Wondrous Form thought for a moment, but he could not draw from that sliver of insight anything that could unify his understanding and establish the opportunity to define his own path.
So he turned his head toward Skerrit again.
Skerrit thought for a moment, then said, "Animal forms are the means by which Druids can match a warrior's combat skills.
"The reason for this is that beasts possess innate combat instincts—instincts that may be called wild instincts.
"And a warrior fights in order to defeat his enemies and survive.
"By that reasoning, wild instinct should also be the instinct to live—the instinct that allows one to adapt to all manner of extreme conditions and survive."
Hearing this, Wondrous Form nodded thoughtfully.
The three discussed the subject of wildness for a while.
Although each of them gained considerable insight from it, it still failed to help Wondrous Form find a fundamental principle that could seize the thread and lift the collar, unifying all his realizations.
Yet Wondrous Form was not disappointed. After all, it was not that he could not find it; he simply could not yet reconcile so many paths at once.
And through this exchange on the Dao, Ehlonna and Skerrit gained a measure of understanding regarding Wondrous Form's disposition.
Their earlier impression had not been mistaken. One who comprehended the Path of the Wild and sought to become a god through it would inevitably possess a powerful sense of right and wrong, and would not be easily persuaded.
However, the two also saw that alongside Wondrous Form's intense wildness, he possessed the broad-minded magnanimity of a beast king.
If matters were laid out plainly, then after weighing the gains and losses, he would surely make a firm decision. Right and wrong would be clear at a glance.
Yet