untamed and bleak

Massive snowshoed paws carried a hulking, monochromatic figure through the alabaster powder that had collected along the edge of an old, crumbling wall. Black and silver ears remained pricked forward, though they caught all sound that drifted his way. Vale was at ease in such a place. This northern land was less harsh than the true north, which was where the man hailed from. It was a land separate from the rest of the world. A frozen wonderland nestled in the middle of dark, turbulent sea. How did he get here then, you ask? I'll tell you.

Winter had been particularly nasty. Wolves froze and died within their dens. Food was practically nonexistent. Only the strong and the wise would survive. As the bob-tailed giant was out searching for anything of use, he came upon a long stretch of frozen ice that meandered across the sea. He asked the gods for guidance and a stiff wind seemed to be pushing him towards the bridge. Who was he to argue with the gods? Vale took this new path, never looking back. There was fortune ahead. He imagined new lands to conquer. Packs to pillage, women to claim, heads to offer to Odin.

For three days Vale walked the bridge of ice. The Jotunn had nothing to eat and nothing to drink, but he carried on. If this was the price that he had to pay the gods, then he would do so gladly. This was nothing compared to other sacrifices that he'd made to put himself on their good sides. Dawn of the third day, Vale's russet gaze spied land in the distance. At that same moment, the ice cracked loudly behind him and he felt the bridge shudder. A smirk pulled at the brutes rugged features and he threw his hefty weight into large paws, racing the rest of the way to land. Only when his paws touched solid ground did the giant turn and look back. There was no bridge to be seen, just sloshing waves as they ate their frozen meal.

The first order of business was thanking Odin for seeing him safely across the sea. A rabbit crossed his path, white with its winter coat. Vale snatched the creature up, snapped its neck and poured its blood into the snow. Despite not having eaten for days, Vale didn't take part in blood nor meat. This was for the gods alone. Once his sacrifice was made, Vale made his way south until he came to a wall. The stones blocked the harsh wind that nipped at his tail. Despite his good mood, the man was thoroughly exhausted. A leisurely pace took him head on towards his very first surprise in this new world. A deep red woman resting upon the stones of the wall. In a deep growl, Vale addressed the fae, wondering if she would even speak his tongue. "You, woman. Food and shelter." That was the way of his people. Then brutes pillaged and protected and the fae's provided and cared for home.

"Vale"