Though he was happy with a giant basket, he overloaded himself when he loaded the berries. It was too much, and he wasn’t able to make it home…
As he rested halfway home with his giant basket overfilled, he heard a voice he had not heard in a long time.
“Hey KIDDO!” They exclaimed with overjoyed he looked and saw Nina in a slim-fitting shirt and leather pants…
He never thought much of her before, but the way she smiled, happy to see him, reminded him of his sister, but this girl was much louder.
He was momentarily stunned and could not respond. She did not seem to notice and ran up, hugging him.
Her embrace was warm but a bit smothering and felt off; she was not family and still felt like a stranger. despite the time he spent with her brother when he finally got his bearings and could think. He pushed her away and spoke.
“I’m not a kid; I’m 14! Besides, I’m not younger than you; what are you, 13? She laughed.
“You’re sweet, but now I’m 17, kiddo, a little too old for you.” He was surprised she was older than his sister.
“But you look so young ?” She blushed at that.
“You’re a real charmer.“
“Now I know why your sister kept me from you.”
“She was afraid I would take you away and eat you up!“ He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to take that, so he frowned instead of responding, which made her laugh.
” So serious, just like your sister,”
“ I wonder if she got it from you or she rubbed off on you?” She tilted her head sideways in thought, and exasperated, he asked
“I’m happy to see you as well; it has been a while, but did you need something?”
“Aw, you already want to get rid of me? She pouted but recovered quickly as she sniffed the air and noticed the berries. “Wow, how do you get so many!”
“I know a spot, he said, a bit defeated; it seemed she would not be leaving this spot. ”I just need to rest it too much for me to carry.”
“Really?” she asked, confused. She tried lifting the basket and was holding it easily. “It’s not heavy to me. Want some help? What is this for anyway?”
Wolf was frustrated that she was upstaging him so casually and not even trying. He sighed, “Please help me with this.” She gasped and jumped up and down a bit in joy, even while holding the basket…
“You are so cute when you’re exasperated.”
“Of course, I’ll help.”
“ I owe your family for always giving me easy work!”
He would’ve liked to say it was a pleasant trip, but she talked the whole time and walked slowly to try and enjoy the visit.
He listened with half interest, but he couldn’t complain; even if he pushed himself, he knew the distance for the burden he had was too much, and she was saving him…
“Kiddo?” He looked over as she was still smiling, seeming indifferent to notice his lack of interest.
“Sorry,” a bit ashamed. “You were helping me, and I’m not paying attention.” She nodded with understanding.
“Is it because I’m not talking about magic?” He was surprised she knew his love of magic; he had never told her.
“How did you know? She laughed carefree, and even while carrying the basket, seemed to dance freely while walking forward.
It was a bit enchanting, and it annoyed him a lot too… Seeing her so strong… he always was weak.
When she looked back after enjoying having a secret about Wolf’s desire, she saw his defeated look.
not the same as his child pouting or annoyed, not getting his way, the way only kids can do, but as a man defeated…
She felt the joy leave her, so why was a child feeling that way? That last thing they talked about was just magic?
“Is something wrong? You seem lost, and it is supposed to be a sunny day.” He looked up at her, unsure of her meaning…
She noticed his look, so she explained, “It means we were having a good day, not to be down. What caused it?“
“I’m at a loss as to what happened to bring you this way.”
“Was … it me?“ She asked for the first time, showing anything other than joy. Her ears dropped, and her happy tail slowed.
He would’ve relished getting her to quit talking before, but now it was no victory; his sour mood seemed to be spoiling others’ joy.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
“Kiddo, if it was nothing,”
“ We would be happy at your home.”
“With your sister making jams.”
“ I assume since this is too much to eat,”
“Even sharing with friends.” He was not trying to hide it, confessed,
“It was the topic of magic that did it.“
“Also, how did you know I wanted to make jam…?“ He asked, shocked, once more; she knew him with only a few random talks and visits. She laughed with joy at that.
“It’s not hard to guess. A giant basket of berries. and what your goal was with them would be.”
Still smiling, she asked, “Why is it magic bringing you down?“
“ It’s the magic itself…” Wolf said coolly.
