Sandra
The Gantrick sun had begun to freeze over behind big, chilling clouds that slowly rippled and covered the sky. Encased in an endless winter storm, the Morthal Mountains held winds of frigid temperatures. Blistering through the dense trees, whistling upon the mountain tops– it's hard to imagine life even residing in the relentless thicket. Only the most sturdy of creatures can be found nestling about within the blizzard filled forest, humans and monsters alike avoiding the wild, harsh environment. Nevertheless, a tribal band known as the Svenn clan owns the icy mountains better than any animal or man. Their bodies capable of withstanding the drastic change in weather. 

 Many Gantrickans stray from the Svenns due to their savage way of living; amongst the obvious reasons, most do not dare to travel so far out into a blistering storm. The kingdom of ice was already a dangerous place outside of the capital, and those who lived within its walls knew the areas in which one should never traverse. Needless to say, the barbarian shifters ruled their lands like kings. Wild bears ready to tear into the first meal they set their eyes upon. While prey is typically scarce upon the mountain, the Svenn clan won't hesitate to travel out in search of resources... 

 Now, with the white moon ready to rise from its slumber, all of Gantrick would fall still. The biting wind dwindling into a low hum across the tall pine trees. Heavy snowflakes danced to the sway of their descent, slow and elegant. It would seem as though the world was at peace. Until... 


_ _

Twigs snapped under a crushing force of a body being shoved atop a slippery slope. Flashes of tangled white hair spewed across the bushels of fir, dirt kicking up small rocks and branches in the wake of flesh toppling and summer-salting into a divot. Standing overhead stood two husky males, both donning tribal furs and black paint smudged across their faces. The silence between them as their hollow eyes burned onto the young girl who laid deathly still, her face in the ground like a corpse buried in the dirt. It wasn't long however, before her fragile frame came to life. Her weak limbs struggling to withhold her weight as she pushed up from the muddied, snow covered terrain. 

"We told you to bring back *Meat*, Adeena. Not this shriveled up sack of *Shit.*" 

The taller barbarian with a shaved scalp and red beard extended his fist, holding out a small brown pouch that was quickly tossed upside down– handfuls of herbs showering down onto Adeena Svenn. A low scoff echoed from the male's companion as he crossed his hands across his chest, a scowl rearing his upper lip. " I don't know why Eilivur even trusted her to go scavenging. I mean look at her, she won't even kill a rabbit!" Guttural growls protested from the shifters' throats as if their blood was boiling. This wasn't the first time the clan members had expressed their distaste for their leader's daughter, although, it would seem as though this time would be their breaking point. As if listening to a voice embedded deep in the barbarians head, the first man swiveled his jaw in contemplation; his eyes growing darker. 

"What do they expect from us now? To starve?! How are we supposed to survive on leaves and dirty water, huh? You know... You've been holding us back for months, Adeena. Your father may not notice but I have..." 
_ _

"Yeah, you know, you're right..." His brother chimed in. A noticeable twitch of anger wrangling his frostbitten nose. "What if, we just make this little problem *Disappear.* Hmm?" Jerking those beady black eyes to the eldest, a wicked silence stirred within the forest before the barbarian set his cold gaze upon Adeena. A look of warning, a promise of a threat. He'd allow her the mercy of getting to her feet before uttering the simple word, "**Run.**" Followed by the breaking of the ground beneath the brothers as their faces would soon shift, their clothes ripping from the seams. White fur molded where flesh once sat, gruesome maws replacing their human features. Heavy thumps of weighed paws sank into the snow before a loud roar of a beast shook the lifeless trees around the clearing, urging the young woman to retreat or hide. Her parents had no idea, but tonight could be the very end of a Svenn. Their very own daughter. 
||
Beulah
The small girl gulped. 
She knew her clanmates wouldn't be happy with her lack of meat, but she didn't realize they would be *This* Upset. Alas, she should've expected nothing less from Samir and Ivar. The duo were by far the most savage out of her entire clan. While her clan was a ferocious bunch, Adeena never quite cared for their way of living. Samir and Ivan were as close as brothers, as most of her clan was. Yet, she wasn't sure why her father had paired her with the two of them, Elivur knew how they were. She supposed it could have been a play to toughen her up. 

