Promise Of The Wolves (6 page)

“It is somewhat more complicated than that,” Rissa said, opening her jaws in a smile. “You will learn more when you are old enough to join the hunt. Listen!” she said, swatting Unnan lightly as he crouched to pounce on Marra’s tail. “In addition to prey, there are rivals, some of which are more dangerous than others. Foxes, dholes, and many of the hunter birds must be dealt with, and kept from stealing prey, but are not much of a threat to a grown wolf. Dholes hunt like we do in a pack, but are smaller than we are, and rarely challenge us. Bears, long-fangs, rock lions, and even hyenas can kill a grown wolf and are true danger. And then there are the other creatures, all of whom are part of the Balance, but who play no great part in the life of a wolf.”

I thought of all the creatures I’d already seen, and how many more there were that I had not yet met, the insects and small animals of the woods, the owls I had so feared. It seemed like too much for my mind to hold. I did my best to understand it all, and to remember what Rissa was telling us.

“Then,” she said, watching two ravens sneak up on Ruuqo, “there are creatures that are almost-wolf. They are the creatures closest to us in the Balance and are granted many of the privileges of wolf. Ravens are such creatures. They help us find food and improve the hunt.” She shook herself again, dislodging Rainsong, who had landed on her back, and was swaying in time with her words.

It was a lot to think about. I noticed Unnan and Borlla squirming impatiently, as Ázzuen sat still, trying to puzzle it all out.

“It’s not that difficult, pups,” Yllin said, poking Ázzuen in the ribs with her nose. “We join them in games, and they lead us to good hunting.”

“Take my word for it, pups,” Rissa said with a laugh. “Raven play is good practice for hunting. And it is never too early to prepare for the hunt.” She trotted to the center of the clearing where Minn, Ruuqo, and Trevegg were waging war with several ravens. Unnan, Borlla, Marra, and Reel ran after her, but Ázzuen looked after them skeptically.

“This is playing?” he said, too softly for anyone but me to hear. He sighed. “Come on, Kaala. We’d better go play.”

He sounded so like a little oldwolf that I had to laugh as he trudged to join the rest of the pack.

Tentatively, I snuck up behind a smallish raven who stood apart from the others. I felt the thrill of the hunt pounding in my chest and I narrowed my field of vision to focus on his feathery back and tail. I was sure he couldn’t see me as I crept up behind him. I would have him for sure. I bunched up my legs behind me, ignoring the pain in my sore leg, and leapt. The little raven spun around and flew above me, flapping his wings in my face.

Exasperated, I sat on the ground and glared at the bird as he regarded me. He blinked several times, and opened his beak again as if to speak. I was as surprised as he was when Minn almost caught him from behind. Feathers ruffled, Tlitoo retreated to the protection of the larger ravens. But he kept watching me with an intense and very unnerving stare.

At some signal I did not see, wolves and ravens ceased their play. The largest, glossiest raven settled beside Ruuqo on the boulder that Borlla and Unnan had earlier claimed.

“So, Sleekwing,” Ruuqo said, speaking to the raven as an equal, “what have you seen of prey in the valley? The Great Plain is empty of elk.”

“The prey still leaves the valley, but there is some good hunting. The elkryn remain.” It seemed the ravens could speak normally when they wished. Sleekwing was an elegant bird, standing tall and proud. The other ravens were silent as he spoke. Now that everyone had stopped flying around, I could see that there were only seven ravens, not twelve as I had thought before, and that most of them were almost as small as Tlitoo.

Sleekwing continued. “Stone Peak wolves and humans are taking whatever they can, but there is prey left for clever wolves. The horses are still plenty. The elkryn feisty.”

“Just what we need,” Minn said. “Feisty elkryn.”

“Ah,” said Sleekwing. “Last year’s pup.” More sober than Rainsong, he was still not above teasing Minn. “Feisty prey makes you work harder, keeps you from getting fat and slow.” He eyed Minn slyly. “The aurochs are tasty. A long-fang killed one for us just last week and it was splendid. Do you want to catch one, Minn-ling?”

Trevegg had told us of aurochs. He said that one of them could feed a pack for weeks, but that they are large and dangerous. One of their males could be the weight of twenty wolves.

Minn’s pride was wounded.

“I can hunt aurochs!” He appealed to Ruuqo. “Why don’t we hunt aurochs? That would show the Stone Peaks who runs the valley.”

“We do not hunt aurochs when we can find other prey,” Ruuqo said patiently. “Let the Greatwolves have them and the broken ribs that go with them. It’s bad enough we must hunt the elkryn.” He looked at the raven. “Leave him be, Sleekwing.”

