One paw in front of the other [attn. Anton]

[silhouette]

Eyes High was near. Sohvi could feel him, sometimes a little closer, and sometimes a little farther away. Always a little to the right, in the woods while she and Anton travelled over the empty road. Well, road… she supposed it was a rather big word for such a small and lumpy thing. No wagon could actually ride there. Anton had already explained to her why they were taking this road, and Sohvi was fine with it. Small road meant less people. Less people meant less of a chance to be killed because they thought she and Anton were Demons. Which they weren’t. Not at all. What they were… well, that was a little more complicated. No matter how often Anton or Eyes High had tried to explain it, Sohvi just didn’t understand. Something about things from the past, echoing through to the now. It was all very complicated, if you asked her.

 

Of course no one actually asked her. In fact, she was the one doing most of the talking, or at least most of the asking. There was a lot to learn, after all, and Anton seemed to know a lot more about it than she did. Which wasn’t all that strange, she supposed. He’d been a wolfkin a lot longer than she had been. “So tell me about how your Howling went.†She asked him, glancing at him. He was a few paces on her left. It felt good to know that she had Eyes High at her back, when… if Anton turned out to be a demon after all. Or maybe she should be glad to have Anton at her back in case Eyes High decided she was snack food. A sense of irritation washed over her, and she knew that only some of it came from the wolf in the woods. It was one thing to realise that people and wolves were good, and another to accept it though, and Sohvi was still having a hard time with accepting it.

 

“And where are we going again? Isn’t it awfully cold there this time of year?†the questions just kept coming. She usually wasn’t such an inquisitive person, but today she felt the distinct need to know more about her current situation, and perhaps a little about her present situation as well. “and what happens when we get there? Do I have to ask people to stay there? What if they don’t want me there?†She wouldn’t be too surprised if they didn’t want her there. Only her mother had ever wanted her in her own family, and the rest was probably still dancing on the tables, celebrating the fact that the wolf girl was gone. Rita was probably hiking up her skirts and showing off her legs for anyone to see. Sohvi sighed, suddenly glad that she wasn’t there anymore. Wherever she was going, it couldn’t be worse than the farm.

 

~Sohvi Darwin

Shimmer

 

[Wayfarer]

The trip to the Stedding had been curiously unmarred by incidents that had occured during others. Sohvi had been easy to travel with, she did as she was told and she seemed to be coping with the wolf within surprisingly well. In fact, her human side remained intact without the same sorts of emotional problems he had encountered with others whether it had been due to feeling a hunger for hunting or mating or running with other wolf packs instead of remaining with him like wolfcubs were meant to. Instead it had possibly been the best trip ever.

 

Of course, that wasn't to say that Sohvi did not have questions. In fact, she had a number of them and today it was particularly so. A good thing because they were approaching the stedding and soon she would be in someone else's care, now was the last time she'd probably have a really good chance to talk to him without others being around. Well, apart from the wolves, but that was different, or not because they were Wolfkin themselves but it felt different for Anton all the same. Not every Wolfkin felt the same way on that topic though.

 

Listening to Sohvi's questions, it took Anton a moment to formulate his answers. "We're going to the Wolfkin Stedding, its a peaceful place and it gets like this around here. And when we get there, I take you before the Sages, the eldest will decide whether you are fit to stay. You must let her observe you, she'll poke and prod you a little and will then decide you're fit to stay. I've yet to see her turn anyone aside, but you have to be on your best behaviour regardless."

 

She seemed to take that in, but Anton forged on before she could ask more questions. A story would work, stories always worked. At least until they finished. "Sometime ago the Howling came for me. I'd already met Wolfkin, a man named Matronas. We helped each other in Shienar so he took me to the Stedding to see what his life was like. Afterwards I traveled more and I ended up in Tarabon. It was there the howling came for me and I thought I was going insane. I'd already been to the stedding, they hadn't sensed I was wolfkin so how could I be?"

 

"But there it was, but to make matters worse the wolf pack where I was didn't like humans. Their leader had been burnt by a few who had thought to take pleasure from torturing her, and the result was that when the pack found me they..." Anton paused for a moment. "You ever have a thought come to mind when High Eyes is speaking to you?

 

"Thats when a wolf speaks to you, they put an image in your mind. The wolves where I was, they did that but they also decided to dig away at me. I was constantly barraged by thoughts that weren't mind, and they were digging away at my memories and because I didn't know how to control any of it they sort of sifted through me. That was when Janna found me, after days of this, and I... To my shame I didn't recognise her and I attacked her. After she'd put me down and I'd recovered my senses, we were fine as she told the other wolves to go away. It was a long time before I could trust wolves after that."