A low growl cut through the air like ice and Adeena inhaled sharply. Adeena would not *Die today.* The girl knew the Morthal forests and caves like the back of her hand. She and Poe, her griffin, would explore them together, foraging for herbs in caves and looking for scraps of bone for her jewelry. Looking around swiftly, she concluded that there was a small cave about a half mile away, one with an entrance so small that she knew Samir and Ivan's large bodies couldn't fit through. She just had to get there until her father realized what was going on. She could do it.

Adeena knew that she was faster in her animal form, but she would be rather vulnerable while she shifted. Any shifter was. So, she ran on her two bare feet instead. The shifters immediately began their chase of cat and mouse. Running away from any sort of predator wasn't a wise move. All it did was excite them. Adeena knew this, but she had no choice; she was the prey. 

Bears nipping at her heels, Adeena scrambled for purchase on a large oak. She was an excellent climber, and while she knew bears could climb, they were slow at it. When she was crouched on a branch about halfway up the tree, she heard a familiar crunch of bones below her.

"Come down from there, little bird!" Ivar called upwards while Samir began to climb the oak in his bear form. 

Adeena let out a breath, steam billowing out of her mouth. She had an idea, but it may cost her precious time that she couldn't afford to lose. 

Samir was halfway up the trunk now. 

The fragile girl quickly made a decision. She grunted as she shifted, her bones cracking and reforming into the shape of an Arctic fox. 

Ivar snorted. "Oh look, Sam," He snickered, "Whatever will we do." 

Adeena growled and leaped off her branch, landing in a pile of fluffy snow at the base of the tree about a foot away from Ivar. Gathering herself, the fox quickly shook herself off and made a run for the cave nearby. On her way, she grabbed her pouch with her snout, gathering the herbs. She had found the herbs near the frozen river. Her father had a twinge in his foot for years, and this was the only thing she has found that calmed it. 

Ivar shouted and when Adeena looked back, he was already shifted and Samir was on the ground. Bears were fast, but a fox was faster. 

... 

Approaching the cave, Adeena made the mistake of looking back once more. Ivar and Samir were on her heels. She wasn't used to running this far and fast. Adeena dove for the tiny entrance of the cave, her pouch and herbs going flying and she began to shimmy herself into the entrance.

 She was almost safe when a blinding white pain erupted from her ankle.

The fox emitted a high-pitched whine. The excruciating pain caused Adeena to shift back to her human form. The antlers from the deer skull on her head got caught on the ceiling of the entrance, resulting in another bout of pain, this time originating from her head. Adeena forced herself to gaze backward.

Ivar had Adeena's foot in his bloody mouth, small waves of crimson trickling down the side of her ankle. Samir was beside him, his eyes wide and full of hunger. 

"Please," Adeena begged, attempting to pull herself further into the cave entrance. Her fingernails splintered, bleeding from clawing at the rocks. The more she tried to pull herself, the more Ivar pulled and tightened the grip of his jaw.

Adeena had tears trickling down her freckled face. This *Couldn't* Be how she died. She hadn't explored beyond the forest, hadn't tasted freedom, hadn't found love. But the more the pain came, the more the girl lost hope of ever escaping from the grasp of her own ruthless clanmates.
Sandra
Flocks of birds disbursed from shaken trees in an attempt to escape the oncoming danger that grew in size from the forest floor. If there were creatures still lurking within these woods, Ivar and Samir had surely scared them off. Now, the entire clearing was their playground. *And Adeena was their new toy to tear to shreds.* Thrumming paws stomped the ground like a stampede of hungry marrow eaters. The twin bears traversing through the tall trees with a terrifying speed. Adeena's four legs padded with a swiftness that happened to be just enough to put her in the lead, heavy pants of hot air licking her fur like a scolding fire. The click of the bear's teeth echoed at the *Snap* Of their strong jaws, just barely close enough to graze the surface of the girl's tail. 

