Just before supper the Raven, Red, Wolf, and several other pages were practicing their self defense exercises when a page came running up and delivered a written message to the Raven. He wrote a reply on the message, folded it and returned it to the page who took off for the main tent. The Raven signaled for Red to join him in his tent. Shortly afterward Red came out and told Wolf, "We are to have a formal dinner with the Raven and guests. Dress cleanly and meet me at the mess tent."

Later Red and Wolf came back from the mess tent to the Raven's tent with their suppers and when they entered the tent the Lion and the Dragon were standing and talking to the Raven. The table had been extended and set for five. The Raven indicated for Red to sit at one end and Wolf at the other end of the table. The Raven assisted Red into her chair and signaled for all the others to sit down, which they did together.

A pleasant, but formal meal ensued, with the two leaders of the school making polite conversation. Wolf was relieved that not even a hint of talk about his recent fight or his bruises occurred. With dinner over The Raven poured grape juice into everyone's cup. The Raven as host had the first toast, "To the flag of our country, may it always represent freedom."

The other diners chorused, "Here, here." and everybody took a sip of juice.

The Lion toasted, "To the School, may it always stand for what is right."

The Dragon toasted, "To the students, may they learn their lessons well."

Red toasted, "To our Knights and teachers, may they ever be wise."

Everyone looked at Wolf. He paused to think and then toasted, "To the new foal, may he grow big and strong."

"Here, here," all replied.

With the toasting over, Wolf and Red cleared and the Raven invited everybody to sit down. "Wolf, it has been a month since I brought you here, have you had the adventure I promised?"

"Yes sir."

"Have you been treated fairly?"

"Yes sir."

"Very good; I am glad to hear that. Your probationary period is now over and it is time for you to decide what you want to do. Consider your next few answers very carefully. Do you want to leave here and go to a foster home that we can arrange?"

Wolf thought for a minute and then surprised himself, "No, sir."

"Do you wish to join this school knowing what kind of school it is and knowing that you will have to be appointed a legal guardian, a foster parent, from this school, to whom you must answer?"

He knew right away; he liked the Raven, "Yes, sir."

"I must ask one more time so there is no mistake. Do you want to join this school?"

Wolf didn't have to think about the answer this time, "Yes, sir."

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Good. My Lady and Gentlemen are you satisfied."

"We are," they chorused.

The Raven pulled out from a leather tube, the contract that Wolf had signed a month ago. "Wolf, this is a full scholarship, you won't have to pay for school, so if you will please sign here." He indicated the spot. Wolf signed with his real name and handed the document to the Raven who witnessed it. He handed it to the Dragon who signed it and then to the Lion who did likewise. Finally the document came to Red who witnessed it.

The Lion then took the paper and poured some molten red sealing wax next to the signatures. He affixed the impression of his signet ring onto the hardening wax thus making it look very official.

The Raven offered his congratulations with a handshake and a slap on the shoulder and Red gave him a bear hug. The Lion and Dragon both congratulated him with hearty handshakes and Red assured him he would never regret it.

After the two principals left the tent, the Raven requested Wolf and Red to sit back down. "It is time to get to some serious stuff, Red you have something to say?"

"Yes, Sir. Wolf I have been watching you since we first met, and you impress me. You don't lie, cheat or steal. You work hard, do your chores, you don't complain and you take care of your friends and the animals. It is time to name the foal and I want to give that privilege to you."

"Me. Why me?" he asked.

Red paused and a mischievous grin appeared on her face, "Because he is yours if you will have him."

"What?" he stammered. "But, I don't deserve him! I can't afford him!"

"You do and you can. I got Mary the same way that I'm offering the foal to you, with the promise that you just help someone else out later. As for affording him, he can earn his keep when he's older, working for the school. He can also earn his keep in other ways; we'll talk about it later." Red and the Raven shot glances at each other.

"I accept," Wolf responded, perhaps too quickly.

The Raven spoke up, "Now on to other matters, Red if you please."

Red got up and left the tent.

"Wolf there is the small matter of a legal guardian. One has already been picked out for you," The Raven informed him.

The boy stared, unbelieving at the knight, "I thought it would be you."

"Heavens no, I'm not responsible enough, I was just a temporary guardian. You can still be a page under my mentor-ship if you want."

"I'd like that, Sir."

Red reappeared at the entrance to the tent with the Wolverine. The Raven announced, "Wolf, meet your new mother and sister."

Wolf looked stunned. "Mother? Sister?"

"Yes," they all replied at once.

Wolf couldn't say anything; he just opened and closed his mouth a few times.

Finally Red broke the silence, "Wolf, it's like this, the Raven sort of saved my life and brought me to the school. Lady Wolverine is my adoptive mother. Now she has been appointed your guardian, your foster mother. That makes you my brother."

Wolf finally managed, "But, you work for the Raven."

Red grinned, "Of course I do. I wouldn't want to spend all my time with my mother would I? It would be too much. Besides I want to become a tracker and Raven is the best there is."

"But, what does this mean for me?" asked Wolf, still not sure what had just happened.

The Wolverine spoke, "It means you have someone to whom you can go to when all else fails. I will always be there for you."

"Oh. Thank you, My Lady."

"Good. Meet me at my tent after you finish cleaning up the mess in here." She looked around the tent with a grimace, "Men; you can't live with them for the mess."

Later after the Raven had dismissed him, Wolf reported to the Wolverine's tent and she beckoned him in. He looked around the tent and saw nothing except a table and two stools.

The Wolverine looked at him with kind eyes and a smile developed on her face. "I wanted to have a talk with you about being your guardian."

"Yes, My Lady."

"First off I have been appointed your legal guardian by the state. I am your foster mother."

"Yes, My Lady."

"Also any legal proceedings against you by the state have been dropped. You are no longer in any danger of going to Juvenile Hall."

"Thank you, My Lady."

"Don't thank me, thank the Raven. His recommendations set you free from the law."

"Yes, My Lady."

"And stop saying that when I'm talking to you as a parent."

"Yes, M... Yes, Ma'am"

"That's better. Now I want you to listen to me; I have all the duties of a parent. I see to it that you are fed, clothed, and sheltered. Far more importantly I have the responsibility to listen to you and to advise you, even when no else can or will. I will be here when you hurt the most. I take this responsibility most seriously. Be at peace with me and take my hand." He took her hand with his and she said, "I swear to you now that as long as I breathe I will be here for you, on this I place my honor among men and women."

"Thank You," was all he could manage, and he started crying. He did not cry alone. The Wolverine held him tightly the whole time.

They talked about his needs late into the night. Finally the Wolverine reminded Wolf of his exercise routine and they ran through the steps of his routine one time. When she dismissed and sent him to his tent; he had a slow thoughtful walk back. When he arrived, the wolf sat in front of his tent, waiting, the boy didn't seem to notice the animal.

Wolf entered his tent and stared at the hangers on which his clothes were drying. He now knew what he had to do. Grabbing his old blue jeans, shirt and sweater he marched out of the tent to the nearest campfire and threw the clothes into the flames. Without waiting he turned back to his tent not even aware that the wolf followed him.

When he did notice the wolf, he stared at him a minute and said, "I think I'll call you Shadow." He ducked into his tent. The wolf looked at the tent a long second then followed him in.