The settlement was quiet at dusk, the golden light filtering through the dense canopy above. Shadows stretched long across the wooden pathways, and the air carried the faint hum of cicadas beginning their evening song.
Theo stood at the edge of the central pathway, staring down the winding road that led out of the settlement and into the vast, waiting forest. Behind him, the towering ancient tree cast its shade over the heart of the village, the bark rough and timeless against the fading sunlight.
He let out a slow breath, his fingers brushing the wooden pipe in his pocket. This place, with all its faults and memories, had been his home for as long as he could remember. Yet now, standing here on the cusp of leaving, he felt a pang of something unexpected: longing.
"Theo," came a warm, familiar voice from behind him.
He turned to see Eirene, one of the elders of the council. Her gray hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her robes, simple yet elegant, swayed as she approached. Eirene had always been different from the others—where most council members had looked down on Theo as a child, she had treated him with kindness and respect.
"You were really going to leave without coming to see me?" she said, her tone light but carrying an edge of mock scolding.
Theo managed a faint smile, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't think you'd notice," he said.
"Of course I'd notice," she replied with a soft laugh. "You've always stood out, Theo—especially now." Her gaze flicked to the boar resting by the cart and the bird perched on a nearby branch. "It's hard to miss you when you've got companions like those."
Theo shrugged, his hands slipping into his pockets. "They've stuck with me more than most people have," he said quietly.
Eirene tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "That's no small thing," she said. "Loyalty like that isn't given lightly. It says something about you."
Theo looked away, the faintest blush creeping onto his cheeks. He wasn't used to hearing praise—not even in passing.
Eirene stepped closer, lowering her voice just slightly. "And it says something else: that you're growing into the man you were meant to be. Taking on responsibility. Repaying debts. That's how a boy becomes a man."
Theo's lips twitched into a faint smile, though his voice was quiet when he replied. "It's just… the right thing to do."
"And that's exactly why it matters," Eirene said, her tone warm but firm. She paused, studying him for a moment. "The road ahead won't be easy, Theo. But you're proving, step by step, that you can handle it."
Theo nodded, unsure of what else to say.
Eirene rested a hand gently on his shoulder, her touch grounding him in the moment. "You've come a long way," she said softly. "And no matter what, you'll always have a place here."
Theo swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. "Thank you, Eirene," he said finally, his voice quiet but sincere.
Her smile deepened, and with a small squeeze to his shoulder, she stepped back. "Go on, then. Don't keep the world waiting."
With that, she turned and walked away, her figure soon swallowed by the shadows of the settlement.
Theo stood there for a moment longer, the weight in his chest shifting slightly. He didn't know what awaited him beyond the forest, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was walking toward something worthwhile.
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the forest in warm hues of orange and gold. Theo made his way to the edge of the settlement, where the supply cart waited under the watchful eyes of the boar and the bird. The faint creak of wood and rustle of leaves accompanied his footsteps, the familiar sounds blending with the distant hum of nature.
The cart was more heavily laden than Theo had expected. Bundles of wood and sacks of grain were tied securely to its frame, alongside jars of preserved food and other essentials. A thick canvas draped over the supplies, protecting them from the elements.
Beside the cart stood a massive goat, its dark coat sleek and shimmering faintly in the fading light. Its broad horns curled back in an elegant arc, tipped with a faint golden sheen. The animal pawed at the ground with a quiet huff, its calm yet imposing presence impossible to ignore.
Theo raised an eyebrow as he approached, stopping to run a hand along the goat's side. "This is… a bit much, isn't it?"
"It's exactly what you'll need," came a familiar voice behind him.
Theo turned to see Damon approaching, his steps steady and deliberate. His father's dark eyes flicked briefly to the cart, then to the goat, before settling on Theo.
"This isn't just any steed," Damon continued as he came to stand beside him. "That's one of the finest bred in the House of Pan. Strong, resilient, and smart enough to navigate the forest on its own if it has to. Consider it a parting gift."
Theo hesitated, his hand still resting on the goat's side. "A gift?" he repeated, glancing at Damon.
Damon nodded, his expression calm as always. "It'll carry you and your supplies wherever you need to go. Treat it well, and it'll serve you faithfully."
The faintest flicker of emotion crossed Damon's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He stepped forward, reaching into the folds of his tunic before pulling out a small bundle. Unwrapping the cloth, he revealed a set of reed pipes, worn but beautifully carved with intricate patterns of vines and leaves.
"These were mine," Damon said, holding them out to Theo. "Given to me by my father when I was your age."
Theo's eyes widened slightly as he took the pipes, his fingers brushing over the smooth, weathered surface. The carvings were delicate, each line and curve flowing together in a design that seemed alive.
"They're not just an instrument," Damon said. "The pipes are tied to the House of Pan, to its history and its power. They can help you channel your ichor, strengthen your connection to nature, and calm creatures—or even command them, if you learn how to use them properly."
Theo looked up at his father, his chest tightening. "Why give them to me?"
Damon's gaze was steady, unreadable. "Because they belong with someone who understands their worth. And because you've shown potential, Theo—more than anyone else in this house. You've already done what no one else has, taming creatures of legend. That deserves recognition."
Theo swallowed hard, unable to find the words to respond.
Damon stepped back, his hands clasped behind his back as he regarded his son. "This will be one of the last gifts I can give you, at least for now," he said, his voice quieter now. "But you've earned it."
Theo nodded slowly, his grip tightening on the pipes. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Damon inclined his head, his expression softening just slightly. "Go on. The sooner you leave, the better."
The boar snorted loudly as if in agreement, and the bird let out a sharp screech from its perch. Theo glanced at his companions, then back at his father.
"Right," he said, taking a deep breath. "I'll… see you around."
Damon said nothing, watching silently as Theo turned toward the cart and the waiting forest.