Chapter 3
After a good hour or so, we finally reached the den.
"Moons, I can finally get some decent sleep. I'll sleep like a bear in winter, owls know I ought to... But, of course, gotta be on my guard lest Skorr ease my pain" Tyrik grumbled, heading back down the trail. "Stay here, they'll only hunt you down should you not".
Despite my deep hatred of The Legion, I felt sympathetic for Tyrik. He seemed different from the other wolves, kind and misunderstood. Could he be a prisoner or war too? In any case, his injuries as well as Roku's and my own, worried me.
"No, you need to rest" In some ways, I was begging him to stay. Not just for his own sake but for my comfort too. I needed a friend more than a pack, besides Roku, he seemed trustworthy.
Tyrik paused, mulling it over wasn't an easy choice. "I can't... I... Skorr told me to bring you here. If I don't do as he says, my leg will be the least of my problems"
"You bought us here, maybe you should make sure we stay here?" Roku emerged from behind me nervously.
Tyrik knew he'd made a valid point and returned to the den.
"You'd better not give me grief pup" Tyrik replied, brushing past and disappearing into the bowels of the earth silently.
"What if he's like the others? He might be nasty too!" As much as I wished Roku to be wrong, that was a possibility. Nevertheless, a chance we had to take.
"No, something's different about him..." I couldn't quite explain, all I knew is that he meant us no harm, particularly in his current state. "We should rest".
As I slipped into a peaceful slumber, I dreamed of the Everglade. It's rolling hills, lazy rivers teeming with salmon and endless herds of caribou, deer and elk alike. Rali was there too, as was Roku and the rest of the Cruisaders. Joined in the fruitful hunt and laying in the shade, listening while the birds hailed the sun with delightful tune, when night came, the air was alive with the song of the wolves. It felt so real, owls know I wished it to be true, yet I knew it wasn't real.
My dream began to fade, seeping slowly into the seemingly hopeless reality I had left just hours ago. I stretched, taking a deep earth-scented breath before turning my attention to Roku only to realize he was gone along with Tyrik.
"Ro? Roku? Where are you?" I searched the individual chambers frantically before putting my nose to the ground, following the faint scents up and out of the main entrance.
To my relief, Roku was here and seemingly unharmed, with Tyrik resting in the sun nearby.
"Roku! Are you OK?" I realize I was being too paranoid but it was my instinct to look after my family no matter the situation.
"I'm fine, I was chasing a butterfly" He smiled innocently.
"A butterfly...?"
"Yes... But I wasn't going to hurt it! Honest! They're just so pretty!" He defended his alibi but he needn't worry. The welfare of butterflies wasn't a priority.
My attention turned to Tyrik, resting by a small river or stream though I couldn't tell the difference between the two... But again, not a priority.
From this angle, I could see most of his wounds were healing well with the fresh air but it would still take a while for the pain to go away. In my head, I'd decided I would look out for him until then as repayment for his deed at the river. Despite my thoughts, none were a current priority, top of the list was my ever growing hunger as I imagine was Roku's.
"Tyrik?" I approached him cautiously, still wary of his standing within the Legion.
Tyrik growled softly as he too returned to reality, eyeing me with weary eyes. "What do you want Cruisader?" Sighing, he laid his head back down on his paws, closing his eyes again.
"We're hungry" I was blunt about our needs, highlighting our problems straight off.
He seemed to get the urgency in my reply, "There is no food here Cruisader, you and the pup will just have to wait like the rest of us"
I didn't take this as an answer, somehow, I could tell he was lying. In the way he spoke... I pressed him again.
"You're lying".
He looked up at me as I advanced, seemingly surprised at my accusation. "Can't get anything past you can I Cruisader. I'm only joking, follow me" he sighed before leading us a ways along the path, turning off through a patch of thick roots and around a clump of holly bushes towards a river.
"This is where we eat. If you can catch it that is" Tyrik smiled, sitting by the edge.
