Crystals of the Breeze

by DogDrawler

A week after the Battle for the Sanctuary, Cloud and his family form the Fellowship of the Breeze to embark on a journey to free Yoho National Park. Oppressors called the Nightlanders, led by the sinister Greyson, hide in Yoho's extensive cave system as the Fellowship fights them off, uncovering dark secrets unworthy of comprehension.

3. Chapter 3: Icy Confessions

Chapter 3: Icy Confessions (written from April 21st to May 12th, 2023)

January 29th, 2013

If there was any oppressor the Fellowship couldn't oust, it was the winter. Seven days into their expedition, the latest compulsory blizzard laid siege to Banff. They dove into a whirlpool of ice. Gone were the Sanctuary walls that had cuddled the Breeze since its inception when the infamous sobriquet of the Wind of Death didn't exist. Ironically, it was the wind versus the wind as the blizzard howled its melancholy, potentiating the cold. They had never before confronted weather so hellbent on breaking their spirits.

Alphas and Omegas were not treated equally. Breeze Alphas had histories of stealth operations to draw from, whereas most Omegas were confined to the Sanctuary. For the Omegas, the howling cold crawled into their ears, wiggled up their noses, and slithered down their throats. The few bison furs the Breeze had were given to the most vulnerable Omegas, including Echo. On her back, the pelt kept the one and only pregnant wolf snug, much to Thunder's relief.

In spite of the miserable weather, Oliver's brilliance ensured that it was part of a strategy of concealment. Blizzards and Rogues converged on the Consolation Valley in Central Banff. To march around the Consolation Valley would add a whole moon cycle to their journey, but if travel was timed correctly, the group could avoid the Rogues as a consequence of their choice to wait out the storm in their dens as opposed to patrolling. This, of course, required the group to brave the harrowing ice throughout the entire crossing, and it called for the best navigation skills, which Oliver seemed to miraculously have. To the Breeze's amazement, Oliver always seemed to know where they were, even though every direction looked the same. At no point did he seem befuddled. If other wolves had a drop of erudition, the old wolf had the Pacific, and it didn't go unnoticed by a certain wide-eyed youth.

Halfway through the Lake Louise Valley, Benny jogged up to the very front of the group called the point position. The old wolf continued to fascinate Benny more than anyone else. Oliver was shrouded in mystery, and Benny wondered how a wolf with such vast knowledge came to be and if his own mind could ever be as sharp as Drizzle's claws were. During the whole trip, he took mental notes of everything Oliver did. Meanwhile, the old wolf silently studied Benny's fascination, throwing an exploratory glance whenever attention was briefly not given.

From Oliver's perspective, Benny's interest was one of the few things he did not forecast. His artful persona tended to make wolves cautious. It made him grow accustomed to being held from a distance. At first, Benny was yet another wolf rendered uneasy by Oliver's presence, but the more Benny became aware of Oliver's acuity the more Oliver became aware of Benny's, and Oliver believed, unlike Echo's pregnancy, it was a surprise bereft of drawbacks. Additionally, it happened to be the case that Oliver knew whence Benny's interest had come.

"Hey!" the dark grey wolf called as he caught up.

"Greetings," Oliver replied. "You must be Benny, no? Apologies… What age does to your eyesight is cruel."

"Yet somehow a blizzard is no problem for you!"

"Navigation calls upon all your senses. Being overdependent on the eyes is an impairment worse than age."

"You know, a famous Alpha once said that 'education is the premise of progress.' Do you think you'd be willing to teach me a few things? I could use some of your insight!"

"I'm sure you could, but if all my insight is good for is impressing Cloud's daughter, then I'm afraid my teachings will not serve you."

Benny blushed. "Who said anything about Drizzle? I didn't!" he assured frantically.

"So you say... I suppose I could teach you at some point, but aren't there some other skills you should finish learning first, seeing as you're still a Beta?"

Benny's ears twitched. "You know about that?! Oh, what am I saying? Of course you do…"

"I also know you've been interested in me because of Thunder and Drizzle's teachings. They must remind you how much you lag behind most wolves your age. Not to worry, Benny. I see no benefit in telling anyone."

"How long have you known?"

