a shadow over the land

Baldur, hackles raised in anger and a snarl at his mouth, returned his not-quite-threat with a not-quite-threat of his own. It wasn't a very good one, though, as it highlighted how little family must mean to him, saying that he could merely tolerate some and care nothing for the others - a rather serious character defect all told. Sk?ll should only shake his head pityingly, a grin creasing his muzzle. If Baldur was trying to get a rise out of him, he was doing a pretty poor job of it.

Baldur had turned to leave after that retort, apparently not thinking it worth the effort to push past him, but Sk?ll could see as his jabs about Hodr hit their mark when his brother froze in place. The rather queasy feeling on Baldur's face was both exquisitely gratifying, and kind of sad really. Sk?ll really did hate to do this to one of his own blood; if he had simply been polite and cooperative, none of this would have been necessary.

His black-marked brother spat some poison about his inability to lead them that actually had Sk?ll's hackles rising for a moment before the younger Hr??vitnisson could control it. "I never wanted to lead - I have simply taken up the duty that should have been my brothers' had you all not turned your back on us who needed you," he snapped, the angry words rushing from him before he could call them back. His white pelt rippled once in agitation before he managed to leash his temper and immerse himself in calm once more.

Baldur had already turned to go back down the mountain once more when Sk?ll chuckled, a childish, surprisingly sweet sound. "You know, if I were convinced that this place would be healthy for Hodr, I might be persuaded to return for him and the others. But to be always considered second-best by your own twin, why that's heartbreaking is what that is. No one thought of him before they ran off at the mouth and got kicked out of the family. No one thought about him when they left him all alone in such a cold world." His eyes widened in mock astonishment. "Come to think of it maybe he would be happier back with our darling dear uncles. I mean, it's not like you wanted him around, or you'd have gone back for him by now."

He bounded forward with his characteristic puppy-like abandon, intending to slither by Baldur and take the southern path as he had originally intended. He spoke again as he did so, his voice deliberately flippant. "Oh well, I guess you've already written him off! I'd hate to have to tell him that when I return home but I suppose that's that. I am absolutely famished, want anything?"



"Speech"

My declaration embedded deep under my skin

A permanent reminder of how it began

No hesitation when I am commanded to strike

You need to know that you're in for the fight of your life