He left at night, leaving his kin and following the winding path downward. He scaled down, nearly losing his footing once or twice. When the sun crept up from the horizon, he set up a small camp, gripping his axe for protection as he slept. It was the first time he was alone.
When he came to, he was greeted with chocolate eyes and mossy fur.
"Hello," the soft voice said to him. Immediately, he retrieved his hand-axe to defend himself. But the woman was not hostile, and her soft smile put him at ease. As he looked over her shoulder, he saw it. The wolf was sitting behind her, his face stoic and wild at the same time. Next to the wolf was another spirit, that of a large bear, also seated on the ground.
"The spirits have brought us together," she said to him.
"They say you're my kin, in a way."