"It was when you came into Elgin's quarters to give your report of the scouting party I sent out. Submission stances are things all wolves are taught, especially in school, and as I watched you submit to Elgin, I noticed that your stances were a bit sloppy—one might even say, incomplete. As I'm sure you've noticed, the Breeze do their teachings in their own unique way, and I'd wager that's the reason they've yet to discern your lie."

"I personally think the hierarchy is stupid. What real differences are there between an Alpha and an Omega? Why is simply being a wolf not enough? Just look at Thunder. He's proof that it shouldn't matter."

Oliver gave a sigh. "Unfortunately, proof has never stopped a wolf from acting on his worst instincts."

"You say that as if you've seen it firstpaw. What happened?" Benny asked.

"Everything… but also nothing," the old wolf answered.

Benny blinked. "Everything and nothing? That doesn't even make any sense." Helping his confusion was Oliver's chuckling.

— A&Ω —

Waving streams of flurries battered the group nonstop. Behind Oliver, the Fellowship and the rest of the Breeze huddled close to conserve heat. The Aeolian noticed their progress slow significantly as their legs wobbled due to fatigue. Their paws were too numb to feel. Seemingly unaffected were Oliver and Abel. Having been in more blizzards to count, they marched with a hardiness the Breeze simply couldn't match, but the storm proceeded to get worse by the minute. It wasn't long before a tree of light fractured the monotony.

In lupine folklore, thundersnow was considered among the worst of bad omens. It led to a frustrated Cloud moving up, which spooked Abel. "Geez, Cloud, that white fur is going to be the death of me."

"Are we close to the shelter?" Cloud asked. "My pack is tired. All of our food is frozen stiff. I don't think we're going to make it before this storm lets up."

"Yes, I figured that would be a possibility," said Oliver, "which is why I've been leading us to a place that's much closer."

"Thank the stars. That's great news. I will inform the pack."

"Hold on, wait," said Abel.

"Is there a complication?"

"No, we just think you should know that it's not a den that we're heading for."

"Explain what you mean."

"It's called a 'shed,'" Oliver informed. "It's where humans keep their tools. It's warm, warmer than a den could ever be."

"We're going to a building? Near humans? Absolutely not. Has your sense been frozen?"

"The humans are inactive just like the Rogues. We need not worry about them."

"I don't like this… There has to be another place, Oliver."

"There is no other place within twenty miles. To put it bluntly, sir, if we go anywhere else, we'll all succumb to death." The Aeolian nodded begrudgingly. "We should move quickly," Oliver added. "Night will be upon us soon."

It took the group an hour to reach the shabby wooden shed. With its foundation buried, it submitted to the blasting wind and leaned precariously, but what disturbed Cloud more were the soft beams of yellow emanating from the log cabin fifteen yards away. In the two-story windows, the lights flickered as people moved inside. Cloud did have to admit though that the sight of warmth was tantalizing. The group gathered around the shed's entrance, which was secured by a large padlock. "I don't see a way in," said Drizzle. She then whined and left scratches on the wood.

"Save your claws for the enemy," said Oliver. "We don't want them dull now, do we?" Oliver stood up on his hind legs and leaned his body against the doors. He inserted one of his claws into the padlock's keyhole. "This'll only take a moment," he assured. The Breeze watched in amazement again as the old wolf began picking the lock. His toe jiggled for a few seconds before the claw jabbed the tiny pin inside. Suddenly, there was a feeble click, and the padlock was opened just like that. Oliver then nudged it upwards with the tip of his drab nose. The padlock's shank withdrew from the hole in the steel clasp, allowing the doors to swing open. It revealed what appeared to the Breeze as a torture chamber. The space was adequate, but on the walls hung large objects that made the pack tremble, including rusted shovels, grimy wheelbarrows, and rakes marred by intense autumntime usage.

On the back wall, between notebook paper nailed to the bare studs, was a triangle-shaped window. "Well, at least it won't be pitch black in here," said Echo as she entered. "No offense, Drizzle."

"None taken," Drizzle replied.

