but she was anxious nonetheless. Would five scrawny little animals be enough to keep the Clan going through the storm? Hoping that another hunter had caught an elk or something, she hurried toward the flickering lights of the little mud and animal hide shelters that hunched in a small dip in the ground. Maybe I'll go back out and hunt some more before all the animals go back to their dens. She quickly lit a fire inside her own shelter and opened up a smoke hole, then skinned the carcasses and started them cooking.

Deep in the forest, a hunter, named James was following bloody tracks of a moose. He remember of how he first caught a glimpse of this magnificent animal, and how he tracked the beast for hours to catch it by surprise and finish it very quickly. It did not happen quick, as the wind blew to the animal's side, thus carrying the hunter's scent, thus noticing and trying to flee. While the beast could not evade the arrow, that James fired as it tried to escape, the elk still managed to run for hours, thus leaving a trail for the hunter...
Now James finally saw the injured beast, that was weakened by the blood loss, but was still going. James aimed his bow at the beast and released another arrow, hearing as it moaned and fell down to the ground, soaking the snow with it's blood, and still being alive and aware. The beast was panickly panting, though unable to escape or defend itself. James looked at it's fearful eyes, drawing his knife, and slicing it's throat.

After this bloody deed, he knew that he would not be able to carry this thing on his back, and just how he did with any heavy animals in his past, he made a makeshift sled to place the corpse on it, and then pull... Hopefully, he won't encounter any predators, as while this hunter is strong and rather agile, he was now starting to tire, and the bulk of furs that he was wearing would obstruct any dexterous movement he'd attempt...

After some time, he was finally here. James noticed smokes going from the camp, and finally came there, pulling his cargo to the food stores and then simply going to the bonfire to sit and rest...

The young woman peeked out of the hut. The last woman had come to collect her child a few minutes ago, but several of the hunters had yet to return.
Arysta looked back towards the small child playing quietly in the corner. She smiled faintly at her beautiful daughter. Lyra had her father's eyes and his good humor.
The three year old saw her mother looking and her and stood, her hand on her stomach. "Mommy," she said. "My tummy is hungry."
"I know Lyra. The hunters will return soon. They'll have fresh meat for us to cook," Arysta said, picking her child up and cuddling her close.

It was a hard life for a widow and fatherless child. The hunters spared what they could, but they had their own families to think of. If her husband had still been alive he would provide for them. They would never have to go hungry.
"Mommy?" Lyra said, touching her mother's face gently. "Don't be sad Mommy. Please?"
Arysta forced a smile. "I'm sorry my angel. I'm not sad. Just thinking."
Lyra gave her a look that seemed too wise for a small child and laid her head against her mother's chest.
If Kane were here... if only...

Footsteps in the snow alerted her that some of the hunters had returned. Both mother and daughter peeked out.
"It's Kil-na and Jamzz!" Lyra said, mispronouncing their names as only a child could.
James had some kind of large animal. Good. Large meant a lot of meat, hopefully enough to share a little. A widow in the clan depended on the kindness of others. Thankfully Kane had been well respected and greatly liked so the clan didn't seem to mind taking care of his wife and child when they could. But during hard times a lot of people had to go without, especially those who didn't have a means of caring for their needs. Several times Arysta had gone hungry to that Lyra could eat, and even then she wouldn't be full.

Kilugna peeked outside of her shelter and waved at Arysta. She had quite a bit of respect for the woman, and at least a little bit of food to share. She ducked back inside and prodded a couple of rabbits with a sharp twig. They were cooked enough to be safe, and still juicy, it seemed. Plucking them off of the fire and burning her fingers in the process, she ran over to the woman and her child. She waved at James along the way, jealous of his catch but not about to admit it. "One rabbit and one squirrel," she announced, taking them off the spits they'd hung on. "If it's not enough, there are three more rabbits in my shelter." She then waved happily at Lyra with a cheery grin and asked, "How are you doing, lil' one?"

James was sitting there, just staring into the fire and only having thoughts of how old he had became. His thoughts filled with mid-life crisis, however were completely dispersed as another hunter waved at him. Kilugna was her name. James slowly stood up, hearing the popping sound from his knees and frowning a bit. He then looked at the widow with her daughter, gently smiling towards them both, and waving his hand, before making his way towards the other hunter.

"A good catch, Kilugna" His tone was completely honest, without a hint of sarcasm or irony.

Arysta took the food offered to her gratefully. "Thank you Kilugna," she said with a smile. "This will be plenty."
"Thank you Kil-na," Lyra said with a big grin. "My tummy is hungry," she added, patting her stomach.
Arysta took the rabbit and squirrel and got a knife to cut it into smaller pieces for Lyra. She put all of the pieces on a wooden plate. "Come and eat sweetheart," she told the toddler.
"You eat too Mommy," Lyra ordered.
"Mommy will eat later," Arysta told her. She had to make sure Lyra got her fill first.
Lyra nodded, seeming to agree with that plan before looking outside and waving at James. "Jamzz going to eat too?" she asked worried that that might not be the case.
"I'm sure he'll eat when he's hungry," Arysta assured her daughter. "It's time for you to eat now."
Lyra started eating the pieces of meat carefully. The child had already learned that every bite mattered.

