As dawn broke, Branden numbly plodded to the clearing, cub in tow. He cast himself down before the Olonto. Nodding slowly, Furry performed the body-swapping ritual once again.

Branden heard the same lines, but sang instead of chanted. Sweet, rich, and sad, the melody wafted about him. It seemed almost part of the air and mist or music obscured his sight.

He woke, weeping, in his own body.

At length he returned to his senses and found the Olonto’s deep brown eyes patiently watching him. No sign remained of the bear or her cub. “The other chil... cub... it’s dead,” he said, wiping his eyes.

Furry nodded.

“Those ravening killers came out of nowhere,” he said, his mind back at the bottom of the muddy slope. “I fought them off, but the other—no! I can’t say any more.” He turned to his side, retching. “I failed him.”

“Your body heals well,” Furry said, making no move to come closer. “How did you fail?”

Branden’s dug his nails into his cheeks. “What do you mean ‘how,’ you stupid creature? Did you hear what I said? The wretched monsters butchered the cub I was supposed to protect!”

“Did you fail? Are they monsters?”

Shaking, Branden yanked himself to a sitting position. “What was the bloody point then?” He planted one foot, but collapsed to the ground before he could manage to stand. Panting, he lay in the grass, slick with sweat. “Become a bear, protect my cubs, see how very wrong it is to kill your precious animals, and repent: that’s your miserable game,” he shouted. “Then just when I might agree with you, you bleeding shrug your... furry shoulders and say ‘oh well, life happens!’ Why?”

“Life happens,” said Furry.

Beyond rage or questions, Branden gaped.

With three gentle thuds, Furry came closer. “Life happens,” he said, tapping his own yellow fangs. “Some days I eat meat. Am I a monster?” He paused a moment, evidently expecting some remark. “The death of the cub is sad. The death of the cub is joyous. A mother returns to an empty den. A young life is no more. A family eats tonight.” Furry indeed shrugged his shoulders. “Which is worth more? The Olonto do not know.”

Propped up on one arm, Branden reflected. “What you say makes sense. But it was my... her cub that died. I failed.”

“Did you? You did not try to save it?”

“I tried and I failed. That’s the point.”

As the sun climbed over the trees, the Olonto’s grey fir brightened to match the grass. “You played your part. Some cubs must die for the wolves to live. Some wolves must starve for the bears to live. One cub died. One lived to walk here with you. Nothing was wasted.”

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“Suppose both cubs had died. The wolves eat one, fine, but the other rots in the dirt,” began Branden hoarsely, eyes suddenly watering. “Would you have slaughtered the wolves as you did my friends? Samwell, Eric, and Jack had lives and value too, whatever the Olonto may believe.” Anger and loss rose with his voice.

Furry sighed deeply. “They did indeed. It was hard to do. I would not do the same to wolves.”

“There it is! You claim to care about balance and waste, but you’re really no different than I am,” said Branden, challenging the Olonto’s gaze. “You’re just on the other side.”

Grief etched on his face, Furry met Branden’s eyes. “There are no sides. Humans are not wolves! A wolf pack may kill a single creature without need. Many insects will feed on the carcass. What will one town of humans do?” he said with a sweeping gesture towards the surrounding forest. “I have seen rivers choked. Forests I wandered in are no more. Beings you cannot imagine vanished long ago. And why?”

The Olonto immediately cut off Branden’s answer.

“You have the gift of mercy. Yet you kill without need. I do not understand,” Furry almost pleaded. “The Ten blessed you with wisdom. Still you wreck the house they made you. I do not know why.” Confusion reigned in his eyes. “Your smiths marry Earth and Fire. Their jewels shine like the sun. Towers and pillars reach Sky itself. All are made with beauty. Humans can do anything. Yet you choose to burn instead of build and slay rather than heal. This I cannot grasp,” he choked, weeping. “Tell me why.”

For a long time Branden thought silently. He sat up fully, studying Furry. “Those are not the tears of a frustrated enemy.” His eyes lit up with sudden insight. “You love us, don’t you? Maybe you wish you didn’t. But you do. You can’t help it.”

The Olonto nodded, tears gone. “You now know the Seven.”

“It’s the Great Peoples,” Branden said, returning the Olonto’s nod, “that’s what I missed. You don’t fight us because you hate us. You fight to protect the other six Wonders, which somehow you value just the same.”

Furry smiled. “The Great Peoples are as dragons. They are strong and wonderful. Yet a terror to all others when astray.”

“Elves and Goblins though, to say nothing of the Swarm,” Branden laughed as he staggered to his feet. “I can’t understand how you find anything to love about them. The Olonto must see very deeply or very poorly.”

Lending a powerful paw, Furry seemed thoughtful. “It would take many moons to teach you to see them as we do. You did not answer my question.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Branden dismissed both the assistance and the question. “If I ever figure out why people act the way they do, I’ll tell you.” He took a few ginger steps. “I think I can walk.”

Furry observed his progress. “You healed quickly. I would not believe if I did not see. Humans are wonderful beings. Will you leave soon?”

“We try our best. I’ll leave tomorrow at dawn,” Branden said. “I can’t say it’s been a pleasure, but thanks for not killing me.”

“Where will you go? Back to trapping?” Furry asked. “If so, beware should we meet again. But it is your choice.”

Shaking his head, Branden stretched, savoring the movement of his own body. “No. Your evil plan succeeded that far, Olonto. I have changed, but only so far.” He gazed wearily towards the forest ahead. “Frankly I’ve had enough of nature to last a lifetime. I’m pressing on to the nearest real city. I’ve always wanted to see Narngund.” He half grinned. “Perhaps there I’ll learn to marry earth and fire.”

“Then may the Seven bless you, friend,” Furry smiled.

“Friend? I wouldn’t go that far,” Branden replied.