As the weeks passed not much happened. Eldrick began complaining about chest pains intermittently. Sergei told him it was just growing pains, they would pass. Training progressed for Eldrick who finally caught on to how to sense life at a distance. The following lessons were about herbology which both Eldrick and Sebastian learned. At one point while Eldrick was helping Sebastian tend to the animals he confided that he didn’t feel quite right.
“Something seems wrong. I feel trapped in a body which is not my own" muttered Eldrick.
"How so?" Inquired Sebastian. "I believe all humans may have those thoughts some time in their life."
“I don’t think it is that simple. I don’t think I am in the wrong body, it feels like there is more I should be. Last night I was in unbearable pain. It felt like someone hit me in the stomach with a piece of firewood” Eldrick explained.
"Maybe you should talk to Sergei about it. He may know what the problem is, or even how to remedy it."
“You may be right.”
Later Eldrick approached Sergei with his concerns. Sergei had a worried look upon hearing this.
“Let me consult the bones, they may give more insight into what the problem may be." Sergei took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "This could take some time, I will start tonight. “
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That night, after everyone else was asleep, Sergei began spellcasting. Truly concerned the spell was wearing off. It was supposed to last as long as the recipient accepted the name to which it was tied. Eldrick had not shown any signs of rejecting his name therefore the spell shouldn’t be wearing off. Considering this, Sergei concluded that his only plan of action at the moment is to recast the spell. He hoped this would bolster the effects and halt the disintegration.
The next morning Eldrick looked better. Watching Eldrick going about his routine, Sergei found he seemed more relaxed than before as well.
“Eldrick now it is time to start training in the magic of the druids. It can be very difficult and stressful to learn. It takes a particular state of mind in order to master," looking over at Sebastian. "Unfortunately, I am going to need privacy for this particular portion of Eldrick’s training as it is going to be hazardous. I do not need him distracted, the hazards of the training means Eldrick must focus. Some of the spells can have devastating consequences if cast incorrectly. It will be easier if I am not trying to split my focus to protect you as well as myself and Eldrick. I would appreciate it if you would be willing to go hunting while I am training him.”
"I understand sir. Is there anything, in particular, you wish me to hunt?"
“I would appreciate some venison or moose if you can find them"
"I will be happy to go hunting. It will give me a chance to spread my wings properly," He gave a shrug, "I gather you would like the hides intact. Eldrick could use some new clothes. He has outgrown what he is wearing. Maybe I could catch some rabbits as well. It looks like Eldrick could use some new footwear."
“Now that you mention it, you’re right, I hadn’t noticed." Sergei looked at his own footwear in the corner "It looks like I could use some new footwear myself. If you could catch some rabbits it would be very welcome.”
"Alright, sir, when would you like me to go hunting?"
“Tomorrow morning would be fine. Thanks for understanding” Sergei intoned.
Sebastian was restless throughout the night, his excitement at the prospect of hunting the next morning kept him awake. Hearing muttering coming from Eldrick’s room, he listened carefully, it was Sergei speaking. Unfortunately, he couldn't understand the words. Using his acute hearing and remarkable memory he interred the information for later review.
As the sun was rising, Sebastian rose and went looking for something to eat before heading out. The larder was low on supplies. Only a small amount of grain, a couple of loaves of bread and a wheel of hard yellow cheese. The icebox held about a dozen eggs, a pound of butter, and a quart of milk. Not sure how much grain was in the silo he understood the need for hunting right this moment. A couple of fried eggs and a piece of toast were his breakfast.
"Sergei, I am heading out. I hope I can get enough to supply us until spring."
“Thanks, bring back what you can. The larder is rather bare. I figured we had enough to make it through the winter, but that was before the avalanche,” grumbled Sergei.
Heading out the door, Sebastian climbed the wall of the tunnel to the roof of the portico. The blue-white ice crystals glistened harshly in the bright sunlight causing Sebastian to squint. Spreading his wings and leaping, with powerful strokes he took to the air.
Flying down the mountain he scanned the forest for a target. The thick evergreens made it difficult. On the edge of a small lake, he noticed a bull moose. Taking in its size, he realized the only way he was going to be able to take it down quickly, was to connect with the back of the neck. Those massive antlers were going to be an issue.
As he folded his wings in preparation to dive, Sebastian steeled himself for the impact. Mentally readying himself for a similar experience to hitting the snow. The sound of the rushing wind exhilarated him. Unaware that the moose would hear the whistling, he was taken by surprise as it tossed its head.
For Sebastian crashing into the moose was like hitting a brick wall. The moose ducked his head, then threw it up and backwards violently sending Sebastian tumbling through the air to slam against a tree. The moose, turning to face his attacker, lowered his head and charged. Sebastian barely had time to roll out of the way before the moose plowed into the tree with a deafening crunch. Reaching out with his foreclaws, Sebastian quickly rents the moose's throat. The dying moose unaware of the fatal wound thrashed wildly, its flailing antlers catching Sebastian under the wing, dislocating it. As the moose bled out Sebastian worried about how he has going to make it back with his prize. The pain in his wing joint caused him to pass out.
The freezing cold woke Sebastian. The sun was barely touching the horizon on its way down. Not knowing how long he had been unconscious and disoriented from his journey and fight, Sebastian started looking for shelter. After several hours he found a likely cave. Looking at the moose he noticed it was larger than he was. Mustering his strength he began dragging it.
The cave was large enough to curl up in with a small fire to keep him warm. The night passed uneventfully, with Sebastian waking up a couple of times to find a more comfortable position or renew the small fire.
The morning broke cold and crisp, Sebastian’s breath pluming out his nostrils, his wing joint throbbing. Not knowing the extent of the damage, he started heading back. Using the sun as a guide he began the long trudge. Once under the canopy of the evergreens, his direction sense was quickly muddled. Without the sun, Sebastian started marking the trees as he passed them. One quick claw stroke starting on the side facing him and ending on the side passed. Hauling the moose was difficult, the snow collapsed under its weight. It seemed to grow heavier with every minute.
As the light started fading Sebastian began looking for shelter. There were no caves in the area. Piling snow against one of the larger trees, he proceeded to tunnel into it building a snow cave. Once that was done, he gathered pine boughs to line the floor and provide some additional warmth.
