Chapter 5- Sand, Sun, and Rock

Chapter 5- Sun, Sand, and Rock

 

 

The loft was extremely quiet. Sunlight barley poked through the holes that lined the walls and ceiling of the round room. It was shaped like a giant tube with larger holes near the sides. Shadow looked around watching leaves occasionally float in through the holes. Crystal stopped against the wooden wall when a voice called out above them. “Eh, what are you outsiders doing snooping around in my loft”? Crystal looked up. Above them was a golden brown bat hanging from the chipping wood. “We were sent by Donvu”. She called up. “Did he now? Well isn’t that dandy”. Trabon floated down and landed hard against a stumpy branch pocking out of a hole. “Leave it to the old git to send mugs like you to me”. “Watch the attitude”. Shadow said annoyed. “Oh ho ho! What have we hear? A little thug eh? Watch out! He’s gonna get you”! Trabon burst out laughing. He wiped his eyes and stared at Crystal. “You don’t think that was funny? Your friend really is quite the ruddy warrior isn’t he”? Crystal didn’t say anything but glared at him. “Donvu sent us because he claims you can get us to The Amulet of Senet, it’s somewhere south of here. He says it’s in an old town, in the desert”. Trabon fancied himself an extreme look of smugness all too familiar by account of the raccoon Shadow met ages ago. “On a journey are we”? He said ruffling up his chest fur. “That’s correct”. Shadow said. “Well lucky you, I’m the top best person for transport”. “Oh brother”. Crystal groaned. “And how exactly am I going to get you there? Through magic”! He piped up shoving his chest hairs so high they could slap his fat, proud face. “Oh that’s it; look if you can’t help us then just say so”. But Trabon waved his wing and a flash of light erupted all around then a huge bang shot off. The twig Trabon was standing on snapped clean and Trabon was lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. “Alright, that could have gone better”. He clicked his claws only this time a small portal of light opened up and a pile of sand poured onto the floor of the room. “Just follow me”. Trabon flew on through and Crystal and Shadow followed him inside.

 

 

“It’s a pleasure to see you again Chanoue, what brings you around”. Arnoue said throwing back his head. “Just seeing you my friend”. Arnoue leaned back into the rock scratching himself against it. “I heard that Kessle is having a litter, he’s leading the pack to safe haven for the winter during this time too. He won’t be around for council meetings for a while”. Chanoue nodded staring into the distance. “Understandable”. He said absently. “As for me I have no pack”. Chanoue’s attention was caught. “You too”? Chanoue said looking over at him. Arnoue nodded. “In my young years I always fancied the lone wolf life and it’s taken a small toll on me”. “As did it for me”. Chanoue said quietly. Arnoue looked down. “That’s an interesting ring you have. I’ve never seen it before”. Chanoue lifted up his paw. A silver ring with a tiny diamond encrusted on it was around his claw hanging slightly. “It’s an old relic me and my father found. We always had a passion for ancient artifacts”. Arnoue looked back up. “Yes I see. It has no real purpose I suppose”? Chanoue looked down for a moment then looked up. “Its novelty rests on appearance, nothing more”. Arnoue nodded. “I see”. “I met Ranoue after my father was killed, that’s why we traveled together”. “He’s an interesting fellow”. Arnoue said with a bit of a chuckle in his voice. “Do you ever think what it might have been like”? Chanoue said suddenly. Arnoue’s ears folded in confusion. “What do you mean”? Chanoue stood up. “If there were no humans, if they never existed; do you think things would have been better”? Arnoue opened his mouth but only stared without speaking. “My father wouldn’t be dead and my brother wouldn’t have betrayed me”. Chanoue’s voice was rising. “And my mother wouldn’t have betrayed me either! None of this would have happened”! Chanoue said then looked at Arnoue who looked somewhat terrified. “I’m sorry, I miss my father greatly. It frustrates me”. Arnoue sat forward again. “I understand; I left my parents when I was young. I so do regret it”. Chanoue growled. “My mother was coward and a traitor, she disrespected my father and fled with my brother, for all I know she’s probably dead”. Arnoue said nothing but only stared off at Chanoue. “When Kessle returns I hope to bring our council’s control more central and unify the packs”. Chanoue said. “A new dawn is coming I assure you Arnoue”.

