Steps in the Snow

They stared at one another. The only sound was the whirring of the blizzard outside rattling the cabin. The girl, Nika, realizes how hungry she is, Nika stands on her chair and grabs the hunter's plate, practically inhaling his food. Rice began to dot her face and Bayard couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu in this situation.

"Slow down or you will choke-" loud coughing was heard across from him. Bayard springs into action, reaching across, patting her back, and letting her come back to her senses. After another ten minutes, she pushes away the plate, indicating she is done with her - his meal. Bayard looks down and sees half of his meal gone, noting that she must have been pretty hungry.

"Nika. Where did you come from? Surely not from the snow." Bayard inquired, the young girl seemed to contemplate her answer. He knew by her clothes already that she was well kept, except for her hair which seemed both matted and smooth at the same time, he chalks that up to her current condition rather than her former. The colors of her clothes suggest she is from a royal family, and the gold tinge of the embroidery, especially where the buttons were sewn was particularly elaborate. He notes that her feet are bare with callouses and scars, most likely from running around barefoot most of the time. He continued to wait as Nika seemed to create a response in her head:

"My..my home is the city. Pe...per..si...ugh! Home!" she tried to get her point across, she was desperate for some sort of understanding from the older man in front of her.

"Persepolis? That city is not for at least 2 miles and has been under attack since the twilight hours. You ran from there?" he was surprised at this child's stamina. He heard a small gasp come from the girl and soon she was fighting the sheets to be free. Bayard waited to see her plan, only to prevent her from opening the door to the snowstorm outside. His larger hand holds her arm and pulled her away from the door, back to the table.

"What do you think you are doing kuchulu!? You cannot leave in your condition. You nearly died when I found you!" his scowl matched her own looking back at him.

"I have to go! Kaveh told me he would come for me! He promised! It was so dark and loud. He promised!" Nika's eyes began to water again, and Bayard's eyes softened. Loosening his grip and leading her to the table he sets her down on the carved chair. He sits across from her. Nika went to her knees to be able to look over the looming table.

"Are you calm now? Can we have a conversation now?" He looks at her expectantly. Nika leans her head into her palm and pouts, her bottom lip jutting. Bayard lets out a low grumble.

"Look, I can't help you child unless you tell me what is going on. You ran away from Persepolis when it was under attack so you must have been under the snow for a couple of hours. You should be dead right now. How did you keep yourself warm?" the girl was confused at his question. She doesn't remember being so cold when she ran off. The older man could see the confusion and decided to let go of the subject for now.

"Very well. Let's let go of that for now. Ahura guide me, I must find you someplace safe to stay." Bayard grumbles as Nika watches him grab a fur pack and start to pack some essentials.

"We leave at dawn when the air is clean and the fauna has yet to awaken."