The dark-winged bird fluttered against the limitless blue of the summer sky. Below, the world hummed with summer life. The Teekon Wilds seemed to have flourished with the change in season. All plant life had grown thick and prosperous, reaching out much further than the young wolf had remembered when he had last crossed the earth on his youthful paws. Many things had changed since Sos had been there; he wondered how much of his family remained in the places they had known since their birth.
 
Taggak circled twice before swooping downward and beating his wings against the shaman’s back. The dark bird’s careful beak played with the inky fur near the bear’s nape. Poison eyes were cast toward the raven with fondness. Sos had known the companionship of the dark-winged animal for most of his life. Taggak had taken to the wolf pup when he had been no more than a few months of age. Their friendship had not been severed in the two years that the boy had roamed. Knowing that they had forged something deep and powerful was strength enough to keep the two creatures from parting. Wherever Sos would go, so would Taggak. The raven was never to be found far from the young shaman’s side.
 
Stepping into the forest, Sos sniffed at the earth and waited for the spirits to speak to him. His handsome frame was still until the breeze shifted and brushed through the foliage of the wood. The bear drew his muzzle upward and drank in the scent. Though the frosted peaks of the northern world had treated him well, Sos could not help but to be pleased that he was home.

The shaman had learned to follow Taggak long ago. The bird had carried the young wolf across numerous terrains to show him the way to things beyond. Sos believed that he owed the bird his life, for he had seen the dark-winged creature warn him of many dangers in their travels. Taggak had also taken the two-toned bear on a journey to magnificent sights. The two beasts had watched the dance of northern lights from high perches and jagged peaks. Without the aid of his companion, Sos’ lifetime would have been much shorter and uneventful. Their bond would not be frayed or torn; the shaman believed that it could only be strengthened over time.
 
Trotting beneath the shadow of the raven, Sos made his way through the dark portion of the wood and into a clearing where sunlight dappled the ground in a shimmering golden glow. Fel eyes drifted upward to a shape that shifted slightly between the trunks of the trees. The shaman stilled his movement and paused in the shadows. He canted his head just slightly so that he might see with some better clarity. Taggak circled before landing in the branches overhead. A single caw from the bird let Sos know that the movement up ahead was from a wolf.
 
Moving toward the stranger, Sos drew his crown upward and chuffed out a greeting in his native tongue, “aluu.”