untamed and bleak

The woman's words and attitude were nothing to the jotun. He was used to females having spit and fire. He was used to them having backbone. His mother had been the most fiery of the pack and he'd caught the teeth of her ire many a time. This little woman was no surprise. They shared the same dialect, so he could only assume that she came from similar stock. She spat vitriol in his direction and the giant only grinned, flashing long, white canines. He liked fire.

Again the fae spoke, this time to tell him that the gods had abandoned this place. Vale released a hearty laugh, all avalanches and rockslides. "The gods may have abandoned you, woman, but they have not abandoned me." One big paw rose and the brute thumped his chest proudly. "I have made my sacrifice to the gods. I am favored." His tail had once been long and sleek. It was a small price to pay for the gods shining grace.

Vale's insistence that they hunt was met with the woman acquiescing. Her ruby pelt smoothed and the giant grinned anew. "First your name, shieldmaiden." It was a compliment, comparing the fae to the Valkyries of legend and lore. Their hunt would prove whether she was truly deserving of such a comparison.

"Vale"