 

 

 

The hot sun poured on over the land. The portal behind them snapped shut. Trabon casted down onto a wooden log buried in the sand and huffed as though exhausted. “I hate this place it’s so hot”. “Then why did you come along”? Crystal asked squinting through the sunlight. “Well I can’t leave you guys out here alone”. Shadow shook his head as sand had managed to poor onto his head after the portal shut. “So where does the magic come from? Family trait”? Trabon shuffled. “No, I have my connections”. Crystal stared at him for a moment. Trabon looked around then lifted up into the air. “Come on, the human town is just this way”. He flew off high overhead. The desert sand was stinging. The town came into view after rounding a hill. Grassy weeds and bushes stretched down the hillside to a wooden town below. The buildings were perfectly visible as well as their rundown nature and splintered look. “Shabby junk. Those humans have no idea how to make shelter I swear”. Trabon said gliding through the air. “It’s older than your average human shelter; they aren’t too bad at building”. Crystal said watching the buildings ahead. “Oh excuse me; I didn’t mean to make unjust accusations”. Trabon blurted sarcastically. Crystal glared at him but didn’t respond. They walked down onto the sandy roads. The wind blew by and sand kicked up battering against the old wooden buildings and the smacking of a rock against iron metal. “It’s nice and quiet” Crystal said sniffing at the stale air. “What did you expect”? Trabon said gliding up and landing on the wooden building top. “It’s an old sandy desert with nothing more than remains of trashy human buildings, nothing to see nothing to do”. “You’re so negative”! Crystal said loosing her temper. “It’s annoying”! Trabon took a step back. “Sheesh”. He snorted and he glided up again flying over the town. “I’ll look around the other end and you guys search the buildings, shout out if you see anything suspicious”. Shadow turned and pushed through the wooden door hanging open on the building next to them. It banged wildly in the wind against its rusted hinges. “What exactly does that snob mean by suspicious anyway”? Shadow shrugged leaning into one of the old chairs in the room. The room was dark with a single shattered lantern lying on the ground. A long table strung across the room leaving an open spot to walk through. “If the amulet’s just sitting around here somewhere than I can’t think of anything suspicious looking”. Crystal said looking over one of the old tables. “I bet Trabon just flew off so he could sloth himself on some tree”. Crystal shifted her eyes over to Shadow. “Another thing about him, I think that-” Crystal’s words suddenly cut off as her eyes focused to the window. Trabon came flying down crashing into the window. The glass shattered and he fell threw. Small cuts spread him but he looked fine for the most part. His fur was ruffled and his eyes were scowling. “Those stupid vultures attacked me! Ugly birds! They were joking around then they all dived at me”! Crystal looked up out the window. Several vultures appeared to be laughing among one another in unison. “Did you see anything out there”? Shadow asked. Trabon stood up wiping the fragments of glass from his shoulders. “Not a bloody thing, I was looking over a few buildings but the rats with wings knocked me out of the air”. Shadow sighed. “What about you two”? Shadow shook his head. “Wait”! Crystal called out behind them. Shadow turned and looked at her. “What did you find”? Crystal motioned to them. “I found this”. She held up a piece of paper. It looked half burnt and several notes were scrawled on its corner. “It’s some sort of map”. Trabon lifted himself onto a table and stared down at the map in Crystal’s paws. “Give me that”. Trabon snatched it from her. “What rubbish, it’s written terribly. And it’s completely wrinkled”. He pulled it up in front of him covering his face. Crystal rolled her eyes. “Can you even read human writing”? Trabon made a funny noise from behind the map. “Coarse I can, my sister taut me some of human language when we were young. We grew up in a place called London before we migrated out to these parts”. Crystal perked her ears. “Your sister? You had a sister”? Trabon looked over the top of the map with one eye raised. “Yes, she was born shortly after I was; she was my younger sister. She seemed to know a lot more about humans. I left my family not too long after her eighth birthday”. Trabon brought the map back up in front of his face continuing to study it intently. Crystal’s eyes narrowed. “What was your sister’s name”? Trabon lowered the map even lower just below his waist looking rather annoyed by the interruption. “Well if you must know, her name was Luna”.

