Hanno's tragedy.
-I-
The lynx was lying on the icy ground of Ajantaho, far from my house but close to my shelter. Soon these hunting grounds would have been rich again, in summer, with the offsprings of the reindeers able to grow in peace, freed from the unrelenting predators. This was the third lynx skin I've got in less than a week, probably they were tracking the same prey, but luckily they are not social like wolves.. I had enough wounds already and just enough food to make it to the village of Niina, she's the best thing around here.
On the way there, while resting from the weariness of the travel, I made myself a set of lynx clothes, sure to impress her with my looks and the tales of my combat prowess, when a trapper came out of the woods, telling me cryptic words about owning the forest, i was about to send him packing 'cause trappers are the ones who mistreat the forest, making it hell for animals and men alike, but he left before i could say a word. Also had a nightmare that night, a bear coming for me, to protect his home, the forest. I tought I made the wrong choices, i should have never bartered my sheeps for this bow and arrows, never left my beloved for a risky adventure, but it wasn't too late. I didn't want to see bloody Ajantaho anymore, i didn't want its fur to tell everyone im a killer.
So when i get to the shop to sell my hoods and mittens the craftsman jumps up eyes gleaming: "I've never seen so many lynxes tied togheter Hanno, what do you want for them?" I was looking around before naming my price, a fancy bracelet for Niina and.. the elder guardsman enters the shop and staring at the lynxes on the counter asks if i had killed them...
-II-
"Woof, woof.." I say. "Sure you did, killer" says Hanno with a broad smile. I'm puzzled, he used a condiscending voice, that means yes! I grabbed the ball of fur and sprinted to the fence where i smelled her.. Now he shouts, and then they laugh, i don't understand, but i'm better hurry. She's looking at me in a way i can't describe, he's sleeping with an eye open, my heart is beating so fast i let the ball drop and in a second we are at the fence kissing. I think i'll go crazy, i go back for the ball of fur, then i cry and it drops again, i bark and start to dig to get to her. Now he's closed both eyes, secure, she's in tears of despair, my paws hurt, can't dig the icy Othomerto.
-III-
"Othomerto needs you, you can't turn your back on us, we are your family now." even though i doubt i'll call him family ever again, his scars would keep the kids up at night, if it wasn't for Niina he'd be an outlaw already, and that dog would be my belt and boots, does he ever shuts up?! "Sure, tell her something we haven't said in years, make her feel special." Begone already! I'll gift him with a cottage in Ajantaho if we make it alive, either he gets us more furs or gets killed, i like both options. Now what could i get as war tax.. "We need all the weapons and armors you can spare, or would you rather come raid the Njerpz with us?"
-IV-
I can't breath, i'm paralyzed in fear.. "Hanno.." "Yes, sweet berry?" I begged him to stay, in vain i told him to marry me and move to Sarvisaari, that he didn't have to fight, this wasn't our battle.
I knew his heart was set on me, so why did he took that way? why did you took him from me, oh great spirit of the forest?"
-V-
BURN! UNTIL NIGHT AND THE DAY AFTER!
i'll save these lynx furs for next week, i'll say i've slain the beasts without taking a scratch, i'll challenge everyone and see them cower, i will be the chief!
If only i could move this trunk... unlucky man, squashed by falling tree... unlucky me, ruined them all
-VI-
A lonely lynx meows in Ajantaho.

Very cool story... the most "psychological" of them all, I believe :)

Glad you liked it, but i can't sleep at night without an happy ending :P so:

VII
I shook the pine needles off my shoulders and came forward among the people, i could sense they were troubled and asked a kid what was going on: Njerpezes defeated a war party and were heading this way.
I bought two healty young dogs, really their trainer insisted to sell them as a couple and to tell me their story.. anyway.. I procedeed to kick njerpez caves and free the slaves. Back at the village, during the celebrations, i met your mom...
VIII
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