[Appalachia, 16th century.]

[changeinasnap]

He remembers seeing the slow formation of this new country uncountable years past, from a much higher vantage point than he's got right now. Several hundred miles inland, the earth humps up into shallow ridges like the scales on a dragon's back -- shallow, at least, compared to the spot he picked to spend all his time before now. It'll do, though

Comments

[old_gods]

The orange light is fire, unmistakable. That and the horse suggest that there might be a traveler here, some wandering human alone in the mountains.

Two travelers, maybe; it looks like there's a second horse behind the first, from the number of legs.

No, wait.

[changeinasnap]

Curiosity takes him as far as a hundred yards below the cave, near enough to get a good look at the horse.

The frown deepens. He extends a finger and twitches it back and forth, counting out the legs, then yanks it back and mutters under the wind, "Ah, hell."

What is he even -- ?

Not important. So not important. Now would be a really good time to leave; he backs up three hasty steps --

[old_gods]

Black-feathered wings beat about his head, black talons close on both his shoulders, and he's hauled unceremoniously into the air.

The orange light inside the cave shifts, as a shadow moves between it and the entrance.

[changeinasnap]

"Wh -- ow!"

Bird talons sting when they're digging into your shoulders. His legs scrabble on thin air as he tries to twist free. "Good birds -- Huginn, Muninn, come on, it's me, knock it off -- "

Yeah, like that's going to get him anywhere.