Morla sought out Thorfinn, and it wasn't about some grand mystery. A maiden's private thoughts are often as tricky to guess as a dragon's mood. Seeing the beautiful girl standing before him, looking a little bashful, Thorfinn's imagination took flight. Could this be the classic tale of the knight rescuing the damsel, leading to a blossoming love?
Thorfinn was clearly overthinking things. After her initial shyness faded, Morla looked him squarely in the eye and said, "Thorfinn, there is something I must tell you. I... I have the gift of the Skinchanger, too. Do not doubt me. I know the process of awakening, and I know how to confirm the gift."
It was then Thorfinn realized the truth was a hundred thousand miles from his flights of fancy, but this news was certainly something that deserved his full attention. Though a little surprised, Thorfinn believed Morla's words—after all, in his eyes, the pretty girl was generally reliable.
"So... why are you telling me this, Morla?" Thorfinn asked.
The girl seemed a little embarrassed, but she quickly mastered herself. "You are going to study under a Skinchanger. I thought you could learn well and carefully. Perhaps one day, I will... seek to learn from you how to become a proper Skinchanger."
Morla looked very sweet, and her bashful expression was truly captivating. Looking at the girl's shy face so close to his own, Thorfinn was possessed by a strange impulse and simply kissed her. Morla's lips were a little cold, with a faint taste of the night's roasted meat... Their eyes met, the girl startled by the boy's sudden move, and Thorfinn feeling a pang of guilt.
Morla was stiff with shock and nervousness. Hit by Thorfinn's 'sudden attack,' her mind went utterly blank. Yet, as if cursed by some strange magic, she started to respond to Thorfinn's clumsy kiss. They remained locked in that embrace at the edge of the tent.
In that moment, Thorfinn felt completely unrestrained. He was like a true Free Folk, living as he pleased—he wanted it, so he did it.
It wasn't until Merek's voice was heard muttering to himself nearby that the two broke apart in a panic. Luckily, the light was fading, and they were on the far side of the tent, so he did not notice the two startled youngsters. Thorfinn and Morla silently held their breath, watching each other until Merek's voice faded into the distance.
Thorfinn, the instigator, was bashful afterwards. He said awkwardly, "Well, um... I am truly sorry! I acted without thought."
Morla was also flustered. She opened her mouth a few times before managing to say, "It's... it's fine! Just... don't forget the promise you made me." After saying that, the young girl before Thorfinn bolted away like a startled hare. Thorfinn, who had more to say, was left looking dumbfounded, only able to awkwardly retract his hand that had reached out to stop her.
Back inside the tent, Thorfinn was preoccupied. Even if Thorfinn was still only an eleven-year-old boy, the soul within was long since matured. Moreover, all these years living in the Free Folk village, he had heard no shortage of lewd tales from the rough sorts around him. As a hot-blooded young man, it was only natural to feel a certain... heat.
Recalling his rash action, Thorfinn found it both absurd and amusing. Yet, this was simply who he was—a free spirit.
In this world, whether among the Free Folk of the far north or the lords in the south, there was a common understanding: once a girl had her moon blood, she could be married. A small thing like a kiss was hardly worth fretting over. Despite his self-consolation, Thorfinn still could not sleep, only able to stare into the darkness to the familiar sound of Reynar's snoring.
Just then, Orrik piped up again. "Thorfinn, are you awake?"
Thorfinn sighed softly and replied, "I'm asleep."
"Oh... you're asleep, are you?" After a moment of silence, his younger brother realized his mistake. "You are playing me false again! Thorfinn, that's just spiteful. If you're asleep, how did you answer me?"
Thorfinn couldn't help but chuckle at his slow-witted younger brother. After his laugh subsided, Thorfinn asked, "Orrik, do you have a dream?"
Orrik thought for a moment before answering, "I want to be the King-Beyond-the-Wall."
Thorfinn gave a little frown. He could hardly tell the ten-year-old boy beside him that a crow named Mance Rayder would soon become the King-Beyond-the-Wall, shattering his dream! Instead, Thorfinn simply offered praise: "That is a truly grand dream! Go forth and achieve it, young lad!"
Orrik was obviously delighted. He then asked, "What about you? What is your dream, Thorfinn?"
Thorfinn was momentarily stunned. "Me? I want to venture out. I want to cross the Wall... see Westeros, and even visit the Free Cities..."
Listening to Thorfinn's account, Orrik murmured, "The places you want to go are far, Thorfinn! Father says there is no safe haven for Free Folk south of the Wall. Will you not miss us if you go? Father, Mother, and me. Oh, and we cannot forget Morla and Merek."
