Winter in Polania is not kind. The snow blows through the villages burying the humble homes up to their shingled roofs as families huddle around wood stoves hoping to retain some warmth . Wolves howl in the forest, competing with the hunters that brave the snowy drifts in order to find something fresh that would fill their families bellies. On the outskirts of the town of Tresnya on the northern borders of the polanyan kingdom a hunter creeped among the trees. The young boy, barely older than twelve winters, winced as his foot broke a frozen stick buried in the snow. He froze, holding his breath as he prayed that his quarry hadn't heard his mistake. The elk that he had been stalking looked up from the sapling it had managed to find in the frost. Its ears twitched back and forth as its breath billowed out in vaporous clouds. Unable to find the source of the sound, its instincts turn it back to the more pressing issue of devoring the little food it had managed to find. The hunter slowly let his breath out, pulling his crossbow from beneath his cloak. Putting the stock to his shoulded the boy aimed the old weapon at his quarry and pulled the trigger.
SSSHHTHWACK!!!
The bolt struck and with a keening cry the elk turned to run only making it a few yards before its strength left and the beast fell to the ground. The young man quickly ran up to the downed creature and slit its throat with the knife he had pulled from his boot. Moving at the same pace, he began to dress his prey, gutting and cleaning the carcass with fast yet efficient strokes all the while looking around himself as if he wasn't alone. While he would soon be considered an adult of his village, he was still on the small size and doubted he would survive if a snow leopard or worse, a pack of wolves were to stumble upon his kill. Fortune seemed to be in a good mood however, and he was able to finish preparing his catch for transport and get on his way withought incident.
As he walked he lowered the mask that was wrapped across his face to take a drink from his waterskin. He made his way down the mountain he had spent the day on. His saphire blue eyes constantly searching for any hint of predators that might decide he was going to be their next meal. He would be dammed if he became a wolf's meal only a few hours hike from home. The sun was hovering over the horizan bathing the eastern clouds in purple and orange hues. Dusk fell but boys face brightened as he made his way towards the ridge that hid his town from view. A soft sigh could be head from chapped lips as he reached the crest and the town of Tresnya came into view. Snuggled in the valley between two forested mountains, the town was spared much of winters wrath, the wooden homes glowing cheerily in the setting sun. Smoke drifted up from brick chimmneys and the boy could see other hunters and woodsmen making their way out of the forest towards the village center bringing the fruits of their labor behind them. The first hunters to return had started a bonfire and begun skinning and prepping their catch for dinner and storage. The boy pulled on the sled his own prize was tied to as he began working his way down the trail that led to home.
" Oy!" A coarse old voice shouted from the first house he passed on his way to the town square.
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One of the hunters walked up to the boy, smaking the boy on the shoulder as he said, "I hope you managed to catch something worthwhile boy, itz been a while since one of you younguns brought back anything other than a hare or pheasant for their naming day dinner."
The boy glanced back to his sled and replied with a melodramatic air, ' Alas Viktor, I am afraid I was unable to bring you back a drakon like you asked. I could only find the finest Elk such as what one of the Wild Hunt would ride! Take a look! This king of beasts almost breaks the sled it is laying on! And what is it that you brought back from your hunt hmm? Another pig like last week?'
Viktor shook his head with a sigh, 'I think the swine moved south rather than try and brave the rest of winter. I wasn't able to find any traces of them. I was forced to content myself with this brace of hare.' He brandished the bag he was holding. The two made their way towards the center of the village where the rest of the hunters were comparing their catch and divying up the spoils.
"What name did you decide on for tonight?" Viktor's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked. The boys face became downcast, his precious cheer wiped away like tracks in a blizzard. "I haven't decided yet. Ive spent the last 12 years waiting for today but now that I am finally able to name myself I am at a loss of what to pick..."
The boy trailed off , his earlier good mood no longer evident on his useful face. The older hunter looked at him and with a wry laugh said, "Why not name yourself Viktor? After the most handsome hunter to ever grace Europe! I am sure if you take it that you will find a bride in no time, infac-
A shout interupted Viktor before he could continue. "No apprentice of mine will ever take your name ya old coot!"
Viktor reacted to the smith walking up the road as if he had been stabbed in the heart "Binak, you son of a hamster! How dare you wound me so! Have you no sympathy for an old man who has no children to take on his name?"
"Ha! I couldn't wound you even if I used Ivan's lance! Your ancient skin has more leather in it than my boots!
"All those fumes from your forge must be blinding you! Look!" Viktor pointed at the sled that dragged behind the two. "As you can see from his catch the boy would even do the name proud!"
Binak fell in step beside the hunters and glanced back at the elk tied to the sled. " It is a fine catch", he acknowledged " but you know that the lord wants his son to take on his name, he may not be able to be here tonight but that was his wish".
"What! Why is father not here?" Where did he go?" The boy, who had been looking on with amusement as the two older men ribbed each other, interjected with suprise.
"Lord Ivan was called away, seems the rumors of war weren' rumors after all. He had me up before dawn this morning checking his bannermen's armor and weapons as well as stocking the wagons with tools so they can make realirs on the march. He left 'round lunchtime to meet up with the banners from Trisk and Krûn on the way to Krakow...."
Binak paused in his explanation as he saw the boys face become more downcast as he spoke. With a quick clearing of his throat he amended," but anyhow while the Lord will not be here for your naming day celebration, He did leave a letter for you with Brother Antonio. So run on over to the church and grab it, then we can start the party once you come back. Alright boy?
The boy, still looking quite dour, parted ways with Viktor and Binak as the two met and mingled with the other hunters at the fire. The boy made his way to the side of the town center, where a small church stood. The front door was ajar and groaned loudly with age when the boy pushed it fully open as he made his way inside.