Wolven Supieriority ~The Journey~ Book One~~~~Chapter 6

Chapter 61

“We’re off to see the Dragons, the Dangerous Dragons of Kilwumma!” 2

High Rise…3

“Do we all have our packs? We’ve eaten… Are we forgetting anything?” Toplain went over the list of to-do’s with the other two.4

“We have everything, Old One,” Nala said. “Let us go now.”5

“You are right,” Toplain replied. He slowly took in a breath and lifted his head up closing his eyes. In a few seconds he breathed out again lowering his head and started towards the front door, Merrihcik following silently after. Nala, of course, went to the side door. 6

Out front Merrihcik asked Toplain why he paused. 7

“I was securing the house. Nothing can get in, nothing will come out. It cannot be broken down.”8

“But how?” 9

“That, my boy, is a secret that shall not be told until the end of my days if not ever at all.” 10

“Hasten your speed, wolves. High Rise does not last forever.”11

The two continued to walk and met with Nala at the path’s beginning. This time they did not run to the clearing where the night before the Torren Flowers had been alight. Their pace was quick, for they knew this meeting was urgent, and High Rise would not wait for them. The crisp morning air was all they needed to continue on once more to the Hukiorn Stream. 12

*****~~~~~~~~*****13

It seemed that the clouds followed them from what the three could see through the tops of the trees. Swirling, white clouds drifting in the sky moving with Toplain, Merrihcik, and Nala to the clearing.14

It seemed so long ago that the three had met, Nala looking for a snack, and Merrihcik in such a hurry to get to the meeting, and also Toplain interrupting the meeting of the two. How could it have only been yesterday? And now, it seemed like they had been friends for so much longer. The feeding of Nala made a difference, yes, but in such a little amount of time it seemed as though they had known each other for weeks instead of two days. 15

At the edge of the meeting place they halted looking for the Elders and Syirdan. Spotting the High One reclining on his rock and the other Elders yawning, the group took their places in front of the rock. 16

Merrihcik noticed that there were other wolves present- younger wolves, to be certain, such as the easily angered Shikiro, and the wolf that was supposed to be in Nala’s place, Kyko. 17

Apparently an old one’s advice was not always the best. 18

“Ah,” Syirdan said looking at them. “It seems that you have really chosen to go on this quest- for now. What we are going to discuss would shock most wolves, but bringing into consideration that you have a dragon in your company I would suppose the shock would soften.”19

The black wolf rolled to his feet at scanned Merrihcik, his own kin, and then the other two. 20

“You are talking with much ease,” Toplain noted. “Does this mean that you have backups ready, be it that we run like Robins about to be de-feathered? Under such circumstances as these, one would be careless to hold such ease with them unless that is the case.”21

“Old one, you are clever- I can see that. But do you believe that you are strong enough to go on these missions? You may try, but backups are always necessary…Always.”22

“My appearance may look old, but my muscles are as strong as when I was a growing pup, and my mind has wizened within my many years. My heart still beats             23

strong, and the rest of me follows. As for backups, they are not necessary but they are nice to have. You just wait and see. If my work has not satisfied you then nothing will, and to be sure I will not disturb you again.”24

Nala glared at Syirdan. “You do not even know this wolf, and you still distrust your kin’s judgment! You may be a leader of a large wolf pack, but your mind is dull when your body is sharp and strong.”25

Syirdan returned the glare as, for once, Merrihcik said nothing. 26

“Moving on…” Farim said breaking up the “slight” argument. 27

“Yes, of course.” Syirdan pretended to clear his throat, and he waved his paw as if that would clear away his foolish childishness. “As I was saying…”28

“About the mission- you were about to tell them what their tasks are,” Farim interjected. 29

“Thank you, but I could remember, Farim.” Syirdan sneezed, shaking his head shake, and both Merrihcik and Farim raised an eyebrow at him. 30

“Allergies?” one of the other wolves suggested. 31

“Could be, but it might just be an itch,” another one said. 32

“Who knows with sneezes. At least I’m not allergic to anything,” a different one said.33

“Could you just be quiet? We are not here to speak about allergies!” Syirdan barked.34

“Sorry…”35

“On with it!”36

“Yes…On…Well, continuing: We have a set of tasks for you compiled into one big task and mission. First, you will travel to the Silver Mountain Passes to speak with the White Tyir Wolves about becoming allies. If they are friendly towards you and accept, discuss the dragon ally concept,” the leader finally said.37

“If I may,” Nala inquired, “but what does the “‘Tyir’ mean? I have not been educated much about wolves, and I only know about the wolves very close to our mountains.” 38

“I believe it means ‘black tipped’ instead of them being totally white. The black wolves of the Passes are dangerous, but I am not from there,” Syirdan explained.39

“Ah, so we should avoid the black wolves?” Merrihcik said finally speaking.40

“It is confusing,” announced another one of the Elders, but this time on the right wing. “The White Tyir Wolves are white, yes, and are tipped black, but the black Wolves of the Hourn, can look very much like them. In the snow, grey looks similar to white. They are not all black, and the points where their fur is true black is very close to that of the Whites. It can be dangerous to move straight into conversation with one if you are not sure if they are a Tyir or of the Hourn. Those black wolves are very deceptive, and if they can lead you into thinking that they are Tyirs, then you are in a deadly trap.”41

“Yes, Erhei is correct. Toplain, where are you from? I cannot believe that you would be from the Gontin Woods, your pelt is too different from the wolves here,” Syirdan was just now becoming suspicious again, of all times! 42

“I believe that I am the only one in this forest out of the wolves who is from so far away…There are no grey coats such as mine here. I am from Saiger Mountain, but my heritage does not do me well with the Tyirs.”43

“Why? I have not heard of these Saiger Mountain wolves. That must be far away.” Syirdan, growing more suspicious by the moment, narrowed his eyes slightly. Nala was right about his dull mind and sharp body. 44

“I live right on the edge of the Wood, in between the Muinhar Plaines and this forest. I have lived here for most of my life. The mountains surrounding Saiger, and of course the mountain itself, are very grey. Yes, it is very far away since they are very near the Passes. Our packs are adapted to them for obvious reasons. It was several ages ago that the Saiger Mountain wolves and the White Tyir Wolves had a little battle between themselves. Very few allies were involved. It was an argument that I am not about to explain, and since then, and before, they have hated us. ‘Sers’ they call us. It does have a specific meaning, but it is also a cruel way of shortening our precious mountain’s name. While I was involved in a spat that was aroused when I was younger, I brought more peace to the two than the wolves of the past. The voice of reason never hurt. But I have been away for so long, only the Elders, adults alike, of the Tyir pack would remember me. Undoubtedly the younger wolves would attempt to launch an attack on us, for they are wary of all wolves, but mostly because of me. Do be sure I have tactics that work for getting to there friendship. All they need is a little reminder of my dealing with them.”45