As the weeks passed boredom began to set in. Eldrick began complaining about chest pains intermittently. Sergei told him it was just growing pains, they would pass. Training progressed for Eldrick, who finally understood how to sense life at a distance. The following lessons were about herbology which both Eldrick and Sebastian learned.
One day while Eldrick was helping tend the animals, he confided to Sebastian he didn’t feel quite right.
“Something seems wrong. I feel trapped in a body, not my own" muttered Eldrick.
"How so?" Inquired Sebastian. "I believe all humans have those thoughts at some point in their life."
“It's not that simple. I don’t think I am in the wrong body; I feel something's missing. Last night I was in excruciating pain. It felt like someone hit me in the stomach with a piece of firewood” Eldrick explained.
"Maybe you should talk to Sergei. He may know what the problem is, or how to remedy it."
“You may be right.”
Later Eldrick approached Sergei with his concerns. Sergei wore a worried expression upon hearing this.
“Let me consult the bones, they may give more insight into the problem." Sergei took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "This could take some time; I will start tonight. “
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, Sergei began spellcasting after everyone else had gone to bed, afraid his spell was wearing off. It was supposed to last as long as the recipient accepted the name to which it was tied. Eldrick had not shown any signs of rejecting his name therefore the spell shouldn’t be wearing off. Considering this, Sergei concluded that his only plan of action at the moment was to recast the spell. He hoped this would halt the disintegration.
The next morning Eldrick looked better. Sergei watched Eldrick going about his routine, it seemed he was more relaxed than before.
“Eldrick now it is time to start training in the Druidic magics. It can be very stressful and difficult to learn. It takes a particular state of mind to master," looking over at Sebastian. "Unfortunately, this portion of Eldrick’s training will need privacy. It is going to be hazardous. I do not need him distracted. The danger involved means Eldrick must focus. Some spells can have devastating consequences if incorrectly cast. It will be easier if I am not trying to split my focus on protecting you as well. I would appreciate it if you would be willing to go hunting while I train him. Our larder is getting low.”
"I understand sir. Is there anything, in particular, you wish me to hunt?"
“I would appreciate some venison or moose if you can find them"
"I will be happy to go hunting. It gives me a chance to spread my wings properly," he shrugged, "I gather you would like the hides intact? Eldrick could use some new clothes. He's outgrown what he is wearing. Maybe I could catch some rabbits as well. It looks like Eldrick could use some new footwear."
“Now that you mention it, you’re right, I hadn’t noticed." Sergei looked at his own footwear in the corner, "It looks like I could use some new footwear myself. If you could catch some rabbits it would be very welcome.”
"Alright, sir, when would you like me to go hunting?"
“Tomorrow morning would be fine. Thanks for understanding” Sergei intoned.
Sebastian was restless throughout the night, his excitement at the prospect of hunting the next morning kept him awake. Hearing muttering coming from Eldrick’s room, he listened carefully, it was Sergei speaking. Unfortunately, he couldn't understand the words. He interred the information with his acute hearing and remarkable memory for later review.
Sebastian rose with the sun and went looking for something to eat before heading out. The larder was low on supplies. Only a small amount of grain, a couple of loaves of bread and a wheel of hard yellow cheese. The icebox held about a dozen eggs, a pound of butter, and a quart of milk. Not sure how much grain was in the silo he understood the immediate need for hunting. A couple of fried eggs on a piece of toast were his breakfast.
"Sergei, I am heading out. I hope I can get enough to supply us until spring."
“Thanks, bring back what you can. The larder is rather bare. I figured we had enough to make it through the winter, but that was before the avalanche,” grumbled Sergei.
Heading out the door, Sebastian climbed the tunnel wall of ice to the roof. The blue-white crystals glistened harshly in the bright sunlight causing Sebastian to squint. He spread his wings and leapt into the air; with powerful wing strokes he took to the sky.
The thick evergreens on the side of the mountain made it difficult for Sebastian to scan for a target. At the edge forest, on the bank of a small lake, he noticed a bull moose. Taking in its size, the only way he could take it down quickly, was to connect with the back of the neck. Those massive antlers were going to be an issue.
As he folded his wings in preparation to dive, Sebastian steeled himself for the impact. The sound of the rushing wind exhilarated him. The moose tossed its head upon hearing the whistling.
Crashing into the moose felt like hitting a stone wall to Sebastian. Instinctively the moose ducked his head, causing Sebastian to tumble over the antlers. He was sent tumbling through the air when it threw its head up and backwards. Sebastian had the wind knocked out of him when he collided with a tree. The moose turned to face his attacker, lowered his head and charged. Sebastian barely had time to roll out of the way before it plowed into the tree with a deafening crunch. Reaching out, Sebastian quickly rents the moose's throat. The dying animal, unaware of the fatal wound, thrashed wildly its flailing antlers catching and dislocating Sebastian's wing. As the moose bled out Sebastian worried about how to bring his prize home. The excruciating pain radiating out from his dislocated joint caused him to lose consciousness.
The icy wind woke Sebastian. The sun was barely touching the horizon on its way down. Not knowing how long he had been unconscious, and disoriented from his fight, Sebastian started looking for shelter. After several hours he found a likely cave. Looking at the moose he noticed it was larger than he was. Mustering his strength, he began the daunting task of dragging it.
The cave was large enough to curl up in, with a small fire to keep him warm. The night passed, with Sebastian waking up several times to find a more comfortable position or renew the small fire.
The morning broke cold and crisp, Sebastian’s breath plumed out his nostrils and his wing joint throbbed. Not knowing the extent of the damage, he started heading back. Using the sun as a guide he began the long trudge. Once under the canopy of the evergreens, his direction sense was quickly muddled. Without the sun, Sebastian started marking the trees as he passed them. One quick claw stroke from the side facing him to the side he passed. Hauling the moose was difficult, the snow continuously collapsed under its weight. It seemed to grow heavier by the minute.
As the light started fading Sebastian again looked for shelter. There were no caves in the area. Piling snow against one of the larger trees, he tunnelled into it, building a snow cave. Once done, he gathered pine boughs to line the floor which provided additional warmth.
