Wolven Supieriority ~The Journey~ Book One~~~~Chapter 5

*Chapter 51

Meeting by the Hukiorn*2

“We’re almost there,” Toplain said. 3

They had been moving at a fast pace, and the sound of running water was getting louder every minute.4

Voices could also be heard, one saying, “Who cares if he is not here! Get on with the meeting! It’s one wolf, it’s not like it’ll make a difference! He is young, anyway. He does not have to be here!”5

“One wolf may make all the difference,” an older voice replied.6

“But our meetings are never of real importance! Why is this one any different?”7

“If you’re waiting for me, I’m here,” Merrihcik said. “Sorry I’m late. And isn’t that what the beginning of the meeting is for? To say why we’ve been called together?”8

“Sorry?” the complaining wolf barked. “Sorry? We’ve been waiting for almost two hours according to the Elders! The meeting was supposed to be at ten! It’s almost midnight.” The wolf was brawny and dark brown. He held a scowl on his face and didn’t notice the dragon or the other wolf hanging back.9

Ignoring him, Merrihcik strode forward to the largest, darkest wolf who stood higher than the others on a large rock. 10

The Elders were lined on either side of it and the rest of the pack was in rows, the higher the position the closer you were to the front. Runts, the unworthy, and the punished stood in back. The lining was standard in most packs-they just adjusted it to their surroundings.11

Kneeling down before the High One, Merrihcik apologized.12

“I’m sorry to be late. I lost track of time and encountered…Encountered…A distraction. It was time consuming-I’m sincerely sorry, Syirdan. Please forgive me.” 13

Merrihcik was being sincere, but he wasn’t begging, or sniffling, or griping, and so on. In fact, his voice was quite monotone.14

But just then Merrihcik noticed there were others there in the light of the Torren Flowers that dimly lit the large clearing. Not just several wolves…No… There were many!15

The whole rest of the clearing was filled by forest wolves. All of them sat in separate groups around Syirdan’s pack.16

“Why is there a forest meting?” Merrihcik said aloud. “Has something gone incredibly wrong and our world as we know it is going to shatter into a million pieces, Syirdan?”17

The grumpy wolf was not in good humor, and snorted angrily, yet almost as if to laugh at a joke gone past. A joke about Merrihcik shattering into a million pieces. 18

“You don’t know? If you had any sense, you wouldn’t have even come!”19

“For your information, Shikiro, I was merely not informed of what might have been happening at this meeting, or even that there was a meeting. In fact, I hear that it was you who was to tell all the wolves personally of this meeting. I did not see you or so much as even hear of this meeting until late last night! You failed to alert me, and now you have had to wait for two hours for me because of your incompetence! 20

Shikiro seemed speechless. He had never liked Merrihcik and he failed and attempting to see to the younger wolf’s lack of appearance.21

Syirdan was a wolf of patience who was willing to wait for all of this to pass. With the help of the Elders, he was made a great pack leader, though far from being comparable to Toplain.22

“Well,” Syirdan said, “that’s enough. The meeting shall commence in a moment. Everyone is accounted for and there shall be no more arguing about lateness.23

“Merrihcik, as you may have noticed we have many guests attending this meeting. The leaders and Elders of each pack have met and discussed the rising issues of the lands.”24

Syirdan now raised his voice, addressing everyone. 25

“Our discussion was two weeks ago and lasted ‘till the dawning of the new morn. The issues of battle and terrible weather have reached the ears past the mountains. We are26

so close to the Muinhar Plaines that our forest, despite how much we’d dislike it, would be involved. The Gontin would be a prime hiding place, the Plaines for battling. Added weather would worsen our position. If we must be involved in a battle we would need allies. Someone or someones would have to go and find them. We have also discussed the situation of what allies we could most likely trust. The Elders shall speak now and our meeting shall truly commence.”27

The High One concluded his speaking and directed his muzzle towards the Elders on his left facing out to the crowd.28

The old wolf that started speaking was in the middle of the left group. His fur was dark brown at the roots, graying at the tips. His eyes sagged slightly at the corners and his voice crackled from age. 29

“We have considered the wolves of the Silver Mountain Passed. They are strong, but have brains! They have a powerful ally of their own and as far as we know, that ally is a dragon tribe. Which tribe we do not know. That is one of the missions. Any questions so far?”30

