Elixir

I had envisioned how I would return to my pack more than a few times on this adventure. First, to reassure myself that if it all got too hard, I could cut my losses and run back home. Then, it was fleeting glimpses of homesickness. But it never occurred to me my return would involve having friends, let alone a human and a mermaid, with me.

Finding the way back was easy enough, but I was not sure how to explain everything to Kiche and Old One Eye. I decided I'd rather avoid that conversation entirely.

The scent marks and spoors of the pack rose up like a wall to me. I tried to lead my friends around the perimeter.

Suddenly a howl resounded. It was a call to assemble.

I stopped and stiffened. It was a posture I'd never done in front of my friends.

The mermaid understood. Hers was a species of strong community too.

She knelt and laid a hand on my head. Funny, being touched didn't bother me as much as it had before. "You can go to them," she said. Lukas watched our exchange quietly.

I shook my head, whimpered softly, then faced the mermaid. "I can't. Not yet. I'm too involved now."

"Your pod is calling."

I sighed and looked towards my pack. "I know, but I can't go back now; not with both of you needing my help. It would be–wrong." The word was as near to what I was feeling than anything else. I noticed that Lukas was now kneeling next to me on the other side.

"I would understand if you want to go back to your family too but–I'd really like you to stay," he said, nodding to Waverly. "We both would."

I felt lighter at their words and touches, as though we were sharing good thoughts and feelings. It was the first time I had felt like this with others. It was wonderful. I wanted to express my happiness so much but wasn't quite sure how.

Out of pure instinct, the muscles of my muzzle tugged backwards. Then they directed themselves upwards.

"Rayne? Are you smiling?"

The mermaid was as surprised as the man. "It looks like she is!"

It was unmistakable; I was beaming.

I felt shy at all the attention, still not comfortable with direct gazes. I straightened up, shook myself, and then trotted down the path. Whipping my head round, I glanced back at the two bipeds gawking at me. I tugged my muzzle muscles back again, into a fiendish wolf grin. "Well, are you two coming or not? We've got a bird to catch!"

…

A wolf stalks, slowly. We wait for the right moment, attack, and plan for a long chase. We're not sprinters, we're long-distance runners. Stamina. If prey is not taken down in the first few minutes, we are still running.

Taking small, measured steps I showed the other two how it was done. The three of us went slowly, quietly through the strawberry field, eyes and ears alert for any sound that indicated the bird: feathers against stalks, a call or two, the soft crunching as it fed. The fruit farmer had said he had spotted the bird in this field just this morning and we were determined to catch it. It could be our only chance.

I saw it, instantly freezing. It was bigger now, raiding the villagers' fruit crops had been good to it. Scary really. The feathers bespoke royalty with their golden color. How could I not see that before?

I crouched low and watched the bird through a screen of tall golden-green grass. I glanced over as the two bipeds come up beside me. The hot sun was glistening off Lukas' sweaty bareback, a trickle of perspiration was running down the side of his shaded stubble, but he did not wipe it away. The wind whipped Waverly's golden hair annoyingly in her face, but she did not push it back. They held their position with dogged determination, attention focused solely on the golden bird, feeding on plump strawberries.

I moved my eyes to my friends. Waverly lifted her head carefully and flicked her eyes forward. The signal. I nodded and shifted forward, my paws not making a sound on the forest floor. This would only work if I got close enough, and I was the one most suited for quiet stalking. Moving agonizingly slow, I came closer to the bird.

I leapt. The bird gave an indignant squawk and darted away, right into a waiting net! Lukas flung the article over the animal, struggling to hold it down.

"Help me!"

Waverly appeared and added strength to holding the flapping monster down. It was like trying to control a typhoon. The bird punched with its wings, kicked with its feet, and bit with its beak. I danced in and out of range, terrified of using my teeth lest I damage the precious bird.

My two friends struggled and struggled to hold the animal down. What could I do to help? Setting my teeth on the edge of the net I yanked it but I only got tangled. It was hopeless.

Unexpectedly Waverly lunged forward and grabbed the bird in a bone-crunching bear hug, or rather a mermaid hug.

"Legs!" she shouted.