 Throughout all the torment that Adeena was facing, an unsuspected creature had been circling from up above. High in the pepper clouded sky, soaring with outstretched wings, lingered a single black crow. From the distance in which the bird was roaming, their dark brown orbs dilated and flickered wildly as they watched the two beasts seizing their prey. An intelligent bird would simply mosey along, unbothered by the effects of nature and her brutal way of life. However, as the lone crow rested itself upon a nearby tree branch, they noticed these bears weren't just trying to maw a fox... *But a girl*. Bobbing its head around quickly as if peering through the leaves. The bird let out a few sharp cries before taking off to the sky once more. 
_ _

Samir and Ivar likely didn't care to pay much attention to their surroundings, at least, not when their revenge was so close they could taste it. Ivar, who held the young shifter's human leg in his mouth, resisted the fatal urge to snap her limbs in two. Those beady black eyes narrowed as a reverberating growl shook the cave to its core- pebbles shuddering and slipping down onto Adeena's head. "**Get her out already!**" Samir demanded, his voice a booming peal of thunder. Thick saliva was beginning to pool from his bright pink gums, those teeth chattering to sink into something warm. Pain was surely engulfing Adeena by now, her ankle blooming a bruising purple. 

Right as the bear began to drag her out from the cramped cave, all Svenn would come to see is a ball of pitch black plummeting into Ivar's face. A scream voiced in two rang out into the sky, one of a whimpered roar, the other, a mighty sharp cry of a crow. Ultimately, Ivar's mouth was removed from Adeena's leg. Velvety wings flapped together violently as the black bird gained traction upon the white bears head. Among all the swatting he tried to do, nothing could stop the crow's swift movements. Within mere seconds, it's claws were driving into the beats eye socket. He shrieked and jerked about as its beak came hammering down and yanked out his eyeball, the base trailing a bloody root.

Dark scarlet blood gushed from Ivar's empty socket, coating his clean white fur with the stain of red. Finally, he reared back in a hailing scream. Enough to cause the crow to flutter back into the air, but it would seem as though they weren't quite done yet... 
_ _
Irene
A gentle *Whooshh* Of black magic sprinkled the air where the crow was hovering. It encased its entire being before a new shadow appeared. Only, this one was no animal. No, this was something worse. 

Standing high as the mountains, an elven woman appeared through the black mist that was evaporating in the wind. A tall frame with hair as dark as ink lathered upon a quill, and eyes that reflected the lights rays– Beaming emeralds. The stranger's attire was striking in appearance, it pulled everyone's attention toward her and away from the havoc. One single black robe with gold runic trim wrapped warmly over her beautifully arched body. Long black feathers protruded from the neck base of the gown, starting at the center of her breasts and around the back of her neck and shoulders. All real of course, though likely not her own as they were meant to be a vivid display. The curves from her exposed hips carved through the slits in her silks, symbolic tattoos trailing across her skin like winding valleys yet to be explored. Upon her waist laid an assortment of bottles and pouches, all attached to a slinging belt made of what appeared to be an animal's skin.

Samir held the woman's gaze completely dumbfounded, though fear was slowly seeping into his widened pupils the moment he began to realize just who was before him. Shifting his sights with haste towards his brother, Ivar was still left hollering over his dismembered face. Fallen on his side, the barbarian had shifted back into his human form. A massive wound left gaping from the base of his forehead to the end of his cheekbone– and right through his eye. 
_ _

"Look, we don't want any trouble." Sam uttered through a clenched jaw. He refused to shift for the off chance he was to engage in a brawl, but as the raven haired woman stepped forwards– *He moved back* Her movements were swift, like that of a bird. Those gleaming mignonette orbs pinned against Adeena intensely before jerking back to face the brothers. Her head slowly shifted to one side, layers of jet black hair spilling from her shoulders. "I don't believe *She* Was looking for any either." Just as the stranger spoke, both men visibly tensed. Her voice sounded as if multiple others were conjuring the same words at the same time. A stern, demanding tone, harsh in the accent of the north. 

Perhaps Adeena didn't know the one who stood before her, but the rest of her clan mates did. She was Morrigan, The Crow Mother. A ruthless witch from Gantrick that plagued the wilds. One that most stayed clear of, her omens of death a nightmare to be met with. Morrigan remained still as she surveyed the two; a stone cold expression painted across her pale face. " We suggest you hurry home now, before you are sent on your way blind and starving for release." 

