Here it is, my first copy. I got up to halfway into the second chapter, when the pups are born. WILL ANYONE TELL ME HOW IT IS?
just jokin
(its not finished)
Chapter 1-Humans
The trees were barren this time of year, the season where the world gets ready for the frozen rain. The birds have long flew south, and left the forest silent, before coming back next solstice. It was quite a weird absence… No sound, yet things still stirred. The creature stopped suddenly, hearing the faint breaking of twig. He had very good hearing, giving him an advantage most don’t have. As he continued on, the last glimpse of red, golden sun seeped behind the cascades, leaving an awesome array of colors in the sky. This time of year, the sunlight in the day gradually got shorter, and the darkness increased for every passing day.
This gave him yet another advantage. As the last ray of light seeped behind the peaks, the valley filled with darkness. Yet his breed had something special, something that made their race so feared by animals and humans alike. Night vision. To a wolves eyes, the night was alive again.
In the distance, a light muffled howl rang out, breaking the eerily quiet sound of night. He knew this call, and leaning his head back answered with a partially louder howl. These are what wolves call “transpirit.” A system of speech to talk far off, to summon back, or signal boundaries. But most off all, strike fear into anything that hears it. Picking up more and more of the absent night, he continued off, back to the den.
Before reaching den boundary, a sudden crack of gunshot rang out, like a sudden scream in the darkness. Immediately taking action, he lay low and snuck away towards the den. Wolves weren’t the only predators in the woods this time. But ones of more power, both hunting and destruction. Humans. They arrived not to long ago, brought west by the riches and heartbreakers of the gold rush. One family, arrived in the valley three months back, and have made caves into the walls, and cut down many trees for building.
The pack had once owned this land, and had shared it with plentiful abundance of animals. Now there are none to bee seen. None to be heard. None to hunt, what they needed most.
Continuing cautiously slower, he came to the final hill overlooking the den. “We will make it one more year.” he thought to himself. He told it too, but wasn’t so sure about it himself. “Can we survive?”
Peering around one last time, looking for anything abnormal, he descended the hill toward the den.
“Krrrackk” went the noise of a twig, signaling something behind him. Fiercely he swung around, his teeth glinting in the moonlight, and his low growl signaling he was angry. “You need to be more careful, Sant.” said the voice of the Lecha, or Alfa males sister. “You can’t even protect your gretch when she’s pregnant?”
“Your words are useless, Kierra.” he said, feeling foolish but not showing it. “I told you to protect the den.”
“She’s fine, Sant.” she said soothingly. “She’s sleeping now, first time in two moons.”
He looked at her with disgust. “That doesn’t mean you are to leave her, Kierra.” he said sternly. “I need you there, I need you to be by her. Everyone else is gone. I’m trusting you.”
She looked back gravely. “Don’t get worked up about it, Sant.” she replied facing the moon. “Besides, I wanted to talk.”
Sant eyed her suspiciously. Indeed she was his sister, but he knew her better than to put full trust in her. She is what wolves call a “seer”, or a story keeper. These wolves are believed to be special, and had great keen wit. They could talk with other animals, or possibly the gods. They were masters of the darkness, and of keeping hidden. These wolves were not to be trusted.
“Talk to me?” he asked suspiciously. “About what” aware that this could be a trick.
“I was wondering what you would name the pups. Have you thought of anything?”
Sant eyed her. “Me and Nella will talk about it, not saying you will be of any part of it.” he added.
Kierra looked back with a sort of hurt grimace. “Well I was also wondering,” she continued, changing expression and again facing the moon, “If you’d let me give the pups a little gift, a sort of blessing.”
Sant got up. “I will not let you poison their mind with your rumors and fables.” he growled, turning swiftly away and into the den.
Kierra looked revengefully behind him. “You will regret it, Sant. You will regret it.”
He entered the den paying no heed to what his sister was saying. His anger turned to hope as he saw his wife sleeping fitfully below him. At least she was sleeping. He felt deeply for her, but knew there was nothing that he could do to help in this situation. He realized that the best way to make an effort is to protect her and the den at all costs.
So for the next days, he protected the den. Always on the lookout, ever cautious. Kierra returned occasionally, sitting further away because Sant wouldn’t let her in. He wasn’t always doing it purposely, for a Gora, the husband, gets expectedly protective when pups are to arrive.