“ It is my greatest wish and joy.”
“But I keep being told you can’t pick it, and there is a chance you never even have it.”
“If the gods don’t agree you’re worthy,” he finished, looking lost once more.
“Aha, she said, looking solemn. “Well, you’re chasing a dream that is a nightmare for others; truthfully, you will find more joy in being free than being bound by the magic, little wolf.”
“I’m not little,” he said, annoyed, “and what was that supposed to mean?“
“I want magic,”
“ I want power.“
“How is having that a bad thing?” She did not answer after a few moments and paused. She sighed.
“Perhaps today is a cloudy day,” She finally said, ” I’ll make sure your berries make it safe.”
Before he could ask what she was talking about, she started running faster than he thought possible and with a heavy basket! How is she doing that? he wondered in shock…
As the distance between them grew, by the time he could think, she was gone. Why was she upset?
He ignored her, and she was happy around him, but talking about magic was a trigger?
No….
How was magic bad? That doesn’t make sense, but he had no information and didn’t know.
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She was hurt… She wanted to get closer to Wolf and be a family, but it seemed he was going to be like her tribe and only see her magic, and she hated it…
She thought she had a new start, a new family… The basket was all but forgotten in her arms; she was surprised this was heavy for him.
She guessed he never really had to do any hard work, so he was a little frail, but she loved him all the same.
She made it to the house but did not want to enter, nor did she want to go to the shop and meet his dad, or even Wolf if he followed…
Maybe I can relax at the inn… Nothing can go wrong there, she thought to ease her mind and set off for a place to find herself.
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***
Teva was still on cloud nine, wiping a table; she was happy to finally meet her friend again, and he did not forget about her!
She was taking away the dishes from a regular. He was the last customer they had; it seemed there would still be a lull till the night when things got really busy.
He smiled and nodded at her in thanks as she went to the back and saw Grump there looking at some meat, debating how to prepare it.
“That’s not how you cook, just staring at meat.”
“You should know that by now…”
He grunted but did not move; his arms were folded, and he kept staring at the meat as if it owed him money and wasn’t going to pay…
“Listen, brat.”
“ I got a process. Good food is not just made; it takes thought and time…”
“Well, take any longer, and that meat is going to spoil…” She was used to his method; she just wanted to poke the bear.
She went to the sink and used her water magic to wash the dishes. Flowing water cleaned them quickly and easily. It was the part of the job she loved, how freely she could use her magic and be useful!
He was still, even after the dishes were cleaned, staring at that meat... Though he did break the silence, speaking
“I think I want to add honey to this new recipe for them to try.”
“You always want to add honey.”
“ I hate that you like sweet meat. Yuck,” she shivered a bit. Remembering the last dish she tried for his taste test, chicken with honey, was gross!
“My wife loves my honey recipes; it’s why she married me… You never get a man if you can’t cook good food,” that bristled her fur a bit.
“Not taking love advice from an old grump; keep your honey stuff out of my food, thank you…” Her ear twitched at the sound of the door. She couldn’t always hear it, but if they were quiet enough, she could hear it open or close. “We got a customer; don’t ruin the meat while I’m gone.”
“Unless you just stare at it all day,”
“It might be an improvement to your food!” He huffed a small laugh as she left to see who entered.
She was surprised to see an old friend whom she had never really reconciled with… Nina,
She looked a bit lost and alone. She had her ear down, and her tail was unmoving. She looked up and saw her ears shoot up in surprise, and then her face looked like she had swallowed a very bitter pill…
She seemed like she was going to leave, and she did not want it to end like this.
“Don’t go; we were friends once, maybe… still are?” She hated how it ended; she thought she was going to be an elder, not… whatever this was. Nina sighed, shrugged, and slowly, defeated, came and sat.
“ This is a perfect end to a perfectly bad day, so I might as well stay for a drink…” Teva couldn’t help but giggle, which caused Nina to glare, her ears going down.
“Sorry, that was rude. I did miss you regardless of what you think… "
"I just did not know how to tell you.” She looked away, unsure how to act, but when she looked back, she was surprised to see Nina shocked and ears fully alert.