“What’s the fun in that?” Sleekwing looked as petulant as a scolded pup. “Since when are wolves so serious? ‘Mustn’t hurt the littlewolf’s feelings or he won’t hunt well. O poor little wolf.’” He cawed as Minn leapt to grab him.

“Sleekwing,” Ruuqo said warningly.

Ruuqo growled, and not entirely in play. He leapt at Sleekwing, who retreated to the fallen tree. Rainsong flew to his side.

“You lack a sense of humor, Ruuqo,” Sleekwing said, preening his ruffled feathers.

“No wonder you look like an oldwolf before your time,” Rainsong added. “No offense to you, handsome Trevegg.” She blinked her eyes at old Trevegg, who grinned at her.

“Maybe pretty Rissa will find another mate,” Sleekwing said, raising his wings as if to fly at Ruuqo.

“I said
enough,
Sleekwing,” Ruuqo snapped. “Now, unless you want to live on bugs and berries this season, tell me where the prey runs.”

Sleekwing shook himself and settled back with an injured sigh. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the small raven, Tlitoo, creeping up to stand just beside Sleekwing. The leader bird must have seen him, but did not chase him away.

“The humans and Stone Peaks drive prey from the Great Plain.” I was surprised to hear him suddenly so serious. Ázzuen pushed in beside me to better hear what the raven said. “Neither Stone Peak pack nor humans will share with us. And something is wrong.” He glared at Ruuqo as he started to interrupt him. “
More
wrong, wolf, and no, I do not know what it is. But there is something wrong with the prey. Something wrong in the air. We are concerned.” He shook himself, and the mischief returned to his eyes. “But the Tall Grass plains are crowded, the antelope and horses are plenty, and the elkryn roam the territory. They will return to the plain. With our help you will find good hunting.”

“What are the humans? Who are the Stone Peaks?” Marra asked impatiently from beside me.

“Be quiet,” Ázzuen whispered. “I want to hear.”

“The Tall Grass plain is too near Stone Peak territory,” Ruuqo said, ignoring us. “It is contested. And it’s too close to the humans’ current homesite.”

“If that is where the prey is, that is where we go,” Rissa said decisively. “I’m tired of the Stone Peaks taking over our lands bit by bit. It’s time we took what’s ours.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Sleekwing said, with a gleam in his eye. “Come, let us plan for the coming hunts. I am bored with eating moles and voles. They have too many bones.” He looked longingly at us pups as if he would like to swoop down upon us again, but gave a sharp sigh and flew to Rissa at the lookout rock.

Ruuqo, Trevegg, and two ravens joined them. They huddled, whispering together by the boulder. I tried to hear what they were saying, but they spoke too quietly. The rest of the wolves stretched and rested, preparing for the coming night’s hunt as the ravens hopped lazily about the clearing. I sat, watching the activity around me.

Something pulled sharply at my tail. I swallowed a yelp. I didn’t want to be called a babywolf. I turned to see the small raven, Tlitoo, watching me.

“Hello, babywolf. Come with me.” His voice was lighter and crisper than that of the larger ravens. He walked to the edge of the clearing, stopping where the tall oaks stood. He turned to wait for me.

Nursing my bitten tail, I looked him over. “I’m not allowed to leave the gathering place,” I said suspiciously. He probably had brothers and sisters waiting to pounce on me on the other side of the trees. He gave a croak.

I just looked at him until he flew back to me. He brought his beak close to my ear, and I stiffened, fearful of another bite. “The Bigwolves say to come, Kaala Smallteeth.” He flew off before I could answer, alighting on a high branch of the taller oak.

Wondering at my folly, I followed, checking behind me to make sure no one would see me leave the clearing. I stopped just outside the oak tree entrance, in a rocky patch of grass. Tlitoo flew down to meet me.

“The Bigwolves told me about you,” he said. “You are not a true wolf.”

“I am so!” I said, stung. “I made it across the Great Plain. I am named. I am Swift River.” I ignored the voice in my head that reminded me that Ruuqo had not really accepted me, that I was still an outsider.

Tlitoo turned his head side to side. “All I know is that the Bigwolves say you are more and less than wolf, and that I am to watch over you. I am more and less than raven, too,” he said proudly. “I am named for our ancestor, who spoke to the Ancients on behalf of all creatures. I bear his mark,” he said, raising a wing to show me a white crescent on its underside. “I am born to either save or destroy my clan. As are you.”

“Do you want to tell me why you made me come with you? I’m risking a lot of trouble by being here.”

Tlitoo quorked quietly. “If you are forever worrying about getting in trouble, we will never get anything done.”

“And what is it we are supposed to get done, if you know so much?”

