The forest welcomed the group with open arms. Leaves were fresh with morning dew. Elwin walked by Erlan’s side, the pain of not having his mate nearby a soft echo ever-present. The sorrow of losing his brother was etched on Erlan’s expression.
Ignoring the three newcomers, Elwin focused on what mattered. Letting Erlan say a last farewell to Haldir’s grave.
The young elf let out a breath and fell to his knees. Wiping away fresh tears, he said, “I’m sorry you died. I'm sorry I wasn’t fast enough to save you. I know you wouldn’t want me to blame myself, but it’s hard.
So hard.
You died instead of taking the gift knowing Elwin was still here, but it’s not enough. It took some convincing; you know me, but I agreed to step up and do what needed to be done to keep our people safe. I may never live up to what you could have accomplished, but I will try.”
Whispering from the three scouts behind them caught Elwin's attention with his enhanced hearing.
“She deserves better than him.”
“If he couldn’t protect his own family, how could we trust him to protect her?”
“We can’t trust an outsider, let alone a nomad.”
Turning his head, Elwin growled threateningly towards the scouts, quieting their chatter.
Erlan looked at Elwin questioningly.
Let's go.
Once they cleared the forest, Elwin called for a halt.
I need everyone to listen up. Let me make this very clear. I need everyone to listen up and understand that I am the one in charge. You must follow my orders without question.
He glared at the three scouts until they all replied, “Yes, sir,” followed by a meek nod from Erlan.
Our first destination is to recruit Erlan’s tribe and allow him to share the news of his brother. After that, we will ask the tribe for suggestions on who to reach out to next.
He walked up to the scouts, causing them to flinch. One by one, he looked at each.
Onvyr, Cailu, and Alea. Abarat handpicked you three to represent your clan and assist us in our endeavor. Don’t disappoint me.
Content with his warning, they continued their march. Feeling like he could still connect to Vanima, Elwin reached out with his mind. He felt her warm embrace caress his thoughts.
Are you alright? What troubles you?
I’m afraid the three scouts Abarat chose will become a problem. They feel protective of Penelo and feel Erlan is unworthy of her affection.
I understand, Elwin. I shall relay this to her. What will you do about it?
Nothing for the moment. If it escalates, I will put them in their place or put them down.
Do what you feel is right, my love. I shall keep you in my thoughts.
As will I, Vanima. As will I.
...
Heading in the opposite direction towards the mountains in the West, Vanima guided Penelo, along with Fariane, Ievis, and Saida, whom Zeno, Penelo's father, had assigned.
“So, I let go of my mom’s hand and darted off to the side down an alley so I could play with my friends instead of gathering supplies for dinner. I felt so proud of myself until I got home and had to face my father. When I was older, we were talking about all the crazy stunts I had pulled, and my mother mentioned how she let me go, knowing some lessons had to be learned the hard way.”
Penelo continued to talk about her childhood. She asked Vanima random questions along the way. The three scouts walked in silence, taking their jobs seriously. Vanima had a better perception, but it never hurt to have help.
“Hey, why don’t you share about your childhood?”
Maybe tonight after we set camp.
The young elf didn’t miss a beat as she dived back into her rambling, filling up the silence. Meanwhile, the scouts were shifting nervously at the distant howls around them.
Connecting to Fariane, Ievis, and Saida, Vanima eased their concerns.
The local wolf pack assigned a few wolves to protect us until we made it to the edge of their territory. Fear not.
"And then Ena slapped Ryul for going on a date with her sister, Zilyana." Turns out Zily tricked Ryul into thinking she was her sister because she was jealous. Granted, they look similar, but to spend that much time and not notice. What a moron.”
Penelo, please listen up. As the leader of our group, I wanted to make sure we all knew our role and aim for this mission. The goal is to find allies to bring back to the forest to defeat the darkness. I have not seen my people in a very long time and do not know if they are still around. We shall head in that direction regardless and speak to any who would listen. Penelo, your responsibility is to represent your people and help me convince others to join our cause.
Vanima gazed at the three attentive scouts and nodded.
