The Beginning

Chapter Ⅶ

Over the next four years, thanks to the help of Gareth, Eirwen and her family, Elliot was reintroduced to human civilization. There were rough times, especially in the beginning. Elliot refused to go anywhere without either his animal companions or Gareth. Vale and Viviane had the hardest time of it when it came to instructing Elliot. He had the basic understanding of language and customs but he had been with animals for far too long.

Vale, after a particularly hard day of teaching, decided to have a heart to heart with Elliot to see what the problems were when he was teaching. Elliot confessed that it wasn't that he wasn't interested, it was just very different from what he remembers from both his father and the villagers. Vale explained that that would be the case as he was in a different realm. The Autumn Realm had different ways and customs compared to the Winter Realm. Once Elliot found that out he tried harder and would ask many questions with which Vale would be too happy to answer for him.

Viviane had no problems teaching Elliot, it was just that what she was teaching had to be built up over years. She could tell that he knew a little of the common language, but was more fluent in the Autumn dialect. She could also tell that there was another language he knew but she never brought it up. She also taught him the art of herbology.

Jasper had no problems teaching Elliot the art of defense, it was the art of attack where he stumbled slightly. Elliot, remembering what the villagers had done to him and what happened to his father, had no interest in learning how to hurt someone. Once Jasper explained to him that it would only be used in emergencies or in ritual, where there was always someone to call it off, Elliot was willing to learn.

Eirwen and Gareth were the ones to get him used to people again. To convince him that not all people are harsh and cruel, not that they knew that. Elliot was very quiet when he first came to the camp, but after he learned enough of the language he really started to open up to the other people there. He never told anyone of his life before coming to camp and the story of how he ended up in camp became a regular campfire story that he would forever be embarrassed about. Eirwen helped him join the ranks of Herders at his request as he felt like he needed to repay the people who helped him in some way.

Everyone was open and welcoming to their new camp member, that is except Nicholas. Nicholas and Elliot never got on, even from the first day. Nicholas felt that Elliot was his rival, while Elliot held a great dislike of Nicholas for his hunting. You could say that it was just a mutual dislike on a fundamental level.

Now on the dawning of the fourth year since his arrival a ominous presence lurks on the horizon. Felt by all who reside in the Four Realms, but now is not the time for these thoughts. As dawn approaches so does the air of festivity on the Winter Realm and the feeling of hope.