“Really?”
“ Do you mean it?“ Teva smirked at that.
“I never lied to you; I just thought … we had different paths.” Nina jumped up, shocking her, and rushed to grab her before she could react. She panicked at first, but the warm embrace was something she missed from her friend, and she returned the hug…
“Glad you’re back,” she whispered, happy to be having her friend again even though she never tried to get close…
Guess in that regard, she was like Wolf, just never made time for those who care for you….
She wanted to explain herself but never got the chance. Nina instead went on about all her adventures since she was gone; it was… nice.
Grumby came from the back, watching the girls catch up.
He thought it would be good to try a new recipe on them, and Nina was more than happy, too, even as Teva kept saying no!
He laughed and did it anyway… It… wasn’t bad… He listened to her complaints at least a little…
It was an odd honey sours mix; the dish balanced the sweet and savory flavors with a crunchy fried crust and a juicy, tender interior. She couldn’t help but want more.
Which she hated seeing the smug look on his face…
“Well, kids, how is it?”
“Amazing,” Nina happily wagged her tail, loving it.
She sighed, “You did good, grumpy.”
“Now I know why your wife married you…” He laughed in joy.
“See! Never doubt a master chef when he tries to work.” Nina was shocked and amazed at his boast, but she just rolled her eyes, used to his antics. He went to the back, leaving them be.
Even though Nina was now happy, she was wondering what led to this outcome…
“You want to talk about it ?” She was leaning on the table, watching her friend. Nina flinched, remembering what soured her mood…
She wasn’t trying to ruin the mood, but she did want help.
“I got in a fight with Wolf…” That did surprise her. Wolf was always nice, which made them fight.
“ He only cares about magic, and once he learns that about me, he'll only care that I can do magic; he won’t like me.”
“ and probably see me differently as you did,“ she adds that last part, showing it still hurts; guess things don’t change that easily…
“First, darling… I never saw you differently… I thought you were going to be an elder; you would see ME differently, and Wolf doesn’t care about magic like that…”
“What are you talking about? He wants it more than anything; he will too!” She sighed even as Nina was also getting worked up.
“You know I met Wolf at the church, remember? Well, when I was trying to be his friend, I showed him my magic…” Nina's face showed surprise, and she went stiff, afraid to speak.
Causing Teva to laugh at how seriously she was taking this: “He is still my friend, and he sees me, not my magic. He never begs me to use it or demands I teach him or anything…”
“You can’t teach magic,“Nina said, a bit deflated. I rolled my eyes, tail swishing, getting annoyed with Nina…
“The point... Is he a good guy, and is he trying… "
"He is a little naive in life, but he is always trying to learn; it’s why I have such fun adventures with him… You can, too.” Nina wasn’t sure how she felt; she knew Teva wasn’t wrong. This was part of growing up and not always getting what you want.
She was happy hearing Wolf wasn’t lost to only wanting magic, and she was happy Teva was still a friend, maybe… The talks went like that; both learned more about each other and learned a bit of peace.
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***
Wolf did not want to go straight home; he was worried Nina was there and he had to face her.
But he also knew his sister was at the house, so he could talk with her…
He was feeling lost, and she seemed to know things. Add to it that she had been working with them for a while. She should know something…
She was outside folding clothes; though she was facing him, Yet she was focused on the clothes. Unsure how to address her, she seemed to sense his presence as he got closer…
She slowly looked toward him and saw her little brother with a radiant smile; she was not sure how she had missed him?
She laughed, “Well, aren’t you a sneaky wolf!” She went up and hugged him; he was happy to spend some time with his sister. She was getting taller and felt almost like a mother rather than just a sister. Fragment memories of how things ended with Nina kept coming back; did he cause this?
He wasn’t sure how he was the bad guy but asked Lena if they could go to the lake. It had been a while, and he wanted to talk elsewhere.
"Hmmm, ok," she said while brushing his hair. He fidgeted away but did not protest too much. He did miss her, and this was her way of showing she cared. She took the clothes in the back and set off with him to the lake.
