Time flies. A year has passed, and Thorfinn is now twelve years old. His face is still boyish, but his eyes constantly hold a sharp, focused intensity—the look of a sword freshly drawn from the scabbard.
In one year, thanks to his quick wit, Thorfinn had essentially drained Boro's well of knowledge. Boro had little left of practical use to teach, but today, he was going to give Thorfinn a final, and critically important, lesson.
For Skinchangers, it is easiest to enter a beast-companion's body when an emotional bond exists between them. The connection between the Skinchanger and the animal's consciousness influences both their personalities. If the human mind fails to dominate the animal's, it can be detrimental to the person.
An untrained Skinchanger might unconsciously enter an animal's mind, especially when falling asleep, and especially with an animal they are close to and already bonded with.
If a Skinchanger is possessing an animal when that animal is killed, the human suffers severe trauma. If the Skinchanger is killed while warging, a part of their consciousness will linger in that creature. Skinchangers are feared and subject to superstition; many mistakenly believe they can physically change their appearance.
The death of the possessed creature does not kill the Skinchanger. Only when the Skinchanger's true body dies does "actual" death occur. At that point, their consciousness can still survive, but it becomes simpler, remaining in the animal's mind under their control. In this second life, the Skinchanger's memories gradually fade until their humanity completely vanishes.
Today, Boro was going to teach the Skinchanger's greatest concern, and something that could not be practiced: the beginning of the second life.
Boro was different today. Instead of heading outside as usual, he picked a warm spot in the courtyard and set up two seats.
Boro took the most comfortable one, then signaled for Thorfinn to sit. Thorfinn knew Boro had something serious to say, so he sat down obediently.
Boro started, "Thorfinn, you've been here for about a year, haven't you?"
Thorfinn: "A little over a year."
"By my reckoning, it's a bit sooner than expected, but it is indeed time to tell you these things. After all, I have nothing left to teach you. All I can do now is tell you about the so-called taboos of the Skinchangers, and this is something I need to speak to you about at length..."
At this point, Boro couldn't help but sigh with a hint of resignation. Sometimes, a student being too bright isn't always a good thing. "Do you know what a Skinchanger fears most, Thorfinn?"
"The worst situation... must be the death of the animal companion."
Boro nodded. "Precisely. The death of the beast companion is indeed a very perilous thing. You will experience a death inside that animal's body. And who knows, maybe... more than once. This is the one thing I cannot let you experience firsthand; I can only tell you about it."
"Death... is not a pleasant experience. You will suffer a near-death experience inside your companion. That feeling, oof... it is agonizing. But as long as your body is whole, you will not truly die—you know this already. I hope you never have to endure that feeling."
"Beyond that, there is one more extremely important thing: the Skinchanger's second life. It is said that you will forget everything, but no living person can tell you the true feeling. When the human body dies, the Skinchanger's will can survive within the animal, but the memories will fade day by day... until one day, no trace of the person remains, only the beast."
Thorfinn: "A second life! How wondrous."
Boro laughed. "Wondrous? Lad, you don't know the peril. I can tell you this: this is a speculation that no one has ever confirmed. The only reason I'm telling you is that my own teacher once drilled this into me."
"Even if it is true, what is so marvelous about becoming a creature that cannot speak, one that is ultimately crushed by bestial nature? It's merely clinging to life."
Thorfinn: "You're right. No one has ever died and returned to tell us their true experience, at least... not yet."
Boro nodded. "Exactly. No one knows when these stories began, but they've been passed down through generations. The original source is impossible to trace, but they are all likely true. We have all felt it during a warging, so the possibility is very high."
Here, Boro looked at Thorfinn with a complicated expression. "This is the last thing I can teach you. Your gift is stronger than mine. Any more training would just be busywork. It is time for you to find your second animal companion. You can do this."
Thorfinn was pleasantly surprised. "Are you saying... I can start looking for my second animal companion now?"
Boro confirmed: "Yes, Thorfinn. Don't you feel it? When you are outside, you can easily force other wild beasts to submit to your will. This means you can possess any beast. Gods, I haven't even achieved that! Heaven knows how you did it."
Recalling Thorfinn's effortless displays in the wilderness, Boro felt a pang of frustration. Whether it was a dog or a wolf, a bear or a badger, Thorfinn could begin to command their bodies.