He quorked again, blinking his eyes at me.

“Babywolf,” he said impatiently, “the Bigwolves told me to come to you. They told me to tell you to look for them and that you are to be careful not to get in trouble with your pack. They told me that I am to watch over you and you are to watch over me. That is all.”

His annoyance amused me. I had the feeling the Greatwolves had not told him as much as he would have liked. I wanted to find out more from him. I wanted to know what the Greatwolves had really said, but I didn’t get the chance to ask. When Rissa called angrily to me, he took flight, and I pelted back to the clearing.

“Don’t wander off,” Rissa said as I slunk back into the gathering place. “Do you want to be a bear’s meal? You don’t know enough to be in the forest on your own.” I saw Unnan and Borlla smirking behind her and knew they’d told her I had left. “I know you are glad to be with the pack, Kaala, but do not forget you still have much to learn.” She licked me once and trotted off to rejoin Ruuqo and the ravens in their discussions. I looked off into the forest and saw a flicker of black and heard a rustling of leaves. I knew that somewhere in the bushes, a pair of beady brown eyes was watching me.

T
he warm weather grew hot and the days long. As our bodies strengthened, we did not need so much rest and we began to keep the hours of wolf. We slept in the hot afternoons and played, learned, and ate in the cool dawn and dusk and in the moonlit night. We learned that the moon was not always the same, but rather changed each day in a constant and comforting cycle that helped us track time and seasons. Trevegg told us that by the time the moon grew round and bright five more times, we would be ready to hunt with the pack. We practiced, hunting the voles that ventured into our homesite, and learned more of play from Tlitoo and the other young ravens of Sleekwing’s family. Twice the moon was a bright, full circle, making me shiver in memory of our long walk across the plain.

I tasted my first meat at that gathering place, when Rissa would no longer feed us her rich milk, and the pack brought us back meat in their bellies. We were mystified at first, when Trevegg lowered his face to us. We smelled meat, but couldn’t figure out where the scent was coming from. Then Ázzuen narrowed his clever eyes and poked his nose in the corner of Trevegg’s faded muzzle. The oldwolf heaved twice, and good meat came from his mouth to the ground below. Once we all got the idea, we nudged the rest of the wolves and they gave us fresh, soft meat.

We grew strong and restless, itching to explore the world beyond Fallen Tree. We pestered our elders tirelessly, urging them to let us go with them as they hunted or explored the territories, but they would not take us more than a half hour’s journey from home. Finally, three moons after we arrived at Fallen Tree, we got our chance.

Sleekwing and Rainsong had flown lazily into the gathering place just after the break of dawn. Though we prefer to hunt at night, ravens are mostly day creatures, and we are happy to follow them to prey in the daytime. Sleekwing landed atop Ruuqo’s head as the wolf surveyed the clearing. Irritably, he snapped at the bird.

“Ungrateful wolf!” Sleekwing said indignantly. “If you do not want the news I bring, I will go to the Vole Eater pack. They will welcome me.”

Ruuqo yawned. “Vole Eaters never bring you anything better than a half-grown deer. If you start sharing prey with them, it will be a lean year for you.”

“I can always eat little pups if I get hungry,” Sleekwing retorted, and abruptly swooped at me and Ázzuen. We were ready for him. I dove to the right, Ázzuen to the left. Sleekwing pulled up short, and barely avoided crashing into the ground.

“You are going to have to be faster than that to catch a Swift River pup,” Rissa said. “What news do you have for us, Sleekwing?”

Sleekwing preened his feathers. “Since you ask, Rissa,” he said, glaring at Ruuqo, “there is a mare on the Tall Grass plain, freshly killed, and just one small bear eating it.”

Rissa opened her jaws, showing her teeth. “Then I think we should relieve the bear of its meal. How did a slow-bear catch a horse, anyway?”

“It was lame,” Rainsong answered, “and half dead already. But the bear acts as if she was the only one on the plain that could kill it. She is not a fast bear, nor a strong one. Brave wolves could take the prey from her.” Her eyes gleamed in challenge.

“I thought we were supposed to catch prey ourselves!” Ázzuen said, startled.

“Meat is meat, wolfling,” Minn said. “If a stupid bear kills something for us, we are happy to take the meat. Bears steal our prey often enough.”

“The greedy bear will not share with us,” Sleekwing croaked. “She takes the whole horse for herself and threatens us if we come near. You will share with your raven friends, will you not?”

“If you get us to the horse before the bear has eaten it all, we will share.” Rissa gave another sharp-toothed grin. “Will you show us the way, clever Sleekwing?”