The shed was barely enough to fit the nearly three dozen wolves. Many were forced to crawl under the dangling tools or the workbenches adjoined to the walls. In one corner, an Omega was forced to rest on top of a lawn mower. In another, Elgin and Benny relaxed on a stack of golf cart tires. The rest of the Fellowship decided to squirm underneath the main workbench where the floor was riddled with sawdust, cobwebs, and the droppings of mice. "Ah-choo!" Thunder sneezed. The big wolf could only fit his anterior half in the compartment, but all he needed was to be able to stay close to Echo. They rubbed their heads affectionately as they knew their love would thaw them out faster.

Soon the second-in-command pushed her way to the center of the shed. Alphas groaned as her report reminded them that she was their superior. An Alpha then hesitantly passed a bone to her. Doing a roll call, she read the written names aloud—notably skipping Elgin. Next, she read aloud another bone given to her that dealt with keeping track of the food supply.

"Yardley, you have the berries?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Tazewell, you have the caribou thigh?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Akari, you have the moose ribs?"

"I do, ma'am."

"Teddrick, you have the elk stomachs for the Rogue?"

"Most definitely, ma'am."

"Good… It would be cruel to let our prisoner starve," she replied, sending Elgin a smirk.

"Look on the bright side, Elgin," said Benny. "At least you're spending your final days with us and not with King. I doubt the Rogue chieftain lets his prisoners eat."

"At least King knows when to shut his trap!" Elgin rasped.

"Alright," Drizzle continued, "to the wolves tasked with the food, warm it up by lying on top of it. This is our time to eat. We don't know how long we'll be delayed, so only a few bites are allowed. That's it. Anyone I see fighting or taking more bites than they should will be sleeping outside. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Drizzle," they replied in unison.

"You must be proud of your daughter," Abel said to Cloud. "She's assumed her new role quite nicely."

"She has her mother's spirit. She was born to be a commander."

"It's unfortunate what happened to her brother. I wish I could've had the chance to meet him."

"I wish you could've as well. He had his mother's humor. He would've brought so much joy at a time like this when we need it the most. The Rogues stole him from us. Not surprising since destroying joy is what they do. Damn them all," the Aeolian cursed, producing a low growl.

"Why does it feel like we're the ones who lost when we defeated a frickin' army? Maybe it's too late for Banff," Thunder suggested.

"Poppycock," Oliver exclaimed. As intended, the strange word immediately grabbed their full attention. "Empires rise as fast as they fall. Who's to say the Rogues are exempt from history? They may seem unstoppable, yes, but their need to subjugate is a weakness and one that is worthy of exploitation."

"And that's exactly how we'll approach the Nightlanders," Abel added.

"The Nightlanders?" said Echo.

"So the wolves whom we're taking on finally have a name," Cloud replied. "Now that we're halfway to Yoho, I think it's time you two spill a bit more information."

"We do apologize for not being very forthcoming," said Oliver. "Allow me to explain that my dear companion, Abel, is sensitive when it comes to discussion about the pack we're after."

"It's okay, Oliver. I think I can handle it now," said Abel, who then turned back to the Breeze wolves but not before emitting a wobbly sigh. "The Nightlanders… are not like the Rogues. Oliver mentioned that the Rogues' weakness is their need to subjugate. For the Nightlanders, it's an even greater weakness because they are one hundred percent committed. The Rogues subjugate to enact their religion as if they're on some righteous crusade. The Nightlanders? They subjugate for the hell of it."

"Well, they certainly sound nice," Thunder commented.

"The Rogues are scattered all over the place," Abel continued. "Their forces are in constant fluid motion which makes taking them down nearly impossible without a… What was the term you used, Oliver?"

"Park-wide coalition."

"Yes, that. See, the Nightlanders fool themselves. They stay in Yoho because they already have what they want, a population enclosed by lies and fear. What we need to pop that bubble is a fellowship."

"So, where does the Breeze come in?" asked Cloud.

"In order to pop a bubble, you need to pierce it. We need you because our goal is to kill Greyson, the chieftain of the Nightlanders, then spread the news of his death. The packs under occupation will handle the rest."

"I think we can take out this chieftain," said Cloud, "but we're betting on wolves we don't know to bail us out. If I didn't have so much faith in my second-in-command, I would dismiss this as a suicide mission."

"Taking out Greyson needs to be done covertly if we are to have the best chance of survival. You guys have the claws and the speed. I have no doubt we can do the mission. In regards to what happens afterward, I know it's a risk, but it's one I'm willing to die for. I can't take credit away from Oliver. He's the one who told me about you, which gave me the hope that this age of tyranny will end. The oppressed Yohoians are stronger than they appear. I feel it in my marrow that they will rise. They're hungry for change. I know it."

