A man shivering in his boots trudged forward through the thick snow, his journey to the capital led him through these frozen mountains. As the man shrouded in a large black coat slowly moved along the road he spotted a small cabin up the trail. He sped up and was filled with relief, upon finding shelter, even if it was abandoned it would give him a break from the biting winds of these mountains.
As he approached the door, a large man with long hair and a bushy beard burst out and yelled at him to scram.
"Please let me in, sir, I'm just travelling through, I won't stay for long" the freezing man snapped back.
"I will if you help me out with something. Can you fight?" the large man replied"
"Yeah, why?".
"Well some of the witches' beasts infested the well, and I need some help dealing with them,".
"I guess I don't have a choice, lead the way".
"That's the spirit haha! Let's go!". The two men then headed down a small pathway near the cabin for a little while and they ended up at a small well surrounded by 3 beasts. Suddenly the two men were upon the beasts with the freezing man's axe splitting two in half and the large man's sword slashing the third around their head.
"Thanks for the help, c'mon let's get you out of the cold and get you something to warm you up". The two headed back to the cabin. The cabin was a simple hunters cabin and only had one bed. The two shuffled inside and the freezing man took off his coat and sat next to the fireplace and the bearded man sat on his bed.
"So what brings a man like you through these mountains, I haven't seen an honest traveler here in quite some time".
"I am travelling to the capital, I heard of some lord hiring every merc and with great pay. I didn't have time to waste so instead of taking the long way around the mountains I decided to go through. Worst mistake I've ever made,".
"Well, it's rough for a first timer, but some good news is it's only about 8ish kilometers till you're out of the mountains and at the nearest town. If you are willing to help me some more I can take you there,".
"That sounds fine, let's get it over with,".
"Well if you want to do this you also have to tell me one more thing, your name,".
"It's Dima".
"Well Dima, you're looking at Jaroslav the Great, hehe. Alright let's quit the pitter patter and let's get at her," Jaroslav said, getting up and heading to the door.
"Can you give me a few minutes to warm up?".
"Sure, but you will need to carry some things on the way down". Jaroslav then begane packing up some bags with skins and hides. After a few minutes the two set down the mountain to the village of Grovesby.
"Why did you suddenly let me in after I asked nicely?".
"Well I wanted to know why someone might be heading through the mountains who isn't a bandit. That's all we run into these days. You also kinda talk like my son,".
"Your son?".
"Yeah, a lively little one named Danila, he left to join the army so I moved up the mountain to be alone. He does look a little like you, the two of you have scruffy beards and could use a hair cut but he doesn't have pitch black hair like you, he has a more soft brown like me,".
"I hope he's doing well, because war is coming if the wrong candidate for king is picked,".
"Yeah" Jaro said back as the conversation turned a little awkward. For a little while they walked silently. "So why'd you become a mercenary?".
"To send money back home, I'm terrible at farming but i was great at winning fights so I left home to find work. For the past 2 years I had stable work but it's dried up so I hopped over the border to see what I could find, and well I might've hit the jackpot.".
"If it isn't too personal, why does your family need the money?".
"I'd rather not talk about the reason why,".
"Alright, can't say I expect you to tell me every little thing about you". They had then made it to the village, and began to head towards the market. The village was dirty and muddy, filled with beggars and the poor. They came upon a shop where Jaroslav entered and Dima followed him inside.
"Jaroslav how have the mountains been to you?".
"Eh, as bad as normal. Dima this is Ralph, Ralph Dima,".
"Wow, another foreigner, so what can I do for you".
"I got some hides and shit for you,".
"Alright let's see… that's quite a lot" Ralph said as he gave Jaroslav a large amount of various coins. "Thanks for the skins!" Ralph exclaimed as the pair walked out of the shop.
Just outside the door Jaroslav stopped Dima handing him a letter and saying "My son is currently stationed at the Capital Garrison, if you could give this to him for me i would be very grateful,".
"I can take care of it".
"Thanks man, I take it you know the road out of town and to the capital?".
"Yup, that one over there," Dima said pointing to a path surrounded by trees.
"Well, good luck. Get there safe,".
"Will do," he said as he set off on the lonely road to the capital.