I open my eyes and look around.
"Another one of those dreams. Rather random. First it was a woman talking about the Winter Sprites, then an older version of the little girl is fighting some weird guy, and now the woman and the girl are fighting each other. Honestly none of this makes sense. Not that dreams are really supposed to make sense."
I shake my head and think about what I need to do today. As per usual I go out and do some stretches before going south west to hunt some animals. After that I eat one of the animals and store the other two close to my home. I then gather some berries and some herbs since I want to expand my diet a bit.
With all that done I skin the animals and place all the bones alongside the fur into the ice backpack I made before. I end up training for a bit over 4 hours before eating again. I take a 3 hour nap before going to the river. I bathe, clean the bones, and then I clean the fur. I go back home and sort everything before sharpening bones, making improvements to my armor, and making my bedding area more comfortable.
The next couple of weeks are much of the same. I don't train just with the spear though. I practiced throwing some of the sharpened bones, walking on the snow, I even mixed them all together a bit. The progress I made can be considered quite significant. Through all the training with walking on snow I end up understanding, and controlling the Lower Winter Sprites.
Something interesting about them is that they have very limited thinking capacity. They can't form full thoughts. In fact half the time they aren't even thinking about anything. However they know how to work together very well as long as I have a clear intent about what I want them to do.
This comes with the problem of time and mental energy. After about the first week I was able to walk on the snow without leaving any tracks behind. However at this point I'm only able to walk like that for a bit over 2 minutes before I need to stop. The only good thing that comes out of all of this training is my improving mental energy.
'Of course everyday I need to wake up with a mild headache. To make things worse it's hard to tell how much I'm really improving. Especially when it comes to my spear training. If only I had some actual people to train with.'
I sigh as I lay on the snow looking up at the trees. Something that comes with understanding the Lower Winter Sprites better is how I can use them to tell certain things about my surroundings. Such as, if there is something like a wolf nearby. Just like now as they signal to each about the wolves that are currently surrounding me. The only reason they are doing this is because I asked them to inform me about any nearby animals.
Of course a pack of wolves 8 strong is a bit concerning. Especially since the last time I met them I had no choice but to run for my life. This time I am in a lot better condition. So I stand up with my spear in hand.
My hide clothes double as armor. Unlike 2 weeks ago I have bones attached to certain places. My shoes, skirt, and my shirt which is in two pieces still. I have added some straps to go around my knees just in case someone decides they want to stop me from using my legs properly.
'I'm pretty well protected. Besides, I've been training for something like this. Surrounded by wolves? No problem! Just do wide attacks with a spear while your back is against something like a tree. Can't do that. Just be wary of your surroundings. When they attack quickly, turn to them and stab them right through the eye! The Lower Winter Sprites will help with that. Stay cool and focused and you'll be fine.'
I nod to myself as I look around. I quickly run over to a tree and stand about a foot in front of it. I get in my spear wielding stance and wait patiently for the wolves. I look around for them and eventually I spot 3 of them. After they see me looking at them they realize I know where they are.
2 of them run out of the bushes at me. After they get within range I pull my spear back, step forward and stab one of the wolves through the eye piercing its brain. The other wolf gets close to me and jumps up at my neck. I let go of my spear and lower myself. As the wolf misses me I grab it's neck and place my other hand on its stomach. I use its momentum to push it down to the ground back first.
As the wolf falls into the snow I quickly get my spear out of the wolf I killed. The other 6 wolves start closing in a circle on me. The one in the snow gets up and quickly retreats back into the pack. As I look at them they seem to glare at me. Perhaps it's because I killed one of their members. However, one wolf stands out from the others because It's noticeably bigger than the others, if only slightly.
A couple of the wolves are in the corner of my sight. The one on my left runs towards me. I turn to it and swing my spear causing it to stop and back up. I feel the Lower Winter Sprites warn me about the wolf behind me. I pull my spear close to me as I quickly turn, seeing 2 wolves around 5 feet away from me.
Seeing them I quickly take a step back and reposition my spear, preparing to stab another through the eye. Seeing me looking at them they stop and back off. Some more start approaching me from the side. The Lower Winter Sprites warn me about the wolf behind me approaching.
At this point I know that they won't attack when I face them, but they will when my back is to them. If I keep turning and whatnot the high stress of the situation will lead to me making a mistake, or my reaction time slowing. So I quickly come up with a plan to avoid such an outcome.