49

The play tries to end on a hopeful note, stressing the tribe's uniqueness and the importance of preserving culture, but the reality of the Sheep Eaters' eventual displacement is hard to ignore. You're certain that the author of the piece intended it as an allegory of your own pack's journey, and that the message of hope that closed the production was meant to lift spirits and elevate the audience.

Strangely, despite everything, you do feel a little better. Most of the others depart while you sit thinking about the play, leaving only a handful of stragglers and you sitting by yourself.

You're about to get up and exit the theater when an older wolf you don't recognize sits down near you, eyes on the empty stage. He's wearing a thick scarf around his neck and several layers of ratty coats thick with grime. A ball cap several sizes too big for him swings around on his head when he moves. Two of the older adults to your left stare at the newcomer without recognition before shaking their heads and walking away, muttering something about how he must be a "stray."

"Do you ever get the feeling that your life is out of control? That no matter what you do, there are some things you just can't change? It's true of course. There's only so much any one person can do to change the world." He turns to look at you with fierce green eyes. "But if we work hard enough, dare to make the impossible choices, we can leave our mark."

You think you recognize him now. Elan, one of the lone wolves who lives out in the Snarl. You can count the number of times you've seen him in the pack's territory on one hand. What is he doing here, and why is he talking in riddles to you?

"Your studies, they go well?"

You nod, incredulous at such an odd question.

"And your health? The elders are treating you fairly?"

Again you nod.

"Good, good," the odd wolf mutters to himself. He stands up, pulling his scarf back up over his mouth. "Change is coming," he says, his voice muffled by the fabric. "You'd best be prepared."

You sit in stunned silence as Elan leaves the theater. What does he mean by "change is coming"? And why tell you of all people?

Too tired to make much more than a cursory effort to puzzle out the hidden meanings of a madman, you trudge back to your home and collapse from exhaustion. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Next Chapter