Valoria

As the echoes of Aeloria’s speech faded into the cool evening air, Thalos felt a tap on his shoulder. A young doe from his tribe handed him a scroll sealed with the Plains Tribe's mark. Unfurling it, he quickly scanned the contents, his brow furrowing. The message was urgent—he was needed back home to assist with an important matter involving the tribe’s ancient records and the selection of a new council member. Thalos sighed, the weight of duty pressing on him. Just as he was about to excuse himself from the gathering, Seraphina appeared at his side, her keen eyes noticing the scroll. “Leaving so soon, bookworm?” she teased, though there was genuine curiosity in her tone. Thalos explained his predicament, the conflict evident in his voice. Seraphina listened, then smirked, her usual confidence shining through. “Tell you what,” she said, “how about a detour through the tundra? It’ll give you a fresh perspective—and maybe even an edge—before you head back.”

Intrigued by the idea and the prospect of learning from a new environment, Thalos agreed, deciding that a brief journey wouldn’t hurt. As they made their way into the tundra, the landscape changed dramatically, the air growing colder and the terrain more rugged. It wasn’t long before they encountered Kaelen, a formidable stag with a powerful build and a history with Seraphina that was written all over his cocky grin. “Still playing tour guide, Seraphina?” Kaelen taunted, his eyes flicking dismissively to Thalos. “How about a real challenge—unless you’re afraid I’ll beat you this time.” Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, and she accepted the challenge without hesitation, her competitive spirit igniting. The test was a dangerous climb up an icy cliff, something that would push even the strongest deer to their limits. As they began, Thalos quickly realized that while he wasn’t as physically powerful as Kaelen, his quick thinking and knowledge of the terrain could tip the scales in their favor. Using his understanding of the tundra’s weather patterns and the structure of the ice, he suggested a safer, faster route for Seraphina, allowing her to outmaneuver Kaelen and reach the summit first.

After the challenge, with the rivalry momentarily set aside, Seraphina and Thalos found a quiet spot overlooking the tundra’s vast expanse. “He’s always been like that,” Seraphina said, her tone softer than usual as she talked about Kaelen. “We used to push each other, sometimes too far. But it made us stronger, I guess.” Thalos, feeling the bond between them grow, opened up about his own fears. “I’ve always felt secure in the Plains, surrounded by books and knowledge,” he admitted. “But now, I wonder if there’s more I need to experience, more I need to learn beyond just words on a page.” Seraphina nodded, understanding more than she let on. “The world’s bigger than any one tribe or way of life,” she said. “But you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Thalos. Just don’t let it keep you from seeing what’s out there.” With that, they set off back toward the Plains, their connection stronger, both eager to see where their journey—and newfound friendship—would lead.