The clouds hung thick and heavy during the cold, winter day. Icicles hung from the tree branches, the rain from the night before having left most of the mountain and forest frozen. The only sign of life in the mountains was Eventide’s breath leaving her mouth like a thick fog. Reaching out from her tree blind, she grabbed a small pile of snow in front of her. Her hand numb from the cold, she quickly shoved the snow into her mouth, letting it melt as she narrowed her eyes.

“Come on, you son of a bitch,” Eventide thought to herself as she slowly swallowed the water. “I know you're out here.” Watching ever more closely at the nearby trees and frozen snow mounds, her steel-cold gaze finally found her target. She drew her bowstring back, steeling her nerves as she aimed. “It's time to pay for what you’ve done.”

Her arrow quickly found its mark, and the still mountain was soon filled with the pained screams of her prey. Smirking to herself, she climbed down from her tree blind, her bow slung over her right shoulder, and walked over to the man. Kneeling down, Eventide reached out and grasped the arrow’s shaft embedded in his knee.

“Don’t pull it out! Oh, God, don’t—”

His pleading was cut off by his own scream as Eventide twisted the arrow, playfully tilting her head in the same direction. Leaning in, she whispered into his ear, “Poach on this land again, and by Odin’s right eye, I’ll send you to your ancestors.” Twisting the arrow the opposite direction, she shoved the arrow the rest of the way through his knee, listening as he screamed in pain. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes! For the love of God, stop! I’ll never come around here again, I swear!” the poacher yelled. As Eventide rose to walk away, he shouted, “Where are you going? You can’t leave me up here! I’ll die!”

“That’s not my problem,” she called back from over her shoulder. “Don’t ever show your face around here again, because then, you’ll be my problem.”

Satisfied, Eventide ignored the poacher’s screams as she began the several-hour journey back toward her grandfather's mountain cabin. Finally arriving, she sighed a contented sigh as she sniffed the air. “Grandfather, you're cooking your rabbit stew again,” she muttered to herself. Setting down her pack and bow once she got near to the cabin, she sat on the porch bench and began removing her boots. “It's good to be home.”

Hearing the door open, she watched her grandfather step out into the cold air shirtless, a long stem pipe in one hand. His thick, broad muscles glistened with sweat, and his thick, snow-white beard blew lightly in the wind. His eyes were cold and hard, his face worn from many years of battles he would sooner forget. “It's hot as Muspelheim in there. I’ve been cooking since you left last night.” Lighting his pipe, he took several long, slow puffs, the blue smoke curling around his nose and head before he turned to face her, frowning. Seeing his disapproving look, Eventide quickly looked away, trying in vain to hide her shame.

“I heard the screams, Eventide.” His rough, pit bull-like voice boomed like thunder. “I assume you found the poacher?”

“Y-Yes, Grand—er, sensei,” she replied, gulping. “I-I found him.” Looking down, she continued, “I shot him in the knee with an arrow, then pushed it through to the back.” Looking back up, she finished, “I told him I would send him to his ancestors if he ever dared come here again.”

Her grandfather continued frowning. “Did you at least tend to his wound before leaving him?”

“No, sensei. I left him on the south ridge near Nine Pines. I thought it was best to leave him to the Norns. If they want him to live, he will.” Eventide looked away in a huff. “Besides, why should I have helped him? He was poaching on your land!”

Her grandfather sat down and laid his rough hand on her shoulder. As she risked a glance back to him, she found herself unable to look away from his cold, beryl eyes, guilt bubbling its way to the forefront of her being.

“Eventide, listen to me. As a warrior, you must know when to let your enemy die without honor and when your enemy should be allowed to live. Many that have died should have lived, and many that have lived should have died. It is not your place to deal in judgement and death. A warrior must always help those that need her or his help, regardless if that person is an enemy or not.”

“But, sensei, he was poaching on your land!” Eventide protested again adding, “Why shouldn’t the Norns be the ones to deal with him?”

