Shaded Sunlight
Chapter 1
Shaded Sunlight
Alone, high on a mountaintop
A wolf sings of her despair
To the moon above, of a forlorn love.
My mate is at my side, our strides matching perfectly as we lope through the ancient, towering trees. We are made for one another, as certainly as the seasons turn. We eventually stop and raise our voices in song. Our voices entangle as they echo throughout the endless night, drifting over the soaring trees for all to hear, for all to know of our promise to be together evermore.
In my dreams I am truly wolf.
Not just in mind, heart, and soul but in body as well. In my dreams I am who I was meant to be, who I should have been. Yet in some twisted act of fate, I was not given the glorious wolf body I have spent many a long year yearning for but this fragile human skeleton. But for a long time I was satisfied with the fate bestowed upon me. And during many of my early years I was content with just dreaming, just wishing.
Wishing to be wolf in every sense of the word.
I did not have the traditional upbringing of a human child.
I was not brought up in a sprawling city or on a humble farmstead. I was not reared as a noble lady or as a peasant but as an equal to all those around me. There was a hierarchy in the place I was raised but unlike humans, who divide themselves into the rich and poor, we have no currency. No want for riches, for power, for fame. There was only loyalty, honesty, and integrity of purpose. This place was beyond all the irrationalities of man. The land where I was raised hadn’t felt the footfalls of mankind for nigh over a thousand years.
The grand majesty that is the forests of Tela Miir.
I was reared in those vast forests. Forests filled with countless number of trees: Oak. Birch. Ash. Willow. Pine. Spruce. Yew. Sequoia. Sycamore. Sassafras. Rowan. Elder. Fir. And hundreds of others I cannot name in any other language than that of the forest. It was a place forbidden to the likes of mankind; forbidden for a great many reasons, all of which are punishable by death. These forests were ancient, powerful, filled with magic and primeval power, older than time itself they seemed. And mayhap they truly were. However old the forests actually were I loved them beyond all means. The beauty of the land that is Tela Miir is truly beyond words.
I would do anything to protect Tela Miir from the ones who would harm it. Gratefully that list is few, for many of the creatures of this world would rather die than see Tela Miir suffer. Only the humans are excused from this for they have already made this world suffer and suffer hard. Nonetheless, I shall speak of the follies and vices of mankind later for they are extensive and numerous. I shall only speak of my beloved forests and how I came to be among these vast branches.
I’ve been told, by my wolf kin, I was around four years of age when I was found. Memories of the time before this have vanished as if they never existed. I had been delusional with fever and had much blood-loss. There are occasions when I consider memories of that time mere illusions from my fevered state. Nonetheless by some means I can recall it was a pair of golden eyes that found me. Those eyes held me captivated and, I believe, it was those eyes that gave me purpose to live when everything else was giving me a reason to die.
If I think back to my earliest of memories it was not fear that gripped me but something else. Something more acute than fear, mayhap. The smell of blood, fire, and burnt flesh was thick upon the air and even to this day I can still taste the foulness of it upon my tongue.
Death was all around.
Bodies surrounded me but no matter how hard I try to remember I cannot recall who they were. There were six of them, four men and two women. Each face was contorted in pain and fear. One was without its head. They haunted me with their motionless limbs and sightless eyes. I can still hear the piercing screams of those bodies shattering the stillness of the summer air as death took them into its chilling embrace. As death feasted I ran. I ran in fear of death catching me and making me scream like those bodies had. I ran as far as my wounded body would allow. The trees were thick above my head when I finally collapsed in fatigue; I had not run far for fear gripped me tightly.
However, it wasn’t the bloody bodies that frightened me the most, oh no, it was the quiet, content laughter coming from the shadows.
Laughter, that I knew, belonged to death itself.
Shadows were cast over me from the many winding branches of the tall trees, dancing upon the ground with the light as if listening to a song only they could hear. One shadow near the edge of the underbrush, I noticed, moved past the objects that were on the ground in a direct manner. It weaved its way through the roots and rocks in an ever-shifting shape. It went quickly and unnoticed, though there weren’t many to notice it. The shadow went even deeper, gaining speed. It blended in with the trees and snuck around them without a shape and came back into view, until it was racing along the ground towards me. The shadow of the darkest kind stopped near me, standing practically upright, an entangled mass of spiraling smoke and dark coils.
‘Mine.’ It had a terrible, yet wondrous voice whispering. ‘You are mine. All mine.’
