Moonlit vow

18.New Wolf King—Leiand

As winter begins to fade, the snow covering the land starts to melt, and a weak warmth filters through the clouds, illuminating the wolf tribe's village. The chill of the past days is driven away by the emerging promise of hope and the signs of a new beginning, marking the forthcoming reign of the new Wolf King.

Since the passing of the old Wolf King, Leiand has gradually taken over the responsibilities of the tribe. His growth has been remarkable; from the night of the Wolf King’s funeral, the weight of his duty transformed him from a somewhat inexperienced young man into the solid foundation of the tribe. Whether managing food distribution during winter or negotiating with neighboring tribes, he has handled everything with precision.

The elders have noticed his efforts and are eager for the coronation ceremony to officially crown him as the new leader.

On this day, several elder wolves return to the cave. They gather around the hearth, their faces lit by the flickering flames, their eyes reflecting their hopes and expectations.

“You have earned the trust of every member of the tribe,” one elder says with a deep, powerful voice. “Now is the time for the coronation ceremony.”

Leiand looks at them, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. He understands the significance of the occasion, nodding slowly with determination: “Yes, I agree. This is not only my duty but also a promise to my father.”

Word spreads quickly throughout the tribe, and preparations for the ceremony begin in earnest. Unlike the somber atmosphere of the funeral, this time the tribe is immersed in celebration. Smiles grace every face, and the square is adorned with colorful animal hides and feathers, creating a festive ambiance for the sacred moment.

The day is bright, and a massive bonfire is lit in the center of the square, its flames consuming the last remnants of winter's gloom. Leiand wears a ceremonial white cloak adorned with ancient, intricate symbols, and a silver-gray armor once worn by the old Wolf King, symbolizing his new role and legacy.

The ceremony is as solemn as the funeral but with an air of joy. Neighboring wolf tribes, and even other beast tribes, send elders to attend and honor the new Wolf King. They bring gifts symbolizing respect and hope for the future.

Iris stands among the crowd, watching Leiand with a sense of pride and awe. Since arriving in this world, she has witnessed many changes—from the loss of the old Wolf King to Leiand gradually stepping into his role. Now, it’s clear to everyone that Leiand is the undisputed leader of the tribe. She learns of other wolf tribes and the diversity within this world of beasts—a world rich in unity and strength.

The ceremony is officiated by the elder wolf, who holds his familiar carved staff. His voice is steady and powerful: “Today, our tribe welcomes a new leader—Leiand! He will inherit the spirit of the Wolf King and guide us toward a brighter future!”

The crowd erupts in cheers, their voices echoing across the square. The elder presents Leiand with an ancient wolf's tooth necklace, symbolizing his connection to the lineage and legacy of the Wolf King.

Leiand, with a steadfast gaze, accepts the necklace, his voice resounding through the crowd: “I will carry on my father’s vision and protect our tribe!”

Once again, cheers fill the air, and the sound of howling wolves resonates throughout the forest. The bonfire continues to burn into the night, and the tribe gathers to share a feast, singing and celebrating this momentous day.

As the night deepens, the celebrations begin to quiet down. Leiand and Iris retreat to the sacred cave, the official residence of the Wolf King and Queen. The cave, situated atop the highest point of the tribe’s territory, is a sanctuary hidden by towering trees—natural guardians.

Inside the cave, the atmosphere is unlike any other place. Spacious and luminous, its walls are adorned with depictions of the tribe's rich history—stories of the White Wolf lineage. At the center stands a natural platform from which the entire village can be seen, offering a view of every inch of their homeland. Moonlight filters through the cave’s entrance, casting a mystical glow throughout.

Iris takes in the sight with admiration: “This is truly different from anything I’ve seen before.”

She sits on a soft animal hide, carefully organizing the gifts brought by the visiting tribes—delicate furs, colorful stones, and a magnificent black cloak gifted by the Black Wolf tribe. Its intricate designs symbolize nobility and blessings. Iris arranges them thoughtfully, acknowledging the goodwill and anticipation behind each gift.

Leiand sits beside her, glancing at the items before meeting her gaze. His expression is tender: “These gifts are appreciated, but what truly matters is what I have in front of me.”

Iris blushes softly, her heart fluttering: “Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”

Leiand reaches for her hand, holding it gently: “I’ve wanted to give you a grand wedding, one truly meant for us. But these past months have been overwhelming. I regret not being able to make that happen.”

Iris feels warmth spread through her, smiling softly: “You’ve got a whole tribe depending on you now. Winter isn’t even over yet, and everyone’s just recovering from the coronation. A wedding might seem rushed.”

“But spring is coming,” Leiand interjects with a reassuring smile. “And when it does, I want to celebrate with you—properly, without distractions.”

Iris giggles softly: “You’re quite the planner, aren’t you? Well, I suppose summer will be perfect for that.”

Leiand nods in agreement, a genuine smile lighting his face.