Martin Smith, in a fur coat, walked through the icy landscape. Holding an ancient road map in one hand and a pen in the other, he trudged west on the ruins of I-70. On the map was a crudely-scribbled X depicting the location of the city-state of Bisonskull, and a circle depicting the location of his destination: the city-state of Crowhead. As he walked, Martin drew a line to show his route.

To unite Crowhead and Bisonskull, we'd need a central road between the two. What better way to do so than to build upon the wreckage of I-70? he decided. Indeed, the crumbled highway made up most of Martin's route.

Past Crowhead, farther along I-70 were the ruins of the ancient city of Denver. Martin wished he could go there. But his business in Crowhead was far more important.

Suddenly, Martin noticed something quite worrying. A fog began to descend on the area. The sun was setting, and the clouds were unusually dark. A storm? Martin walked faster. And faster. Soon, he was running. He hadn't prepared for a storm!

In limited visibility, he saw a few silhouettes in the distance. Deciding that anyone was better than being alone in this soon-to-be storm, Martin ran up to them. Close up, Martin could see that they were Crowhead scouts.

"Scouts of Crowhead!" he called. "I come from Bisonskull with an urgent request. Would you transport me to Queen Keria Upel?"

Kilugna smiled and nodded at the thank-yous. She gently patted Lyra on the head and retreated to let them eat. She smiled sheepishly at James, glad that he wasn't gloating. She knew that she'd certainly be proud of herself if she'd brought home a moose, but she couldn't complain; now there was hopefully enough to last the whole clan through the storm. As the first snows started descending lightly, she said, "Keep warm, everyone, do you all have enough firewood?" She was perfectly ready to fetch more before the weather got any worse.

---

One of the scouts turned around after a startled jump of surprise. Recognizing that the traveler had some kind of authority, he called back, "Lucky you found us! We were just on our way back. We'd have sleds if the dogs weren't all sick." He gestured for the other two scouts to hurry back the short distance and to the gates of Crowhead. "I can take you to the Queen's guards. They'll probably let you talk to her."

Martin paused. That was it? He expected a little more resistance to the idea of a random stranger being allowed to talk directly to the queen. Still, it didn't matter, especially not in this storm approaching closer and closer. So Martin replied, "Excellent! Let us hurry, then." He hurriedly updated the line on the road map and followed the guards as they approached Crowhead, which was slowly becoming more and more visible.

Martin turned around and saw the trail he had left behind. His footprints were most definitely going to be wiped out in the incoming storm. Hopefully word of Martin's visit to Crowhead wouldn't reach Bisonskull until his business there was over. This storm, he realized, was actually a boon to him; his father would no doubt have him brought back to Bisonskull as soon as he was found, paying no mind to the future that such an action would prevent. Once Martin did what he'd come to do, his father would be forced to allow it.

Either that, or the city-states of Crowhead and Bisonskull would find themselves at war with each other.

Martin preferred not to think about that possibility.

James thought for a bit and then shook his head. "I do have enough. I would be going along to help, but I am exhausted. I think I will rest." The man then sighed and turned around to go towards his tent. He stopped and looked back "Do not go alone though. I have heard wolves howling. I was lucky none of them came for me, while I was on my way to the camp. Be safe Kilugna, may your fire be eternal" He turned his face to the widow and her child. He smiled at them both warmly, before nodding and going into his tent. He looked at his fireplace and placed some kindling in it. With the help of some flint and another stone, he managed to get that kindle on fire, and then place some thin branches to make them catch fire. This method was hard for him the first he joined this tribe, but now, he can make it rather quickly. After a few minutes, James placed a pair of rather thick logs, before taking his heavy coat off, and slipping into his fur-sleeping bag. He lay there for a while, thinking that he will eat after sleeping... Right now, rest was all he needed. James then closed his eyes and dozed off.

Lyra had finished eating and there was still a bit for Arysta.
"Mommy" she asked. "Why doesn't Kil-na and Jamzz have a family?"
"I guess they don't want any right now," Arysta answered, finishing her food quickly and getting a wooden comb. She pulled Lyra into her lap and brushed the child's long sandy hair. She had inherited Kane's hair. And his eyes. Her heart shaped face was from Arysta, as was her small nose. She was an even mix of both Kane and Arysta. A constant reminder of what they had both lost...
Arysta shook her head to snap herself from her thoughts. "Time for bed Lyra."
"Yes Mommy," the child said obediently and stood still as her mother changed her into her nightgown. She giggled as she snuggled down into the fur blankets. "Mommy?"
"Yes Lyra."
"Tell me about daddy."
Arysta felt the familiar pain in her heart. She winced and looked away. "You want to hear about him?"
Lyra nodded vigorously. "He was really brave, wasn't he Mommy?"
"Yes love, he was."
"And very handsome."
"Very."
Lyra was silent while Arysta described Kane to her. "Mommy? Did daddy mean to leave?"
Arysta's breath caught in her throat, but a small whimper escaped. She had to clear her throat multiple times before she could answer. "No love... he didn't mean to... he loved you very much."
Lyra nodded. "Mommy, don't cry," she said, reaching up for a hug. "Please don't cry."
A tear escaped as Arysta hugged her child tightly. "I just get a little lonely sometimes angel. Nothing to worry about. Go to sleep now. Dream good dreams," she said and kissed her forehead. Lyra curled up like a puppy in the warmth of the blankets and soon her breathing changed as she fell asleep.
Arysta banked the fire, covering the embers with ash so they would be ready in the morning. A soft glow still emanated from it. Arysta combed her own hair before changing into one of Kane's shirts. Wrapped her arms around it, she inhaled deeply of the shirt that had lost his scent long ago but she still liked to imagine she could smell him.
Then, crawling in beside her daughter, she wrapped her arms around her protectively and cried silently until she fell asleep.

