Erik lifts his head, his eyes searching the road. A distant figure emerges, growing larger with each passing moment. It's Sigurd, his face etched with worry. Relief washes over Erik, a wave so powerful it nearly topples him.

  Lucy breaks into tears, her voice choked with pain. "We're over here!"

  Sigurd gallops towards them, his massive woolly bounding effortlessly across the snow. Ivor and several other ogres follow close behind. Reaching them, Sigurd takes in the sight of his daughter and Erik, his amber eyes widening in alarm.

  "By the Allfather! You two look like you've been through a troll's grinder. Get them off the snow! Wrap my daughter up warm!" Sigurd barks orders, his voice gruff with concern.

  Two guards rush forward, gently lifting Lucy and placing her on a waiting woolly. Ivor reaches down, his hand a warm, reassuring presence on Erik's shoulder.

  "Little man," he booms, his voice laced with surprise. "You carried Lucy all the way from Gate settlement?"

  "No," Erik manages, his voice ragged. "From the goblin nest, a day's travel south."

  Ivor helps him to his feet, Erik swaying precariously. "Easy there, little man. You need rest."

  Erik leans gratefully against Ivor, his body protesting every movement. As they ride back to the village, the sight of the familiar wooden structures fills him with a warmth that chases away the biting cold. They've made it. They're safe.

  Saga examines Erik with a practiced eye. "Broken ribs, but your shoulder's healing well. It'll be a few weeks before those ribs are happy again, and you're about as drained as a swamp after a dry summer."

  She throws a playful jab in Ivor's direction. "Meathead, take him to his hut. Give him this tea and let him rest. He'll be alright."

  Erik gratefully downs the steaming brew, the warmth spreading through him. He collapses onto the straw bedding, sleep claiming him swiftly. The familiar sounds of the village - children's laughter, the rhythmic pounding of a craftsdwarf's hammer - fade away as he drifts into a much-needed oblivion.

  Sunlight filters weakly through the thick furs covering the entrance, casting a dim glow on the interior of the hut. Two days have passed since Erik collapsed in the snow. He stirs, a groan escaping his lips as the pain in his ribs flares anew.

  He pushes himself up onto his elbows, wincing at the sharp protest from his body. The weight of the furs piled high for warmth presses down on him. With a sigh, he throws back the furs, the crisp mountain air nipping at his exposed skin.

  Even through the thick layer of clouds obscuring the mountain peaks, the sunlight is harsh on his eyes unused to the brightness after his long sleep. He pulls himself up slowly, each movement a testament to the ordeal he endured.

  Stepping outside, Erik squints towards the large longhouse in the distance. A deep voice booms across the frozen landscape.

  "Ah, Little Man! Back from the land of dreams?"

  Ivor, a broad grin splitting his face. Relief washes over Erik, chased quickly by a pang of worry.

  "Saga told me to bring you to her when you woke," Ivor says with a grim face.

  He starts towards Saga's hut, his movements slow and measured.

  "Saga the Sleeping One woke up!" Ivor bellows, his voice echoing as he throws a playful punch at the sturdy wooden supports of the hut.

  A moment later, the entrance flap billows open, revealing Saga bundled in thick white furs. Her expression is stern.

  "How many times have I told you not to bang on my hut?" she snaps, her voice laced with annoyance. "Elli is still recovering and needs her rest."

  Erik catches the name, a question forming on his lips. "Elli?"

  "The other girl you saved," Saga explains. "I had to operate. She's heavily medicated and will be in a world of pain when she wakes up." Her gaze flickers away, a shadow crossing her face. "Then, she'll have to face the Stone and the Council."

  Ivor avoids their eyes, clearing his throat. "Um, ah, I'll go check on the defenses," he mumbles, lumbering away with a reluctance that's hard to miss.

  Erik stares after him, then turns back to Saga. "What is the Stone?"

  Saga sighs. "Ancient Ogre tradition and culture. Come inside, I need to check on your ribs."

  A warm fire crackles in the hearth, banishing the chill from the air. On a table rests Elli, her body wrapped in bandages.

  "Take off your shirt," Saga commands, her voice firm.

  Erik grunts slightly as he pulls off his garment, revealing a large, deep purple bruise spreading across his side.

  Saga’s face contours to confusion, “The runes across your body…there on your arm now, how did this happen?

  He looked to his arm, immediately recognizing the pattern from his gun, “It must have been during the fight, I…um, don’t know?”

