With the next two days Zarath, Tharon and Hura finally reached the forest in which the settlement of Vaerthruin (heart of the forest) unlike the tribe camps that they had grown up in, neither Zarath nor Tharon had seen an actual wolfkin settlement. As they walked deeper into the trees up above them in the canopy where platforms carved into the ancient trunks and board walks with dozens of Krellar welding bows and swords walked along the rope bridges that connected. But the true sight to behold was the walls just like the tribe camps. The settlement was surrounded by a massive foot tall cloth wall, unlike the tribe camps whose walls were only about six to eight feet tall this cloth wall was decorated with charms and bells painting like those painted by the ancestors of their people. One picture that of three crescent moons and a pack of wolves howling up at them. Not only that but upon closer inspection one could see brightly colored blue runic style cloths sewn into the cloth wall and for those skilled enough to see it they would notice the magic emanating from these cloth runes. As Zarath, Tharon and Hura approached a massive stockade-style gate each post had to be equal to a whole tree and across the gate where two massive bronze circles engraved with symbols of the waxing moon on the left and the waning moon on the right.

          Two massive Wolfkin bigger than any Zarath or Tharon had seen in their lives stood holding bronze war axes, unlike most Wolfkin that wore loincloths or minimal clothing at all, these two massive tanks of meat wore full body armor leather and intertwined bronze pieces covered them from head to toe only the souls of their feet and the palms of their hands where exposed along with their tails. As the boys approached both of them stopped when the gate guards crossed their massive axes. Upon closer inspection Zarath noticed that both guards were blind, their leather helmets had a piece of cloth sewn into them that covered their eyes meaning these two only knew anyone was in front of them by smell or sound.

          “Who seeks to enter the Hollowed city of Vaerthruin.” The guard on the left spoke.

          “State your name and tribe.” The guard on the right spoke.

Zarath and Tharon looked at each other, a little star struck by the city walls and these two massive guards who were currently blocking their path.

          Zarath was the first to step forward taking in a sharp breath of air before bowing his head slightly to the guards.

          “Zarath son of Kaar, grandson of Hrol Dhran of the Iron Claw tribe.” Keeping his head low he waited for Tharon to speak. Tharon quickly followed his friend’s leads.

          “Tharon son of Dranth Grak Garmakar of the Iron Claw tribe.” Tharon tail frizzed out he had never met another Wolfkin so massive in size like the two standing before him and Zarath.

          “Two speak but a third remains state your name.” The left guard spoke, he was in fact speaking of Hura the dire wolf.

          “Hura can not speak she is my bonded Brakkron.” Zarath gulp as he answered, unsure how the two guards would react. If Wolfkin could sweat, he would be standing in a puddle by now.

          “This is acceptable state the reason you seek entry into our hollowed walls.” The right guard spoke.

          “We seek the rite of purifications at the Vrak’Thura.” Both boys answered unsure if this was how they should respond to the question. Both guards moved their axes back to their sides unbarring the path to the gate.

          “What you seek we may not give seek out Grak Tharakar (chief shaman) Vos of the Thar'Vrak (Guardians of the Sacred Waters) at the temple only she may grant what you seek.” Both guards spoke as one in perfect unison as the gates opened behind them.

          Both Zarath and Tharon quickly made their way past the two guards and through the gates Hura following close behind her master. The massive gate slowly closing behind them as they now began the second leg of their journey for a cure.