A/N This was the only draft I had on Wattpad before everything went to hell, so I think it's only fair you guys get to read this until I get everything back together. Enjoy :)

The cold march along the migration path was long, chilly, and arduous. But that was expected. Having tread this trail for many moons, the tribe was well prepared to endure the next few cycles of walking. At the front and back of the huge group were the strong and able-bodied men, along with light-footed hunters spotted across the flanks to protect and scouts. In the middle amassed the woman with their children, carrying their possessions on their strong backs or dragging them behind them on small carts. The young boys not quite old enough to be assigned their tasks would run around in games of chase and plunge through the growing snow. They all wore furs to protect their vulnerable skins, and the children often complained that they were cold or tired throughout the journey as they usually did. They longed for the easy season of Jeóbien's warm smile, and the planet's loving embrace of pastel verdure. But the time of color and warmth was over: The period of the long cold and the snow would reign for a while before softening back to the time of bounty.

Mark checked in on his passenger whenever no one else was looking his direction. He stood on the summit of a small hill now, peeking in the sling to see Jack sound asleep. Good, he doesn't look cold. Mark closed the pouch and studied the horizon. Far behind them was the plateau that housed their huts during the moon of Flowering Song and the moon of Jeóbien. Stretched out beside them was the burnt and now frozen forest Mark had rescued Jack from, and up ahead and beyond was the trail. Their home for the moon of Falling Leaves and the moon of Crÿstales lay yonder, past the mountainous region filled with many obstacles and treacheries that needed to be overcome. Gazing out at the horizon, the young warrior found himself wandering in his own thoughts.

"Protect the young, heal the wounded." Mark could recall his father's words from when he was a little boy. "No man left behind; a chieftain must put the lives of his people above his own. That's how it's been since the time of your great grandfather, and his forefathers before him," he had said, "You must remember that, when you're chieftain." Mark sighed. Guess dad never thought that he'd pass away so soon. He pulled a crisp web-shaped leaf off its branch and watched as it was whisked away by the wind. Did he know that he was sick then? That his body would slowly fail on him, trapping his spirit in a prison until that prison gave out?

He stood there for a spell when he heard Tyler's voice ringing out. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and peered down from his perch to see the tribe stopping for the night in a ridge sheltered beneath his hill. "Make sure the women and children have the most sheltered nooks," the chieftain was advising, "We'll need the patrolmen out on the boundaries. Hunters, try to find something to eat along the Misty Forest's borders. Ethan, take a couple of scouts with you to survey the path ahead." I should head back down. Mark cupped his hand over Jack's sling as he carefully dropped his way down the steep side of the hill. "Mark!" Tyler noticed the young warrior quickly. "There you are, how does the weather look?"

"There's a storm coming overnight," Mark informed him, "But there's enough time to fill our bellies and get the tents up, I reckon."

"Good. Go make sure Amy gets settled in, we need to keep those herbs and medicines safe." Mark nodded.

"Will do." He left Tyler to his duties and hurried to find his mate. He found her against the rocky wall, pushing sticks firmly into the ground so that a canopy might shelter them from the wind and snow.

"How is he?" That was the first question she asked when she saw him. Mark fumbled open the strap and peered inside.

"He's resting," he answered with a smile, "But I'm sure he'll wake soon."

"He'll be hungry, just like you are I'm sure," Amy teased. Mark grinned.

"Starving!" He agreed.

"Well put him down somewhere and help me finish setting this up. The hunting patrol will be back in no time." Amy was right. By the time they had a comfortable temporary shelter established, all of the patrols were trotting back to the rest of their people.

"We've got a good meal tonight!" Kathryn remarked.

"And no troubles up ahead," Ethan added. "This is going to be an easy migration, but there's a storm coming overnight."

"I'll make sure everyone puts on extra furs."

"I can do that," Amy offered, overhearing the conversation.

"Are you sure Amy? Don't you have to set out all your supplies and-"

"Mark can handle it for me." Mark nodded.

