Spring wind whipped around an ancient den where deep in its worn walls lay a young wolf mother, five pups lay against her belly. The warmth of her ash grey fur like a blanket, her scent filled their little lungs. Soon the father stepped in; his red brown fur seemed to blend with the rocky walls. His strong snout was formed in a grin "How many Blackcinder?" he said his deep voice filling the room. BlackCinder smiled "Five Stonefur, five" He grinned and walked lightly out of the den. He must tell the pack such good news.
The Naming
Weeks later the pups crawled out of the den, their eyes huge with all the new sights and smells. Eagerly they started to explore the world around them. Blackcinder and Stonefur lay close watching their young pup explored. Soon Nightail. Blackcinder's father joined them. His once pure black fur was now spotted with whites. His wise eyes watched the playful pups. "Today they'll get their names." he said proudly.
"Father, the tellers not coming 'til moonrise.", Blackcinder giggled."
"Yes Nightail", Stonefur added, "Don't get too excited. The naming ceremony is important but not as important as the first hunt."
"I guess, but I just love naming ceremonies. They make me feel like I'm a young pup again. But that was back when the wolves got along with those oversized dragons. I remember when…" at that Nightail started one of his long stories of his youth.
It was not long before all five puppies, with their tails wagging and eyes wide with amazement, were sitting around him. After one story finished the pups would ask for another. Soon the whole pack was sitting near. Each wolf spun a new bit to the old tales adding their own words to the telling. They told tales of heroes, with great feats under their paws, of the dangers of the forest they called home, and most of all about the great battles of dragons and wolves. By the end of the last tale, the sun had sunk to its lowest point in the sky. Its golden rays danced on the packs fur, turning the browns, blacks and whites into a rainbow of colour.
A few moments later Stonefur signalled to the rest of the pack that is was time for the ceremony.
Stonefur and Blackcinder led the pack to the Howling Caves. It was time to meet the teller. When they arrived, he sat waiting. His pure white fur shone silver in the rising moon's light. The pack made a small circle around the ancient wolf. The teller waited until the pack had settled before speaking in his musical voice. "Tonight five pups will gain their names and with that name they shall take their place in the greater pack"
Letting out a great howl, the teller lifted his head to the sky, where the stars shone brightly like they were watching the ceremony below from their heavenly perch. The teller continued "Come young pups it is time." He turned his blind eyes to the pups that were nervously crawling to the white wolf.
When they sat in front of him he started to speak "Aww five young wolves is it?"
He grinned and lowered his head to the first pup, an ashy female with white paws. "I see a great hunter in this one. She shall be known as Lowwinter."
The white wolf moved to the next pup, a big brown male with huge paws. "A strong fighter, he shall be known as Deepdigger."
The next two, one black and one red-brown were named Ravenfeather and Swiftedwind. They were both female.
When the teller came to the last pup he frowned. His voice deepened to a growl. "I see great treachery in this pup. He is a danger to all and any around him. For this, he must be known as Underborn." The large blue grey pup, who was now known as Underborn, lowered his head in shame.
At this, Blackcinder wept. Stonefur and Blacktail growled, but before they could do anything, the teller spoke in a softer voice. " I do see something good ahead for this pup but if he stays here he shall never learn his talents. So he must leave."
The teller turned his head towards the teary eyed parents. "You may say goodbye now."
As the parents walked forward, a fog emerged in the clearing and when it cleared the ancient wolf was gone.
They sat beside Underborn talking rubbing and licking their son until the sun broke across the horizon. Only then, did they get up .Stonefur started to leave but his mate lingered a few more moments to give her son something to remember them all. She pulled her bright orange scarf, like the colour of the sun that was rising in the east, from around her neck and tied it onto Underborn. The big scarf seemed oversized on the blue grey pup. She whispered into his ear, "When you have grown into this scarf, then you may find your way home."
