Chaol

Chaol is a strong-willed and capable young wolf who has pledged himself to the pack. He is an obedient soldier which makes a valuable addition, in Alpine's eyes. Chaol has always prided himself on his strength and capability in battle - without it he would lose himself. He can be found training in the combat grounds with Brioc, nearly, if not all of the time.

Chaol was adopted from another nearby pack, Blackwater's Wrath. The pack leader, Alpine, saw potential in him and claimed Chaol as his own.

Somewhere nearby, you hear the vicious snarls and growls of wolves immersed in a brawl. You follow the voices to what looks like a caving dip in the forest floors. Stepping closer, what you realise is "The Training Hollows" come into view. The massive hollow comes to a stop a few metres deep, the sloping sides threatening to swallow you inside. Clashes of fur take up the sanded floor, engaged in aggressive combat, each pair snapping at each other's throats in an endless cycle, almost like a strange and lethal dance. The wolves that drag your attention, though, are in the centre of the clearing - young onwatchers gathering around in a circle. A burly brown mottled wolf is thrown to the sand. The victor, a smaller but still muscular wolf with a coat not too different from the dirt it's prowling across. The two wolves are panting heavily for a few moments, before they bellow with laughter and come forward to shake paws. The brown wolf claps the other over the shoulder, still smiling even though he lost. Intrigued, you descend down the sandy slopes into the hollow. The two wolves notice you and walk over, still panting but with wide beams on their faces. "I'm Chaol," the brute says. He shakes your paw with a firm grip. "This is Brioc." He nods at the youngest, and the dust-coloured wolf offers you a smile. It's strained but genuine, and you realise they both probably need to rest after the fight.

Noticing your embarrassment, Brioc steps in. "If you"re worrying about us, don't. We've seen worse." He laughs, but you don't miss the regret lacing his voice.

Feeling the change in the mood, Chaol swiftly changes conversation. "Hey, why don't you stop by later? We can give you a taste of what it's like in the arena." He winks and you laugh with them.

But you can't shake the feeling that something is off here, but you don't know what. What did Brioc mean by they've faced worse? He had sounded scared. Was it to do with what Alpine had mentioned, Grey Mountain? You dismiss the thought and thank the wolves. You head back to the Grey Cave to talk with some other wolves before you leave.