There was no hint of any emotion upon her face as she laid out their fate. This was no idle threat, this was a demand. Samir's big black nose twitched at the thought. He would not stand for he or his brother to be challenged in such a way. But yet, something deep within him was telling him to flee. A heavy snort of air puffed from the bear's nose as he shifted on his right, heading for his brother to safely carry on his back. Ivar was still wincing in pain as he climbed along the back of Samir, burying his face into the beast walker's fur. "Don't bother coming back home, little fox. You're as good as dead to us." Sam growled out from behind his shoulder. And with that, the two trailed off back towards the mountain tops. 
_ _

Morrigan never moved from her spot in the snow as she watched the barbarians leave. Her narrow nose lifted towards the trees to ensure their scent was gone. By the time she could no longer sense danger around, the witch then made her move towards Adeena– Slow and careful. Without much of a word, Mor knelt down, inspecting the young girl like a bird examining their food. When her hands stretched out to touch Adeena's leg, she could feel Mor's frigid skin– though it would likely feel cool against the painful sting. After seeing how deep the marks were, Morrigan reached into her pouch to pull out a simple white cloth and a clear glass bottle of transparent liquid. 

Dampening her rag, the witch gently padded it across Adeena's bloodied leg, cleaning the dirt and saliva clinging to her fragile skin. After it was prepared, Morrigan shifted her gaze towards Svenn, the silence defining. "You are not like them." Was all she seemed to say before gliding both hands over the hefty bite marks. A gentle green glow radiated from the Crow Mothers palms, and soon, Adeena would feel the throbbing pain soaking away the more the light shined. What would feel like a limb falling stiffly asleep, the shifters skin was beginning to slowly bubble together until the large gashes were nothing more that two small scrapes. The wounds were not fully healed, however, they were far better off than being left open. 

The witch reached into her pouch one final time, pulling out a circular steel container. As she twisted off the cap and popped the lid, strong smells of earthly scents clung in the air. Neither good or bad, but wet and persistent. Morrigan scooped a decent size of what appeared to be mud onto her fingers, and without any hesitation, lathered it onto the girl's leg. The consistency dried within minutes, and soon it would crackle as it settled into Adeena's wounds. 

 "Leave it alone for the night. Come morning it will be as though you never had a scratch." 
_ _
Beulah
While the crow-like being healed her foot, Adeena's eyes were still alight with awe. The woman probably thought her mad. But the way the woman moved, how she spoke, the way she effortlessly fought off her attackers, the small girl was amazed. She wondered why the crow had stopped to help a little fox like herself. She hadn't done anything special to warrant this woman's attention. Yet, as Adeena thought, she figured she would do the same thing if she happened upon someone being attacked. Though, it wouldn't go nearly as well as this situation. Adeena knew the basics of fighting, and she was pretty decent with a bow and arrow, but she never resorted to violence. Plus, she was nowhere near efficient at fighting the way her clanmates were. Still, she knew if it came to it, she would die for someone who needed her help, stranger or not. 

Adeena winced as the creature before her applied pressure to her wound. She knew the woman was helping her, but she couldn't resist slightly pulling her foot away from the cold grasp. It was difficult to imagine that the creature was healing her after what just transpired with Ivar and Samir moments before. The woman was savage and ruthless, plucking out the eye of her clanmate, a barbaric bear shifter no less. Samir seemed to be terrified of the crow lady before the event even occurred. Adeena wasn't sure why. Yet, the creature was gentle with the pale girl. Still, Adeena couldn't help the small shot of fear that rippled through her body. What if this woman was toying with her? 

"Th-Thank you," The girl squeaked out.

Adeena thought back to what Samir growled while he was retreating like a little cub. *Don't bother coming home, you're as good as dead to us.* Samir and Ivar were probably conducting some elaborate lie to her father right this very minute. Of course, Elivur would most likely not believe anything that came from their mouths unless it came from his daughters. But what if the duo told her father she was dead? Would he come looking for her? Adeena had to get back. She needed to see her father. And Poe, dear Poe, he needed her. If she wasn't back soon, she had no doubt that Samir would kill the griffin. Her clanmates had been wanting to strip the meat off his bones ever since she brought him home from a snow squall. 

