The World has Changed, Part II

Shanda was still staring at her home's ruins when a strong paw settled on her shoulder. The young Felisapi turned to see Old Raklaw standing behind her. He was twice as tall as her and three times as wide, for Old Raklaw was a Borfen, one of the bear-folk. Usually he stayed in his den by the creek, entertaining the little ones with his tales of monster-slaying back in "the good ole days".
Now, though, Raklaw was covered in bloody cuts and bandages, and carrying his old club, which had it's own battle stains.
"Raklaw, what happened?"  Shanda asked weakly. Sedna looked up and blinked at the gray-furred warrior, who shook his head.
"Battle. Came at us out of nowhere. Hundred of 'em, at least."
"Who?" Shanda inquired.
"Humans. Elves. Few dwarves."
"Why?" Sedna asked. Raklaw sighed.
"The world's changed, kids. The Immortals have launched a revolt. They've apparently been planning this a long time, inciting the non-furreds to fight for their rights."
"Rights?"
"The Animkind have always been the rulers of Sarant, and a few from time to time hold that against the non-furreds, treating them as though they aren't as important. It's wrong, and the rest of us try to stop them, but enough feel that way that now it's turned into war." He turned and began shuffling toward the forests. "Come on kids. We've got to find sanctuary before any of that mob come back." Shanda and Sedna stared at each other before hurrying after him.
"Raklaw," Sedna started after a while. "How did you survive the attack?" Now the Borfen smiled slightly.
"None of the fools that came into my den really knew how to fight. At first, I just threw them into the water. But when I ran to the village, though, I was too late to do anything other than keep them from killing me. Eventually I ran into the forest and lost those that followed. Came back to find everything in flames. Nothing to scavenge, but something told me to hang around, and then you two show up."
"Where are we going?"
"East, towards the Center Mount. Then we either keep going east to see an old friend, or I may send you north to your homeland." The siblings looked at each other apprehensively. It would be a several weeks-long journey the huge, extinct volcano that formed the center of Sarant's mountains, and there was no telling who they might run into along the way.