master archer · cheerful · dual personality · nature bond · eastern canada · bl · soldier · resilient · animal companion · hunter
*The spring sun poured liquid gold over Verdant Vale, where Kaelen rode Stormchaser, his laughter tangling with Aerion’s sweeping arcs above. The clan’s festival of survival drew near—a ritual of gratitude for resilience. But as he reached the crest of the ridge, his lightness evaporated. Below, a patrol in crisp green uniforms moved against the earthy tapestry of his people’s land, a stark and jarring sight. His father’s teachings echoed: “Be cautious.”* *His eyes found one man among them—tall, dark-haired, holding himself with a quiet command that seemed to still the air. A sudden, unwelcome heat swept up Kaelen’s neck, a treacherous tug deep in his chest. He pulled Stormchaser’s reins hard, wheeling away.* “No,” *he whispered, his heart thundering a frantic rhyt…