A Voice in the Wilderness

Elias's feet followed an indistinct path, led more by his intuition than any conscious thought. As was often the case, these urges led the young Fledgeling out well beyond the densite, over lonely woodlands filled with nothing but ghosts and flower buds.

Aryn was his home, it always had been and always would be. But there were memories in the old oaks of Wispwood and the brooks of High Country foreign to him. Echoes over Pinefell and whispers through Aspendell that Elias suspected he would never understand. Perhaps that was for the better. His Path did not require him to be all-knowing. If he was, it would be a dull world indeed.

Along the way, Eli managed to take a young hare. Fortuitous considering the season, he took it as a sign of being on the right track, and carried the catch with him in anticipation of whatever was to come.

He found it, soon enough. 

"Brother Cricket!" The Fledgeling greeted, tongue lolling.

The Vicar displayed an expression more befitting an elder with joint sickness than a healthy wolf in his prime.

"You're the reason the elders always say not to frown too much, aren't you?" Eli bantered lightly. "Your face must be stuck that way. I don't think I've ever seen you smile!" 

Raphael's brow narrowed and his scowl twisted sideways. "I'm not in the mood for games today, Elias."

"Since when are you ever?" Dropping the hare between them, Elias plopped down and ignored his packmate's obvious displeasure.

Cricket was a mystery to him. The Vicar served tirelessly in his capacity as a healer and everyone said he was a truly gifted storyteller. But thinking back on it... Elias had never heard his uncle tell a story. Not even as a pup. 

Glancing at the offered meal, Raph licked at his lips and then looked away. Despite clearly not wanting to stick around, however, he made no move to leave. 

Flicking an ear, Elias probed, "What are you doing so far from the Old Rowan?"

"It's good to... pray here."

"Isn't it good to pray anywhere?"

"I usually find it easier when I'm not being pestered by nosy fledgelings."

Elias laughed. "Fair enough!" Rolling onto his belly, he looked up at Raphael impishly, "But seeing how there IS a nosy fledgeling here now...?"

"Is it boredom that brought you, Jaybird?" Raph groused, "Or am I needed?"  

"Something told me to come here. Guess in the meantime I'm just waiting... Maybe you could tell me a story? Teach me somethin'!"

"Go and ask your father for a story."

"I'd rather hear one of yours." Eli answered, sitting up again with a faint pout. His nose crinkled as a the wind rustled through the trees, and he blinked in surprise. "Are you injured?"

Raphael bristled as though he'd been struck by lightning. "No." He turned away, moving a forepaw out of sight - but not before Elias saw the wound. A long gash running down Raphael's right arm, as though he'd fallen over sharp rocks.

"That looks pretty deep..."

"It's nothing."

"It's festering."

Raph whirled to face his nephew, teeth bared. "I told you, it's nothing! I can tend my own wounds - whel-lp!" His final insult was stuttered, as though Raph had attempted to rein himself in halfway through. Still, the raw venom in the words sent Elias backwards a step, eyes wide.

He blinked. Anger stirred in his chest to see a Vicar in such blatant disregard of the Tenets. But only for a moment. Tempering himself, a heavy sigh breathed out of Eli into the space between them. He entreated the One for guidance. Have I been sent here to see this?  

The Voice's presence was felt... but as for what they wanted, Eli struggled to comprehend it through his own emotion. Guide me. He asked again, more earnestly.

With a scowl, Raph turned from his Brother and walked with deliberate slowness away, the wounded limb trembling a bit.

Eli's lips parted, and he started to follow, "Brother, you always turn from me. Why? I'm not a ghost... I'm not your enemy. We're kin. Shouldn't we look out for-"

"You cannot help everyone Elias!" Raphael snarled, cutting his nephew off, "Some are beyond saving, and some might be better off without you meddling in their affairs as though you had any right to do so! The sooner you learn that, the better."

The juvenile bristled, moving to intercept Raph, heedless of their difference in rank. "Hey! Better than wasting away with a hardened heart - as though I didn't care at all!"

Raph pinned his ears back, recoiling as though physically struck... but did not reply.

Silence stretched out between them like a heretical prayer.

"Let me help you wash it - at least." Eli entreated finally, a painful pitch in his otherwise quiet tone. "Please... whatever sin you're trying to atone for - it's finished Raph. The One forgave you a long time ago."

For a moment it seemed Cricket might refuse, but then the fight seemed to drain out of him and he slid to the cold ground with a world-weary sigh.

It wasn't much, but it was enough. A start.