“I trust everything is to milady’s liking,” Leela taunted as she approached Syn with a combative smirk. She’d been starring, mesmerized, at the Grandfather Tree; whose twinkling lanterns rivaled Selune, her tears and the stars of the Sea of Night beyond it. The whole camp had feasted on the bucks Torryn provided, while mead flowed freely, and now music filled the air as dancers circled the fires and wound through the tents in an impromptu celebration. But it seemed that at least one Uthgardt was more interested in finding her amusement at her expense. “Can’t we end this,” Syn turned to Leela with a frustrated pout, confessing; “You’ve made your point.” “I suppose so,” she smiled, reluctant to give up her source of amusement but knowing that she had pushed the jest far enough. They stood in silence for a moment, both marveling at the forest titan with reverence, then Syn looked to the beautiful barbarian and inquired; “Why do you call Torryn ‘Dark Wolf’? I’ve heard others here do so as well.” “It’s his totem,” Leela replied wistfully, then explained; “We Uthgardt believe that everyone has a spirit guide, a totem animal that leads them on the journey of life. It defines your nature and determines your destiny. Uthgar reveals them to us in dreams and visions… particularly those we have in the sweat lodge. Mine is the raven… thus my name Ravensong. Torryn’s is the wolf… hunter and wanderer of the forest… both noble and savage.” Then a knowing smile turned her lips as she added; “Besides, it suits him.” Torryn turned toward a sound he thought he’d never hear, Syn and Leela laughing in harmony, and made his excuses to part from the group of hunters he’d been disguising the movements of game and dangerous beasts with. Their laughter faded to girlish giggling as he approached, which concerned him more than their previous hostility. “I think I’m more worried about the two of you getting along than when you were ready to kill each other,” he admitted as he reached them. “You should be,” Leela teased with a wicked grin as she strode off to vanish amid the revelers. “So, your totem is the wolf,” Syn cooed as she eyed him with a measuring stare and a coy smile. “She’s right… ‘Dark Wolf’ does suit you.” Turning back to the Grandfather Tree she mused contemplatively: “I wonder what my totem is?” “The Uthgardt say that knowing gives you clarity about your path in life,” he stated respectfully, “They rarely allow strangers into their sweat lodge. It’s a spiritual place for them, where they literally stand naked before Uthgar. But I could ask Longtooth…” “No need,” Syn flashed a sly smile as she turned back to him. “Leela is arranging it… she said something about owing you a debt. Her only condition is that she gets to join us… I’m sure you don’t mind, do you?”