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Morning mist breaks

As a new day is born

Cacophony of birds

Rustling of a fawn

Awaken to the chorus

Pack, stretch, and yawn

Chilled lungs

Hides for warmth are worn

Extinguish the camp’s light

And ride out at dawn

Travellers from the wilds

Journey on

Into narrow glacial ravines

Howling gusts that lash

Frost shards shred the skin

Through pain and stripped flesh

Press on to snow peaked tops

Lightning strikes the virgin snow

Barrage of hail showers down

These boots they weigh and drag

Thickly bound as snow stuck

Tight winds whip the surface

Strain to fight the drag

These eyes they well with pressure

As night draws nearer

Push to the woods for shelter

Torches ablaze at arm’s length

A glow illuminates the forest floor

Tension in the atmosphere

The group halted in their tracks

To the sound of a low growl

Silhouettes across the tree line

Torch thrust embers flare

Kindle crackle met with snarl

Wall of matted grey fur

Bite bore and aggressive stance

A lone figure

As light begins to wane

Commander of wolves

Lord ruler of this domain

Moving through the brush

Against the elemental grain

In to that barren landscape

Skies blacken, sleet, and rain