Chapter 18 - The Wolves

There is sadness in their voices"

Valor nodded and watched as Col slowly straightened up. He flicked his hood back over his head and walked back to where Diargo stood.

"The sentries will take us to the Fala'abhain Alpha" Col pulled himself up Diargo's bent arm and positioned himself back in his original spot. "From there you both can rest."

Diargo grinned in response, his lips curling in anticipation of no travel and food. He watched as the wolves disappeared in the black grass and followed them in.

***

Fala'abhain was a hidden clearing, built around a small river that flowed deep within the plains. The Fe'ar kept the clearing well hidden, making it a perfect location for a wolf den. Valor couldn't help but gasp at the sheer number of wolves present in the small clearing. Pups from every age tumbled and wrestled with each other in the sunny spots. Pregnant mothers lumbered their way out of the burrows that had been dug for their young. All around the perimeter of the clearing stood massive sentries. Muscled machari males, with various scars and old wounds covering their bodies. Their green eyes fixated on the newcomers, their eyes narrowing with both menace and surprise at the Trykoori. Though what surprised Valor the most, was the humans. Dozens of men and young boys all similarly dressed in the iconic black hood, mask and robes that Col wore. Valor even noticed one old female wolf gently licking and cleaning a young Machair human.

"Welcome to Fala'abbhain… My home" Col voice was tight and filled with emotion. He leapt down from his perch on Diargo's back and knelt like he did in front of the sentries.

From behind a tall clump of Fe'ar in the clearing padded forward a massive wolf, his black pelt was flecking with grey and white from his age. His right ear was half torn and there was a long scar that streaked across his massive shoulder. Behind the old male ran a younger female, though she had the same flecking of grey around her muzzle and eyes. Her green eyes filled with worry.

Col removed his hood once more and continued to kneel, the female wolf shouldered passed the male and shoved her nose into Col's hair. The reaction was immediate, and Valor winced from the visible pain on the female's face. She violently threw her head back and howled into the air. The song was broken and piercing, the pure sorrow rocked Valor to his core, he felt his own heart ache and he clutched his chest. Even Diargo couldn't stop the whimper from escaping his mouth.

"The mother, you think?"

"It must be."

The male gave the mourning mother a rough push and growled, there was sadness on his face as well, so Valor figured that he was more frustrated for not being the first to greet Col. The male seated himself before him and gracefully extended his neck so he could touch Col with his nose, he remained fixed in that position for several minutes, until he finally lifted his nose and the two stood up. The Machari human looked several years older, there was a weariness on his features that he hadn't seen since that night in the storm.

"Col, are you okay?"

Col dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. "The alpha has granted you permission to rest in the clearing." Col bowed his head, "Though he requested that the Trykoori remain beyond the river."

Diargo snorted and shot a look at the Alpha, who calmly stared back, his green eyes unblinking. Valor patted the ape on his neck and nodded to Col.

"That's okay, he doesn't mind."

"No, I definitely mind, I'm not obeying the order of some mutts."

The Machari dipped his head again and addressed Diargo, "Thank you for understanding Diargo, it is against pack law to grant another beast sanctuary in our Fe'ar clearings."

"Yeah whatever, I'll be over by the river."

Valor jumped off his neck and watched his friend lumber over to the river and wade in. He knew the Beast was secretly glad to be able to soak in the cool water after so many hours traveling through the desert.

"The alpha told me that there is a race in two days. You and Diargo should register tomorrow."

Valor gazed around the clearing, watching with mild interest the interactions between the wolves. "How do you speak with him?"

"The same way you and Diargo communicate, a connection with galden."

"But how would you have a connection with the alpha, the female, AND those sentries?"

Col sighed, "The physical contact is what allows a superficial connection. By touching my head, the wolves were able to speak with me, it lasts as long as we remain physically connected."

Valor was only half listening; a wolf pup was creeping out from behind the grass. His bright green eyes glinted with curiosity.

Col grunted in annoyance, "Valor."

"Huh? Oh right! Sorry Col sorry, I'm listening I swear." Valor sharply turned his attention back on the angry Machari in front of him. you were saying?"

With a grunt, Col continued, "I was saying, you'll have your race in two days, rest up."

"And after that?"

The machari shrugged his shoulders. "You can do whatever the hell you want, I promised to get you to a race, that's IT."

He started to walk away but Valor stopped him. "Woah woah, you didn't just promise to get us a race. You promised to train me. You were going to show me how you do your cool thing with the galden."

Col aggressively rubbed the spot on his forehead between his eyes and grimaced. A sign he had come to learn that Col's patience was wearing thin. "It takes a lifetime of training to reach the level of a Machari runner. MY level. We would only be wasting time."

Col pushed his way past a protesting Valor, "That's fine, I have a lifetime!"

The Machari shot a death glare over his shoulder as he stalked his way towards the perimeter of the clearing. Away from all the other wolves and humans. "I DON'T."

Valor watched as Col angrily stalked towards the long Fe'ar. His black robes swayed as he walked away. His interaction with the Alpha must have taken more of a toll on his mind than Valor first thought.

"Oh well, best to give him space until he can recover," Valor said under his breath.

It suddenly dawned on him that he was alone, standing in the middle of the clearing. He awkwardly looked around and noticed the silent stares from both man and beast. Despite his arrival, no other members of the pack came to greet him. With a sheepish smile he waved and walked towards the river where he could see the dark shape of Diargo's head floating just above the water's surface.

"Nice of you to join me."

He dove into the river and felt the coolness of the water seeping into every inch of his body. The dust and sand that had caked its way into his skin and hair was washed away. Valor swam over to the riverbank and pulled himself up onto it. From there he could see the clearing form across the river bend. It was a good spot to rest, it too had been cleared of Fe'ar. Offering enough space for Diargo to sleep comfortably without having to rest in the tall grass. Soon the ape joined Valor and the two sat together watching the clearing. At this point, it was easy to tell which human had bonded with a wolf. The man and beast would walk together, play together, and sleep together. They co-existed harmoniously.

"I wonder if the Trykoori do the same with humans".

Diargo snorted and he gave Valor a playful nudge, "I highly doubt it." The ape laid on his back and closed his eyes. "I can't stand you half the time… and I would die for you."

Valor smiled at the sentiment and lied down beside the Beast. "The feeling is mutual."