Chapter 46
"Covenant"
When I asked Aquino to call the others to council, I should have been more specific.
He got the timing right. The chill of winter was long gone. The showers of spring ended. The start of summer's warmth made for easy travel and gave the land and lives within it time to heal. He arrived on time, as did the others. We all gathered around the table at Castle Rock where we were supposed to be, yet when I looked around, I realized Aquino was no different than the rest of his generation when it came to strangeness despite the difference in species.
Yes, there was the Pack of the Forests from the north. Hunter, Diving Dog, and their first small clutch of pups from the riverlands. Warrior and his wanderers and even a lesser pack from the New Lands in the East stuffed in between. But there were also Ring Bears and Spear Beaks and Sky Tails of all sizes. Brown Owls. A couple of Striking Beasts and a few Ring Tails too. The Little Diggers kept underground in fear of being squashed. I did not miss the crown hiding in the shadows or the red vulpine velvet of a collection of fox tails when they slipped by.
When I said others, I meant the three great packs and their shadows, not the entire ecosystem and its neighbors. Elder Bear sent her two apprentices. She dare not risk the King Bear now that things had finally settled in Bear Country. I imagine My Cub started screaming when he was forced to decline the invitation. More Ring Bears showed up than I would have expected, either out of loyalty from the winter or the fact that they refused to show any inkling of fear against a new and unknown challenge. The glory of conquering such an occasion was what brought the dragons in.
Sumar was as full bodied and voracious as ever. Fully healed from his war wounds, he scared away a crowd upon landing. Probably because he spat flame and batted the air with an introduction very few recognized as polite. The Foxes of Sun and Moon did not reveal themselves directly, and it was still unwise to send Seers to Castle Rock just yet, so they sent their little vixen cousins instead. With only six short curly tails, they made for much more effective spies. They snuck around the Rock Giant that seemingly came out of Castle Rock itself to attend council. He was not of the herd that helped protect the den, but apparently their deep rumblings were capable of ascending and descending mountains with communications.
According to Omega, the Giant intended to pass along a message at the end when he need only summarize the proceedings. The Striking Beasts found a quiet spot close to the Mighty Hena. Striker no longer showed hesitation in our company. Even without our alliance, her electrified coat kept any curious teeth at bay. Ring Tails and other woodland creatures scurried across the tree bark, stuck between the dangerous forces below and the predators above. Spear Beaks, all of the packs' owls, plus a few more, and every color of Sky Tail filled the canopy with much fluttering and singing.
There were only a few medium sized Tails and only one pair of fully mature adults. The Champion of the Sky and his mate. He watched me with great amusement, laughing at my confusion with his annoyingly pleasant twittering. Some of the marks I was beginning to expect to see from such a gathering were absent, yet cordial. The passing words of a Claw Fish from a nearby body of water told Omega that Brother was unable to make the journey, but all gossip flowed downstream. He said the Mud Kin would be sure to attend next time, as if this accident of a council was but the start of a new routine.
I stood at the edge of the rock that stuck out above the table and looked down at my paws where a Bell Sprout dangled his roots over the edge of the point, watching this confused, curious, and strange collection of creatures teeter on the edge of respect and rivalry. Below him, the Alphas gathered at table, but because of the new attendees, they shared the space with those of lesser rank like Warrior and a mouthful of upper ranked Blessed. We lost many Mighty Hena since the last council. Some packs like the riverlands and the forest were nearly wiped out entirely, especially those of low rank. Warrior and my War Pups were all that remained of the Scattered Souls. From the grasslands, Gruff Growl, Keokuk White Echo, and Ahanu Piercing Tooth went ahead to the happy hunting ground.
Keen Eye grew out of his status as Beta and loitered around my War Pups. They showed interest in receiving him. Okatie never returned to them after leaving the altar. His solitary nature made for a rough journey, yet he still found his way to council. I glanced behind me where Lakota Long Tail had pulled him up to join us on the slab. She pestered him and Omega alike although Catori Soft Song was not pleased with the latter. She snuffed Lakota's play and grew defensive, but Mahakah Dust Eater was the best when it came to noses. He clumsily pushed his way through until Boulder taught them all a lesson in size and patience. Mother and Father of the Forests were keen to watch while Father of the Rivers grumbled about order. Omega managed to free himself from the playful rebukes and came up beside me, always panting nowadays.
"Is it time?" he asked.
I glanced down at the Bell Sprout at my paws again. His beady little eye hid his thoughts, but the hefty nod and resounding ding! caught the attention of all in attendance. Every eye turned up to the table and I suddenly found myself at the tip of everyone's gaze. I never expected to see them again. After going our separate ways, after every lesson learned and battle won, I thought our contracts had ended. Our obligations were fulfilled and debts paid. Then again, this covenant we created was not bound by such temporary things.
I looked up beyond the excitement, through the trees, to the soft glow of a Fire Horse whose flames lapped at her face and neck with gentle heat. The mare stood there, burning with a quiet grace that set her apart from the others, from the mountain, and the very wild itself. Despite how much I wanted to Walk with her again and ask about how much I actually understood of the Spirit, the little flower at my paws glanced up at me for help. Sighing, I glared out at the hooligans who failed to settle. Sumar cleared his throat with one last puff of flame. One of the Ring Bears waved it away in annoyance. Jumper chuckled to himself and came right up front. I looked out among them one last time, remembering their marks and patterns and colors.
"The Spirit of the pack has gathered upon this rock to discuss the trials of the past seasons," I was compelled to announce and, although my voice did not carry like it used to, I saw by the glow in the eyes of those around me that all had heard it. I took one more breath, steadying myself with my usual countenance before declaring.
"Let the council begin!"