I was born in the Wilds, and it was where I stood before opening my eyes. That Kirain had lived with the Teekons, it sparked a desperate fire within his eyes. If we have both come from there, then there must be a way to return.

He knew it wasn't fair to cast doubt towards Kirain, to diminish her experience in this strange place. But he could not shake the notion that if these lands were connected, that he could return. It was only logical. He was still alive, his heart still beat within his chest. The druid advocated strongly that there was no returning, but what if a way just hadn't been discovered yet.

This is no longer your home.

I aware that it is not, that is why I must return home.

Ujurak had not been raised to be stubborn, but what did it mean if he did not fight this? What about Sven? His brother was wounded, he need to be there! The Stone Circle, the graves were there. His father, his grandparents. Those lives since passed, those stones he had grown as familiar with as any living wolf, they couldn't be just gone. The thieves! Draugr! They needed to be removed, ripped from the soil before they could place roots. He needed the barrow man's head.

Ujurak needed to get home. The stone prince needed to return.

Several moments passed before he realized that he barely heard Kirain over the blood roaring within his ears. The stone prince stared at her, eyes hot and damp. His jaw was clenched, tongue heavy.

She offered him respite among her home. A place to find what path he would take. He wanted to ignore it, to turn and stride into the storm so he could find the Rising Sun Valley on the other side. His paws remained planted to the ground. Limbs numb and heavy, the freezing air bit at his eyes, ears, nose, and scars. Breathing ice into his body.

What good would it do if he froze to death before he could make a breakthrough?

Eyes pressed shut, Ujurak's head dropped. His voice thick as he worked his jaw, assenting to the woman's offer. Okay...