He shivered, feeling rather alone in the world now.
Andraste died, he was chased by creatures too big for him to fight in the night. He tried to find help but was ultimately, and prematurely, departed from Courtfall.
His Mother would be worried, as would Tundra. He hoped they'd stay together.
But he'd fled for Blackfeather. Home.
It was quiet, the birds trying to stay warm. Stone and Void were with him, and some others who trusted in him - as a wolf- to find food. Shouldn't birds help wolves find food?
He snapped up some snow, wincing at how it bit on his teeth, but it was refreshing. There weren't many patches in the woods, and the streams had frozen up.
The woods were desolate.
He needed to eat.
The was the screech of death that cut theough the woods, warranting investigation from the boy and the birds.
Death meant food.
He followed the birds, the dark mass that swept through the branches like a plauge. And behind was a large boy; he was large for his age.
But what lay before him was much larger.
He didn’t hold claim over the woods and therefore was in no position to fight the man for his meal. He stared, hunger panging at his sides. Void futtered down, and he remembered something.
He’d seen birds pester coyotes for a meal then steal it from them while looking for his brother. His ears twitched, Void cawed. It would only be time before she started to irritate and distract the man. Rowan would go to Mephala’s Web to escape.
He nodded softly. He was hungry. Then the stranger offered food.
Now, Rowan wasn't stupid. Lone adults who looked like they would eat anything they came across likely would. And Black Hat was the exact picture of that.
His auds pressed forwards, head tilting. Everything screamed trap trap trap.
He called for the crows, emitting the sound that to them meant food. It was something like a puppyish howl. Soft and almost awkward.
Down some came, perching on lower branches and the ground by him.
"You look dangerous." He stated. It was a fact: one scarred eye, ragged appearance, and larger by far than he.
"How can I trust you?"
His eyes widened, the tips of his ears flicking backwards. Was Black Hat here before? Did Rowan just not know him?
It sounded like a lie. Hela was too petty to be a leader. Too shrewd and selfish. “How?”
He needed to know. If this man knew her and how he trained her, Rowan can now get better than her. He would have the training of Tundra and the stranger. Plus many more in the future.
Nightwalkers. Isn’t that the place wherer the strange woman was? His Mother’s enemy?
“Are you a Nightwalker?”
For if he was, Rowan would have to kill him.
She killed for a title.
Ruthless, soulless Hela.
And by the sounds of it, Vengeance didn't need to die. Heartless.
He left, so obviously, in Rowan's mind, Black Hat didn't teach her to be like that. Rowan knew she was like that from their first meeting.
"I knew she'd be like that." He murmured quietly. He was so happy when she'd left; hoped she'd be carried away by a coyote. But no, she would be devoured by Nightwalkers. Hopefully.
"I want to be a Guardian." A simple job for a not so simple mind.
He knew what it meant to protect and had decided it would be what he'd always do.
"So if Hela or someone like her threatens my family I can protect them."
He was sacrificial. He'd put himself between his scattered family and danger any day. He wished he hadn't left them, or gone so far.
He just wanted to be home.
He met the mans gaze and licked his lips. He had killed before; not a wolf but a coyote was close enough.
He crouched, looking up at Black Hat much like a cat. Waiting for him to extend food. Or leave it. He would be stupid to move closer.
The man offered riches. Why? What was his plan?
His ears flicked nervously. Unsure of what to think. What was the worst that could become of this?
Rowan nodded, taking a step closer, Void cawing, head tilting in what seemed to be excitement. A flutter of wings and her feathers puffed up.
He hoped they were right.
"I left them."
His Mother failed him and Moonshine left too. He wanted to come home and his Mother didn't. He'd made it this far.
He felt a widening pit of unresolved pain and sorrow open up inside of him. He wanted to be a guardian but yet left those dearest to him.
What did he have to show for his efforts?
Another question. Requesting another answer.
"Rowan..." He absently replied, not realising he'd moved from the food. Void hopped forward, pecking at the scraps, reminding Rowan he was here.
The boy moved to the food, glancing at the stranger before tucking in. Slowly even though his body screamed for satiation.
He licked his lips, looking up.
"My Mother doesn't trust my words, she is a warrior so I know she'll be ok. My sister likes to wander by herself and I trust he can keep friends."
He ripped another shred of meat from the rabbit.
"When I'm older and trained, I will find my brother who was taken by a coyote."
His head tilted, looking up at him with a seemingly wise look. Rowan wasn't stupid by any means. He'd find Minnow too and they'd go on an adventure for Falling Star. He would be strong, and he would be brave. He would do what his Mother had failed to do. And Father, wherever he was.