In it’s basic essence what I’ve got to do with my daughter is simple. Get her out of the house and take her out with me on my job. She needs to be able to succeed on a hunt. Most of our kind is born with the instinct to hunt, to eat. But, for Yur-an, she’s a special case. On the eve of that season, I could see it in her eyes. She’s never once thought to harm another person. While her brothers and sisters left their parents behind, only she stayed. At the time, I wasn’t the least bit happy, I believed my daughter to be a cripple. Now, I regret those thoughts, for without her I would just be a simple dark wolf. All dark wolves must spend their lives wandering for the next meal, alone. It’s instinctual. If it weren’t for Yur-an, I doubt I would have ever discovered what true happiness was. My wife and I stayed together for one reason, Yur-an. I discovered the joys of family. I owe my daughter everything I have now. That’s why I want her to have a normal life, to go out and see the beauties of the world, and feel what love is like. I can’t coddle her forever, she can’t rely on me forever. I know my daughter, she’s strong. Definitely.

I began my day early, which wasn’t hard to do considering I didn’t sleep an ounce. Seol should be awake already. She is the head of the temple after all. Long ago the temple had been taken care of by Seol’s family alone. It was just considered a home, not holy grounds. I’m not aware of how long ago this was, but at some point, people started to believe it was protected by Menshul. That’s when others started to show up, the so-called disciples. They protected the temple in Seol’s stead and worked to spread word of Menshul. Capar is one such disciple, although he doesn’t take his job very serious, when called on he shows up with perfect timing each time. Odd how he does that.

When I was younger and still had a few stripes, it was then that I met Seol. It was due to her that I chose to follow the path of Menshul. She had fascinating words to say about the world. I had learned that although times are more turbulent than what they’ve ever been. There was still peace to be attained in this corner of the world. That lawlessness, plague, and abundant chaos could be staved off. If one put forth the effort to do so themselves. Nature could only go so far, it helped, but you can’t rely on it alone. After my short time here, I chose to go back out into the forest and share this viewpoint as much as I could. Not like the disciples, no, I wanted to find like minded individuals. That’s when I met An-tak. That’s when I felt the wheels of life begin to turn for me. Not many know this, but there is more than just the forest out there.

There’s the giant shell I’m used to seeing, looks like she’s busy cleansing the shrine. Propped up ears and a nasty snarl. The smile was unique to Menshul, Seol says that during her time she was an innocent trickster, going so far as to trick her ancestor into doing her work where she couldn’t. Most foxes would have just tricked her ancestor into they’re death, but not Menshul, she needed someone that could outlive her. Seol is aware of this, it doesn’t stop her from doing what she does, she believes in the order that Menshul’s word brings along with it. Her ancestor appears to have agreed.

“Good morning, Seol!” I yelled, to which she shuddered a tad. It’s hard to scare her, it’s hilarious when I get the chance, so I do it as much as I can.

“Gosh… Yur-nal. Annoying. …G’morning though,” She said whilst turning around, her brow furled a bit.

“Are you busy at the moment?”

“Not… Particularly.”

“May I seek your wisdom?”

She nodded, “Perchance.”

“Okay, so here’s the deal,” I hesitated, this is a hard decision I’ve had to make. “I need help with Yur-an, her stripes are fading faster than I expected and I don’t know how to get her out of the house.”

“It is… Understandable. She… Was.. Close to death. What does… She like?”

If only Yur-an hadn’t slipped off that cliff that day, things would be far easier.

“Hmm, she likes flowers, you, her mother, obviously me, … I guess Capar as well. Oh, and I saw a bird in her drawings, so I think she’s taken a liking to them too.”

“Flowers…” Seol whispered before she began to look perplexed. That’s just how she thinks, she’s not confused, I swear. Seol, are you confused? Definitely not. Definitely. “In… Wayward We-”

“No, nope, absolutely not. I will not take her near Wayward West.”

I’ve made sure to avoid that place for years, I have my reasons, but for the most part that place is the most chaotic settlement in the forest. Rotten king, I don’t like him, and I never will.

“Yur-nal it’s… The only way. Rare… Flower… There.”

“Ugh,” This is too painful on my old heart. Am I going to have a heart attack? No, chin up, “…You’re right. So, how do I go about convincing her?”

