The Vicar's Apprentice

Sophie & Adrian

Sophie

If Sophie were being completely honest with herself, yes, she was disappointed. She would never be as strong as her father, her legs seemed to never grow, and perhaps she did have muscles but they were coated by a thick layer of fat. She couldn’t run long distances, she couldn’t think quickly on her paws, and she had virtually no stamina. She would never be a Warden, like she had always dreamed she would grow up to be.

Reluctantly, she’d accepted her role as a Vicar in the Aryn pack. Her mother had always insisted Sophie learn about the vegetation around her, making her categorize and identify various herbs around Kausen. Sophie had found it to be an exceedingly mundane task, but Saba shouldn’t let her have her dinner until she finished, so Sophie would work as quickly as she could. Now, she supposed, she was thankful for Saba’s bothersome lessons. At least she had a knack for something useful.

Sophie had risen early that day because she had somewhere she needed to be. It was her first official day as a Vicar, and she needed to boast to someone. She still had yet to familiarize herself with many of the wolves, but she had already picked out a favorite, even if she didn’t know him by name. He was big and strong and had a pointy nose, and Sophie liked that. She trotted around the territory until she managed to pick up on the wolf’s scent, then followed his trail up to a ledge that overlooked Aryn

“Hey, wolf!” she barked in greeting, paying no mind to whatever task Adrian had been consumed with before being interrupted. She plopped her little body right down next to him. “Guess what? I’m a vicar now, just like you!” She offered him a smug grin and crossed her paws delicately, raising her chin. “I’m certain you already know, but my name is Sophie.”

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Adrian

Adrian barely had any decent sleep overnight those few days, his mind too busy to remain in peace for more than one or two hours. With the ongoing events, the thoughts had been swirling in his head like a tornado, and he wasn’t entirely happy with that. After seeking for the pleasant and peaceful silence of the rocks in High Country and settling in one comfortable spot, splaying on a rock and getting lost in thought, he didn’t even noticed time passing by, unaware of the sunrise, or Sophie’s arrival for that matter.

His eyes widened quickly for a second in a jump, and startled he turned his head to stare at her with a brief confusion. It was the little crazy juvenile from the bear incident, a female he noticed that was too dauntless for her own good. But for worse or good, she was going to be a Vicar, and of course was extremely proud of herself. He couldn’t help but smirk at her cheekiness. ”Are you now?” Adrian replied, raising a brow. ”This ’wolf’ is called Adrian.” He added with informality on his voice, still smiling, and the blue gaze studied her for a second.

Perhaps it was the right choice, either it belonging to Sophie herself or Athena. Maybe he could use it for his own favor. He was the only Vicar so far. ”Well then it seems we’re working together Sophie, but do you really know what Vicars do?” As much it was a honest question, it half-sounded like he was teasing her. It was not his fault he enjoyed way too much to pester wolves like Sophie.

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Sophie

Sophie beamed, puffing out her chest in pride. “Of course I do! Like, sage is for toothaches, and goldenseal is for wounds. Oh! And jewelweed is for when your skin gets all and bumpy scratchy, my brother got that on his rump once! he couldn’t sit for weeks!” She laughed. She had only recently joined the pack, and her mother and father had never mentioned anything about “The One”. She knew her task also encompassed Aryn’s religion, but she certainly wasn’t going to be one to point out her faults. She’d just make it up if anyone came to her for advice, that as good enough, right?

“So, what do you know, Adrian?” She asked, her stumpy tail thumping on the ground behind her. “You’re really big, you know, like my dad. My dad’s a Guardian, they’re ok, but the strongest and smartest wolves are Vicars. Everyone knows that. That’s why I’m a Vicar, see. I’m smart and I’ll be big…once I’m full grown!” She added, even though she was a bit skeptical. She was still a lot smaller than most wolves her size. She looked up at Adrian, wondering when he had had his growth spurt. Then she wondered why he was all the way out here, away from everyone else. “Whatcha doing out here, anyway? Don’t you get bored all by yourself all the time?” Sophie hardly paused to give him time to respond to any of her questions. “Don’t worry, now that we’re both Vicars we’ll be hanging out all the time!” She smiled, gaining to her paws to nudge Adrian on the shoulder. They were going to be best pals, Sophie knew it. They had so much in common!

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Adrian

The grey male kept his grin as Sophie spoke excitedly, naming herbs and it’s uses with some knowledge. And when she quickly changed subject, he couldn’t help but snort in amusement as he noticed she was avoiding speaking about religion with that question. Only to then engage into a nonstop talking that he could hardly follow. Normally it would be extremely annoying, but if he was going to be honest with himself, her young and light-hearted conversation was at least distracting. And she was kinda doing him a compliment, thing he would never find bothersome.

