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The trip back was simple enough that he managed to reach the road much easier than he thought.
And saw the same people he saw before in the distance, but now much clearer they were foxkin, and not just that, but nina and Nebo, so he approached, wondering why they were there.
“WOOOOLF! “ It was nina rushing him, excited he was there.e “Where helping! He nodded, not sure he followed as she hugged him, happy to be near, when Nebo caught up and spoke up.
“ I saw you heading to old Herbert. You had business with him?” “no…I did not even know he was there…”
“ I was just looking for herbs.”
“ I thought it was odd you ignored us,” Nebo said while looking in the distance. “I just assumed you had business with him.”
“Brother wouldn’t let me go after you.”
“ said we were working…” as she glared at Nebo
“We are…”
“You asked if we could gather to help Wolf, not run and play…” his ears also went flat, not happy with her antics.
“I can do both…” she huffed, ears also going flat though her tail still wagged as she stood staring at Wolf.
He was happy to see them and wished he wasn’t in such a rush, thinking it was a competition…
“he always looks for herbs, asks everyone he sees, but tends to rely on others to spread the word, “nina said casually, breaking his thought she was just happy he was there.
Nebo looked at him before adding, I just assumed you were making a delivery. “
“Since you seem pretty confident walking to his part of the woods…” he got a bit flustered at being told he had a bold nature.
“I was just exploring for more herbs for myself.”
I never knew there was someone more serious about them than me.”
“ Well, I’m glad to hear my sister was not an influence, she tends to leap first, then think... Nebo said passively while watching his sister.
“Hey!” she pouted at him, trying to look angry, but it did not last long. She instead went to Wolf and ignored her brother.
“ Don’t worry about the hermit wolf.”
“ he is harmless and can be a bit gruff like my brother. “She stuck her tongue out at him to add to the insult, “But he hurt no one, “ she finished with her tail wagging.
“Thanks for the info,” Wolf said.” he also offered to teach me alchemy, but I dunno if I want to.” Nina was interested
“Why, though? You don’t seem special?” she pondered, watching him
“ Nina “Nebo chided her. “That rude, talking to the hermit rubbing off on you, it seems…”
“ Sorry, “she said tail and ear dropping she did not mean it like that… Wolf did not mind he was wondering why he also…
“It’s fine.”
“ I know you care, and just was wondering, I want to know too.” She perked up at that he was amazed at how easily she seemed to bounce back.
This was turning into more adventure than he was expecting in one day, so he thanked them for their views and started back to the shop.
“WAIT! “Nina grabbed him before he got far. “You are just leaving us after we’re doing this to help you? “ She looked close to tears, surprising him.
“Nina…”
“ We chose to do a job.”
“ just because he showed up doesn’t change the work…” he was always calm, a stark contrast to her wolf felt bad he was blowing them off too easily.
So agreed to stay and help so they could go back together. Nebo was against it, saying he should not encourage his sister, but he had already made up his mind.
It was easy enough, mostly quiet besides nina randomly sparking up new topics while they searched around it was an hour or so scouting for herbs before they figured it was good enough and called it a day all three heading to the shop.
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When they entered the shop, few people were talking to his sister and getting supplies, so he waited for her to not be busy while nina and Nebo unpacked their items and helped with the work.
“Mom already left for the day,” Leena said. “She did leave some extra bread and cheese and tarts for us.”
“There are plenty if you want some” he did eat a little bread and cheese but wasn’t hungry nina devoured a good portion with her brother glaring only taking a little.
When he told his adventure, he was surprised when his sister said she already knew of the hermit. “You know the hermit to Len?” he was amazed his sister explored more than he did for having to work.
“ I met him a few times, though he keeps to himself, and don’t think he likes traveling. It’s been a while, so I forget. he seemed harmless, well, nobody complains about him, at least she finished.
“He said he named himself Herbert said it was a play on words.” he was still finding it amusing.
“Ah,” Leena said, that was what he went on about now that I think about it, he asked the same from you, too, I assume? She reflected on the memory while watching her brother.
“Yeah, even offer to teach me alchemy! “ He got excited, now he had time to think about it. Nina saw his joy and chimed in
”I agree it would be good for Wolf !” trying to show support.
“Hmmm, “Leena did not seem to approve. “ I dunno. Mom and Dad won’t like it. That is not something to play with.
