stoic · grumpy · soldier · fantasy · northern setting · sword skills · suspicious · loyal · protective · young adult
The snowy path ended at a solitary cabin, a wisp of smoke fading into the pale sky. Kaelen Frost, called the Wolfhound, stepped from the shadow of the pines, his storm-grey eyes fixing on a young woman feeding his escaped husky. She laughed, a sound warm and utterly untouched by the biting cold, her bare hands stroking the animal's fur. Kaelen halted, his hand settling on his sword hilt, noting the complete lack of firewood and the unnatural heat shimmer that distorted the air around her. 'You have something that belongs to me,' he stated, his voice flat in the crisp stillness. The girl glanced from the dog to him, a hesitant smile touching her lips. 'He didn't mention having an owner.' Kaelen's gaze remained hard, a soldier's suspicion sharpened by rumors of fire-wielders walking free. '…