“…Let me,” So she said, and here we are heading back to my place.

“I didn’t see Turmon or Nala hanging about like usual. Did they decide to do something today?”

Turmon and Nala guard the temple.

“Yes… Running drills. Militia.”

“Ah, training the village militia. That’s better than doing nothing all day. I’ll let Nala slide, she at least spends her free time training. Turmon just eats most of the time, though. How are you okay with that?”

“Gets him… Out hair. Nags… Otherwise.”

“Pfft, pft,” I couldn’t hold it in, I had a momentary albeit embarrassing burst of laughter. “You, hair? You’re bald!”

Seol started grinding her teeth, oh no, I made her angry, “Says you.”

“Ah,” She was right. Odd she said that so quick, anger must spur her on. “Looks like we’re about there. How do you plan to do this?”

It takes a little longer to get from point A to point B with Seol, but I always enjoy the talks we have, time is a slippery mistress with her around.

“You’ll… See.” She remarked, a smile coined on her lips.

We’ve made it to the entrance, it’s about midday now, she should be awake.

“Yur-an! Someone is here to see you.”

I’d have taken her in, it’s just Seol can in no way fit through the entrance. She’s too big! We’ve always had to greet her this way. Soft rustling, louder rustling, she’s close. A bang here and there. Was that a clang? We don’t have anything metal, that’s just not possible. Yur-an gets a little excited for visitors, no, very excited for visitors.

“Who could it be. Who could it be! Yay! Seol!” She howled out, a certain sense of bliss carrying weight shone in her eyes. Still just a head hanging out of a hole, on a side note.

Seol stretched her neck out and rubbed her head against Yur-an’s, a common greeting for those close to one another.

“Hello… Dear. …You’ve… Been good?” Seol asked.

Yur-an perked a right positive smile. Always cute. Definitely, “Yep, yeppers. Oh! I saw something new the other day. A bird passed by the house. A bird! It was amazing, it had black and white all over it.”

Black and white feathers? …That feels familiar. Eh, whatever, no use in trying to fight a fading memory. Yur-an and Seol are pretty close, Seol helps take care of her while I’m away, so Yur-an developed this habit of keeping Seol updated on her new findings. Sometimes I think they gossip too. Sometimes I think it’s about me as well. There’s this pang I get on the back of my head, feels like someone is saying something about me. It’s not often, but still annoying either way.

“A bird… Interesting,” Seol replied.

It’s interesting because birds are a rare occurrence here, well, most people are rare here. But birds are even rarer than most, they follow the great hawk after all. His residence is on the northern edge of the forest. It’s not often they leave that cloistered paradise.

“Uhm,” Yur-an gave Seol a questioning eye, “did you need something, Seol? No, that was rude, I’m sorry. It’s just you never come around when dad’s here.”

Seol nodded, “Yes… I need… You’re help. Important. You’re the only… One that… Can do it.”

“Okay, what is it?” Yur-an asked.

I understand now. If Seol, one of the people she’s closest to asks for her help, she just might go above and beyond for her. Yes, I can play along with this.

Seol replied, “Rare flower… Good… For medicine. Village supplies… Running low. But…”

“But what?” Questioned Yur-an, she seemed perplexed by Seol’s hesitation.

“It’s far. You… Must cross… The forest. To… The other… Side.”

Yur-an started to think. I can’t let her do that. This is where I come in.

“Don’t worry, Yur-an. I’ll be with you the during the entire journey. I can’t let you get lost, I know the area well, so I’ll be your guide.” I also have to make sure you’re safe, but I won’t say it. She gets mad at me for being overprotective.

“What’s the flower?” Yur-an asked.

“Here… We call it… Fox’s charm. Over there. It’s called… Brittlebite.”

Wait, I know that flower. It has a white undertone, spotted by red and green. It’s a rare flower, no doubt there, but isn’t that a hallucinogenic. It was a popular drug back in the day. I don’t understand how that flower could be used for healing. Well, who am I to question Seol’s thoughts. She’s far wiser than myself. Perhaps it does have some medicinal uses I’m not keen on. Either way, if it helps me out, I won’t deny it.

