The training grounds were barely lit up by the morning sun shining above the crowns of the trees. A grey wolf was hopping and dodging several practicing arrows fired by half dozen villagers.  

"Everyone, take your time aiming, don’t just fire your arrows randomly. Also try to anticipate my movements a little in advance." 

The archers stopped when they were out of arrows. The people on the side line started to pick up the practice arrows as it was now their turn to train to hit a moving target.  

"Lindvald are you sure it is fine to move around so much? It was just yesterday that Grandma removed your bandages. We can just practice as we used to, you don't need to go to this length of helping us." 

"Yegu, a real moving target is very different from a standing still one. The more everyone gets comfortable with their new bows, the better their aim." 

"But you barely recovered. We are just worried you are overdoing yourself for us." 

"Don't worry too much, the sooner I regain my strength in my leg the more relieved I feel of being my old self again. So it is also good training for me too. Plus everyone made sure to use arrows with straw tips, so even if they hit me it will not hurt me." 

"Ahm but still, you could start by taking walks rather than running and jumping around." 

"Hehe, you are too overprotective. Elder Brigit made me wear the bandages even a week more than necessary. I assumed she guessed that I would just go straight to overdoing it with my health so she took precaution on adding more time on wearing the bandages. Regardless, rest assured Yegu, I'm still going to visit Elder Brigit in the afternoon for my check-ups." 

"Hm, okay. If grandma Brigit gave you permission then it should be fine. But don't overdo it Lindvald, your health is important." 

"Lindvald! We are ready for the next round. Whenever you are done talking with Yegu." 

"I will Yegu. If everyone is ready, we can start Borgar." 

 "Is our young teacher enjoying his freedom back? Your bones are healed now but slowly and gradually strain your leg." 

Grandma Brigit was stretching and feeling Lindvald's chest and leg muscles. Lindvald exhaled. He gave up at this point to convince her not to address him as 'teacher'. 

"I understand Elder, I will do that. I will also continue on taking plenty of rest." 

"Ah, the teacher also keeps learning, I see. Yes, that was what I was about to say." 

Lindvald's inner eyebrows rose up, it was more like every villager telling him to take it slow except for a handful of energetic children. 

"Since Lindvald is doing a great recovery from now on I will just do the check-ups once a week. But if you don't want to be ordered to be bed ridden again, Lindvald shouldn't overdo it." 

"Yes, Elder Brigit.  I will pay attention to it." 

"Then I will send your students back inside." 

Grandma Brigit waved her hand in farewell as she walked out. Lindvald did a small and quick eye roll as he finally understood that it was Elder Brigit's way of teasing with him. The crackling sound of the firewood was interrupted by Ydis' excited greeting. 

"Lind! Lind! Are you finally healed? Does this mean we can finally go back to our promise?" 

"Ydis, slow down! Yes, I'm back to health although I still need a little more time to get to my full strength. So you still have to have a bit of patience." 

"Oh, what a bummer. But I'm happy that you will be back very soon. I will show you how I improved my throwing of snowballs." 

"If you only had that motivation to study, your mother would worry less." 

"What is that about throwing snowballs?" 

Yarik, Takar and Dayir were just entering the hall with their study tools and books in hand.  

The victorious roar-like scream of Ydis with a wood axe in one hand was echoing at the edge of the village. His stand was a proudful one as he stood on top of a defeated beast or more like a playing dead wolf.  

"Look at my strength!" 

As Ydis lifted his wood axe into the air to cheer with Dayir, Yadik and Takar, he lost his footing and slid down on Lindvald's stomach before landing on his but. The grey wolf started to chuckle at the unfortunate display of Ydis.  

"Don't laugh, Lind. The snow wasn't soft enough and it actually hurts this time." 

The three kids ran up to Yids as they got scared by his fall. Lindvald rose up and shook his fur into place before replying to all of them. 

"I guess that is a good lesson for everyone to never let your guard down. But also to never be too cocky because even the weakest opponent can overtake you if you are inattentive." 

 "And thus a new lesson is learned." Yadik sighed.

The grey wolf chuckled. 

"Then this is a nice point to end our little play. It's getting evening and everyone needs to help at home. So let's go back." 

"Okay." 

Four children responded at the same time. Lindvald was about to walk when he felt Dayir's small hand on one of his legs. He smiled and laid down flat on the ground. The little girl then climbed onto his back. Seeing the pleading eyes of the rest of the kids, the grey wolf gave a head motion to also jump on his back. It didn't even take a second before the rest of them were jumping onto his back. Lindvald slowly lifted himself up after everyone had settled down. Thus he ended up giving the children a ride back home.

Arriving at Ydis’ house, like usual his mother was waiting at the door for them. Her facial expressions were now more softer than at the beginning of their interactions.

“Good evening Miss Cotola, here he is as energetic as always.”
“Hmm. Ydis, help me prepare the fire wood for drying the herbs. Can you fetch some from the camp for me?”

“Yes, be right back. Bye Lind!”

The wolf bowed farwell and was about to turn away when Cotola addressed him.

“Lindvald! I never … thanked you for what you have done for our village and for taking care of my boy.”

That took Lindvald by surprise. He replied with a soft voice.

“No need to thank me. It is me who needs to thank the Miss. Despite not liking me, you took care of me when I was injured. So, thank you.”

She hmphed and bowed lightly with her head before turning around and disappearing inside her house. Lindvald could only witness before exhaling and making his way to the chief’s family house.