A Game of Chi Book I: A Crown of Blood

Chapter 18: Worriz III

WORRIZ

"I say we go outside and kill all the bears as retaliation for what they did to Wakz," declared Wilhurt. The wolves roared and howled in agreement. Worriz and the surviving wolves of the Pack were seated in the hall of Wylda's Stronghold. The grey walls looked darker now that Wakz was gone. "No," said Wynter. "Without our Alpha Wolf, we're vulnerable. The bears could attack us again at any time!"

"Precisely why we should strike preemptively!" There was some muttering, but Wynter conceded. "We still need a leader, though," he said. Worriz could hear the howling of the wind and snow outside, not dissimilar to the howling of the Pack. Skinnet was beside him, a bandage on his arm. He was drinking something hot from his cup. Wilhurt stood up, his black fur making him seem very imposing. "I know that we customarily elect a new Alpha Wolf," he said, "but seeing as time is short, I think that I should take the lead. I was Wakz' Beta Wolf. It's only fitting that I take on his mantle, now that he's gone." The wolves looked around and nodded their agreement. Suddenly, Skinnet stood up. "Friends," he began. "I know I'm not one of you. I'll never be a wolf, and I'm at peace with that. You don't consider me one of you. But you do consider Worriz one of you." Worriz was taken aback. Me? Skinnet, what are you doing? Wrothgar cleared his throat, clearly aware of what Skinnet was suggesting. "Worriz may have lived his whole life here with us, but he barely has any combat experience.. He's not fit to lead us. Wilhurt has been here for over twenty years and was Wakz' Beta Wolf!"

"Worriz may not be a veteran, but he's a natural leader. How many of you could lead during your first battle?" Skinnet demanded. "He held the gate against the bears, you know. Me, him, and three others. Whent, Warax and Wylbur. They laid down their lives because they believed in him, and because they believed in the Pack." The wolves began talking amongst themselves. "He fought the raider which struck down Wakz," Skinnet said. "ShadoWind!" shouted one of the wolves. "The Masked Raider. He's been leading the bears for quite some time now, as far as we know." Skinnet nodded. "Well, Worriz fought him off. He held back the bears twice during this battle. Wilhurt, I don't doubt that you're experienced, but we need a young, fresh commander to lead us into this new battleground."

"You're lying!" shouted a wolf. "You just want him to lead because he's your friend!"

"He's telling the truth!" Windra's high voice cut in. "I saw it with my own eyes. He led the defense of the gate and he fought with Wakz against ShadoWind." The wolf quieted down. "What do you say?" Skinnet asked. Wilhurt narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. "I say we let the people decide," he said finally.

Elections in the Pack were not too frequent; Alpha Wolves did not often die in battle. Still, every wolf in the Pack knew how elections worked. Two wooden bowls had been placed on the table, with one for Wilhurt and one for Worriz. The wolves would place a stone in the bowl of the one they supported, and after everyone had voted, the stones would be counted. Since only two dozen wolves remained after the battle with the bears, it would be easy to count and determine the majority. Then, the two counters would announce their numbers simultaneously, to make sure that the other couldn't lie after hearing the first. Worriz and Wilhurt were not allowed in the room while the voting was underway, so they walked outside into the snow. "Good luck," Worriz said. Wilhurt chuckled. "You too, I guess." They stood in silence for a good moment. "What were Wakz' last words? Before he passed?"

"He told me to know who the real enemy was," he replied. "Real enemy? Like the bears?" Worriz shrugged. "Maybe he meant ShadoWind. He was in pain. Maybe he was just delirious."

"Maybe," Wilhurt said. After what seemed like an eternity, Wiz poked his head out of the door to talk to them. "It's time," he said. Worriz and Wilhurt stepped back into the room, where the two bowls were in front of Skinnet and Wrothgar. As per custom, the supporter had the bowl of his opposite in front of him; Skinnet sat with Wilhurt's bowl while Wrothgar sat with Worriz'. "This election is to determine the next Alpha Wolf of the Pack," declared Wiz. "Worriz and Wilhurt have been named as contenders, and we have cast our vote. Now, we will count to determine our new leader." Wiz sat back down, and both Skinnet and Wrothgar poured the stones out onto the table, taking extra care not to mix them. Don't let it be me, Worriz thought. The others are right. I'm young and inexperienced. Wilhurt's a great fighter and a veteran. He's better than me. Skinnet nodded to show that he'd finished counting, and after a moment, Wrothgar did the same. "Three, two, one," counted Wiz. "Eleven!" shouted Skinnet. "Fourteen!" Wrothgar shouted at the same time. Wiz looked at Worriz. "I believe we have a new Alpha Wolf." Worriz' eyes widened as the rest of the Pack looked to him. Wilhurt patted him on the shoulder. "Good for you, Worriz," he said. He walked towards the other wolves and sat down with them. Me? Wilhurt grabbed a mug and raised it in the air. "To the new Alpha Wolf!"