Rolf glanced down at the dead shaman at his feet, then back up at what remained of the shaman's followers. The grawl were seemingly frozen stiff, weapons raised defensively, but they still flinched as he snarled at them.
Rolf couldn't speak in this form, but his eyes sent a clear message, "Leave now, and you can keep your lives." For a moment, Rolf thought they would actually heed his warning. But then the bravest among them charged forward to avenge their leader. Well, it was worth a try, Rolf thought.
What followed was a massacre, the blizzard paling against the storm of tooth, claw, and sword that cut down the grawl. The bow and magic users thought they were safe at range, until the flames swirling around the norn blasted at them. This norn was nearly as skilled in fire magic as he was with any weapon.
By the time the blizzard had ended, so had the fighting. Rolf stood surrounded by the corpses of those who had fought him. With a wave of his hand, the flames still surrounding him spread out and ignited the bodies. Seconds later, the flames dispersed, leaving nothing behind.
When the smoke cleared, all that remained were the handful grawl that were too scared to fight, left staring in awe at the furious norn.
"Fokoko…" one of them whispered, and at once the grawl fell to their knees in worship of the norn.
Rolf would have none of it. He barked at them with a voice that shook the snow from the trees, and the grawl scampered away in terror.
As soon as they had left, Rolf finally allowed himself to take a deep breath, shifting back into his normal form. He looked at the burning tent with regret.
He should have stayed.
He should have been more insistent.
Maybe then this wouldn't have happened.
Rolf got on his hands and knees and dug through the rubble. If anything had happened to that kid, he…
He couldn't think about that right now. Not while there was a chance.
"Kid?" he called out. "Darrof, if you can hear me, please answer! I don't know if I can find you. Darrof!"
Tears began rolling down the norn's face. It wasn't like he'd known the kid long, but he was still desperate to save him. At least he'd be able to save somebody.
He kept digging, and finally he found the the body of a tiny asura, almost small enough to fit in his hand. The child was unconscious, but Rolf could feel a faint heartbeat.
"You're alive. Thank the Spirits you're alive. It's okay, little Gronda. You're safe now."
Rolf wrapped the asura in what was left of the tent, and carried him down the mountain.