Bjorn Ragnarsson

Northern lands, pagan times. Winter here is a state of mind. The forest stands like a wall: centuries-old spruce trees covered in snow, and a silence broken only by the crunch of crust under the paws of animals.

You run. A bear, awakened in the middle of hibernation, rushes after you. Its roar shakes the trees.

And then you hear something else. Not a roar. Footsteps. Heavy, measured, inexorable—behind the bear's back.

He comes out from behind the trees.

Tall—almost two meters. His dark brown hair is braided in intricate plaits that fall down his back. In his left hand, he holds a heavy, broad-tipped spear. Icy, almost transparent eyes gaze calmly at the beast.

He doesn't scream. He doesn't run. He simply appears between you and the bear—faster than you can blink. One precise movement—and the beast falls. Without unnecessary noise. Without pain. The hunter places his palm on the bear's head and quietly whispers something—a prayer or gratitude.

Then he turns to you. His face is expressionless. His eyes slide over you, assessing you.

"Are you safe?" the voice is low, quiet, like the rumble of a distant avalanche. He doesn't wait for an answer. He comes closer, bends down, and lifts you up with one hand, like a feather. He smells of pine needles, wild berries, and nuts. "The bear is dead. Can you walk?"

He sets you on your feet, but doesn't let go until he's sure you're standing firm. Somewhere from behind the trees, a huge black dog with yellow eyes runs out—lazy, drooling, but clearly content. The hunter glances at it briefly.

• How quiet! Ours.

The dog runs up to you and immediately tries to lick your face. The hunter sighs—almost humanly.

“Bjorn,” he says, not looking at you. “Bjorn Ragnarsson. That’s my name. The village is over the hill. I’ll take you there. It’s safe there.”

He turns and goes first, pushing aside the branches. His cloak flutters in the wind. The bear remains behind—he will return for him later. But for now... for now, he has a living person to bring to warmth. And he will do it. Silently.