Boro: "Have you thought about what kind of animal you want for your second companion?"
Thorfinn began to ponder the options for a warging partner:
Dogs are easy to bond with because they are fond of and trust humans; the longer one is with them, the easier it is to slip into their minds. Wolves are more difficult, requiring a long-term, marriage-like bond. A man can befriend them or kill them, but he can never truly tame them.
Birds are highly seductive; you can quickly lose touch with things on the ground, wanting only to fly...
Cats are cruel and conceited beasts, difficult to control and only yielding to force. Of course, Alpha is an exception, having been raised by Thorfinn and thus absolutely loyal and reliable. Deer are too soft; spending too much time warging them can turn a warrior into a coward.
After much deliberation, Thorfinn finally decided to find a bird.
Thorfinn: "I want to find an owl. A Horned Owl."
Boro was silent for a moment before saying, "You must think this through. Warging a bird is one of the worst choices. Humans are born to live on the ground. Stay too long in the sky, and you might never want to come down. I know some Skinchangers who love to possess eagles and owls; even when they return to their bodies, they sit there, hesitatingly staring up at that cursed blue sky."
Thorfinn nodded. "I'm sure. I choose the Horned Owl. I've always wanted an owl of my own, and now seems like a good opportunity."
Boro sighed helplessly. "You little scamp, you worry me sick! You want to be a bird? Gods, where am I supposed to find you an owl?"
Thorfinn was secretly pleased. He knew Boro wouldn't always indulge him, but his performance had been excellent. Aside from the lack of actual bloodshed, Thorfinn had always been a good student. At least in Boro's eyes, he was obedient. Other wildling boys, upon surpassing their teachers, would likely become lawless, but Thorfinn hadn't; he maintained respect for Boro.
Thorfinn looked at the troubled Boro and smiled. "You don't need to worry about that. Alpha knows where to find those birds. He often climbs trees to raid nests; who knows where he learned that trick."
Boro: "Well, that saves me some trouble. But... Thorfinn, were you planning this all along? How is it such a coincidence?"
Thorfinn didn't look embarrassed. "I had some ideas earlier, but I only just made the decision now. I just wanted to see the view from up high! Besides, a flying bird has its advantages, doesn't it? That's a pair of eyes that can be extraordinarily useful in certain situations."
Boro: "You're a sharp one, lad. But you're right. Skinchangers with birds are always more welcomed in some tribes than the rest of us. That must be one of the reasons!"
Thorfinn smiled. "Boro, I'll go and bring it back myself. I'll use a gentler approach, without forcing it. It might take a bit longer, but I have the time. You'll like her. She's a little spirit, gray with white speckles. Just wait for me to bring her back!"
From then on, Thorfinn frequently went to the forest to engage with a gray owl, either giving her food to earn trust or playing with her to lower her guard. Coupled with the subtle mental suggestion from Thorfinn's strong spirit, it only took a few days for the owl to be won over.
Thorfinn named her "Lady Owl." She was a female bird with horn-like feather tufts on her head, a strong little creature with mottled brown feathers. With the emotional foundation established, forming the companion bond became simple. With the Night Owl at his side, Thorfinn began to feel the sensation of flight.
Thorfinn couldn't help but chuckle to himself: he was now a "Two-Skins" warg.
Soaring through the sky using the Night Owl's body felt truly wonderful. However, once night fell, Thorfinn had a new annoyance: the screeching of the owl. They hunt at night, and their calls are loud, often hooting and screeching all night long during breeding season.
Fortunately, Boro was a heavy sleeper, leaving the noise for Thorfinn alone to "enjoy."
What was this? Had he created trouble for himself?
Should he consider having her sterilized? That seemed a bit cruel. Calm down, calm down. Since he was short-sighted when he made the choice, he shouldn't complain now. After all, it was his own doing. Aside from this minor flaw, everything about the Night Owl was fine; she was a decent companion.
As for why he chose an owl, it was a subtle nod to his own aspirations. He just felt that studying magic without an owl... well, it just seemed to be missing something.
Hmm... The somewhat dopey Night Owl, with her round face, large eyes, and two upright "ears," fit the public's image of an owl perfectly. Paired with excellent night vision, a little training would also make her a good messenger.
All in all, Thorfinn was very pleased with this choice!