By Chance or Fate [Vanator]

[Kahno]

The movement nearly induced a flinch from Kahno, but as the weapon was lowered, he felt his muscles loosen slightly. If it was lowered, it was in no position to be swung. Whatever the two-paw man had been seeking, it did not appear to be a fight. Nevertheless, the wolf-turned-man kept his eyes locked to the stranger, ever wary of his actions. Wanderers were as unpredictable as the forest itself. When the man spoke, it was not with harsh tone, but with a calm, neutral one. Though this eased Kahno, he remained defensive. He was not sure why the man was engaging in light conversation, but it irritated him. What was with these fools thinking it was a good idea to come into his home and chat? His brow furrowed slightly as he studied the words formed and directed at him. ”It would probably be in your best interest to explore your own territory, not mine. That’s grounds for confrontation, unannounced intrusion.” He paused. His heart had been softened in the very slightest bit towards the two-paws with his recent encounters with them. Never had they attempted to attack him, but he knew it best not to let his guard down under such simple reason. ”I’ve lived in this forest for as long as I can remember. It is my home, and I have no intention to abandon it. Though I have migrated from different sections of the forest to search for prey and occasional boredom, I have always been here. I will always be here. Sometimes I sit or lie near the forest line and watch the city. I watch to see if they come into my home. It is best to be aware of what is going on at the border so that I am aware of any threat drawn in my direction. Your kind wander here often. It is a nuisance to my living. You scare off prey with your careless footing and ridiculous curiosity. This is no place for adventure. You belong in the city, in your dens. Go back.”

[Vanator]

Though Vanator had acknowledged the Kelvic his space, his territory for hunting, the wolf-man's surliness was pressing the Drykas' patience. The man-wolf may have been raised in these woods, but he was not just a wolf, an animal. He had the intelligence of the sentient races, and his parents, whomever they were, taught him to speak like the races of men.

"This is no place for adventure. You belong in the city, in your dens. Go back.”

Vanator bristled at the Kelvic's words, his pride pricked and his ire stoked. Though the weapon did not raise any, the human's stance stiffened, his features darkening.

"You are wise to guard your borders, to survey your home and watch for danger. I am doing the same, for my home lies within these woods as well. Should I not know what lives here, what may threaten my home? Watch what you say with your wagging tongue, wolf. I am not some city vagik with soft hands and weak spine. I was raised in the grasslands, without walls. I have tangled with beasts far more dangerous than you. I mean you know harm. I do not intend to even take game from your mouth. But I will walk these woods if I please. I will give you wide berth, but I will not be chased away like some scared rabbit." Vanator's hard gaze remained fixed on the Kelvic's golden eyes.

[Kahno]

A tickling sensation crawled up Kahno's spine. Had he been in wolf form, his tail may have twitched or waggled a bit. The weathered man standing before him had delivered his testimony, and with it, a promise. There would be no trouble from him, he would not disturb him nor steal from his hungry jaws. Though a man, a two-paw, he had lived in the wild. It seemed he navigated the woods as comfortably as he had in the grassland he spoke of. Something in his eyes cracked the walls of his guard, and he sighed. If he wasn't out here to fight or chase or kill or torment him, then for what? So he asked, "What brings you to the forest?" It seemed silly to ask after such an argument, but he was curious. Kahno was fishing for information before consenting to let the man just blunder around his home.

[Vanator]

The Drykas saw the countenance of the Kelvic change, an acceptance by the man-wolf that Vanator posed no immediate threat. But he was still curious about the Denusk man, as much as Van was curious about the Kelvic that lived in the wild. Van relaxed his posture, more than willing to engage in a more civil conversation.

The Drykas met the Kelvic's gaze. "I grew up in the Sea of Grass. I have not been in a forest of this size until I moved to the area. I wanted to do a little exploring, understand it better. It is very different than what I am used to." It was a confession that Vanator would not make to just any stranger. But, in his experience with Kelvics and his gut feeling about the wolf, Kelvics were blessed with the more direct approach to things, and they responded to honesty. Van knew this one was simply protecting his home, something Van would do in his shoes...or paws.

