A few weeks went by, Gubo first arrived after two weeks, with some items and then soon left again. He was visiting from time to time to bring some items that Richard was asking for.
In just one week Richard was able to build a house, with a bit of help from magic and his exceptional skills of wielding axe. But smith was difficult. Bringing here enough iron and materials to build it took a lot of effort even for such giant. But at fourth week everything was ready.
"Where did you get iron?" asked Gubo once, looking at stockpiled iron ore.
"Oh, I guessed you would know our only allies in this forest?" said Richard with smile, but never really answered. Gubo looked like he understood, but Balthor, who was helping them was left with question marks over his face.
Meanwhile Kaelen and Jorvik were growing fast. Faster than most of the child for sure. Lyra was literally acting as a mother for both of them, never prioritising one over another. And all that while helping to keep both houses clean and cozy.
In the evening they all gathered in new house, since Richard made it bigger and with furniture that could handle him. They really all became like a small family, until one day Gubo arrived and Richard face suddenly became angry.
"I need to leave" said he shortly to Lyra and Balthor "There are some things that needs solving and I need to show up before king"
While Balthor and Lyra knew that such moment would arrive, this was still a shock for them. With Richard there, there was really nothing to be afraid of, there was no living creature that would be able to defeat Richard here, but now, they were left alone with two children. Yes, the food stock was big, thanks to Balthor hunting skills and Richards strength, but what if someone or something attacked them. Nilfvar was known for having huge and very strong creatures.
Before they could even speak out their fears, Richard stopped them and told them that there is nothing to worry about and in case of some danger, there are some mechanisms to help them.
Richards words were not very convincing, but there wasn't much that Ashgrave family could do, in the end they did believe in Richard with full heart. Richard left with Gubo in hurry, leaving Ashgraves with questions.
But in the end, everything was going calm for a few days. Standard procedures, feeding children, getting enough wood, cleaning house and preparing food. Balthor sometimes when to hunt, trying to keep supplies, but also was afraid to leave for long. Most of the times he came home empty handed, but sometimes he brought snow bunnies with him.
That all continued until one day Lyra felt strong hit to the house. It was almost like a earthquake. She quickly rushed to the children, while Balthor took his bow and closed his eyes.
"That's bad" said he, opening his eyes "It's a Nilfvars white bear, on the west side of the house"
He rushed outside and screamed. Soon the bear appeared from the corner of the house, slowly walking, as if it knew that prey won't get anywhere. His eyes were blue and fur white, he was almost four times bigger than the bears at Terra.
Balthor froze in place, he killed a lot of bears, but this was different. He was bigger, more calm. Then adrenalin rushed in and Balthor quickly got his three arrows, their tips suddenly went on fire and he shot them at bear, while running away.
Bear just raised his hand. All arrows went inside his flesh, but barely made any visible damage. But it was enough to make bear angry. He rushed toward Balthor, but as bear was almost reach Balthor, ice wall appeared between them and bear just smashed into it. He roared and looked at sides, noticing angry Lyra.
Bear raised to his to legs and roared so load, that Balthor and Lyras ears started to hurt, almost making it impossibly to stand still. Balthor suffered the most, as he was pretty close to bear, he fall on his knees. Then bear rushed to Lyra.
She didn't have enough time to recover, barely able to raise another wall, but this time with less time, it was fragile so bear destroyed it without any issues. Lyra tried to escape, but her legs betrayed her and she fell, she just closed her eyes and covered her head, as if this could help.
But as bear was already near Lyra, something big, fast and white tackled it from sideway. Bear fell and rolled a few times. Then another roar. different from bear, something more scary, something more dominant.
Lyra raised her head and froze in place. It was Pumpul. Pumpul were dominant species, until humans came and started war with them. They were just as big as this abnormal bear and had a physical strength of at least forty men. War with them was a bloodiest war humans had yet, until at one moment they retreated into woods.
Bear stood on his fourth and roared, but this time not in a aggressive, but more like defensive roar. Pumpul stomped on the ground and this time it really felt like a earthquake. Bear just turned and quickly run away.
Balthor was already on his legs and pointed an arrow to Pumpul, his hands were shaking, from adrenalin and from the thought that he and his wife have to fight even more scary creature.
Pumpul was covered with white fur everywhere. Snow on top of it made it look like he was fully made of snow. He also had blue eyes, big hands and legs. He barely had any clothes, just some covering over his hips. He looked at Balthor and shook his head.
"Friend" said he with a bit gruff voice "Richard friend"
Balthor slowly went to Lyra, while still aiming towards Pumpul. Once he reached his wife he looked at her, she was still a bit paralyzed.
"Are you okay?" whispered he, returning eyes to Pumpul.
"Ye.. yes" she said slowly standing to her feet "He said "Richard friend"?" asked Lyra.
"Yes, but Pumpul speaking human…" said Balthor "And Richard had a Pumpul as a friend. It feels a bit unbelievable.."
But as seconds went and Pumpul was just standing there, this situation got more and more real. And if someone could befriend Pumpul, it was definitely Richard.
"Richard ask tribe" said Pumpul again with his gruff and deep voice "Tribe defend house" he pointed to himself and then to house "Now me go into woods"
They didn't even had a time to ask questions. And was there even a point in asking something? Would Pumpul understand their questions? Balthor and Lyra were left with a lot of questions, since Pumpul ran away on his four as fast, as he appeared.
That day Balthor and Lyra couldn't sleep. Thoughts about if their decision was correct was not so clear anymore.