 

Anton chuckled then shrugged. "But then, I don't blame them. The wolves that did it to me, they suffered at the hands of men first. I just wish I hadn't carried the brunt of it is all. You are far luckier in comparison. You have a companion you can trust, I envy that."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

[silhouette]

recap for the lost post:

 

Sohvi talked a bit about how she was glad that Eyes High being a kinder wolf, and thinking that it wasn’t fair that the wolves treated him that way. Called Rita a lightskirt some more and muttered about life being unfair.

 

Then she asked if Farpaw really had been all over the world the way the wolves implied. Rather intimidating to her, since she’d never really been away from the farm. Called Rita a lightskirt again. Tripped and almost fell. Asked Anton about the stedding again, and why he didn’t want to stay there. (i.a.w. why is he out in the world again?)

[Wayfarer]

Smiling, Anton thought about how to answer Sohvi's questions. She was full of them, but then that was the best way to be. That was why he travelled so often, or at least one of the reasons, he had questions that needed answering like what was over the next hill. If she learned not to be so timid, then perhaps she would make a good tracker one day as well. Maybe. If she did, she could use the experience with her own fears to help others who were just as fearful as herself.

 

"I've been to just about every country now, I've seen the Blight with my own eyes and sailed upon the seas for a time. I guess I haven't found anywhere I could truly call my own... Well, thats not true, its more that I just have itchy feet. Whenever I rest in one place too long the urge to move on and find new things grabs me. There is something to be said for new things, as long as we keep finding new things we keep learning. When we stop then we just... Well, we don't get any further along. I suppose thats why I became a Tracker in some ways, the Stedding isn't enough for me, always more to see and learn."

 

"There are so many people from so many different places. Though I have to say, I would not have picked you for an Amadician. Your looks say you come from further east, around Tear perhaps? I'm not sure. But yes, different places. Each of them have peoples as different as the next, different customs and different ideas. For example, in Arad Doman they don't use a knife and fork, they use a pair of sticks called sursa. They cut all their meals into small pieces that they then pick up with the sursa, takes a bit of learning to get used to it. Or in Tarabon, men and women wear veils there, like the people of Shara are reputed to."

 

One of the handy things about alot of travel, Anton had alot of things to talk about to keep Sohvi occupied. Unlike some people he had picked up, she was an avid listener. "Who knows? Perhaps you will decide to become a Tracker like me when you have the chance. Sleeping on the dirt isn't all that comfortable, but I still get to roam which is what I like."

 

The woods were starting to become more and more dense, it meant that they would be approaching the stedding soon. Hopefully most people would give them a wide berth as he'd already sent ahead the warning that this one was particularly shy. Light but he hadn't had to chase her down once and he had no intention of starting now.

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

[silhouette]

Sohvi desperately tried to calm the nervous fluttering of butterflies in her stomach. Truth be told they had been fluttering ever since she realised that they were getting closer to the… stedding, as Anton called it. She’d meet new people there. People like her. Or so Anton said at least. There was of course still the chance that he’d lied about not being able to lie, and then Sohvi was probably in a lot of trouble. Best case scenario if that was the case would be that they’d treat her the way her ‘siblings’ had treated her. Worst case scenario she’d be chased off again. No amount of reassuring feelings from Eyes High could still her stomach.

 

At least Anton was trying hard to distract her from the sensation of impending unpleasantness ahead. She recognised his attempts for what they were, her mother had done the same for years after all, and welcomed them with a faint smile. She truly was interested in everything Anton had to say. The Blight? Surely that was nothing more than a story to scare unruly children with, and yet he told her about it as if it were true. She was content with just listening, and commenting here and there until Anton broached a subject that was a little closer to her own heart. She was not an Amadician, and apparently it showed even more than she had thought it did.

 

Or perhaps it was just Anton’s experience with the world that made it obvious. “I know… I’m not broad hipped and curly haired. I know.” Acceptance of these facts was clear on her voice. “Apparently my parents… my actual parents left me behind by the roadside when I was but one year old. I don’t know why. One of my cousins… my adoptive cousins, he found me and took me to the people who raised me. My… father… was a farmer. He had a big farm, and he could easily tend to another child. I don’t think he would have kept me, if it hadn’t been for the fact that my mother… I mean… the one who raised me… she took to me, and she wanted to raise me, and… well… that’s why I was there, and not with the people I was born with.”

 

She glanced sideways at Anton, but she couldn’t read his face. “I like to think that they looked for me. My birth parents, I mean. That they looked for me by the roadside, but that I wasn’t there anymore because my cousin already took me away.” A hint of a smile curved her lips. It had always been a fond dream when she was younger, after Rita or Rena had picked on her and called her ugly. Perhaps there was a place and a family where she did belong out there somewhere. Perhaps in Tear, as Anton had suggested. Or perhaps Mayene. “I once saw a picture of a noblewoman from Mayene. She had hair like mine.” She pulled her fingers through the black mess, only to have them snag on a knot halfway through. “Less messy though.” She muttered, blushing a little.

