Maybe something like:

Fenra of Dayon stood sullen and alone amidst the dark tangle of trees as he looked over the ancient, rust colored hills.

Then get to his reason for being sullen and alone pretty quickly. Then give us a reason to care about this tortured soul. Don't be cryptic about it.

Right now it feels like you're working hard to put in lavish description when we really need to know more about the character. Make me want to read about him and then I'll be happy to look at the pictures you want to paint along the way.

Fenra feels sullen. He observes his surroundings and thinks about his blade. So far we are in Fenra’s head, seeing the world through his eyes and experiencing his internal state. Then we suddenly get yanked out of his perspective with: “That black patch of brambles and needles must have looked an appropriate stoop indeed for the troubled soldier.” This switch to the narrator’s perspective is jarring. You don't need this sentence.

Second paragraph, I suggest ditching the first sentence and continue with Fenra’s perspective.
Let me take a guess at how you might have finished the last sentence, and then show an alternative:
Guess: “The signs of his stalkers had been noticed some time that morning.” Who noticed the signs? Fenra?
Alternative: “There had been no sign of his stalkers since the morning.” Now I am still in Fenra’s perspective.

One more take, where I feel uncertain about what to suggest (this is highly subjective):
Fenra stands alone. He sees the landscape and feels heavy hearted. He reflects on why he is here. He is troubled. He sees the landscape. He searches the landscape. Stalkers are mentioned.

Nothing is happening. This is a very static opening, and I’m left feeling bored. There are two elements that have potential to raise my interest: He has a blade that he does not want but cannot lay aside, and he is being stalked. I would tentatively suggest honing in on either or these elements. But be cautious about telling backstory (the past) right at the start; its better to be in the present moment, and sprinkle in the backstory. Possible ideas: what is his current state? Is he wounded, worn out, hungry, short on supplies? Are the stalkers a serious threat? Is there a specific recent event that leaves him feeling sullen?

But please, don't mind these crits too much! As they keep telling me, its better to move ahead and write the story; leave editing until later. You have a story to tell.