“This damn-!”

  The wind overpowered Evic’s curses, forcing him into silence. On the outside, all the fragile weasel could make out was grey, endless grey, his eyes focused on the ground rather than in front; his ears piercing with shrill sounds. Internally, his bleak visions collapsed onto him, grounding him into reality. He felt as though if he were to disappear, no one would notice. Is this really what it was like to be a true wilder, and not apart of a narrow-sighted ecosystem? Being pelted helplessly in the weather with hardly anything in your belly, and on the brink of hypothermia, and then death?

  Maybe dying softly was greater than dying in agony. The chains.

  Opening his eyes into slits and lifting his head, a darker blob of grey within it all, a moderate mass. He saw it, he knew he saw it.

  Salvation.

  The two companions huddled against the fire, attached to its heat. The final day in this meek abode had begun.

  “Let’s enjoy it.” Wayne was not anticipating the coming hours. As had forced him out of the warmth of his bed in order to not be lazy, and he quickly made his place in the next best spot. Going into it again.

  And I will keep myself awake

  I know what’s coming

  I feel it reaching through

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” Wayne turned towards As standing against the wall of the cave.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “I mean, this... suddenly on the move. There’s a better way, right?” His feelings finally voiced what had been on his mind for some time.

  As deeply sighed, putting his talon to his head and twisting it, as if to move his gaze purposefully, “I’ve lived around wolves for many years. They’re about as dangerous as one can get, hostile. I don’t want to take that risk.” His eyes rotated to Wayne, “I don’t want to lose any more people I care about, as long and I can do something to stop it.” A tranquil emotion loomed.

  “I appreciate it... I know I keep saying it, but I mean it.”

  As exhaled sharply as a smile came onto his face. “I know you mean well.” As walked over and joined him in sitting, “You’re right. Let’s enjoy this. We’re going to be traveling for longer this time, I would expect eight hours. I want to make absolutely sure that no one-”

  A stifled, gasping laughter interrupted As as its volume grew, encompassing the cave with echoes.

  “...finds us.” The echoes increased, followed by a few moments, “Stay here.”

  The blanketed weasel stumbled in, graupeled snow mixed with disheveled fur. Their eyes locked on the first thing they saw: food. Just sitting there waiting to be eaten!

  “A miracle!” they let out in astonishment as they dug in, filling their mouth with berries, vegetables, and water. To their left, meat. “I don’t care if it’s raw! I’ll-”

  “HEY!” The word erupted like a gunshot. The weasel choked, spitting out the food involuntarily. “Those are our rations! What are you doing?!”

  I’m actually going to die! Evic’s vision rattled. He raised his greasy paws above his head.

  “Please don’t kill me! I’ve been lost for three days and I’m hungry! I din’t know people were here! Please!” Evic’s eyes were glued shut.

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  “Get away from the rations!” As commanded; Evic did so. “Who are you, and what are you doing here!”

  “Evic! Name’s Evic! And I-” he thought for a split second. His true mission could not be spilled. “I’m- I’m a wilder! I've been one my whole life! I ain't one of them from the kingdom! Please! Help me! I- I got water from that river, but please! I’ve been livin’ off snow!” he made himself sound even more genuine than he was.

  “I suppose if you settle down, we may help you. But do not go taking others things when no permission is given!” As’ furiousness let up slightly. Evic nodded and opened his eyes.

  “Oh, thank Einar! It’s a owl!” Horror turned into relief.

  As made up a name on the spot, “Lantin.” He became more alert with the deceitful wilder, with no telling what it could do.

  Evic noticed the campfire, Wayne’s face basking in it, forcing himself into completely ignoring them. The weasel became transfixed.

  “Ah... Who’s your friend?” he spoke in a slower manner.

  “I’ll give you that information once I can trust you.” As was firm.

  Evic chuckled slightly. He began tiptoeing forward to get a better look.

  “You’re not moving any closer.”

  Evic withheld his motive, “What? I can’t get to the fire?”

  “Tell me why I should let you.”

  “I can, uh... I can help! Yeah!”

  “We are alright on our own, thank you.”

  “No! Please! I can... I’ve...” his voice turned into a fake stifle, “I’ve lived in these woods for ages, and I just tried a different route than I always go, and I...” he fell to his knees, his paws clasped, “Please, I’ll do anything. I need nesities.”

  “You mean ‘necessities’?”

  “Yes. Please... find it in your downy feathers. I know you owls are...” he hated to say what he was about to, “a great and generous and bearing kingdom.”

  As withdrew a weak breath, “Do you really want to help us?” he spoke almost as if he were bored.

  “Anything.”

  As made his way to Wayne and whispered. They both walked to the weasel.

  “Evic, this is Kevin. That should be quite easy to remember for you.”

  “Nice- Nice to meet you.” Evic responded, attempting to hold back his flabbergasted tone. He had gotten the closer look he had wanted. Jackpot. All I need to do is...

  “Now, what can you provide for us that we can’t do for ourselves?”

  “Huh? Oh! I am good at being at enforcing the rules!”

  As had a puzzled look, “Yet, you can’t enforce rules on yourself?”

  “I...” he fizzled.

  “I enforce the rules between the two of us.” As told another lie, a white one.

  Evic shrunk immediately, with nothing greater to give, “I can just... carry firewood.” He looked away from the two.

  One long moment trickled by, “Well, we could use some help I suppose, considering my companion here is injured.” Wayne was still silent, not wanting to be apart of this. “I suppose... you could assist us.”

  “Really?” “No!” Evic and Wayne’s surprises mingled with one another.

  As turned to Wayne in a whisper, “We are leaving later today. I’m sure I’ll be doing most of the gathering.”

  “Thank you! I knew you owls were generous!”

  The owl was the least of the weasel’s concern. He glared at his new target.