SWRC: Gaining Trust. (Book 1)

Chapter 17 To Listen And Learn.

Night had descended on the plains of Lothal.
Neeran stood on the small verandah and watched the last rays of sunshine disappear and be replaced by the twin moons and many twinkling stars.

Several dark shapes moved through the long grass and Neeran heard whimper behind her. Neeran turned and looked at Ezra who was hiding behind her.

"It's okay Ezra," said Neeran. "They're only Loth-dogs."
"What's a Loth-dog?" asked Ezra.

Neeran thought for a moment before saying,
"I'll show you."

Neeran stretched out her hand and called the Loth-dogs towards the house. The Loth-dogs seemed to halt for a moment before racing towards the house. They stopped at the bottom of the verandah and looked up at Neeran and Ezra. The older male was grey-brown with shaggy fur and the older female was red and white. The five of the six cubs looked like their mum and the other one looked like her dad.

"This is Balto and Jenna, and these are their six cubs."

Chopper then stuck his head out the door and exclaimed, "Hey guys, Balto and Jenna are back!"

Jexxel and Janan raced out the door with Chopper while Kyipi hung back slightly.

"It's okay," whispered Shakkuri to the little girl. "Even though Balto is part Loth-wolf, he is still really friendly towards kind people."

Kyipi nodded and went up to the Loth-dogs/wolves and the pups scampered up to greet her. Kyipi instantly loved them and her fear melted away. Ezra followed her lead and fell in love with the wolf-dog family.

Neeran smiled at the sight of her five rescue kids enjoying the time they were spending with what was the equivalent of their family dogs.

But their fun had to end eventually.

"Bed time," called Neeran, and everyone made to groan but Neeran cut in and said, "And no complaining or I'll revoke the right for you to stay up this late."

"But it's only 7:30," said Chopper checking his watch.
"That's late enough," replied Neeran. "I was going to bed at that time even when I was 12a."

Janan leaned over to Ezra and whispered, "She means 13. Mum's scared of the number. She thinks it's taboo."

"I heard that Janan," said Neeran, a slight note of irritation creeping into her voice. "I may be slightly blind but I'm not deaf."

"Actually-"

"Shut up the both of you," said Neeran, without even looking at Shakkuri and the mysterious invisible figure that Neeran seemed to constantly talk to and pointing a finger at each of them.

They both burst out laughing but didn't finish making their comment.

Suddenly, a dog's howl in the distance cut through the night. Balto turned and growled in the direction of the howl.

"Steele," muttered Neeran. "Guys, get inside now."

This time, no one hesitated in going back into the house. Jenna led her six cubs under the house to their small hide away under there. Still growling, Balto moved over to the entrance under the house and lay down to block the entrance from intruders.

Neeran and Shakkuri entered the house again and looked at each other for a second.

They needed to talk later.

Right now, they needed to get everyone to bed.

Jexxel, Chopper, Janan, Ezra and Kyipen made their way towards their shared bedroom and Neeran followed.