Closed At Arrow Point [Kavak]

[Ablation]

The day was heavy with cold. Frigid, there was a thick sharp layer on the top of the snow cutting into the legs of those who wandered outside of the paved streets of Avanthal. The trees were decorated with dangling icicles dropping spontaneously to shatter on the thick ice beneath.

The hunters in the Savant Lodge had stacked up the fireplaces until giant trees of smoke slid from the chimneys. Those who ventured out soon returned their snowshoes sliding like skates over the surface of the snow pile.

The path of hunters to the lodge was obvious that day as the top layer of ice was too thick to wash away the path. "psst! Guys! Look at that!" One of the younger hunters said pointing out the frostbitten window. The others strained to peer out the window and almost tumbled out of their benches laughing.

The young hunter had only recently been accepted into the hunters circle after days of hazing. The approach of a newer hunter meant his time was over. Another would take his place.

The lodge had several fireplaces around the corners, the largest a massive warm fire in the middle. The best of trophies, conquered by groups of hunters, was displayed proudly on the wall. Everyone hovered over their mugs of cider warming their scarred hands as the alcohol sloshed over their beards.

[Kavak Frostfawn]

Kavak followed the easily distinguished trail of boot prints and the stench of drizzled beer mixed with snow. Oh and lets not forget the towering plume of smoke that rised high beyond the trees that concealed the hunter's lodge. Kavak always heard about a legendary place where warriors and hunters could gather, trade their catches for money and regale each other with stories of their heroism and conquests. Plus you know...beer. He was searching for a job and he really didn't know who to talk to in the lodge about that, however he decided to go anyway. He took a few relaxing breathes before entering the lodge, the smell of alcohol came to him first. The noise of the entire place came a little later. It was boisterous and the atmosphere was very rugged and lively to be sure. The place was full of huge guys all telling of their own bloody battles. Their were a few women there too. They all had the same appearance, sleek, fast, athletic. Kavak got the strong visual of an assassin from a few of them. The guys had more of a hearty warrior feel to them. There was a barkeep of course serving drinks. No one looked like they would be hiring any time soon though. Kavak ran a hand through his hair and decided to mingle a bit. Of course, he started with a slender, dark haired woman to chat with first...he was a guy after all. Kavak talked with her a few moments about a job. "Oh yes, I had this one hunt that went really well, a pack of wolve right? It was just me and my best friend Havan we took 'em out one by one and then..." Kavak laughed uncomfortably and ungracefully let himself out of the conversation trying to find another worthy candidate to talk to about finding emplyment. Kavak wondered around the lodge, listening to various and what he believed severely exaggerated stories about heroism and hunting legends. Kavak joined in a few groups, told his own great stories about monsters and hunting dire animals. All untrue but the again...theirs probably wern't either. He mentioned several times he was looking for employment to a few people, but no one seemed to be worried about a young an clearly inexperienced hunter...apparently no one believed his stor about the ten dire wolves being killed with an ice pick... Kavak mingled with a few others before he sighed and decided it was all for nothing. Emploment was unsought here. He was ready to pack it in when someone called his name from the far side of the room. Curious he followed the sound of the person's voice in conversation until he got to the table where he thought it originated from.

[Ablation]

"Havaaa" The table cheered and Kavak turned to look at them as their mugs sloshed together wetting the table beneath. Catching his eye the newest member waved him over patting the bench space beside him. It was the same gesture that had been shown him in his early years of hunting. Like a man offering a boy his first drop of ale, it was a memory he clung to. Shifting to the side a bit to allow Kavak to slip in if he chose.

The others grinned slightly beneath their beards eyes grazing the body of the boy. Albeit, Kavak wasn't a boy by most Vantha standards but the hunters were almost a cult in the icy city. They had their own customs, traditions and qualification of manhood. Sprouting hair in funny places no longer sufficed.

"So mate. First time in the lodge?" One asked. It was a rhetorical question as the boys flustered face made it obvious. The man had Syna yellow eyes that spun off into orange as his laughter echoed around the table. A classically Vanthan black beard covered his face and around his ears the top of his head hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat. Streaked with the same yellow and gold in his eyes he stood out as the leader amongst the group.

"We go by nicknames here son, I'm Hooves."The others quieted when he spoke but he didn't have the domineering quality the leaders of the Icewatch had. It was a jovial and merry group, even to the most oblivious or cunning eyes, it was merry from the fingers to the eyes.

The three other men were much older than the one who had gestured him,over. "and this is Sorta Dumb, Kinda Dumb, and Pretty Dumb." Laughing at his own joke the others smirked, "And this is our mighty leader, King Dumb." One replied. He was smart shaven compared to the grizzly cheeks of the others. His hat was strewn on the bench beside him and his frazzled hair stuck up in every direction tinged with green and purple, friendly blue eyes danced beneath the thick brows.

The last two were almost twins. Both with deep green brown eyes shifting almost too quickly to identify. They had rough shaven beards of black and bold red streaks along their cheeks. Both bald with only a short ponytail in the back they chortled, nudging each other in the ribs at Pretty Dumb's pay back.

The one who had gestured to him was too young to grow a beard and his black hair was struck with the same orange as the man across from him, eyes a quaint icy grey. "They're just pullin' your leg. The twins are Paws and Ears, Pretty Dumb is Tails and I'm Horn." The others skawfed at him for ruining their fun.

"We do the nickname thing so ease of communication in the crazy storms, you are in the heat of hunting one day and BAM you get your nickname....So you are?" He asked offering a hand.