The Heathen

When the final words left the old mans mouth he looked towards Aos and noticed her absolute interest in his story and he continued, "This man who I stumbled across by mere chance. He was like me. He had suffered a far worse past than my own. He had been beaten so many times to near death for something he was born with. He knew my pain. He knew my suffering. I instantly followed him, still hungering for food. We walked for some time until my stomach decided to speak for itself and make loud noises begging the man for some food. Without a care in the world, the man told me to hold on we were almost there." the tears on the old man's face had now passed only leaving faint trails of where they had traversed. "the hooded man brought me to a shack constructed out of twisting trees and plants. In this shack, I would spend many years under the hooded man. He introduced me to many things I had never know. He taught me what I was and how to control it. He taught me about the ways of the world, but most importantly he taught me how to live."

The old man once again gazed back in the direction of Aos. In a look of determination, he said, "I hope to teach you what my predecessor taught me. I hope you will learn from my past and carry on our ways. This land has long forgotten its past. I've lived for so long waiting for someone like you to be born once again. I hope you can forgive for casting your mother away. I will return you to her in due time. For now, I must teach you, I must guide, and I must protect you. The world is not kind. You were born from a loving and hearty people. They may not like what you are but they won't kill you but there are others who will actively hunt you like an animal." the old man contemplated for a brief moment before once again continuing his speech, "You are not quite the same as I. I was born as a druid. One who is born to guard and protect the lands. Those who are born as druids have an innate connection to the land. You on the other hand, are more. You were born with blood of an old people. One that has its origins long gone in the veil of time. The circle of druids that I used to belong to in these lands that were once named Ulfin had a name for those of the old blood. Shamans.