we can all learn things(just maybe in different ways.)

I struggled so much trying to use universal units of measurement when writing this that I switched to metric(I'm sorry to my fellow Americans but the Metric system makes so much more sense anyway jfc)

The morning sun shining off of the snow was so bright it was almost blinding. Techno squinted against the pure whiteness of the forest, screwing his eyes in discomfort. Still, he had to get going if he was going to make it back to his family within the week.

He had already packed everything he needed back into his satchel, strapping his weapons to his back and kicking snow over the ashes of last night's campfire. Taking a swig of water, he exhaled, watched his breath puff in the air, flexed his fists, and started towards home.

The snow crunched under his boots as he fell into a familiar rhythm, repeating the same movements over and over again. Left, right, left, right. His strides were long and quick, and within minutes the little camp he had made for the night was out of sight and mind. Techno focused on his goal, marching westward. He heard a twig snap and froze, pulling out his axe and shield and whipping around, sighing in relief when he realized it was only a branch snapping under the weight of the thick, heavy snow it held. He put away his shield and sheathed his sword, continuing his steady pace.

Left, right, left, right.

Wilbur or Tommy would have laughed at him for being so on edge. Techno could almost imagine the high-pitched wheeze that would escape his youngest brother's mouth when he saw how Techno had reacted to a simple branch and let himself imagine the way that Tommy's wings would flutter slightly like they did whenever he was amused. He let himself visualize the way Wilbur would laugh loudly with his feathery wings outstretched and tease him for being "terrified of a tree, you fucking child,". For a moment he allowed himself to dwell on happy memories before shaking them off like a sticky cobweb. He had no time to reminisce like that, and he was being cautious for good reason. He had little idea of who he was up against, and for all he knew, one moment of fleeting attention could cost him his life.

Left, right, left, right.

Freeze.

...shit.

Techno had noticed the forest getting thinner for around half an hour now but had thought nothing of it until he had crested the hill he was now on top of. Below him, the trees gave way to a large plain, covered in a blanket of snow.

In the center of that plain, the hunter was crouching next to a horse, staring intently into the thicker foresty areas a couple hundred paces to Techno's right.

How did he find me?

Techno ducked behind a tree trunk, going still. The hunter must have known he was going west from his footprints and realized that he would have to come across this plain. There was no way around the huge field unless he were to go several hours out of the way, and even then it would be hard to get past him unnoticed.

The only way to continue on his way would be to fight him.

Swearing under his breath, Techno pulled out his bow and arrows. He still had the high ground from his position on this hill, and if he scaled the tree he was pressed against right now, he would be able to shoot freely at the hunter for at least half a minute, maybe more. Tightening his satchel to make sure that it wouldn't fall off if he were to fight the warrior hand-to-hand, he gripped the bark tightly with his nearly numb fingers and pulled himself up. Branch after branch he climbed, pushing against the bark with his boots for a better grip, until he was at a thick branch that had been far above his head moments before. Balancing expertly and gripping the bark with his toes as much as he could, he exhaled, grabbed an arrow, aimed, pulled back, and fired.