Within that voice held a terrifying promise of a desperate despair. I trembled as it drew nigh and knew if that dark wraith touched me I would become lost inside that promise. A small part of me, a part I had not known existed, yearned for the touch of the shadow. Death. I wanted to feel its icy blackness against my skin. To want that despair, to crave for it startled me beyond compare. The darkness that filled my blood ached to be liberated by the shadow’s glacial embrace.
The darkness that even now whispers in my heart.
Dark tendrils, nearly hand-like, stretched self-assured almost engulfing me as I heard a menacing whisper, ‘Mine.’
I nearly lost myself within that musical, yet discordant voice. As I shut my eyes against the wintry chill of the shadow’s nearness, a branch snapped, and an eerie cry echoed throughout the trunks of the trees. As I eased my eyes opened the shadow had collapsed on itself and shuddered as the cry rose higher and higher. With a sharp shriek, that made my ears ring long afterwards, the shadow evaporated in a thick wisp of smoke.
I knew what had made that eerie cry. I had heard it many times in my dreams.
I stared into the unending gloom of the colossal trees and I saw a massive figure move. It did not frighten me like it should have. Oh no, this creature that was protected by the dark shade did not panic me. Not like the icy shadow whispering ill intent. Sunlight glistened down through the many layers of deep, rich green making the creature more obscure and harder to define, but secretly I knew what this creature was.
I should not have been standing like I was, not with all the wounds that continued to bleed down my small aching body. Something else kept me upright. This strange energy, nearly like magic, had kept me moving forward. Now faced with this shaded monster I was frozen in place, blood making ever-growing puddles at my feet. The veiled creature moved forward, speckles of sunlight bouncing off its dark hide and its eyes flew open. Harsh golden-yellow eyes stared back at me, eyes that belonged to a feral beast, but held an intelligence that rivaled my own. Perchance I had lost too much blood to care or mayhap I truly was not startled by the dangerous creature that now stared at me with its beautiful eyes.
Either way I held my ground.
The shadowed beast took a step forward and its massive head entered a small spot of sunlight for the first time, its golden-yellow eyes watching me attentively.
Just like the creature of my dreams.
It was a very large beast and I was dwarfed in comparison, though I was only a child of diminutive size. Now, only a few feet separated us and I stumbled forward, my arms raised in a frantic attempt to reach this beautiful monster of the shaded sunlight. The beast never moved a muscle as my limping body finally reached its soft, dark pelt. A coat as black as the shadows themselves. I clutched onto the pelt as if my life depended on it, and mayhap it did. Who is to know the truth of the matter?
Wolf.
I stood in awe of this beautiful creature of the shaded sunlight.
I did not even flinch when he spoke to me. His voice was like soft music, “What is your name, little one?”
I thought about that for a moment. My mind racing for any thoughts, for any memories before this one strange flash of time. Before the screams, the fire, the blood, and most importantly before the shadowy voice whispering – ‘Mine’.
But I could not dredge up anything but one single memory. And I spoke it with more conviction that I felt, “Kahlen Liseli.”
His golden eyes flashed with a deep pain, “I will protect you from those who wish to harm you, little one. This I promise.”
“Why?”
The black wolf appeared startled by my query and muttered his answer so low I strained to hear it, “Tis my only reason to keep on living.”
“Is this promise forever?”
Twas truly an unfair request. I had no right to ask this wolf to promise his life to my own. Yet I was just a child and I wanted my dreams to be true so very much. So very much. And forever does not seem that long to a child of four, especially one that is delusional with blood-loss. Besides mayhap this was just another one of my dreams. I’ve had dreams like this before. I’ve dreamt of a wolf as black as the shadows themselves running alongside of me, raising our voices in song, letting them echo throughout the endless night. My dreams were the only thing I could grasp onto, the only things I could remember.
In my dreams I was wolf.
His golden eyes, more amber than gold, swayed with a sadness I could not place and he whispered, “Beyond even death, if that is your wish.”
I reached out and placed my hand upon his face pulling him back to me. Once our eyes were locked onto each other’s again I murmured, “I’ve dreamt of you. I’ve dreamt of you and I running. In these dreams I am truly wolf. And we run together. Forever.”
