Settling In

Ila gasped as she watched the mysterious man disappear. What was he, he wasn't a warg or one of the Children. Could he be some minor god of the river. His eyes certainly looked like the greenest weeds found in rivers and lakes. Even tough he wasn't very tall he commanded a confident presence in his movements, almost like he was sure of his ability to take on anything, but he wasn't boastful like some men that tried to steal her. Turning and looking at the man that stole her and loved her she let out a breath of relief. He didn't save only them, for she was with child but was underfed and in furs. It appeared that this Hari didn't notice. After telling the story to the men that found them they returned to their camp in silent contemplation. It was a stroke of luck, it would seem. They would be helpless without Ygram, who was the best warrior and leader of their small group. As they layed him to sleep in their tent the various people of their small group tought what to do. Now that they escaped the cannibals further to the north they did not have a set destination. They would need to find a permanent settlement until the worst of winter passed. Their stores of food were low enough, they couldn't afford to spend the extra energy on roaming around.

The story she told her men spread like wildfire through the camp. Some were sceptical at best and some were hopeful. Maybe this man would help them, or if this was his land, allow them to stay. They didn't know if he was alone or with another group so they were uncertain. He was probably alone, based on his choice of cloth that was unlike she has ever seen. When he first appeared she tought him a crow, for he wore black just as them. Thank the gods he was not. He was something else.

It was some time after Ygram woke up that the entire group of confidants held a meeting. Three of her man's most trasted warriors and hunters and the old crone Bab were attentively listening to Ygram words:

„That man, he saved my child, and my life. We must find him and thank him. For all his ability he could be freezin' somewhere."

The others that were a little fearful of the unknown mage nodded hesitantly.

„We musn't insult him and seek him out. Find a place near him an' leave an offering of some kind, he want's to be left alone." Bab, the oldest and perhaps the wisest said.

„Alright, we shall skin the bear and offer him its fur, it's only fair"-everyone nodded, they could do without its skin but it was also valuable enough to be deemed a good gift.

After that they scattered tending to their own bussines. They choose not to settle just yet, first they needed to find the man. It took them two days to prepare the skin and leave it to dry as much as it could. Ygram went with Bon and Cor, his trusting comrads, to see where the dwelling of their helper was. Bab hastily joind them as they left the camp. After some time they found tracks that lead in the opposite direction, they assumed they were the tracks of the man.

As they followed the tracks back to their origin they drew closer to Harry's wards. After about half an hour of tracking Bab stopped them and pointed around her.

„Can't you see it, feel it? The wind is warmer here, the land softer. It looks like winter has no hold over this valley. Can you scent the sweet smell of early spring?"

As they looked around they saw it. The grass was greener and a few buds were seen on the trees. As they walked further in the effect deepened. The snow thinner and the air sweeter and warmer. As shocked they were with that they stood speechless when they saw the great gates that stood alone, at the beggining of a strange road.

It was made entirely of ice and had two magnificent stags carved into it. Looking up Ygram saw the carving of a familiar little flower that thrived in the snow. It seemed oddly right, that this land sprung like a flower on them, rare and sweet.

Not daring to pass the gates they set the skin at the feet of the deers and hastily retreated. As they lost sight of the gates they heard a crack, like bone snapping. After a few stilled moments the sound repeated itself. Ygram nodded to Cor and he silently crept to see what happened. They all waited anxiously in silence until a deep rumble of happy lauhter could be heard. Assuming it was safe they ran over to Cor to see what he found. Where only moments ago stood the bear skin now in its place was placed a huge bowl, to the brim filled with all kinds of food. In amazment they went over the content of the bowl. Dried meats of many kinds, salted eggs, cheese and all kind of amazing fruit they found.

Nodding respectfully towards the gate they took their gift and retreated to the camp. After a long time they could spare a little more food to eat. Ila needed to stay strong so that their child survived the cold winter.

After that first encounter the people were encouraged to bring something to the gates. After a time they had enough food that they could relax and focus on other things. The biggest surprise were the iron knives that the man left them. In this cold climate they were invaluable. With them they could defend themselves better, do chores quicker and hunt more efficiently. That cemented their resolve to stay near the mysterious man. They settled in just at the begginig of the valley, where the effects of some spell was weakest. For them it was good enough, they knew cold and were grateful for any small miracle that this man seemed to give selflessly. At first some more superstitous folk were suspecting a disaster but as months passed and they continued to thrive the sceptics quited.

Some time after that Ila went into labour. The people gathered around the tent and Ygram watched as Bab attended to her. It all seemed well at first but as the time went the girls that tended to his wife became more quiet and more determined to help her. When the sun set down she bagan to cry in pain. Worried he waited hoping for the best. After a while Bab entered the tent, her face grim and her hands bloody.

„I've done all I've could. She haven't got much time, say your goodbyes."-softly she said to him.

„Aand the child?"-quitly spoke Ygram

„She is still in labour but it doesn't look good for either of them."

