Eryndor wasn't fighting back.
His fists were clenched, his eyes narrowed at the man across from him.
"You've grown soft, Eryndor." Marek shifted his weight against the table.
"Letting children wander into the forest…" He shook his head slowly.
"Perhaps it is time for a new leader."
Thalos could feel the tension in the air. He didn't understand everything, but he knew something bad was happening.
Eryndor struck his knuckles lightly against the table.
"There was no other choice."
Thalos had never seen his father frustrated like this before.
Marek's eyes drifted up toward the antler light.
"Ah. But there was. You hold the lives of many in your hands, and you failed them."
Eryndor's eyes looked down at the table for a moment.
And that was enough. Voices rose the instant Marek stopped speaking.
"He dragged an innocent girl into the forest..."
"They cost us lives"...
"He led our hunters to their deaths."...
"He should all be held accountable."
Marek was slowly turning to walk away.
"If you keep living in the past, more will die. You could not save Darin, Eryndor."
He paused for a moment.
"The way you are now, you can't save Frosthelm. You are a curse to this village."
Around the table, citizens, elders, and some newer hunters were starting to echo the word 'curse'. Thalos saw, just before Marek turned, that he was smiling.
When he turned to his father, he could see there was no longer any fight in his eyes. He still looked composed and steady, but he could see it – the spark was missing.
Then Jorn stepped forward. "If you curse Eryndor"
His voice rose above all others.
"You curse me as well."
Hagan stepped forward. "And me."
Torren. Rurik. One by one most of the hunters joined them, forming a wall behind Eryndor, until they were standing defiant against the elders.
"Cowards. The lot of you." Hendrick, who was further back, broke his silence.
"I may not have agreed with the mission. But unlike you, they acted."
Jorn turned to Thalos and beckoned him.
"Come."
He froze. Every head turned toward him.
He could feel their eyes on him, but he had already made his choice. His hands curled into fists as he took the first step forward since he entered.
He wanted to stand up for his father and stand with the hunters. He stepped forward.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was certain.
"Me too."
Thalos could see the elders roll their eyes at him, some across the room scoffing. Then they started to protest again.
"This is madness," one of them yelled.
"They are feigning honour. They spit on our traditions."
There were murmurs among everyone in the hall. Most nodded their heads in disapproval.
"Treason!"
Another voice called out further back.
"The hunters work for Frosthelm, not against it. Don't forget that."
Thalos turned and saw Marek sitting by the large fireplace, staring down at his cane.
Eryndor took a step closer to the table.
"You will do well to remember who protected Frosthelm's people when you could not."
Marek took a deep sigh.
"In the name of Frosthelm, and as the previous leader… until matters are settled... No hunters are permitted to enter the forest without approval. That is final."
Most of the hall nodded in agreement.
Elder Haldrek spoke up. "Then this matter is settled."
The hall erupted in arguments, hunters and elders screaming, swearing, and daring one another to go further.
"That's enough!" Eryndor shouted as he was turning back to the entrance of the hall.
The hunters fell silent at once.
The elders snickered among themselves.
"We will not raise our blades against our own."
he said, already walking toward the door.
"If you wish to bind us with rules, then so be it. But the north will not wait for your councils… nor for your debates."
He paused, looking back over his shoulder, his eyes cold.
"Whether you stand with us or not, the hunters will protect Frosthelm. We serve its people… not your rules."
Thalos followed his father, as the other hunters were turning their backs on the elders.
The doors slammed behind them, cutting off the continuing protests from inside the hall.
The sun was well past midday and already starting to fall. All around him the hunters were talking to Eyrndor. He only caught moments of their conversations.
"We have to act now!" Jorn demanded.
Eryndor shook his head. "Not here."
He took a step closer. "If we don't…"
Hagan placed a hand on Jorn's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Thalos couldn't hear it, but whatever it was made Jorn smile.
"They'd rather we die." Torren spoke. He sounded perplexed by the idea.
"No. They are confused and scared. They are grasping for all the power they can get." Rurik corrected.
"We have to hunt, or the village will starve." A younger hunter that followed them out approached.
"If we have to wait for approval, there won't be enough food."
Eryndor tightened his frostwolf cloak as the winds picked up, snow falling heavily onto the ground.
"We must start the preparations."
He turned toward Thalos.
"You did well today."
He looked up to his father in surprise.
"You stood with the hunters. You should be proud."
Thalos smiled and gave a small nod.
"I am an Oakhart."
Eryndor returned the nod with approval.
Hendrick approached them, speaking in a low voice with Eryndor.
Thalos couldn't make out the words, but both men nodded before Hendrick headed off.
"Let's leave for now. Remember the plan." Eryndor turned back home.
Plan? What plan? He wasn't sure if he had missed something. But he followed his father home.
By the time they reached the house, the sun was lower, and there was a silence between them. Neither of them spoke as they walked home.
Thalos stepped inside and sighed, feeling the warmth of the home wrap around him.
In the common area, Liriel was finishing a bowl of hound-bone soup and beckoned them to sit.
He winced at the smell. Frosthound meat was gamey and strong, but food was food, and they were the most common.
As they ate, Eryndor retold the events from the Great Hall. His father looked more worn than he usually did, and he could tell it was frustrating him.
When they finished, Liriel gathered their bowls.
Then… A knock, Thalos spun his head around to look at the door as more knocking started.
He glanced at his father, but he didn't look surprised.
Eryndor stood up and pulled the door open.
Jorn was the first to step inside. Behind him were Hagan, Rurik, Torren, and a few other hunters he didn't know the names of. But he could tell from their expressions they were serious.
"More are coming." Jorn moved toward Eryndor.
He nodded. "Good, use the table. Get everything set up."
Thalos wanted to ask what was happening, but he decided to wait and watch. Hagan pulled out a rolled sheet of hide, laying it out across the table.
As his eyes looked over the leather, his eyes grew wide with excitement. It was an entire map of the forest around them, marked with full detail, where certain creatures live, plants, habitats, and landmarks. He could feel his heart pound as he looked it over.
Then beside him, Rurik dropped a heavy woven sack as he started to pull equipment out of it and lay it on the floor: tools, clothing, and weapons.
Another knock came, heavier. Eryndor pulled open the door again, and Thalos felt a shiver run through his body. It was Hendrick. But just behind him he saw Garrick.
He hadn't spoken to Garrick since 'the incident'. his head felt hot all of a sudden as he remembered everything. But he forced his feelings back. He saw his friend take a step inside. His ribs were still bound with thick wrappings. The last time he had seen him, he looked dead.
The search party sprinted to the light that erupted into the sky. When they got there, they saw Garrick passed out, his ribs heavily bruised, and lying in blood. Brynn was further ahead, lying in the snow screaming at nothing.
As everyone settled in his house, the space felt cramped. There had to be over 12 people. They waved at him, said hello, and congratulated him.
He was watching everyone move about in his home, people he didn't know, everything was happening so fast, he wanted to talk to Garrick, but what would he say? The last time Garrick came he ignored him. He noticed how his eyes were on the floor, avoiding him. He felt confused, overwhelmed, and nervous all at the same time.
He was about to head back to his room and avoid it all.
He was halfway to his room when Jorn stepped in front of him.
"Hey, I am here to fill you in."
Thalos blinked. And blurted out. "Why is everyone here?"
"You've earned the right to listen. To become a hunter."
Jorn ruffled his hair. "You're showing a lot of promise."
Thalos swatted his hand away as Jorn laughed.
Jorn continued. "We are planning to leave and find out what is happening ourselves. We can't wait any longer."
Jorn smiled. "And you will be part of it."