For the first time the black wolf seemed to falter. His voice was barely above a whisper but I was unable to hear him. Everything started to become distorted before my eyes. I had lost too much blood for even this strange ‘magic’ to keep to consciousness. Soon a roaring entered my hearing and everything started to go dark and I panicked against it. Thinking it was the shadow returning to claim me as its own. After finding the creature of my dreams I did not want to go with the shadow. I wanted to cling to the small amount of light I had found and not be swept up into that darkness.
It was his musical voice that penetrated my fear, begging me to calm. “I shall guard you against these shadows that plague you, little one. I have made a promise to keep you safe and safe you shall be. And I never break my promises.”
He promised I would be safe.
Safe.
I sighed, pacified, and allowed the darkness to claim me. I knew the black wolf would make good upon his words. I did not recall anything for a long time, except for the golden eyes, nay amber eyes, pleading for me to stay. Pleading for me to become wolf in every sense of the word.
Wolf.
That was my first memory.
There are many whom believe, like the Friitheiran of the Q’in-nata Tribes, that the first memory you recall is forever interwoven into one’s life. It seems, if that was true, I would forever be faced with bone-shattering screams, fire, blood, and shadowy voices whispering ill intent. And perhaps that belief would not be far off the mark for much of my life has consisted of these dark things. But I am getting ahead of myself.
It was the wolves who reared me as their own but do not, for one single moment, consider them commonplace. The wolves that cared for me belong to an ancient race and hold their pride very high indeed. They call themselves the Valverra-Leuadii and it literally translates as “The Children of the Moon” in the ancient language of the forest called Old Tongue.
Every beast in the forest knows the rudiments of the ancient language named Old Tongue. Tis how we communicate across race and boundary. Each race of creature living within Tela Miir has their own language; thousands upon thousands of tongues are spoken within the forests. But Old Tongue is how a black bear can speak to a bumblebee if of course the occasion called for it. Though in my lifetime I have never seen or heard of a bee belittling himself enough to answer a bear.
The Children of the Moon.
Unlike the modest wolves that humans are all too familiar with, the Valverra-Leuadii are over twice their size. And they have a lifespan over thrice as long as any man. They are the material of mankind’s nightmares, but to me they were elegant and fascinating. Creatures filled with compassion, not bloodthirsty killers that humans made them out to be. They respected the forests, in which they inhabited. They protected it. It was their oath, to do so. They sanctioned the tales that humans thought to be true, the tales of killing younglings, raiding cattle, and the stories of demons in the shape of giant wolves. It was all to keep the humans from entering the forest and destroying all the sacred mysteries that are held within its branches.
They are the Protectors of the Forests of Tela Miir.
Then how was I allowed to live within the branches of the trees, when I, myself was human? To be honest, at this point in my life, I did not know and genuinely I did not care. I do not remember a single moment of my life before the Valverra-Leuadii took me in.
All I have left of my memory is my name -- Kahlen Liseli.
The wolf I soon came to call mother was the leader of the Valverra-Leuadii. Seri – meaning Oak Leaf in Old Tongue. Her fur was a grayish silver with subtle hints of brown, her eyes the hard yellow-golden of her race. There are many who name her Queen of the wolves but she always sneered at that title. It was not her birthright that placed her as leader but her brute strength and cunning will. She commanded a presence that all know to be heeded, not just the Valverra-Leuadii, but other beasts of the forest listened to her when she spoke. My mother’s strength was without rival. All who would listen took her wisdom. Even to this day I hear many a tale being told about my mother, about her fierce character and genuine nobility.
She was barely entering her prime years when I came to her, brought by my defender. It was the summer of her twenty-third year of rule when I arrived within the branches of the trees. The third longest reign in wolf history since before the first Songs. She had gained the leadership of the Nah’elen pack at a very early age. She was the youngest wolf in remembered history to ever achieve it. Her years counted only twenty-two when she passed the tests of the Lore and ascended to leadership.
She truly was a fearsome thing to behold.
During the first month or so of my new life with the wolves, I was confined to a cool cave recovering from my many injuries. It was a time of hard fevers and terrible nightmares. A time I can barely recall except for the dreams of blood, of fire, and of screams. I was haunted by the immobile faces of the dead that had been scattered around me. Haunted by the terrible, yet wonderful voice whispering its malicious intentions.
‘Mine.’
If not for the voice of my protector, the black wolf with the amber eyes, I would have succumbed to those fevers. To be truthful, I would have allowed death to take me into its embrace. It was his prayers, his oaths, and his promises that kept me fighting for that next breath.
