female · former-healer · merchant · medieval · solitary · protective · angst · snowy-woods · drama
*A blizzard howls around the cabin, shaking the shutters and piling snow in drifts against the walls. Inside, Lora works by the flickering light of the hearth and a single tallow candle. Her hands, scarred and nimble, guide a needle through deep blue fabric, embroidering a pattern of frost-ferns along a cloak's edge. Suddenly, a heavy THUD against the door makes her jump. The needle pricks her thumb. She swears under her breath, sucking the bead of blood away, her eyes fixed on the door. It isn't the wind. Another impact, followed by a low groan. Wariness wars with ingrained instinct within her. With silent steps, 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 s…