The caravan was strangely friendly. Barret, Haelith and Raine stayed on the edge of the camp, but many came over to them, asking if they needed anything, and offering to give them a place around the fire to eat. When night had truly fallen, Barret sat with Haelith and Raine, content to just be there together. Vehc came over to them, and whispered "Barret, come. The elders wish to speak to you alone."
Confused, Barret followed back, but glanced back at the girls. A slightly worried look was on their faces, but Barret smiled. He hoped that everything would be alright. Within the tent, the council sat around their fire. Eyes turned to him, and Vehc left Barret standing alone with the five council members. "We have come to a decision." Yapha said. "But before anything else, we must know something. Your heritage. Who does your line come from, who's blood do you fear?"
Barret was expecting to be questioned, but this was not the question he though he would face. "I am Barret, son of Baehemuth and Tinaiat."
They were silent for a moment. "You know nothing of your ancestors?"
"I know very little. My parents were stolen away from me when I was young. I don't remember much, but my dad mentioned a name. I think it was his grandparent? Zoni. I never met them. I don't know of any other relations though. We can't ask them, as I witnessed them die in front of me earlier this year. The only other person who would know would be my brother, and I've assumed he is also dead. I haven't seen him in almost seven years."
"Most disturbing." one of the council said, but Yapha put up her hand to silence him.
"Without knowledge of your lineage, we will be taking a great risk. But we have decided to teach you. Speak nothing of this to the others, as we have not come to a decision about them. There are many factors to consider. Now, leave us to-"
"Who will teach me?" Barret asked, unable to contain himself. Yapha glared at him for interrupting her, causing him to shirk back.
"That remains to be seen. Now go." Barret left the tent, his heart pounding. He was going to learn.
"Haelith, come. The elders wish to speak to you alone." Vehc said again. It had been an hour since Barret returned, and they were all waiting in anticipation. Barret had tried to sleep, but he couldn't. As Haelith entered the tent alone, Vehc stood by the entrance, just as he had with Barret.
"We have come to a decision." Yapha said. "You told us that you never knew your parents. Do you know anything of your lineage?"
"No. The only blood family I ever knew was my younger sister, and she died while still very young. Everyone else I consider family is of another race, or of different blood." Yapha smirked as she said this.
"Of different blood, eh?" Haelith felt her face turning red. "You care for him. I have heard whispers of this. You are inseparable. But worry not, your relationship with him does not change our choice. You wish to learn magic to heal those around you. It is a noble cause, and we are glad to teach you." Haelith smiled widely as she heard this. "Now, go, and speak nothing of this to the others. We must discuss, as there is much to consider." Vehc lead her back through the camp, where Barret and Raine waited in anticipation. Haelith couldn't hide her smile, and she sat down next to Barret, leaning on night went on, and they waited for Vehc to return, but he did not. Eventually sleep overtook the three, not even bothering to go to their tents.
Raine suddenly woke up to see Vehc standing in front of her. She let out a soft yelp as she instinctively backed up, and fell to the ground. "Come. The elders wish to speak to you alone."
The entire camp was silent. It was nearing dawn. The only light came from within the council's tent, and that was fading fast. Within, the five sat, cups of coffee in their hands. "Raine. We have not come to a decision yet. Before we can, we must know more about you and your magic." Yapha said, warming her feet with the fire. "Tell us of your lineage, young wolf."
"My… lineage?"
"Your parents. Who are, or were, they?"
"Oh. My mom was Mary Silverlock, and my father-"
"Silverlock?" the snow leopard interjected, his eyes wide. "Mary Silverlock, former Grand Templar? She's your mother?!"
"Oh… yeah." Raine was caught off guard by the Keidran. She wasn't sure what this meant for her, but it most likely wasn't good.
"Horace, let her speak." Yapha said calmly, before gesturing for Raine to continue.
"Uh… right. My father is Euchre of the white wolves. I inherited my shifting power from him."
"And this is a natural ability that you possess?"
"I wouldn't call it natural, but yes. It is an inherent ability. I do not need to use mana to change, nor is it an illusion. When I change forms, it is a true shift."
"If this is an inherent ability, then why do you need to be taught?" an Ishtaer said on her left. "And furthermore, why do you think that we can teach you?"
"Both just questions, Beryn." Yapha nodded.
"I didn't know about my ability until I was a twelve. I had my power suppressed for years before I knew about it, and when I did, I thought I was a monster. I wasn't allowed to grow into it, and even after that, I was always afraid of my wolf form. It wasn't until last autumn that my aunt taught me that I could even control my power. She tried to teach me, but moved on later that day. No one else has been able to teach me, and I'm running out of options. I don't want to be stuck with this power I have no control of, but I also don't want to just forget that it exists."
"And you believe that we can help you learn how to control this?" Yapha asked, raising a (hairless) eyebrow.
"I don't know. But I'm willing to try, if you are."
"I have heard all I need to." Yapha declared, and the rest of the council nodded. "Those in favor?" Raine watched as every hand went up but Beryn's. "This settles it. We will begin tomorrow. Vehc! Spread the word that we will remain here for the day! Now, council, I wish to have my tent back. Go to sleep, so we may come together later with clear minds."
"Who will train me?" Raine asked.
Yapha smiled widely. "When I wake up, Vehc will fetch you, and we will begin."