Call of Wild Wolves

Gathering

*William*

William moved the backpack he carried from one shoulder to the other, hoping that it would be heavier. That's not enough. He knew they needed more, and his inability to provide made him very upset. Always, he suspected that a better gift was located north of Bleddyn – probably on the East Peninsula – and for more than a year now he has been following up on that suspicion with great success. But as his stomach pressed him south, he followed that instinct, sneaking past Bleddyn and into the Southlands.

It was absurd, but he felt something calling him in this direction. Something he cannot ignore. He thought, perhaps, it was a sign of good luck in the Southlands. Now, trudging into the agreed cave with so little to offer, he was second-guessing his judgment. Frustration settled between his eyebrows and on his shoulder set.

The logical part of him was insisting that he should never have come. He should never stray from his original path. He had to abandon this senseless departure from his plan and return to the north. But some naughty part of him didn't want to.

There's a weird thing in the air, right here. That's intoxicating. Dizzying. This southern world was living with potential, he simply could not tell what the peak of that potential was. However, he felt that if it became clear to him, it would be important to his greater aspirations.

How could something so faint have such a strong grip on his heart?

When he arrived at the rendezvous point, he slipped behind a large pine tree that protected the cave entrance from view and discovered that Edwin was already inside. He had chosen this particular cave not only because of its hidden entrance but also because of its isolation. Cut off from the larger system, there is no concern that they will be caught off guard from behind.

"Hello, brother," Edwin greeted him, and they joined hands.

"How is he doing?" ask William.

“More than the same, unfortunately. Your last catch was a long way off, but now the stock is running out. Cedric, as always, only appreciated strength and was content to let the weak get weaker.”

"And what about our allies?" William was pacing back and forth in that small cave, irritation seeping from his pores. He and Cedric have repeated this conversation many times, and never deviated much.

“You have some declared supporters. Well, not publicly announced, but at least they have said it boldly to me. Others alluded to their support but did not state it directly. I think there's more, even though they didn't say it.”

"You think, but you don't know." William stopped and turned in place, his blazing eyes finding Edwin even though the cave was dark. It's all very boring. He had been gone for so long, had done so much, yet he felt he was barely closer to his goal than when he had started.

"Do you know why Cedric stays in power despite everything?" ask Edwin.

"Don't demean me, Edwin," William warned. “I'm sure you can see that my mood is less friendly, and I can promise that this is worse than it looks.”

"Do you know why?" edwin. Although the question was annoying, and a little humbling, William saw warmth on his friend's face. His truest friend.

“I think it's boring, Edwin. I have a lot of deep, dark thoughts about Cedric, the scary leader. If I give you an answer you don't like, you'll have fun with my mistakes. And if I give you a proper reason, you will be robbed of your arrogant little lesson. So just go on.”

Amused, Edwin grinned and sighed. His eyes, however, remained solemn.

“Cedric remains in power not out of love or honor or even for the sake of his lineage. Cedric rules on the basis of one thing only.”

"Fear," said William.

"Please" William bowed mockingly, "enlighten me, oh Wise."

Again, Edwin was not bothered by the temptation.

"Hope" he said briefly. Then he crossed the small space and clasped William's forearm again. “That's what you'll offer them. The wait is long and frustrating, but you cannot act until the hope you represent is so strong that it can be used against that fear so firmly that it will release the chains from the wrists of its followers.

William looked into Edwin's eyes, and the serious conviction he saw there touched his heart deeply. He nodded to his friend. Breaking the tension, William let go of Edwin's arm and turned around, changing the subject.

“There are newcomers in the forest. A small group of men and women. There's something strange about them that I can't understand. Is Cedric aware?”

Edwin seemed surprised to hear it. “They came through the Gap? This close to winter?”

William nodded.

“Well, as far as I know, we don't know yet, but I can change it. I can divulge the information if you want to be taken care of,” Edwin offers.

"No" replied William. “I'll take care of it myself. I want to watch them a little longer.”

"And then you'll go back north?" edwin asked, and William could detect hope in his tone.

"I have a reason to be here" said William, fully aware that this was almost a lie. “I will go north again when the time is right. Here,” he took the little package and threw it at his friend.

As Edwin peered inside, his attitude changed slightly. Concern flashed in his eyes.

“With winter approaching, Cedric's rationing becomes more severe. It won't work.”

William knows it's true. It was just three rabbits. The southern forest did not have much to offer. Still, his frustration grew again.

“I do my best to sustain them in their current state. All I could do was equip the weaker ones with food and supplies. I have risked everything for them, and still, their support is questionable. But real change for the better will not happen until their great leader,” his ridicule, “have a revolutionary change of heart or be overthrown.”

“And hope that day is sooner than later, Brother,” Edwin said. “I don't mean to offend. Just stating the facts. They're starving. I know the forest is overhunting. I know we need to migrate if we hope to find richer land. We've been here too long. I understand the situation.”

"I know you know," said William, his sharp tone softened the touch. “I think there are one or two female deer left in the Southlands. I'm working on it.”

Edwin nodded and turned to leave. At the entrance of the cave, he turned around again and said, “I will not report a human. But I'm not the only scout in the south. Keep your wits about yourself, brother.