Atalo Peregrine - A brief introduction.

[Smaw 2376]

(( This dude is a character I'm hoping to integrate into a future ET event, if I manage to get accepted.
If not, I'll still be using him to a less interesting degree. ))


Where does a man escape to when he despairs for his kin?

To a land so far removed from civilisation that only his cries reverberate through the silence.

 

The howling, bitter winds force the three men further as they trudge through the deep snow. Visibility is low, the light of day quickly fading from the horizon, blocked in various places by gargantuan mountains of iced stone. One of the men trembles for a brief moment, before crashing onto his knee in an attempt to avoid the cold blanket of snow that spanned for miles. His companions rushed over to his aid, thrusting their walking canes deep into the ground. 

 

"C'mon, we gotta get some cover!" One of them exclaimed as they both picked him up. The trio glanced up into the distance, catching the final glimpse of day before they were plunged into darkness. The injured man hung his head as the others struggled to carry him to a nearby shelter of outreaching stone. They settled him down, procuring some supplies from their bags, attempting to spark a flame. In their success, they were offered a temporary solace from the unforgiving expanse of the North.

 

The blistering winds persist throughout the night, a constant reminder of the looming danger awaiting them outside. One of the men awakens to daybreak; every moment of light a gift to be seized. He rises to his feet, preparing to pack some things when he notices a small patch of blood trickled by the entrance. In a panic, he hastily scans the haven, only to come to a dreadful realisation.

 

"Wake up!" He yelled, pacing around the room and clutching at his hair as he tried desperately to understand the situation. "Wake up, James!" He said, patting down on the injured man.

 

"The feck is wrong?" He said, rubbing his eyes as he tried to sit himself up.

"Roger is gone!" The frantic man yelled, pointing over to the blood stain. The half-sleeping man peered over, scurrying back in shock as the sight woke him fully.

"What happened?"

 

"I. I don-" He muttered, edging closer to the blood and peering out at the limitless sheet of ice and snow. James rose to his feet in a fast but cautious manner, making his way toward his companion. He followed his gaze, eyeing a patchy trail of red stains along the white ground.

"We gotta get out ah' here. We gotta get home." James said, moving back inside, clutching at his things with shivering limbs. His bewildered friend followed suit, gathering what essentials he could muster. The pair quickly departed from the cavern, breaking out once more into the punching winds. They rushed as quickly as their bodies would allow, trudging through the snow in a desperate attempt to flee the scene. James was falling behind, barely keeping pace with his companion due to his injury. The man turned, grasping at his arm and pulling him along.

The two travelled for as long as the light broke through the mountains, and continued even into the encroaching darkness. They had little choice as the barren wastes grew colder, opting to take shelter in a small hole in the mountainside. They gathered what they could, creating a disappointing barricade out of bags and tools. The men sat through the night, trying as hard as they could to remain awake, before succumbing to the fatigue they had developed from the struggle.

 

As small rays of light broke through the blockage, the sweeping winds seemed to cease and a deafening silence fell upon the desert. For a time, this calming state continued. Until a looming sound grew more intense, originating from the distance.

 

*CLINK!*

*CLANK!*

 

The men awoke, rushing to the makeshift barricade and punching a hole through to inspect the distance. The sounds continued, nothing before them but the familiar expanse of snow, ice and mountainous horizons.

*CLINK!*

*CLANK!*

 

The clanging sounds continued to spread through the land, a sign of life to those that could hear. The men continued to peer through the gap, scanning around in an attempt to find a source of the noise. Suddenly, a paled and rugged man's face blocked their view to the outside world.

"There you are!" He exclaimed in a cheery tone, pulling away at some of the bags and tools that blocked him off. The men jumped back in shock, huddling together as they picked up their walking canes, forming a defensive stance.

"Woah there." He said, laughing to himself. "There's no need for that, fellas."

"Who the feck are you!?" James exclaimed. The strange man tilted his head in curiosity, pausing for a moment as he looked between the two.

"What do you mean? I'm like you, mate."

"Me?"

"Aye, we're all Human here. No need to start any trouble." He said, holding up his hands with open palms. "I've a little spot back there. You know, where that anvil is makin' the noise?" The men turned to each other, before James turned back to the stranger.

"What's your name?"

"Ah," The man said, scratching the back of his head. "The name's Atalo. Bit of a weird one." He finished, smiling and stepping back. "Shall we go inside before the wind starts up again?" The pair once again turn to each other, lowering their canes slightly.

 

Edited September 2, 2015 by Smaw