“I agree, “Nebo said from nearby, stocking a shelf; he was usually never one to comment that surprised wolf.
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused. Nebo was still stocking and spoke with a calm voice.
“ Alchemy is potions and elixirs, not food to make or play with; you can hurt yourself or others if you’re not careful,”
“Won’t that be why he teaches me? “ He wasn’t sure the issue…
“No,” Leena said, “that’s why he wants, to teach you he thinks you’re ready doesn’t make it safe or you ready.” He was angry his sister was treating him like a child…
When he should be old enough to choose… Nina tried to reach out to comfort him, but he jerked away.
“I’ll just ask Dad, I don’t need you!” Leena was hurt and also upset that he felt that way, but did not want to push the issue.
They all left it at that, and he left the store to think about how he could convince his dad he did not really even care about alchemy, but being told no pushed him into wanting to do it.
“ Should I go after him ?” nina wanted to be there for him even though Leena thought he needed space, but it was Nebo that did stop her from pursuing him.
“It’s part of growing up, you have to learn that lesson. “She did not like that answer but bent to their desires, hoping Wolf would feel better…
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Later that evening, when the family settled for dinner, he broached the subject of his day and wanted to do alchemy. Mom was surprised but Dad seemed oddly calm it seemed his sister talked to him first and he felt once more a bit betrayed…
“I know how you feel son but potions are not a game you don’t even know what herbs do and you want to brew them into new things?” his dad tried to reason with him.
“That’s why I’ll learn,” he countered.
“You can’t learn if you don’t do anything but explore… “ Leena said cruelly.
Mom remained quiet not voicing a view his sister looked a bit sad why was she sad? She was stopping his desire not him stopping hers…?
“ If you want me to believe you on this, it's going to take time.”
“ you wanted to run out of this house to the shop, and the first chance you get you’re doing something else,” his dad said calmly but sternly.
“That’s different! “He countered, “Also, my potions would be sellable in the shop, and I do help out.”
“You said you don’t need me!”He complained of not liking this being turned against him…
“We do need you, son.”
“But we want you to be able to choose your own life.”
“So we make do.”
“Did you not think about how much your mother and sister do while you go on these adventures?”
“ It’s why we did hire help…” Wolf had no reply to that, “I have been training Nebo for distant trades for the shop for a while now. “
“We even expanded enough that we can start making trips to the city to sell stuff.”
“Your mother can focus more on accounting, and your sister can choose whatever in time.”
Since we have Nina also helping ease the burden, but right now, we need help. “
“What if I help more? Will you trust me then?” Dad sighed
“It’s not just trusting”
“You need more education and time to understand things. “
“Everything right now is an adventure.”
“ you’re not mature enough to pick up a powerful skill that can save or hurt lives” his father pointed out he was hurt his sister and his dad were against him…
He asked in a sad voice near tears, “Do you think so too, Mom? “ He was wondering if anyone cared he was losing his dream before he could even try and dream them. His mother gave a sad smile.
“My son, I believe you can do anything and more,” there is always a but, he thought. “You are young and the world is still growing.”
“ I do support you, and when you’re older, we can’t stop you.”
“But we need you to understand what it is you ask,”
“The fact that you see us trying to hurt you vs love you. is proof”
“ that you’re still a child…” he wasn’t sure if that was supposed to comfort him, but it felt like the final betrayal, even his mother saw him as a baby worth little and needing to be watched…
“May I be excused? I’m not hungry. “ Dad wanted to protest, but Mother gave him a look and he frowned before replying,
” We will see you in the morning, son. Goodnight, “ he said night and slinked away.
Later that night, his sister came to visit him she said sorry he felt that way, and she helped him where she could, but he did not believe her and mostly ignored her as he restlessly tried to sleep.
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Nobody woke him in the morning, not that they normally needed to, but today he overslept and they left him be…
He was thankful and insulted at the same time for showing him pity and for seeing him as a child who needed time alone. He sighed, was he proving them wrong? With how he was acting?
They always loved him, and the first time he didn’t get his way, he hated them. Who’s the really bad guy…
Mother was the only one still home so he gave her a big hug saying he was sorry that indeed he was still a child if he cared more about himself than his family, even after they gave him the freedom to explore…
His mother cried a little saying it’s ok she supports him no matter what he does which caused him to tear up too.
“Leena mad at me?” he worried about how he treated her…
“No dear, and Dad also knows how hard life can be.”