[Kahno]

The thin hairs on the back of Kahno’s neck did not stand on end as he carefully watched the man before him. It was so quiet for a split second that he could almost hear the tendons and muscles twisted through the man before him loosen. He imagined it would sound a lot like the vines of a willow tree being tugged on, the thin branches manipulated by the wind or an animal or person, easily moving yet never snapping. Just as the willow tree, unsuspectingly strong despite a weak-looking appearance, the man before him was not to be tried. Kahno tried to match the less threatening stance, but his body was still tight to the point of almost being uncomfortable. The man’s words came, and as the wolf listened, he could not find the shaky pitches normally hidden in a liar’s words. His amber eyes searched the man’s for a hint of something that would provoke mistrust, but there was nothing. No twitch, no awkward shuffle of finding words, no fidget, no breaking of eye contact. It was an observation that left Kahno with a slightly furrowed brow, not one that portrayed anger or distaste, but slight confusion and intrigue. There was silence for but a brief moment. ”So… this Grass Ocean is where you come from. And now you are here, with the desire to search this place that I call my home. And you are not used to it, but it seems you know well enough to have a way to protect yourself in unfamiliar territory.” His eyes skipped to the axe and back to the man’s eyes without a blink. He studied the man. ”I admire that you possess the courage to venture. You are not the first. I have met others from the city, other two-paws like yourself. There was even, once, one like myself, a pale raven woman who helped me trap my food. It has taken many sunrises for me to think about these encounters and what they meant, what I’m supposed to learn from it. True, perhaps you’re not all bad, but…” His voice trailed and he looked out to his left, through the forest. Again came silence, but this time, a solid moment passed before he could gather his thoughts and break it. Kahno continued, ”You must understand, this is my home. And I have been confronted by your kind, and my kind. A dog-woman once was hunting in my territory and fetched a large bounty. We scuffled, yes, but in the end, we made up, I suppose you could say. She has not been back, either. My thoughts are scattered, I’m off track. What I am trying to say is, this is my home, this is where I eat and sleep, I will protect what I consider mine, just as I’m sure you would your home. Consider, for a moment, what you would consider to be your worst enemy. There must be some pack of beast that frightens you and your kind. Suppose that one of these wandered, unintentionally, too far into your territory in search of food. The beast did not mean to impose, it was just looking for food or water to survive, whether the beast hunts it and spills its blood for meat or plucks it from the ground in which you plant your crops. The beast is trying to live, but it frightens you, and in fear, you slay it to protect your people. The beast’s widow weeps for its loss. It is, so I have learned from the pale raven woman, the dog-woman, the ice woman, and the stick-holding girl, the way of life for the two-paws. ”Understand that you are the two-paw, and I am the beast. Today, because I cannot smell deceit or malevolence on your part, I will compromise with you. I believe you mean me no harm, and you should, too, believe the same of me. If you had wanted my form’s fur or teeth or bones, you would have tried to take them, yet you didn’t. You stand before me and speak in a common tongue with me, as a man. In said case, you currently have earned my trust, see… So I will make a proposition. You will be welcome here, to explore my home, to find what you need to support your pack as I once did for mine… If! And only if, you will allow me to accompany you. Understand that I will follow you, regardless. This arrangement is for my peace of mind, and yours as well. Should something threatening arise in the forest, we will have one another, as I’m sure you don’t know what to expect out here, and I will be sure you’re not just here to cause trouble in my home. This is a dangerous place, man. I will promise to be sure you make it back to the edge of the forest should you venture too far to remember your way home.” It felt as if he had talked in a huge circle. It was probably even the longest he had said at one time to a two-paw! He had shocked even himself with his words. Many sunrises ago, he would have not been one for negotiating, and yet that was exactly what he was doing with this outsider! What had become of him? He shook it off and waited to hear the man’s decision.

