The Vale

Synners

1692...

Cold winds had blown in from the north, echoing across the lake near the small settlement. The wolves near the huts howling loudly in anger and hunger. Angry at the fact that they couldn't come any closer due to the fear of fire, and hunger thanks to the fact of the poor season. The noise from the beasts left savers up the spines of the men and women huddled around the bonfire. Dressed in their soft fur attire and rubbing mittened hands together for warmth. Silence hung low in the air as not a word was uttered. The small tribe has had bad winters before, but this one was definitely the worst so far. A few of the women had taken the hand of their partner and were now leading them back into the small huts they called homes. Leaving only a few to sit out in the cold late autumn air.

"It's going to be a long one." One of them spoke softly, turning to look at the others. Small bits of snow in his hair as he turned to face the wolves waiting just outside their village.

Another spoke up, "They grow hungry as do our people." They added softly looking down at the mix of dirt leaves and snow under their boots.

"Let them grow hungry. I can outlast them." Another called, his own greed in his eyes.

The second one turned, trying to silence the first. "Quiet brother! We must not provoke them. For now, we must focus on our collective futures." they turned, the other just seemed to slide further into his log seat.

"Are you afraid? The beast has not come for years and shall not hunt more," the first asked, raising an eyebrow to his companion.

The other shook their head, "It shall hunt just as we. We can not let our greed befall us." they snapped back, putting the others more on edge. They said nothing more afterward, facing the fire again. The howls didn't die away until much later into the night after the fire had soon flickered out. The tribe tucked safely away in their homes, awaiting the next long day.

The next wake of dawn was still hours off when they had heard of the growling from outside. Guttural as if it was a mix between man and wolf, slightly far off but growing closer. However, the noise died once it reached the borders of the village. Assuming it had gone away after finding nothing worth the challenge. The next thing that had carried on the wind had confused the half-awake tribe brothers.

"Znal Zra. Guerr yrsg. Gjb yrsg. Bar yrsg," it was soft, almost childlike. However, its words fell on deaf ears as the speech had been lost in translation. Repeating over and over through the small village. It had sort of an odd tune to it, but otherwise, it just sounded like a lost kid.

A few of the men seemed to leave their homes to see what was going on. Their voices were cut off as they searched for the source of the noise. The night was soon quiet.

Present Day...

"Get up! We are gonna be late." A voice shouted loudly just from the doorway to the sleeping teen's room. A small groan came back in an attempt to silence the new noise, Upset at the fact that they had been woken up. "Osiris! Get up or else I'm gonna leave you here!" Zane shouted again, his sister slowly sat up, glaring daggers at him again just like she had every morning before then.

"What time is it?" She questioned slowly, looking around and trying to get a sense of where the sun was outside. Not even above the horizon, turning back to him again, even more fuming. "The sun isn't even out yet!" She shouted loudly, shoving her sheets off a little too fast and shivering in the cold air.

"Evil doesn't sleep and nor shall I!" Zane chuckled brightly, pulling out a few clothes she might want to wear. Osiris rolled her eyes a bit at his claim before shaking her head. Climbing down from the bed and brushing past him.