“Because it is wrong to deal with those that you dislike in such a manner. It is not for you or I to decide when someone else’s time is up in this world. If the Norns decide our enemy will die despite your help, then he will, but that’s their decision, not ours. Now, grab your things. We’re both going to go get this person we’ll take him to town and let the law deal with him.” Seeing she was looking at the cabin door, he finished, “I’ll put the stew in some containers to take with us. We can’t make this journey on empty stomachs.”

Bowing her head, she sighed and slowly donned her pack and bow. Turning around, she watched him walk inside the cabin and waited impatiently for the few minutes it took him to change and get the food. He came out dressed in furs, and a linen shirt with a rifle in his hand. A bow, and quiver strapped to his body and a leather pouch strapped to his hip. He gave her a nod and headed toward the stables. Eventide glared at his rifle. “We don’t need that disgusting thing. What can it do that a bow, knife or an ax can’t?”

“Sometimes a bow, knife or an ax won’t do. The speed or size of your target may make those weapons useless or too dangerous to use against. I know you don’t like it, but there are times when you must use it to get the job done.” Opening the stable door, he continued, “I don’t like using it, myself, but this time, I feel deep in my bones that I should bring it with me.”

Eventide followed him into the stable, watching as he saddled up his horse. He petted the horse’s neck and quietly said, “Ah, Vinr, you have been my friend for many long winters. I need your help once more.” Getting up onto his horse, he offered his hand to Eventide, who politely pushed it aside. “Oh, you want to ride your own horse?”

“Yes. I’ll take Horse and lead you to that faen—”

“Don’t use that word!” her grandfather snapped. Startled, Eventide gave him a confused look, and he softened his tone and said, “The word ‘faen’ may have at one point meant demon, but now, it means something else entirely. Please, don’t say that word again. You’re better than that.”

“Yes, sensei. I swear I won’t use that word again.” As she saddled and mounted her horse and watched him ride out of the stable, she added under her breath, “Not while you’re around, at least.”

Leading her own horse out into the snow, she spurred his sides, leading him past her grandfather towards the mountain pass. A few hours passed without much spoken between the two as she led her grandfather deep into the mountains under the gentle snowfall until they finally reached the place where she shot the poacher.

The poacher was gone. Eventide looked around, trying to find any hint of a trail of blood that had not been buried in snow. Suddenly, her horse pulled hard to the right, rearing high into the air.

“Whoa!” Eventide yelled, patting his neck and trying desperately to settle him down. “Easy, boy. Easy. You’re going to be—”

A loud, gurgling scream from nearby cut her off. Her grandfather quickly drew his gun and cocked it. Looking around, he saw a small patch of blood near the underbrush away from the small clearing. Dismounting his horse, he commanded, “Stay here!”

“But, Grandfather, I want to help.”

“No!” he said sternly. “Stay there. I’ll check it out. Just get ready to move when I tell you to.”

Heading away from her, he went into the trees, disappearing from her sight. Getting off her horse, she looked around, silently praying, “Odin, protect my grandfather.”

---

Finally reaching the spot where the scream had come from, the hunter froze with fear. In front of him, a gargantuan bear feasted on what was left of his granddaughter’s prey. It hadn’t noticed him. He looked down at the bear’s right front paw, he heart sinking in fear when he saw only three toes, the other two replaced by stumps.

“Three Toes,” he thought. “Of all the rotten luck.”

Taking a careful step backward, he heard a snap as he stepped on a twig he failed to notice. He winced in anger at his mistake. The bear whipped its head around to look at him. Its muzzle dripped with blood, and its black eyes penetrated down to his very soul.

The bear roared, and for the first time since the war, he knew true fear. He raised his rifle and screamed as the bear charged him. He fired shot after shot, but no bullet fazed it. Thinking quickly, he shot above the bear into a large rock with ice coming off from the side of it, causing a small avalanche of snow and icicles to fall between him and the bear.

Turning to run, he screamed, “Eventide, we need to leave!” Reaching the clearing, he looked around for a few frantic moments before finding her examining a pool of blood nearby. “Eventide, get on your horse. We have to go!”

