"Over here", Wolf howled.
Torak howled back that he's on his way and Renn and him took a run all the way to the Raven camp. It has been many days walk for them to get near the Red Water. And now they're minutes away from seeing Fin-Keddin. Torak saw the familiar blazing fire around and he sped up. Renn did the same and before they knew it. They were at the camp.
Dark looked up at Renn and Torak and then back down. Torak and Renn followed his gaze and gasped. It was Fin-Keddin. His skin was ash gray making his Raven tattoo and death mark stand out against his skin. His eyes were close and his breath was wheezy. Fin-Keddin was dying.
Renn immediately choked in a sob and pushed the crowd away as she knelt down toward her Uncle. "Fin-Keddin, can you hear me?"
Fin-Keddin's eyes flickered and then forced a small smile as he saw it was Renn. "Are..you doing fine with Torak?"
"Of course..we've heard news from the Swan clan..that you got the sickness," Renn's lip tremble.
Fin-Keddin lift his ashen hand and stroke her cheek, "It'll be fine Renn…now here is my foster son?"
Torak stepped up. Renn took looked at Torak, his face impossible to read. "I'm here," Torak replied. At that moment Wolf, Darkfur, and Pebble stepped up too. Pebble had grown up a lot over the past 4 moons. Wolf gave a low whine and licked Fin-Keddin's nose. Fin-Keddin chuckled and softly stroke Wolf's head. Wolf gave a short bark making Fin-Keddin wince at the sound.
"I've like to speak with my foster son…and the wolves," Fin-Keddin called out as loudly as he can.
The crowd parted leaving Torak, Renn, and the wolves. "You too Renn, I must speak to Torak in person." Fin-Keddin nodded to Renn. Reluctantly she nodded and left to join the rest of the Raven clan.
"Torak," Fin-Keddin smiled and looked up at him. "How has my foster son been doing with my Renn and the wolves?" At the mention of wolves, the wolves all gave a whine and look expectantly at Torak.
"We've done well…Fa," Torak replied with concern in his voice.
"That's good," Fin-Keddin smiled, "I should tell you now...of what I've always wanted to tell you now that…I'm on my last days."
Torak bit his bottom lip, "You're not dying Fin-Keddin."
"We all have to die someday Torak. Just like each spring has new flowers, things don't last forever, not even the forest," Fin-Keddin replied and then coughed.
Torak said nothing but his eyes glistened with tears. "No matter what Torak, know that I am proud of you. You are the only, yet best son I've never had. You brought justice back into this world. Your Ma and Fa would be proud of you too," Fin-Keddin said as he looked at Torak. "And know that I…I love you Torak. You are my miracle…You're the world's miracle."
Torak had tears streaming down his face. "Fin-Keddin…I think you should rest...You'll get better."
"No," Fin-Keddin took his colds hands and grasped them around Torak's warm hands, "You know this is good bye. Please tell…Renn...that I love her too…you two are the best thing that has ever happened to me...please...for me…I can't bear to tell her a final good bye." Fin -Keddin's blue eyes blazed into Torak's grey ones. And finally Torak nodded. "..May your guardian fly with you Fa."
Fin-Keddin released Torak's hand and laid them upon his stomach. "And run with you…my son." And Fin-Keddin closed his eyes for the last time listening to the wolves' final good bye howls…