  Saga leans in, giving the runes a close inspection then runs her fingers up and down his arm, her touch surprisingly gentle for such a large woman. She looks closely at his bruised side then prods a spot on his ribs, earning a hiss of pain from Erik.

  "I thought Hunters were tough," she says, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You seem a little... soft. Especially here." She pushes on a specific rib, guiding it back into place.

  "Argh!" Erik cries out, the pain momentarily stealing his breath.

  "The pain would have only gotten worse if I left it," Saga explains, ignoring his yelp. "I'll give you some tea for the pain, but as long as you don't do anything stupid, your ribs should heal before the thaw. Rest for the next few days. The snow has us locked in. Heidi will bring you what you need."

  Erik nods, his thanks swallowed by the pain in his side. He rises and limps towards the entrance, wincing at each step.

  As he pulls back the furs, Saga's voice stops him.

  "Young Hunter, stay away from the longhouse," she says, her voice low. "Lucy isn't recovered enough for visitors. Sigurd is taking care of her. And... her fight is far from over."

  Erik pauses, a knot forming in his stomach. He throws a questioning glance over his shoulder, but Saga has already disappeared inside the hut. The weight of her words hangs heavy in the air, a chilling contrast to the warmth of the fire he's leaving behind.

  Erik groans, shifting on the straw bedding. The pain in his side, courtesy of Saga's forceful rib-adjustment, is a constant dull ache, making even lying down uncomfortable. He reaches back, pulling out the strange helmet he salvaged from the goblin nest.

  The sunlight filtering through the furs casts a soft glow on the black mirrored visor and the smooth, light gray finish.

  He taps the side attempting to see what happens when it's not on his head. Nothing happens.

  Shrugging, he puts the helmet on. Tapping the side again, he activates the visor, revealing the strange symbols glowing faintly. He pushes at them with his fingers, frustrated by their lack of response.

  Suddenly, an idea strikes him. He pushes at the symbol resembling an eye. All the other symbols vanish, replaced by a single blue line that shoots across the hut and expands until it fills his vision. He looks around wildly. There, floating above his bag, is a red triangle.

  Intrigued, he reaches into his bag and pulls out the bear's core. As he does, the red triangle morphs into a blue circle with four lines radiating outwards, mirroring the core's shape. He moves the core, and the circle tracks it faithfully. With a tap on the helmet, the blue circle disappears.

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  A small smile tugs at his lips. He experiments further, learning that waving his hand upwards brings the symbols into view, while a downward wave sends them away. Swiping left or right rotates them, bringing new ones into focus.

  The next symbol he presses is a circle with a rounded pointer and numbers that seem to change with the tilt of his head. Another symbol, a circle with intersecting lines, appears to be inactive when he presses it. A female voice speaks within the helmet, "Network Offline."

  Undeterred, Erik tries another - three overlapping circles. "Network Offline, No Direct Connection Available," the helmet announces.

  The final symbol, two half-circles connected by an X, expands to reveal more symbols, but they are all greyed out and unresponsive.

  He spends the next few hours exploring the symbols, but most remain inactive, repeating the frustrating "Network Offline" message.

  Finally, with a sigh, he pulls off the helmet. It takes a moment for his eyes and senses to readjust back to the normal world. He lays back on the straw, the day's discoveries swirling in his mind.

  The next several days pass in a blur of quiet recuperation. Saga delivers him some foul-tasting but effective tea for his ribs, and Heidi brings him food. Mostly, he rests, the pain a dull throb that slowly eases with each passing day. As he heals, the strange helmet and its secrets remain a constant source of fascination.

  A booming voice shatters the quiet of Erik's recuperation.

  "Little Man! Stop playing with yourself and get out here!" Ivor bellows from outside the hut.

  Erik winces as he pushes himself upright, the dull ache in his ribs protesting the movement. He pulls on his shirt, squinting as the sunlight reflects off the snow, momentarily blinding him.

  Emerging from the hut, he finds Ivor and Elli standing there. Elli is bundled in a thick fur cloak, sharing its warmth with Ivor.

  "Um, is it Erik?" Elli asks hesitantly.

  "Yeah," he replies, his voice hoarse. "How are you doing?"

  "I wanted to thank you for saving me," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I would have been... well..." she trails off, her eyes flickering to the ground.

  "Little Man, what you did for our clan and our people," Ivor booms, his voice thick with emotion, "will never be forgotten." He pauses, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Um, you're summoned to the Long House. To meet with the Council. And, hey, remember... no knives."

