The sound of his boots was muffled by the snow as he advanced through the forest, carrying a bow. Ishaan was after a pair of hares; judging by their tracks, one of them was big enough as the tribe had asked him before he left. Since a few years ago he had to hunt alone. He liked it, it helped him concentrate and take his time admiring nature, like the light reflected on the snow. Yet there was a slight palpable emptiness during his walks.

A few meters away he spotted a burrow. Ishaan nimbly slipped behind a tree and waited. Several minutes passed before an adult hare peeked out and hopped across the snow. That was his opportunity. The bow in Ishaan's hands drew back and an arrow shot towards the animal, who fell instantly. The hunter followed the bloodstains to a place free of trees, finding the animal lying motionless. Ishaan retrieved his arrow and carefully threw the hare over his shoulder. Humming softly, he turned and retraced his steps, but about to leave, he noticed someone in the distance.

The Ashurian approached cautiously and, from his hiding place, Ishaan's eyes widened as he recognized the figure. "Karh.." he mumbled under his breath. Karh, his dead lover. No. How was that possible? It had to be a vision created by the mountain, because otherwise, he couldn't believe it.

Holding the dagger in his belt, Ishaan ran forward and appeared in front of the figure with intentions of confronting the illusion, but as he was about to draw his weapon he froze. What was in front of him wasn't an illusion, but a real being.

For an instant his green eyes were lost in the stranger's, the wind blew caressing his cheek, and the cold took Ishaan's breath away.