02-25-2022, 07:52 PM
Howl’s ears twitched. She spoke an Old Name, one he recognised from pack memory and not his own. It was not a name bestowed by wolves, though it translated well enough in their language.
There was a howl in the dream recently that touched us all with a warning of danger. But Thorn Paw bid us wait, and we did. He is old and wise and we listen. It was something to do with the Twisted Ones and the name you speak. Sun Snatcher has lived the dream before, I think. But the memories of that are very old, Long Eye. Very old.
He could not say, nor understood, much more than that. Thorn Paw himself might know more if Sierra wished to ask him; he was old and awaited rebirth in the waking world. He was also the one who went where no wolves dwelt and found the full-grown man-pup isolated and alone. No brother should have ever been left to grow like that. Uncomfortable with the understanding of such potent loneliness, Howl shook his coat a little, and lay himself down. His large head nudged onto Sierra’s lap companionably.
But then that is why I smell the Twisted Ones on you; your packmate has shown you the stone pillars, and that is what they are, he said, glad of the explanation. Though he understood them to be dead things in the wolfdream, it was natural that such things would still raise the hackles. Two-legs especially he expected to surrender to instincts they did not fully understand. Twisted Ones were wrong and the natural enemy of wolves, but they could not harm here. Or at least, they had not been able to for a long time. Given the flux of changes lately he thought it far better to stay away from the pillars than to test the theory. Chasing after ancient ones of any description seemed a foolish errand, and one likely to end badly. The sooner Sun Snatcher realised the value of his pack, the better. Life did not have to be so complicated.
It is good that he has you, Long Eye, Sure Foot added. It’s good to stay together.
Howl also repeated the sentiment, and then both wolves turned their attention to the images sent by the wriggling pup. Sure Foot sent a note of encouragement for his articulation, which came through much clearer this time. Very good, little brother Never, she said, you remember well and protect your pack.
The Forgotten One, Howl said plainly. Another thing of long ago. She is one of the old things we avoid, Long Eye. The image he sent was as if she were a part of the dream landscape itself, a seemingly unending river; the joyous rush of a springtime stream that nonetheless disappeared into the darkness of a crevice and away from view. She lives in the dream always, but she has no pack to carry the memories for her. The burden is too great and it makes her strange. We do not understand her, and it is better to stay away. Never is right. Does your packmate Sun Snatcher also heed the warning? Is she why you are both looking for ancient ones? I do not understand from what one might need saving. Is there anything we may do to help you, Long Eye?
There was a howl in the dream recently that touched us all with a warning of danger. But Thorn Paw bid us wait, and we did. He is old and wise and we listen. It was something to do with the Twisted Ones and the name you speak. Sun Snatcher has lived the dream before, I think. But the memories of that are very old, Long Eye. Very old.
He could not say, nor understood, much more than that. Thorn Paw himself might know more if Sierra wished to ask him; he was old and awaited rebirth in the waking world. He was also the one who went where no wolves dwelt and found the full-grown man-pup isolated and alone. No brother should have ever been left to grow like that. Uncomfortable with the understanding of such potent loneliness, Howl shook his coat a little, and lay himself down. His large head nudged onto Sierra’s lap companionably.
But then that is why I smell the Twisted Ones on you; your packmate has shown you the stone pillars, and that is what they are, he said, glad of the explanation. Though he understood them to be dead things in the wolfdream, it was natural that such things would still raise the hackles. Two-legs especially he expected to surrender to instincts they did not fully understand. Twisted Ones were wrong and the natural enemy of wolves, but they could not harm here. Or at least, they had not been able to for a long time. Given the flux of changes lately he thought it far better to stay away from the pillars than to test the theory. Chasing after ancient ones of any description seemed a foolish errand, and one likely to end badly. The sooner Sun Snatcher realised the value of his pack, the better. Life did not have to be so complicated.
It is good that he has you, Long Eye, Sure Foot added. It’s good to stay together.
Howl also repeated the sentiment, and then both wolves turned their attention to the images sent by the wriggling pup. Sure Foot sent a note of encouragement for his articulation, which came through much clearer this time. Very good, little brother Never, she said, you remember well and protect your pack.
The Forgotten One, Howl said plainly. Another thing of long ago. She is one of the old things we avoid, Long Eye. The image he sent was as if she were a part of the dream landscape itself, a seemingly unending river; the joyous rush of a springtime stream that nonetheless disappeared into the darkness of a crevice and away from view. She lives in the dream always, but she has no pack to carry the memories for her. The burden is too great and it makes her strange. We do not understand her, and it is better to stay away. Never is right. Does your packmate Sun Snatcher also heed the warning? Is she why you are both looking for ancient ones? I do not understand from what one might need saving. Is there anything we may do to help you, Long Eye?
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