17 June 2012
Chapter 1 ************** The blizzard was stronger than ever that night in the Arctic. One wrong step and you could be blown far far away. One solitary, grey wolf stumbled through the snow, almost hidden by the cold, white blanket. Despite the power of the enormous warrior, the journey home from the Crystalrocks would prove to be a rather difficult one. The fearless wolf had seen many a frightening thing in his life but that night, he saw something that made him stop in his tracks, shocked. In front of him was a small, black bundle of fur, almost completely buried in the snow. He nudged it with his muzzle. It was a wolf cub, just a few weeks old, barely breathing. The warrior thought hard, no creature deserved to be left alone outside in these conditions. He picked up the cub by the scruff of its neck and trekked on, determined to save its life. The wolf finally arrived back at the camp and ran straight to the medicine hut. He lay the cub down on a nest of grass and leaves and called for a healer wolf. "Tearpool!" The young healer wolf woke up, bewildered. "Alphablast, I didn't think you would be back so soon!" She seemed surprised by his return. "We can talk about that later. This cub needs help, it's not breathing." "I'll do what I can. Treepaw, bring me coltsfoot, now!" she called calmly. She fed the leaves to the cub and sure enough the cub began to breathe rhythmically again. " Take her to the nursery to get rest," instructed Tearpool. "Shadeflower? Are you awake?" whispered Alphablast "I am now." She chuckled quietly, "What's the matter, Alphablast?" "I found an abandoned cub in the blizzard. I thought maybe we could adopt it. Would you be able to look after another cub?" "Of course, my love." "Thank you." He put the cub down gently, touched noses with Shadeflower and left. The gentle she-wolf pulled the cub closer and sang softly;
"Night comes soft, Tis daylight's end, Sleeping gently over all, Bees go to hive, Birds fly to nest, Whilst pale moonshadows fall
Silent earth lies, cloaked in slumber, Stars standing guard in the sky, Til dawn steals up, To banish darkness, I must close my weary eyes.
Safe dreams, peace unto you, my friend. Night comes soft, Tis daylight's end.
Sleep well, little one."
The Howling Wind • Opuss № I