THE WOLVES

A fantasy story.

    The two planets hung low in the blue dark sky. A shifting mist swirled and coiled about, drifting ever higher intermingling with the trees. The wolf sat on the knoll and sang her heart out to anyone and anything who might be listening.  As her song came to an end the wolf lowered her head and waited, listening, hoping. Would he answer? She hoped he would.

   She heaved a weary breath and glanced at the two huge planets dominating the sky scape. The God and Goddess she believed.  All the wolves believed in the God and Goddess. They were always there, watching over their people. Making sure they prospered, keeping them safe from their enemies, making sure the wolf females gave birth to healthy pups who all survived to adulthood. As long as the wolves kept their population numbers high and the pack members healthy they’d be able to protect themselves from their enemies.

    She sat on the knoll a little while longer waiting for a response from him. How long should I wait? She wondered. Will he ever come back to me? She resisted the impulse to make a sad whimpering sound. She refused to feel sorry for herself. She had to believe he would return and they would then become mates and start a family of their own. It was what they wanted.

    But she knew how dangerous it was when any wolf left the Pack’s boundaries. Once they crossed those boundary lines they were on their own. And entering enemy territories put them at risk for attack. And that’s what he and his group had done in looking for new hunting grounds and looking for new territory for the Pack to expand into.

     And she was hoping to add to that success. A swarm of fire bugs flickered about, their little lights winking on and off. Night birds called from their hiding places, their voices loud, haunting and very beautiful. Something moved in the grass near where she sat on the knoll. A quick testing of the air told her it was a prey animal. Unconcerned by its proximity she continued her vigil, waiting for that one special voice. She had been coming here for many nights now in a row and would continue to do so until he returned. She wouldn’t allow herself to even entertain the idea he wouldn’t.

    Then suddenly she heard something that electrified her body and she jumped to her feet with an excited yelp! It was his voice! It was him calling out to her! She leaped from the knoll and landed lightly on the soft earth. She raced through the long swaying grass in the direction he was approaching from, scattering the mists and the fire bugs. She made happy little cries as she caught his scent preceding him. He’s alive! He’s alive!

    She could hear him passing through the long grass and then they were together, sniffing, licking, whining, bumping each other and jumping about and wagging their bushy tails in absolute joyfulness. Both were making loud shrill happy sounds.

    It took her several moments before she noticed blood stains on his soft grey and black body. “Oh, Bandie, you’re injured! Injured! When I feared you might not return!”

    “Shashie, I’m just so happy to be with you! I feared I would never see you again. It was horrible. What we went through scouting for new territory and hunting grounds.”

    Shashie stared hard at him. She looked him over closely, circling his body as she inspected it. “You’ve been in battle. Did you all make it back?” There was worry and concern in her usually soft peaceful eyes.

    “We did. We all suffered injuries but we all returned in decent enough condition.” He told her.

     “That’s good.” She glanced around. The prey animal was still nearby grazing. She looked up at the two large planets dominating the blue dark sky. “Thank the God and Goddess.” She said.

    “Yes.” Bandie agreed. “Thank the God and Goddess.” He said.

    They both stared a moment at the two large planets then Bandie said, “Let’s go to the dens. I am weary. I need to report with the others of what occurred then I need to rest. You and I need to talk as well Shashie. I have something very important to say to you.”

    “Let’s go then. The sooner you get this done with the sooner we can be alone together.” She said. She was curious about what he had to say to her that was so important but she was concerned for him as well. To have so many wounds on his body spoke to the fact that things hadn’t gone smoothly. It meant that their enemies had grown stronger. That didn’t bode well for the wolves. They needed more territory and hunting lands as their numbers were rapidly increasing.

    They trotted side by side through the long swaying grass with the mists coiling above the blade tips and the fire bugs winking on and off above the shifting heaving mists. Shashie and Bandie were both silent, lost in their private thoughts.

    They went through a wooded area and came to the side of the mountain where their Pack Dens were located.

 

    The wolves were eager for news of what had happened on the scouting trip. Everyone was aware that there had been difficulties, that all had not gone well. The Pack gathered within a cavern deep within the mountain which was the one place that was large enough for the entire Pack to assemble.

    Shashie sat beside Bandie and glanced at the other wolves that had went with him beyond the boundaries of their territory to scout. They all were wounded, some much more severely than Bandie.

