Just Another Day

As the meal was being finished among kurach, dwarf, and giant alike, the eldest council member, Sargund, lighted onto the table next to the ambassador. The old kurach bowed to the giant. The ambassador bowed his head to him in return.

"Welcome to our city!" Sargund greeted them warmly.

"It is our pleasure to be here," smiled the ambassador.

Sargund then gave his customary speech where he formally welcomed the giants, told the residents of their city what an honour it was to receive them, and his wishes for a bright future and continuing relations.

Over the next few days, Sargund and the ambassador discussed legal matters of territory, trade, promises of aid should dangerous situations arise, and such things. With alliances renewed, the giants were on their way within a week back to the higher peaks they called home.

Winter settled into the mountains and the snow fell regularly. If the Highland kurach were hairy before, they were downright shaggy now in their thick, winter coats. Shanku was a bit fluffier above her norm, but being from a warmer climate she was more inclined to being indoors near a fire than her larger friends.

There were new lessons to learn about hunting in the snow, such as don't let your wings arch too high above when stalking below limbs heavy with snow built up. There were many amused elk and caribou who went plodding on their way as a surprised and muffled yip came from under a large deposit of snow after it was disturbed from the branches.

Shanku willingly joined the other older cubs in their morning training exercises. Although she was smaller and weaker, she was faster. It was often great fun for all of them as the little Sylvan darted in and around them during their sparring matches. Often she was referred to as "that pesky gnat".

As winter prepared to leave with the coming of spring, so did Shanku. There was still plenty of snow on the ground, but the days were growing longer and plants were trying to grow.

"That should do it," she said perkily as she added a few last items to her backpack. Inside she had placed her usual necessary items. A comb, a pair of scissors, a file for her claws, a brass mirror, a toothbrush, a sewing needle, a spool of thread, a tin cup, and this time she added a whetstone for keeping her knife sharp, along with the glass ball Doane had made for her. She also packed her spare pinafore and the breeches she had made should she need to pass through human villages. On her left hip she kept the knife Rhett had given her and on her right hip she now carried a small leather pouch to keep her flint rock and any small coins she may gather on her journey. She was quite satisfied with her pack and felt adequately prepared for life alone, unlike when she had fled the pirates.

"Hrmph! A real kurach doesn't need anything in the wild," Sigrid grumphed as she prepared to bid Shanku farewell.

"Nor do they cook their meat," Shanku teased.

"A pleasant treat I could easily do without," Sigrid said with playful airs, "unlike you with your bag."

"Suuuure," Shanku giggled.

"Good winds!" Sigrid waved to Shanku.