Chapter 3
The Nanlons
Falort Camp- five wolf years later.
It was done. Rano had united all the wolf packs of Europe. The combined forces of the Haons and the Falorts had been the sole reason for the unity. The Falorts were much like the human Spartans, which is why many groups decided not to fight. All that was left was to deal with the human threat.
This was a time when humans were beginning to take over lands that traditionally and rightfully belonged to the animals. But the humans were still respectful towards nature, so the wolves hoped that a fight would not occur.
Rano had taken to exploring outside the traditional Falort territory. Officially, all territories in Europe belong to the Falorts even to this day. On a cool crisp fall day, Rano was exploring the Chanor territory. The Chanor territory had been taken over completely by advancing humans since the unification of the packs.
Rustle. Snap. Rustle. Rustle.
When Rano heard the noise, his ears pricked up and he growled, "Who's there? Friend or foe? Wolf or human?"
A cry of shock, alarm, and fear reverberated from the foliage… a human cry. Then after the cry, a net.
The Human camp
Rano awoke to find a human boy of about 15 sitting besides him with a slab of raw, juicy, beef. The boy looked surprised that Rano had woken up. The boy offered the dripping, red mass to Rano, who accepted it with great vigor.
"You must have been hungry to have devoured that whole piece of meat," said the boy, more to himself than to Rano.
"You have no idea" replied Rano mostly to himself.
They sat there for a while, not aware that they had understood what the other had said.
Then it hit the boy who scooted back from Rano.
"Are you a demon? Why are you speaking my tongue?" questioned the boy.
"I should be asking the same of you," replied Rano.
The boy thought for a while. Maybe, he thought, this is all a dream. Maybe, he reasoned, I will just wake up and everything will be back to normal. Or maybe, said his subconscious in a tone so tempting that he almost believed it, this is really happening. Maybe this is a gift from the great spirits.
"Lorege!!!" the thundering voice shattered Lorege's thoughts.
Following the thundering voice a large, looming figure appeared through a fold in the hut's door.
"What is going on in here?!? Sometimes it sounds like two wolves communicating with each other, and other times it sounds like two people speaking our own tongue," the obviously distraught man screamed with a bass voice that could probably shatter rocks.
"Torgue Nanlon. Don't you dare yell at Lorege like that. He obviously knows as much about what is going on as you do."
Torgue looked at the squalor of a hut that they lived in. His vision passed over everything except for his son, Lorege, and the juvenile wolf.
"How is the wolf doing?" Torgue asked as kindly as he could.
"Well…" said Lorege.
"'Well' what?" demanded Torgue.
"I am doing fine. I have a slight itch in my back leg, but other than that I am fine." said Rano.
Torgue gaped in wonder at the blessing or curse that sat in front of him.
He called the rest of the Nanlons into the hut.
They all could talk to and understand Rano.
Then it hit them like a rhinoceros running at full speed.
This was the answer to their prayers. This was their escape from civilization. No one would think about looking for humans among wolves. No one would look for their treasure among wolves.
"Will you take us to where you live Ranorait?" asked Torgue.
"If you all agree to coming." responded Rano.
The elders consulted with Torgue.
"It's the perfect chance."
"This is the only chance."
"We need this or all will be lost."
The meeting ended.
"It is agreed. We shall join you Ranorait." Torgue announced.
"Right then. Follow me."
The Falort camp- three wolf months later
Madas was at his usual post on the mountain. It was there that he noticed the group of figures in the distance. He rushed down to talk to Floriv.
"Sir, there are figures approaching from the West," said Madas before Floriv could ask what was wrong.
Floriv fervently hoped that it was Rano returning from gathering more troops, but his conscious dismissed that as fiction because he knew that humans were trying to invade.
"Ready all wolves capable of fighting. Madas, return to the mountain to watch," ordered Floriv.
So, Madas returned to his post. He was capable of fighting, but was exempt because he was known for his excellent eye sight which was helpful in cases like these. He knew the drill for the distance. One howl means that the enemy is far away. Three howls means that the enemy is really near. Madas located the group of figures and released three short howls.
The Forest surrounding the Falort camp- Rano and the Nanlons
Arr. Arr. Arr.
"They know we have arrived in the area. This has just become more interesting," whispered Rano.
"Is there anything else you wish to tell us?" questioned Torgue quietly.
Rano looked around, sniffed, and perked his ears.
"Yes. They will be sending a patrol along. So, we need to head to a clearing," answered Rano.
The Falort Patrol
"Anything yet Scorton?" asked Floriv to the shadow that just materialized next to him.
"No sir. I heard voices but they stopped. I was able to pick up, through the putrid smell of livestock, the smell of a wolf," Scorton replied.
"But I made sure that all the wolves stayed in the camp for this reason," Floriv pondered.
"That is why this is worrying me."