“They both always worked, so to them it is normal.”
“But your dad knows we are better off than most and can choose how we live.”
“So he wants to let you both live a more free life.” she held him, reflecting on what else to say.
“But it seems Leena doesn’t want that freedom, at least for now,”
“And it was a surprise to all of us that you were different.”
“ From your sister, just like your name,”
“ Wolf, you wanted to be freer to wonder. “She finished giving him much to think about,
“I do want to run the shop one day,…” he paused looking for the right words, “but I want to make it my shop, not Dad's or Lens's,”
“They are happy with a general store.”
“ I want something different.”
“ That’s why alchemy sounded like something new I could try,” his mother sighed, brushing his hair.
“You know the church has been having classes about the gods and magic? “
“We were just waiting for you to be a little older to send you.”
“Leena already went and learned the basics from them.”
“ I think Mrs. Crow was planning to send her son too.”
“We were thinking it would be good for you soon as well,” she studied her son to see if he was listening and saw he was indeed still listening.
“ But that wasn’t why we tried to stop you from alchemy…”
“ you also need to learn more than basic reading and writing numbers. There also the gods.” he sighed he knew it he remembered seeing a tutor for Len and her always leaving…
He thought it was just the shop but now he guessed she really had been busy and she wasn’t much older than him…
“ok, Mom,” he agreed, defeated. “Can I still see the hermit to let him know I got to do more grown-up stuff first? Mom smiled
“he may be old, but he is still healthy. You have time besides, I think he forgets he says things, according to your father, it’s why he is always asking for more herbs. Mom mused
“I bet it’s cause he makes super potions and that’s why,” he speculated.
“Maybe his mother relented, but that is not something we need to worry about for now.”
“Washes up and helps me with these chores so we can bring them at work some food to work.”
“ you can make up and work out where to go from there” his mother gave his butt a pat shooing him away and ending things at that.
He wasn’t happy with the way things were, but he also did not want this to be a wedge that divided his family,
Being a grown-up meant choosing, and he did not want to choose to not be with his family, just because they did not give him everything or freely.
The choirs were easy and went quickly after he helped make jam bread that was a treat and a peace offering to his sister.
While their mother made a nice meal with meat and bread, he ate his before they left, as depending on how the talks went, he would not be there that long, and he did not want to lose his appetite before the day was over.
He also was starting to feel the lack of sleep from the night before even sleeping in so he did not want to add hunger on top of it…
As he thought about it, he supposed he knew where berries were if it got really bad, he mused.
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The trip there was quiet. Mom never tended to talk much, much like Leena, she was happy just being near the family and did not need to fill the space with noise to be happy, she enjoyed the quiet moments just fine.
When they got to the shop, Leena was not there she was running an errand, and Nina and Nebo had the day off, leaving just his dad, so he started with his Dad for his apology.
“Sorry, Dad, I had time to think and know I’m a kid.”
“ I know I need to grow up more first before I try to act like an adult.” he kept his head down as he spoke, not liking the words he had to say nor believing them, even if they were true.
He felt a hand on his head and then pulled into a hug. “Son, you’re not a child his dad started, “But you are young and in too much of a hurry to grow up faster… “
“You’re putting the cart before the horse and wondering why it’s not working. “he thought it was a weird saying, but couldn’t disagree with the idea.
“Not sure if your mother talked with you, but we want you to get more schooling like Leena did. “
“she got a tutor to help her understand the basics we also wanted you to go to the church to learn more about magic and the gods”. He pulled away from the embrace, slightly embarrassed, as he saw a few people walking around in the shop.
“I understand.”
“Besides, it’s not like it can’t be fun learning, and you will have your friend Coby there, maybe even meet some other kids.”
“ you often go exploring alone, they might join you or, if nothing else, people you will sell to one day.” he smiled at that but wasn’t happy he had seen other kids around but did not want to play with them.
He had his sister and Coby, that was enough… he guessed Nina too.
“I still need to talk to the hermit.”
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He started explaining to his dad his plans for later and what he had worked out with Mom. Dad did not disagree and accepted his request.
They would work out details as they went. Leena showed up later, happy to see him, which surprised him.