"Catch it? Fish?" Roku's eyes lit up as he scanned the water intently.
"Salmon. This is still quite early in their route so they've still got some fight left in 'em" Tyrik seemed knowledgeable on the subject of the Salmons run, explaining in detail the various points of their journey that we may stand chance of catching them.
"So, why can't we just move further up the river and find a shallow pass? Surely it would make it a lot easier for us, particularly with your-" I sensed Tyrik's eyes burrowing into me, clearly I was not making him feel any better so immediately, held my tongue.
"Owls know it would, but strict orders from Skorr we remain close to the den and out of Raven's territory" He sighed, seemingly impatient with my questions.
As much as I wanted to ask who or what Raven was, I didn't want to test his patience. Luckily, Roku asked the very same question in my mind, I would have asked had I not held my tongue. "Who's Raven?".
Judging by Tyrik's reaction, it was obvious but nevertheless, amused the pup. "Raven is the Alpha wolf of the HollowPine and not to be crossed. Former leader of the Legion, she split after Skorr slaughtered her sister whom at the time, was sick and barely able to stand nor 'fend herself". Tyrik stared at the floor, "Said she'd kill Skorr one day... Many wolves swear that upon him but they fall, except her. Any Legion wolf who sets paw on her territory is killed with no questions asked, not a single howl is let loose".
"Then let us go". I threw out my thought in a gamble that he just might oblige.
"Moons no! Skorr would tear my throat should you escape!" He struggled to his paws, agitated and nervous about me proposing an escape.
"Then come with us".
Tyrik seemed overcome with a concoction of joy, anger and shock. He shook his head several times, blinking hard as he came to terms with my offer. "Skorr would... Kill, hunt us, he'd-" His eyes focused onto mine. "Let's go".
Roku barked excitedly. "Where are we going? Where to?".
"Anywhere but here!" I replied with an equal amount of excitement, leaping over the stream and into territory unknown.
One hour into our trek, I decided we should find somewhere to rest. Tyrik's wounds weren't going to heal well with all the activity and it had become clear that he was beginning to grow tired.
Predicting this decision, Tyrik led us to a den underneath a large pine tree. It was concealed by holly bushes and the smell of the sap would hide our scent from a distance. Though it was barely big enough for all three of us, it need only hide us for a few hours to regain our strength and plan our next move.
Any thoughts I had of Tyrik's loyalty to the Legion, were swept away and I realized what he had sacrificed in order to come with us. Not just protection but his reputation, as well as the inescapable fact that he was putting his life on the line to join us, two wolves whom he'd never even heard of until twelve hours ago. It was a noble thing, admirable, even I, now held some respect for him.
"So Cruisader" He yawned, clearly exhausted. "Owls know three wolves make no pack and we've no female. What are your plans?".
Despite my initial proposal to flee the Legion, I had no real plan other than to put as many mountains and rivers between us and Skorr as physically possible within the next few days. Putting a pack together hadn't crossed my mind until now...
I longed to give him an answer that had some logic behind it but I had to remain truthful. "I haven't any plan, only that we clear these forests and find new ground, where our scents mean nothing and deer are in plentiful supply".
Tyrik seemed impressed. "Needn't explain Cruisader, long as you lead us somewhere worthwhile and safe above all else".
"Lead?"
"Lead. Where you go, we follow you know the order" Tyrik smiled.
"Me? Aren't you going to lead us?" I was surprised and feeling somewhat guilty, having predicted that he would take charge with little concern for me or Roku.
"Moons no, I'm too weak to lead. Besides, you're probably better at it anyway". Tyrik sighed, scratching his ear with a paw. "I don't mind either way".
I slept lightly, knowing that Skorr had more than likely caught wind of our escape. My stomach gurgled with my nerves and hunger. It's been days since I had any decent sleep...
I began to recall the days before the hunger, when the deer flocked into the valley and all wolves alike sang with the break of a new dawn. I never realized it at the time but, those truly were the good times.