Thorfinn fell silent, and only sighed after a long pause. "Perhaps I am only speaking wind. It was so hard to even awaken the Skinchanger's gift. Who can truly know how far I will go?"
The two brothers talked late into the night. Thorfinn was too restless to sleep, and Orrik was always bursting with energy, so Thorfinn decided to talk freely with his little brother before the parting.
The next morning, even though he was about to leave, Thorfinn woke early and completed his long-held exercise routine. After that, it was the final family gathering before his departure. Morla and Merek also joined to see Thorfinn off.
The farewell was not overly sentimental. Only his mother, Darie, was truly reluctant to see him go. His younger brother, Orrik, though not shedding tears, was clearly disheartened about not seeing Thorfinn for a long time, which let Thorfinn know his care for his brother had not been in vain.
Darie said, "I know you are a smart child who always listens, but I must still say... If you feel you do not understand him, listen more, observe more, and speak less. Some Skinchangers are of odd temper. You must learn to make yourself agreeable, my child..."
Seeing Darie about to launch into a lengthy lecture, Thorfinn had to interrupt. "I understand, Mother. I will take care of myself. You don't need to worry." Darie simply smiled and began to straighten her eldest son's clothes for the last time before his journey.
As if they knew they were to be separated from their brother and sister, Alpha, Snow, and Clear Skies nestled together, a sight they rarely afforded themselves on other days.
Thorfinn's farewell with Orrik was ordinary. He just clapped Merek on the shoulder to show his friendship. However, when his eyes met Morla's, a slight blush bloomed on her face...
Travelling is usually an unexciting affair. Thorfinn and his father, Reynar, passed the time with a desultory conversation, and Alpha stayed close to Thorfinn, never leaving his side.
Reynar led the way, with Thorfinn and his cat following. They passed through many villages. This was the farthest Thorfinn had ever been from home, and he certainly witnessed many new sights along the way. There were several small villages, each with its own peculiar customs. Some were led by their own chiefs, while others were entirely ungoverned, and some were locked in long-standing, internecine feuds.
At the foot of the mountains, they encountered a party of Cave Dwellers out hunting. Their faces were painted blue, purple, and green, making them look crude and savage.
On one occasion, they saw a Giant cutting timber from a distance. Seeing one of the great folk for the first time, Thorfinn was stunned. The Giant was indeed massive, nearly two storeys tall. The great folk were not comely, but they were immensely strong, able to drag trees that two men could barely embrace. Encouraged by his father, Thorfinn greeted him in the Old Tongue. The Giant did not take offence and merely nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
The wilds were both dangerous and fascinating—a harsh land where outlaws dwell, yet also a haven for the strong. This journey made Thorfinn realize how complicated the lands Beyond the Wall truly were. The various tribes had different ways. To become the King-Beyond-the-Wall, one would have to unite the strongest among them, win the approval of all the tribes, both subduing the worst of men and earning the faith of one's own people.
Being the King-Beyond-the-Wall is no easy task!
Reynar stuck to the mountain paths. Relying on their strong legs and sharp eyes, they took shortcuts across the partially snow-free rock. The flatlands were full of villages, and people meant potential trouble, so Reynar chose to keep a good distance from them.
Finally, after seven days of travel, Reynar stopped before a forest. He turned to Thorfinn and said, "We are here, child. Your master lives in the woods ahead. Mind the boars from now on."
Thorfinn was still puzzled. Boars? It was true there were boars in the forest, but why the specific warning before they even stepped inside?
Despite his confusion, Thorfinn grew wary. Reynar never joked about such things, and Thorfinn trusted his father completely. After all, Reynar had taught him so much: how to hunt and fish, how to clean a beast, how to debone a fish, and how to track through the woods...
After walking a little ways into the forest, Thorfinn did indeed find droppings and hoof prints of large animals. Unmistakably those of a boar, and from the size of the prints, a truly massive one.
Thorfinn couldn't help but say, "Father, this one's a brute."
Reynar merely smiled and did not reply. Seeing his father's unconcerned expression made Thorfinn even more confused. What happened next, however, completely upended Thorfinn's understanding of the world and utterly confounded him.
They walked a bit further, and a loud rustling in the undergrowth sounded ahead. From the noise, it seemed like a considerable company. Still, trusting his father was the right course; Reynar never acted without good reason. There had to be something strange afoot.
Just then, Alpha gave a warning bark to Thorfinn.
A great sounder of... boars emerged from the brush ahead! There must have been dozens of them. The largest one, the leader, stood up and was nearly as tall as a grown man. The most unbelievable thing, however, was a large, round man—a truly plump fellow who looked quite a bit like a boar himself—sitting atop the massive pig's back.
Watching this absurd sight unfold before him, Thorfinn suddenly had a terrible premonition...