Location: Just North of Gretian Pass, Outside Brokall Village
Time: Year XXXX, Late Fall, Early Winter (October or there about.) Mid-Morning

Day One
Kar took one last look back, noting how the sun was now 'full' above the mountains. A few fond memories flooded his mind and a glaze fell over his eyes. Both were quickly shed when a gust of wind swept through the quiet gateway, leaving behind a faint creaking of a small, worn down metal fence. Kar buttoned up his coat and put his hands in his pockets. It couldn't be heard, but he let out a very faint "Goodbye", the only noticeable part about it being the puff of white mist let out when he spoke. It was going to be a long trek, especially solo.

Few men had the nerve to attempt Gretian Pass during the winter months, and with it approaching, the last of the 'travelers' have already returned to the village, or are at least on their way. The route wasn't so much grueling as it was long. A week minimum to cross and that was for the experienced and older men. During the winter months, the winds could be quite fierce and snow could accumulate at an inch an hour, lasting a whole day, if not longer. There were a few small shelters along the way, they were for a quick rest up and a solid nights sleep. This late in the year, there weren't going to be too many rations left inside the rest stops.

Kar knew all this, and with a long sigh and a longer first step, he was on his way. He wasn't taking very many supplies with him, just a few scraps he stored in his coat.. He'd made the trip before, crossing the pass with the older men, as was tradition, but never alone. It was nearly unheard of, a 'child' going alone, when even grown men wouldn't? The village would have been in an uproar, had he told more of them that he was leaving. As was village rule, when a boy reached 18, he was officially a man. His first act as a man was to leave his village. It was five years now, since he and a few other village boys were led through the pass and to the trade village on the other side of the mountains. He'd recently heard, from some men returning to village, that local jewelry and clothing were selling high at the market, so he gathered what he could to make some money.

The first step was taking longer than he anticipated. He wasn't sure if he was nervous or excited. To an outside observer, it would appear neither. He keeps a cold exterior, always has. This trek wasn't going to help matters, being alone with only his thoughts for a week. He particularly liked that fact; he enjoyed his own company best. Without realizing it, he had walked 100 yards from the village and was now in the pass. It wasn't a very good passageway, but was the only one available. The village was isolated, just off a frozen lake, frozen all but 3 months a year, and hidden in the mountains. The villagers had very little to say about what lay beyond the mountains, all but here-say and rumors. None of that mattered to Kar; he just wanted to leave the village.

A half day had passed and Kar paid no mind to the sun's position. He knew the first stop was less than a day's walk away. A few of the more rowdy village boys would sneak off and stay there during the summer months, much to their mother's dismay. Kar wasn't one of them; he never was 'one of them'. He preferred a simple existence, keeping to himself. This was only because he was planning on leaving the village since he was 13. His first outing, first time outside the village walls and first time seeing people he didn't know by name. It may have been the first and only time in his short life he was shocked and amazed. The trade village wasn't very busy, but he loved it. People exchanging goods, carrying on conversations that weren't about village matters and the 'free spirit' feel he got from everyone he met. Before that, he was a normal village kid. Afterward however, he was always quietly planning his escape.

It must have been a few more hours, the sun was beginning to set and he finally noticed a small cabin in the distance. A small smirk crept up his face, the first in a long time. It almost felt alien and uncomfortable, but he was happy nonetheless. This signaled his first step, one day down, a few more to go, and he was gone for good. He approached it just as the sun hid behind the peaks. A day was shorter in the mountains, with them being so tall, they blocked out the suns light earlier in the day. He was in luck, the cabin wasn't buried in and there was a supply of wood still inside. The village kept the first few cabins stocked with dry wood, so travelers could stay warm, and the trade village was supposed to do the same with the last few. There wasn't any food inside, but he was fine with that, he had no appetite; all he wanted was to sleep the night away and continue in the morning. After starting a small fire in the fireplace, he fell asleep. His dreams of leaving the village kept him warmer than the fire did.