Neverwinter Forest living on a promised word

the boy speaks. raedwulf understands none of it, not truly—but he knows a question when he hears one. tone rising, hands open, posture careful. the way a wanderer speaks when they know they’re not on their own land.
his gaze lingers on the boy’s face a moment longer, then he shifts his stance, steady as stone. no threat in it, but no softness either.
raedwulf shakes his head once. ne. then, the saxon taps a paw to his chest. raedwulf, he says. then he gestures with a tilt of his head toward the trees beyond. into the wildwood. into the pack’s heart.
solharr, he proclaims the name of the chieftain, turning gaze back to the flame-accented wolf. hē is ealdor forneskja.
then, he turns suddenly to walk further into the deep woods. looking back at the man, an invitation to follow. cume.