The three of you will continue to support us. I trust you will see it done.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
They continued west, away from Unn Thalor and her heart. Before she could turn her focus back on Penelo and her rambling, she felt his presence reach out. Vanima caressed him through the mental connection.
Elwin shared his concerns over the elves that were assigned to him and, with some reassurance on her part, she let the connection fade with his parting words.
As will I, Vanima. As will I.
She composed herself, then interrupted Penelo.
I have news from Elwin.
“But she couldn’t see… Wait, what? You do?”
The three scouts Abarat assigned to help Elwin and Erlan have potent feelings towards whom you have decided to potentially mate with and have made their feelings known.
“Mate? I haven’t slept with anyone! Why would they care who I wanted to be with, anyway?”
Saida chuckled at Penelo’s distress, only being aware of half the conversation.
Erlan is not one of your people, but a nomad from a different tribe. They do not see him the way you do. They weren’t there when he fought to protect you.
“So, what is Elwin going to do if they act on these unwanted feelings?”
The mirth on Saida’s face vanished at the implication. Vanima brought them all into the conversation before she continued.
If the scouts helping my mate try to hurt Erlan or interfere, he will use force to make them submit. That includes removing them permanently.
This quieted the energetic elf, allowing Vanima to focus on her thoughts and what she would need to do in the coming weeks.
...
That first night out, Erlan sat by the fire next to Elwin, lost in thought. Alea was preparing to make dinner while Onvyr and Cailu went out to hunt. He wanted to break the elf out of his thoughts, so he asked Erlan a question.
Can you tell me more about your tribe and what to expect from them?
“Oh, sure. I don’t mind telling you.”
Alea paused when he spoke, then returned to her job.
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“We refer to ourselves as the Xilyra tribe. I learned that our founder's first love rejected her, so she left her tribe, along with a few others who wanted to join her. Under her leadership, she became a nomad. Since I was born, my tribe has followed the same seasonal migration pattern, keeping to ourselves.”
How did you and your brother get approval for your venture into the forest?
“Easy. My brother agreed to let go of his obsession and devote himself solely to the clan if they let him go on the condition that they wouldn’t wait for us to return, knowing that we may die in the attempt.”
Erlan slumped in his seat, tears welling up. “They were half right in that regard.”
Onvyr and Cailu returned, handing Alea the game they had hunted. As they made the exchange, Erlan heard one of them whisper, “He should have died along with his brother.”
Focusing on all three, he pressed his mind against theirs forcefully, causing them to buckle at the knees.
I thought I made it very clear who was in charge here. Are we going to have a problem?
Alea shook her head, fear of Elwin on full display. “I apologize, we…”
Silence.
He let go of the pressure and relaxed.
I don’t care about your apologies; I expect compliance and results. The four of us will take turns keeping watch tonight. If you try anything, I will make you regret it.
…
Vanima dreaded talking about her past, but as promised, she would honor her promise from earlier in the day.
“Ma’am, permission to take responsibility for finding tonight's meal and night watch?”
Fariane’s question caught her off guard. After a moment of consideration, she huffed in agreement.
You may. I will sleep in Penelo’s tent and keep her safe.
Penelo sat on the ground near the fire and patted her lap, looking at Vanima expectingly. Deciding to humor the elf, Vanima walked over and laid her head on Penelo’s lap.
Like your tribe, mine had found a permanent home to thrive. They had ties to many other tribes and wanted to keep in contact with them, including yours. My first mate, when I was still an elf, had encountered Silvertree in the forest on his way back home from Unn Thalor. He tried to rally the rest of the tribe to support him, but just like yours, they resisted and kicked him out.
Vanima fell silent, letting Penelo pat her head, scratching behind the ears.
My parents wanted me to break ties, but I refused. I followed him, but attackers near the forest's edge ambushed us. Beasts controlled by the darkness attacked us. We never stood a chance. My mate sacrificed himself to protect me. While I was bleeding out and moments away from death myself, Silvertree intervened and forced the beasts away, offering me the same choice that Elwin and Haldir had.
Despite the passage of time, Vanima could still picture his face. Elwin would always be dear to her. He rescued her after she gave up and became complacent within the wolf tribe.
