Sylver Shining Chapter 2

Chapter 21

Waking up to a sheer pain in his side the wolf forced his eyes open. Looking around he realized that he had no idea where he was. Fear for his life had made him run farther than he’d imagined from the destruction going on at his home. The blood and memories came rushing back and he growled, pained more by this than the bolt coming from his side. Remembering his wound he turned to lick it, only to have more pain fly through his body. A crunch to the left told him he wasn’t alone here. Scared and wounded the wolf growled nastily to let the intruder know that he was prepared to fight at all costs. Using his senses to determine if the being was creature or man he picked up the pack scent. Whining to show not only happiness and hope he also informed the other of the wound. The second wolf trotted over, closely followed by three others. They turned human immediately.2

“Kristus, Veris. What happened to you?” One of the three asked.3

The wolf whined, in too much pain to turn human to talk.4

“Dear gods, look at that wound… Harek, find something to bind the wound so we can at least get this thing out. Markus, help me hold him so we can remove the bolt. Blasted Kenos, he had to go showing off to other towns… Now look where it got us… Never mind, that’s talk for later.” The first one said.5

Showing the wolf sympathetic eyes he patted his old friend’s nape. Harek came back holding some shredded plant leaves just as Markus pinned down the wolf’s head and legs. The last one turned back to wolf and started whining and licking the jaw of Veris. The comforting helped ease his troubled mind as the first one started to break the shaft and pull the bolt out from the other side.6

“Always had to get shot somewhere huh?” Markus said trying to keep things in light humor.7

Veris growled to show his displeasure at the joke.8

“Never had a funny bone in his body Markus you know that.” Harek added starting to smile.9

All Veris could do now was think of ways to get back at his friends for poking fun at him while he was down. The other wolf growled at the three that were still human and narrowed his eyes.10

“Erik is right, now isn’t the time to be making jokes, our village was ruined, our people might be wiped out, and we have no idea where we are.” The first one snarled at Harek and Markus.11

Markus let Veris go just as Harek finished binding the wound and forced himself to stand up. Nearly collapsing again he set his jaw and forced his body to deal with the pain, they HAD to make it back to the other Lunkind. His fears now turned back to Sylver, he prayed to the gods that she made it out ok along with the rest of the family. Shaking his head he growled intoning that it was time to leave. Erik yipped and Markus turned back to wolf.12

“Hey Llyr, you do remember the way home right?” Harek asked before turning wolf himself.13

Llyr turned wolf and growled in response, walking to Veris to check his leg he looked around and looked back at the others. Lifting his nose in the air he smelled the embers still burning their way out from the destroyed homes in their village. Grinning to the others he took a slowed pace towards home, with the others following, and Veris too lost in his thoughts to lead them as he should.14

The five wolves made their way slowly through the forest, when night hit they rested and took turns cleaning Veris’s wound to keep away infection. Three went to hunt and one remained with Veris. It was fairly difficult to find food but they were able to take down a few rabbits and bring them back to the other two. Being the leader of the group, or since he was supposed to be, and being injured, Veris was able to eat one first. His appetite was nearly none so it didn’t take much to fill him. Erik, Harek, Markus, and Llyr finished off the rest that were hunted and they all curled up to sleep. The next morning they took off at the same pace as the day before, crossing several hills and starting to go through one more forest before the next nightfall… They were close to home.15