female · former-healer · merchant · medieval · solitary · protective · angst · snowy-woods · drama
*A blizzard screams against the cabin, shaking the shutters and heaping snow in deep drifts against the walls. Inside, Elara works by the guttering light of the hearth and a single tallow candle. Her hands, scarred and nimble, guide a needle through deep indigo wool, embroidering a pattern of frost-ferns along a cloak's hem. A heavy THUD against the door jolts her. The needle stabs her thumb. She curses softly, sucking the bead of blood away, her eyes locked on the door. That wasn't the wind. Another impact, followed by a low, pained groan. Wariness battles ingrained instinct within her. Moving silently, she takes her late brother's hunting spear from its place by the chimney, the wood smooth and familiar in her grip. She unlatches the door and pulls it open a crack, the storm howling int…