One by one, the wolves encircled Deryn; but instead of showing their teeth or growling, they turned around as if they were guards for her.  They would howl to the moon, though Skylong believed they too howled for a greater hope, a greater glory.  They sensed the presence of hope in the young woman, and they were not going to let her leave with any harm.<br/><br/>"I see the council has already made a decision about your crimes.  Apparently, you are innocent" Earthwise brought up.  Though he was not happy about it, he, as well as the rest of the wolf rider tribe, had learned to trust the instinct and empathy of the wolves they tamed.<br/><br/>Skylong interjected.  "Might I suggest that the wolves that are now protecting were, also, bitter and cruel when we first met them many years ago?  They were the original guardians of the woods, but they had never met a creature that took time to understand them.  In order to win their trust, we joined them in their quests once we discovered what they were.  We never questioned their motives or their methods; and on the few times they challenged us to a duel, it was normally simply a test to see if we would run away from them as well."<br/><br/>Earthwise noticed that Skylong had been looking at him when he made the statements of trust winning and motives.  The non verbal cues were very clear.  When a tribe came together in unison to protect their own, they made a public show of it.  The wolves had shown their trust in Deryn, now Earthwise was to do the same.  Earthwise was unsure if he trusted the woman; so instead of kneeling, he also simply took his place as a guard around her with the wolves.<br/><br/>"I shall leave with you in the morning." Skylong triumphant in his voice.  "You others should stay here ... for now.  It would not be wise for many people to journey and lose their lives.  I shall trust that the eagles will bring you news of my death if that should happen; in which case, you already know that Earthwise will be your new leader."<br/><br/>As the crowds began to talk amongst themselves about the day's happening, Skylong whispered to Deryn.  "And you shall soon learn how to talk to Gryphons."