Rano and the Nanlons
Rano had tried to find the nearest clearing. He made sure that all the Nanlons and their possessions had managed to get into the clearing too. He tried to find the mountain, but had no luck. The Nanlon closest to him pointed to it. Rano nodded his thanks to the Nanlon. He released a code he hoped he would not have to use. He howled a cry for assistance. Madas responded almost instantaneously. Rano replied by giving the position that the group held. The bushes in front of them rustled very faintly.
The Patrol was here.
The Patrol
Floriv heard the howl. He also heard the response Madas had made to the mysterious wolf. He had recognized the wolf cry. Wolf cries are not mimicable by other wolves or by other creatures. He looked over at Scorton. Scorton knew what do without being told. He asked Madas if there was anyone out of camp. The reply was a customary negative. He did find out that that a group of figures had emerged in a clearing. They were, according to Madas, only 20 tail-lengths from the spot that Floriv and the patrol were positioned. Floriv nodded. The patrol moved out.
Rano and The Nanlons
Rano had waited for the reply. Then he started to pace slowly and softly around the perimeter of the clearing. He heard the rustling of the bushes a mere 10 tail-lengths away from where he stood.
He knew that the patrol was closing in.
The Patrol
The first thing the patrol heard was the assorted sounds of livestock. The first scents they smelled was the rank odor of the livestock. Then they started to hear and smell the humans. Then to the surprise of all the patrol members they smelled and heard the wolf, the wolf they thought had been dead for the three months he had been missing. They all moved closer to the clearing. Then, to their mounting apprehension and fear, they saw the wolf. He had the same markings that Rano had had. He had fur as brown as the new bark of the oak tree. He had two black streaks starting at his eyes and ending at his tail. His eyes were as green as the lightning bugs that were seen commonly in the middle of summer near swampy areas. They knew it was impossible, but they had a feeling that this wolf was Rano. All the patrol wolves looked over at Floriv. They all had the same question… "What now?"
Floriv whispered to the whole patrol. "You know the drill. It has not changed at all even though we control of all the packs. I, being the strongest wolf here will challenge the wolf. If it is who I think it is, then the wolf will show me mercy.
Scorton asked the question they all had on their minds. "What happens if he's not?"
Floriv gave him the stare. The question didn't need to be answered. They all knew.
After a few minutes of mental and physical preparation Floriv and the seven other scouts burst into the clearing and surrounded the wolf.
Floriv shouted the standard and mandatory question that patrols always asked wolf of different tribes. Why did you come here? What is you purpose? Then he added the standard for those who have humans with them. Why have you brought humans with you?
Rano looked around. "I guess you deserve an answer since you have other wolves with you. I am trying to find the Falort camp. I wanted to tell Floriv that I have found humans that can talk to wolves and I wanted to tell him I was alive. These humans can understand us. They are fleeing society with a treasure too great for normal humans to use, understand, or control."
Floriv feigned being impressed, though in reality he was. "Well, I would love to believe your story, but I won't."
Then he and Rano took the customary fighting position.
They circled around each other. Floriv advanced first. Rano quickly dodged and used a move that only he had been able to perform. He had invented it after all.
Floriv staggered back. He knew that this was Rano, but still, it was better to make completely sure. He used an attack that was notorious for being used to the defender's advantage. In addition, it put the one using it in the "Execution stance". It was so called because the other wolf pinned them to perform the sacrilegious killing that more often then not followed the reversal of advantage. Rano easily took advantage of the move and then, just like Floriv knew, pinned him.
Floriv conceded defeat. "You have bested me. Please show me mercy that I may or may not deserve."
Rano took his paw away from Floriv's throat.
They looked at each other. They knew that their previous thoughts had been correct. They held their front right paw out to the other.
"Rano, I am glad you are alive," Floriv exclaimed with a joy and happiness no one waas expecting from him..
"I am glad you kept the group together Floriv," Rano replied.
Floriv accepted the compliment.
"Come. I have much to tell you." Floriv finally got out, back to his usual gruff self.
The Gathering of The Clans-near Modern-day Berlin
As was tradition, the Elders of Lanstrom led the gathering. The Zanafors, Allorians, and Olitons were motioning to kill all the animals in the area and start to expand the area of human dominance. The Elders' leader Fredrick was more concerned with the disappearance of all his stores of Eternal Youth Water and, not to mention, the disappearance of the Nanlons. He remembered that a week ago they had asked for permission to protect the water that night. Then it hit him like a bronze tipped arrow. He also remembered hearing reports from the Lanstrom guards, the ones who usually guarded the water. They never reported anything unusual. But, usually around dinner time, every one of them recalled two Nanlons bringing them food. The Nanlons waited for them to finish eating then walked away. By the time the Nanlons had turned the corner, the guards would get sleepy and black out. When they awoke the Nanlons were gone. They also remembered that the pair that came the previous night didn't come the next night. The Nanlons had been stealing his water! They had been stealing his profit!!!
He looked around the group seated around him. He stared at the seat usually occupied by Torgue Nanlon.
"May I have your attention? I need to know if any of you have seen the Nanlons as of late," Fredrick demanded.
The leader of the Allorians smiled. This was the opportunity he had waited for. It was time.