As spring approaches, the snow gradually melts, revealing new life in the forest. The air becomes more humid, carrying the refreshing scent of earth. In the Wolf King's cave, Iris sits at a spacious wooden table, holding a branch in her hand, carefully sketching something on a piece of animal hide, her expression focused. She is planning for the upcoming Spring Exchange Gathering.

“Push cart…” Iris murmurs, sketching out various designs on the hide. She knows that carts will be incredibly useful for the journey to the gathering, allowing for the transport of more goods. Additionally, carts themselves are valuable exchange items in high demand. If they can create sturdy yet lightweight carts, they might trade for valuable resources. Her thoughts turn to the two skilled elder tribespeople.

Recalling them, Iris’ mind starts racing: “The tribe also has salted meat preserved from autumn—it’s a valuable commodity. Someone is bound to need it.” She glances toward the corner, where several sealed bags of salt are stored. A slight sense of relief washes over her, followed by a thought, “Perhaps we can make some spicy dried meat as well. Such preserved foods are easy to transport and could be exchanged for something valuable.”

Iris adds a few more ideas to the hide before setting down the branch, resting her chin in her hand as she reflects. This year, the tribe’s preparations have been sparse—there has simply been too much going on. From the passing of the old Wolf King to Leiand’s coronation ceremony, followed by rebuilding the tribe and dealing with winter’s food shortages, there hasn’t been much time for rest. Thinking back, Iris lets out a sigh: “We’ll only bring what we have this year to the exchange gathering. Next year, we’ll ensure we’re more prepared. Perhaps we’ll even trade for something unique from the forest, like rare seeds or better tools.”

As Iris imagines the lively gathering, her excitement grows. She silently vows to bring as much as possible to trade, bringing back as much valuable resources for the tribe as she can.

As evening sets in, the sky outside darkens, but inside the cave, a fire crackles warmly. The flickering light illuminates ancient carvings on the walls. Iris is busy organizing the salt when she suddenly hears steady footsteps approaching the cave entrance.

She turns to see Leiand entering as the sun sets, carrying a whole sheep over his shoulder. His cloak looks a little disheveled, and though his face shows weariness, his gaze remains deep and focused.

“You’re back!” Iris sets down the bag she’s holding and quickly approaches him. “How come you brought so much today?”

Leiand smiles, placing the sheep gently on the ground and brushing off some dust. “I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t had time to visit you properly. Seeing you eating dried meat these past few days, I thought the tribe would appreciate some fresh food.”

Iris looks at the whole sheep in surprise. “This is a big one! How are we supposed to eat it all? Are we making more dried meat?”

Leiand, amused by her thoughts, gently strokes her hair. “Don’t worry. We’ll enjoy fresh meat tonight. We can save some for later.”

Just as Iris considers how to prepare the sheep, another set of light footsteps is heard outside the cave. Ewan, Yuli, and Annie soon enter together, each carrying small gifts and wearing smiles.

“New Wolf King! We’ve come to celebrate!” Ewan says, his voice playful yet warm.

Annie, slightly more reserved, glances at Iris with a soft smile. “We heard you’ve been busy, so we brought just a few things to help out.”

Yuli grins, adding, “With something this important, we had to come together tonight. We have some free time, so why not enjoy it here?”

Iris beams as she looks at them. “You’re just in time! We were wondering how to finish this whole sheep. With you all here, we won’t waste a single bite!”

Together, they quickly get to work. Iris carefully portions the meat while preparing seasoning for roasting. Leiand sets up several large wooden tables near the fire for everyone to sit and enjoy the meal. Ewan and Yuli help with the preparations, occasionally asking Leiand for tips on hunting techniques, while Annie quietly assists Iris in making a hearty lamb stew.

In no time, the skewered lamb is roasted over the fire, filling the air with its delicious scent. Iris mixes a special sauce using salt, chili powder, and herbs, brushing it onto the golden-brown meat, enhancing the aroma even more. The flames flicker, casting a warm glow on the faces of the group, all of whom wear contented smiles.

“This is amazing!” Ewan exclaims, taking a bite of the meat and savoring the rich flavor. “This sauce is a true gem!”

“Absolutely!” Yuli agrees, nodding enthusiastically. “The spice is perfect!”

Annie eats quietly but smiles at Iris, saying softly, “If it weren’t for my little one, I’d be here every day. The elder is watching my daughter tonight, which gives me time to visit.”

Iris understands Annie’s sadness, especially since Kahar’s absence still weighs heavily on her heart. Unable to ease her sorrow completely, Iris simply hopes her friend finds her happiness again—both for herself and for her child.

As the night deepens, laughter and conversation continue around the fire. The lamb has been devoured entirely, leaving only the embers glowing in the hearth. The cave feels cozy and alive with warmth, and Iris looks around, feeling content. No matter how busy or chaotic things become, this home is always filled with love and light.