Asking me to become wolf and wolf alone.
During one of the scarce moments of clarity I heard harsh whispers. Whispers about me. One voice was of my protector and the other I did not recognize at the time but I soon came to understand it was my mothers’.
“You are certain of this?” the she-wolf whispered.
“I’ll stake my life on it.” My protector answered back with a violent edge to his voice.
The unknown voice laughed but there was a sharp bitterness to it, “That is not much of an oath coming from you, Oath-breaker. You must know your life is forfeit if you return to the eastern boundaries. I cannot extend my clemency past the trees that mark my territory and already my pack murmur of allowing you to remain within these branches. They grow nervous that an Oath-breaker walks amongst them without reprisal and to be honest so am I.”
“I keep my promises.” I heard my protector’s low growl and knew he bristled at her words. “I am no more of an Oath-breaker than you.”
“Peace.” She replied a little more gently. “I do not mean to make light of your vows, broken or unbroken. The situation you have put me in is troubling indeed and I am unsure of how to proceed thusly.”
“You are the one who sought my counsel in this matter and I have given my answer.”
“An answer that many will not agree to and I fear the repercussions.”
“That is why I brought the problem to you, oh Queen of the Wolves.” I felt the she-wolf stiffen at the title by a soft growl filling the air but I do not think my protector meant it as a mockery. “You can protect better than I, for as you said my life is already forfeit. You hold sway over the Cyfarwydds, the head of that Order is your unproclaimed mate is he not? I know he will agree with me.”
“Do not think you know his mind or his character!” she snarled, hackles rising. “Azzuen is not here to speak his words on this matter. Tis why I sought yours and I am troubled by your response.”
I imagined my protector shrugging, “What do you wish me to do? Take her across the eastern boundary? To Caile’koniian itself? To them? If I do, perhaps, my life will no longer be forfeit.” He paused as if willing to consider it but let out a deep agonizing sigh. “I can see it now. A lonely, caged child she will be. No occupation but rituals and ceremony. No games with other younglings. No friends. Do you want the child to be raised in their traditions? Do you not wish the child to find happiness?” He paused. “Amongst them she will only have the burden that is in her blood. Can’t you see they want her only because she is the last of an ancient bloodline? The House Liseli has been dwindled to nothing, she is the last. They want her for their own corrupt and twisted agenda. Not because they love her. The child will learn to abhor entirety the land that is Tela Miir, just like the rest who are marked with the title of Feiir-fuadaiin. Is that your wish?” My protector paused, letting his words sink in.
“I may be wrong but do you not also carry the title of Feiir-fuadaiin?” She replied a bit hesitantly. “Isn’t that one of the many reasons you cannot return to the eastern territory? Tis a terrible burden to bear, a beast unable to hear the Songs of our inheritance. The emptiness you must feel…”
“That title is not mine, tis none of your concern.” His deep growl interrupted her and a fierce chill whipped through the cave, causing me to shiver violently. “I have made a promise and I will not be foresworn again. Will you love her? Raise her as you would your own pups? Teach her to love Tela Miir as much as any beast can? What is your will, my lady?”
There was a lengthy silence between them before the she-wolf spoke, her voice low, “I too made a promise, long ago. We of the Valverra-Leuadii will not be foresworn. I will heed your words, Oath-breaker. I hope you are not seeking to misguide me.”
“Not in this, never in this.”
“Then the matter is settled.” She paused, her voice easing a bit. “I do ask a favor.”
I heard him offer up a wolfish bow, “If it is in my power to grant.”
“Halt your wandering limbs. The child will need guidance. I have already seen how she clings to you.”
“I shall stay until I am beckoned back across the boundary to face what I have done. They will find out soon enough. That is all I can offer.”
The she-wolf seemed satisfied with the answer, “If you survive that summoning and return to my borders you shall be welcomed amongst us. No questions asked.”
“I shall give no answers, my lady, if any were asked.”
The she-wolf snorted, “Keep your secrets then, Oath-breaker. I truly do not wish to know.”
It was all I heard before darkness and the fevers took me again and it was a long time before I was reminded of this exchange.
Over the course of several weeks the fevers broke. My many wounds started to heal, and the nightmares subsided. I remember those first days without a fever clearly. The day I was introduced to the remaining members of the pack was a glorious day indeed. There are many who believe a child of scarcely four can barely recall that time of their life. However, I had already lost one set of memories. I would not lose another so effortlessly. I bade myself remember this, remember it all. That day still echoes through my mind with great clarity and with great joy.
