“Fine,” he boomed. “I can see the merit in your rhetoric,” the old man responded. “I will grant your desires.” The group huddled closer together, kneeling formally on the ground in a perfectly aligned circle. “I, Degorrin son of Raulynn, give you free passage on our to lands, for the purpose of travel and aggravating the pallid race. If you lend our enemies assistance in any manner, your life is forfeit for your trespassing and cheek. If I discover you have lied about your purpose here, your life is forfeit. If I decide I don’t like you, your life is forfeit. Be sure to play the rules and not cause any trouble that would upset my pack, because as far as I am concerned your sentence was execution as soon as we came upon you and you only leave us with your neck intact because my pack is generous and decided to allow your journey, but if you at any time make any of us reconsider that decision I consider your life forfeit.” There was a rumble of assent from the assembled pack. “I, alpha of the pack, have spoken. It will be so.”
The wolves relaxed into happy boneless forms and lounged scattered around the clearing. Having decided to allow Darien passage, they were now happy and chipper starting a campfire and getting a grand noon time feast prepared for their guest. Somewhere in the bustle the young wizard had ended up seated next to the alpha of the pack, who was surprisingly a fascinating conversationalist when he wasn’t trying to kill trespassers.
“You say I have cheek, but they were giggling and talking like a herd of teen girls,” Darien said, amused.
Degorrin smiled at him and produced a flask of some cherry colored liquid and two cups, pouring and serving for the teen who politely accepted. He wrinkled the nose as the foul bitterness overwhelmed his senses, but he said not a word of complaint.
“Ah, but they are young,” the elder smiled. “Though not nearly as young as you,” he added with a chuckle. Darien gave him a sour look but said nothing. “I think that part of their impudence comes from having an Alpha like me, though,” the man continued. “When I was young, every thought that ever appeared in my head tumbled right out of my mouth at the same instant.”
“How did you ever become alpha, then? I would think your elders would have chosen someone more dignified than you,” he asked curiously.
“I ascended through virtue,” the man said. “Virtue of being older than dirt!” They both laughed.
“You don’t seem very old. Your face looks middle aged at worst,” Darien protested. The elder just shrugged and explained that the aging of their race was a very different process from that of humans, and assured him that when his time came his appearance would rapidly degenerate to his true wizened age when he was first placed in his burial mound.
It was a sad topic, but somehow the both of them continued to laugh throughout at the assistance of the alpha’s wry humor.
Some younger wolves on the other side of the fire had shifted to their lupine forms and frolicked until some of them accidentally stumbled into the fire. The alpha moved away to scold them as another wolf treated their wounds, but his punishment was light and his fierce words were ruined by the twinkle in his eye and gentle pats he gave the whimpering younguns during the sting of applying disinfectant.
When he came back to his seat the young wizard smirked at him.“You really seem to like those whippersnappers, old man,” Darien smiled.
“They remind me of when I was younger, and they keep me young.” His craggy face broke into another grin of his own. “I need all the help I can get!”
They drank in silent for a few minutes, now completely at ease in each other`s company. The sun dipped in the sky, and they both went to stand up. They both groaned as their numb muscles protested their long stillness and sudden movement.
“It is time that you continue your journey.” The old man spoke. Darien marveled anew at the odd contrast between the wizened voice and the vitally youthful visage before him.
Darien looked at the ground. “I`d kind of like to stay, and, umm, chat for awhile,” he blushed. The old man squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
“I still am not satisfied you have shared your true purpose, but I am now content that I have your measure and that you will not hurt me and mine. That said you still have something of great importance to do or you would not have braved meeting us. It is time you went ahead and set to your task.
He clapped the young man on the back. “We must each move onto the next phase,” he said. “This does not mean that we may never return, and we may find along our paths new people to return to.”
Darien smirked, chuckling. “You got that from some book, didn`t you?” he demanded. The old man blushed in return. “That doesn`t mean it`s wrong,” he defended, sounding like the goofy child he had purported to long ago being. Darien smiled, agreeing.
“I guess I should walk on, so I can find the place I`ll return to after this.” They smiled at each, feeling united and fond of each other. Darien walked along the path once more, each step taking him further away from his warm repartee. Looking back, he smiled and waved, noticing the man waving at him from the spot they had left. Then as one the pack got up and gathered all their supplies in a flurry of movement. In the next blink of an eye they faded into the forest as a group with gleaming yellow eyes and human skins slung over their furry shoulders.
He looked forward again and continued energetically. He felt
