The wild journey

The Departure

The king stood with his chiefs behind him addressing the villagers and Finley walked to his side.

King Charles: As we all know`Teale didn’t see dawn.`They found him at first light Dead, sitting against his long chair at the wall. Mouth open like he was still lying. Snow in his beard. No marks. The ice took him.`

`No one cried.`

`The king stood in the center of the village talking to the villagers.

King Charles : `"Teale led us north for 4 years," he said. "4 years, and we have more graves than food."`

`He looked at Finley. The mute young man with a map piece in his fist.`

King Charles : `"I will not lead another lie. So I will not lead at all."`

`The village murmured.`

King Charles :`"I name Eight," the king continued. "Eight brave men. You will walk east. You will find Paradise. Or you will die trying, so the rest of us know the truth."`

`He pointed.`

King Charles : `"Finley. You lead. Because you carry Kevin’s lost compass and maps."`

`Finley stepped forward. No words. Just a nod.`

`"Hobble," the king said. "Because you carry your brother’s truth."`

`Finley took Hobble’s hand. "He comes too."`

`"Seven more," the king said. "Who walks with Finley the sojourner"`

`Seven men stepped out. Hunters. Young. Scarred. Tired of burying their brothers in the north snow.`

Eight total. Zaccai, Zohor, Mason, Bradley, Hobble, Russell, Wyatt, Damian.

You all are led by Finley.

`The king gave Finley his own knife. Bone handle. Village mark on it. "For when you find him."`

`At midday, the gate opened.`

`Eight shadows walked east. Behind them, 50 villagers watched in silence. Ahead, only white.`

`Rosalie looked around once. Then she looked at Finley.`

`He didn’t look back. He looked east. Map to his chest. Broken arrow pointing forward.`

`Behind them, the wind moved. Something big howled at a distance. Skrims. Not close. Not far. Watching.`

`The journey to find Paradise had begun.

The chosen ones were escorted to the Eastern gate border of zootopil which was always guarded by fierce soilders of Sicily called... Mafia after some investigation they were out the village.