"Very well," Cloud acknowledged. "I am comforted by your passion to save your homeland, for I also took a risk rooted in faith when it came to protecting the Sanctuary. I'm not alone in thinking that hope is dying across our world. At the very least, it should be the duty of the Breeze to help it grow where the land is fertile. I believe fear kills more dreams than failure ever will."

"Speaking of killing… I… I have to confess." Abel's forepaws began to fidget. He delivered a look to Oliver as though asking permission.

"Say it now or you never will," Oliver encouraged. Upon reading the situation, Cloud placed his paw on Abel's shoulder and nodded, a signal to say that Abel's admissions would not be judged harshly. Abel took a multitude of breaths before laying it out.

"I was a Nightlander…" The Breeze wolves' eyes swelled. "...and not just any Nightlander… I was an Enforcer."

"An Enforcer? What's that?" Echo asked.

"They're actually called Protectors, but I refuse to use a title so inappropriate. To answer your question, Echo, the Enforcers do many things, but generally, they're in charge of keeping the conquered populace—'Daylanders,' we call them—in check. In other words, I was a member of the class of Alphas who do the day-to-day abuses."

"What kind of abuses?" said Thunder.

"Well…" Abel then gulped. "We often beat up anybody whenever we felt like it… The Daylanders are too weak and scared to fight back. They're pretty much helpless… And it was not uncommon for us to beat up several wolves in a single day… Nobody ever questioned what we were doing. It was just the culture… It was a fact of life. We were told that our jobs were heroic, that what we were doing was for the Daylanders' own good, and… I ate it up..." Abel began crying.

"Hey… you're here now," Echo replied softly. "If you were like the others, you wouldn't be here."

"You don't understand… When I said killing, I meant it." Thunder and Echo gasped. "I wasn't an Enforcer for long, but I ended up killing many Daylanders… including one I had genuinely loved... because I blindly followed orders… Like prey, I slaughtered them!" Abel sobbed.

Echo clutched her belly with her right forepaw as a question materialized. "Did you ever kill pups?"

"No… but I believe I would've had I not changed… Each Enforcer is assigned to a specific family. We act as overseers, making sure they stay weak by either instigating fights or taking most of their food. Some Enforcers find enjoyment in playing god. If a she-wolf in our assigned family had pups, many of us would take the ones that looked the strongest, dump them in the nearest creek, and place bets on which one would drown first."

"If that's not the most horrendous thing I've ever heard, I don't know what is," said Cloud. The listening Breeze wolves shuddered as they tried to come to terms with the Nightlanders' heinous crimes. They were their own league of evil compared to the Rogues.

"Knowing how devoted I was to Greyson," Abel continued, "had a she-wolf under my watch given birth, I know I would've drowned pups too without a second thought… I'm a monster…"

"You were a monster," Thunder corrected. "You might have done terrible things for a time, but that guilt proves you now know right from wrong. By fighting alongside us, you're saving countless lives, and we'll make sure the wolves you killed are avenged, won't we, Dad?"

"Yes, the Breeze is behind you, Abel. It takes courage to change, and you were very brave in telling us the truth."

"It haunts me that you did those things," said Echo, "but the Aeolian is right. The only thing that matters is who you are right now."

Abel continued wiping his tears as he replied. "Hm… I wish those words could make me feel better… Maybe they will in time, but nonetheless, I thank all of you for believing in me. I'm incredibly blessed to have real friends, let alone ones as understanding and as talented as you all."

Oliver patted Abel on the back. "Don't worry, kid. We'll make it right."

— A&Ω —

January 30th, 2013

Following a much-needed rest in the cozy shed, the weather eased up dramatically. The group spent the morning traversing the heart of King's territory and were amazingly fortunate to not detect a single Rogue nor an iota of one's odious scent—with the exception of the prisoner. Drizzle had been informed of Abel's admission right before they left. It came as a shock to her that the Breeze was helping an Alpha who was once an instrument of terror. She didn't know what to feel about Abel now, but his hideous past relit the fire of indignation. To her, the Rogues and the Nightlanders were indistinguishable. Why bother differentiating them when they were both destroyers of joy? Her emotions had to be dumped somewhere, and the prisoner existed as the perfect wolf to absorb them.

