44

"Ah, Decaarr! Just the wolf I was hoping to see," Ahote says around the stem of an old pipe. He inhales the strangely sweet-smelling smoke into his lungs. "Come in, come in. We have much to discuss." He takes a last deep drag on the pipe before eyeballing its bowl with a disappointed grimace. "That's the last of it. Ah well, foul habit anyway, and I wouldn't want any of you pups emulating me. But I'll admit, it does calm the nerves."

The old wolf picks up a piece of paper from his desk and hands it to you. The page lists the names of fifteen wolves in the pack. All have been struck out but one, many with an explanation written beside it in Ahote's distinctive elaborate cursive script: "Too ambitious," "No charisma," "Out-of-control violent tendencies," "No required skills," on and on with only one unmarked name remaining. "Decaarr."

"Me?" you ask aloud, trying without much success to keep your voice steady. "What could you possibly want from me that none of the others can do?"

"Tell me," the elder says, ignoring your question. "In times of great turmoil, which group in the pack stands to lose the most if the ship is never righted?"

Ahote scoffs. "I suppose in a way that is a correct answer, although it would depend on the spirit of the question. The wolves of the Assembly have led long lives of privilege. No, it is the youth that I fear for."

The elder sets down the pipe and sinks slowly into his padded chair. "The wolves of the Assembly are too embroiled in internal power struggles trying to save their own skins, and for all the wisdom of the elders, we grow frailer by the year. I have determined that we must rely on the youth to chart our pack's future. You have the most to lose as our freedoms are taken away one by one, and the most to gain by our liberation. I've taken over a month to examine each of the fifteen pups born since our incarceration in Haven. Out of all potential candidates, you are the one I have chosen to lead our way into the future. I had my doubts at first after you threw in with Haken during the vote, but after the way the protest turned out, well, let's say that I may have been wrong in thinking that a wholly peaceful solution would accomplish our objectives.

"We've discussed much together here in this office, you and I. Since day one, you've impressed me with both your willingness to learn and your retention of important political and scientific theories. But there was more to your training here than you knew. You were one of three candidates from your class that I selected to observe in the hopes of uncovering a born leader. Today you stand before me, ready to defend our pack against external threats through the Way of the Sage, and I have determined that this path shall lead us forward."

You can't help but wonder why you were chosen over several other names that are struck out on the list.

Rather than suggest alternatives, you merely nod, secure in the knowledge that the elder has chosen wisely.

"I understand that you may not want to shoulder this burden, but you must know that it's for the good of your people and your friends. Of course I cannot compel you to follow my plans, but before you give me an answer, please indulge me with one final test. Afterward you may stay or leave as your heart wills it."

One Final Test