Fall of the Packs: Void

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gannon ordered that Minerva take the day after the Hunter's Moon to rest up, and early the next morning she set out to find where the wolves had encamped. No one knew for certain, but since they were such a large group she doubted it would be too hard to find.

"You don't have to go alone," Gannon said as he walked with her to the entrance. "I don't think they'll attack you, but if you want to be safe..."

"I don't need another dog to deliver a message," Minerva replied. "It would be a waste."

"All right." Gannon halted and gave her a nod. "The last encounter with wolves was in the southwest, near that copse of elm trees. You should still be able to follow their scents back to wherever they came from."

Minerva nodded. Gannon narrowed his eyes at her. "Be careful, okay? Don't take any unnecessary risks. For your mother's sake."

Minerva said nothing in response. Gannon took a step back and gave her a nod. "Good luck."

She returned the nod and took off to the southwest, settling into an easy lope. As always, she preferred it best when she had something she could focus on single-mindedly, without allowing room for any other thoughts. For now, all she had to think about was moving.

She made it to the south-western border, and to the group of trees that Gannon had described. She poked her nose around the roots, picking up the smell of the last patrol of defenders who had come by. Beneath that there was an assortment of other smells, mostly prey animals, but after snuffling around she located the strain of scent she was searching for. So similar to dog-scent, and yet so foreign--wolf.

It took her some time to find a consistent trail, but once she had she followed it as it led her steadily to the west. The trees slowly thinned out the farther one went, until it gave way to open land. It was hilly and dotted with rocks, which made following the trail more difficult, but nothing could dissuade Minerva from her course.

She came to the top of a rise and saw two forms moving in the distance. They appeared to spot her as well. One turned and ran the other direction, while the other threw back its head and howled.

Minerva started walking again. I guess I'm in the right place.

She hadn't gone very far before two wolves came bounding up to meet her. "Not another step, dog," growled one, a red male. "Why are you here?"

"I have a message for your leader," Minerva answered.

"We need no message from you," said the other, a gray female. "You can leave or meet death sooner than your fellows."

They both advanced on her, but suddenly a third wolf came running up. He said something to them in the wolf tongue, which was similar to that of dogs, but much more flowing and melodic. Minerva sometimes thought she could make out a few of the words, but they sounded muddled and strange.

Whatever the third wolf had said, it caused the first two to slowly relax. The male turned to Minerva and jerked his head. "Our chieftain has chosen to speak with you," he said. "It is an honor. Follow us."

They led the way across the hill, descending down into a small valley. Minerva saw dozens of wolves within--the full strength of the wolves, evidently. They were clustered together in several groups, and some had made makeshift nests. Several of them rose as they caught sight of Minerva, bristling while their eyes flashed with hostility. But their fur smoothed over and their tails and ears instantly dropped as Songan came striding up through their midst.

"Welcome," he said, his eyes glimmering as he saw Minerva. "To what do we owe such a pleasure?"

"I've come to deliver a message," Minerva said.