Penelo leaned over, hugged Vanima, and said, “It’s ok. You don’t need to talk about it anymore. Thank you for sharing.”
Howls from the wolves nearby alerted Vanima that their escort was departing in the morning. Everyone looked to her for understanding, so she obliged.
The wolves who were watching our backs will depart back to pack in the morning. We are on our own.
...
Several days had gone by in relative peace for Elwin. Erlan was opening up to him more the closer they got to his tribe.
When Elwin mentioned how his life after becoming a wolf had changed him. That freedom resonated with Erlan.
“I don’t understand the appeal of living in one place. I prefer the wilderness where I can roam with my tribe.”
Cailu snarled at Erlan.
“How dare you!”
The scout lunged, fist clenched, causing Erlan to flinch backward and fall over. Alea grabbed Cailu and said, “You need to stop. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Onvyr body checked Alea as he unsheathed his blade. “We have had enough of this fool. Penelo deserves better than a nomad.”
Elwin didn’t have full use of his power so far away from Silvertree’s domain, but what he had, he used to its full extent.
He stepped between the advancing scouts and Erlan scrambling backwards on the ground. He infused his growl with enough force to bring the two crashing down on their faces.
That is enough out of the two of you.
Alea could only sit there in horror as her two friends lay there in pain.
I made myself clear the first time that you would regret it if you tried anything. For the sake of our mission, I will give you one last chance. But I want to make one thing clear: you have no right to determine who Penelo pursues romantically.
Confused, Erlan pushed himself up, composed himself, and said, “I don’t understand where this animosity is coming from, but Penelo is the one who pursued me. I never asked for this. It’s anyone's guess what will happen to us in the future. What I know is that if the darkness gets what it wants, none of us will be alive to find out.”
Free from Elwins' pressure, Alea bowed her head to Erlan and said, “I’m sorry for my part in our animosity towards you. I only want what's best for Penelo. All of us grew up around her and her father was very protective of her growing up.”
Cailu and Onvyr, what do the two of you have to say?
Free to move once more, Cailu pushed himself up and bowed. “I’m sorry. If Penelo left her home to be with you, it would devastate her parents, especially her father.”
Muscles tensed, Onvyr reached for his blade, only to be kicked in the face by Alea. Blade pointed at his heart; she glared down at the elf. “If you don’t let this go, I will kill you myself. Is this how Zeno trained us to behave?”
Alea, stand down.
Lowering her sword, she complied.
“Yes, sir.”
Before Onvyr could move, Elwin lunged, shoving him on his back, clamping his jaws around the elf’s throat. Cailu reaches for a weapon only to be rebuffed by Alea. “Don’t force me to cut you down, my friend.”
A soft, frail voice broke the silence. “Please, Elwin. Please don’t kill them because of me.”
He left pinpricks of blood where his teeth cut into the skin after letting go.
As you wish, but if any of you decide to jeopardize this mission again, I won’t wait for an apology before I rip out their throat. That is a promise. It’s about time you all proved why you deserved to be chosen by Abarat.
When everyone had risen and collected their belongings, Elwin barked out a command.
Move out.
...
By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Vanima had grown accustomed to Penelo’s antics. She could tell the elf craved the thrill that came from an adventure. The downside is her naïve perception of the danger involved and her lack of training to handle an actual fight. Watching Haldir sacrifice themselves while protecting her was just a taste of what she would need to face in the coming war.
“Her hair whipped around, smacking them in the face. You should have seen how much I laughed when they stumbled back and fell. Do you have any fond memories of hanging out with your friends before you met Elwin?”
The scent of an unknown animal wafted into Vanima’s nose, causing her hair to stand up. The wolf inside of her reared up its hackles in anticipation. They were all in danger.
Everyone to me now. Penelo up against that tree. Saida, I need you to stay by her side. Fariane and Levis use your bows to take down as many as you can, then use your swords. Whatever you do, don’t die.
Penelo fumbled, trying to pull out the sword her father gifted her with the day she left. The veteran scouts reacted immediately, obeying her orders. Saida grabbed Penelo and dragged her to the tree, bow already out, looking for targets.
