The return to the village was tense. The guards walked faster after seeing the disturbed clearing. They whispered to each other nervously. Ethan kept looking at the feather in his hand. Its glow faded slowly but not completely. It reminded him of the glowing wolf though the light felt different, colder, more unstable. Whatever creature left it must have been strong and frightened.

When they reached the village gate the elder was already waiting. Ethan handed him the feather. The elder held it with both hands and stared at its glow. He spoke to the guards who described the clearing in short hurried sentences. The elder’s expression darkened. He motioned for Ethan to follow him to the main hall.

Inside the council gathered again. The elder placed the feather on the table. The villagers whispered as they entered behind them. The hunter arrived last. When he saw the feather his eyes widened then narrowed. Ethan showed the elder with simple gestures what he saw in the forest. The elder listened carefully. The hunter tried to interrupt several times but the council ignored him.

Ethan drew a rough outline of the clearing on the table dust. He marked the claw marks the crushed earth and the feather scatter. Then he made a gesture of a creature running away not toward the village. The elder repeated the gesture for the council who murmured among themselves with uneasy voices.

The hunter slammed his spear against the floor and shouted that the beasts were gathering to attack. He insisted the village should prepare weapons. Ethan shook his head firmly. The hunter glared at him. Ethan showed the feather then mimed shaking with fear. He tapped his chest quickly to show a beating heart then pointed toward the forest. The elder watched him closely then spoke calmly to the council. The council argued but slowly shifted toward Ethan’s interpretation.

The elder raised his hand and declared something with firm authority. The hunter stormed out again and slammed the hall doors, leaving the council relieved and exhausted.

Ethan walked back to the shelter to check the wolf and the bark creature. The wolf lifted its head when he entered. Its glow brightened slightly as if sensing his return. The bark creature nudged closer. Ethan smiled at their progress. He fed them small portions of dried fruit and water. The wolf ate carefully but with more strength than before.

Mira entered soon after carrying fresh herbs. She asked in slow gentle words if he was safe. Ethan nodded and showed her the feather. She gasped softly and touched it with trembling fingers. She whispered something that sounded like a name. She drew a shape in the air a long neck and wide wings. Ethan understood. A beast of the skies. A creature big enough to shake trees.

She explained with gestures that such creatures rarely came near the village unless something disturbed their territory. Her eyes showed fear. Ethan placed a hand on her shoulder with reassuring calm. She smiled with a mix of gratitude and worry. She helped him check both creatures again before leaving for the night.

As darkness settled over the village Ethan sat between the two recovering creatures. The wolf rested its head on his thigh while the bark creature curled near his feet. He listened to the night sounds outside the shelter. Something in the forest cried out faintly in the distance. Not a roar. Not an attack. A sound of confusion. A creature lost or distressed.

The wolf lifted its head and pricked its ears toward the forest. The glow along its fur brightened in response to the distant call. It stood up shakily then looked at Ethan as if trying to communicate something. The bark creature shifted nervously too. Ethan felt his pulse quicken. The forest was changing at night.

He opened the shelter door slowly and stepped out. The villagers had gone inside but torches still burned near the paths. The forest edge seemed darker than usual. The trees shivered though there was no wind. Ethan stared into the dark woods and felt the weight of what was coming.

He returned inside and sat beside the wolf again. He stroked its neck gently. The creature leaned into him for comfort. The bark creature hummed softly, echoing the tension in the air.

Ethan understood something important in that moment.
Whatever was happening in the forest was not a small problem.
It would reach the village soon.
And he was likely the only one who could read the signs before it struck.

He pulled both creatures close and stayed awake as long as he could, listening to the forest breathe with uneasy rhythm.
Tomorrow he would have to go deeper.
Tomorrow the real work of a keeper would begin.