  Erik nods, taking a moment to adjust his aching ribs. He follows Ivor and Elli towards the Long House, the massive fire pit in the center of the village casting a warm glow on their path.

  Two imposing ogres guard the entrance, their faces obscured by dark linen wrappings. They hold heavy axes in their hands, a silent warning to anyone who dares approach with ill intent.

  Inside the LongHouse, a smaller fire crackles in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Ivor helps Elli settle into a corner, her movements slow and cautious.

  Across the fire pit, Erik finds Lucy. She sits wrapped in furs, her head bowed low. The bandages around her face hide the full extent of her injuries, but the red welt on her cheek speaks volumes.

  The council members sit around the fire, their faces and heads wrapped in dark cloths, only their amber eyes glinting through the gaps. They motion for Erik to sit in a vacant space near the fire, silence descending upon the room.

  Saga enters then, taking a seat between Lucy and Elli. Sigurd rises to his feet, a large, smooth stone clutched in his hands. Engraved on its surface are strange runes, eerily similar to the symbols on Erik's gun.

  "Council," Sigurd begins, his voice heavy with solemnity. "The goblin threat has been eliminated, thanks to the brave efforts of the war party and Young Hunter Erik. The Western hunting grounds are free from their chaotic influence."

  He pauses, his gaze flitting across the faces of the council members. "Our home was attacked, where our brothers and sisters fought bravely against the goblin menace. However, two of our members..." He hesitates, swallowing hard. "Elli and... Lucy... were mated before allowed."

  Sigurd clears his throat. "Our ancient laws must be upheld for the sake of our clan's integrity! Elli! Lucy! Face the Stone and receive judgment!"

  Elli and Lucy rise slowly, their movements strained. Erik catches a glimpse of Lucy's abdomen, heavily bandaged. He questions himself that he missed that during his triage or if something else happened. He can only imagine the pain she's enduring, both physical and emotional.

  The tension in the room thickens, the flickering firelight casting long, menacing shadows. Erik watches, his heart pounding in his chest, as the two women stand before the Stone, their fate hanging in the balance.

  Erik and Lucy stand before Sigurd, a few paces separating them from the large stone tablet he holds. The air hangs heavy with unspoken emotions.

  "Elli, Lucy," Sigurd's voice booms, echoing through the Long House. "We hold few clan laws, but they are absolute. Upon leaving this house, you will no longer be considered part of the Ogre Clan. Exiled, forever outcasts."

  Elli's shoulders shake with silent sobs. Lucy, in stark contrast, stands motionless, her face devoid of expression. The weight of the pronouncement hangs heavy in the air.

  Erik can't hold back. "What the hell is this?!" he explodes. "That's your daughter, Sigurd! One you failed to protect!"

  Sigurd bristles, his jaw clenching. "I have a duty to the clan!" he roars back, the strain evident in his voice. "Before my own family."

  Ivor steps forward, catching Elli as her legs threaten to give way. He throws a thick fur cloak over her and gently guides her out, her quiet sobs echoing in the wake of their departure.

  Sigurd sets the stone tablet down, taking a deep breath to compose himself. "Young Hunter Erik," he speaks, his voice quieter now. "Would you escort Lucy out of the village?"

  Anger burns in Erik's eyes. He stares at Sigurd, then turns his gaze to Lucy, who seems lost in a daze.

  Saga speaks up, her voice calm amidst the tension. "Young Hunter, she's still recovering. Be careful with her."

  Erik grits his teeth. He swallows his anger and helps Lucy to her feet, supporting her weight as they leave the Long House. The walk back to his hut is a silent one. The villagers avert their eyes as they pass, the weight of the council's decree hanging heavy in the air.

  Reaching his hut, Erik helps Lucy lie down on the straw bed. "Stay here," he says, his voice gruff. "I'm going to talk some sense into them."

  "It won't work, Erik," Lucy whispers, her voice hoarse from medication. "They had to do this. Anything else would have broken the clan."

  Erik grabs his pack, his jaw set. "They can't just throw you out like yesterday's garbage! I'm going to make them see that!" he storms out of the hut, fueled by a mix of anger and helplessness.

  He strides towards the Long House, his purpose clear. But before he reaches the fire pit, Ivor steps into his path, blocking his way.

