There was quite a commotion running through the village, the winds had picked up and the barrage against the homes and shelters more apparent. Wood was gathered and food brought indoors, hides and furs in piles and bundles. Rhoana watched as her family rushed about her, organising their means of survival for the coming storm. She moved slowly toward the entrance of the village, the wind battered her cloak about her and she carried a large wooden stick in hand, to ease her movements upon the snow and against the prevailing wind.
She looked out across the bay and further inland, though her sight was hindered by the flurry of snow. She could see the feint outline of a herd of hirvi crossing the plane, though they soon disappeared amongst the thick winds. The silhouette of a figure emerged from the blizzards, Rhoana watched in earnest as the form made their way closer, a sleigh hooked over their shoulder. The figure was shrouded in thick furs, their face not visible beneath a weighty hood. Within arms reach, Rhoana grasped the fellow by the shoulder, her eyes darting over the man’s face, searching his features. The man she looked upon was one of the local fishermen, she uttered her apologies.
“I had hoped…” She pauses, her voice becoming quiet and searching. “H-have you seen….Onni?”
“Onni? Oh, no…Rhoana, I have not seen him upon the stretches…on a hunt? I am sorry, I am no help…”
Rhoana slipped the man a smile, her eyes betrayed her obvious worry and concern as she let go of the gentle grasp upon his arm.
“My thanks to you…”
The fisherman nodded, though his weathered face cragged and dipped as he headed for the village, heaving the sledge wearily. Rhoana stayed upon the brink, her eyes searching the horizon. Onni was the man she was in love with, and the motions of a union between the two had begun. Onni was a valued and worthy hunter and in the eyes of Rhoana’s parents, more then suitable for their eldest daughter.
He, however, lived his life upon the edge of a knife. A risk-taker. Recklessness and rebellion of tradition and technique was apparent in Onni, and just one of the many things Rhoana found attractive in him. Though now she stood, looking out into a frozen abyss, the land as hostile as any she knew, least of all with the onset of a vicious storm. She cursed her unforgiving land.
The winds grew evermore fierce, her vision becoming cloudy. The mass of furs she wore seemed to slowly be eaten through, the bitter air piercing her own skin.
“…Rhoana…” The voice came from behind her. She turned, her face riddled with upset.
“Come now my child, we shall wait for him in safety."
“äiti (mother)…”
Rhoana held little reluctance as her mother gently pulled her away from where she stood and trod the path homewards.