It was the start of my glorious new life.
The sun was shining strongly upon the summer-green clearing, yet there was a cool breeze whistling through the tall grass. I can sharply recall the sweet smell of the wildflowers as their petals and stems swayed in that wind. The soft chirps of songbirds reverberated through the trees and rejoiced in the bright sunlight. I sat upon my protector’s broad back in the shadows beyond the clearing. My hand seeming so miniscule curled tightly into his thick fur.
My heart grew glad at him being near.
“Be proud on this day, little one,” He growled softly as if he echoed my heart’s gladness. “A child of man has not been embraced by the forest for many a long year. Even the trees seem pleased at your presence amongst them. Tis truly an honor to be heard by them.”
I regarded the leaves we stood under.
The trees surrounding us were colossal beings and the lowest branches were far above my head. Silvery green twigs rustled in the wind as the wolves gathered before us. Light green leaves spiraled to the ground, dancing majestically through the air, eventually landing on their final resting place upon the forest floor. The earth seemed damp and trodden beneath his feet. As if many creatures had once traveled here and will again once we passed on by. Shining green dust blossomed from the cores of the many unnamable flowers. A gentle humming began upon the air, reaching my ears from somewhere through the thick winding branches, seamlessly never ending. The longer I listened the louder it became, it overwhelmed me.
“What is that sound?” I asked with wonder. “It is glorious.”
The black wolf remained silent for a long time before his deep voice whispered, “What you hear are the Songs of our Inheritance. The Songs of the Forests, the Songs of Life. Without those Songs, Tela Miir would not exist. Life itself would not exist. The duty of all the creatures of this world is to protect those Songs. Our duty is to protect life. We guard the Songs from those who wish them harm.”
“Is that my duty as well?” I asked cautiously, unsure where the next couple questions came from. “I am a human am I not? Do they not seek to destroy life?”
He shifted under my feet, “You are but a child. Your duty for now is to grow and learn. You will soon have enough burdens placed upon your shoulders before long. Do not seek to hasten the process.”
“But I am still human.”
“Humans cannot hear the Songs of Life, little one.” He replied softly. “That is why they are cursed, abominations, exiled in the treeless lands. You can hear the Songs. You can hear life whispering all around you. You are no more ‘human’ than I. Think of yourself as wolf now, only wolf.”
“Very well.” I answered pleased. “I am wolf in mind, heart, and soul.”
He growled his agreement.
Appeased, I lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance upon my skin. The mixture of the heat of the light and the cool of the shadow was a sensation I have never felt before and it thrilled me. I inhaled the musky smell of damp moss, lichen, and soil. The wind through the leaves created a harmony I had never heard before. I was truly enraptured by the forest, entranced by its beauty and wonder. The music was encircling me in light and sound. And for the first time since waking up from those terrible nightmares of blood and of fire I truly felt at peace. The music of the forest continued to encompass me and I rejoiced at its complex yet simple melody.
It seemed to say:
.:Welcome:.
“My brethren!” My mother’s voice rose up high and clear in an echoing howl, “We have long been the protectors of this land! We of the Valverra-Leuadii! We of the resilient Nah’elen pack! We shield Tela Miir from the descendants of the wicked Silence who dare enter the branches of the trees. We have long been vigilant in protecting the borders of the forest from mankind’s footfalls; the only creature in this world that cannot hear the Songs of Tela Miir. The Songs of Inheritance are the lifeblood of this land! We must protect them from the cunning will of the Silence that ever threatens.” She paused as the gathered wolves let out cries of agreement. “However here amongst us is one who has walked with man, yet also bears the scars of beasts. The trees themselves have not raised their voices in disapproval at the presence of this child of man. And they alone remember those days long past when man and beast walk side by side and they alone remember when mankind betrayed that ancient promise. Today we welcome a child of man into our pack. A child of man who can hear the Songs as strongly as we do! Behold my brothers and my sisters! Behold a Song in the Silence!”
We didn’t hesitate.
Astride my protector we walked from the shadows into the sunlight. Whispers of wonder and some of shock arose as we passed through the large gathering of wolves. Many of the wolves never have laid eyes upon a human child before. And how could they? Only a handful of a chosen few protect the boundary to the west. And, later I learned, humans would rather lose their own leg before venturing near the branches of the forest.
