Changing Rain

Untold tales

Large canine paw prints carved a path through the deep snow, making an easy trail for Elih to follow. Behind him trudged three cold and miserable men, the evening wind tearing viciously through their cloaks and hoods. Joseph, a man old enough to have his hair turn as pale as the snow, spoke quietly in his slow, rumbling voice.  

" Elih, what's the point? Even if we find Raiyn, what will it accomplish? She's a Changeling, the enemy. Do you really wish to fight the girl? " 

The others murmured their agreement while clutching their cloaks even tighter about them. Elih answered without looking away from the trail.  "You all had the rabbits?" 

They quieted, thinking of their small but steady supply of rabbit meat now being given every day to the village. And also of the dark shadow that had been seen dropping them off.  

" I thought so. "  

" So the Changeling is leaving the rabbits, even if she wants to follow us back, will others want her there? She'll be a literal wolf among the sheep. " Malcolm quipped in sullen anger, his beetle black eyes narrowed at having been brought along. William, elbowed him before placing a hand on Elih's shoulder.  

" I know you miss you sons Elih, I was quiet fond of them myself. But finding the girl Eric saved won't bring them back." Elih slowly faced him, recalling that he was part of the group that had brought back the news of Eric's death.  

" This isn't about Eric Will, it's about her. " William blinked, not quiet comprehending. 

" You remember what she was like, I believe you even told your brother that you were considering trying to court her. " He blushed, but Eilh kept speaking. " Raiyne is a good person, shifter or not. There has to be a reason she hasn't gone back to where ever the shifters have hidden them away, and I also aim to figure out why. " 

They didn't seem to put much stock in his remarks, but they complained no further. A small puddle of blood on the snow made him pause, and bend down further. Was she hurt again?or was that nasty belly wound still causing her grief. He wished he had thought to bring Quincy along, his tracking skills far supiour to Elih's own. Though it hadn't started out as a rescue party, it's what elih had made them into when he found the tell tale wolf tracks.  

A crack in the undergrowth made them all stiffen, senses on high alert skating to pick up a hint of danger. A stag Elk lept from the bushes with more crackling brush, nearly landed atop Luke as it did so. Right behind it leaped a massive black wolf. Both of the racers completely ignored the small human gathering, or else, not caring enough to see them. Elih lithely lept after them through the deep snow, he wanted to see the end of this. The others followed him, the excitement of the chase making them yell out encouragements to the wolf. They could hardly keep up, but they managed to keep the pair in sight. As the broke through the bushes into the small clearing right behind their city of tents, and they saw the elk kick the wolf square in the chest, sending it flying. The elk pranced away as the wolf wobbled to it's feet. The men behind Elih were talking excitedly among themselves, pushing each other forward playfully.  

" Did you see the size of that thing!" 

" 'Course I saw! Nearly landed on top of me!" 

" Raiyne! That's what Raiyne is right? A black wolf?" 

" Raiyne?! Is that you?" Malcolm said as he started towards the black wolf. Elih had a strange feeling in his chest, something was making him feel uneasy.  

" Malcolm, wait. " The grave tone in Elih's made the young man stop mid-step, and turn his head around to see what was the matter. Something was wrong, the black wolf didn't look right, and he couldn't see the silver and gold patterns he knew Raiyne had. Malcolm started to walk foreword again, too impatient to wait for Elih's response.