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The sunlight was warm upon his back. Although the breeze was chilly, the exertion of turning up the moist, heavy earth had caused the trapper to cast aside his winter cloak some time ago.

Roots and stones… Arun hacked off a thick tree-root with his hoe, then dumped it atop the swelling pile he would dry and use for kindling. It did not matter how many springs he worked the ground, there were always new roots and stones each time.

The trapper knelt and wiggled a fist-sized rock out of the earth, wondering how it had gotten there. He stood and drew his arm back, intending to send the stone sailing into the forest. Instead, he froze.

There was a wolf standing at the edge of the clearing, head high, feral gaze fixed on him. Arun’s fingers tightened around the rock that had shifted in an instant from nuisance to potential weapon. Wolves did not approach humans…not healthy wolves.

The animal watched him, fearless, almost expectant. It was too small, gangly, and scruffy-coated to be an adult. Yet the cubs born this year were still tiny, whimpering balls of fluff, while those birthed the spring prior were as tall as their elders.

He was looking at a mystery.

Arun swallowed, unable to quell the hope and the longing he had fought so hard to smother over the months. It roused within him once again, fool that he was for his futile desire.

“Fledgling?” The word was a whisper.

The wolf’s tail waved, and the trapper let his stone fall to the earth. “Fledgling!”

Arun started forward, and as he moved, the young wolf vanished. In its place stood an avarii fledgling…his fledgling. His clothes were different, he bore a satchel, and he looked a little taller, but those yellow wings and bright silver eyes were utterly and unbearably familiar.

“Oh, fledgling—I am so glad to see you!”

They moved toward each other, and when they met, the fledgling stuck out his hand with a faint smile. Grinning, Arun clasped that slender, bony wrist. Someone had taught him a human greeting.

The fledgling gripped his wrist in turn, then looked up at him.

“You…you teaching me human words. Please, friend Arun.”

“Of course I will!” Arun said, gripped by delight, then wondered if the ava understood him. “Yes, yes I will, my friend.”

The fledgling smiled again. “Thank you.”

Arun nodded, feeling as though his emotion might tear him apart. The fledgling had come back to him…and he was no longer alone. Tears of joy blurred his gaze and clenched his throat as he stepped forward. He caught the young ava in a fierce hug; a choked laugh escaped him as the fledgling’s arms tightened around him.

He would not ponder where the fledgling had been, what he had experienced, or why he was still alone. It was not the time to think of the past or the future. Not now.

He would simply embrace the gift that he was given.