Ygram paled and nodded helplessly. As he tried not to give in to anger and despair he remembered the mage. Was it too much to ask of him to help them again. He didn't care for the price, he would sell his soul for his family. Turning he ran towards the gates that until then they haven't dared to cross. Bab watched him ran and smiled softly whispering into the night

„If anyone can help it's you, Kind One."

Ygram ran through the gates and continued down the road. In his haste he didn't notice the snow completely melting and in its place rich pastures and orchards appearing. He instead paused for a breaf second to watch a collosal tower of ice that shone wih lights of all colours in a liking of a dance. Feeling new hope he sped off to the grandiose gates made of some pale wood with carvings of trees and snowflakes. As he neared the magnificent building in humble awe the gates opened and the mysterious man, sorceror and wizard appeared.

A few months have passed since his debut to the native people of the frozen land. It seemed they were content with the exchange and did not seek further contact. He wondered the reason, were they afraid of him or simply respected his wish to remain obscure. As time went on he tried to help them in any way he could. Food was good but was not enough, he needed to leave something more useful and long term. In that spirit he bagan crafting knives and arrows that were made of iron. Something these people didn't have. He guessed that they were either too poor for it or were completely unaware of iron ore. Either way his gifts were well received. The only thing that troubled him was that the original hunter party that he stumbled upon took their residence very near his abode. In fact they settled just inside the wards. Maybe they unconciously sensed the power that helped protect those within the girdle of defensive magic. At least they bore no ill will towards him, as they were able to enter through the ill will ward. Spying at night, under an illusion on his broomstick he saw the settlement was barely a settlement. Around twenty tents made of some kind of animal skin were set up and few fires were scatterd among them. The people that lived in those tents seemed fierce and ice hard. It looked like in every tent lived three to four people. About seventy people lived under his protection then. Even tough he didn't really know them he knew they were not bad people. He always had a soft spot for people that defied the odds, like himself. Under this world's brutal weather they managed to hold on to something and create a community. He will contine helping them, as he saw their goal worthy.

As he prepared to go to sleep he felt someone running into the innermost part of his home. At least the person was alone and seemed that it needed help, judging by their speed. As he donned his black robes and took out his staff preparing to go and meet this intruder he was surprised to see him already here. It was the same man he saved that day that started all this cooperation bussines.

The man looked in awe at his work and Harry was happy that it was appreciated. Before he could say anything Ygram, as he was called, beat him to it:

„Please, my wife, she is in labor. Something is wrong, please help her."

Harry looked at the man searching the truth of his statment and only nodded.

„Lead me to her and I'll do all I can."-After that they both hurried and ran toward the settlement. In his hurry Harry forgot he could apparate but he made it in time. As the two of them were entering the permanent camp the settlers gathered there parted and spread so Harry could pass. They all nodded respectfully at him and he returned the gesture.

Entering the tent he saw an old woman and a few teenage girls tending to Ila, with tear stained faces.

Turning to the woman and smiling he nudged the youngest away so he could gain a better view of his patient.

„What is the problem here?"-Harry asked the old woman he assumed was a kind of a healer.

„She is bleeding and it wont stop. It could take her and the child. Can you save her?"-The woman asked as she wiped the sweat of the crying woman.

Harry nodded-"Yes, just give me some space." Drawing his wand from the sleeve he went for diagnostic charms first. The woman had already bled much but it wasn't drastic enough to warrant a replenishing potion. Internal bleedings were easily enough solved if there were no ruptured organs. Waving his wand he began to craft a spell that would stop the bleeding and stabilise the infant.

„You need to push, you are nearly there, just a bit more." Ila nodded and than clutched his hand in a death grip and pushed. All was gooing good.

Soon after the screaming stopped Ygram entered the tent hesitantly. Harry smiled at him gesturing to come closer.

„Congratulations, you are a father."

Completely turning towards him revealed he had a baby girl in his arms. He handed her to the father that went over Ila and gently stroked her hair.

„She is just sleeping, she's exhausted."

Ygram chuckled and drew the baby closer. After a long moment of silence Harry asked

„What is her name?" Ygram scowled and answered

„We don't name our children until at least they survive for two winters."

Surpised with the answer he made his decision,

„You can name her now, for if you continue to live here I can guarantee that she will survive,- with a smile he said- „as well any other child born here."

Ygram looked at him for a long time. He had the appearance of a viking with long blonde hair and fierce gray eyes. Ila was the opposite, darker in hair color with hazel eyes, she had an intelligent look about her.

„Why?"-Ygram whispered.

„I know what it means to go hungry and cold, to survive against the odds. You are a good man or you wouldn't be able to enter through the gates. I believe your people are also good, but steeped in the brutality of their life. I wish to change that as much as I can."

After a moment Ygram clasped his hand with Harry in thanks and almost reverently said to him: „Then, you name her. Give my daughter a name that will help her survive."

Taken by surprise, Harry looked at the little girl and smiled

„Her name is Lily."