Blackwolf+Sarah+B

** Blackwolf’s Story  ** I woke with barely contained excitement. Today was the day! I was going to start my journey as a Warrior! I could hardly wait. I sprang out of bed in a rush, threw my clothes on and ran downstairs. “Hi sweetie,” Mother said. She was standing at the stove and at first I was taken back because Graywolf wasn’t there helping her. Graywolf always helped Mother when she wasn’t up with that old Hermit. What did she find so interesting about the man anyway? Oh well, I don’t really care about what Graywolf did. I sat at the table and waited. Brownwolf was already down. I hadn’t heard her exit the room earlier which was surprising because she too seemed excited about this day. We started talking about swords and daggers and what we would do once we got to. We both agreed that if we didn’t arrive at the same time we would wait for each other. Strength in numbers. Of course the first part of our journey would have to be taken alone. We were laughing together at some joke that Brownwolf had told when Graywolf came down. She was already in her robes, no surprise I guess, and seemed a bit pale. At first she went to the kitchen but then came back out quietly. She pulled up a chair opposite the table of me and sat down just a quietly. I think at some points she was trying to say something but I never paid attention. Dad walked in carrying two objects. One was long and thin with a thicker end. Me and Brownwolf squealed (did I mention we’re twins?) with delight. Graywolf (she’s younger than us by a year) stayed silent and if anything she seemed a bit sad now. But I really didn’t care. The other object was shorter in length but it was basically the same shape. Both objects were wrapped in deerskin but I just knew that they were a sword and dagger. Mother came in with breakfast. It was the normal thing, with eggs and bacon and orange juice. But there was a special smell to it, something that only came when something special was happening. The smell of cinnamon rolls, just cooling from over the fire. Yipee! As we ate Dad told jokes. Soon, everyone was laughing, Mother a little chuckle, Dad a hearty roar and us twins equal giggles. Graywolf, though, she only smiled politely and went back to eating. I chanced a glance at her. Something was really bugging her but what could it be? Surely not failing? Graywolf was one of the toughest quiet people I knew. I had once watched her lay out a punch that sent a kid who had stomped on a flower she had picked flying. My little sis was not to be underestimated. And her confidence was amazing. I mean, she spent time with the Hermit. No kid was brave enough to do that. In no time Mother was bringing out the cinnamon rolls. That was when I knew something was wrong with Graywolf. Normally she would give a small smile when the rolls came out. Today she didn’t even touch them. I frowned slightly. What was bugging her? Maybe I should ask her before we left. After the cinnamon rolls were done, Mother went back into the kitchen. Graywolf followed, though I expected her to right back out in a moment. When she didn’t I was surprised. Then as Dad brought out the two packages, I suddenly understood why. Beside me Brownwolf squealed with delight and for once I didn’t join her. There was a basic sword and a basic dagger set. I got the sword, no surprise, and Brownwolf got the daggers. Then Dad grunted happily and told us to go get ready. Brownwolf raced up the stairs and once again I didn’t join her. The sword was an uncomfortable weight in my belt like the weight in my chest. Why hadn’t Dad got a staff for Graywolf? I mean, this sword alone cost more than a staff and dagger set combined. So why exclude Graywolf? I frowned very deeply. “Hey something wrong?” Brownwolf asked once I was in the room. Being twins we shared a room. Not that we minded much seeming how we had so much in common.
 * The Wolves **