"It'll be snug as a bug by the time you get back," he promised. Then, as Amy started to leave with an armful of pelts, he added playfully, "And don't forget to bring food!" Amy glanced over her shoulder and nodded, catching the meaningful look Mark gave their shelter; their secret patient was already settled inside, still sound asleep. Mark watched her go for a few seconds, and then he turned and crawled into the cozy den. A pelt stretched comfortably over the snowy floor, preventing frostbite. Medicinal materials were stacked against the walls, loosely propped together in neat stacks of parcels, with labels that were unlike any Earthian language.

Mark sighed and set to work. He knew the healer well enough to organize the precious supplies by her standard preferences. It was at this time, however, as the sun Jeóbien sank behind the wintery horizon, that Jack finally woke from his drowsy slumber. He frowned and twitched his fingers, and then he weakly opened his eyes as his body tensed in an effort to move. He discovered quickly that he ached too much to budge, and his pained groan caught Mark's attention.

"Hey, hey." Mark scooted up to Jack and leaned over him, shushing the injured Irishman softly. "It's alright líten häna, it's okay, shh..." He used the tip of his pinky to gently stroke the human's head. Jack made a face and fidgeted, but he was too weak and drowsy to protest. "It's alright." Mark smiled softly and ruffled his hair. "I bet you're hungry, huh? Amy's going to be back with something for you to eat soon, and then you can get some more sleep. Okay?" He didn't expect an answer, so Mark tucked the soft furs more tightly around the human and finished tidying. Jack had to swallow down his anxiety and close his eyes, counting to ten, and also remind hisself that he was in no condition to be rejecting help... even if help came in the form of two gargantuan people who were hiding him like a stowaway from their own tribe, and could accidentally kill him as easily as swatting at a fly.

He also made a mental note to try not to think on that.

Jeóbien's rays were ebbing away by the time Amy finally slipped in with a covered platter consisting of two large creatures similar to rabbit, and a few bunches of berries.

"Mm!" Mark admired Amy as she handed him his share. "Have I told you I love you?" He said sweetly.

"Nope." She winked and giggled. Mark chuckled alongside her.

"Well, let's make sure he eats first before we go disputing who-loves-who."

"You're right." Amy peered at Jack, who had dozed off again. "Aww." She smiled sympathetically. "He's still asleep?"

"He was awake earlier, but I think he should really eat something." Amy agreed and gently nudged him awake. Jack frowned, his head lolling as he turned away from Amy's finger. "Come on," she cooed softly as she nudged him again, "I know you're tired but you need to eat." Jack underwent the same procedure as he did with Mark, trying to succumb to sleep until he was annoyed enough by their pestering to sigh and open his eyes once more. Both giants smiled when they saw his brilliant blue irises.

"There we go." Mark plucked a crépe off its vine and offered it to Jack. Jack stared dumbly at it for a few awkward seconds before he realized how empty his stomach felt and how dry his throat was. Right... need to eat. He had trouble sitting up, but Amy put two fingers under his back and helped him up. He took the familiar berry and began nibbling on it.

Mark smiled kindly and glanced outside. "Well, let's eat and get some rest," he murmured, "We'll need our strength for morrow."

Ethan was right: It was going to be an easy migration. But what he didn't account for was how hard the voyage would be for a tiny, injured human, especially if there was a blizzard screeching in the middle of the night.

Jack woke up freezing. The wind was howling and clawing viciously at everything in its path. Though the giants were all sound asleep, warm and comfortable, the wind was cutting through every small crevice it could and blasting Jack with its chilly breath. He couldn't feel his own body. His teeth chattered, but he wasn't aware of it. He even bit his own lip and felt nothing as he struggled into consciousness.

Jack shuddered and looked around him. His blanket had been whisked away, and it was now draped over Mark's flank by the wind. The human lay semi-exposed in the shoulder bag, with only his human clothes and Amy's gauzes to feebly defend him. The wind continued to whistle and scream through the ravine. Jack understood immediately that he was in an extremely bad situation, but he didn't have the strength to move.

