There's little point in pretending; Elan must know that you've seen him. You turn toward the lone wolf with a disarming posture and a warm smile.
"Twice in as many days," you say. "We're seeing a lot of each other lately."
"It might not be as coincidental as it seems," Elan says slowly, his voice muffled through a thick scarf. "I've come to be certain that you listen to my warning! Change is coming to the refuge—it will all happen very soon now. Your entire way of life is going to change!"
Just as you'd feared—you can't make sense out of any of it. And not only that, but it seems the old wolf has been following you as well. Your face twitches; you're unsure how to react. "What do you mean, Elan?"
"You'll be tempted to fight, to lash out, but your anger should be directed at those more deserving." Elan is within an arm's reach of you now, and he picks something shiny out of his breast pocket, holding it out to you. "Take this," he says, letting a glittering gold chain dangle into your cupped hands. "Keep it with you. It has the power to open a door to the heart of things."
You examine the gift with wonder—there's a locket at the end of the chain. Before you have the opportunity to open it, Elan shuffles away from you, not waiting for a response or thanks.
You watch him go, your mind a tumult of unasked questions. Once he's disappeared around a corner to the north, you open the locket and look at the picture inside, confused at first before your eyes widen in sudden realization.
This is me and my mother! I can't be more than two years old in this picture!
Unsure whether you should chase after Elan or continue along your way, you slip the locket into your pocket before deciding on the latter. You have a feeling that this isn't the last time you'll encounter the lone wolf.
Next