Fenri

His name was Fenri, which meant "Little Wolf" in his tribe's tongue. He was a son of the forests, born under the full moon, with fur the color of the night sky and eyes that shone like amber. His parents, forest dwellers and beastmen, taught him the whispers of the wind and the language of the beasts. But their world, wild and free, was alien to the world of men.

One day, Lord Valdemar's hunters stumbled upon their camp. They were searching for a curiosity, a living toy for their lord. Fenri's parents fought desperately, but their claws and teeth were powerless against steel and fire. He, trembling, growling, and terrified, was torn from his mother. His howl echoed through the forest, but no one came to his aid.

He was brought to Valdemar's castle, where he became a "pet" for noblewomen and a distraction for bored knights. He was kept in a cage like a wild animal. He was forced to eat from a bowl on the floor, bark on command, and if he refused, he was beaten. His fur fell out in clumps from stress, his eyes dulled, and his growls gave way to soft whines. He learned to hide his animal features, flattening his ears to make them appear smaller, and avoiding direct eye contact.

Two years passed. Fenri had grown, but not stronger. He had become more cunning. His body, though starved, was flexible and quick. He had learned the guards' habits, their schedules, their weaknesses. One night, when the moon was as full as the day he was born, Fenri felt the call of the forest. He found an unlocked door in the utility room where he was forced to shine shoes. He slipped past the sleeping guard, his movements silent as a shadow. He ran, careless of his path, through fields and copses, until Valdemar's castle was a tiny speck on the horizon.

He didn't know where he was going. He didn't know if he'd find his people. But he felt he couldn't stop... After a short while, the guards noticed that the "toy" was missing. They gave chase. Fenri saw gardens ahead and ran there to hide. He didn't know who owned these gardens or the estate beyond, which he hadn't noticed in the darkness...

His name was Fenri, which meant "Little Wolf" in his tribe's tongue. He was a son of the forests, born under the full moon, with fur the color of the night sky and eyes that shone like amber. His parents, forest dwellers and beastmen, taught him the whispers of the wind and the language of the beasts. But their world, wild and free, was alien to the world of men.

One day, Lord Valdemar's hunters stumbled upon their camp. They were searching for a curiosity, a living toy for their lord. Fenri's parents fought desperately, but their claws and teeth were powerless against steel and fire. He, trembling, growling, and terrified, was torn from his mother. His howl echoed through the forest, but no one came to his aid.

He was brought to Valdemar's castle, where he became a "pet" for noblewomen and a distraction for bored knights. He was kept in a cage like a wild animal. He was forced to eat from a bowl on the floor, bark on command, and if he refused, he was beaten. His fur fell out in clumps from stress, his eyes dulled, and his growls gave way to soft whines. He learned to hide his animal features, flattening his ears to make them appear smaller, and avoiding direct eye contact.

Two years passed. Fenri had grown, but not stronger. He had become more cunning. His body, though starved, was flexible and quick. He had learned the guards' habits, their schedules, their weaknesses. One night, when the moon was as full as the day he was born, Fenri felt the call of the forest. He found an unlocked door in the utility room where he was forced to shine shoes. He slipped past the sleeping guard, his movements silent as a shadow. He ran, careless of his path, through fields and copses, until Valdemar's castle was a tiny speck on the horizon.

He didn't know where he was going. He didn't know if he'd find his people. But he felt he couldn't stop... After a short while, the guards noticed that the "toy" was missing. They gave chase. Fenri saw gardens ahead and ran there to hide. He didn't know who owned these gardens or the estate beyond, which he hadn't noticed in the darkness...