It took all of his effort to consciously part his lips and gasp weakly, trying to speak. "H... h-help..." His voice was in no condition to be its usual loud self. It was hoarse and grated, nevermind that the wind whipped his words away the moment they parted from his tongue. He licked his cold dry lips and tasted blood. "H-hel... help...!" His strength was fading. He could barely shiver now. It took a great deal of effort just to move his fingers. He focused on blinking, trying to keep his eyes from freezing in their sockets.

"Translator at twenty-five percent progress." Jack stirred at Susie's voice. "Upgrading now." Really? Now? Jack wondered. But then an idea struck him.

"S-S-Susie," he chattered through his clacking teeth. "I-in-niti-iate th-the d-d-dog... wh-whistle."

"Confirmation?" Susie intoned.

"C-c-code C-Ce-Cerberus." The microchip put on a sound that, to Jack, was a high and soft hum. But for something or someone with sensitive hearing, it was like a high-pitched scream right in their ears. As an effective example, Mark woke with a start, covering his ears as he twisted around and sat up.

"What the Hel!" He grunted. Amy sat up too, covering her ears as well.

"Ow, ow, ow!" She muttered under her breath. Mark noticed the extra pelt in his lap and picked it up.

"Amy." He held it up to his mate, and her eyes widened. He looked toward Jack, and when he saw the state the human was in his countenance turned to horror. "Amy!" He pushed to Jack's side and peered at the quivering figure. Jack could barely keep his eyes open now, but he saw Mark's silhouette and dyed hair blazing between his eyelids, and he almost smiled in relief.

"He's very bad," Amy noted quickly. "He needs warmth. Now." The duo worked together without any more words. As Amy collected a small pile of twigs together at the center of their shelter, Mark carefully scooped up their frozen patient. The dog whistle finally shut off, a great relief to both giants, but Jack was still on the verge of death.

"Come on, come on," Mark whispered, cradling the human against his chest. "Come on líten häna, come on..." Amy pushed the fur floor away from her collection of sticks and bracken.

"It's wet," she warned. Mark shook his head and held his hand over the pile.

"It'll still work." He closed his eyes and concentrated. His hand hovered over the useless collection of sodden bracken, his pinky and ring fingers partially tucked like he was throwing the ground a three-fingered peace sign. He took only one, slow breath as he focused, tuning out the malevolent howl of the storm and closing in on himself. He felt the firey warmth that surged through his veins, the flames that warmed his core and protected his body. His eyebrows twitched a bit closer as he furrowed them, concentrating hard as he pictured his veins glowing with heat. He imagined all of that potential heat surging through his arm, blazing into his extended hand. And then, despite the biting air of the freezing blizzard, flames suddenly flickered to life on his fingertips.

Amy watched, silently, but with awe. She never got tired of watching it, a simple but beautiful gift. The tiny flames grew, sprouting like a phoenix from the ashes, and engulfing Mark's hand with a beautiful orange glow. Just the very sight of the magical color warmed her, and she watched as the hot tongues fell from his fingers and dropped into the bracken. It took a little time for the wood to catch on, but it dried quickly in that golden heavenly light and sprouted flowers of fire, birthing color in a world of blandness.

Mark grunted and swayed as the flames in his hands evaporated, and Amy shifted to support him. "Hey." She put her petite hand under his, making sure that he didn't accidentally squish Jack as she wrapped her other arm around his. "You did great," she murmured. Mark bashfully smiled, blinking blearily at her.

"Just... m-make sure he gets warm," he mumbled. Amy nodded and gently cupped the quivering patient. Jack shuddered violently as he was set beside the fire and snuggled in his blanket. He lay there, too weak to do anything other than shake every so often and let his lips quiver. Amy gently ruffled his hair, scraping the frost out of it and trying to tidy the disheveled mess. Mark slumped against the shelter wall, breathing a little heavily and looking like he could use a monster drink.