 

It was good to think of other things for a while. As the woods had closed around them, she had felt Eyes High’s excitement. Others. That’s what she gathered from the images. Others. The thought frightened her a great deal. At times a thought seemed to poke at her. Not quite intrusive, but just… there. She walked on next to Anton for a few more paces, before standing still. It took him a few steps to realise she’d stopped. She was fidgeting with the bonnet she’d taken with her from her home. A deep bonnet, which she’d needed to hide her face in according to Rita. “I don’t think I can do this.” She said, looking down at her hands. All those thoughts and feelings, all those people who could judge her. She definitely didn’t think she could face all that again.

 

~Sohvi Darwin

Shimmer

 

[Wayfarer]

Turning to find that Sohvi had stopped in her tracks, Anton frowned at her words then forced it away with a gentle smile. He should have expected this, first he had to distract her a little then offer her help, spread her attention. Manipulative perhaps, but if it would help her then so be it. "I never knew my parents either." Stepping closer to Sohvi, Anton waited for her to look up to him before continuing. "My mother never knew who my father was, and she died when I was born. What family I had I found with those people around me that were willing to give me their trust. Thats what you can find here, you might not like everyone there. I don't like everyone there, but you will find people you can trust."

 

Offering his hand to her, Anton's words were gentle as he spoke. "You can do this, if you want you can take my hand and I will lead you. I won't disappear on you, and no one will harm you or utter an unfavourable word at you while you hold this hand. Alright?"

 

With Eyes High nudging her mentally, and Anton trying to persuade her as well, the decision should have been easy. Years of fear and mistrust didn’t fade away easily though. She’d hardly ever gone to the city, and when she did, bad stuff always happened. And she’d trusted people before, like old Marty, but he’d turned out to be after other things than he said he was. Was Anton the same? Her hand twitched at her side as the black wolf nearby urged her to take it. Anton was offering her a new life here. She’d never liked her old life much, but what if she didn’t like this one either? Had the changes in her already assured that she could take no other path than this? If there wasn’t, she might as well set out on it with someone, instead of by herself. Slowly her hand moved towards Anton’s, hovering inches away for a moment before she took it. She stared at the ground for a moment, before looking up at Anton’s face. “So what now?”

 

Nodding as Sohvi looked up to him, Anton squeezed her hand gently before answering her question. "Now we move on to the stedding. Remember, as long as you hold my hand, nothing bad can happen to you." Smiling as she walked with him, they continued on their way once more. While Sohvi no doubt hesitated within, she followed his lead nevertheless so she trusted him. That was important, because without it the next leg of their journey was going to be difficult.

 

The wood always thickened before the village appeared and it was as they passed through the dense vegetation that Anton managed to spot at least one ranger. Sending his thoughts ahead of him, he asked those who could to keep clear of them while they passed through. A blessing because by the time they reached the village, most of the streets were cleared save for a few who continued about their business. None spoke to him or Sohvi, but they watched carefully nevertheless, curious at what wandered had required them to pull back from their daily routine.

 

Stumbling over her own feet at least twice, Sohvi followed Anton. Not that she had much of a choice in the matter, because his grip was… well, not firm, but it was a grip none the less, and Sohvi was afraid to let go. Partially because then she’d be on her own, but also because she didn’t know how Anton would react. Sometimes people would seem nice, as long as you did what they wanted, but then if you objected, they’d turn mean. So instead of turning and running, she stayed by Anton’s side, even as they walked into the village. That lightened Sohvi’s mood for just a short moment, as she hadn’t expected to find a village in the middle of the forest.

 

She could feel the people there watching her though. People and wolves, but not Eyes High. She caught the image of the ground shaking as a large wolf trotted by, seemingly ignoring them, but glancing backwards just before he rounded a corner. She could feel his curiosity, just as she could feel Eyes High’s wariness. He was going to stay outside the village, even if he was reluctant to leave her alone. Sohvi stumbled again as she glanced back to where he was. She didn’t see him anywhere though. Instead she saw a mountain of a man. Instantly she stumbled again, clinging to Anton as she moved on, turning away from the man-mountain. They were heading towards a building in the centre of the village.

 

It was a modest building, but it remained the most important one in the village with the inn remaining a close second. The infirmary was where any, either man or wolf, could seek attention for any ailment or injury. It was also the home of the eldest Sage, Miryana, and it was she that Sohvi would have to stand before. Knocking on the door, Anton smiled as he heard a call to enter. Turning to Sohvi as he opened the door, he squeezed her hand again. "Its alright, Miryana may seem scary at first but she is a good person. Come on, I won't abandon you."