 

 

 

A heavy storm showed signs of approach. Dark clouds were mounting outside. The cold winds could be heard echoing over the mountains. The caves dark interior was heavily shaded by the clouds. Chanoue tossed a meat shank over at Kanoue still cowering in the corner. “Eat up; I want to get back to my cave soon. I need rest”. Kanoue ate fervently. “Why do we not share a cave Chanoue”? Kanoue asked. “You’re not fit, if the others saw you with me, I might be cast out”. “So you were hunting earlier, is that why you’re tired”? Chanoue leaned against a wall scratching his rough fur. “No, I will be hunting later this afternoon with Ranoue. I’m tired because… never mind, it doesn’t matter. Chanoue turned away without looking at Kanoue and wandered off outside. He crossed over the forest back to his cave. The other wolves all around enjoyed the human carcasses taken in from several exploring fools. They would love the hunt later this evening. Chanoue settled back in his cave, his eyes shut over his golden yellow eyes. Raves was nearby. “I’m going on patrol, do you wish for me to report back”? Chanoue looked up. “If it’s not important enough to disrupt my sleep then do not bother me with it”. “Yes right…” Raves said nervously. He scampered off outside heading out for the hills bordering the forest. Chanoue had slept for maybe an hour when he suddenly heard growls and snarls outside. The noise had awoken him and annoyed him greatly. Raves’ voice called from outside. Stupid wolf had better have a good reason for disrupting his sleep. “Chanoue, I bring you outsiders from the deep pool on the outer rim”. Chanoue felt he needed to stay patient despite Raves’ royalty behavior which he found stupid. He’d gladly kill these outsiders; they had already wasted his time. “Then please escort them in if you would”. Chanoue said shaking his head with dissatisfaction. “As you wish”, Raves called back. He muttered something and then Raves’ black form stepped inside. Chanoue looked at him for a long moment then he searched for the trespassers spoken of. He stood up and saw them; two young small wolves, one grayish white one and a black one. Chanoue watched them cower. He felt empowered by their fear but also felt a gentle grant of kindness sweep him. He responded heartily. “So, these are the trespassers you found Raves”? Raves stood tall and proud. Chanoue thought he looked stupid but kept his kind voice sturdy. “These don’t look threatening at all”. Chanoue said cracking a small smile at the black wolf. “I assumed they would be up to no good, moving around this close to the boarder”. Raves sputtered. Chanoue was use to Raves overactive nature. Suddenly the small black wolf shouted out. “No, we mean no harm”! Chanoue looked down at him surprised by his bravery. “My friend and I were just passing through; we didn’t know you had boundaries”. Chanoue smiled again. “You see they’re no enemies of ours”. Raves looked up at him with a look of unpleasant surprise. “They are simply some traveling wolfs”. Chanoue still questioned what these two young wolves would be doing wandering out alone. Maybe they could become allies to him and aid him. He particularly liked the black wolf. He showed signs of bravery and resilience, something he cherished in wolves. “Would you like anything from us”? Chanoue asked easing them into accepting him more. “Could we stay in the territory for a day, we need to rest and eat”. Chanoue smiled at this. A day is all he’d need to convince them to join him. If not, they would die. Raves began to speak out. “Sir if I may, I believe we shouldn’t let these outsiders- “I do not need your input”. Chanoue said bluntly cutting off Raves’ stupid remark. “You may stay as long as you like, there is plenty of food”. Chanoue said. Chanoue straitened up as the two looked excited by his words. He was gaining their trust easy. “I am Chanoue”. He said loudly. “I will call the others off; they are not friendly to outsiders so stay out of their way”. Chanoue knew the pack wouldn’t take kindly to them for now but they would, he would force them. Chanoue stepped out into the field. All the other members of the pack watched him intently. “Fellow pack members”! A few of them jumped. “We have two visitors who will be staying for the night; I request you don’t kill them”. Chanoue knew they wouldn’t try. No one crossed Chanoue Stas. “Well enjoy your stay”. He said to the two worried looking wolves. Chanoue clamored back into the cave and fell into the cold dirt. He would bring the two for meeting after the hunt. Then he would convince them to join him. He remembered the night when his brother betrayed him after learning of the family mission. The two wolves would die if they refused. He only could wish they didn’t follow the same path. If only Vargras had managed to kill James that night. His eyes finally were allowed to shut. He could peacefully sleep.