The wolves all remained silent. Merrihcik answered, though. 31

“Who will go on these missions? You would not forcibly make a wolf go on such dangerous trips, would you?”32

Shikiro snorted again and shouted, “Howl! Howl is you would serve all of the Gontin wolves!”33

Silence. Pure, empty silence. A cough was heard, but nothing more. 34

The wolf looked stunned.35

At that moment, another wolf spoke up. “Would there be any thing in it for us?”36

A chorus rose up after her.37

“Yeah!’38

“What if we go through and do that stuff for nothing? We want something for our hard work!”39

“What if we die?”40

“I’ve heard bad things about what’s outside the forest!”41

“This will go nowhere.”42

“SILENCE!” an old wolf roared from his spot on the right wing of Elders. His 43

voice was powerful despite old age. 44

Syirdan watched as the wolves settled down.45

“I understand that this is a surprise to you. Most of you are too young to remember or even know about the last battle. I was only a small pup; therefore, I know naught of it either. But the Elders do. They remember how cruel that war was. The forest was practically demolished. We can try to keep that from happening with these missions. Do you wish to die cowering like worthless toads? Or die knowing that you are protecting a whole forest like a brave warrior?”46

The silence returned, but this time it settled awed. Yet, no one answered. Some of the wolves sighed, and pups sobbed quietly, only quiet because of their mothers.47

A voice Syirdan had never heard before echoed in the tense hush. The oldest members of each pack stirred recognizing it.48

“I will go,” was all that was heard.49

Merrihcik jumped, startled.50

Toplain brushed past him out of the shadows. 51

Nala’s eyes lit up as she watched the wolf enter the Torren lit clearing, boldly volunteering to go on the mission where no other would.52

As the wolves watched Toplain, a rude one barked, “Who’s the old dud?” not noticing how offended the Elders were.53

“That, young’n, is not a valid question! You don’t know who this is? Have we taught you nothing?” another old wolf said. 54

Toplain looked out amongst the crowd. 55

Confusing the other wolves further, all of the Elders from every group bowed down to the newcomer.56

“Tell us, old one, how long have you been listening?” Syirdan asked calmly.57

You would think that Syirdan would have smelled the foreign scent of Merrihcik’s comrades, but considering the other packs, Toplain’s scent was covered. 58

Dragon’s were naturally scentless depending on what breed they were. There were only certain things an animal could smell about a dragon. Most, though, had to hear them.59

“Sir,” the Elder closest to Syirdan whispered. “This is the famed Sir Toplain! It is a supreme honor to have him at this meeting, and volunteering for us.”60

“Yes, Farim, so he is. Seeing as everyone seems to bow down to him, but does that give him the right to spy? What if in his years he has turned? Or, how do you know that this is he, the Toplain? Could it not be a different wolf? You must think, and consider these before agreeing with him, Farim,” the High One said softly, thinking that the old Saiger Mountain wolf was hard of hearing. 61

The elder backed down, and ceased conversing with Syirdan.62

Snorting, Toplain said objectively, “Spy? Turned? Not who you think? My good sir, I would not be volunteering if I were a spy. I would not be openly showing myself, and no one in their right mind would send someone as old as me if they are as hard of hearing as you think! I implore you, send me and the missions shall be accomplished. You can hold confidence in my skills.”63

Standing proudly he concluded his speaking, and observed the leader intently awaiting his reply. 64

“You can trust him!” Merrihcik burst out, stepping forward. “And if he goes, then I go. I have come to know this wolf today, and he does not lie unless in dire circumstances. Danger is a risk we all face, but recognize that if Toplain is sent that you be much closer to a more secure life. Do you wish to lose that security and face more danger than what we could have had?”65

There was a period of whispering between all of the others, and something was passed down the Elders on both wings. The two, Farim and another, closest to Syirdan discussed with him what had been passed.66

“Given the reasons that I have,” Syirdan began, “I am allowing you, Sir Toplain, and you, Merrihcik, to go on these missions. But I advise that you have another companion with you. No more than five, for that would be too noticeable. But I suggest three.”67

Nala leaned forward. Three? She would have gone anyway, but this was an excuse. She was sent back, that’s what she would say. If questioned, she had wolves to prove it. 68

She blew a small gust of smoke at Merrihcik’s tail and waited for him to turn.69

Startled, the wolf twisted around to see Nala, very faintly, behind the trees. He could hear, “I’m coming out. Warn them so they are not alarmed,” but only very delicately- as if she was speaking into his ear. 70