He thought she held a grudge for ignoring her, but she held him happy he was there, which made him feel bad he was mean to her when she only showed him love…
He gave her the jelly bread she happily ate it, telling him about her mini adventure delivering random goods from the shop.
he was happy hearing that even away they both had adventures he hated they did not get to always go on them together but he was learning to treasure the one they got,
versus always wanting more like a child he wanted to grow up and this was the first step, as he thought about it
coby was mature like Leena neither of them complained about what they had to do coby even embraced hunting with his dad vs trying to find something new…
He thanked his sister for always being there for him. She laughed at that. “Dear brother, I will always be here for you.”
“You are a rare treasure we all love.” he smiled at that; he needed to treasure his family more, too, and he would.
The more he thought about magic and the potential of potions, the more he swore to himself that how he gives back, maybe it still be a child’s view, thinking he could solve everything
and it all work out, but it was all he could see for now, and that was enough. He will worry about what came later when it was later,
rushing only made him fight with his family versus getting his way, so he will be more patient.
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The trip to the hermit part of the woods was peaceful and quiet; nothing happened to him.
Before he could get lost, he found his mark from before and kept close to them he was not sure what was different, yet he could not find the hermit’s home… maybe the cause was not being able to smell the herbs?
That small change made it harder to find the house. It seemed as if he had wandered too far and was going to double back, and a voice spoke up behind him;37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV40nd8mfwb
“You lost, boy?” he screamed and turned around,
“old man!” He shouted unintentionally
“Yes. he said slowly” I’m a bit old but it doesn’t answer my question what brings you here kid?” he was surprised that it had only been a day did he really already forget?
“We met yesterday I’m Wolf and you offered to teach me alchemy for herbs” he watched the hermit carefully…
“ OH, the hermit exclaimed in surprise that does sound like something I do!” he looked at Wolf closer, squinting “A little yes, yes indeed!”
“ I do remember you.”
“So that was fast, you taking me up on my offer?”
“ it won’t be easy you need to study before I’ll teach you anything can you read?” He asked while scratching his chin.
“About that,” he started to say, but the old man started waving his hand, “No worries, I can teach you.”
“Will add it to the list of things to learn.”
“Many things to teach! many things to learn”
“ But”
“No-no,” the hermit went on, “It’s fine things take time to grow.”
“Herbs don’t just sprout, not even the magic one!” He exclaimed, “Well, some do, but not the one we will work with. “
“That to advance for the early lesson, and I don’t want to teach you that,” he kept going on and on with how things would go, and started to walk away, assuming Wolf would follow, when he had to shout.
“HERBERT WAIT!”
“Eh!?” The hermit was surprised to hear his name and surprised that the kid wanted him to stop… There were things to learn, but what was the problem? “I can’t now.” With his head down, he went on,
“Their things I have to do, and it will be months.” he hesitated but went on, “Or years before I can train with you…”
“ I’m sorry, I was happy with your offer even if you were just humoring me.”
“But I can’t now.” He waited to see how the old man would take the news. “Hmmmm, yes, I see, you are a bit young now that I look closer.”
“ I guess it’s good you’re not an orphan.”
“ Though it would have made things easier, but best that I don’t have to take care of you more time for experiments than”
He lost himself in thought before he went on once more, “Years, you say? Well, I’ve been around long enough, what a few more?”
“If you get a chance, can you bring me herbs? “
“I’ll pay you for them.” He was happy the old man was understanding but worried that he did not seem to remember things he wondered if he still be ok in a few years…
Well, maybe it was for the best as his dad said it would not be a game he learned how to hurt people as well as heal…
So more knowledge would be best. “ok, thanks for your time, Herbert, hopefully you’re still fine next time I see you.”
“Don’t be a brat,” Herbert chided him. “I’m old, not senile. “
“Things just get jumbled when I try to do too much.”
“But I still have knowledge that can rival any other master you meet, and I’m second to none in alchemy.”
“Well, non-magical alchemy.”
“Never cared for that stuff people assume it better,” he started ranting about things he told him before, so he just nodded, waiting for a chance to leave…
The old man caught on after a while that his knowledge was ignored, so he finally said, “Well, go on, brat, if I see you again, it better be with herbs or a willingness to learn and listen.”
“ What I know is worth more than gold, and I won’t waste it on beggars who can’t even understand its worth… “
He agreed at least to a point, and well… he even liked the old man even though they had their difference.
The old man was a lifeline to a better future, he did not want to lose before he even found a way.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE11kmiGdlx
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