Lukas acted instantly. He adjusted his grip and twirled the remaining rope onto the legs of the bird, securing them with some tugs. He tossed the rope to me; I yanked it downward, pinning the bird. Lukas scooped up his discarded shirt, wrapping it around the animal's head while the mermaid and I held it down. It seemed to do the trick, the squawks and shrills of the beast quieted and it slowly stopped fighting us. It lay down, defeated.

All three of us panted, trying to catch our breath. The mermaid broke the silence first.

"It's over," Waverly said, stunned. "It's over."

I was amazed too. I spat out the rope. "How did you know to do that?"

Lukas looked up from trussing the bird and shrugged. "It works with horses."

Another look was exchanged between them. This time, I saw the hint of a smile tug at the mermaid's lips.

I felt my own muzzle stretch, unconscious to the movement.

Lukas beamed at us both with his dazzling whites. "We did it! We caught the Golden Bird!"

The full significance of our achievement sunk into me, and I howled gleefully. A laugh rose in the mermaid, joyous and infectious, and then Lukas joined in. Then they both tilted their heads back and howled a victory howl with me. It was glorious.

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day."

The three of us stopped, embarrassed. It was the fruit farmer we had met earlier. He was looking at our trio, completely flabbergasted. And what a sight! We were all covered in mud and grime, breathless from the battle.

His wife knew what to say. "Your Highness, you have our everlasting gratitude." She did a curtsy. "And you and your companions are welcome to share a meal with us this evening. It will be dark soon and too dangerous for your company to travel in the woods."

I snorted audibly. The three of us had been traveling for days, living and sleeping in the woods. And this human thought it was too dangerous for us?

"We would be honored," Lukas said quickly to cover for my rather rude noise. "Thank you both for your hospitality."

It was a pleasant evening all around and the next morning we set out for the castle. The bird was secured in a reed-woven cage, constructed effectively by Waverly. The cage was hoisted onto Lukas' back over the homespun shirt the farmer had given him, and we were off down the road. It was the same road I had stopped and redirected Lukas on, but now we were going in the opposite direction. Towards his castle.

It took hardly any time, but that might have been because we were enjoying each other's company. Laughing and talking. It felt so good to know that we had succeeded. We followed the road for a few miles through Enchanted Forest that bordered Lukas' kingdom. The bird, secured in the small cage with its legs dangling, looked indignant at being captured. When it started squawking, I growled, threatening it with the universal animal language. That silenced it.

I followed Lukas easily, keeping an eye on the bird on his back. In my concentration I was surprised at the sudden sight of the town. Then, I slowed down. I didn't know there would be a stone barrier around his village. It was unnerving. As we came to the threshold I hesitated, then quickly followed my friends.

When our odd trio came to the center of town, we were greeted with a stunned silence. Villagers stopped and visibly gawked at the sight: a huge golden bird in a cage strapped to the back of their youngest prince, a beautiful woman with long golden hair dressed in rags, and standing between them was a wolf. Then, everyone talked at once.

"Our prince is back!" "And he has brought guests." "What on earth is that on your back Sire?" "Did you find the thief?" "Is this woman your new wife?" "How do you make that wolf stay by your side?"

The noisy, friendly people surged forward, eager to greet their prince. I was overwhelmed and scared. It was one thing to be around Lukas and Waverly, but I wasn't used to so many people all at once. This hadn't happened the last time I was around humans. I cringed, sweating and heart pounding. I wanted so badly to flee. Waverly was also nervous. She sidestepped to avoid a hand extended in friendship and hissed, causing some of the human onlookers to draw back.

"Please! No one must bother my friends. The woman is from a far-off land and her customs are different. And the wolf is gentle but can be dangerous if she feels threatened. Please stay back," Lukas said in a booming authoritative voice that surprised everyone, even Waverly and I.

The people settled down, but they began to whisper to one another. Their prince was usually the shyest and quietest out of the trio of royal brothers. What had brought this change? He was speaking with authority and assurance. It was very unusual. And it seemed right.

"Thank you, everyone," Lukas said in a more normal tone. "We will be going to the castle now to see my father."

There were nods and murmurs of agreement. The people stood aside, still staring but far enough away now.

Lukas looked at Waverly and I, seeing our distress. "Are you both alright?" he whispered.

The mermaid knelt and stroked my head, we both drew comfort from the touch. "It's loud. I don't like them. Maybe we should do our business with your father quickly and then leave."