     Then the meeting started and each wolf who had been in the scouting party spoke. They told the story of finding a wonderful place at the foot of another smaller mountain where they could expand. It had a large lake with excellent hunting grounds full of all kinds of prey animals. But here they had encountered the Black Lion People. And these feline people were fearless fighters and not at all afraid to protect what they considered their own. And they considered the lake and lands around it for miles as their own.

    The Dog People had been no where in sight during the wolves scouting trip but then they were prone to roaming and weren’t that strongly into claiming territories for any length of time. The Tiger People were a different story but they didn’t have any territory in the area. The Black Lion People the wolves would have to deal with to claim this territory as their own.

    “The fight will be harsh. They have increased their numbers as we have.” Bandie said to the wolves. The others who had been on the scouting trip backed his statement up.

    The Pack Leader nodded and thanked them for their service to the Pack. They’d all meet again after everyone had time to think and consider on the situation. They would all gather together again to discuss strategy. The wolves all agreed they wanted that land. The fight would be well worth it. It was how to acquire it from the Black Lion People that was the question. How to defeat them.

    Bandie and Shashie left the cavern and made their way to his den so they could be alone. Bandie didn’t want anyone to hear what he had to say to Shashie. Bandie fed and after he was full Shashie cleaned his wounds with gentle strokes of her tongue.

    “I don’t know Shashie. The land is good but the Black Lion People are many and very fierce.”

    “What do you mean Bandie?” she thought she knew but wanted to hear him say it.

    “I am afraid. I think perhaps this is a fight not worth fighting. Many wolves will die. We should instead scout for other lands just as good, lands that are not already claimed by any people.”

     Shashie looked at Bandie and hung her head. “The Pack will not agree. They have decided. The description was glorious of this place.”

    Bandie barked a scornful laugh. “That is why the Black Lion People will defend it so. We will be in their territory and they know the layout of their own lands and we don’t. That will put us in even greater danger. The Black Lion People will fight hard to defend it from us.  I tell you, this is not going to be a good battle. They are bigger than us. They fight with fangs and claws. They can climb trees and drop down on us. Their numbers have greatly increased. Is the death of many of our people worth fighting for this land already claimed by the Black Lion People? I don’t think so.”

    Shashie shivered at the image of the Black Lion People and how vicious they could be. They were larger than the wolves. “What should we do? How can we change everyone’s mind?”

    “We can’t.” Bandie sat up and looked her directly in her eyes. “We leave here. We find a place that no one claims and start our own Pack. Others may join us in time from other wolf packs. I do not think it is so noble to die for territory when there is plenty of other territory that no one claims. Defending ourselves is important, as it is for the Black Lion People. They will fight for what is there’s just as we would, just as any of the other people would do as well.”

    “Okay Bandie. I agree. Let’s leave the Pack. We can’t have a life together if you or I die in battle. I'd rather have you than lose you fighting for that wondrous territory.”

    He licked her on the mouth in a wolf kiss, smiling a wolfish smile. “Okay. I’m pleased you agree. I wouldn’t want to try to live a life without you in it either. Let’s slip away now while most of the Pack is resting and thinking up battle plans.”

    “Yes, let’s leave now while we can.”

    Bandie led the way from his den and they trotted away from the mountain back out into the wooded area and into the field of long swaying grass draped with mists and fire bugs winking on and off. They both looked up at the two huge planets that dominated the blue dark night sky. They thanked the God and Goddess for giving them the wisdom to leave behind a battle not worth fighting to have a life of their own together.

Reviews

[Dingo the Archwizard of..]

Your ideas are good but your way of putting them into words lacks a bit. Your grammar isn't too perfect, which made certain parts very confusing. A lot of your sentences were very redundant-- they repeated a lot of the same ideas.

Additionally, there wasn't much of a climax, and your ending struck me as a bit cliche.
All in all, I enjoyed it, beyond these problems. Keep writing and you'll improve.

[Eric Cox]

Very good story. Bandie and Shashie are wise to leave the pack to avoid possibly dying in battle only to try and gain beautiful land. Very good pen on this tale. The picture reflects the feel of this story. Awesome imagery. Nicely done.

[Black Cat Fever]

Great fantasy story. I would like to know more of their adventures after they left their Pack. And how those two planets became Gods in their eyes.

[Wicahpi]

I agree with Sean :) Nicely done!

[Sean M. Addams]

you did a great job on this ... love the fantasy vibe on this story alot ..imagery was picture perfect ... a very amazing write...