It was turning dark when Kierra returned again. In her teeth hung the limp body of a rabbit, caught off guard at the wrong moment. Laying the dead figure in front of Sant, she said “I caught dinner for your gretch.”
Sant looked at it and muttered a faint “Thank you.” Kierra lay down and looked back at the human encampment.
“They have cut down the more trees today, and made the whole in the mountains bigger.” she mentioned, breaking the silence.
Sant looked also at the human encampment. Today when he guarded the den, he had thought a lot about the ever closer humans. With pups being born, they can not journey away, and if they don’t do it soon, the humans will eventually discover them. This had already happened to a pack around the area. The humans dog’s smelled the new scent of another’s pack. They had followed it till it lead to their den, killing all but one, a wolf by the name of Torn.
This happened not so long ago, and Sant remembers the day vividly, as if it were just yesterday. It had grown dark, and Sant was curious to why the humans were venturing into the forest, guided by the stupid hunting dogs who randomly sniff anywhere, and held bright torches with fire. Sant thought it was just another one of their hunts. Not long after, the peaceful night sounds were broken by the far-away noises of gunshots.
Sant looked down at the ground, putting his muzzle on his paws, he turned away from the human’s dens and hiding his emotions from Kierra. Closing his eyes, he again returned to that dramatic night.
Hearing the gunshots, he turned back into the den. The night was late, and everyone had fallen asleep, but now aroused by the shots.
“What was that, Sant?” asked Gart.
Sant lied down and answered “The humans are on another hunt, nothing to worry about.”
Gart being the Weala- or omega wolf, shrank back in fear and pondered the idea for a while. “You don’t think they’ll come for us, do you, Sant?”
Sant being tired and irritated about the Weala’s nightmares answered “Whatever will help you sleep, Gart.”
Gart was to scared to think of sleeping, but lie back quietly and dream in his pool of nightmares. Typical for a Weala.
Later, the night quieted down once more, obviously the humans were away because the animals of the night were singing. A familiar smell filled Sant’s nostrils as he woke in the late night. The smell of a wolf, very close. None of the pack were awake, or gone, so he would have to be an intruder.
“Show yourself.” Sant said, letting the trespasser know he was well aware of his presence.
On his left, a bush started to move, and out came a wolf. Sant was cautious, knowing some wolves come to kill in the night. Wolves don’t keep relationships with other neighboring packs, perhaps by instinct.
The wolf stopped and took in a large breath of air, “Help me, please,” he said, sounding badly hurt and raspy in his throat. “I am Torn, Sertive of your neighboring pack.”
Sant looked cautiously but caringly at the wolf. This wolf was a Sertive, or Alfa male of the pack. “What brings you on our grounds?” asked Sant demandingly.
“The humans- they-they,” Torn fell over onto the ground. Sant rushed to his side, realizing his weakness. He had been scratched multiple times on his sides, back and chest, and in his leg bled the large hole of a gunshot wound. “What happened?” asked Sant horridly.
“They found our den- killed pups-” he began to whimper as tears rolled down his fur. “Killed my pack.”
Sant howled as he always does now, long, meaningful, and mournful. As he lay in the grass he doesn’t realize he was gently crying. Kierra came over and sat down next to him. “You’re crying, Sant.” she noticed as Sant turned away and wiped the tears away from his muzzle.
“Why do you cry, still?” she asked, acting full of care about her brother. Sant looked back, not feeling annoyed like he would be, but caring and sad put together.
“I remember an old memory.” he said, trying to hide is emotions.
Kierra knew better than to argue. “The humans are getting ever closer.” she mentioned once again to Sant.
He looked back at the human homes. He had made his decision that they will leave this den as soon as the pups are old enough. He made sure to himself that what happened to Torn’s pack wouldn’t happen to his.
* * *
The next morning brought great excitement to Sant and Nella. The pack had returned to the den from their hunting trips. Sant was happy to see Torn again, even though they had been gone for only a week, he was happy to see him alive and well. After his packs murder, he gradually strengthened and recuperated. The pack had accepted him, making him the Harklar, or wolf under the Sertive, Sant. He is able to run and hunt, although he still walks with a slight limp. He is a large wolf, strong and muscular, and very handsome. His coat was a mix of gray, black and white with a tinge of beige on his underbelly. He bowed respectfully before the Sertive, and sat down next to Nella, giving her his piece of meat and rubbing flanks to keep her warm.
