Fight To Live Another Day

When Phileo saw Renn running off, he didn't chase after him, well-knowing that Renn would need some time for himself.

He still expected him to be back in a few hours, but Renn didn't return even when it got dark, making him begin to worry.

Meanwhile, Agacie came back from the council meeting and his other 2 nephews and his niece came back from their schooling.

Thal and Asik had seen the entire situation unfold from afar but also decided to step out of it, as they also saw it as an opportunity for Renn and focused back on their training.

Kaede heard of this later from Phileo and wore a worried expression.

As Phileo saw his nieces expression, he felt heartwarming because of her deep care for his brother.

On the next morning, Phileo, Agacie, and Kaede decided to wait for Renn and trained together to pass their time.

When Renn finally came back, it was already noon, but to their surprise, a euphoric Renn returned instead of a depressed Renn.

Kaede went towards to greet him and asked still with slight worry in her voice.

'Renn.. are you okay?'

Renn answered rather puzzled. 'Why should I not?'

'Because... you lost in that duel against Sam..'

He laughed 'Don't worry Kaede, I'm really fine. I'm rather thankful to Sam for showing me my weakness and my fears. I owe him one.'

Kaede felt kinda odd, seeing her playful brother turning so m.a.t.u.r.e, but she was happy to see him grow that much of a man.

Renn turned to Phileo with a serious expression. 'Uncle, I have decided to become much stronger. For that, I will search for my roots and for my kin.'

'You know that we will always be your family and see you as one of our own?'

Renn nodded 'And I'm really thankful for that uncle and I can't express enough of my gratitude I feel towards my pack. But I have to stand on my own and understand myself properly.' he said with a fiery look.

Agacie, who was listening first, joined in 'Alright son. You are right. Make your own experiences. Seeing you now, no one can argue that I raised you to be a true wolf.'

A proud sensation overcame her. 'But don't forget to meet Raghnall, our chief council member. He will advise you on your upcoming journey. It's a tradition for every departing wolf, to meet the chief council member to ask for advice. He is residing by his own little tree not far away from the council tree.'

Renn nodded before he decided to visit Raghnall now.

Staying behind, Kaede watched Renns disappearing figure with glittering eyes.

Renn walked a while until he saw the tree Agacie had described. She actually said 'little' tree, but when Renn got closer, he realized that it was little only compared to the other big sized trees. And it looked much much older than every other tree he had seen so far. With a gigantic trunk and a large and very dense foliage, it looked ancient. Numerous flower tendrils and other kinds of tendrils were wounding around it, covering the trunk with their own leaves and flowers, adorning the tree.

It was truly awe-inspiring.

Beneath the large trunk, an old wolf lied, seemingly asleep.

Not wanting to wake up the wolf, he stood there indecisive.

The wolf opened his blurry white eyes and looked towards him.

Before Renn could say anything, the wolf already spoke in a deep voice, which reminded Renn of the creaking of an old tree in the wind. 'Don't worry my child. It's been quite a while since I needed to sleep. So, why are you here, son of Agacie.'

He plucked up his courage and spoke 'Raghnall, I want to go on a journey and find my roots.'

Raghnall didn't say anything for a while. 'Interesting' he murmured.

'So, young one, what is your plan?'

'Ehm, honestly I hoped you could give me some advice.'

'Advice eh? Indeed, that I can give.

Travel to the east. All the way until you reach the sea. That's how humans call that gigantic mass of water. There will be a kingdom called Laetland. Begin your journey there and travel northward, until you reach an impressive mountain chain. Follow the Feret river into the mountains. There will be a certain pass near the source of the river. Search for this mark' Raghnall marked a weird looking sign on the ground. 'And you will know you are right.'

Renn was confused 'But why should I go there? What's the point of it?'

'Other wolves might not be very knowledgeable about the humanoid races, but I am. Traveling all around the north, south, east and west, I've met many many creatures. You see, I wasn't satisfied to just have all those memories of my ancestors, I wanted to see it with my own two eyes and experience it myself and maybe even add new discoveries.' A hint of a past adventurous spirit spoke from Raghnalls voice. 'Among those creatures, there were several human and humanoid races. Humans, dwarfs and so on, more than one can imagine. But among those, one breed was very special. A tiny breed, maybe even as scarce as we light wolves. High humans, they call themselves and indeed they have all reason to do so. They possess an innate talent for handling their affinities, which they call "magic".' He laughed coarsely 'Funny, isn't it?

Anyway, I've had once the chance to visit their secretive and secluded order, where most of the high humans live.'

Still confused, Renn asked again 'But if they are so secluded and secretive, why should they let me in?' A slow realization began to spread as he spoke his words.

Having an amused glint in his eyes, Raghnall spoke.

'Because you, Renn, are one of them.'