Making a move to get up, Adeena grunted as her antlers screeched against the rock above her head. Pain flared from her ankle. She supposed a freshly healed wound still caused pain. She shrunk away when the creature narrowed her eyes, similar to a crow. How would she get out of this situation if the creature decided to turn against her?

"Please don't harm me," She whispered, so quiet she barely heard herself. 

Adeena wasn't one for conversation. In fact, she wasn't one to speak much in general. She was a quiet thing. She was under the impression it was wise to be seen not heard. It worked somewhat well within her clan. Because of her soft demeanor, it was difficult for the freckled girl to trust easily. All of her life, it was drilled into her that no one was to be trusted but the clan.

"Please," She whispered once more.
Irene
Morrigan watched in silence as Adeena attempted to maneuver herself free from her cramped spot within the cave mouth. While the witch had little to no reading to what she was thinking, the young girl's words had seemingly struck the faintest twitch to her neutral state. It wasn't uncommon for people to beg for mercy when approached by the Phantom Queen. She had gotten used to that many years ago after word spread of the tragedy she made in her own clan. Blood and death followed her everywhere she went, and it would seem no one would dare give Morrigan the chance at a normal life because of it. 

 Nevertheless, here she was, showing the smallest bit of kindness to prey. Like a deer caught in a tar trap– Adeena couldn't get out even if she used all her might. Her limbs suppressed under herself to keep from snapping her neck by the massive head piece on her skull. Mor had raised a brow as the fox pleaded for her life. That smallest whisper hitting her ears like a blade across her chest. Perhaps it was because she saw herself within Adeena. The fear and sorrow that lingered within the young woman's eyes was a pain as heartbreaking as it was beautiful. But Morrigan knew she hadn't truly tasted death. Her soul was still pure. 

 Words needn't be said as the Crow Mother approached her once more. Her movements uncanny. Still and precise, with the gliding elegance of a dancer, Morrigan was on the beastwalker within seconds. She said nothing as she practically invited herself into the crawlspace with Svenn. Crawling atop her, tangling their limbs with one another. A heavy smell of spring rain and drizzling herbal potions danced off of Mor the closer she got to her prey. Hints of smoked lavender and bits of mint corralled Adeena's nose as the witch laid her chest upon her, looking up through thick lashes as she spoke. "*Stay still.*" 
_ _

Watching her for a moment, Morrigan waited to ensure Adeena wasn't going to squirm from under her. Those glowing emerald eyes illuminated the space around them, allowing Morrigan to see exactly where this fox had managed to get herself stuck. Upon one of the Crow Mothers fingers rested a silver ring, one that was shaped like the claw of a beast, its nail stretched and curved. With nothing more than a simple incantation, a small flame was building at the base of her fingers, heating the metal until the claw was glowing a bright amber hue. Morrigan then lifted her index finger towards the top of Adeena's antlers, sawing away what little she could to save the rest. Soon, a gentle *Clack* Broke the silence, and Adeena would feel the tension in her neck and back finally lessen. She was free.

 Morrigan placed her palms back down before looking back to the girl, their faces mere inches from one another. Adeen could feel the witches breath kissing her skin, a chilling touch that likely sent goosebumps skipping along her flesh. "Get as far as you can from here, little one... There is no telling when your monsters will come back to haunt you..." 

 Pushing back from her hips, the Crow Mother untangled herself from Adeena's body and stood once more. She brushed off the wet dirt from her knees, dusted off bits of her cloak, and without meeting the girl's gaze again, started to turn on her heels to leave. Little did the shifter know, but she was the first to be shown pure, gentle kindness from the witch. But just as she had come, she was leaving... 
||
Beulah
Adeena watched with wide eyes at the gentleness she was given by the woman before her. When the witch had crawled upon her own small body, she had not been afraid. She felt *Safe,* Wrapped up in the witch's body, even if she was just helping her get free. She owed her life to this mysterious creature. She wouldn't forget that. Adeena silently reaches up upon her head, feeling the jagged edge of a broken antler, the other half still stuck to the cave ceiling. While she mourned the loss of a precious keepsake, she understood it needed to be done.