“It is far for pups,” Sleekwing said, looking us over. “Wolf puppies grow up so very slowly. Do you think the babywolves will make it to the Tall Grass plains?”

I pricked up my ears. Did this mean we were at last allowed to see real prey? I could hear Ázzuen’s heart speed up, and Marra’s breath come in quick pants.

“My pups are strong,” Rissa said serenely, refusing to rise to Sleekwing’s taunt. “They are Swift River wolves.” I pulled myself up tall. I was concerned about another long journey, but wasn’t about to show anyone my fear. And we were not so small. Our heads came almost to the hips of the adults of the pack. Ázzuen yipped in excitement. Unnan rolled his eyes at us and nudged Borlla, making fun of Ázzuen. But he could not keep his own tail from waving in anticipation of our adventure.

Yllin and Minn caught the excitement of the hunt to come. Yllin playfully took Minn’s muzzle in her jaws, and he pawed her to the ground. She ran from him and leapt over a mossy boulder, splashing him with muddy water as she landed in a puddle. Grinning, she rolled on her back, inviting him to pounce on her. When he leapt at her, Yllin twisted her body around, tackling him, and climbed atop the boulder, shaking muddy water from her coat onto his upturned face.

As the youngwolves played, Rissa prepared the pack for the hunt, going from wolf to wolf to strengthen the bonds of pack. If a hunt is to succeed, Trevegg had told us, the pack must work as one. Every wolf must be able to smell her packmates’ intentions and anticipate her packmates’ thoughts. Each wolf must know that if she drives prey to a pack member, that wolf will be ready. So before every hunt, the hunt leader will make sure that every wolf is focused on the good of the pack and the success of the hunt. This coming together is important before journeys and before making decisions that affect that pack. But it is never more important than before a hunt.

Rissa placed her head on Trevegg’s shoulder and then nosed Werrna’s dark muzzle. Werrna was Ruuqo and Rissa’s second in command, a stiff and stolid wolf. The scars on her face were a result of battles fought when she was young. She was a strong warrior, and planned all of Swift River’s battles. Her dark gray face and black-tipped ears seemed always stiff and she was the only wolf who rarely played with us pups. I couldn’t figure her out. She returned Rissa’s caress awkwardly, then sat to watch as the other wolves played. Snorting at her, Rissa trotted over to Ruuqo and placed her front paws on his back. I thought he might be angry with her, but he opened his jaws in a grin and rolled onto his back, wrestling her as if they were no more than pups. Minn and Yllin ran to join the other wolves, pressing their bodies low to the ground so the older wolves would include them. Even Borlla and Unnan joined in, as did Marra and Ázzuen. I sat watching, feeling a little left out.

With a dusty sneeze, Ruuqo got to his feet. Immediately the pack ceased their play and watched him intently. Rissa sat back on her haunches and opened her throat, letting forth a great howl. Ruuqo walked over to her, sat down, and howled with her. One by one, the adult wolves answered, and their voices filled the gathering place. Each howl held a different tone, but they came together in the sound of the Swift River pack. In their howls, I heard the call to the hunt.

“Come pups,” Rissa said. “This is your hunt, too.”

Our voices were not as strong as the adults’, but we joined in song just the same. The vibrations from the howls sent our blood racing. The hearts of the pack began to beat as one, and our breathing fell into rhythm with theirs. I saw fierceness and focus come into the eyes of every wolf in the pack, and felt my own eyes glaze and then focus more sharply than before. The inside of my head rang with the howls and I began to see the world differently. I no longer smelled the varied scents of the gathering place, or heard the rustlings around me. I heard only Rissa’s call and smelled the scent of my pack as wolves began to bolt from the clearing. All my senses were focused on following the pack to our next meal. With a nudge from Trevegg, we followed the adult wolves out of the clearing and into the woods.

I was surprised at how strong I had become. In the weeks at Fallen Tree, I had grown as big as Marra, and bigger than Ázzuen and Reel, and my play with the ravens had made me wiry and sturdy. Instead of lagging behind the other pups, I raced Unnan and Borlla for the lead. The woods thinned as we ran, sparse birch trees replacing the denser spruces and pines of our gathering place. It was a perfect morning, not yet too hot to run, and the sweet smell of late summer flowers made me giddy. It was all I could do not to stop and smell every new flower and bush, but the pack ran at a steady trot, and all of us pups kept pace. None of us wanted to be sent back to the gathering place in disgrace.

