What is the meaning of might?

A sigh escaped my lips as I leaned on the windowsill. As the end of July drew ever closer with each passing day, even a newcomer could tell why shouting halls were simply named the way they were. Indeed, the current incessant sounds of howls, barks and boasts that had become the telltale sign of newly formed flocks could easily ruffle one’s feather.

Case in point, my newest and most troublesome fledgling so far, Hiro.

The young human was obviously rattled by the raucous roughhouse that could be heard even this far away. Yet, he was insistent that no further expense on silencing stones was needed. “What I feel right now is nothing compared to you guys”, he said.

Well, yes, but actually no. The fella seemed to not realize that most of us wylders had already learned to tune out the scream since our days as a kit. In fact, this constant barrage of noise could even be considered quite soothing to more than a few.

I took a look at my ward-turned-fledgling, who was still busy writing on a piece of parchment. To think that, the events which transpired, and led to this moment, had started with such simple words.

“Please let me earn my keep.”

Truly mind-boggling!

Anyowl.

Turning down his offer was the first thing that came to mind. After all, Hiro was not just a simple visitor of the city, but also its guest. Even without his status as a noble, the boy would still be under the Horde’s protection until the day he was lost no more. Such was the promise with our ally so many centuries ago.

Yet, I could not help but mull upon my thoughts. Progress made towards Hiro’s recovery had come to a complete halt once my ward was presented with the last Bright inventions we could procure. Afterwards, aside from some small talks and the afternoon walk, there was little left for us to do.

However, what truly made me consider his proposal was not the restlessness, but rather, the determination I saw. Hiro’s attempt to remedy the mistake he made was a simple start. His eagerness to not impose himself upon us, on the other paw, was anything but. Soon enough, I could not help but find myself at the great hall, relaying my thoughts to the old dέέr.

After all, I too knew how awful it could be, feeling like one was simply a burden to others.

In the end, it was an uphill battle that I barely managed to squeak by. Fortunately, my ward’s special condition, combined with a need to familiarize himself with the surrounding forests before his return trip, had ultimately won me the argument.

That day, I could not help but puff up my chest at another hard-earned victory!

I was also told that any major mistake or damage caused by Hiro would be my sole responsibility. And in the worst case scenario, which might involve a not so pretty picture of my ward getting mauled on the job, the council of elders would immediately get me booted all the way to a gathering for the rest of my life.

But hey, what was life without some risk, amirite?

*Cough*

Wiping away a bead of sweat, I decided to move far away from the window that suddenly felt quite chilling… It was perfect timing as well, since Hiro seemed to have finally finished with his task.

“Anddd done! Isa, could you check if this represents the position of wanderers and fetchers correctly, when compared to their human equivalents?

[https://i.imgur.com/J2tnGmb.png]

After a quick look at the parchment, I could not help but let out a chuckle.

“This is quite the simplification, all things considered. Regardless, I have to admit that it is not wrong”. Turning my head up at Hiro, I added. “Many people have also described the Horde as a giant guild of adventurers, especially when taking what we do into account.”

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Picking up a pencil, I scribbled down on a new parchment.

“Nevertheless, there are some major differences that you should keep in mind. Namely, the hierarchy of things and the authority of each role.” Hiro gave me his undivided attention upon hearing those words. “In Bright Land, one would think of adventurers’ guilds as places to hire help, which ranges from mundane task takers all the way to elite monster hunters. Nevertheless, one thing is for certain: Adventurers must be prepared to enter blighted territories, even for the simplest of quests.” Taking a small sip of water, I continued. “This is similar to how wanderers and fetchers are constantly tasked with patrolling the dangerous areas around big wounds, or heck, even the normal roads that could always hide a bane nearby.”

Having finished the two triangles, I looked up at my young fledgling.

