Wolf Brother #3

I am reading  Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. I am currently on page 96 in chapter eleven.

                Torak and Wolf have been captured! After twelve days without Fa, Torak is captured by a hunting party from the Raven Clan. He has shot a buck on their land and must die to pay for his mistake. However, because he claims innocence he will fight Hord, a large 19 year-old clan member. Hord’s sister, Renn, was part of the hunting party that found Torak, and she captured Wolf. As Torak and Hord fight, Torak realizes that in order to defeat Hord he must use wit, not just brute force. Once Torak has won the fight, Renn comes forward with an interesting discovery. She has found the dog whistle that Torak has crafted for calling Wolf. One of the clan prophecies tells of a listener that will rid the Forest of a demonic bear and restore peace. A clan meeting is called to decide Torak’s fate. Is a sacrifice brewing?

                The book is getting even better. Torak has had his first encounter with man since he was very little. I also really like how believable the story is. New topics keep popping up everywhere. The theme of the book is growing up. Torak has to grow up once his father dies, and is forced to make very adult decisions early in his teenage years.

                The best character in this book is Torak. He has grown in maturity and ability while being alone in the Forest. Torak has been alone for about twelve days now. He has made his first kill and discovered his guide is a lone wolf cub. He is definitely a trusting character.

                “A shadow attacks the Forest. None can stand against it… Then comes the Listener. He fights with air, and speaks with silence… The Listener gives his heart’s blood to the Mountain. And the Shadow is crushed.” (Paver 83-84) This quote is important because it foreshadows Torak’s future in the story. Torak is the Listener.

                In this section of the book we also learn the answer to one of my questions. Torak’s mother died when he was young. She was a member of the Red Deer Clan. Torak’s mother died; perhaps this is the reason Fa and Torak left the clans.

Questions:

1.       What part does Wolf play in the prophecy if Torak is the Listener?

2.       How does Wolf know the way?

3.       Will Torak be sacrificed?