Tithe

The woman he spoke with relaxed around him, in turn he started to relax as well. He also sat, but still held an attentive and polite posture. This woman had years and experience behind her, respect was to be given where it was due. As he had learned, so was wariness. It was true this was a packland he had felt welcomed and safe when he had visited it with Sleekwing, but not everything was always as it had seemed. Nothing had tipped him off, his gut had not screamed at him in alarm. But a peaceful night could also be the bloodiest. Still, he calmed in the woman’s presence when she did.

He listened to what she said, feeling conflict seep into him with almost every word. This place was a comfort. The mountains rising around him and the feelings he got when he was around the rest of the pack. Camaraderie and loyalty could be felt when he stood in the mass of bodies congratulating their Alphess on her victory over a challenger. Sleekwing had demonstrated chivalry, a trait the young page held so dear. Honesty, loyalty, honor. They were things young Tithe longed to uphold in everything that he did and he yearned to be part of a pack he could live by those values. Malina said they had lost many, and he did not want to think if she had literally meant ‘devour’. He thought back to his encounter with the other wolves and the feelings he had gotten around them. Their contradictory words and nature had set him on edge.

But they had talked of ranks. Their small pack had room to grow. He could make a name for himself and become someone in a pack that was devoid of members. Ambition had been forced upon him from the moment after he had opened his eyes and his mother had decided to spare his life. ‘I will only give birth to kings.’ How could he come into his crown?

The young boy’s head fell ever slightly and he let out a breath through his nose, face as passive as ever as he struggled through his thoughts.

”I was told it was rare for me to have not been hurt.” He did not know how it had happened. His shielded eyes looked at her with all the honesty he had though his words were as disjointed as his thoughts and feelings were. ”I like it here. The home built in these mountains is almost everything I’ve wanted.” Something worth fighting for, something worth living and dying for. ”You are right, they did ask me to stay and told me there was safety and ranks to be had.” Shame flashed over his face and he took a minute to swallow it down, feeling as though he were selling his soul. His ambition had gotten a hold of him. ”If what you say is true, I cannot stand by them.” He hesitated, calling to mind what his mother had wanted him to do in order to obtain her own revenge. ”I do not think either of us could ‘get a grasp’ on him from Spirane.”

His eyes looked over her again. She had a life, she was living it with a pack and others she felt loyalty to. He had little to his name save the knuckle bones of a deer and the affection of a girl who adopted him as ‘brother.’ The chances of him getting out of what he was about to offer alive was slim.

”If they do let me stay, perhaps I can find the answers you want? If they don’t, does your offer to stay here still stand?” Again his youth was unfortunately clear on his body as he looked at her almost hopefully. Even the strongest armor had its weak spots, and his was being a part of something that meant something to someone.