Six weeks ago, the village elder declared that my test of manhood would be to track and kill the silver wolf. As each lad in my village achieves his eighteenth birthday, he stands before the elder to receive his test of manhood. Sometimes, the elder sends the boy to retrieve a tail from an eagle. Other times, the lad must bring back a wild boar for a feast. Elder K'toth wanted the head and fur of the silver wolf as his headpiece, so he declared that to be my task. He even hinted that Kylara, his daughter, could be my bride if I succeeded. Therefore, I had been trudging through dark forests and dangerous marshes following the wolf.
The wolf was a crafty beast. Every time I thought I had him, he would escape with ease. He seemed to mock me, tantalizing me with a glimpse of him and then escaping before I could do anything.
Once, I thought I had him in the dismal swamp. He was standing there, as if waiting for me to end the chase. Only a few steps more and I would be within range. Just as I notched my arrow and took a step closer, I sank into the marshy ground. The wolf barked at me as I struggled to crawl out to dry land, laughing at my travails. Then he took off in a flash of silver.
Dark was coming so I set up camp. My small fire provided little warmth for the evening chill breezes. I struggled to clean all the swamp muck from my belongings. As I settled in to sleep, the wolves sang their mournful song. In my dreams, I saw myself going back to the village with the silver wolf pelt in my hands. The elder called me a great hunter and let me marry his daughter. She was the prettiest girl in the tribe and the goal of all the young men in camp. My friends would be envious.
Night after night, I dreamed of returning to the village and holding Kylara in my arms. My thoughts of her drove me on as days became weeks.
After four weeks, I despaired of ever catching the wolf. However, if I failed in my quest, I would be exiled from the village. Any lad who fails his test of manhood may never become a warrior, no matter how brave he is. He only gets the one chance. If he falters in his task, he must either live as a slave or never return to the village. If I failed, I could never see my beloved Kylara again.
A week later, I tracked the wolf to some caves. I thought I had found his lair at last. I followed him over treacherous rocks and ledges. I finally came upon the cave where he laid waiting. I saw his eyes shining from the darkness. I carefully aimed for the point between those eyes. Just as I released my arrow, he darted to the left and through a crevice. I cursed and ran into the cave. He had escaped out a back door. I glanced out at the abyss beyond and wisely chose to let him go for the moment,
As I made my camp for the night, I again thought about Kylara, the chieftain's daughter. I remembered her dark, glossy hair, her shining eyes, and her ruby red lips. But then I remembered her laughter when I had asked her to sit with me at festival. I recalled the disdain in her eyes when I brought her a freshly skinned rabbit. My ears burned from the snickers she and her friends shared as I walked by. I wasn't fit to mix with her and crowd because I was an orphan. As the times passed, my memories of Kylara grew less fond. Was I enduring this hunt for a shallow girl like Kylara?
I began to think about the cities to the south. I had heard wonderous tales of how a sharp young man could make a fortune as a warrior and an adventurer. I began to wonder if that might not be a better life than the one I now had. Surely there would be no girls to laugh at me simply because I was an orphan.
On the last day of the sixth week, I found a tuft of silver fur and some fresh tracks. I was on the trail once again. The tracks led me to some of the densest forest I had yet entered. Several times I had to stop and clear vines with my knife so I could continue. After long hours, I spotted a small clearing ahead.
Finally, the wolf is within my sight. After many grueling weeks of hunting, my objective is in my grasp. I move slowly as not to startle it. My hand goes for the arrows at my back. The wolf looks magnificent with its silver fur glowing in the moonlight.
I carefully aimed my bow. I notched my arrow and pulled back the string. I took a deep breath and paused. I glanced again at the magnificent beast standing there. It turned around and looked straight at me, the moonlight glinting in his bright eyes. I closed my eyes as I prepared to release. I opened them again and laid aside my bow. I would have to leave the village now, but I couldn't kill such a splendid example of nature's beauty. Vain Kylara, no matter how beautiful, was not worth the death of this wondrous animal. Maybe the people of the cities of the south would have use for a young warrior.
I left the clearing and began my long trip south. In all my long life, I would never forget how the silver wolf looked at me, showing me what to do.