did i come at a bad time?

This land was cold – colder than she was used to – but vibrant. At least, that was what she had heard.

It held potential and hope. Perhaps the hope of the people within it. The apprentice marched on, hoisting her spear higher and entering this strange realm. Winter was a foreign concept. Her work cut out for her once it came. Perhaps even shock; she had never seen snow before. There was a beauty in not knowing, a naïve idealism that many grew out of already. She had promised to come back with resources and knowledge – something her stuffy brethren refused to expand in. they thought since she was a woman that she would give up and go home. She was not going to. She would conquer their sexism, prove herself in the eyes of the gods and there would then be no doubt of her value.

Zola’s long ears swirled around, dark eyes catching movement. A lonesome deer crossed in front of her – the animal was also strange and unusual. It caught sight of the massive woman and darted, and she followed it in curiosity. It looked like a zebra but it bore no stripes. Only a few speckles of dotting on its flank. She looked on in wonder as it joined another being and together, they left. In a hurry. She would soon know why. Perhaps the splendor of a new realm (and new animals) made her become ignorant. She saw the blackened skies, saw the panic in the eyes of prey animals... This world was perhaps under a trial. A divine one.

Miungu...

She would pause, a frown creasing her face. A challenge to be sure. She remembered the hunters speaking of strange beasts beyond their gods’ light. And events beyond the gods', or directly related to the gods' will. What deities looked down at these now poor souls… she wanted to know of them but knew not where to start. Her stomach was still full of her provisions; she saw no reason to hunt the beasts. At least not yet. Soon, she would have a need to hunt them down. For pelts, for crafting materials… Or for survival, if this world had anything to say about it.

Her eyes remained transfixed on the sky, a feeling of dread entering her body.