Egfor sat in his glade, facing a pure white stag with glowing ethereal eyes. The stag was laying on the ground, head lifted and facing Egfor.
The man was seated on the forest floor, a deer skin drum pained in Dunlending designs in his lap.
Egfor broke the long moment of silence, "I feel lighter."
The stag spoke, "As you should. What was cut off of you serves you no longer. It was weighing you down. You are no longer prey being hunted down." The stag hesitates, then snorts and adds, "The only exception would be your husband hunting you…"
Egfor's face heated up and he looked away, clearing his throat, "Minor detail."
The stag tosses its head back in laughter, "I tease you, my child." The stag shook his head for a moment, falling quiet. His ears rove around, listening before he speaks, "Your work is far from over. It has no end. Not even in death, mind you."
Egfor chuckles softly, "I figured, Grandfather. Seeing as you are teaching me beyond death itself."
The stag nods at that, "Despite all this work, and how much you trust your soulmate and love, how much you have shown him… You have not laid your soul bare to him. And I mean the wolf, your spirit. There is some work we need to do before you are ready. Tend your wounds from the death, tend to and explore the shadow– perhaps what work you do, you can turn around and help your husband through his shadow. You both have lots of work to be done, despite the true and unconditional love."
Egfor hesitates and nods, "I'm ready to do what it takes."
Egfor was about to speak more when he heard a low rumbling and the subtle pattering of rain on leaves.
Man and Stag quickly look at the sky, pregnant with heavy rain clouds.
Egfor exclaimed loudly and wordlessly, suddenly hugging his grandfather around the neck with a sob of utter relief.
The two leapt to their feet. Egfor plucked up his drum and before he knew what he was doing, he started drumming a hectic nonsensical and whimsical beat, dancing and leaping in the air like he was a youth once more, letting put cheers and cries of utter delight. Even Grandfather Stag was joining in on the revelry.