“Grandfather!” Eventide said as she finally noticed him. “I heard a roar and gunfire. Are you alright?” Seeing a frightened look on his face, she asked, “What's wrong?”

“Get on your horse! That bear won’t be trapped for long. We have to go now!”

“Bear? What bear?” Eventide asked clearly worried.

“Never mind just get on your damn horse!” Her grandfather yelled back quickly mounting his own horse he added, “We need to leave now!”

Quickly getting on her horse, she kicked the animal hard in the ribs, watching in terror as a titanic bear barreled through the nearby tree line. She heard her grandfather shout from close behind her, “Faster, Eventide, faster!”

Spurring her horse harder and harder, Eventide and her grandfather raced as fast as their horses could take them, the bear close behind. Trusting the horse with movement, Eventide quickly drew her bow and fired an arrow, striking the bear’s right front paw, causing it to let out a loud roar.

“Eat that, you bastard!” Eventide screamed, spinning back around. “That takes care of that.”

“Your arrow just pissed it off more!” her grandfather snapped.

“What!?” Eventide whipped her head around to see the bear continuing its charge, though its damaged paw prevented it from gaining ground as quickly. The broken remains of the shaft was the only evidence that it had been struck. Suddenly, she smiled. “Well, it’s a pretty nice day to die!”

To her grandfather's complete shock and horror, Eventide pulled hard at the reins, turning the horse around and charging the beast, her axe in her hand. “I’ll send you to Helheim!”

“Eventide!” Her grandfather screamed.

Eventide looked back for a split-second, but that was all the time the bear needed. It struck out, crashing its mighty paw into the horse’s neck, throwing it to the ground. Eventide soared through the air, hitting the icy ground hard. She rolled in the snow for a few moments before coming to a stop, lying on her back in a half-daze. Getting up, she watched in shock as the bear ripped into her horse.

“Horse!” she screamed, stumbling as she tried and failed to stand up. “Damn you.”

“Eventide!” her grandfather yelled, riding up to her while the bear greedily ate its meal. Reaching down, he grabbed her by her collar and hoisted her onto his horse. “Horse died with honor, Eventide. It bought us time, but we need to leave now before that thing is done eating!”

Immediately, he sped his horse westward, away from the bear and its latest kill and out of the mountains. Several hours passed before they reached town. He ignored the gawking townsfolk and rode to the local clinic. He eased Eventide off the horse as gently as possible, but she still moaned in pain.

“It’s alright, Eventide. I’ll take you to the clinic and we’ll stay in town for a few days.” He gently lifted her into his arms. “I’d rather not stay in this town, but we can’t go back until we’re sure Three Toes is gone.”

---

He couldn’t keep the glare off his face as the nurse walked into the examination room, giving him a cordial smile. Deciding to get down to brass tacks, she gently took off Eventide’s coat and skins and rolled the teenager onto her side. “Hmm,” she began as she inspected the damage. “It looks like she has several broken ribs. What happened?”

“A bear attacked us. It killed her horse, and she was thrown off of it.”

“I see,” The nurse replied with a disapproving glare of her own. “I’ll order x-rays to be taken, but for now, your daughter—”

“Granddaughter,” he corrected. Gently laying his hand on Eventide’s hip he said softly to her, “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Sir, you can’t leave just yet. You’re her legal guardian, yes?” The old man nodded curtly at the nurse’s question. “We need you here with her.”

Grumbling under his breath, he took a seat, glaring at the nurse who, satisfied, turned back to Eventide. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” she asked.

“Eventide,” Eventide mumbled dizzily.

“Is it true, Eventide?” the nurse continued. “Were you attacked by a bear and thrown from a horse?”

“Yeah,” Eventide answered. “Charged it… Thought I could kill it...”

“Well, that was a really foolish thing to do, kiddo,” The nurse said. Heading for a door, she looked at Eventide’s grandfather, adding, “I’ll get those x-rays ordered. In the meantime—”

“No x-rays!” her grandfather said sternly. “I’m not leaving my granddaughter for you do your western medicine on, djǫflablót.”

