Wolf of the Emperor

Chapter 10

It was several days since Mendasol had informed him of what he knew about the bugs.  Seth had asked Big Daddy to talk to his people and see if they could identify where they were coming from.  He had recommended they do their best to keep them from entering the valley also.  Seth had even gone so far as to offer to scout and help as possible.

While they were waiting he was working on the stove/oven for them.  Leosafr had found the clay they had been looking for by pure chance.  She had been tasked with digging the pit for the next latrine location and hit pay dirt so to speak.  Since it wasn’t too far down she had cleared a portion of the top soil away and loaded a bucket sized blob into a piece of shroud material she always had with her.  Once she had that she had moved the latrine to a different location.

Mendasol was sitting inside when Leosafr had come back and was looking pleased.  “I doubt you are happy with having been forced to make the pit so fess up, what has you grinning?”  He had noticed the shroud material she was carrying and the large lump of something in it as she walked in.

She twitched her ears and wiggled her nose.  “I found it; I found the clay we need.  Now we can make the stove and really start cooking.”  Leosafr dropped the shroud in front of the location the stove was going to go and opened it.

Mendasol came over and looked down at the grayish blob.  After scooping up a small portion with his fingers he worked it between his fingers.  The consistency was right and when he sniffed it smelled right also.  After shaping and forming it several times he returned her grin.  “You are very bright young lady; this is perfect for making the stove.  It will require careful heating while making the stove but it should work fine.”

As he was working the clay with his paws Lil’ Buddy came over and sniffed at it.  He even reached out and lightly smacked it and hissed.  Some of the clay stuck to his paw and claws which he didn’t like.  He tried to shake it off but it wasn’t coming off at all other than small chunks.  That was something he really didn’t approve of and hissed and growled at it.  Being that he was so young his mind didn’t equate blob of mud with a sticky paw. 

In annoyance he whacked at the blob of clay and ended up splattering all three of them which really annoyed him.  He yowled in discontent before hissing at Leosafr as she started laughing at him. 

*Go outside silly and let the rain loosen the clay up.  I will be out in a few to help you get clean.*  She was snickering at his annoyance and irritation with the sticky stuff on his paw.  After trading a look with Mendasol she went out after grabbing one of the pistols and started getting him clean. 

By the time she was done Marthag and Seth were coming back from some food gathering they had been doing.  Marthag gave her and Lil’ Buddy an odd look.  “Why are you cleaning him?”  For the most part the fur was slick enough most dirt and mud simply rinsed off.  If dried it would easily brush off as well.

Leosafr snickered.  “Well he discovered that clay doesn’t come off nearly as easy as dirt and mud.”  She was still snickering and Lil’ Buddy was not approving of being laughed at and kept growling and grumbling at her.

Both Seth and Marthag managed not to snicker at the indignant cub.  Kletharl and Cleasal tilted their heads and snorted but kept going into the cave.  They didn’t mind the rain but preferred to be dry.  Since their fur was water repelling it didn’t take them long to normally dry.  On this world it was more humid than theirs so it took longer to dry off.

Seth took a moment to let the rain wash the jungle debris from his skin suit before walking inside.  Marthag did much the same though her suit was starting to look the worse for wear.  His was designed for combat and theirs wasn’t so his suit was far more durable.  “We really need to find another shell to use for tanning hides with.  Your suits are starting to look used.  Granted with your fur you can run around nude in the cave but in the jungle something between you and everything else would probably be nice.”