The trip to the lake was eerily quiet; not hearing Nina talking was an odd contrast. He was getting used to it and happy with the silences, but after the overbearing joy that Foxkin had, it just felt… off now.
Before they made it to the lake edge, his sister broke the silence.
“So, dear brother, what was so important that you needed me alone? Not that I wouldn’t make time for you, but you seem happy with your freedom.” She asked plainly while watching him.
“ I was, I mean, I am happy with less work; no more reading and writing makes me happy, but I ran into Nina today.” He knew he was rambling…
“O…” she said, surprised, then looking thoughtful. “She has been trying to find an excuse to meet you."
"I wouldn’t have let her see you till recently. I thought she would’ve been too much of a distraction for you when you needed to study."
"Why bring her up? Is that what this is about?”
She asked, not sure where this was going. He sighed and then looked to the lake; they were here, and the view was still amazing. The clear lake, the trees, and even the air gave him peace as he explained his troubles to his loving sister….
“Len, I upset Nina, but I don’t know how. She was happy to see me endlessly talking and would not stop; she even helped me carry a heavy basket of berries.
"Everything was fine; it didn’t make sense," he said the words quickly, not knowing what to say or how to feel. Then he spoke once more.
“She didn’t care when I was mean, ignored her, or barely talked… "
"The last thing I remember was her asking if I wanted to talk about magic and me saying magic meant the most to me."
"Then she got upset and left."
"She said she would take the basket home for me, and that was it. I did not do anything to her…."
His sister, quietly listening to her brother, had mixed feelings. She knew what caused this, and it technically was a secret, but she also knew she could trust her brother; he was young and headstrong.
But would never hurt anyone or spread a secret. She looked at her brother and then saw his pain of not knowing what to do. He always used to be told the answer and being loved. This was the first time she believed he had hurt someone, and he did not even know it.
“Dear brother, she said, looking at the lake they both loved, I know why she was upset, and you did nothing wrong."
"It's just opposing views on magic…"
"I could tell you if you want, but it was a secret she trusted me with. Do you really want to know?” Wolf was surprised twice at the revelation: first, that magic started the fight, and he hurt Nina; the other, his sister knew why, and it was a secret! He really wanted to know, but…
“No, don’t tell me, Len. I wouldn’t want you telling my secrets, and I won’t tell yours, so it’s not fair you tell me her secrets, he said solemnly.
“And that’s why I love you, little brother; you always try to do what is best.” She smiled and held him with those words before she went on, "There is a secret I can tell you, and it is also about her," she said, smiling.
He was conflicted; he did not get the answer he wanted and just said he did not want her telling others’ secrets…
But this one would be theirs. He hated that he felt like he was lying, wanting her to tell this secret when he said no to another, but she said it was ok… And she was saying it was ok to know…
"Okay, Len, what's that secret?"
“That I love you, little brother!” She snuggled him with those words; he was not amused and pulled out of her embrace…
“Don’t mock me, Len, I’m not a kid!” She laughed at that, full of mirth; he felt bad at that moment, remembering Nina’s joy just seeing him, and he treated her badly for just showing him kindness…
“So there was no secret?” He asked, defeated, and was about to suggest they explore before going home.
“There is, brother, and I will tell you I just wanted to play with you for a bit."
"I fear you are growing up too fast and forgetting you still are a child, or at least not quite the adult you think you are.”
Annoyed that his sister was not respecting him, he swallowed his pride. It was true he was trying hard to stand among the adults, and it was also true they kept pushing him down.
“Well, will you please tell me the secret, Len?" She smiled and nodded at that and told him.
“Nina wanted to be your older sister too…”
“ WHAT!” he was shocked. Lena just nodded.
“It’s true the whole time she was with me; she asked me stories about you ever since she found out you’re my brother and was envious of our family and wanted to be more a part of it."
“What about her brother? She has him already…"
"Why would you need more?" Len looked a bit sad at those words.
“Not everyone gets a good family. Some people just want to be happy and don’t get to be. So they do what they have to till they can be."
"As for her brother, she loves him, and he is good to her, but it is more a father thing than a sibling."