He paced out to Toplain and murmured that Nala was coming out.71

The Saiger wolf nodded once in return to Merrihcik.72

“I shall set the necessary companion with you since you are only two,” Syirdan assumed. “Kyko is a fine strong wolf; she could go with you if she is willing.”73

A very light brown wolf stepped forward, head high. She opened her mouth to speak, but Toplain cut in.74

“Pardon me, but, if I may, we already have a third companion.”75

“Then where is he?” the High One asked.76

“Actually, it is a she. And I ask you all to not be alarmed when she emerges, for she is a dragon. Do not worry! She will not harm you.”77

Syirdan narrowed his eyes. “I will allow this. But if this is a deception, there will be consequences.” 78

Everyone listened intently waiting, suspended, holding their breaths, for the dragon. 79

Nala took this as her cue and gently pushed aside the trees blocking her way. 80

Gasps and sounds of awe were heard throughout the crowd.81

“A dragon!” was sent along as well as a shudder.82

Before Nala, the wolves seemed so small, but Merrihcik and Toplain stood proudly.83

Even the High One seemed to shrink in the brilliant presence of the rare dragon.84

Syirdan gaped at the sight. Speechless, just staring. Never had he before seen a dragon, let alone came face to face with one.85

“My…You…It…?”86

“There is no need to speak, Syirdan,” Merrihcik stated. “All we need to know is where we are to go and how we are to get there.87

Shaking his head the pack leader adjusted himself and stood firmly attached to the rock.88

“So be it,” he said, gathering himself. “Tomorrow at High Rise, meet the Elders 89

and myself here. We shall speak of terms and paths then. Goodnight, gentlemen-m’lady.”  90

They fare welled the other wolves, and yawning, Merrihcik returned with Nala and Toplain to the Paladon. 91

*****~~~~~~~~*****92

“Nabire, we are back! Nabire? Hali?” 93

Toplain and Merrihcik entered through the front door as Nala came through the side. 94

“What is wrong, Toplain,” Nala questioned.95

“I do believe that Nabire and Hali are gone. They’ve never done that before…I wonder if something happened. Everything seems fine in here, I’m sure that no strangers came in…” 96

“Well, that’s odd. They’re probably off having a good time skiving off their duties and-” Merrihcik was cut off by an irritated Nala.97

“Enough of that! Don’t go getting ideas when you don’t even have the answer to the question.”98

“There was no question!”99

“My point exactly.”100

“Merrihcik, lesson number twenty-three of dealing with dragons: Don’t argue with them! Either they are right, or if they are wrong but you contradict them, you’re head is likely to be missing within a few minutes. It’s a win-win situation for them,” Toplain lectured. 101

Nala grinned and her teeth sparkled malevolently making Merrihcik narrow his eyes at her being the stubborn fluff-ball he was. 102

Toplain beckoned them to follow him and off they went upstairs to rest up and gather the items they would need. 103

Surprisingly, like the rest of the house, the stairs held firmly under Nala’s weight and the floors above the base were surprisingly roomy.104

The old wolf led them to separate rooms on the second floor, and he continued on to the third after they had collected the items into three packs: one for Nala, Toplain, and Merrihcik. Nala held the food that they would need that could last them a while when they couldn’t hunt. The other two held useful items such as rope, herbs, and some things 105

that Merrihcik wasn’t too sure about but Toplain assured they were essential. But then, Merrihcik had no idea what half of it was. 106

So, for the night, they were settled and all had a good nights sleep. The packs waited on the dining table, and a quick breakfast was set out for High Rise. All of the other wolves who worked at the Paladon were gone, although it still remained a mystery to where Nabire and, fancy that, Nabire’s assistant Hali had gotten to. 107

The three didn’t remain on the subject, though, for they knew they had o get a good rest and it was late. It wouldn’t be long until High Rise, and Toplain knew they would have a long journey ahead of them that required immediate action. 108

No risks could be taken and it could not wait- for waiting cost time, and time was valuable seeing it was an essence. 109

This rest would be the last rest they had for a long, long time assuming that they managed to stay alive. But on they slept, not tossing or turning for now, but still deep in their minds wary of the task ahead of them determining their fate to live or die.110

The one task…111

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