Page 12 of Father of the Wolf

Adrift

Athair followed Sundair out of the grove toward a cluster of buildings that surrounded an open courtyard. A couple stood in front of one of the buildings waiting for them to approach. Athair’s suspicion that they were speaking silently to some of the others was confirmed when the man welcomed them. “I am Sandulfr, son of Sulf and Makani. This is my mate, Soarsa, daughter of Soarvyra. Our daughter, Domari, tells me you had a run in with Bequlf. You have my apologies. His fight is with me and should include no others.” He motioned them to enter the building. “Please come in so we can talk.”

The building was a community meeting place. Long tables sat on one side of the room, and relaxed sitting areas on the other. Sandulfr led them to a group of cushioned benches. The only members of the traveling group that remained were Sundair and Domari. The others had drifted off to other areas of the building.

Before sitting, Athair introduced himself and the boys. “I am Athair, of the Eagle Clan. These are Rath and Dàn, my sons, who chose to travel with me.” At Sandulfr’s nod, he continued. “We came to learn more about the current ways of the world and to build relationships outside our clan.” He paused, wondering how much to divulge in this first meeting.

Sandulfr seemed to understand his hesitation. “I have heard little about the Eagle Clan, except that you have remained apart from the world. Please, tell me why you have come here now.” He said this without accusation. Athair could easily read his open curiosity. Sandulfr seemed like a man of honesty and integrity. Athair liked him immediately.

“We are too few to continue as we are.”

“I see. Do you wish to join us?”

“We came only to learn. No more.” Athair did not know where their connection might lead, but he did know it would be a mistake to show high expectations at this time. “If we are not welcome, we will leave without trouble.”

“It’s not that you’re unwelcome.” After a thoughtful pause, Sandulfr continued, “But Lakeside isn’t a stable community right now. I will need a reason for your time here, a reason the others won’t find threatening.”

Dàn shifted subtly on the couch beside Athair, drawing attention to himself. “They will find us threatening regardless of your reasons. It suits their purpose.” Athair silently asked him to hold his thoughts, but Dàn continued, “They will use our presence against you.” He said this to Sandulfr with obvious regret. “I don’t know why they will do so. I only know it is true.”

“He is a seer?” Sandulfr asked Athair in surprise.

“Yes.” He wished Dàn could have been trained as he should have been. Without training, others would find his ability questionable.

“I have had little training yet. Do you have a soothsayer here with whom I may speak?” The yearning in Dàn’s voice was almost more than Athair could take. And all at once he knew that he had failed this child, even more than the others, by keeping the clan separate for so long.

Sandulfr said, “My sister is our strongest seer and our youngest oracle. Domari, please go let Maura know she should come meet our new friends.”

Domari left immediately.

“I am sorry that we are unable to offer our usual hospitality to you at this time,” Sandulfr said “I have to ask that you stay within this building until I can be sure of your welcome among the others. There are guest rooms in the back for you to use for as long as you wish.”

“Thank you. It is more than I had hoped.” Athair assured him. “However, if Dàn says the others will cause problems, then they will. If you would rather that we leave, we will do so. But with regret.” He had pinned many of his hopes on building a positive relationship with this clan. “Perhaps we could meet outside your territory.”

Sandulfr seemed to be considering that option and discussing it silently with his mate, when Dàn shifted his attention to the door. Almost immediately it burst open and Bequlf and his followers shoved their way into the room. The number of Sandulfr’s supporters suddenly doubled as his protectors moved closer and made their presence known.

It begins, came Dàn’s silent thought to Athair.

Bequlf stalked over to the seating area. His obvious aggression brought them all to their feet to face him on even ground. Sandulfr stepped forward to meet him.

Without any respect to his leader, Bequlf growled, “Why have you let them come here? It is disgraceful how you make no effort to protect my people.”

“They have offered no threat to our people,” Sandulfr said.

“Yes, they have.” Bequlf countered. “This one attacked me on their way into town. And one of them has been harrying our hunters and our women.” Bequlf advanced, as if to challenge Athair. He held his ground and was not intimidated by Bequlf’s actions. He was confident he was strong enough in physical and magical ability to match anything the other man wished to do.

Yet, Bequlf’s second accusation surprised Athair. Then he remembered Sgrios and asked Dàn for confirmation, “Dàn, does he mean Sgrios?”

“Yes,” Dàn answered.

“That will make this situation more difficult.” Just what had Sgrios been up to? He had hinted at bad blood between himself and the Bear Clan. Just what trouble had Sgrios been causing? And why?

“No. It changes nothing,” came Dàn’s calm reply.

“What do you know of these strangers? Nothing! Yet you have trusted them to come into the very heart of our town,” Bequlf challenged.

“That is enough, Bequlf.” Soarsa stood frowning at Sandulfr’s side.

“It is not enough. I insist they complete the ceremony of trust before they continue among us. Although, I doubt the thieving dogs will survive the test.”

---