Wolf Magic

"Was that a wolf?"

Fergus turned. "Are you afraid of wolves?"

Alan shrugged. "All children fear wolves."

"That is foolishness. The wolf is a powerful sorcerer for his clan.  His cry brings the pack to meat. His is the voice that slows the footfall of the prey. But he means no harm to man. Only men mean harm to man."

That night Alan dreamed he was visited by a husky grey wolf.  The wolf sat by their fire and watched him with yellow eyes. 

"Teach me the wolf magic," Alan said.

"You are but a cub," said the wolf.  "There are many magics in the world, and which is best for you I will not say. Travel a while and then decide."

"My father says wolf magic is strong magic."

The wolf sniffed at Fergus. "I can smell illness, but it is not for any wolf to heal.  He needs the magic of the great trees." The wolf rose and ran away.

Alan woke to find his father breaking camp.  He told him of his dream.

"We return home to the cave."

"But father, we have not yet hunted."

"Think you that I would worry your mother with our absence? We go to see her. Then we go to the country of great trees. We together, my son."

Alan skipped along happily.  Fergus brooded. Why had the wolf come to the boy and not the man?