“I don’t understand.” He was lost… She looked thoughtful, and she tried to explain.
“Hmmm, do you love Dad?”
“Yeah…” he replied questioningly.
“Well, do you want to treat me and Dad the same?
‘“No? “ He was still unsure of her point… “That's Dad; it’s different than you, Len.” She had that sad smile again.
“Well, that’s how it is for Nina with her brother Nebo; she loves him, but it is like a dad watching over her, not a brother to adventure with…"
"I’m sure that’s why she was so happy to see you; it was the first time she got to be free and act more like a kid having fun.”
Wolf felt a bit ashamed at that, but when he looked back now, he saw it differently. She really was just happy to be with him like he was with his sister…
“I didn’t know,” he finally said, defeated, knowing he hurt someone for just wanting to be a friend.
“It's ok; it’s not the end of the world; people hurt people; it is part of life… It’s what we do after we hurt them that matters."
"Besides, I became Coby’s older sister, and everything went fine. You can do the same with Nina, and it will be ok too."
"We just need to be a bigger family and share our time between working."
He felt guilty that he had never thought about balancing his life with others… Only when others would give him more, he sighed. “Thanks, Len, you always know what to say. I’m glad you’re not my mom, but I love you like one. I would hate to not have you as a sister.“
Leena grabbed Wolf and held him tight. “I’m sure Mom is jealous she doesn’t get more of your time, and that is not fair to her; no matter how much you love me, remember to appreciate her too!” Wolf tried to respond, but he was pressed tight into her chest.
Why was she so strong?!
After a bit of wrestling to struggle free, red-faced, he said with a bit of anger, “OK! I’ll pay more attention to the family, Mom and Dad, not just you …. And Coby, since he is my brother, too. Len had a face that was not amused…
“What, I promise?” He was confused…
“What about Nina?”
“Ah, I did forget…” bit flustered “It’s just nothing official yet, and she’s still mad at me.”
“She’s not mad, maybe hurt, but not mad… "
"She wants to spend more time with you; as long as you assure her she is family, she will be free-spirited and do other things, I’m sure."
"She was the same way with me."
“ Really? She talks endlessly to you, too?” She laughed.
“Yes, always following me and asking questions, wanting to help do deliveries. It was after she was sure I was happy with her and not shooing her away; she calmed down and asked more about you. That was when she confessed more about wanting a stable family and wanting to be closer to us.”
“What do you mean? I understand her brother had to act like her dad; that I understand, but why would her other family not be ok?"
"… Did they die?" He was scared to hear the bad news.
“Hmmm, it happened long ago… And their tribe she was with, she felt, um... not close."
"Uh…very distant." She spoke carefully; he could sense this was part of the secret and dropped it before Len confessed it all to him.
“It’s ok, Len, I’ll try to spend more time with her till she gets bored; it will do me some good anyway."
"Maybe I’ll help her with a delivery. It will help her and the shop." Leena smiled at that.
“That sounds good, brother, so berries? What was your plan for them? He smiled at that.
“Lots and lots of jam! But I wanted to share with everyone the church dad, mom, Coby, his family, Teva, and dad, you, Nina, Nebo, and even the tavern since he was nice to me in the past; I want to return the favor. "
"Wow, very ambitious,” she smiled. “How many jars are you planning to make? she thought for a second. You named off around 10 jars. And the church is not a person, though I’m sure they happily share
“I got a lot of berries; I feel confident I can make around 20 jars, maybe 30, depending on how I mix them and the ingredients.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIVmSrnJCn
“O my, no wonder that basket was heavy for you!"
"That's a lot of berries!” She laughed at the thought of all that jam, but you know that a lot of work is involved, and you never did make jam by yourself?”
“I know I was planning to have Mom help to spend time with her, and Dad could sell a jar or two to pay for extra ingredients, as well as gift him with one, maybe two, depending on how the whole thing turns out. Leena smiled, full of mirth.
“Seems you planned this out.”
“Not really,” he said with a smile. “It was just something that seemed it would be a nice memory for all, and I wanted to give back a little of what was given to me.”
“Well, dear brother, let’s see how it goes.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaYjFXySW7
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