At last the tiger stepped back, and raising its head, gave a growl of
pride and possession that told any who cared to listen that this land
was his, and his alone. Kalus stepped back, acknowledging this, and
with a surge of bittersweet emotion, realized that his friend had
ascended to the magnificent freedom of a creature of the Wild. . .but
also that it no longer needed him.
'You've done it,' he said quietly, and with such feeling that
the pent-up emotions burst forth in a flood of tears. Then he shook off
all weakness, lifted the legs of the deer, and looked one last time at
his friend.
'Fly well, my Avatar. My spirit is always with you.'
Kalus turned sadly toward home, and followed by the wolf, was away.
Chapter 30
It was a quiet morning, and for the first time in weary days uncounted,
a truly mild one as well. The sun shone warm and wet, there was little
breeze, and this time, Kalus knew, it was no illusion. Winter was on
the wane. If he had possessed a calendar, the day might have been
called March 12.
And though the inexorable changing of the seasons brought with it new
concerns and dangers, he resolved this day to feel some small
satisfaction in his victory over the Cold World. Perhaps victory was
not the right word, since the primal elements knew no intelligence, and
felt no pain.
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