“Fox’s charm…” Yur-an whispered, “I like it!” She puffed her chest out. “You can count on me!”

“I… Had… Hoped so…”

Seol then went on to explain the flowers characteristics. She knew it as well as I did. Afterward, Yur-an rushed back inside saying she had to get ready. There wasn’t much to prepare, I didn’t even think of grabbing anything. I’ve always traveled light and avoided any hindrances to my speed. Could she be cleaning herself? We’re going to get dirty no matter what she does. Maybe pumping herself up. Yeah, I can picture that one better. It’s been too long since she’s been outside.

“Thank you, Seol. I really appreciate the help. I owe you a life debt now.”

“No… No, life debts… Required here. I… Help… Where I can. …Good luck… Out there.”

There went Seol on her merry way, tottering about as she does. I sat on the ground and waited. The sun carried its head in tip top shape, in the middle of the vast sky. Waiting. It’s been long enough for my bones to start getting sore. Waiting, is what I shall do, and wait I shall. The sun bowed down above the trees. Okay, this is enough, I’ve spent most of the day here. It’s been around three hours. Can you please come out?

Just as I thought that, she peeked her head out.

“Dad?” She looked around, curious.

“Yes?” I replied.

“Where did Seol go?”

“Seol is a busy lady, you see. She made her way back to the temple.”

“Oh, well, are you ready?”

“Perfectly!” I yelped. Whew, my wish has come true at last.

Yur-an although somewhat lachrymose, irked her way out of the nest. My girl is doing it! Look at her go! This is cause for cheers, I’ll have to set up a proper celebration on our return. For now, I lead the way. We made our way down the road, that had been created by the endless trotting of others. She took in the sights, shuddering from the wind. It must get on her nerves after so long. She’ll get used to it. I hope. Definitely.

“By the by, did you see Capar any today?” I asked Yur-an.

“No, not at all.”

He wouldn’t miss a chance to tease me. Suppose he had an errand to run.

We’ve made it to the entrance of the village. We arrived at a fair pace compared to traveling with Seol, I preferred this. My daughter has no problem keeping up with me, as expected, I’ve kept up with her training whenever I had the chance.

Wayward East is what many would call a hidden village. A village of outcasts and misfits. Everyone has their own reason for being there. Religion, persecution, some are on the run for dirty deeds as well. Seol has no problem with this. She never questions and never tells. A large mountain surrounds Wayward East and many large and old trees dot the landscape, making it hard to see even from the sky. There is only one way in and out, a cave, with intricate tunnels. I was lucky to have found my way through it in the past. Others weren’t, and if one looks below, bones lie scattered in the dirt. This is the first line of defense for Wayward East. A test of sorts. No army could travel through it.

“Keep up,” I said, “and this shouldn’t take anytime.” The route itself is quite short if you know your way around. This would be easier if I didn’t raise her on the outlier of the village, but when the times call for it.

“Got it!”

We entered the cave and I looked back many times to make sure Yur-an kept up. I used light-hearted chatter to keep her attention on me. I did not want her to notice the bones. So, I asked about what new flowers she’s seen. Not much is what I learned. I egged her on, however, to go into detail. Keeping the flow going. She never noticed the time until light reached us. Good, I did good this time. Definitely. I think she could make a trade as a herbalist in the future.

“What do you think? It’s your first time seeing this.” I said.

The exit to this cave offered a sweet view, it is in the middle of the mountain, so we could see far and wide. An abundant lush forest mixed with orange and small patches of green. I enjoy what this time of the year has to give.

Yur-an’s eyes glistened with, what I expect to be pure fascination. “It’s… Beautiful! Amazing how large the world is, dad.”

“It truly is, and this isn’t all that’s out there, Yur-an.”

“Ah,” Yur-an turned her nose up, “it’s the bird again.”

Is it? I looked up as well. H-hold on, that’s no normal bird!!

“Yur-an, follow me, hurry! We have to hide!” I rushed over to her side, calling her as best I could.

Those boulders should do. The shade can hide us well.

“W-what? What do you mean? What’s wrong, dad?” Yur-an asked, confused by my sudden rush.

“Right now it doesn’t matter, I’ll explain later, just hide!”

You chose to haunt me at the wrong time. Damn my past! Damn it all!