RISE OF THE WHITE WOLF
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Mastering the Sword
Throughout the remainder of 1027AB Connor trained under Theodore Ranfield. Having never picked up a sword in his life, it was clear that Connor had a lot to learn. But Theodore taught him far more than just technique. As he explained, “Anyone can be taught to kill or disarm. But I teach you how to use your mind. The battle is not just brute strength and skill. You must learn to be cunning, charismatic, and observant.”
As a Combat Sage, Theodore’s knowledge was widely sought. He taught of how to completely measure up a foe before the first word was uttered or the sword drawn. “These days the sword is dying art. What use is a sword when a coward can shoot you down without even seeing your face. Diplomacy is a powerful thing. It is best to stop the fight before it even begins.”
As pupil and apprentice of Theodore, Connor was urged to read more, and to understand language, art, and the nuances of society. For if Connor was to survive, his mind had to be just as sharp as the very sword he was learning to wield. Without that, then the sword is just weighty piece of metal; lethal to sum, but laughable to others.
By 1028AB Connor had transformed into quite the young man. He stood at 6’4”, and commanded a towering figure. Training had kept his body firm and lean. He could have easily tired out a stag, and then brought it down without breaking a sweat. The only prey that continued to elude him was Silvanus. But Connor strived on. He knew Theodore was right. And if he was to get his brother away from the military then he need every skill he could master.
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News of Dharenmor
One thing continued to linger as Connor trained, and that was the state of the Northern Tribelands. How did they fair? The more Connor spent with Theodore, the more he came to understand just how deep and vile the views of Dharen’Rhylo were toward his people. Now he knew intimately on why his people were feared and imprisoned by the church. But for what? For land?
The truth was more horrifying than Connor could have imagined. Between his studies and training, Connor took it upon himself to study the Dharenmor colony. There was little information available, but what public records existed were held in the Great Central Library. When he ventured there with Theodore, he would page through all of the more recent records.
All the information was very basic. Ship logs, cargo manifests, and brief mentions of terrain. Nothing concrete. Theodore informed Connor that Dharen’Rhylo has been wanting to expand its borders for some time. They wouldn’t dare risk critical information getting in enemy hands. The church didn’t know who to trust and the military was even stricter.
They learned more through word of mouth. Actually meeting someone who would have been there was Connor’s ideal, but he was never given that satisfaction. Instead he had to form a picture in his mind at just what was taking place. From all the records of lumber being shipped in, it was clear that deforestation was among one of the many operations.
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Questions from on High
By 1030AB Gabriel’s Hold had become very familiar with Connor. News that a Combat Sage has found and was actively training an apprentice was the talk of the town for a while. But when the gossip stopped, the questions began to start rolling in. Official parcels began to appear at Theodore’s manor. Often it was the military proposing official inquiries, but sometimes even the church sent a messenger along.
“Who was the pupil? Where did he come from? From what house did he hail from? What rank or merit did he hold?” Such questions were only a handful among many more, but all of them curious about Connor. The military demanded to know why one of their wealthier families or high ranking officers weren’t invited to learn under Theodore. And the church wanted an accurate record of all the weekly tidings Connor had submitted since his arrival in the city.
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Theodore held them all at bay. He provided information, not clear records of lineage, but enough to satisfy the questions. But whenever he submitted his response, the military would strike back with more even more questions: the most prominent being Connor’s history, his name, and the origins of his family — they wanted accurate details that they would reference and read.
This was how vital Theodore was to them. They considered his knowledge to be so valuable that they even questioned his judgment. But in time Theodore had enough. He gave them all the answers they wanted by officially inviting Connor into his house. Connor was floored. He never thought Theodore would stick his neck out so far for him, but as Theodore stated, “Sometimes you have give them what they need to hear, even if they don’t want to hear it.”
But Connor wasn’t just invited to become part of House Ranfield, Theodore made real the fiction that was Connor’s past. He created a new branch to his family tree and outlined that Connor was of blood relation, and he had all of the official paperwork to prove it. Theodore explained that he was trying to keep that line a secret, and that he did not wish to reveal it to so soon. He convinced the church and the military that it was their pressure which forced that information to light.
Of course it was all a lie. The only real about it was that Connor now had a family and a history within Dharen’Rhylo. House Ranfield had existed for hundreds of years and held great sway. Connor had difficulty absorbing it, and even to this day felt like it was a betrayal to the memory of his mother. But Theodore stated that it was all necessary. The bureaucracy of civilization demanded it. He told Connor, “You know what is truth in your heart.”
It took a while for Connor to fully realize just what Theodore had done. He never reviewed the paperwork until the confirmations were delivered to be signed by Connor himself. Apparently Connor was not just of House Ranfield, but he was made official heir to the Ranfield estate. He was Connor Nexian Ranfield, surrogate son to Theodore.
He confronted Theodore about that, to which the aged man replied, “My son perished many years ago. He was roughly your age.” There was no Mistress Ranfield. All that Theodore had and possessed would be absorbed by the extended family if he did not appoint an heir to his estate. Since he was coming along in years he saw no reason not to appoint Connor.
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Name of the Wolf
With deep gratitude Connor accepted the title that Theodore bestowed upon him, but he made it clear he did not wish to exploit the name. Connor wanted to make one for himself, and he didn’t want to be known as merely the heir of Ranfield. Theodore took this to heart and considered the alternatives. “Our house knows many faces and many names. We choose to identify the individuals within our house with insignias. They bare a symbol of their choice which is then joined by the family crest and seal.”
“Many members of our house have chosen an animal which identifies them. For instance I am represented by that of an eagle.” Theodore carried on. “You spoke of that white wolf, didn’t you? You even named yourself after her. Nixia, was it?” Connor nodded as he listened. He didn’t quite follow what Theodore had in mind. “So why not a wolf,” Theodore asked.
He insisted that Connor choose that which he has already chosen to be his insignia; a white wolf. “I appoint you Connor, the White Wolf of Ranfield.” At that point Connor had little choice in the matter. He admitted that he liked the idea, and he appreciated that Theodore respected his wish to have a unique name of his own. But a White Wolf? Was that a little… on the nose?
Theodore assured him that it would not raise any suspicion. If anything the credibility of the name Ranfield would be more prominent and influential than anything related to Wolf Tribes. It was a compromise that Connor agreed to. He even began to take to the idea even more once he saw the insignia that Theodore had prepared for him.
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Author's Note
In essence, it was Theodore who created the image and the name White Wolf. It was his influence which shaped Connor into the man he became, and so when Connor wears the mask of the Wolf — he is in fact wearing the identity that Theodore created for him. Has Connor truly discovered who he is just yet? No. He has merely moved from one influence into another. He will begin to discover himself once he no longer needs the mask.
But Connor does not yet claim the mask as of this time. He will claim it in the near future after he reunites with his brother.
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