I had calmed down out in the field and eventually layed down and fell asleep in wolf form to avoid talking to Zaylith. I also didn't want to go back and talk to anyone else.
I woke up to a fox staring at me.
I sat up, realizing I was back in my human form, and the fox didn't even flinch.
Abnormal, I thought. Any fox would run at sudden movement.
I caught the foxes gaze and it stared right back, unusually so.
The fox had chocolate brown eyes, and by close examination, it had a cut in its ear.
I came to a conclusion: it wasn't a fox.
A sudden grin came to my lips as the thought came to mind.
"Run along, werefox. I haven't any business with you." I stood and the fox watched me.
Just then the fox morphed into a young boy, probably eight years old. The child had dirty blonde hair, long enough to look a mess, devilish, and short enough to not look like a girls' hairstyle. He had dark marks under his eyes from obvious lack of sleep and his white T-shirt and jean shorts were covered in dirt.
"How did you know?" the boy asked, his voice seeming rough.
"You didn't flinch from direct eye contact, unlike wild canines." I was surprised how young the boy was. Most children didn't transform until they were sixteen or seventeen. "What is your name, and where are your parents?"
"Daerwyn Reaich. I don't know my parents and I don't know if I have any family. Sir, where are you from?" the child sat down as I did and he watched me with a hopeful expression.
"I've come from the farmhouse in that direction," I point the way towards the house. "I'm staying with a few friends. I'm Doiteain. Would you like to come with me back to the house? I can have you fed there and give you an exchange of clothes." I offer.
Daerwyn's face lit up and he jumped to his feet, a bright smile across his face.
"Let's go!"
I stood and walked up to him, his face a little confused. I lifted him and began walking back towards the farmhouse, and he held on to me like he was holding on to his life, since he seemed so frail. Daerwyn still smiled.
As I came within view of the person sitting on the back porch when I approached, they stood and started running towards me. It was Kestreil.
When she was close enough she looked puzzled.
"Who's the kid, Doiteain?" she stopped in front of me as I set Daerwyn down.
"His name's Daerwyn Reaich. Lost child. Found him in the woods." I smiled faintly. "Hey, kiddo, can you go sit on the porch?" I asked Daerwyn. He nodded and ran towards the back porch.
I took my gaze from the kid and looked up at Kestreil, giving her a look.
"What is it?" she questioned.
"He's a werefox, and his transformation powers have been gained extremely early. The kid's only eight or seven." I pushed back a piece of my bangs that hung low in front of my left eye.
"A what?"she asked, dumbfounded.
I rested my hand upon her shoulder and looked caught her gaze. "He's abandoned, Kestreil. I couldn't just leave him out there. Please. Let him stay."
Kestreil stared at me for what seemed like ten minutes, but then she finally answered,"Fine. He's under your care, though, mac tire."
I sighed and continued walking to the house. Daerwyn sat and stared at something in the dirt, probably taking an interest in a worm.
I approached the boy and sat next to him. He immediately looked up and grinned, but what he did next caught me off guard.
He hugged me.
I sat and stared ahead wide eyed for a few moments, waiting for the child to release his grip, but he held on, so I returned the greeting and hugged him back.
"You're one to surprise, kid." I chuckled and carefully removed him from me.
Daerwyn giggled. "You're just so warm. And kind." His stomach growled, giving sign that he was starving. He giggled again. "Might I have some food?"
I laughed and nodded. "Yeah kid. Come on." I walked to the back door and opened it, assuming Daerwyn would follow. Of course, he did.
