Chapter Three, 'Oracle'

"Aurou, shaman of the disgraced howling axe clan; why have you summoned us?"
"Council, I apologise for not awaiting an appointment. I believe this matter to be of considerable importance, it's already cost us three of our number; one was our chieftain."
"Have you searched the archives for precedent? Or called upon the spirits for guidance?"
"I have; it is without precedent or record, and the omens speak in riddles I can not discern."
"Let us hear of this matter and perhaps the spirits will grant us perception where you were not."
"On our last raid on the Nielda we brought back a child. But that night she transformed into a great wolf and attacked her captor. The chieftain and one of our other warriors were slain in the attempt to subdue her. That morning however, the child returned to her Nieldic form. I have kept her under watch for some months now and have been able to determine that the transformation only occurs under two conditions; extended adrenaline presence in the blood stream, and the light of the full moon. Only the full moon causes a full transformation, and since we left arrived on Gasca she seems to have more control under the effects of the full moon."

"You understand of course the Alpha's policies concerning the taking of Nieldic prisoners?"
"I did warn them of the potential consequences."
"Under what tradition did Nayoo deem it acceptable?"
"Nayoo did not respect the traditions, And his purposes were revealed to none."

"And what did the omens show?"
"The spirit, the fire, the wolf, and the bone were joined as one. The thief, war, and fate were chained beside it. The spirits have also made profitable our hunt since the child was brought into town."
"The hunt is a good omen so late in the year."
"Indeed."

The oracles were silent for a while. Aurou remained silent reverently awaiting their decision.

"The council has decided. What is spoken here must not become known to the Alpha or it shall place all our race in peril."
"You have my word."
"The spirit, fire, wolf, and bone may represent the child, this is our decision. Her presence, as the hunt suggests, shall benefit our people. Fate shows that her role shall be ongoing. The chained omens are doubtless the point of your confusion. We can shed a unique light on the first one, and by it the rest are clear. On Anatolia, the resistance is being lead in part by a man who also leads the Nielda's thieves guild. The Alpha believes that his effort to slay this man has been successful; our scrying has recently revealed that he was resurrected soon afterwards. Elder Kur with the fleet recently received a prophecy of this thief-king bringing destruction to our fleets, and scourging Decidua with a great armada.
War is obvious. It is the child then that is the hinge pin of our future."

The council leaned inward towards Aurou. The tone of the room became less mystical and the weight of their words grew more apparent.
"Raise the child, treat her as a member of your tribe. She must be prepared to withhold the thief when he brings war, or all our race may be destroyed. Teach her our customs, but do not neglect those of the Nielda. This is why the child has been brought to you of all our order."
"I am honored that you should think so highly of me elder."
"Nonsense. Your studies in Nieldic culture have been most informative to not only the younger members of the order as you intended but indeed to this council. Were it not for the exile your clan is bound by you would be on the short list to succeed Elder Grie. The exile has been a matter of ongoing debate between this council and the Alpha."
"I'm flattered your honors."
"Perhaps the spirits allowed your exile so that you could raise this child. All the circumstances point to this conclusion. May the spirits of earth guide you in this journey."
"And the light protect you also."