Pup of the Wilds: Part Five by aera_eaglewings |  |
The four Lupes in the group were talking amongst themselves, and Cheppie was
rather uncertain how to behave in the presence of vastly experienced scouts.
They milled about the meeting cavern, near the entrance, and they were all purposefully
ignoring him, so that he was left alone to his uncertainties and fears.
Taghiro had gathered these scouts together after Cheppie had told the leader
his tale, and they were to accompany the blue-flamed Lupe, the white-coated
Elyth, and the pup in search of Jagger. Cheppie was infinitely grateful for
this.
Grateful, but extremely tired. He had not slept since that time in the crevice
in the cliff -- and even that seemed cozy and warm and comfortable now, when
he had been on his feet for over twenty-four hours. Still, he knew that he had
to do all that was in his power to help Jagger, to repay the Lupe for saving
his life.
Finally Taghiro arrived in the meeting cavern, and the scouts quieted down
to listen.
"Fellow scouts," Taghiro began. "All of you know why I have gathered you here,
in these early hours." And early it was indeed, for the gray streaks of dawn
were just peaking over the mountains to the east. "I wish for you to assist
me in helping me find the errant Lupe, Jagger, protector of this pup." He looked
pointedly at Cheppie. "I understand that the wise Elyth, who has seen this Lupe,
shall help us find him."
Elyth stepped up. "I will indeed -- but on one condition. When we find him,
I want to give him the choice of coming here, to us, to help his wound heal.
If he would like to, he could even join the pack. I know that you do not like
this idea, but I believe that this Lupe deserves it, for he has shown great
bravery by rescuing this pup." She let the assembled group whisper amongst themselves
about this for a moment, then went on. "I also wish another favor: that the
pup Cheppie, whom you see standing before you now, is allowed to join the pack
also."
The four Lupes stood stock still, agape at the wise one's words. Finally one
of them, with a coat like that of a skunk, spoke up. Surprisingly, his words
were not those of dissent.
"I speak on behalf of us all when is say that I believe that wise Elyth is
right. The pup has earned this privilege; he has shown his worthiness and bravery
by entering our lands and standing up to all of us, just for the sake of his
friend. And whoever this Jagger may be, if he is friends with this pup I believe
he deserves to be in this pack also." The rest of the group nodded their assent.
"Very well then. Let us go and find this green Lupe," said Taghiro.
It was cold outside the cavern, and the gusts of wind were enough to knock
Cheppie over, if he wasn't careful enough. He could barely see in this predawn
light, but the other Lupes could, and Taghiro made sure to keep the pup close
to his blue-flamed coat, so that Cheppie wouldn't trip and fall. They were heading
southwest, away from the cliff Cheppie had climbed, and he couldn’t recognise
a single rock. Not that he could see well enough to, anyway.
Elyth, the aged Lupess with the white coat, led the way; three of the four
scouts were hurrying close behind her. The last of the scouts, a Lupess called
Learene, paced at the back.
Cheppie had never seen anyone like Learene, for all that she was a Lupe and
he had seen very few Lupes in this lifetime. Her fur and eyes were a stunning
silver, almost mist-like in the dense morning fog, and it made her look like
some uncanny spirit. She walked like one, too; in fact, it seemed that she floated
rather that walked. Cheppie was sure that she was the most beautiful Lupess
he had seen in his short life, and was sure that when Jagger saw her he would
be just as stunned.
The party headed onwards, into the warmed, forested parts of the Whitestone
territory, and behind them, in the east, the sun began to rise.
Jagger staggered forwards. He was exhausted, having traveled the rest of the
night and into the early morning, and the exhaustion was finally taking its
toll. He took one more step, carefully setting down his injured paw, and then
collapsed underneath the shade of a tall a tall pine. He couldn't go on anymore,
he just couldn’t… His vision clouded, and just before he blacked out he let
out a strangled, weakened howl. It didn’t matter who heard now; if it was some
poacher, at least he would be taken to a place where people would take care
of him… and if the Whitestone pack heard him at least they'd put him out of
his misery… and if Cheppie heard him at least he'd maybe get help…
To be continued… |