[Vanator]

Vanator studied the wolf Kelvic as he spoke. Never had he met one of that kind that so identified with his animal form. It had seemed the lupine man had always lived in the woods, though he must have had some time in his early life when he had enough humanity to learn the Common tongue, of which he commanded even better than the grasslander himself. The wolf too, possessed insight as well, as Vanator listened to the wolf's explanation of how he perceived the ways of outsiders.

The mention of both the dog-girl and pale raven woman brought a small smile to the corners of the Dryka's lips. Certainly he meant Rhy and Dust. The Kelvic had already met two of his friends from Sanctuary. Perhaps they had even mentioned the wolf Kelvic, and he just missed it somewhere.

Vanator nodded to the stranger, his sense of wariness gone, or at least no longer visible. "Do not judge all...two-paws equally. Those who live closer to the land, as my people do, understand that both man and beast must protect their territory and provide for their own from the Caiyha's bounty. Drykas understand, even as we go into the grass to hunt for our food, we are not the only creatures doing so. The lion, glassbeak and grass bear have as much right to do as we. Nor do we come to blows, unless we hinder their ability to hunt, or we must keep ourselves from being prey. There is a way of life in the grasslands, and the Drykas and predator and prey are part of making it work."

"I believe I understand where you are coming from. You and I have an understanding, for now. I intend to pose no threat to you, nor give you reason to threaten me. In fact, I believe we may even learn from each other." Vanator had some experience with Kelvics, and was curious to learn more about this one. "Perhaps you could even show me some points of interest, remember, this terrain is unfamiliar to me."

He took a few steps into a random direction. "I think the dog and raven women you mentioned were actually my friends Rhy and Dust." He added. "I know something of your kind as well." Vanator wondered if the wolf truly understood what it meant to be Kelvic. "Aside from my friends, I also have twin children, a hawk boy and a cat girl. Their mother was Kelvic. By the way, do you have a name? What should I call you?"

[Kahno]

Kahno scratched behind his right ear with rapid strokes then shook his head wildly from side to side, as he would if he were in his beast form. He was curious, and his expression showed it as he listened to the man’s words. Some of the things he said escaped him, but there would be time to learn and so he did not interrupt. He made a mental note to ask when the man’s lecture was complete. Despite their apparent drastic differences, the more the man revealed, the more similarities came to light. So he knew what it was like to be both predator and prey. Many a time had a much larger beast tracked Kahno just as he did the smaller prey animals. Kahno nodded his head as he looked down at his feet, considering the man’s words, a proposition just as his own. He said, ”True, I suppose that would be fair. I can show you how to navigate back to the horizon here. It still confuses me, sometimes. You just have to use your senses. Though… I suppose you can’t smell where you’ve been and marked, can you?” He propped his hands on his hips, lean muscles yearning to be contorted back down into a four-legged form. It would be easier for him, but then there would be no way to converse with the two-paw. He would have to get over it. Supposedly this man had something he could learn from. What made him so sure? They were in the territory of the beast, the forest. He chuckled to himself, but held his tongue, his sharp gold eyes looking up from under dark lashes as the man continued. The name rang a bell. ”Yes, Dust. That’s the raven-woman, a shifter like myself. I liked her. The other one, the dog-woman…. Not quite so much, but we separated on good terms with a solid understanding of territory.” The man’s next statement came as a shock to him. His grin melted off of his face. He snorted and said, ”You? You have twin shifting children? You mated with a shifter? How? What beast-woman in her right mind would-“ He stopped himself, thinking better of how his words could affect the current situation. ”What I mean is, I’ve never known a shifter like myself to mate with a two-paw. That’s… Well, it’s unheard of. To me. It’s unheard of to me. My parents were both shifters like myself. Dust and the dog-woman, Rhy, they were far too domesticated, in my opinion. I could have never mated with either of them, though the dog-woman, with her ferocity and pride and dominance, it was… She was lovely, in a matter of speaking, I suppose you could say.” His eye twitched. What? What was he saying? He changed the subject. ”I’m called Kahno by many. You can call me Kahno.”

