Chapter 21: A Wounded Animal
The knowledge of Wolverine's true nature – the metallic claws, the incredible healing, the deep-seated weariness and feral anger Anya had observed – forced Elias to rethink his entire approach. Brute force was out. A minimal, token empowerment to trigger the Prime Conduit protocol still seemed the most direct route to mirroring those abilities, but how to deliver it to a creature this dangerous without being torn to shreds?
Thomas MacIntyre and Joe Tomah arrived at Lac Perdu the following day, having traveled by train and then by hired wagon. Thomas, solid and reassuring in his Barbarian-enhanced presence, listened intently as Elias, in the privacy of the cabin, finally revealed the true nature of their quarry. He didn't mention "mutant" or "Prime Conduit," but described a man with unnatural healing and formidable natural weaponry, a legend made real.
Thomas's stoic expression barely flickered, but his eyes, usually so calm, held a new respect for the danger involved. "Sounds like more than just a wild man, Mr. Thorne. Sounds like something... else."
Joe Tomah, a man whose Ojibwe heritage was etched into his weathered face and quiet, observant eyes, listened with an even deeper stillness. When Elias finished, Joe nodded slowly. "There are stories among my people," he said, his voice soft but resonant, "of spirits that walk in human form, tied to the land, possessing powers beyond understanding. Some are guardians. Some... are wounds given flesh. This 'Wolverine' sounds like the latter."
Elias decided to leverage Joe Tomah's unique expertise. "Joe," he said, "Anya's observations suggest he's solitary, relies on natural camouflage, and has routines. What would be the quietest way to approach such an individual's territory, to observe him at closer range without triggering his senses?"
Joe considered this, his gaze distant. "The wind is key. And scent. He will smell you long before he sees you, if he is like the animals. Move slow. No sudden sounds. Let the forest absorb you. An offering might work, if he is truly desperate or if some part of him still remembers human custom. But if he is more beast than man... even an offering could be seen as a threat, a challenge to his territory."
This gave Elias an idea. A modification of the 'offering' approach.
"Anya," Elias turned to her. "The snare lines you observed. Were they well-maintained? Did he seem to rely on them heavily for food?"
Anya nodded. "Yes, sir. They were expertly placed, checked daily. He took rabbits, mostly. Sometimes grouse."