Valley of Beginnings

Chapter Five

Icea stopped when she felt cold concrete against the bottoms of her paws, and smelt old oil. She felt a soft breeze ruffle her fur. 

“We’re here.” Said Icea, looking at the dreadful place. 

“What happened?” came a male voice from behind Icea. It was the red wolf, Spade

“I’ll explain later.” Icea grunted angrily. 

They walked along the concrete, until they came to an alley. Icea stuck her nose in the air. There was a stale scent of another dog, and a very faint scent of cat. 

“Its safe here.” Said Icea as they walked in. 

As they walked, Icea came across a giant, many holed box, which she clenched in her teeth. She would give it to Kumiko for shelter. 

The wolves all huddled together, mingling among themselves. 

“Alright,” began Icea. “Now, why don’t you all tell me your names first.” Said Icea acknowledging the wolves. 

They all turned their heads around, flicking their ears and licking their jaws. 

“Well,” began Valeria. She was also a red wolf with blue eyes and was very skinny. 

“I’m Valeria, I was a hunter at a high rank. But, I knew if I left his hunting party would be nothing without me.” She said.

“Can you hunt in cramped areas?” asked Icea. 

“Depends.” Said Valaria. 

“Well, thats what you’ll be doing here.” Said Icea with a nod. “And you,” she said turning to the gray wolf. “Arrow, right?” she asked tilting her head. 

“Yes.” Said the she wolf. “I was Beta, which happens to be a very high position. But, after Apollo came into rule and chose me, I questioned his antics….” She said trailing off. 

Icea nodded her head. “You” she said looking at Spade. “Spade?” she asked. 

“Yes ma’am.” He said. 

He looked as if he didn’t want to talk, so Icea stopped there. 

“I’m , Hyla and thats Leona.” Came a voice. It was the brunet wolf. 

Icea looked, then nodded. 

And lastly, she looked at the white wolf.

“And, who are you?” Icea asked tilting her head once more. 

“Klypso.” he said, slowly dipping his head. 

“Alrigth" said Icea. “Well, its been a long day, why don’t we all rest.” She said, curling up.

She sat, looking up the the sky, a purple orange color form the setting sun. 

“Hey,” came Klypso’s voice only moments after Icea had closed her eyes, trying to pin down sleep. 

“What happened here, why is this place a bleak drab?” he asked, looking around at his unsettling surroundings. 

Icea lifted her head, the other wolves listening in, while Kumiko sat, nursing the pups in the box Icea had found. 

“Well,” she began, “long ago this place was a nice little town. The population held the people well, it being a small population. We ran on a big resource here in Minnesota called Coal. Do you know what that is?” she asked the wolves. 

“Nope” said Hyla, shaking her head.

“Well, its what keeps fire going, its worth a lot in big amounts.” Said Icea. Then she continued, “But, thats all we ran on, for no other good resources where found here. There began a time when coal became more scarce, but there was still enough to hold on to our town. But, every day there was just less and less, until one week a ‘coal famine’ struck. There was no coal found in the next month, and the town gave everything, still hanging on. It didn’t work though, and everyone eventually had to leave. During the time coal was plentiful, I had some owners. They took really good care of me, and they fed me, and played with me, and pet me. But, when they left, they didn’t have enough ‘trade’ to bring me on the mechanical bird. So, they left me here. I learned to thrive on my own, and one day I found a valley, where I lived was planning to live till death. But, I guess thats not happening.” Icea sighed finishing. 

“Whats ‘trade’?” asked Leona interested. 

“It’s a little round shinny thing that smells bad. Humans usually give it to other humans for stuff, so the dogs around here call it ‘trade’.” Said Icea.

“Oh.” Said Leona, placing her head on her paws again. That was the last sound before it fell silent. 

Icea just sat a thought for a while. She had a strong disinclination to stay away from the wolves, yet she desperately wanted her valley back. She didn’t know what to do. Her last thought before falling asleep was Blare. How could she protect the pup from the precarious wolves, ready to kill anything. But, for now, Icea was to tired to let these things trouble her, and by clearing her mind she fell asleep silently.