"Well, this is a fine mess of tracks we've found," Cutter grumbled. "Just what are we supposed to do with him now?" The rest of the tribe frowned at each other uncomfortably. They knew how he felt about Rayek, but he was letting that anger rule him a little more than he normally would. Leetah told him as much in a gentle lock send. He looked at her, a little startled, then made an obvious effort to calm down.
Seeing this, Clearbrook decided it was time to step in. "I don't think we have to do anything with him," she said. "Give Ekuar a den and let the child live with him."
"He's not just any child, though," protested Nightfall. "He's Rayek. What'll he be like when he grows up?"
"I think that's up to us," Leetah said. Everyone turned to stare at her. "I've already tried to reverse whatever Winnowill has done, but there's not much I can do. I could possibly return him to the right body, but I can't do anything for his memories." This earned her several blank stares and more than a few surprised "Why nots?!". She sighed. "Because at least part of what locks them off is his own will." The tribe was silent as they digested her words.
Aroree stepped forward. "I think that this is an opportunity," she said. "We can heal whatever spirit-sickness drove him before by helping him start over."
"Why should we?" Nightfall snapped angrily. "He stole our tribemates and our Chief's cubs! He tried to destroy us!"
Aroree shied back from Nightfall's outburst, but didn't wither as she once would have. "But he didn't destroy us," she replied softly. "He chose not to." She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "And I have stolen a Wolfrider cub, too. You forgave me, took me in and helped me make amends. Why does Rayek deserve any less? For that matter, Leetah has said that this child knows nothing. Would you punish an innocent?"
"So that's it?" Nightfall retorted bitterly. "Rayek wants to escape his past and we help him do it?"
Venka stepped forward too. "Nightfall, the Wolfriders are my family and have always been my friends despite my parentage. You could have raised me to hate Rayek but you did not. Why are you so intent on hating him now?" Nightfall subsided unhappily and Clearbrook spoke up.
"I agree with Aroree. He needs us now--" Suddenly Ekuar Sent again, interrupting her point.
Eh, I'm sorry but, ah, help? Please?
They had left him and the young Rayek resting in Venka's den. When the Wolfriders arrived they found Ekuar staring worriedly up the tree. "Where is he?" Cutter demanded, not needing to guess what the problem was. Ekuar pointed at the tip of the tree.
"I can seee youuuuu!" After a moment of searching, Cutter found Rayek clinging to the topmost branches, grinning and waving madly. The Wolf-chief swore.
"How did he get up there?" Ekuar shrank back against the tree, intimidated by Cutter's growl.
"He asked if he could go climbing," he said. "And, ah, next thing I knew, there he was!"
Cutter glared up at the child. "Get down here!" he ordered.
Instantly the glee disappeared from his face and little Rayek stuck out his tongue. "Make me!"
Cutter very nearly exploded but before he could do so Tyleet had hopped up into the nearest branches. "Rayek!" she called. "How would you like to play with a sling-shot?"
Amber eyes widened. "What's that?"
"You'll never find out if you stay up there!" Tyleet answered with a teasing smile. Immediately Rayek started scrambling down the tree. Tyleet turned to the tribe and stunned them.
"My Chief," she said, "I will take him."