The night it happened, Ambrosia had a funny look.

She would not tell me what bothered her, but it was obvious in the careful and quiet way she prepared dinner that something was wrong.

The wolf and Ambrosia buried the remains of two weasels in the garden and settled near the fire for their nightly conversation. Instead of beginning with a memory of her life, Ambrosia remained eerily silent. When the wolf nuzzled her hand with its snout, she didn't reach down to pet it.

"Men are coming," she whispered. "I can see them. They're preparing and they are angry."

"Preparing for what?" the wolf asked. 

"They're coming to kill me."

There was no emotion in her voice. No fear or hate or sadness.

Her answer stunned me, for until this moment I fully believed I was supposed to be the hand that struck her down. It had been the only thing that kept me confident her death would not occur.

I remember the way she looked, beautiful and calm, a beacon of kindness, and the love I felt for her filled every inch of the wolf. The connection we shared was built from time and patience. It was special, and I knew there was nothing that could take that connection away. If I had to, I would kill the men.

"Your face shows your mind as clear as the sun," Ambrosia said. "I know you wish to save me, but you cannot."

The wolf began to protest, but she held her hand up.

"Take comfort knowing this couldn't be stopped. I am ready to meet what's ahead. I've been preparing for centuries." Her hand fell gently on the wolf's mane. "Do you remember when we spoke about cruelty? How it can either lead one further into darkness or bring wisdom to those who choose to rise above it?"

"Yes."

"Choose wisdom, Josiah. No matter how hungry your vengeance grows, or how hurt your heart may be."

"I will do anything you ask of me."

"What I ask of you? No, choose it because that is what will make you whole. Be a light in this world because you want to be nothing else. If you do that, I will adore you for all of time." She looked at the scroll hanging on the wall. "I would ask something of you. I hope you accept it, but will not be angry if you refuse." When the wolf nodded she continued, "You were the Champion of the Pit once, but I do not believe it suits you anymore. Now I would have you be my champion."

"Tell me how."

She held her hand under one eye and blinked. A tear fell and was caught on her finger.

"Do you swear to be kind and gracious? To go forth and look on darkness as your only enemy?"

"I swear."

"Will you combat savagery with patience and spread love through the world?"

"I will."

"Then receive your lady's mark."

The wolf laid its head in her lap and closed its eyes. A soft touch transferred her tear to its snout. When it opened its eyes, Ambrosia had changed. She was still beautiful, but much older. Her hair was silver and wrinkles settled around her mouth and eyes.

"I have waited so long for this night," she said, "and I have waited for you, my champion and Herald. When I depart, I will leave a gift for the world that has fascinated me for centuries. You, Josiah, are that gift. Rise, not as the wolf, but as the hero you are destined to be."

I stood before her with a face wet from tears. Ambrosia wiped them away and pulled the cloak of stars around my shoulders.

"Wear my mark with pride," she said and I didn't understand her meaning. "Your wrist," she added with a smile.

I examined my hands. Above my left wrist was an image similar to Ma's skin symbol, depicting a wolf hovering above a rabbit. Between them was a tree that connected the two animals with its roots and branches.

Touched by the precious mark, I began to weep once more.

"Why do you cry, champion? This is not a time for tears."

"It can't happen tonight," I whispered. "It's too soon. I can't let you die—I have to fight!"

"You would deny your lady her chance to return home?"

"What if...what if you're wrong? What if they hurt you—"

"Josiah—"

"What if I can't control my hatred for them? What if I have to hunt them for taking you away from me?"

"You will remember this command: Leave them be and understand they are only doing what destiny has set down."

"And if they've no remorse? If they do not learn from their cruelty but grow more wretched?"

"Then they will be denied the power of wisdom. But you will leave them alone."

"I'm your champion, I must protect you."

"It is not your duty to bring violence, but to fight against it."

Consumed by fear and grief, I could not see she was right. 

"Please," I begged her, "come away with me. We'll build a new cottage deeper in the woods. I can be your husband and we'll have children—"

"These are things you desire, Josiah, not me."

"But I love you."

"And I love you."

"We don't have to be in love. I don't have to be your husband. Just stay with me, please."

She released a gentle laugh and touched my cheek.

"I cannot stay, Josiah."

I fell to my knees and grabbed her hands.

"Don't go! I won't be able to...Please, don't leave like everyone else!"

I wept into her skirt, believing that if I lost another loved one I would never recover from my sorrow.

"You'll find me the rain," Ambrosia said softly. "When it falls, it will cover your body with a thousand of my kisses. You may not feel them at first, but when you stop to shiver you will realize they are there and you will know I have sent the rain from the sky. You will lose many people in life, Josiah, but none of them have really left you." She pulled her hand from my grip and lifted my chin to face her. "Have a care for things and never let your heart turn to stone. I have another command for you."

"What is it?" I asked through a sniff.

"Run."

"I must stay with you until—"

"You must leave before the men arrive. There's not much time. Run all night long and don't look back, not even once, for if you do you will be tempted to return." She paused and smiled. "But you will return, I can see it. You won't be able to help yourself. So, if you must come back, do it after morning breaks. That is when it will be safe and quiet, and that is when you can complete my final command. Weep if you have to, but understand my soul has gone to its destiny and I am happy for it. When you find my body, bury it in the garden and say a prayer. Then leave and never return. Go into the world and find your sister and your path." When I whimpered she clucked her tongue. "This is your lady's last wish. Repeat what you are going to do."

"Run all night and don't look back."

"No matter what you hear."

"No matter what I hear."

"What next?"

"Return in the morning and bury you in the garden."

"It will be difficult. And it will be even more difficult not to seek revenge, but you will refrain from doing so."

"I will not seek revenge."

"What will you do after burying me?"

"Leave and never return."

"And?"

"Find Credence and my path."

"Good." Ambrosia abruptly tensed. "They're close."

I strained to hear them and cursed my human ears for being weak, for what they picked up as faint rustling the wolf would have heard with clarity.

"Who are they?" I asked.

"My death. I'll see you to the door."

Her balance was wobbly and she held my arm for support. I was caught off guard by how frail she suddenly seemed.

"Become the wolf," she said when I opened the door. "Now!"

Just as its paws hit the floor, a man's voice shouted from the darkness of the trees.

"Mistress of Evil and Mother of Demons! We've come to burn your wickedness from the world!"

Several more voices joined.

"Watch yourselves! The witch will have spells."

"Grab her quickly before she turns into a crow!"

"Look here, she's got her own bounty—"

"While our crops wither from her poison."

Dots of light appeared in the trees from torches carried by the mob.

Ambrosia's lips touched my cheek.

"Run, Josiah!"

I didn't hesitate and took off in the opposite direction of the voices. I heard the squish of vegetables trampled underfoot, followed by the curses of hateful men.

True to my word, I did not look back, not even when Ambrosia's sweet voice filled the woods with an agonized scream. I answered her with a long, mournful howl and prayed my voice was the last thing she heard.

As her cries faded, I looked to the sky for a sign Ambrosia had reached her destiny.

A flash of light shot through the stars and was gone in a blink.