Origins of Malice - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – A Cruel Twist of Fate

A few days before he was to begin training for his rite of passage, the council declared a trial declaring Sano to be guilty of a crime he didn't commit, without informing his family that he was at trial. The trial was orchestrated by current head of council, whose family had stubbornly retained a prejudice for Echidnas. This occurred before Angel Island first rose from the planet, ever since the Wolf Pack had been first attacked by the Echidnas many years ago when they fought each other for land.

By the time his mother and grandfather found out what had happened to him it was too late, the secret council of Crimson had already made its verdict. Despite Emma's desperate and tearful begging, as well as certainty of innocence from her father, who said the boy was harmless they voted to make her now twelve-year-old son an outcast, on charges of the being an abomination bearing the signs of wickedness, or Malice as the council head described. When he refused to leave his mother, they forced them apart and roughly escorted him out of the chamber. His family pleaded that the council would at least wait until he entered manhood to banish him, but the council refused and presented something nether of them could expect evidence that Sano had been corrupted by evil. Emma's father gave up the fight when they said they had proof that the boy had been tainted. Adas regretfully told Emma that they could no longer win the fight. By the time they led him to the edge of their territory, Sano was so stricken with grief and anger, he was ready to kill the guards. But he held back, following the wishes of his adoptive mother he resisted his desire to slay them. Instead, the banished echidna fled from the Wolf Pack's territory to find sanctuary.

During the first night of his exile, his mother came and found him. The tearful reunion was short lived, for she told him, "Sano, my beloved son, listen carefully and always remember these words". His mother said as she brought him a pack with a bedroll on top, both of which were made of hide, along with a crossbow made from sacred silver and black wood. Take these and your Grandfather's crossbow, as well as our blessing. His bow is a sacred weapon passed down from Shaman to Shaman, which will only fire for its true owner, whom you now are." She leaned back and pulled a single golden arrow out of his pack, "This arrow is special, once it's fired, if your resolve is strong enough, it will never miss its target. This arrow will always return to you when you will it to". She then proceeded to take off her crystal necklace and show it to him saying, "This charm will give you comfort when you are longing for home, and repel any evil that tries to take it from you." She reached into the bag once again and pulled out a pair of hide gloves that fit his hands perfectly. She gave him a loving hug as she placed the charm around his neck and the gloves on his hands saying, "Always remember who you are Sano…You are an Echidna" she stated as she pointed to his gloves "a proud warrior…but you are also a wolf," she said with a smile, as she held his canine ears "A cunning and resourceful animal". Then she placed her hand on his chest saying, "Whose heart will always remain strong for those you love," After she finished, he embraced her tightly with heartache written on his face, her eyes began to fill with tears as she hugged him. Her smile faded as she reluctantly ceased the embrace, kissed his cheek and said, "I shall try to swage the council during your absence to allow your return," She wiped the tears from her warm, violet eyes as she told him, "Now, go my son…and let this be your test of manhood." She pointed to the night sky and instructed him to return home on the eve of the next golden moon.

He was deathly fearful that he'd never see him mother, grandfather or Angele ever again. Yet, he refused to give up and took his mother's words to heart when he left and put her gifts to good use in his struggle to survive, all alone in the Mobian wilderness. A few days later, he was surprised and touched to find objects of deep meaning to him when he looked over his pack of food, which filled his eyes with tears of joy and sorrow. He had found a staff that his mother had clearly made from his stone rattle (which no longer rattled), as well as his locket now with pictures of both his families (adopted and biological). Both of which, his adoptive mother had said she found him with. He swore an oath that day that he would never let her down. In spite of his banishment, and the threat of the death penalty should he return, he obeyed his mother's request and made sure that he'd return on the eve of the next golden moon, counting the days as he went.