I nodded heartily in agreement.

Lukas understood. "Stick close to me. We will go and have an audience with my father and then decide what to do then."

The mermaid stroked my head one more time, nodded, then stood up. I glared at the people around us. They quickly averted their eyes and tried to go back to their daily tasks of preparing food, working on tools, and tending animals but they still watched us walk towards the castle.

We crossed under portcullis and into the main courtyard. I noticed there were less people here. At first that felt better but I did not like the second set of stone walls now around us. We passed through the entrance arch to the empty inner courtyard and two men approached quickly.

"Brothers!" Lukas stepped forward eagerly.

They exchanged bone-crunching hugs and slaps on the shoulder with Lukas. It looked more like an attack than a greeting to me, but my friend accepted it with a laugh.

"Where have you been? We've been back for a week now. When Father said he had sent you off with the oldest nag in the stables, we were very worried." The taller one with thick twisted hair pulled into a ponytail grasped Lukas' shoulder, tightly. "And…what on earth are you wearing?" His eyes took in the homemade, dusty shirt.

"We thought you were dead,' said the second. He looked over at Waverly, eyeing her figure appreciatively up and down. "I see you are not traveling with an old horse anymore." I did not like his observations of my friend. He came towards her and stepped in between them.

He backed off with a nervous smile. "Well well. Still bringing home odd creatures, aren't you brother?"

Lukas came and took Waverly's hand. "This is my friend Waverly and this–" he laid a hand on my back, calming me with smooth strokes, "-is my friend Rayne. We need to see Father and the council immediately."

The two brothers seemed taken back by this abruptness. "But you've never been interested in speaking to the council before." The taller braided one arched an eyebrow. "And besides, none of us completed the quest. He is in no mood to see anyone."

"I need to see him–" Lukas turned so that the bird on his back was now visible. He spoke with authority. "-now."

At the sight of the golden bird strapped to his back the two men's faces clouded.

"Of...of course brother," the braided one said. "But this is no place to talk. Surely, you're tired after your long journey. Why don't you bring your, um–friends in for some refreshments and then after we will all speak with Father." He smiled again. "We must also have a feast to celebrate your… triumph."

"What do you say Rayne, Waverly?" Lukas asked, as the two brothers stepped away. "Would you like to attend a feast?"

"I don't know," Waverly said, frowning with indecision. "I am only here to ensure that the slaughter of my people is stopped, not to celebrate."

"I wouldn't mind a feast! I'm hungry." Then I paused. "But I don't think my being in the audience with the king will help. Especially since I've made your brothers afraid of me.

It looked as if Lukas was thinking about that too. A mermaid was one thing, but a wolf? "I have an idea. Why don't Waverly and I go see my father and council and then after we will meet at the feast together?"

"You want to split up?" Waverly looked skeptical. "What if someone attacks Rayne while she is away from us?"

But Lukas had a solution. He came over to his oldest brother and said without reservation. "Lend me your seal."

"Pardon?" His grin had now turned to a scowl.

"I need it for my friend, I will give it back to you," he lowered his voice and leaned forward. "I brought the bird back and you didn't; Father will grant me the kingdom now. Please do as I say."

Reluctantly, the taller man removed a jeweled pendant from around his muscular neck and plopped it into Lukas' outstretched hand.

Lukas accepted the medallion, then knelt next to me. I was puzzled at the feeling of the gold braid around my neck. My first reaction was to shake it off but then Lukas spoke, with that same commanding voice, as he stood up. "This wolf is my friend, and none shall harm her as long as she wears the royal seal. She can come and go throughout the castle."

The younger brother rolled his eyes. "You really think you can control a wolf by putting that on it?"

I scowled at the choice of word 'control' but did not speak. I was convinced it would mean trouble.

The two men turned to walk back into the castle, their heads together as they talked privately. A signal that it was time to go.

Waverly also knelt so that all three of us were eye level. We then realized that we had been together every day for the past week and now things would change: the quest was completed, and we would eventually all go separate ways. I felt sad and somehow, I knew they were sad too.

But now was not the time to dwell on that so I forced myself to speak cheerfully. "I will see you both tonight then!"

I turned and trotted back out of the courtyard, heading towards the comforting safe woods. Little did I know what would happen...