Malakai secretly worried about the winter to come, but kept his mouth shut. His mother had told him he would die here alone. But he wasn't alone and yet... lone wolves died in the winter. It was why they hunkered down for the season in packs before picking up travel in the spring again.
Malakai knew of this, though hadn't experienced it. He didn't know how bad it might get. Didn't realize just how far north they were on this island, compared to vast landscapes and numerous packs much of which was south to them on the mainland. In fact, the Gull island which was their home was just ad much north as the Qeya River! But Kai didn't exactly know that.
Would they die?
Malakai heeded his mentor's call. Nakano could be there as his spiritual guide, but it was a physical guide which was needed by him most now.
I... I think so.
He didnt as all aound ready. Where Malakai found unwavering strength and conviction in his beliefs, his uncertainty shown now for Nakano alone. Ready to try...
He admitted.
"Our choices are slim." Malakai. Malakai. He would be honest, but not without the pull of a frown upon his lips. Sorrow! But the bishop man, he was fierce as holyfire.
"Many things will leave us when winter comes, but the deer, they will be within scope. We will try for a small one--weak. With every meal, you will feel difference. Your muscles will sore, and they will grow." He must take care of them. He would. A balance of empathy, timing, and necessity.
"It is not a must today, but it is within interest soon. If you feel unready, we will feed by the shore again." Soon the shore would be scarce.
They needed others.
But he could not leave Malakai here alone as the days grew harsher to find those in faith.
He knew this was not easy for Malakai. That this was no way a young boy should experience his first winter. Without his family. "At your pace, Kai. We will take it." Gentle to the sea boy, who he felt his spirit tie to. They had one another.
Even if time ticked a clock they couldn't see.
Kai nods, understanding of the man's first words. They would push forward or their death would be sooner planned then originally expected. He listened further still as Nakano explains what the winter would bring, or, more so what the winter would take. He had only heard about this winter, as this would of course be his very first.
No, no..
He shook his head, bringing himself to sound more sure of himself and this first hunt of deer. Let's do it.
After, even if Malakai failed this day, he was beginning to learn. The sooner he began to practice, the sooner he would be able to effectively help Nakano in hunting the deer or catching things on his own like rabbits, birds and other red meat animals- all of which Malakai had very little experience with.
Already, due to Nakano sticking around when all others had left when things went sour, he had a respect from the young boy. Soon, he would go to trust him fully, as it would be he which would help Kai to survive, where now his parents had failed.
Can fade here or pursue hunt <3
No sadness.
No grief.
Yet there was and it was mournful. Winter would come. They had no choice. For as much as failure loomed over their heads in this attempt, no choice was left. Now would begin the curve of Malakai being not just a boy, but a man.
But a boy to him still, that he would not part from.
Never.
"All right."
A firm nod, and the ash of his pelt turned to the high winds.
"I will guide you."
He was no master hunter.
But for Malakai, he would have to be.