Thorfinn woke up very early, roused his still-sleepy younger brother, and began dressing. He layered furs onto his body. While this made him look bulky and slightly restricted his movement, these layers of fur were essential; they were his primary defense against the cold.
Adding firewood to the dying campfire, Thorfinn went outside to give the livestock in the pen water and food, and then, while it was still early, practiced a half-baked set of Tai Chi he had learned from an old man in his previous life's neighborhood.
Hmm~ He performed it with a certain formality—at least it was all slow—and then began a simple morning workout.
Although Thorfinn didn't understand how to fight, he knew some simple fitness training methods and believed that sticking to them long-term would bring rewards.
Clearly, yesterday's events had stimulated him greatly. Thorfinn was now beginning to realize the necessity of personal strength. At this time, his father did not know Mance Rayder (the future King-Beyond-the-Wall), who was probably still wearing the black cloak of the Night's Watch.
Thus, Thorfinn still had time to grow. Previously, Thorfinn had always wanted to rely on his own exploration to become a Warg, but now it seemed impractical. At his current older age, he needed to consider learning how to fight.
100 push-ups! 100 sit-ups! 100 squats! And then a 10-kilometer run every day! This was the exercise plan Thorfinn designed for himself. The inspiration? It came from a certain bald superhero in an anime from his previous life. Thorfinn didn't expect to become a superhuman like Saitama, but persistence would surely make him stronger.
Even so, doing this for the first time was challenging for someone who had long neglected exercise, but he had no choice but to persevere. With uninterrupted persistence, coupled with his father's and mother's training, Thorfinn was certain he would become an excellent warrior.
Raynard and Darie woke up. When they came out, they saw Thorfinn, who was sweaty from his workout. This discovery delighted both his father and mother. His father was happy that Thorfinn was finally going to be a man like him, while his mother was pleased that her eldest son had the self-motivation to exercise.
Raynard looked at Thorfinn and asked, "Thorfinn, what are you doing? Are those strange movements some kind of exercise?"
Thorfinn was doing push-ups. When he heard his father's question, the sudden slackening of his effort caused him to fall flat on the ground.
After catching his breath, he managed to say, "Yes, Father, this is an exercise method I thought up. It seems quite effective, but I'm just getting used to it."
Raynard's rough, large hand affectionately ruffled Thorfinn's head, messing up his already damp hair. "That kind of exercise seems interesting! But today, your old man is taking you to see the Free Folk way of training. Climbing mountains isn't easy, so don't waste too much strength here!"
Darie also cautioned, "Thorfinn, it's good that you want to exercise, but be careful not to hurt yourself. Wake your younger brother now. You have to go up the mountain after breakfast."
Thorfinn had no choice but to wake his younger brother. The lazy fellow wanted to sleep in, but Thorfinn would not let him have his way.
Thorfinn: "Orrik, get up! Weren't you clamoring to go hunting last night?"
Orrik mumbled, "Thorfinn, let me sleep a little longer~ I was too excited yesterday and went to sleep a bit late."
Thorfinn: "You wouldn't listen when I told you to sleep early yesterday, and now you want to be lazy? Hurry up! We're leaving after breakfast. Don't think we'll wait for you."
Orrik reluctantly got up, groggily putting on his clothes.
After quickly eating some dried meat and a bowl of stew, Raynard, Thorfinn, and Orrik set off.
The Free Folk Beyond the Wall were called Wildlings for a reason. Wild growth seemed to be their life motto. The Wildlings' training methods were also rugged. For his father, chasing prey all over the mountains and hunting was his method of exercise.
Raynard had said more than once, "When you can move swiftly and without pause through these snow-covered peaks and forests, and you can enter and exit them as easily as going home, you're a qualified hunter. If you can also master hunting skills and know the habits of every kind of prey, then you're an excellent hunter."
Orrik kept trying to walk faster on the rugged mountain path, but his foot slipped. Just as he panicked, Raynard's big hand grabbed him by the collar, pulling Orrik to a safe spot. Raynard then lectured, "The mountain path is difficult. Don't try to show off, or you might get injured. If it's serious, you could lose your life here."
Compared to Orrik's recklessness, Thorfinn was always cautious. He knew that patience was essential to becoming an excellent hunter.