"You'll get better," Amy said with a glance, "It just takes practice." Mark nodded, rubbing his eyes.

"I know." He yawned and ruffled his hair. "It's just so taxing... and I don't have time to be lying around in snooze mode." She smiled and rubbed his arm.

"When the grass wakes and the flowers bloom, you'll have plenty of time," she laughed softly, "But until then, I think you should hunt more often, so that way no one will get suspicious about you spending so much time with me."

"But..." Mark's head lolled as he looked over Amy's shoulder. "What about-"

"I'll take care of him," Amy promised. She gently pushed him, urging him to lay down. "Now rest, you meathead."

"Meathead?" Mark huffed and tapped her arm. "How dare you!" He laughed but still complied. "Is he better now, though?" Amy looked over her shoulder. Mark frowned, worried. Anxious thoughts began pouring out of his mouth, and words flew out before he could think. "What if- what if I made a mistake?" He murmured, "Wh-what if this is the gods' way of telling me that- that I shouldn't have-"

"Shouldn't have what?" Amy raised her brow at him. "Shouldn't have brought him with us? Shouldn't have sheltered him, or saved his life? No, Mark..." She put her hand on his cheek. "You have a big heart. You are a master of fÿre, and the gods brought that creature to you in the embrace of flames." She poked his chest for emphasis. "You made the right decision. You followed your heart, and that's all they could ever ask of you. It's all I could ever ask of you." Mark blinked, and then he slowly nodded.

"You're right... as always." A smile bloomed on his lips. He took her hand and kissed it. "You keep telling me not to doubt myself, but you're right. I did make the right choice, even if he isn't from our world. It's my sworn duty to protect the innocent, and he's done nothing wrong. He deserves just as much respect as that which every animal of our harmonious cycle gets." Amy nodded, beaming proudly.

"Exactly." Mark peered over Amy's shoulder again.

"So is he okay now?" Amy checked again.

"Well... He's lucky we didn't wake later," she replied, "Or else he wouldn't have made it, nevermind a loss of limbs or wrath of gods." Behind her, Jack let out a pleasant sigh and shifted under his covers, shivering as his body thawed.

"I'm not sure luck had anything to do with it." Mark turned over on his side. "You heard it too," he added, "That strange noise?" Amy nodded.

"It was like screaming... but right in my ears," she confirmed. "Or like the wind, when it whistles."

"Well... I think that, somehow, he did that."

"What? But how?" Amy looked back at Jack again. "He was balanced between life and death." Mark scratched his head, and some strands fell in front of his puzzled countenance.

"I don't know. But you're right. We need to be more careful." He bit his lip, and then he slowly added, "I... I think there's more to him than we think." Amy shot him an alarmed look.

"What do you mean?" He opened and closed his mouth, and then he shrugged.

"I'm not sure. It's just... he acts like no animal I've ever seen. It's not just that he looks like one of us, but the... but..." Mark struggled to come up with a good argument for his feeling. He couldn't understand it at the time, but something deep in the back of his mind told him that there was far more to this creature from the stars than what meets the eye.

"... Should we tell Tyler?" Amy suggested.

"No!" Mark winced and shook his head. "No. Not yet. For now, lets just focus on keeping him safe."

"He'll need something warm in his belly." Amy sounded relieved to finally change the topic. "I'll brew some leaves." She tenderly kissed Mark's forehead. "Just rest now. He's in good hands." Mark closed his eyes and heard the healer rummage around quietly for a bowl. There was a brief lapse of silence, and then he felt something drape over his chest. He opened his eyes to see that Amy had moved Jack and his blankets and put them over the warrior's clavicle. The human still felt cold, and he was still shivering, but already the body heat emanating from the giant was taking effect. Mark glanced at Amy for explanation, but the woman had already turned her back. He looked at Jack again and sighed softly. Don't worry, líten häna. He put his hand gently over the small figure under the furs and let his head touch the ground once more. I won't let anything happen to you.