Arctic Kin

Osiris woke at sunset as usual.

His first task of the morning was to check the snares. He found two small rabbits in two of the three traps. One was empty, having not been disturbed. He made a small fire and cooked the small critters after skinning them.

They tasted delicious, though one of more noble status may have said they lacked enough seasoning. However, Osiris would disagree, fully content with the unseasoned rabbits.

He then let the fire die out while packing his small sleeping bag and soon mounted the indifferent steed.

They moved at a continuous pace, and the ground below them shifted into an even rockier expanse. The wind carried crisp and fresh air from the peaks of the mountain. Small bits of snow had begun to fall from the heavens. The snowflakes in the air were each special and unique in their own way, not one being the same shape.

He watched them slowly dissipate on the ground, leaving small droplets of dew behind.

Soon the world around Osiris chilled.

He felt as though he had now truly entered the Maw.

Despite the cooling temperatures, Dusk seemed just as indifferent as ever, not making a single peep even with the gradual shift.

They continued for a ways, the snow gradually starting to pile on the ground around him. Osiris was just as uncaring to the cold as his horse. At least for now. His armour keeping the majority of the heat within the metal plates.

They continued for some time, the snow slowly building up upon the rock.

The horse continued to trot with taciturn indifference.

The Knight Slayer had to command the steed to stall, noticing footprints in the snow.

Dusk came to a halt and Osiris found himself walking back a few steps. The small indentations informed him that these creatures were bipedal. They had three digits on each foot. They seemed to be slightly clawed.

Osiris pondered the peculiarity. They couldn't be goblins as the foul pests sported four digits. He also quickly disregarded a few more species he had encountered. It seemed that this creature was native to the Maw, or perhaps just any mountains.

Osiris was slightly worried as the number of footprints was quite high, which told Osiris that this was a group of almost seven individuals. They seemed quite close; the foot... claw prints? Still fresh, in the snow, though light, the snow would have covered them in little more than fifteen minutes.

He got back on Dusk and slowed their speed. He wasn't sure of the habits of the odd creatures and was unsure if they would be hostile or territorial.

He continued with caution, the tracks seemed to follow the path he had taken.

However, it seemed that they were destined to meet.

Osiris eventually came across the group. He slowed almost to a complete stop when he saw them, being as quiet as possible. They were slowly making their way up the mountain. The creatures varied in height, though all had to be above 5'9.

Osiris also confirmed his suspicion about never seeing their kind before. They were reptilian in nature, Osiris wasn't sure how that worked with the cold climate, especially considering they wore no clothes. Nor did they dawn any weapons, not a spear, bow, or sword in sight.

At first, he thought they lacked the intelligence to do so, however, it seemed they just didn't find such tools as accommodating as their own claws. Their intelligence made itself aware when they spoke in low garbled tones.

Osiris, of course, knew nothing about the language they were speaking, though the bounty hunter could pick up tones of disappointment, fear, and frustration in their voices. Things that only a capable species could have.

Most of their scales were of the same colour as the snow, and some of the scales along their sides were a deep grey. Osiris couldn't see what their fronts looked like as they were facing away. They also seemed to carry themselves with pride, though there seemed to be no arrogance to accompany it within the cohort.

Then, suddenly, a breeze came from behind Osiris, carrying his scent towards the arctic lizards. He cursed as one of the arctic folk caught scent. He hurried dusk behind a nearby boulder as the one who had noticed him told his companions about his scent.

They turned in unison.

They could see nothing but they would never doubt their own kin's word. Moving slowly and stalkishly towards Osiris's last position. Once they were there, they began to sniff the area, finding the scent of horse more appealing than just their hunger. The scent of human was one they were slightly cautious of. A small group of humans had made their way up the mountains a few years ago and had killed a decent share of their clan.

However, it seemed this human was by his lonesome. They doubted the human would be able to kill any of them, though they wouldn't let their pride blind them.

Just as the lizards were approaching the boulder, a blur shot from the front side of the oversized rock.

Osiris had waited until they had all passed behind the rock until he made his move. He was unsure what the capabilities of the arctic lizards were and didn't want to take any chances. If they managed to corner him or kill Dusk he would be done for. With his reduced magical prowess, he would have to face them with his sword, and he doubted they were as incompetent as the goblins.

As he was moving, the bounty hunter dared to look behind him.

The six arctic folks were now on all fours, sprinting at an incredible speed toward him.

"Shit..." Osiris mumbled under his breath.

They were somehow almost as fast as Dusk, though the taciturn steed had to slow considerably in order to navigate the mountain pass.

Two of the six hunters broke off from the pack, accelerating in an attempt to get in front of Osiris.

Despite their best efforts, they were unable to catch up, long billowing streams of snow impairing their vision.

The chase continued and growls from the mountainous people resounded behind him.

Then in one smooth motion, three of the six lizards pushed themselves as far as they could go, flanking Osiris on his left side, forcing him down a fork in the mountain pass.

Then, for perhaps the first time on the journey so far, the taciturn steed let out a yelp, the ice hidden beneath them by the freshly fallen snow.

"Fuck... Move!" The bounty hunter yelled to his horse. However, it seemed that this little caveat was enough for the white lizards to catch up, and surround him. Their claws easily dug into the ice allowing them equal stability to what they had on stable ground.

The six around him looked at him with neither malice nor arrogance, instead, they looked at him with a sense of appreciation and perhaps triumph at the thought of a successful hunt.

Osiris pondered this twist of fate, would he die here? Unable to collect even a single shard? If this was the case, Osiris felt the need to give these lizards one last show.

As he was reaching for his blade, a sudden, bellowing roar shook the very foundations of his soul. He could swear he heard numerous avalanches fall around him.

The lizards around him didn't hold the same level of fear as him. Instead, their eyes were filled with nervousness and urgency. They growled amongst themselves perhaps debating what they should. A few of them looked at the horrified Osiris. Their liege often had that effect on those who came too close to their home.

Taking one last glance at their hunt, they turned and sprinted off, their queen needed her kin urgently, more so than they needed food.

Osiris looked on at the retreating arctic kin, immense dread filling him.

"Ahh fuck.."