Then, all at once, a sharp, pungent smell overwhelmed me, and I stopped short, almost falling face-first in the dirt. The other pups had stopped as well. First Borlla, then Unnan plunged into the bush from which the scent came. A moment later the rest of us followed, intoxicated by the rich scent. Ázzuen was the last one in. I heard a scrabbling sound, and turned to see him being dragged out by his tail, a look of surprise on his face. Werrna’s scarred face, wrinkled in annoyance, poked back into the bush, and she grabbed Marra by the scruff, pulling her out, too. Ruuqo’s voice brought the rest of us scrambling.

“Pups!” he bellowed. “Do not leave the pack. Do not stop a hunt! Come out now, or you can live on sticks and leaves.”

“Never let pups near dream sage,” Werrna growled, disgusted.

“Last pup out is the last to eat!” Yllin called.

Reel, who was closest to the edge of the bush, darted out. I would’ve been next out, but Borlla and Unnan blocked my exit. Then they shoved me deep into the bush before scrambling out. It took me several moments to disentangle myself from the thick branches and fragrant leaves. Then, once I was freed, I was disoriented, and scrabbled in the wrong direction twice before catching pack-scent coming from behind me. Sneezing and shaking dirt from my fur, I pushed my way out of the bush to find the pack waiting impatiently for me. Borlla and Unnan were smirking.

“Pup, if you cannot keep up, you must not need to eat. You’d best not fall behind again.” Ruuqo glared at me. I smarted at the unfairness of it. He was not nearly as harsh with the other pups. Without another look at me, Ruuqo led the pack off again.

Keep up
, I thought.
I’ll do more than keep up.

My legs felt strong and sure as I crouched down and leapt, sailing over a surprised Ázzuen. Then I ran. I felt as if my legs could take me anywhere I wanted to go. Yllin whuffed in encouragement as I raced past the others. To my surprise, Marra was the only pup to keep up with me. Though she was considerably smaller than Borlla and Unnan, her legs were long and strong, her bones light. She ran with an easy lope beside me. I was panting hard, but she was not. I had the feeling she could pass me up if she wanted to. Gasping for breath, I grinned at her.

“Let’s show those curl-tails,” I said to her, and increased my speed, overtaking Borlla and gaining on Werrna’s gray behind. I knew the adults could run faster if they wanted to—our heads still came only to their hips, after all—but I didn’t care. We ran, faster than we ever had before. The scents of the forest whipped into my nose, the dry summer dirt lifting in a dust storm under my paws. I stumbled briefly, rolling over in a somersault, and Marra circled around me as I got to my feet. I was faintly aware of Ázzuen trying to keep up with us, his breath rasping in his throat. I knew I should wait for him, that it would be the kind thing to do, but I was having too much fun.

I was so excited at being out of the clearing, at being strong and fast, and at the overwhelming scents and sounds all around me, that I did not catch the aroma of meat or the pungent scent of unknown creature at the edge of the woods. Rissa put her head down sharply to stop my headlong run. Marra smacked into me from behind.

“It’s good to be fleet, pups,” Rissa said, laughing quietly, “but not without control. You do not want to run into
that.
” The woods had ended abruptly, and a sharp slope led to a dry, grassy field. Late summer wildflowers dotted the tall grass, most of which had turned a golden brown. The adult wolves had halted at the edge of the trees. Rissa pointed her muzzle toward the plain, where a huge brown beast ripped at a horse carcass. The pungent scent came from it, mingled with the overpowering aroma of meat. Far across the field, stout horses grazed watchfully.

“How can they just stand there when one of their family is being eaten?” Marra asked. She was not even breathing hard from our run. Ázzuen stumbled up to us, gasping, and looked at me reproachfully.

“The horses are not like us,” Minn answered contemptuously. “They are prey and do not mourn the same way we do. Their herds are large and not close, like wolf families. Death does not grieve them much.”

“I am not so sure, Minn,” old Trevegg said. “How can we know what they feel? I have seen a dam stand over her fallen colt for two full days, keeping us away from a meal. And I once heard of an elkryn who refused to eat after his mother was killed, and died in the spot where she lay.” His voice was thoughtful. “We must kill if we are to live, but do not make light of the life we take. We must thank the moon for each creature we are given, and to do so must respect the creatures that we kill. Each one is part of the Balance.”

Minn bowed his head in acknowledgment before his restless eyes returned to the plain. An impatient growl rose in his throat.

“Quiet!” Ruuqo and Rissa hissed together.

“You must learn to be restrained, Minn, or you will never lead a hunt,” Rissa chided. Minn lowered his ears in apology.

“Pups,” Ruuqo ordered, “stay hidden. Do not follow until we tell you it is safe, or I will chew your ears off and stick them to your behinds with pine sap. Minn, Yllin,” he said to the yearlings, “do not lose your heads. I know you think you are grown wolves, but follow Werrna’s orders.”