Thorfinn was utterly stunned. The sight before him was just too bizarre. If Thorfinn's guess was right, this might just be his Skinchanger mentor. After calming down Alpha, who had practically exploded in alarm, Thorfinn's inner monologue was a resounding, "What in the seven hells?!"
A fat man and a giant boar? What kind of combo was that? Reynar clearly knew the chubby fellow in front of them. Well, he might as well hear what his father had to say. Sigh…
He prayed his father would be as dependable as he usually was!
As expected, Reynar's face lit up with pleasure as he looked at the fat man before him and burst out, "Boro. Hahaha! Long time no see, my good brother. You've gotten even fatter, haven't you? Look at that belly, did your wife feed you to this state?"
Boro, in turn, embraced the large man that was Reynar, laughing heartily. After the hug, the fat man called Boro chuckled, "Don't tease me, Reynar. You know my situation…"
Boro didn't mind Reynar's jests and continued to ask about his friend's recent life. It was during this exchange that Thorfinn finally had a chance to carefully observe the rather plump man before him.
Though fat, he must have been a capable fighter in his youth. The fellow had actually lifted Reynar when they hugged, which suggested Boro hid a considerable strength beneath his corpulent exterior. He had only a few sparse white hairs, with most still black, some wrinkles, round eyes, and chubby cheeks. If one added two tusks, he would look exactly like his boar companion.
It was then that Boro approached Thorfinn. He examined him for a few moments, muttering in amazement, "The Gods be good! You're Reynar's son? How could a brute like him sire such a handsome child? You look sturdy enough, though, a bit like Reynar when he was a boy."
Reynar said, "This is Thorfinn, my eldest son. He takes after his mother in looks, and he's as clever as Darie. I'm putting him in your hands now, Boro."
Thorfinn looked at the oddly-featured Boro but kept his thoughts to himself. He maintained his polite demeanor and greeted him, "Please... show me the way in the days to come, Boro."
Boro heard Thorfinn's words and nodded with satisfaction. He then looked at Alpha next to Thorfinn and asked, "Is this your animal companion?"
Thorfinn squatted down and stroked Alpha, replying, "Its name is Alpha. I raised him myself and fed him personally since he was small. We are inseparable."
Hearing Thorfinn's account, Boro nodded again in approval. He then turned back to Reynar and said, "To see a 'tusked one' up close and still obey its master's commands, Thorfinn's animal partner trusts him completely... He's a good prospect. Perhaps with my guidance... I can train a Skinchanger far stronger than myself."
Reynar felt a surge of pride at Boro's words. He stated matter-of-factly, "And who do you think his father is? He's my seed, Reynar's. He's bound to be stronger than you someday. Don't you dare waste my precious son's gift, Boro!"
Boro laughed, "I won't. Relax, Reynar. Given our bond, your son is like a half-son to me. I'll teach him everything I know. As for how much he learns, I can't say. If he's truly gifted, he will certainly surpass me."
Boro led Reynar and Thorfinn into the depths of the forest. All the while, Alpha kept close to Thorfinn. Though he didn't bolt, the colossal creature following them was clearly putting him under stress, as its strength far exceeded the massive boar's. Fear was a natural response; even Thorfinn was startled upon their first meeting. Fortunately, after all they had seen on their journey, both Alpha and Thorfinn had developed a certain toughness.
Reynar and Boro walked and reminisced, with Thorfinn quietly listening. From the fragments of their conversation, Thorfinn gathered that they had known each other for a long time, and his father seemed to have done this still-burly fat man a considerable favor...
After a good while of walking, the three finally reached their destination.
In a relatively flat clearing, a few wooden cabins suddenly appeared: one large house, two small ones, and a rather big pen. One of the smaller cabins, missing a door, was being used as a storage shed. A low wall of stacked stones encircled the area.
This was Boro's home. Unlike Thorfinn's family, who used large tents made of furs, Boro's wooden cabins felt more familiar to Thorfinn. Living in a wooden house brought a certain rustic warmth, even though this place was quite isolated.
Passing through the somewhat worn large wooden gate, Boro ushered the father and son into the big house. Simple furnishings: a bed, a table, a few seats draped with furs, and some scattered clothing—all signs of a single man's meager life...
Boro retrieved his prized wine, knowing Reynar loved a good drink. He carefully took out the wooden barrel and gingerly poured the clear, red liquid, not wasting a single drop. One cup for Reynar, one for himself, and as for Thorfinn... after much hesitation... he reluctantly poured a half-cup for the eagerly waiting boy.