Many a child would have been frightened at the sight of so many wolves only a handbreadth away. Yet I was not. They were beautiful creatures, gracefully precise in every movement of their limbs. There seemed to be an endless number of them staring at me as we passed. A few drew back their lips, showing many sharp teeth. I could hear many growls in disapproval and uncertainty. I was an enigma but I was still human in their eyes. I looked human no matter what I felt in my heart. To them I was the enemy. I tried to pay them no heed. It was difficult thing to do for soon many of their hackles were raised and a few looked ready to attack.
The only thing that protected me from their teeth was my defender. Although, the black wolf did not belong to this pack, no one dared challenge him. I felt his hackles rise and a snarl vibrated under me. I knew deep down, not even he could defend himself and I against so many sharp teeth. A piercing cold wind rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees and blew quickly through the clearing making many of the wolves hesitate and drop their hackles. Their attack forgotten. I shivered for the breeze was cold enough for it to have the bite of winter, even though it was high summer.
The music swelled to a crescendo.
The wind continued to play with the branches of the surrounding trees. I smiled at the pure magnificence of it. At the sharp music of it, the clever beauty of such a simple thing. I knew I was home. I knew this was true as we drew closer to the wolf I would soon call mother. My heart swelled in pride and in honor of this glorious gift that was being bestowed upon me. I was the first human accepted to reside within the forest without fear of losing their life.
And for the first time, I felt unworthy. Why me? Why did these creatures of the forest choose me to live within the branches of the trees? Why did the trees and the land itself rejoice at my presence? Who was I? Oh, I knew my name – Kahlen Liseli. But I did not know who I was. Not in truth anyway.
My thoughts drifted back to the nightmares that still plagued me during those long nights. The motionlessness of those human faces, of the piercing screams and the blood. The stink of burning flesh. I swallowed hard against a shriek of my own and my hands tightened around my protector’s fur. I was frightened.
Truly frightened.
“Peace little one.” His soft voice drifted to my ears, easing my deep rooted fear. “I am here. I will always be here. You will never be alone. I will protect you from the ones who wish you harm.”
The fear slowly departed with his words and the trees surrounding me swayed as if speaking to me:
.: Welcome child of man welcome:.
The black wolf climbed easy to the top of the stony outcrop where the silver wolf stood. The wolves below followed us intently, many still seemed unsure at my presence. However, the silver she-wolf had long been their leader and was trusted beyond any doubt. No harm would come to me while she lead the pack. Besides even the trees had welcomed me, the wolves below could not gainsay them.
I slipped from my protector’s back and bowed my head toward the silver she-wolf. My mother. Her warm tongue wet my face as she licked me. I smiled and giggled for the first time since…well before the nightmares I am sure. She smiled and continued to speak to me, “You are welcomed as my own daughter. Forget the past little one and become wolf truly. No longer are you a child of man but a daughter of the forests.”
I turned to look back at my protector, a little unsure. He closed his eyes and dipped his head and said, “Do not fear small one, I am here.”
I smiled back knowingly, “I know.”
His amber eyes flickered in joy or what also could be sadness. I was unable to tell the difference. Another sharp wind then whipped through the clearing, making the branches and leaves of the trees sway tremendously. The music within the forests rose high for all to hear. The melody of the music spiraled sharply and wondrously through the air. Many of the wolves stood in awe at the beautiful sound.
Then my newly named mother turned to address the assembled, my hand curled tightly into her fur. “See how even the land that is Tela Miir rejoices at this child’s presence! She is the Song that fills the Silence! From this day onward she is freely accepted amongst us! She is to be raised as my own daughter! She is now one of the Valverra-Leuadii! What say you my brethren!?”
Their answer was unanimous.
The howls of their agreement echoed for leagues in every direction. I was accepted into this pack without hesitation and without regret. I was accepted into the forests of Tela Miir, a place forbidden to the likes of mankind. The reasoning behind all of it would soon be unraveled to me but during those early years, those too few lovely years, I was satisfied without knowing. I was but a child. Not caring about the troubles of those elder than I.
The fear I had felt earlier left and it was a long time before it would resurface. No longer did I dream of death and blood. No longer was I plagued with shadows whispering ill intent. I was surrounded by creatures that loved me and accepted me without hesitation. I allowed myself to forget the shadowed nightmares of my past. And instead, I looked onward into the shaded sunlight of my glorious new future.
And I would try to become wolf in every sense of the word.