Oliver eventually allowed the group to stop for a lunch break, choosing to scout ahead. As the Alphas tasked with the food began laying down their carrier pelts, Drizzle seized an opportunity.

"Teddrick, do you mind if I give the prisoner his ration this time?"

"Uhh, sure."

The she-wolf picked up an elk stomach, then walked over to Elgin and Benny where she dropped it at her forepaws.

"About time… I'm starving," Elgin groaned.

"Not so fast, Rogue. I want to hear you beg for it."

"What?! Are you serious?!" he exclaimed.

"Uh, Drizzle? What are you doing?" asked Benny.

"You heard me! Beg!" Drizzle demanded.

"Not on your life!" Elgin refused. "I'm not begging for some female who blubbers in her sleep! 'Oh, boo hoo, my brother died in war!' For a second-in-command, why don't you grow a pair of balls?!"

Drizzle snapped. "HOW ABOUT I SLASH YOURS OFF?!" Vengeful lust overwhelmed her veins and arteries as she lunged at Elgin and pinned him down, her paws choking him blue.

Benny looked on in horror. He pushed her off by ramming into her. "Drizzle, get a hold of yourself! Please!" he urged.

"What's going on here?" asked Cloud who came toward them in response to the noise.

"Nothing, sir," Benny lied. "Drizzle was just… warming up for a howl! That's all."

The Aeolian noticed Elgin rubbing his neck as he stood back up. The truth was hardly hidden. "Drizzle, come here please."

His daughter sat in front of him and bowed her head. "Dad, I was just—"

"Quiet," he cut her off. "You know better than to speak first when I call you. What's wrong?"

"The Rogue needs to go! He's dead weight, and letting him breathe for even one more second is too good for him!"

"Lower your tone. Elgin will be dealt with when the time is right."

"And what time would that be? What could be so important to let this scum of a wolf continue living? I say if we're going to have two foul wolves traveling with us, I make a motion to waive whatever's planned and execute the one responsible for desecrating our home right now."

"Denied," Cloud replied swiftly. "This is not up for debate, Drizzle. Now return to your duty."

"Yes, Dad," Drizzle said bitterly.

"You know, you might want to be a little more careful," warned Benny as he turned to Elgin. "You keep pulling her tail like that, and she will end up killing you."

"Why do you even care if I end up dead?" he questioned spitefully.

Benny took a few steps back and lowered himself. "I don't care if you die. It wasn't you I was trying to save," he answered. "Besides, if I'm gonna train under Oliver someday, then I gotta try to do the smart thing."

"Train under Oliver? I bet you won't last five minutes before he double-crosses you like he did to me. And by the way, you quivering little wimp, regardless of your reason, don't expect me to thank you for helping me. With all this horrendous pain shooting up my legs, I'd rather the she-wolf just do away with me already. There's only so much humiliation I can take."

"I think you can take plenty more humiliation! You seem like a durable Alpha after all. Maybe if I can find a couple of squirrels, I can get them to—"

"You so much as finish that thought, and I will turn you into a blood smear!"

The churlish threat caused Benny to shrink to half his size. Just then, a howl from Oliver summoned the Fellowship. "Oh, wow! Would you look at the time? It looks like I've been called! So sorry to cut this conversation short, but I've gotta go! Okay, bye!" Infected with shivers, he fled the scene.

"Well… he's not boring. I'll at least give him that much," Elgin grumbled.

The Fellowship gathered past a small ridge, a hundred yards ahead of the other wolves, who were now eating their lunch. Oliver intensely sniffed the center of a flat field of snow. It was thick enough to swallow each paw step.

"What is it, Oliver?" asked Cloud.

"Nothing short of glad tidings. Take a look." With his snout, the old wolf plowed the snow, which turned up a strip of steel. The chieftain and his offspring examined it blankly. "Does the good news lift your spirits?"

"Should it? I'm not sure what I'm looking at," Cloud replied.

"Me neither," said Thunder as he examined the strip of steel closer, "but it's definitely not natural. It must be something manmade."

"Do excuse me," said Oliver. "I often forget how little the Breeze has migrated."

