Chapter 2: 1.2. Cold Reception

“So, to reiterate, you were patrolling the perimeters of Dark Woods, as per procedure…”

“Yes.”

“Then, something wrong happened with the woods, resulting in a human appearing right behind you…”

“Yes.”

“And, in self-defense, you decided to-” The old dέέr paused as he put his glasses down. He then ran his hoof over the parchment, as if mulling it over. “-“appropriately apprehend the potential hostile, using the most efficient technique possible while avoiding mortal harm towards said target”.” After taking a small sip of water, the elder continued. “Or, as the wanderers have so elegantly put it - kicked him in the nuts.”

“Yes…”

“In other words, you kicked a human boy, who is most likely the child of a Noble House from Bright Land, in the nuts.”

“...”

Despite feeling like my will was withering just from the old dέέr’s stare, I decided to stand my ground. After all, elder Ruink would never drag an irredeemable sentence out. His way of scolding might make one squirm, but it also meant that the situation was not unsalvageable. 

Plus, the fact that he had yet stripped me of my badge all but screamed I would get off the hook! 

“You are thinking “I am getting off the hook”, aren’t you?”

The fact that the old crow managed to learn mind reading without any need of magic all but screamed I was screwed!

Elder Ruink continued to give a longgg, hard stare and I could just feel myself growing smaller. A huge shadow was casted on the two antlers, going all the way down his face. The lights, something normally warm and comforting, somehow made the gigantic figure in front of me so much more eerie. 

Almost like the devil itself had come to judge my crime…

And, as if the devil found my suffering to be of great amusement, the sentence was waived. Letting out a deep breath, I lifted my head up to look at the sighing elder.

“It would be unfair to say that this was your fault.” He shook his head. “This kind of happening is outside of our control, and we can only take comfort in the fact that the surprise this time came in the form of a human instead of-”

The old dέέr stopped himself from finishing the sentence, though I could already feel blots of blood soaking my furs. Snapping myself out of it, I retracted the claws that were tightly gripping the inside of my paws.

After a silence that went on for a bit too long, the elder raised his hoof up for a cough. “I assume that you have already talked to the boy?”

The distraction was plain and obvious. Nevertheless, I obliged. Having listened to my findings, the elder had a troubled expression on his face. 

“So, the boy doesn’t know how he got here, or even where he had strayed into beforehand.” With a frustrated huff, he continued. “And he was stuck wandering inside that pitch black place for, if we are to believe it, days, before seeing a light and jumped towards it.”

“His luck certainly sounds ludicrous.” I snorted in agreement. “However, after seeing how he survived and even adapted to the pressure of this city, I think that him being able to avoid getting mauled by the monstrosities that lurk in the dark looks pale in comparison.”

“All without any will or magic.” The old dέέr ended in resignation, to which I confirmed with a simple “Yes”.

As he leaned back in his seat, I decided to address the dead mammoth. “How will we escort him back to Bright Land?” 

“There is little that we could do, at least until the end of autumn.” The elder looked at me as he spoke. “In every city, wanderers and seekers are busy closing the newly opened wounds, and they will soon have their paws full with the harvest as well.” He added before I could speak up. “No, Isa, the champions have already been dispatched. Plus, we would need the permission from the entire council of elders before being able to provide our guest with such an escort, anyway.” 

“Shouldn’t we worry about his identity, or rather, the lack thereof?”

“His loss of memories is certainly troublesome.” Elder Ruink cupped a hoof under his chin, as if in contemplation. “However, I believe that you mentioned some unusual behaviors regarding this?”

I nodded, trying my best to describe the oddity that I saw. “He claimed to have no knowledge of Wyld Land, Bright Land or even the world at large, which was already bad enough on its own. And yet, something even more concerning happened when I asked if he remembered his home.” Placing my thoughts in order, I continued. “Hiro was about to say something, yet he just… jerked up and rolled over in pain… I didn’t find any physical or spiritual damage on his body, so I could only assume that it was a remnant effect caused by “the throw”.” 

“And this happened a few more times, until the boy told you that he simply didn’t remember where he came from.”

“Yes.”

The old dέέr put the pair of glasses back on as he left his seat and paced around the room. “There have been similar incidents in the past, with those being “thrown” across the continent losing their mind.” Stopping in front of a bookcase, he paused for a while before taking out an old, leather tome. “Our guest might have suffered the same tragic outcome. Regardless, the boy still managed to retain his own wit, which might be a blessing in and of itself.”

As the elder returned to his desk, the smell of rapidly shifting pages started wafting through the air. “Not counting the current one and what happened a decade ago, the latest “throw” would be… over two centuries back. Furthermore, whenever an incident like this happens, there would always be waves upon waves of banes getting “thrown” in the process.”   

“So the roads are more dangerous now.” I shrugged. “That’s hardly a change for summer.”

“For Wyld Land, perhaps. For the rest of the world, though?” Shaking his head, the old dέέr took out a quill as well as some ink and parchments. “I will have some watchers report this back to Wyld’s Heart, before bringing the news to Humming Hill immediately.” He continued to deliver swift words, both to the parchments and to me. “Once they arrive at the latter, the news of a human scion getting “thrown” should have made rounds, thus providing us with clearer insights to help our untimely guest.” 

