Erik carefully scouted the forest with his tools, making marks on his way to ensure the safety of his people. Moreover, he put some thin needle-like thorns on the barks of the woods where people would likely stop.
These needles were covered in natural poison that can be extremely cruciating if they are touched since they were made from special concoctions of poisonous plants and berries. Although they weren't deadly like animal venoms, these needles were extremely potent.
One drop of poison could cause nausea, headache, confusion, and dizziness. It was like a hangover from alcohol and it was 100 times worse than that because only he had antidotes.
He silently rubbed the poison on the needles with either leaves or cloth in his sack and placed them on the woods as well as spreading them on the wooden spikes that were made from simple crafts.
These things didn't take much time to make and the villagers knew about this poison, so he was calm. The poison has a distinct smell similar to pine smell, thus one wouldn't notice it unless they inspect it carefully.
" Hmm."
He turned his head in the direction where he saw the white mountains in the distance and thought it was a good idea to check there since he was already done with the forest.
The thin branches under his feet made a crunching sound as he slowly headed upward to the mountains, not thinking too much about the situation.
As a man who lived here for most of his life, he knew every pebbles in this place and he understood the risk of going there because it was springtime. Even the frozen ice and snow of mountains tend to get fragile during spring and summer in the north.
" If I were a scout, where would I go?"
Erik stroked his beard with a deep thought, imagining the possible routes in his mind since these mountains were treacherous to the outsiders. No sane person would go through every possible route in this place and the snow would bar their movements.
" North Western range is flat compared to other places and it has the greatest view. Furthermore, there is almost no forest nearby until here which makes it easier to navigate in this harsh climate."
Erik pulled out his spear from his back while buckling his bow and sword on his body tidily to make sure it wouldn't drop off or hinder his movements.
" I will use my spear as a stick to get through the mountains but I have to be careful there."
The hard snow of winter was extremely fragile now, making it not so difficult to collapse. If it collapsed down from the mountains, things would get difficult for him who was going there and he hoped it wouldn't happen so.
" Oh, great ancestors and Odin, bless my way,so I can be wise and guide my body, so I can be strong."
The silent mountains looked more daunting in his eyes for some reason and he felt uneasy going there like something terrible was going to happen to him.
Squak*
He heard the cries of ravens and saw vultures above his head. The foreboding feeling got stronger but he clenched his fists, and decided to go to the mountains to ensure everything went well without a hitch.
Fragile glass spread across the field like thin spider webs and the crushing noise of snow was heard under his feet as he made his way up to the mountains.
" I hope everything will be alright."
He prayed silently in his heart, shifting his focus back to the road where he would reach the range safely.
Meanwhile in the range.
Vør made his way slowly downwards to the field where he saw from above, yet his gut was telling him to run when he had the chance.
" Vør, the way is down there. Why are we detouring from our way?"
Bjorn was worried about the situation, sweating inside his coat despite feeling cold in his feet.
" This is the safe way. Be wise when you move because these are all false snow. You might fall down if you aren't careful enough."
Vør warned them with a serious face since they were in the most dangerous place.