The party arrived at the area in question, and after a little inspection it was clear that it was, indeed, unnaturally disturbed. Stace was able to provide further insight by utilizing his Tracking skill, he was a ranger after all. The group looked up into the hills of the northern ridge scanning the horizon as he relayed what he learned.

“The rocks appear to have been thrown from about two thirds of the way up the ridge, around the snowline.” He walked forward a few steps and pointed to a spot about a hundred yards away from one of the boulders.

“They landed over there and then rolled to a stop before they got to the farm, but it certainly looks like that is what they were aiming for.”

“Why would something throw rocks at the farm? Maybe it was an avalanche?” with hopeful doubt in his voice Cire questioned. He was not eagerly anticipating a showdown with something that could 'throw' boulders, even if they were tiny ones.

Sighing exasperatedly, showing his tension in a dangerous situation, Stace replied.

“See the furrows in the ground from where they rolled after impact? They are all coming from the same direction… straight up the ridge. If we want to know more we need to reconnoiter the area.”

He looked to Eugene and spoke with a noticeably softer tone in his voice. “Go back to town and see if any of our friends are available to help. Then send them to this area and wait for the group to return to the cabin.” There was a heavy pause before he continued. “If we do not come back by nightfall, then you know what to do.”

Things had gotten much more serious than Cire had anticipated for the day, everything had been easy going so far. All their day had entailed was a few walks around the property, intermingled with light training. He had not even gained a full level at any skill. Now they were going to go and try to sneak up on something that was clearly threatening. Sure, boars could be scary if they were angry or provoked, but they had never sought him out as prey.

Almost unbidden, a tinge of cold washed through him. A slight itching tingled at the roots of his fingernails. The hair on his neck stood up, and a low growl emanated from his throat.

“Let's go find what is hunting us, my friend.” He did not notice the tips of his canines growing a tad longer, nor the flash of red through his iris’, but neither did the other two men. Both of whom were looking off and up at the ridge with determination written on their faces.

The ranger took point on their cautious traverse up the ridge. Cire followed behind, doing his best to mimic the other man's footsteps and movements. Not as practiced, he sent small rocks skittering and snapped branches with most footfalls.

If Cire had not known where to look for Stacy, he would not have been able to track the ghost of a man. Even being much larger, the nimble human made no noise and left no trace of his crossing over the rough rock and dust-strewn terrain. I will become that proficient, in time.

Nearly two hours of arduous steep mountain hiking later and they reached the edge of the snow pack. Stacy signaled for them to crouch down and hide behind a large rock. Wind whipped around them, dulling all sound with a low howl. The rock at least provided some defense against the biting cold.

Cire was much more comfortable than previous occasions at this altitude, but then, a set of clothes and armor made a world of difference. Cire nodded and waited for Stace to speak. The other man would not have stopped if he had not found something. There had been determination in his movements.

“Yeti... at least four and no more than six by the look of the tracks.” Stace yanked his thumb back over his shoulder to the opposite side of the boulder indicating further uphill and into the snow. “They lead up to a ledge about two hundred paces up.”

He waited a beat before he was sure that Stacy wanted his opinion on their course of action. Then he spoke up. “So... we head back down for reinforcements. Then come back up here and deal with them?”

A hint of a smile danced over the ranger's lips even in that serious moment and then he nodded. “Seems like you do have a bit of sense in you after all. It may not be fun to head back down and then all the way back up again, but it is the intelligent thing to do. Do not get sloppy, stay on your guard. We both know there is an enemy about. We need to warn the others at the very least.”

Cire did not have much of a response to that, besides to nod again, and then tilt his head in the direction they had come.

It was easier to go down the mountain, not because of the decreased strain on their muscles, but as a result of knowing the terrain. By alternating their route, they were able to skirt a few of the more difficult natural obstacles that had blocked the ease of their ascension. In half the amount of time, they were back to the fence and greeting a couple of familiar faces, along with a couple that were new.

Durg was obviously more excited by the prospect of a fight than any of the others assembled. Outfitted in a crude iron set of full plate with spikes and blades welded on in odd directions, his armor didn’t look like it came from a scrapheap, it was a scrapheap. He held a hatchet in each hand, both weapons had clearly been crafted to fell beasts, not trees. His thick, dark brown beard was flared out under a huge smile. After getting filled in, his cheerful response was still disjointed from the mood of the others.

“Shall we be off on our lil yeti hunt? I have always wanted a pair o' yeti hide boots ta keep ma toes warm.”

In that moment Cire grasped two facts: stay behind Durg and keep out of his way.

Selene was, as usual, a now-unsurprising contrast to the dwarf. She wore a dark brown set of hardened leather armor that hugged her form. Her black hair was done up in a severe looking bun, which blatantly secured two throwing knives. In her hands she held an elegant short bow etched with carvings of vines. Cire was rather sure she had other weapons that were hidden by her cloak... and her armor. He would not risk losing a hand to find out. Look, but don’t touch Cire.

Apparently, Selene ran the other farm across the valley and a threat to one of the farms construed one to both. Cire wondered why a 'farmer' would be as decked out for a fight as she was, but he remembered Eugene's words regarding danger, and chose to dismiss it.

Filling out the group was Eugene, who was only providing direction for the others, and two humans Cire had not met. They each approached affably.

“Nice to meet you stranger. I am Andreas and this here is my brother. Glad to have another set of hands to help. We have already heard a few things about you, haven’t we Nicolas?”

Grinning and slapping his brother on the back his twin concurred. “Indeed we have. It’s a small town Cire, do not expect anything to stay secret for long.”

Both lumberjacks held what looked to be double bucked wood axes. The newcomers wore rough hide armor, but moved awkwardly in it. They lacked the excitement of Durg and the determination of Selene.

Cire realized that while both of these men were prepared to fight a threat to their home, neither of them would voluntarily seek out confrontation and potential harm if they could avoid it. When had he ruled out that option? While the group fanned out and headed up the mountain, Cire's thoughts kept him distracted.

Could he be content to learn a non-combat profession, earn a stable income, and live a calm, but uneventful life? Cire had barely been content with that life back home. Each day had felt more lackluster than the previous. Elysium had changed everything in less than a week. Life here was exciting, dangerous and deadly, but so much sweeter than it had been. He would not be satiated with a life of mundane existence – he thirsted for more. Unconsciously, Cire’s movements up the hillside quickened. It felt like only seconds had passed before he and the others were taking cover behind a rather familiar large rock.

Stace looked around at the various faces bunched together, then he went over the plan.

“We are going to get as close as possible to the ledge before we attack. I want Selene in the back with me providing support. That means Durg will take point followed by Cire, Andreas, and Nicolas respectively.

“If you get wounded and can fight, then hang back and make attacks of opportunity. If you get hurt badly, then get back to the trees. We have weapons and armor, but yeti are strong beasts with thick hides. Do this right... we make it back alive and protect our home.”

Cire was equal parts cautioned and inspired by his friend's words. Our home. He would not let any harm come to these people if he could prevent it. Right now, that was outside of his grasp. He needed to be stronger.