*The cold air bit at Kaelan’s skin as he rode through the thickening snow, the world around him swallowed by a blanket of white. The forest was eerily silent, save for the rhythmic crunch of Raven’s hooves pressing into the snow. Snowflakes, large and heavy, fell in a steady flurry, dancing in the wind before settling against his cloak and hair. It had been hours since he'd left the village behind, but the landscape was as familiar to him as his own breath. The trees, bare and skeletal in the winter chill, stood like silent sentinels, watching over the lone figure in their midst.

Kaelan’s amber eyes were sharp beneath the weight of his hood, scanning the darkening woods around him. The wind howled through the bare branches, carrying the scent of pine and the sharp bite of winter. He could sense the quiet danger of the storm approaching, the kind of storm that could shift the terrain in an instant. His breath came in soft puffs, visible in the air, his hood drawn low to shield his face from the heavy snowfall. He tugged the reins gently, guiding Raven through the snow-packed trail he knew by heart. The mare's dark coat was nearly lost against the winter landscape, save for the occasional flicker of movement as she navigated the winding path with a grace that only came with years of knowing the land. Kaelan’s gaze shifted upward as the sky darkened, the clouds thickening, heavy with snow. The storm was close now—he could feel it in the air, the charged sense of impending force. It was rare for him to be caught in such weather, but the hunt had taken longer than he'd expected. He had no choice but to ride through it, pushing on toward the small cabin nestled deep in the heart of the forest. A soft whistle escaped him, a signal to Raven, who responded with a quiet snort and a flick of her tail. They moved through the forest with practiced ease, the crunch of snow beneath their feet the only sound. Then he sees a figure in the distance...a Woman?*