 

For some reason outside seemed better than inside, now that Sohvi knew that the giant man was out there. She’d seen tall men before, but never one this tall. In a way she supposed she felt she was lucky for that. Some of her eldest brothers friends had been tall, but just imagine if they’d been enormous like the one she’d seen outside. She followed Anton into the building, only half hearing his words about Miryana. The light inside was dim, and despite the fact that her eyes were better adjusted to it now, it took her a moment to discern the woman in the room with them. She was a dark woman, with dark skin and dark hair and dark eyes. Sohvi turned away from her slightly, making sure that Anton was between her and the dark woman.

 

Anton might have considered bowing if Sohvi hadn't decided to use him as a shield. An effort made slightly incongruous due to the fact that she was actually taller than he was by a good inch. As it was, all he could manage was a nod and a smile as he spoke. "Miryana, this is Sohvi. As you can see, she is a little shy."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

 

Sohvi Darwin

Shimmer

[Andular]

Smiling as Anton entered the main room of the infirmary with a young woman Miraya glided over to Sohvi and picked up her hand. “Shy or not Anton she is family and has come home, welcome Sohvi.”

 

Leading the young woman over to an examination table she patted it telling her to have a seat. Sohvi cast a nervous glance over at Anton who nodded in encouragement. “I won’t bite dear no matter stories Anton has filled you head with.” Slowly Sohvi climbed up on the table and the Sage began poking and prodding the young woman.

 

Gently placing her hands cheeks she began to delve the new Wanderer with her senses searching for any illness or injury. When she was satisfied she gave the young woman a pat on the knee.

 

“There now that was not so bad was it?” By this time Anton had brought in cups of tea for them and passed them out.

 

Miryana sipped hers and studied Sohvi over the edge of her cup. “You have experienced quite a bit these past weeks. I am sure a lot of this is overwhelming and hard for you to believe or understand.”

 

The fire hissed and popped as Anton added logs to it then returned to sit and listen. Sohvi still looked uneasy and leaning forward Miryana put a hand on her knee. “Child no one here will mean you harm they are your family now. Ask me any questions I can answer to help you and then we will get you a hot bath and a hot meal.”

[silhouette]

Kind or not, warm or not, harmless or not, Sohvi found herself panicking from the very moment her hand slipped out of Antons. She looked back at him with wide eyes, but he nodded with encouragement. The woman sat her down somewhere, and started poking at her and for a moment Sohvi was absolutely sure she was going to cry. People had poked and prodded at her before and the outcome of that hadn’t been all that good either. It had ended with them telling Sohvi to be more careful from that point on, and to keep from tempting people. That had been odd of course, because Sohvi hadn’t tempted anyone in her entire life. That was Rita’s way of dealing with people, not Sohvi’s.

 

Unhappy as that memory was, she held it dear, letting it distract her when Miryana went about her business. When the woman stopped touching her, Sohvi felt comfortable enough to breathe again. “Are you a wise woman?” she asked, thinking back on the only wise woman she’d ever known. That woman had stayed the night at their farm, but her father had asked her to leave the morning after, calling her a witch and all that. All women who knew things were witches, after all. That didn’t make sense either. Sohvi absolutely didn’t know anything about witch-like things, and still her sisters had accused her of being one. The longer she was away from them, the easier it became to believe that they had been wrong.

 

When Miryana was done, she sat down opposite to Sohvi. For a while they watched each other, sage and wanderer, wanderer and sage, until Sohvi pulled her knees up to her chest and looked down. “Where will I stay?” was one of the first questions she asked. She’d very much like to stay in a house somewhere. It was nice to have a roof over her head again, even if it probably was just temporary. “What will I do?” was another question, much softer than the first one. What could she do here? She didn’t really know how to do anything, aside from farm work. And she could read, her father had taught her that much from the books about the Creator and the Children of the Light.

 

~Sohvi Darwin

Shimmer

 

[Andular]

Compassion filled Miryana as she stared at the young Wanderer sitting in front of her. Sohvi was frightened and confused by her situation and it saddened the Sage even though she had seen it so often in her duties.

 

“You will have a new family if you let us in Sohvi.” Smiling she reached out and squeezed her hand softly.

 

“As to where you will stay that is up to you. Anton will show you the Barracks where many Wanderers prefer to stay with others that are experiencing much the same as they are. If you prefer a house can be found for you, many abandoned houses are in the stedding and we can fix one up for you if you like.”

 

Leaning back in her chair Miryana sipped her tea.

 

“I will leave those arrangements up to you and Anton. As to what will you do, you will be assigned a mentor who will teach you the ways of the Wolfkin and help you understand your new abilities and gifts. You have a lot to accept Sohvi and I won’t begin to pretend it will be easy for you. But know this I am always here if you feel the need to talk with someone or just need a place to think.”

 

She did not think her words did much to ease Sohvi but that was all she could offer at the moment. Rising she took the young woman’s hand in hers and pulled her to her feet.

 

“Now let’s have Anton get you situated. I think a hot bath and meal are in order.”