Chapter 13
Cornell had traveled a large part of Transylvania during one year. Many merchants and travelers that he came across considered him to be quite a curious person. His cold blue eyes, untidy white hair and indefinable robustness made him appear to be an outlaw. Yet he spoke intelligently and respectively, keeping his true identity to himself. Cornell didn't tarry about in villages or towns long, staying rarely more than a day. He was usually seen only once to the common person, only double takers saw him twice. There wasn't much that he bought besides a few provisions and clothing. Cornell spent most of his time in the wild, training himself under harsh and strict circumstances. His strength and agility training was the most difficult. It consisted of carrying heavy stones in a special sling he had made to put across his back. As he supported the stones, he would sprint great distances, even climb hills and rocks. His body was getting used to the strain. Cornell pushed his limit further by eating on a slim diet and managing from a few hours of sleep every now and then.
Now he sat meditating under a rushing waterfall. The fresh and cold water that beat over him cooled down and soothed his aching, hot, sweaty body. He thought of why he went through this training and the first thing that came to mind was his full wolf form and leader rights. That thought was replaced with Ada and humanity. Cornell questioned himself and searched for an answer. Perhaps it was to prove himself worthy of being a man-wolf? Perhaps it was a tribute to the slaves that the man-wolves mistreated? Perhaps he wanted Ada to be proud to have a brother like him? Perhaps he would someday help humanity?
Whatever the reason was, Cornell could feel in his heart that it was right. Cornell remembered the ways of the wolf. A free spirit running with agile speed and hidden strength. A lone spirit, but devoted to its love ones and undying loyalty to its pack members. That is what made a wolf a wolf... At that moment, Cornell could feel his wolf powers flow back into him. His senses and strength were instantly magnified. The power was nearly uncontainable! Cornell opened his eyes and breathed deep, coughing and sputtering water in his wake. It was a feeling like being united with a long-lost battle partner. It was an unstoppable team! Power and freedom washed over him and he forgot his aches and hunger.
He couldn't contain it anymore. Cornell sprang from the waterfall in full wolf form. He leap onto the grass and tore through the open land like a wild animal that had been pent up for too long. Then again, this was the case with his wolf form. Air whistled past his speeding form and through his fur. The seemingly unlimited grass wasn't enough for his speed-hungry paws. They barely touched the ground and he ran. It felt good to be free again! Cornell circled back to the water stream and took a mighty leap into the air, towards the sun. If he were to use the forest trees on the other side of the stream as a measurement, he had cleared the tops of them with his leap of jubilation.
Cornell fell back down quickly in his human form, plunging into the water below. He surfaced a few seconds later and came to shore on the forested side of the river. Reaching into his haversack, he pulled out a loaf of bread, roasted chicken, and a water flask. This most definitely called for celebration! Just as he started to eat, he saw a vision: A boy with neck-length dark blue hair stood by the tree in front of Cornell. Cornell's blue eyes looked into the boy's dark blue ones. The child's appearance brought back a familiar figure to Cornell.
"Marcell...?"
The boy turned his head to his side slightly. Just like Marcell would have done when he was confused. The boy looked so much like Marcell, yet younger!
Cornell blinked, and once he had opened his eyes, the boy was gone.