The mountain paths were treacherous. If any Free Folk wanted to live comfortably beyond the Wall, they had to master rock-climbing. Thorfinn was still constantly adapting. Clearly, his younger brother was more naturally talented in this regard; it didn't take him long to figure out the secret. Perhaps this was thanks to the strength inherited from his father's genes!
Learning to walk on the icy, snowy rocks was only the first step.
Although it was a world of ice and snow, many dangers lurked within the white landscape. Under his father's guidance and instruction, Thorfinn began to learn a wealth of knowledge—the closely guarded secrets of every seasoned hunter. His father's effortless movement through the mountains and forests was due to these secrets.
Raynard said, "The place where I found the Shadowcat last time is usually where fewer beasts roam, which is why Darie agreed to let you two little fellows come along. You two need to learn this point carefully from Darie. Being brave is fine, but bravery is not recklessness... Speaking of which, Darie is the smartest woman I've ever met. I, Raynard, was truly lucky to have met your mother! Ha-ha-ha!"
Thorfinn chimed in, "That's also because Father is strong and brave, which is why Mother likes you."
Raynard chuckled, "Of course, I had to be strong and brave to be with your mother. The first time I joined a raid, we sacked a village and killed a lot of Southerners. I captured a lot of food and iron tools. We took five women that time, and your mother was one of them.
Gods know how many men fought duels over Darie's beauty, and how many Free Folk constantly tried to steal her because they admired her noble lady-like temperament. But one event that happened later made them completely give up the idea."
In Free Folk "marriage," the man had to be very aggressive toward the woman, even going so far as to steal the woman from her family or clan, and the woman was expected to resist fiercely and unyieldingly. They believed a true man would steal a woman from afar to strengthen his clan. A man could only steal a daughter, not another man's wife. A woman marrying her own brother, father, or clan relatives would offend the gods, and she would be cursed to bear sickly children.
Raynard's hint immediately piqued Orrik's interest, who pressed, "What happened?"Raynard looked slyly at Orrik and Thorfinn, then spoke seriously, "Don't you dare tell Darie when we get back, or I'll be in trouble. Darie will be angry if she knows I told you this."
Thorfinn smiled. "Just tell us, Father. Orrik and I won't let it slip."
Orrik agreed, "Exactly, exactly."
Only after receiving their assurance did Raynard say, "Darie was different from those women in the village who only knew how to weep. She must have been aware of the Free Folk custom of 'stealing' women beforehand, so Darie secretly hid a dagger. The first unlucky guy thought she was a high-born lady who could be bullied easily. Who would have thought that after a struggle, Darie cut off his 'thing'? Ha-ha-ha!After that, no one dared to look down on her again. In the Free Folk view, even dying is more dignified than suffering such humiliation, and that unlucky guy died from excessive bleeding... You should know that even among the Free Folk, there are few women as wild as her. Darie earned everyone's approval."
Listening to Raynard's words, Orrik couldn't help but cheer for his mother. Thorfinn also looked at his mother in a new light. So his mother had such a past. Thorfinn then considered that his mother's nature was to yearn for freedom, so it wasn't surprising that she would do such a thing.
While her story wasn't as legendary as the deeds of the various Kings-Beyond-the-Wall familiar to the Free Folk, it certainly had a heroic flavor. The noble girl stranded Beyond the Wall had seemingly awakened the "Wolf Blood," becoming strong and independent, and gradually gaining the ability to protect herself.
Chatting all the way, Thorfinn learned more about his parents. His father was a pure Free Folk man, whose family had lived Beyond the Wall for generations, while his mother was a bit unusual. However, even Raynard didn't know where his mother's noble family was from. Raynard's simple-mindedness left Thorfinn a bit speechless.
The conversation gradually returned to hunting. Raynard continued, "It's not easy to feed a family in this snowy land. Even seasoned veterans who constantly roam the mountains can't manage it. Perhaps that's why the Free Folk are so keen on crossing the Wall to raid!"The environment in the world of ice and snow is harsh, and food is scarce. Some Free Folk who cannot survive are forced to risk their lives to struggle for survival. Even if they meet merchants who come Beyond the Wall to trade and exchange for living supplies, aren't these unscrupulous merchants easily able to swindle many Wildlings who can't read a single word?
Alas~ One can only say that the Wildlings' backwardness is evident in all aspects...