After a good hour or so, we finally reached the den.
"Moons, I can finally get some decent sleep. I'll sleep like a bear in winter, owls know I ought to... But, of course, gotta be on my guard lest Skorr ease my pain" Tyrik grumbled, heading back down the trail. "Stay here, they'll only hunt you down should you not".
Despite my deep hatred of The Legion, I felt sympathetic for Tyrik. He seemed different from the other wolves, kind and misunderstood. Could he be a prisoner or war too? In any case, his injuries as well as Roku's and my own, worried me.
"No, you need to rest" In some ways, I was begging him to stay. Not just for his own sake but for my comfort too. I needed a friend more than a pack, besides Roku, he seemed trustworthy.
Tyrik paused, mulling it over wasn't an easy choice. "I can't... I... Skorr told me to bring you here. If I don't do as he says, my leg will be the least of my problems"
"You bought us here, maybe you should make sure we stay here?" Roku emerged from behind me nervously.
Tyrik knew he'd made a valid point and returned to the den.
"You'd better not give me grief pup" Tyrik replied, brushing past and disappearing into the bowels of the earth silently.
"What if he's like the others? He might be nasty too!" As much as I wished Roku to be wrong, that was a possibility. Nevertheless, a chance we had to take.
"No, something's different about him..." I couldn't quite explain, all I knew is that he meant us no harm, particularly in his current state. "We should rest".
As I slipped into a peaceful slumber, I dreamed of the Everglade. It's rolling hills, lazy rivers teeming with salmon and endless herds of caribou, deer and elk alike. Rali was there too, as was Roku and the rest of the Cruisaders. Joined in the fruitful hunt and laying in the shade, listening while the birds hailed the sun with delightful tune, when night came, the air was alive with the song of the wolves. It felt so real, owls know I wished it to be true, yet I knew it wasn't real.
My dream began to fade, seeping slowly into the seemingly hopeless reality I had left just hours ago. I stretched, taking a deep earth-scented breath before turning my attention to Roku only to realize he was gone along with Tyrik.
"Ro? Roku? Where are you?" I searched the individual chambers frantically before putting my nose to the ground, following the faint scents up and out of the main entrance.
To my relief, Roku was here and seemingly unharmed, with Tyrik resting in the sun nearby.
"Roku! Are you OK?" I realize I was being too paranoid but it was my instinct to look after my family no matter the situation.
"I'm fine, I was chasing a butterfly" He smiled innocently.
"A butterfly...?"
"Yes... But I wasn't going to hurt it! Honest! They're just so pretty!" He defended his alibi but he needn't worry. The welfare of butterflies wasn't a priority.
My attention turned to Tyrik, resting by a small river or stream though I couldn't tell the difference between the two... But again, not a priority.
From this angle, I could see most of his wounds were healing well with the fresh air but it would still take a while for the pain to go away. In my head, I'd decided I would look out for him until then as repayment for his deed at the river. Despite my thoughts, none were a current priority, top of the list was my ever growing hunger as I imagine was Roku's.
"Tyrik?" I approached him cautiously, still wary of his standing within the Legion.
Tyrik growled softly as he too returned to reality, eyeing me with weary eyes. "What do you want Cruisader?" Sighing, he laid his head back down on his paws, closing his eyes again.
"We're hungry" I was blunt about our needs, highlighting our problems straight off.
He seemed to get the urgency in my reply, "There is no food here Cruisader, you and the pup will just have to wait like the rest of us"
I didn't take this as an answer, somehow, I could tell he was lying. In the way he spoke... I pressed him again.
"You're lying".
He looked up at me as I advanced, seemingly surprised at my accusation. "Can't get anything past you can I Cruisader. I'm only joking, follow me" he sighed before leading us a ways along the path, turning off through a patch of thick roots and around a clump of holly bushes towards a river.
"This is where we eat. If you can catch it that is" Tyrik smiled, sitting by the edge.