“From your drawing, it’s clear that you also notice the likeness. However-” Pointing my paw at the nearby map, I resisted the urge to puff up my chest with pride. “-as you can see, while Bright Land only has to deal with a constant threat, Wyld Land is instead besieged by three. Thus, the Horde is constantly in need of fresh blood, which means wanderers and fetchers are “professions” held in high regards, as opposed to how most adventurers are viewed in Bright Land.”

[https://i.imgur.com/qopQZbu.png]

“There are still so many things wrong with this map I don’t even know where to start… By the way, why did you give me this map instead of a regular one?”

“Huhuhu. You are asking me? Instead of figuring it out on your own, you have to ask that question? Of course, it’s because my map is the best when teaching little kits! Haven’t you been able to memorize locations of great importance right away upon gazing at such a marvel~?”

“I… Well, ok, I guess that… Wait a minute, so the reason you didn’t give me a normal map is because you considered me a kit!?”

“Yup.”

“But I am older than you!!!”

“Age is just a number, especially when you are but a fledgling compared to me!”

“References! Very questionable references from an extremely questionable “far-ah-see” world that makes nonsense whichwayever!”

•ㅅ•

After a bit more buffoonery, the two of us quickly got back to the topic at paw. Trailing a finger on my parchment, I motioned towards the top of a triangle.

“As you can imagine, instead of kings and queens, the ones in charge of the Horde would be the council of elders. Their position is also not passed down, but rather, something that they have to fight for. After all, only those that have shed blood, sweat and tears on the frontline could earn the respect of wanderers and wylders alike.”

“Does that mean the other roles you mentioned like crafter, trader or gatherer are not as well-respected?”

“That…” I almost couldn’t bite back my frown. Sure, he wasn’t wrong, but still… “All wylders have their own part to play in the circle of life. Grove tenders are crucial to the Horde’s survival. Growlers make sure that we are safe from banes and threats alike. And the importance of youth tenders can never be understated!”

Mine was a shoddy attempt at deflection. I knew that. Hiro knew that. But both of us still chose not to address the dead mammoth.

Eventually, I coughed into my paw and continued where I left off.

“Anyowl… There are also some distinctions among those with the same role. For example, an elder in charge of a wyld city facing one of the three Great Wounds is similar to a human marquess. Meanwhile, those stationed at a gathering would be barons, so to speak.”

“If so, the ones residing at Wyld’s Heart should be great dukes, and whoever holds The Nests would be a great baron, right?”

“Correct!”

“And this distinction also applies to wanderers and fetchers between cities and gatherings alike…”

“Um hum! Of course, gatherers can always just travel to a city and test their mettle there instead. That is, provided they could actually survive the pressure of a wyld city like you did.”

“Yeah…”

“That being said.” I spun the pencil in my paw, and proceeded to ignore the crashing noise as the darn thing left my side to explore the floor instead… “Which role would you take, Hiro?”

With a solemn expression, the young fledgling ceased his snickering at the sound of me stomping my foot. Finally, he said.

“Fetcher. I want to become a fetcher!”

•ㅅ•

Days had passed since then.

Blood, sweat and tears were shed.

Mostly salty tears, as the young fledgling finally learned what it felt like to be forced through the fire of smell.

“*Cough* You know, when you told me about what fetchers do, this wasn’t *Cough* this wasn’t what I had in mind…”

“Corrections, my young fledgling.” Throwing another stack of meat to the eager arms of my ward, I said. “What you heard were the works of fetchers, not fledglings, which you currently are. Now, chop chop! There are still plenty more smokehouses to be filled before lunch!”

“Uuu…”

“Oh, cheer up. Once you get used to this section of the city, controlling your nose at will would be easier than pie!” Hauling the next batch in, I added. “Keep in mind that this is one of the lighter burdens every fledgling has to go through. Besides, “What I feel right now is nothing compared to you guys”, correct?”

“Uuuuuu…”

Truly, this was definitely a sign of more wonderful days ahead.

That aside…

*GROWL*

Twitching my ears to the west of Growling Trunk, I could not help but grin widely.

*GROWLLLLLL*

The harvest was finally here!