[Vanator]

Vanator lifted his hand to scratch his head. "No, I can mark things, like you do, but I can't smell were I made them, if that is what you mean." The Drykas could not contain a smile, this Kelvic really was isolated in his forest. "I can make marks, like scratches in tree trunks, designs I would recognize and such."

"And yes, their mother was a Kelvic, and my friend. I even think we started to bond. Anyway, it happens." Again, he smiled as Kahno talked about Dust and Rhy. "I would say most of the Kelvics, but not all, are like them. They are as comfortable in their human form as they are in their natural shape. I am fond of them both."

Vanator noted how the wolf spoke about the dog Kelvic, in spite of his attempt to portray their encounter as slightly adversarial, it was obvious that Kahno had taken a shine to the young Rhy. "She is a fine, strong, determined young woman...hound. You could do worse Kahno." He flashed a grin at the man wolf.

"Now, tell me, what kind of prey do you find here?"

[Kahno]

The explanation was not difficult for Kahno to grasp. Markings were something he understood. Unfortunately, sometimes, leaving his mark on a bush or log meant that other animals – prey – could smell it and would not venture into his territory. The smell would scare them, and they would shy away, causing Kahno to have to inch further into uncharted territory to hunt. He nodded his head. ”Clever… For a two-paw. Perhaps I could learn such from you. My scent frightens away prey, and it’s dangerous to go out into unfamiliar territory alone here.” The man’s description of the dog-woman, Rhy, was spot on. He was not often attracted to someone, but the longer that time had passed, his mind often wandered back to her, and how she reminded him of himself. The man’s grin left Kahno slightly unsettled. He squinted out into the forest and avoided the subject. ”Here, there are several kinds of prey. It depends on what you’re looking for, really, to know which way to go. There are many different kinds of skybirds here. But they’re quick, and they have an adequate means of escape when it comes to grounded predators like ourselves.” He looked up and pointed to the forest canopy. ”They fly upwards when startled. Unless you know how to fly, I wouldn’t advise wasted precious daylight trying to take one down. Some of them are big enough to suit me for a meal, I’m not sure how large of a pack you have to provide for.” Kahno gestured out back towards the way the man had come. ”I’m sure you already know about the striped bears, Grass Bears, maybe, is what you called them. They’re big, much bigger than I. They’re not very offensive, if you leave them alone, I’ve noticed. I’ve never had one try me, and I wouldn’t try one of them, either. Their size is enough to scare you. If you could attack one from a distance in the safety of the trees or other hiding place, you might could bring one down. They wander around the city’s boundaries, sometimes. There are large cattle, as well. They have long horns, and heavy hooves. They’re very slow, but I don’t find them too often. I notice your people keep them for hauling goods of whatever sort.” He paused, contemplating on what other bounty may be of interest to the man. ”There are rodents. Hares, mice, sometimes Kevat. They’re an acquired taste, to some. Me, if I’m hungry, I don’t mind. I’ll eat anything if I’m starving. They’re fast, though. They have swift little legs, and they bite back with their beaks. They’re small, though, like most of the skybirds here. Sometimes you get lucky and find a nice, juicy, fat one.” A solid moment passed and Kahno shrugged. ”That’s all I can think of that may be of interest to you, two-paw.” He looked to the man. ”What is it you’re called amongst your people?”

[Vanator]

Vanator's eyes followed the Kelvic's glances as he listened to Kahno explain the type of game that inhabited his forest, the perspective offered uniquely lupine. Van would nod upon recognition of a species, like the grass bear, finding the knowledge the Kelvic shared truly helpful. Van was encouraged, too, by the liberty at which he spoke.

"Some of those I do know, but I did not realized their range reached into the woods. My intent would not be to hunt here, at least not without your acknowledgment. Besides, I only know how to hunt in the grass. I have a feeling hunting in the woods is a different thing entirely."

Van's gaze continually shifted from Kahno to their surroundings and up at the forest canopy. "I am call Vanator." The Drykas added in response to the wolf's question. He was still curious about Kahno's origins, and began steering the conversation back to the Kelvic.

"You say you have lived here all your life? Who taught you to speak in human tongue?"