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 Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:46 pm
It was just a few nights later and the pack was gathered around for one of their Howls. They had new members, and recently one of them had discovered their Wolf name. The pack was celebrating now.
There had been plenty of meat to go around and they were just settled around the clearing at the roots of the massive Father Tree in groups. Wisdomchaser was just leaving one group to see how their visitor was doing.
"Taye?"
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He was still nervous, but so far everything was going okay. He'd not been attacked, and whilst he had been regarded with some suspicion, no one had bared their teeth at him. Which was a good thing. A very, very good thing indeed!
His ears went up at the sound of his name and, without much encouragement he stood and moved towards the voice. He recognised it, of course, as Wisdomchaser, the female who had offered him sanctuary for a time. Out of all the dogs here, he seemed most relaxed around her, probably because she was the one he spent most time with. Indeed, it was apparent that he'd be quite happy to follow her about for hours, like a little clingy pup to its mother.
"Taye here." He answered, wagging his tail as he went to greet her. "Everything okay?
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"Everything is fine." She grinned with a soft wag of her tail. "Are you enjoying yourself?" She went on to inquire, encouragingly, looking out over the group as everyone was involved in their own conversations. Much laughter and many merry voices could be heard in the otherwise soft still of the night, the moon at it's peak.
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"Taye is." He responded, moving closer. He still very much had his submissive posture. Head and tail low, eyes never really making eye-contact, even when talking with those of a lower rank. As far as he was concerned - and rightly, too - he was the lowest rank here. He didn't even have a rank! He certainly didn't deserve to put his head any higher than anyone here.
"Taye would like to know. What is this thing everyone is doing? This...gathering thing?" There was certainly much excitement going on at the current time!
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"It gives me joy to hear that." She grinned, then looked out over their group just as he did. "This? We call this a Howl. The pack bonds together and we share howls about different things, or sometimes to remember loved ones and good times. Do you like it?" She smiled.
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He tilted his head in thought, his eyes somewhat glazed as he seemed to be considering this. Howls. It was an odd thing. Not something he was used to. But it seemed very natural. So natural in fact, that he couldn't understand why others didn't do the same. He blinked and smiled towards her; a small, shy smile.
"Taye does. Very much. All of us should do this thing. This Howl."
He pondered a moment. "Does Wisdomchaser think the pack not mind Taye being here?"
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A pair of pups raced by in a game of tag, and with a short laugh she easily side stepped out of their way, closer to Taye. She was still laughing a bit when he answered and questioned her, grinning more.
"Our two legged companions first showed us the way of the Howl. It's our way of honoring them though they're gone... and I would say they don't mind at all, Taye. You're our brother as much as any other wild dog."
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He nodded, smiling, and he visibly relaxed. He always seemed so tense and nervy, but this day, at last, he was showing signs of unwinding. He was even smiling now! His ears lifted a little and he gave a small huff of appreciation.
"Taye is glad to be brother here." And then he back-tracked a bit. Two-legged companions? He had never seen such a creature before! "Who these two-leggers? Taye no seen them afore."
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She would have answered in kind but just then he went on to ask about the two leggers, so instead she answered this patiently.
"They were our pack brothers and sisters many generations ago, when our first Chief, Moongaze, was still just a pup... It's certainly a howl worth hearing..." She smiled mysteriously, turning to one of the females near the tree roots, calling to her. "Brothers and sisters! Lend us your howling skills won't you? Taye should hear the story of how our pack was born."
Most of the pack that knew the story seemed excited at the prospect. Everyone loved a good howl, and it had been a while since they'd recounted this particular one in a gathering like the current one.
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He lifted his ears, tail wagging furiously, nervousness forgotten as he was caught up in the excitement of the rest of the pack. It was hard not to! The emotions were infectious and he remembered how it had been in his own family unit, the yapping before a hunt, the excitement that had weaved through all of them. He had that same feeling now.
"Taye would love to hear the howl!" His eyes left Wisdomchaser and moved out towards the rest of the pack gathered, eagerly waiting.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 4:29 pm
The tale was a long one, full of suspense, action, sorrow, joy, laughter and humor, some romance, and bravery. Looking about the faces all around one could see that the blood members were proud, sad, amused, or joyed at all the right parts, taking turns telling the tales as they remembered them best, interjecting with commentary once in a while. As the tale finally wound down pups were either sleeping or well on their way at their parents and pack members sides or paws.
"Say what you will about our fortune... but mother Timmain has been most kind in looking after us. I trust that she'll continue to guide us in all that we do, and may all of us remember never to forget The Way." Wisdomchaser said loudly in closing so that all could hear. The tension in the air was just tangible enough, like the barest of quivers as first Wisdomchaser, then the rest of the pack, one by one, lifted their heads back to begin howling to the night sky.
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Taye was drawn into it. He doubted there was anyone who wouldn't be! The sense of companionship he got here. The sense of security. It had been a long time since he had felt so happy and content, and not peering over his shoulder at every waking moment. Here, at last, he was at peace and these...these others.
He cared for them all already.
And, as the pack lifted their heads to howl, he joined his own song with theirs.
He was alone no more.
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