Adrian awaited for her to finish, which she did by telling him they would be hanging together all the time and nudging on his shoulder, barely moving his weight in the act as he lay loose on the rock. Now that she seemed to have talked enough, he finally answered all her questions in one reply. ”I’m here because I need to meditate, that’s when I talk with the Great Spirit. You’ll need to do that sometimes if you ever manage to stay quiet long enough. Thats what I know besides some herbs like you do.” And because not everyone is fond of my presence. He laughed, shaking his head negatively to her. ”And you don’t need to be big or strong to be a Vicar, just intelligent enough. The kind of strength you’ll be looking for is fortitude. Even because I can agree you’re smart but I doubt you’ll be as big you’re thinking you will be.” He scoffed lightly, turning his massive head to her again to gaze with a thoughtful air.

”Right Sophie, let’s make a deal. If you work and learn about the Great One, I’ll teach you a thing or two about being ‘big’.” But looking at the round frame of her belly, Adrian doubted she had any actual will of exercising and getting big. He hoped he could lazy around and get her to collect the herbs they needed to stock, but apparently that was not going to happen.

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Sophie

Sophie scrunched up her nose and repeated after Adrian, “Fortitude.” She frowned, considering his words for a moment. “What’s it mean?” She asked, dipping her head to the side and staring up into Adrian’s deep blue eyes. He knew so much, and she wondered where he had learned it all. Had his mom taught him too?

Sophie thought about what he had said, you just need to be intelligent enough. She was always told she was a quick learner, but who cared about that? Sure, being smart was good and all she supposed, but being strong was so much…cooler. She could fight off bad guys and save the day…if only she was a bit higher off the ground. “Adrian, how come no one remembers smart wolves when they die?” She said, trying to sort through the flood of thoughts in her mind. “I can’t think of a single one. Mom always said intelligence was my best quality, but what’s so great about it? Big, strong, hero wolves, well, they live on in the limelight, even after their death.” Sophie wanted that lifestyle. She wanted to be adored and remembered, and praised by all. How was she going to accomplish this as a Vicar? Maybe The One could help her achieve this goal.
Sophie cocked her head at Adrian’s offer and she hopped up in elation, “Yes! Yes! I promise, I’ll do my best to learn!” She smiled up at him the adjusted her posture so her paws were neatly aligned. She would be the best pupil Adrian ever had, and in return he’d show her how to be a big strong wolf.

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Adrian

Adrian’s smile faltered with her question, and his gaze turned distant for a moment. If only Sophie knew this was exactly what he was struggling to solve on his own mind a few minutes ago. But he decided only to care about how mature her question was, even if it had been innocent. Perhaps Sophie had more potential he first thought she had. Eventually she would discover that sometimes, living was bitter if you ever stopped to contemplate about it too much. But he was glad that sparkle had showed in his presence.

”It’s easier to remember what we can see, not what cannot be seen. We like to watch heroes, great Alphas protecting their packs with teeth and claws.” He started, pausing for a moment to think of a way to explain to her. ”Being strong is a surface of what we can be. There will always exist someone stronger than you. But when strength fails, only our mind can hold our pieces together. A big and strong wolf who doesn’t believe in himself can be taken down by a little and fragile one that knows how to poke him where it hurts. That’s what fortitude means. It’s not letting anyone take you down by inside.”

He sighed, trying to don’t get too deep with the conversation. Sophie was only a kid after all. Not that he was that old, but he had seen enough. Offering her another smile, he added. ”The smart wolves are never on the spotlight, because they are always who make the heroes. Most times, it’s a smart wolf who doesn’t let the hero fall. That doesn’t means a smart wolf isn’t a hero on his own way. But being strong physically is always good too, you can have both if you work it out.” Perhaps taking Sophie under his wing could be a good idea. She had raw talent, why not cutting it into a better piece? That could work both for him to make a better impression on his packmates and for her to be a proper Vicar. He wasn’t really trustful that some stranger could occupy this role.

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Sophie

Sophie frowned, considering Adrian’s words. How did he know so much? What had he lived through, to have such wisdom? She stared up at his blue eyes, framed by heavy brows. She had noticed his place within Aryn. He was respected, but he something about him made him an outcast. He seemed to her different from the rest, but it wasn’t a bad thing. He was smart, and he was a free thinker. In that moment Sophie decided she wanted to be just like him.