After him came Karya, Nella’s sister. Karya was a large and strong female who was the Lilloya of the pack. A Lilloya is an adorned wolf in the common pack, keeper of the stories and caretaker of the pups. She was quite beautiful too, snow white fir, with a tinge of jet black on the tips of her tail and ears. She looked a lot like Nella, who was pure white.
Her and Torn have had eyes for each other, and obviously loved each other. Yet, it is uncommon for any other pack member other than the Sertive or Gretch to mate. So, they continue to love each other but no more than pondered the idea of having pups.
After Karya came the packs Weala, Gart. His coat shown no exact hint of difference, just common gray like the regular wolf. By wolf law the Weala always came last. Last to eat, drink, and present. The Alfa wolves always came first. It was the law.
Gart lay the dead hare in front of Nella, “I’m sorry I couldn’t find you more.” he pleaded, putting his head low and curving his tail in as a sign of unworthiness.
Nella looked deeply into Gart’s eyes. Even though she was considered royalty, she still loved each member of the pack. “That’s quite fine, Gart. Thank you.”
Gart looked up and wagged his tail in sign of appreciation. He padded over and sat down, further away, by the den entrance. Sant came and lay down next to his wife, and looking at Torn asked “What’s the news?”
Torn looked over to the Sertive. “Life is finally coming back to the mountains, Sant.” he said with a sigh of relief. “Trees are growing, birds singing. But we had to travel far to find food, thanks to the humans…” He shot a glance back at the humans encampment. “Kill without reason, why do they hunt us?”
Sant wondered the same question. Why? There were lots of why’s he’d like to be answered. Why had they come, why do they kill, why had Tarn let them come? Sant never asked why, though. As a sertive, he was supposed to know. He was in charge of the pack, and wouldn’t let himself be get at. Yet, he still he still wondered.
Chapter 2- New Faces
The dawn brought a beautiful day of rich sunlight. The world the pack knew was once again teeming with abundant life. Still in guard of the den, Sant was careful not to wander too far off, but participated in the pack discussion on the top of the hill. As the wolves basked in the sunlight, they talked about what the new pups names should be.
“Let the sertive speak,” said Torn, quieting the rest of the pack. “Sant, you’re the husband, what have you thought?” asked Torn.
Sant looked away momentarily, as if to seem he hadn’t been thinking of the idea, even though he had been pondering a lot about it. “Jeez, I hadn’t really thought about it a lot. I dunno, I was thinking of Farv or Lesa.”
The pack also pondered. Farv is wolf lore for brave and cunning, while Lesa is curious and knowing. “I will have to wait and see, wont I?” The pack nodded back. It was foolish for them to be talking about it before they saw them, for wolves name their pups on how they colored, or certain traits. They can easily see what kind of characters they would bee in the future, by looking at them as little pups. They could also see who would be the next Sertive or Weala.
As the day went on, they found themselves back on the hill for Larn, or evening talk. Kierra had come back and also joined them at the top of the hill. The peaceful impatient conversation about new pups earlier in the day soon turned to the human situation. They all knew that the humans would find them one way or another, sooner or later. They cant journey with new pups on hand. The discussion was turning into a fight.
“We cannot make the journey now, and winter will come soon enough,” said Torn, looking at Sant.
Sant gave him a warning growl, now getting a bit agitated about the ordeal. “We will leave when the right time comes, when the pups are older. Perhaps we can even hide it out this winter and journey next spring.”
“But what if we can’t, Sant.” said Karya. “What if they find us. They get closer every day, and as the Lilloya, I feel that this is not safe.”
Sant stood and growled. “And as their father I think it’s the best thing we can do to promise them a safe life!” He looked strait into the eyes of everyone. “You know we will have to journey sometime,” he said, “And the sooner we do it the better.”
He turned around and padded back towards the den. The sounds of sqeaks and squeals turned his anger into an outrageous joy. “Pups!” he yelled, “Pups!”
He bounded into the den, followed by the rest of the pack, excitedly waiting to see. Before their paws lay three balls of fluff on the den floor. It was as if the new pups could scare away the humans and keep them from their fears. Ever flowing happiness and joy seeped from each of them, especially Sant.
If anyone needs clarification of who the characters are,
Please tell me.
) and he must choose between his known life as a sled dog or old wolf family.
but I'll try,,,