For a while, only the sound of scribblings filled the room. I waited patiently for him to continue, which did not take long.

“You will accompany the boy for the duration of his stay at Growling Trunk.” A hoof was raised at my protest. “Fledglings and fetchers can’t take on this task. Runners are now busy running around, either to spot new wounds or to make sure that wanderers are well treated and well behaved. As for the watchers… Well, you can already guess.”

Lifting his head up slightly, the elder continued. “Plus, you are one of the few wylders in this city with actual experience in living with humans.” For the finishing touch, he said. “Consider this both your order and punishment.”  

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I badly wanted to stomp my foot and pout. However, after thinking things through, this arrangement might actually work in everyone’s favor. Besides, it would also allow me to lay low for a while, at least until people moved onto newer dirt.

Plus, it was best that I ended my meeting with the old dέέr on a good note, before he could discover the other title I was spreading around…

“By the way, I will send word for the grove tenders to allow you further foraging, so make sure to stock up on foods more suitable for our human friend, alright?-” The elder added as I was about to nod. Said action was also put to a complete halt at his next words. “-Little Miss Antler Snatcher.” 

Thus, it was best that I made a tactical retreat from the old crow immediately, before I could dig myself deeper into the soil…

Once the great hall got further away from view, the image of an elder shaking his head in amusement was almost vivid in my mind.

•ㅅ•

“Of course they have to run out of meat to spare… Just my rotten luck…”

The feeling of annoyance was quickly shoved away as I redirected my focus on the destination ahead. Once I sprinted towards the center of Growling Trunk, dwellings turned sparse as they made way for the surrounding greenery, and it was not long before the familiar mist that marked the inner world’s border came into view.

Without any hesitation, I leaped inside. 

My instinct led me forward, deep into the heart of the forest. With each passing shrub, the air got thicker while the vegetation grew denser. Soon enough, my senses were completely dulled by the suffocating mist. 

As the very Wyld began to close its trap on me, a chilling shiver ran down my spine, causing every strand of fur on my body to raise up. 

And so, I waited.

*Rustle*Rustle*

“Runner Bun`Isa.” The grove tender addressed me, his form obscured by the hazy air. “We have received words of your task, and of our new guest. However, your enthusiasm seems to have clouded your judgment, for this is no time to enter the hunting ground.”

“My apology, grove tender.” I bowed my head in greeting. “It is rather unfortunate, but the feast at the shouting halls has taken a good bite of our storage. Worse still, hungry mouths seemed to thirst for soft meats, something our dear guest would most appreciate on his morning plates.”     

“And I suppose such provisions are not readily available at the markets?”

“Night traders cater to lǐons and wćlves.” I shook my head. “Both of which much prefer the taste of a rough hunt.”  

The dέέr was silent for a moment, musing over my words. Finally, he waved his hoof, tearing the mist surrounding me apart. 

I blinked as I found myself standing at the edge of a glade, where a familiar oak stood in the distance. The sounds of rustling grasses and ruffling leaves could be heard as the night life took notice of my presence. Grassy critters burrowed deeper inside their refuge while meaty ones stalked me from the distance, no doubt planning to bite more than they could chew.    

How cute.

Snapping myself out of the usual awe and wonder, I closed both eyes as my ears took in the surroundings. Sounds of earthy movements were ignored, most likely to have come from meat eaters. The ones I seeked should either be sleeping or hiding deep within their hideout by now. 

*Scratch*

A grin found its way on my lips as the preys oh so courteously presented themselves. The spirit of a hunter was called upon, willed into my eyes and feet. As the world of darkness lit up, my hunt began.  

*Scratch*Scratch*

With fluid and precise movements that big sis Nexa once taught, I stalked ever closer towards my targets, until I found myself standing on top of the digging noises. Stomping my foot down, my ears strained to note the origin of each new sound. Two… Four… Six! After one final stomp, I focused my will on both paws, sling and stones at the ready. 

And thus, I delivered the Wyld’s mercy.

Half a dozen shots tore the soil apart, making their way towards the unsuspecting victims. Faint screams filled my ears before the smell of blood tickled my nose. Meanwhile, frantic movements resounded all around me as meaty critters fled in horror, realizing that they were also nothing but prey. 

Ignoring the commotion, I dug in, deep into the soil. It was time to collect my games and head back.

•ㅅ•

Before my feet could even reach the other side, sounds of songs and scuffles had already come to greet me. 

Shaking my head, I could not help but feel exasperated at the ruckus caused by the latest expedition’s success. The thought of cleaning up an after-party still managed to make my skin crawl, even when I could now have others do it in my stead.  

“Ah well, at least I won't have to deal with that kind of mess in the near future.”

I let out a satisfied smile at the small mercy, the thought of having to clean my dirty paws did nothing to dampen my mood. Twirling my bounties by the ears, the blood moon shone a beautiful path for me as I hopped to the melodious tunes of the night.

Truly, when living in Wyld Land, one should always remember to enjoy the little things that life offered.