“Grandfather!” Eventide shouted, much to his and the nurse’s shock. “How dare you call her that! And after you got done chastising me for foul language!” Looking at the nurse, she continued, “Please, nurse, go and get this...m-machine of yours ready. I won’t fight Odin's judgment. As for you,” she turned her attention to her grandfather, who offered her a sheepish frown as she continued, “be quiet and stop upsetting everyone. I know you don’t trust them, but for once, will you just sit down and keep still!”

Nodding, the nurse headed out into the hallway, shaking her head and smirking to herself. Several long moments passed before she came back with a wheelchair and a gown. Much to Eventide’s grandfather’s chagrin, the nurse helped Eventide into the chair, Eventide cooperating as much as her aching body would allow. After allowing Eventide to change into the gown, the nurse brought her into the examining room and helped her onto the cold table.

“Now, you just lie here. I’ll be in the next room. I’ll come get you once the x-ray is done.” Eventide grabbed at the nurse’s wrist, a worried look on her face. “I know all this might seem a bit scary to you, dear, but we need to get proper x-rays to see how much damage that fall did to your bones.”

“What if they’re broken?” Eventide asked.

“Well, we’ll have to keep you here for a few days to make sure you don’t develop any complications, but you’ll get to go home afterward. You’ll have to take it easy for about six to eight weeks while they heal, though.”

“Six to eight weeks!?” Eventide exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock as she tried to sit back up, only to scream in pain, “OW! By Odin's beard, that hurts!”

“That's what you get for not doing what I tell you to do. Now, lie down, and our technician will take your x-rays. And don’t put your arms across your chest until we’re done. Understand?”

“Fine, whatever.”

Time passed slowly for Eventide as the nurse went in and out of the room, helping her into different positions for the different angles of the x-rays. Finally, though, the nurse helped Eventide get her clothes back on and sit back in the wheelchair, and the two made their way back to the examination room, where Eventide’s grandfather sat. The man gave the nurse a scornful glare before looking down to his granddaughter and saying, “Did she hurt you?”

“No, Grand—er, sensei. The x-rays are done. I’m more than ready to go home.”

Her grandfather shook his head. “It’s too dark, and that bear may still be looking for us. We’ll have to find someplace in town to sleep.”

“You both can do that after we get the x-rays back. They should be ready in about fifteen to twenty minutes,” the nurse said before saying to Eventide’s grandfather, “Can I speak with you outside in the hallway, sir?” She quickly turned to Eventide, “You go ahead and relax, kiddo. We’ll only be a little bit.”

The nurse switched on the television and gave the remote to Eventide before she and the large man left the room. As soon as they left, Eventide wheeled herself to the door as quietly as she could and eavesdropped.

“How did she get those scars on her face.”

“That is none of your damn business! I knew taking her here was a bad idea! All you bastards think of is getting good, honest people in trouble for things they haven't done!”

“Come on, Grandpa. I know you don’t like this place, but you don’t need to yell at her like that,” Eventide thought.

“Sir, I need you to calm down. Her medical history is very much our business. I’m not accusing you of anything. She lives alone in the mountains with you. Any wound she would sustain up there could lead to something terrible.”

“Those scars were from years ago. If something were wrong, I’d have known by now. You just get off your ass and discharge her so we can go home already!”

“We can’t discharge her! We don’t know the extent of what’s wrong yet, and we need to keep her here to make sure she doesn’t suffer any complications.”

“I already know what’s wrong! Her ribs are broken! They’ll heal in time. You discharge her and let her leave or I’m taking her!”

There was a pause in the conversation, and Eventide wheeled herself back by instinct just as the door opened. By the look on her grandfather’s face, it seemed the nurse chose Option Two.

“You heard,” he said.

“Yes.”

“I won’t lose you, too, Evey.” Walking up to her, he picked her up as gently as he could. “I’m taking you out of here right now. Just let them try and stop me.”

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