From that day on, the witch kept her word. Eln was wary of this at first. After all, he had wrongly assumed that she was the kind of stubborn woman to argue until she wore herself out. But over time, he came to realize that she had genuinely meant what she told him. And, judging by the way that the other I-ka-nans treated him, she had spread word of what they had discussed. He was not certain what to think of that part. Truly, he had revealed it in his desperation to be heard, but he would have preferred that she kept it to herself...even if her intentions were good.
Time passed. The seasons changed again. The signs of spring crept in: rain, and green buds on bare branches, and a warmer sun that arced higher above them. Each was a reminder to him. He had survived the winter. It would be time to move on, soon. He had lost both shield and ax, now, but he was better off than he had been since his arrival in these strange lands. He was confident that he could make it on his own.
So why did he dread leaving? Had he become like Kelowi: so satisfied with the comforts of his cage that he would no longer bolt from it when the door sprung open? It ate at him, and as spring bloomed verdant and the cottonwood perfumed the air, he grew agitated, and his temper grew short. He did not show it around the little boy during their lessons, or to Kelowi. He had been less than pleasant to the others who were closest to him.
On this particular day, he was tasked with helping to build a house. The villagers seemed excited by it. From what he had gathered, it was to be home to a new pairing. He could scarcely remember those days from his own life. The intensity and eagerness of youth seemed so far gone, now. But the work gave him something to focus on, and that had improved his mood for the time being. And...he had heard that there might be wine brought out, later. And that, at least, would ease his agitation for one night.