Kilugna scampered off to fetch wood for everyone, mindful of the warning from James. She decided to stay nearby, scuffling across the ground and snatching twigs and small branches out of the snowy ground. They were wet, terrible for fires, but maybe she could dry them off enough in her shelter that they would serve the clan well in the morning. She picked up her pace until her arms were sagging and aching with all the wood they held, and then she scrambled back for her hut as the snow picked up.

---

The scout glanced over at Martin. "You are of Bisonskull, yes? You look like you may be of high blood. What brings you to Crowhead?" His tone was curious and not at all threatening, but he certainly was on guard. He became more aware of the knife bumping softly against his thigh. As the walls loomed closer and closer ahead, the scout caught up with his fellows, who were waiting for the heavy gates to swing open in their ponderous manner.

Martin had to think about his answer. He could go the honest route, or make something up. He could talk about the distant future or the near future, his long-term goal or the specific objective he has in this.

The guard, as he pried, seemed more and more threatening. Martin knew he wasn't hostile, but tension seemed to be growing. After all, the guard had a knife, and Martin had, what? A pen? He did have a gun, but that was for the most emergent of emergencies.

Perhaps Martin should warn the guard that war would occur should Martin be harmed at all? No, that wouldn't do anything but make tensions rise even further!

Seeing no way to guess the guard's reaction to any information, Martin chose the vaguest of responses. "I have... a proposal for the queen."

(I am skipping time in the camp, for obvious reasons D:)

James opened his eyes, as it was already morning. He didn't remember whatever he dreamed and was laying in his sleeping bag awake for a couple of minutes. It was cold in his tent, and the fire was fully burnt to ashes. The man yawned and hesitated a bit before leaving his warm sanctuary. After that, he quickly found his coat and dressed up. He yawned a bit as the man grabbed the deer outside, found his knife and started skinning his prey from yesterday. The body was cold, and dead some time ago, so it wasn't really that messy. It took some time, as James finally managed to get the fur off the animal, and he took it to drying racks near the camp's great bonfire. After spending some time with that, he went back to the skinned animal and started gutting it, setting the inedible stuff aside. He then carried all those guts to the dog pens, seeing as the canines were wagging their tails happily at the new treat.

And thus, all that remained of the animal was meat, bones and fat. James was truly hungry now, so he cut off a hind leg and pulled the remaining deer back into his tent. He then took that leg he just seperated and went to one of the bonfires. There, James started seperating meat from bone, and starting to cook the meat.
He watched the roasting process with wild thoughts of finally getting something in his mouth....

Lyra woke first in the morning. She rubbed her eyes and yawned widely. She looked over at her Mommy, who was still asleep. Mommy needed to rest more. Maybe Lyra could go and get some food. Wouldn't Mommy be happy then?
Her stomach growled. She got up carefully so as not to wake Arysta and pulled on a pair of warm pants. Her nightgown still hung long on her but she was too hungry to completely change.
Poking her head outside the tent she saw someone was at one of the bonfires already. She slipped her feet into boots before hurrying outside.
"Jamzz!" she sang in the sing-song voice every little girl knows by heart. "Jamzz!"
The child got went a little too fast for her legs and ended up tripping and falling into the snow. She got up giggling though, flecks of snow stuck to her face and hair.
She came to sit by James, her eyes going between him and the meat over the fire. It smelled really good...
But it was Jamzz food, she reminded herself. Mommy said it was wrong to take something that didn't belong to you. So Lyra picked up a stick and started poking it into the fire, getting the end hot before using it to draw patterns in the snow.

James rubbed his eyes, and when he heard the little girl's voice, he turned back. The man smiled at her "Good morning, Lyra". He chuckled a little bit as the girl faceplanted to the snow and got up. James looked at how the girl was heating the stick. He pondered for a while, realizing the obvious that the girl was hungry, but he simply continued cooking the chunk of meat that was on his stick. After it was done, he got up, taking the meal from the stick, ripping a portion off it, and then offering it to the little girl.
"What are you drawing there, little one" James asked as he took a bite of his part of the chunk, while looking at Lyra.