Reynar cradled the cup gently and sniffed it. "Excellent wine. This is the good stuff, Boro! How did you manage to get your hands on such a fine vintage? You didn't join a raiding party, did you? Even the noble lords in the South don't drink this kind of thing often!"
Hearing Reynar's praise, Boro smiled. "I stole it from someone else. A young raiding hothead from a nearby village was reckless enough to try and take my things. The Gods only know what gave him the nerve to come here... Tusk's child was injured, so I bartered with him and his family for some goods. I only have this one barrel, so go easy on it~~ It's Arbor Gold. I don't have any more."
Reynar chuckled, "That's not like your old ways. The old you wouldn't let things go so easily."
Boro gave a resigned smile. "Getting old, getting old! My temper has cooled down! Sigh..." He looked at Thorfinn, who was sipping his wine. "I can't cause as much trouble as you young pups. The future belongs to you boys."
Thorfinn set down his cup and replied, "That's not true. Boro is still quite strong, I think. Paired with your animal companion, you must be a first-rate Skinchanger."
Flattery, it seemed, was a universal language. Boro burst into hearty laughter at Thorfinn's words, his face flushing red before he finally stopped.
Boro turned to Reynar and smiled, "I like this boy... Hahaha!"
Dinner was reasonably generous. Boro had traded for a goat from a nearby village. The poor goat was crudely turned into roast mutton by the two rough men. There were also two unknown birds Boro had hunted, a pot of vegetable and onion stew, plus some baked bread Boro had acquired from somewhere.
Thorfinn and Reynar, having been sleeping rough for a while, ate their fill. Alpha was given the goat's tender liver and the birds' offal. Everyone ate and drank contentedly. The reunion of old friends was a happy occasion. Reynar and Boro bragged and gossiped, and Thorfinn played along, offering occasional words of admiration and skillfully dropping a few well-placed compliments to earn favor.
After dinner, Boro made up a simple bed. Reynar would be sleeping there tonight, as he would leave the next day, and Thorfinn would stay to live and study independently. The bed was small, and Reynar and Thorfinn were cramped sleeping together. There was nothing to be done; Boro only had one extra bed.
Perhaps it was the impending farewell, but Reynar stayed up late that night, too. Father and son lay on the bed, talking in low tones until Reynar finally succumbed to sleep. Listening to Reynar's familiar snoring and the crackling of the bonfire, Thorfinn couldn't help but smile faintly.
The long night eventually passed, and dawn broke. Thorfinn woke up as usual to complete his unyielding exercise regimen. Alpha glanced at Thorfinn, yawned, and changed position to continue sleeping. The boars in the yard were stirred by the noise and came out to look for a while, but both Tusk and the other piglets quickly lost interest and went back to rest.
Thorfinn had long since established his morning routine. After completing a hundred push-ups, jump squats, and sit-ups as usual, Thorfinn began his first six-mile run in the vicinity of the forest. He first circled Boro's house, and then he spotted a small trail. Driven by curiosity, Thorfinn decided to follow the trodden path deeper into the woods.
After running for about ten minutes, Thorfinn saw a large wooden house. This place was clearly superior to Boro's home. A fence encircled the house, and thorny briars that could cause injury were planted outside the fence. There was a wooden gate bearing the marks of age, and some vegetables were growing in the yard. Smoke was already rising from the wooden house...
Thorfinn merely observed from a distance. The sight of the small trail had already confirmed human activity, and based on what he knew of Boro, Thorfinn figured that anyone who dared to live alone here would be no simple character. After a quick general look from afar, Thorfinn left the area.
By the time Thorfinn ran back, Reynar and Boro were already awake. After a simple breakfast of hot water and reheated leftovers from the night before, the three began their meal.
The thought of parting after breakfast made Thorfinn feel a little sad, but there was no use dwelling on it. With his father's skills, he was sure to get home safely. Thorfinn ate quickly and began packing Reynar's belongings. By the time Boro and Reynar finished eating, Thorfinn had already finished packing the luggage.
Reynar smiled, "Are you that eager for me to leave?"
Thorfinn merely shrugged in resignation. "Believe what you want…"
Reynar smiled and ruffled Thorfinn's head, then said, "You rascal, you must listen carefully to Boro's teachings. He can teach you a great many things. I know his skills."
Listening to Reynar's earnest instructions, Thorfinn's nose suddenly stung. "I'll miss you, Father."
Reynar smiled, shouldered his bag, and bade farewell to Boro. After a perfunctory exchange of memories and advice, Reynar set off on the road home. He didn't look back as he walked, only glancing over his shoulder when he was about to disappear from Thorfinn's sight...