The girl sniffled, quickly wiping away a salty tear that had managed to escape. She couldn't give this woman anymore reason to think she was weak. Especially over something as trivial as a piece of clothing. The deer skull placed upon her head was precious to her. When she was just a child, she had met a beautiful buck, just as old as she was. He had been caught in one of her clan's traps. Adeena had been too small and weak to disarm the trap, so she had sat with the animal while its life passed from its eyes. The deer seemed to find peace within the child as its head lay on her lap. When her father had finally found her, it had been dark, the deer's body long gone and icicles growing on its antlers. Her father had let her keep the skull as a headpiece. She had wore it ever since. The deer's bones had also begun as a stepping stone for Adeena's jewelry making. From then on, Adeena had sworn she would never take the life of an innocent being.
 
Adeena was thankful she still had most of the antlers left. She would make something up for the sharp edge when she reached her home. "Thank you," She murmured, watching as the witch dusted herself off. Not wanting to bother the being any longer, she scurried off towards the direction of home.

... 

About halfway to her clan's cave network, Adeena decided to make a small detour and collect some winterberries. She was hungry, and she had no doubt that Poe was hungry as well. Poe would eat almost anything, but sweet food like berries were his favorite. Sometimes, she would have to stash some of her own so the griffin wouldn't eat hers. The girl giggled at the thought. She hoped he was okay. He knew how to hide, she reassured herself.

Plucking the dark red berries from their stems of a thistle bush, Adeena was careful not to prick herself. She knew from experience how painful it could be. After her pouch was full of berries, she plucked some extra ones and stuffed them in her mouth hurriedly. Sticky berry juice ran from the side of her mouth, dark as blood. Adeena, like most of her clan, were very messy eaters. They had no manners. Adeena had never grown up with them. In the wild, it was important to eat fast so your hunt couldn't be stolen. She licked the stray berry juice from her lips with a smile.

Once the girl's belly was full of winterberries, she continued to make the trek home. She smiled as she felt the powdery snow on the bottoms of her feet. She loved the feeling of fresh snow. With her clan being immune to the harsh cold, she never had a problem with finding warmth. To her, snow on her feet just felt wonderful. Poe enjoyed the snow as well, whether it be jumping into piles or making Poe-sized snow angels. In a hurry to return home and check up on her snow-loving griffin, Adeena hastened her steps.

Adeena!" A low voice called. Her father.

"Papa!" Adeena shouted, running into Elivur's open arms.

"Little fox," He cooed, "*I thought you were dead*," He whispered into her hair, as white as their surroundings. Adeena barely reached his chest. She was the smallest of her clan. It was one of the reasons she escaped Samir and Ivar's grasps for so long. She could maneuver places that they couldn't. 

Peeking around her father's bulky chest, Adeena spied Samir in the cave entrance, his eyes narrowed in warning. *Don't you dare* They read. The small girl swallowed. She wondered where Ivar was. 

"I-I got lost," She whispered, looking to her feet. Her father looked down at her with questions in his own eyes. Elivur knew his daughter knew their home forests from front to back. But he didn't say anything in return. He trusted his daughter, his quiet little daughter, wasn't doing anything malicious. 

Elivur let his daughter go from his arms, and instead leaned down and brought his calloused hands around her soft face. "You are okay, Myszko," He whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead. Adeena leaned into his touch. *She was okay, for now.*

...

When Adeena entered her small cave that branched off from her father's, she was bombarded by a large flurry of fluff. "Poe!" She giggled, holding the chubby griffin to her face, inhaling his scent. Gods, she missed him. Poe let out a huff and nudged her face, his way of giving affection. 

Suddenly, the griffin's head stuck up, sniffing the air. His eyes narrowed on Adeena and he wiggled his fluffy body, wanting to be let down. The girl obliged. Poe pecked her foot and let out an irritated huff. "Okay, okay, here," Addena laughed again. She reached into her pouch around her waist and removed a handful of winterberries. Poe's eyes widened and the creature began to stomp his little feet. Adeena crouched down and placed the berries on the cave floor while Poe began to feast. It seemed Poe was okay, too.