  "Little Man! Don't!" Ivor warns. "They will kill you, and I won't stop them this time. Go to Saga's hut. She needs to check on your ribs."

  "Damn it, Ivor! I don't care about my ribs!" Erik yells, his frustration boiling over. "I'm going to make it so Lucy can stay with her clan! What does it matter if they don't want me anymore?"

  Ivor's gaze is unwavering, his voice firm yet low. "Erik, listen to me. Go to Saga's hut. Now."

  Erik hesitates, the anger slowly draining from him replaced by a sense of defeat. With a muttered curse, he turns and storms towards Saga's hut, his head hung low.

  The hide entrance flaps open with a bang, and Erik strides in, his face flushed with anger.

  "Saga!" he barks, ignoring the customary greeting. "Ivor said you wanted to check my ribs." His voice drips with sarcasm.

  Sigurd rises from a seat by the fire, his face drawn. Saga sits beside him, tears glistening on her cheeks.

  Seeing their expressions, Erik's anger falters slightly. He sighs, leaning against the door frame. "Alright," he says, his voice still gruff. "I'm listening."

  Sigurd steps forward. "Young Hunter, we owe you an explanation," he says, his voice heavy with regret. "And hopefully, we can secure your continued aid."

  Erik raises an eyebrow.

  "Our clan has a long history," Sigurd continues. "Longer than memory can recall. Our founders, in the distant north, laid down the laws that govern us, the laws inscribed on the Stone. These laws are few, but they are the foundation that holds us together, especially after losing our place as the Queen's army." He pauses, running a hand through his beard.

  "One of these laws states that females within the clan cannot be mated without the Chieftain's permission."

  "But what about fighting for a mate?" Erik interrupts. "Lucy mentioned that."

  Sigurd nods. "That's also true. However, if someone wished to claim Lucy as his mate, they would have to defeat me in combat." He looks at Saga briefly, who averts her gaze.

  "Lucy remained unclaimed until her capture," Saga blurts out.

  Sigurd throws her a silencing look. "There's not enough time to explain all the intricacies of the Stone's laws," he continues, addressing Erik. "What I'm asking is this - would you be willing to look after Lucy and Elli? Take them down from the mountain and help them find a new life?"

  Erik scoffs. "Chieftain Sigurd, I battle the chaos creatures plaguing the continent, not play bodyguard."

  Sigurd's voice lowers. "Young Erik, I can't ask any member of the clan to help them. You're the only one here who can. I know it's a lot to ask, and it will likely have consequences for you within the clan." He hesitates, then continues. "But the truth is, Lucy wouldn't survive the journey to Gate settlement alone."

  Erik leans back against the table, rubbing his face and stubble. His anger is replaced by a sense of responsibility, albeit a reluctant one.

  "Alright," he finally says. "But I wouldn't do it for free. Look, let's say... a trailer, extra food, medicine, blankets, and another woolly. You know, for my services clearing out the goblins and handling that chaos beast. Would that appease the clan and the council. You keep the payment bars?"

  A flicker of relief crosses Sigurd's face. His amber eyes well up. "Yes," he croaks, his voice thick with emotion. "Gifting in this trade would certainly prevent a revolt."

  He reaches behind him and pulls out a spearhead. It's long and diamond-shaped, covered in intricate symbols that Erik recognizes from his own gun.

  "This is for you," Sigurd says. "I was going to give it to Marcus for helping us secure the alliance, but I believe it's more fitting in your hands." He wipes his eyes, then places a hand on Erik's shoulder before exiting the hut.

  Erik stares at the spearhead, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He throws it into his pack, then turns to leave.

  "Young Hunter, wait!" Saga calls out.

  Erik pauses, looking back at her with a questioning glance.

  "Lucy..." Saga begins, her voice trembling. "I had to remove the monster... like what I did for Elli, leaving it in would have killed them. She'll be in a lot of pain, physically and emotionally. Besides the injuries you saw, what I had to do...they won't be able to have children of her own."

  Erik frowns, a deep sadness settling in his gut. "That's a cruel punishment," he mutters.

  Saga nods, tears streaming down her face. "A fight they'll carry for the rest of their lives."

  Erik takes a deep breath. "Thank you for telling me, Saga." He walks out of the hut, a heavy weight on his shoulders.

  He finds Elli leaning against the wooden support beams, her face pale.

  "Elli," he says gently. "Rest inside with Lucy. I'll be back in a few hours. Then, we leave."

  Elli nods silently and disappears into the hut.