"Um, I think I know what it is," Benny said as he held up a paw.

"Oh? Well, don't leave us in suspense. What do you think it is?"

"I'm pretty sure I've heard of something like this before. It's what humans call a road. Those shiny things that humans ride inside go really fast down them."

"Hmm… close, but you could say you're on the right path. These are railroad tracks or at least a piece of the rail. The rest of the track is buried. There are really fast things that come down a railroad, but they're more dull than shiny. They're called trains. It may help to imagine them as a bunch of those shiny, fast things linked up together. They follow the tracks perfectly. They're tall, terribly noisy, and, considering their size, outrageously fast, so fast that it can make the best Breeze Alpha look slow."

"Make a Breeze Alpha look slow? No offense, golden-ager, but I'll believe it when I see it," remarked Echo while she curiously looked at the rail.

"I'm with Echo on this one. The only thing faster than me is a shooting star," said Drizzle. "Anyway, how exactly is this relevant to the mission?" Benny stood beside her, imagining, in awe, what a train would even look like.

"I'm glad you ask, Ms. Drizzle. These tracks lead to the corridor that begins between Mount Norquay and Mount Yamnuska."

"The Vermilion Gap," Abel clarified. "That's where we need to go."

"Precisely, but it's important to be aware that it branches into two ends. Vermillion One leads to Kootenay. Vermillion Two leads to Yoho. Inside the pass, we have to be careful lest we end up in the wrong park."

"And I bet you have some trick to make sure we stay on course," said Cloud.

"Looks like you're finally catching on, sir," replied Oliver with a smirk.

"Oliver, I'm curious about something," Benny said inquisitively.

"And what would that be?"

"That Kootenay park. What is it like? I get the impression you've been there before or at least know about it."

"Ahh, as a matter of fact, I have been there but only once. Many years ago. The park is a narrow, worm-like shape, much like the road that runs directly through it. It's a large road called a 'highway,' and it generates a high concentration of humans. Wolves there don't live off caribou as much as the food left behind by campers. Those are people who will actually sleep in the forest in their own weird little dens. You may say they're trying to mimic us."

"That's incredible!" Benny exclaimed. "I'd love to visit there sometime. I want to see what a human's den looks like."

"And risk becoming lunch for a human?" Thunder teased.

"Oh, yeah… On second thought, maybe not."

Abel and Oliver exchanged smiles as the others engaged in a friendly back-and-forth. No one noticed the two slowly back away from the tracks.

"Hey, Echo," Abel summoned. "Could you come over here for a moment?"

"Yeah, what's up? And why are you guys way over here?"

"You want to see something funny?" The she-wolf witnessed a mischievous look on his face.

"Uhhhh, sure?"

"Wait for it," said Oliver, who then gestured to look back at the rest of the Fellowship. Engrossed in their conversation, they were unprepared to hear a high-pitched roar suddenly shake the horizon. It occurred before the old wolf had a chance to do his favorite thing, the countdown. "Hm, it seems I was off by a few seconds. I really am getting old."

A second ear-fracturing shriek put the Breeze wolves into defensive postures when a short train came within sight and, at a speed that seemed impossible, blasted through the field. A metal slope at the front of the locomotive charged through the snow which lifted a huge wave of powder into the air. Within a second, the blanket of snow tore up and folded in on itself above their heads. It buried the Fellowship, excluding the three who watched from a distance. After the train disappeared as quickly as it came, Oliver, Abel, and Echo all broke out into boisterous laughs. Benny could also be heard laughing inside the new ridge of white that paralleled the rail.

Thunder became the first to poke his head out. He was perplexed and disoriented. "What the heck was that?! Was that the train?" he asked.

"Train? All I saw was a wall of snow," Drizzle added. "Did we get caught in an avalanche? And how come Echo didn't get hit?"

"Because an expectant mother should be treated delicately," Oliver responded. Thunder nodded in agreement.

"How about a little signal next time," Cloud suggested from behind Abel and Oliver, even though they swore they saw him get devoured by the wave.

Oliver then walked towards the tracks that were now totally exposed, ready to lead them. "Sorry about that. We couldn't help ourselves, but as you can see, the path has been made clear, so we are able to move. Our destination awaits."