Thorn Bain Chronicles
Chapter 4
Thorn Shuddered as he shuffled through the white out, the temperature had dropped well below zero and the
once warm sun had disappeared behind the fog and clouds. The snow storm had come down from the
surrounding mountains and engulfed the travellers late that night while they made camp. It started with
the rain which thundered down around the wary hunters and echoed around the valleys and mountains, thunder
and lighting rolled across the sky like a great chariot and the fog clung to travellers making it nearly
impossible to see. If they were ambushed now they were all dead for sure. Thorn glanced at his feet
through his stiff icy mask to where his animal companion pushed through the snow. It looked up at Thorn
and let out a wearisome whine, "I know my friend it is hard going but I promise a fresh steak for you
when we arrive."
Up ahead the tall strong figure of the Norn strolled through the snow with ease obviously this warrior was
used to the conditions. Next to him hopped Thorns small dwarven friend Tarr Embersledge. The kindly old
dwarf turned with a grin and winked at thorn, either his friend was also used to these conditions or
drunk, probably the second option Thorn chuckled.
After several hours of dragging themselves through the snow the Norn turned and stopped the other
travellers. "Bear is not happy it seems" he muttered.
Thorn looked at the dwarf in confusion. "Bear is a great spirit the Norn live under" the dwarf
noted.
Suddenly Astreal let out a low growl from next to the tall lean ranger. "Whats up buddy….hungry
again" he whispered.
A smell reached Thorn and he fell to his knees short of breath and gasped, grief overwhelmed him he hoped
he would never be reminded of the terrible weeks that surrounded the searing, the streets, his streets,
the city, the houses, the people the atmosphere and smells, the warmth, the taverns, and the smell of
fresh grass from beyond the wall. Burnt all of it gone everyone he knew dead, his house burned down while
his family slept his mothers still lifeless body laying sound and undisturbed. His older brother trapped
from the fallen timber beams. He himself had only escaped through the small landing window. His friends
dead, his family dead, his home and safety gone.
A small silvery tear rolled off Thorns cheek. On his hands and knees the snow melted making his leggings
soggy and cold, from the icy ground, the chill bore through his soul to his core.
The dwarf looked in dismay across the ravine towards the once sparkling magical town. It had once been
the beauty of the north the great palace where the dwarven king and Norn Lord ruled over the once great
empire, crystal spires lay shattered in the streets, the great golden doors blown aside torn from their
wrought Iron hinges forged by the dwarves. The houses of the locals lay in ruins wood burned, no longer
did the smell of fresh fish and warm timber fires roll across the hills and mountains, now the smell of
death was present.
The dwarf fell back onto a rocky patch and wiped the tears away with his grimy beard.
Secluded from the other two the towering Norn Olrag plunged his sword deep into the ice and cursed, the
two small wannabe heroes could cry all they want but he would achieve the true goal of the Norn he would
be known, his stories would live on, told round the fires to the children to wonder. He had only been to
the capital once but felt more angry then sad, he let out a gruff sigh and ripped the sword out the ground
the mist danced back towards the tip of the blade as the swords warm runes shimmered down from the tang.
Astreal stalked over to his friend and master and licked the tears from his face then sat and stared.
"Your right my friend" Thorn whispered "we can’t get caught on the past" the tall
ranger rose to his feet and wiped his face dry. "Whatever came through here has only recently passed
see how the fires have not settled!"
The Dwarf stood and swung his axe over his shoulder, "your right, let us find this wretched evil and
put an end too it"
The Norn turned and muttered three sharp words
"Let us hunt"
