Chapter 4

A New Friend

Disclaimer: I own nothing you have seen before in this story.

~This is Mind-talk~
"This is normal speech"
These are normal thoughts

Okay, now on with the story. The one you have all been waiting for!

Maerad followed a path that ran parallel to the one Cadvan and Darsor were on. She had discovered them that morning, around dawn, while debating with herself on how to talk to Cadvan. That was also when she had discovered the Hull and wer army.

After watching Cadvan and Darsor fade into the trees, she had howled a farewell to them, thinking how she was so close to her companions, yet they didn't know it was her. She truly felt like an outcast, like a lone-wolf. She had then gone back to watch the army's movements. They are probably going to make camp here. How perfect, she'd smiled grimly at that, they will camp in one School's ruin-caused by them- on their way to another School's. Ironic.

Indeed, her suspicions seemed to be true, for the wer scouts had stopped their scouting and had started making camp. And I just got Cadvan out of there, only just though. It is a pretty good thing I found these paths earlier, heading to the road too. If I hadn't, Cadvan would have continued on to the plane, right into the army. And we cannot have that now, can we? No, most certainly not.

Hearing something in the underbrush, Maerad paused. Putting her nose to the ground, she searched for a scent, Rabbit, it will make a fine snack for me. Slowly inching towards it, she struck. While tearing into its flesh, Maerad thought, I've certainly become a better hunter, that's for sure. Of course, it helps that that is my only key to survival, of course I could ransack Cadvan's food, but I just don't think he'd like that, what with not knowing who I actually am and all. But still, I do no hunt very well... Hmm, the obvious explanation for that is the fact I am normally human.

Finishing her meal, Maerad continued on her way. She wasn't worried about losing her companions, for as she knew, wolves had extremely high endurance, they could run for hours on end with empty stomachs, eating up miles and miles of a journey, without tiring. And I just had a nice rabbit for dinner, so I'm not exactly starving. She added, humorlessly. Several moments later she began noticing familiar pieces of scenery, Ah, I am getting closer.

Maerad slowed to a walk, and cautiously walked out onto the road. She put her nose to the ground, searching for Cadvan's scent. Hmm, he's being smart, staying near the trees. she observed when she followed his scent to the treeline. Making sure they were indeed following the road to Innail and not the opposite direction, Maerad trotted 200 paces into the woods and then went parallel to the road.

She caught up to them at midnight, or thereabouts. Cadvan was asleep, leaving Darsor on watch, most likely. After lying around, watching him sleep for a while, Maerad got bored and decided to go circle their camp. When she was opposite to the position she had been before, she sensed something behind her. She tensed up and leapt around. A sandy male wolf was sitting in front of her.

~Hello,~ He said smoothly in wolf, ~what are you doing on this fine eve, my beautiful, young lady.~

~Good evening,~ She said cautiously, ~I am simply enjoying the fine weather. And you?~

~Ah how it pains my heart for you to be afraid of me.~ He looked slightly wounded, then continued, ~It seems we are of a like mind. I was out for a walk, to escape the confines of my home, when I espied the graceful form of an Autumn Night wolf. The sight of you pleased me so much, I felt the need to come closer to make sure mine eyes were not deceiving me.~

Maerad considered this, ~Oh? Have I trespassed on another land? I saw no signs to show this territory was owned.~

~Nay, you need not fear miss. These lands are not claimed. For there is only I. I am simply passing through. My family is dead.~

~Oh, I am sorry. I feel for you.~

~Do not be,~ he grinned, ~I find life away from the pack to be quite fun, and relaxing. But miss, might I ask what a young thing like you is doing out here? Lone-wolves are uncommon, female lone-wolves are especially so.~

~My family was killed by the humans.~ She explained, slightly twisting the truth, ~The den we lived in was attacked and burnt down. My mother and I escaped, only to be captured by the human's and used as their slaves, I guess you could call us hunting beasts, they would punish us when we did wrong. Soon after our capture, my mother sickened and died, leaving me alone in the world. I have been their slave for my whole life, only until recently. I escaped. Now I am fleeing the place.~

He looked taken-aback, ~Oh! I am so sorry!~

~Don't worry, it was not your fault. I like freedom, it is so nice.~

~Of course you do! Would you like me to give you a tour of the wild?~

~Yes,~ She said shyly, ~I would...?~

~Oh! I am apologize! My name is Keku. And you are?~

~My name is Maerad. I was born near Pellinor. So, I am Maerad of Pellinor.~

~Maerad...~ He considered her name, ~that is a beautiful name. Come! We shall have a joyous time!~

And so, for several hours, Maerad and Keku romped in the wilderness. She forgetting all of her worries, he enjoying the company of another wolf. Chattering about everything and nothing. They ran side-by-side, or would simply sit or lay down in a companionable silence.

At one point, Keku ran off, telling Maerad to stay put. 'And don't move!' Were his last words before he disappeared. A couple of moments later, spent enjoying the breeze and staring at the stars, he came back, carrying two rabbits. He placed the larger one down near her, then set down his.

~Oh!~ She said in surprise, ~You didn't need to hunt for me! Thank you. You are very kind.~

~Do not worry about it,~ He said, embarrassed, ~I like hunting, and now with you here, I can hunt twice as much.~ Happily, he wagged his tail.

Smiling a wolfish grin, she dug in. ~Mm! It is delicious! Of all the rabbits I have caught and eaten in my lifetime, I must say this is the best I have had! Do you have some trick to tell whether or not they will taste good?~

Keku wriggled with obvious pleasure, ~Of course! I will tell you.~ He continued on, telling her of his hunts and the largest animals he had killed.

Later that night, Keku asked her a question, ~Maerad. I was wondering, do you have any specific destination in mind? If you do not, then perhaps you would stay here with me? And if you do have a destination, perhaps I could join you?~

~Why Keku, of course you can join me!~ She exclaimed, ~I am heading south, for the forest near Innail, a city the humans have built, to get away from my old prison. Actually, I am following that Bard and his horse over there,~ she pointed with her nose, in the direction where Cadvan and Darsor were. ~I heard they were heading for a place called Innail; my mother sometimes told me of this place, or rather, the forest surrounding it.

Maerad continued to describe the forest as a beautiful place, full of wildlife to hunt, and many clear, cool streams and creeks to drink from. ~I think it sounds wonderful.~

Keku cocked his head, ~But I thought you said you hated humans. Because of what they have done to you and your family.~

~I do and I don't. You see I have lived with those humans my entire life, thus I know them by smell, sound, and sight. So I am not against all humans. Just extremely wary of them.~

~Ah, I think... I think I see. I can still come with you?~

~Yes! Of course you can!~

~That is good! Then perhaps we should sleep. For I believe tomorrow will be a long day. May good dreams be upon you.~ He spoke the wolf customary night farewell.

~And may they be upon you as well.~ She replied. Together, they lied down, curled up against the other, making a tight, circle of fur. One half sandy, the other black, dark brown, and silvery-grey.

~~~000~~~

The next morning, they awoke, and ran parallel to Cadvan and Darsor. Heading for Innail and it's forest.

To be continued...

Hopefully sooner rather than later. :)
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