"Catch it? Fish?" Roku's eyes lit up as he scanned the water intently.
"Salmon. This is still quite early in their route so they've still got some fight left in 'em" Tyrik seemed knowledgeable on the subject of the Salmons run, explaining in detail the various points of their journey that we may stand chance of catching them.
"So, why can't we just move further up the river and find a shallow pass? Surely it would make it a lot easier for us, particularly with your-" I sensed Tyrik's eyes burrowing into me, clearly I was not making him feel any better so immediately, held my tongue.
"Owls know it would, but strict orders from Skorr we remain close to the den and out of Raven's territory" He sighed, seemingly impatient with my questions.
As much as I wanted to ask who or what Raven was, I didn't want to test his patience. Luckily, Roku asked the very same question in my mind, I would have asked had I not held my tongue. "Who's Raven?".
Judging by Tyrik's reaction, it was obvious but nevertheless, amused the pup. "Raven is the Alpha wolf of the HollowPine and not to be crossed. Former leader of the Legion, she split after Skorr slaughtered her sister whom at the time, was sick and barely able to stand nor 'fend herself". Tyrik stared at the floor, "Said she'd kill Skorr one day... Many wolves swear that upon him but they fall, except her. Any Legion wolf who sets paw on her territory is killed with no questions asked, not a single howl is let loose".
"Then let us go". I threw out my thought in a gamble that he just might oblige.
"Moons no! Skorr would tear my throat should you escape!" He struggled to his paws, agitated and nervous about me proposing an escape.
"Then come with us".
Tyrik seemed overcome with a concoction of joy, anger and shock. He shook his head several times, blinking hard as he came to terms with my offer. "Skorr would... Kill, hunt us, he'd-" His eyes focused onto mine. "Let's go".
Roku barked excitedly. "Where are we going? Where to?".
"Anywhere but here!" I replied with an equal amount of excitement, leaping over the stream and into territory unknown.
One hour into our trek, I decided we should find somewhere to rest. Tyrik's wounds weren't going to heal well with all the activity and it had become clear that he was beginning to grow tired.
Predicting this decision, Tyrik led us to a den underneath a large pine tree. It was concealed by holly bushes and the smell of the sap would hide our scent from a distance. Though it was barely big enough for all three of us, it need only hide us for a few hours to regain our strength and plan our next move.
Any thoughts I had of Tyrik's loyalty to the Legion, were swept away and I realized what he had sacrificed in order to come with us. Not just protection but his reputation, as well as the inescapable fact that he was putting his life on the line to join us, two wolves whom he'd never even heard of until twelve hours ago. It was a noble thing, admirable, even I, now held some respect for him.
"So Cruisader" He yawned, clearly exhausted. "Owls know three wolves make no pack and we've no female. What are your plans?".
Despite my initial proposal to flee the Legion, I had no real plan other than to put as many mountains and rivers between us and Skorr as physically possible within the next few days. Putting a pack together hadn't crossed my mind until now...
I longed to give him an answer that had some logic behind it but I had to remain truthful. "I haven't any plan, only that we clear these forests and find new ground, where our scents mean nothing and deer are in plentiful supply".
Tyrik seemed impressed. "Needn't explain Cruisader, long as you lead us somewhere worthwhile and safe above all else".
"Lead?"
"Lead. Where you go, we follow you know the order" Tyrik smiled.
"Me? Aren't you going to lead us?" I was surprised and feeling somewhat guilty, having predicted that he would take charge with little concern for me or Roku.
"Moons no, I'm too weak to lead. Besides, you're probably better at it anyway". Tyrik sighed, scratching his ear with a paw. "I don't mind either way".
I slept lightly, knowing that Skorr had more than likely caught wind of our escape. My stomach gurgled with my nerves and hunger. It's been days since I had any decent sleep...
I began to recall the days before the hunger, when the deer flocked into the valley and all wolves alike sang with the break of a new dawn. I never realized it at the time but, those truly were the good times.