Howl!
Vanima sent out her challenge, and a myriad of replies answered it in kind.
Invader.
Threat.
Eliminate.
Protect the pack.
Of course, they had to run into another pack of wolves. Her kind can be very territorial, after all.
Listen up, everyone. A pack of wolves is about to attack. Stay calm, keep an eye out for your surroundings, and trust me.
“What do I do? I don’t want to die.”
Penelo cried out and held her cheek, revealing a red handprint. “You are in the wilderness now, Penelo. We will do everything we can to keep you safe, but now is the time to focus. Hold the sword like we practiced and keep your back to that tree.”
Vanima appreciated Saida’s support at that moment and felt secure enough to avert her attention back to the pack closing in on them.
Over a dozen wolves broke cover and gave chase. Vanima charged forward, arrows whizzing past her into the front flank of the enemy force. She raked her claws across the muzzles of the wounded, weaving in and out, preventing them from cutting off her escape.
Ievis and Fariane dropped their bows and pulled out their swords, standing back-to-back as they guarded each other from the lunging wolves.
Howl!
Run, you fool. Only death will meet you today if this fight continues.
Howl!
Death to the invaders!
The front line was broken; the alpha entered the fray next to two females.
Saida, are you free to support me?
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Watch my back. I’m going after the alpha.
Breaking away from the few survivors of the initial wave, Vanima charged forward, arrows and cries of the wounded buzzing around her.
She tapped into her limited pool of energy gifted by Silvertree to increase her movement and enhance her claws and teeth. Blurring across the ground, she closed the distance, leaping on the back of a female.
Claws dug in and ripped as she jumped over to the other female, jaws clamping down on the back of their neck and jerking it to the side. After the first moment, one lay bleeding out while the other lay dead with a broken neck. Unguarded, the alpha lunged, teeth bared, swiping at the afterimage left behind by Vanima’s passing.
Crashing into his side, she exposed his front side, which she took full advantage of, tearing into his belly with abandon, howling in defiance over his corpse.
Your alpha is dead. Run while you still can.
Spirits broken, along with most of the pack, the survivors tucked in their tails and ran. Fariane moved around, finishing any wolf that hadn’t died yet, putting them out of their misery. Levis sat against a tree, wrapping a cloth around a nasty wound on their leg. Tired but satisfied, Vanima made her way over to Penelo and Saida.
The seven corpses surrounding the couple pleased her, but the moment she saw the look on Penelo’s face, the realization hit her. She never had to kill something before, let alone in a life-or-death situation. Multiple cuts and scrapes littered Saida’s body, but she stood up to the onslaught and protected her charge.
The young elf trembled, tears mixing with the blood that had splashed across her face, now smeared. Her sword was still halfway in a wolf who had leaped at her and impaled itself. Honestly, it was a miracle she survived.
Child, are you alright? The fight is over. We won. You survived. We all did.
Penelo stumbled, trying, and failing to avoid touching the surrounding dead, and fell to her knees before Vanima and hugged her. Through the sobs, Penelo rambled into her fur.
“I didn’t want to do it. They only wanted to protect their home. Why couldn’t they just let us pass?”
I am not an ordinary wolf, Penelo. Normal wolves survive by protecting their territory. You can’t reason with them. You need to come to terms with what we are doing here. The darkness grows in strength and our only chance at survival is to find allies ourselves for the fight.
“Ma’am. Despite being wounded, Levis can still move. Fariane finished securing the area. We should head out before the scavengers arrive.”
Vanima looked up at Saida and huffed into Penelo.
Agreed. Get up, Penelo. Don’t forget your sword. We need to go.
Sniffling, Penelo pushed herself up and looked at her sword, then back to Saida with a pleading expression. Sighing, the scout reached for the impaled sword and yanked it out; the sound causing the young elf to lurch to the side, emptying her stomach.
The only way she survives this war is by learning. I hope she grows from this experience.
Holding her hair, Saida nodded in agreement.
“Here’s hoping we all survive long enough to see the moment.”