Peacefully Reszet slept on his usual spot, the smaller fox huddled against his belly. The fire was almost dead, the smell of burning crawfish vaguely lingering in the air. The pack was hardly in best condition still, so they had to make do with whatever food they could scrape up. It had been a tasty stopgap, if nothing else. Cooked they really were better.
Chen was more and more set on leaving the area, though put the final decision on that matter off for the time being. Moving an ailing pack was a bad idea. Though their situation was only getting more dire and winter was slowly coming. The little roe deer herd has left, the sheep to their south where all hunted down already and most larger migrating birds had left for warmer territories by now. Turnipper was hunting rodents nonstop, partly to roam over a wide area now that he didn't have any wolves to fear anymore. His efforts helped, though the group eventually would have to leave, to make it through the winter.
The fox's extensive wanderings were expedient to look for Toshiba, who had gone missing after the fight with Chen once more. Though this time he had really vanished without a trace. Turnipper was devastated, though found solace in Reszet. After what the fox did for him, lending him what little comfort he had to offer was the least he could do! And over the days it felt less and less alien to wake up next to a fox. It felt good even! To still be appreciated by the first person that saw more in him than a burden. To be cared for and to be needed in turn as well. He wanted Turnipper to stay! A desire Chen had offered no opposition to, so far.
"Rise," the white wolf said, tersely as ever. Imposingly he loomed above the resting duo, his indolent, yet razor-sharp eyes lost in the distance.
Reszet didn't mind the curt greeting, his tail wagged lazily and he stretched his back. Turnipper, though, rolled himself up even tighter. He was stressed and short on sleep, so best to leave him be. "What is it?" Res asked with a subdued smile as he carefully untangled himself from his sleeping buddy to sit up. He held his breath when Chen suddenly came forth and pressed his nose to him. It took only a few light whiffs for his keen senses to determine his state. A brief moment, though one Reszet cherished.
"You are mostly healed?"
Humbly the gray wolf nodded. It was in great deal thanks to Chen and his knowledge of treating wounds. Not to mention the fire he'd maintained. "I... yes. Still a bit sore, but I can run." Chen had already announced he was going to take him along to hunt as soon as he was able to. Res was a bit doubtful whether he could be of much use already, but he wanted to try. He had to show Chen that he was worth his care and time!
Coldly the white wolf turned and walked off. "Follow."
Silently Res did as he was told and left camp with him. Chen walked slow, which was clement for his hip, though he didn't do it for him alone. Reszet could clearly see that the other wolf still favored his good paw to walk on. He'd never complained about it even once. He was so tough!
He led him far off from their daysite, further away than Res would ever dare to wander on his own. Though once they reached their destination, the long march proved to be worth it. Of course it did, Chen wouldn't hit the buffers! Right before them, past the edge of the forest on a wide, open field, a little herd of goats were grazing.
For a better view, Chen hopped onto a fallen tree trunk and beckoned his companion to do the same. "You're on your own. How will you bring down one of them? Tell me," Chen asked, his piercing gaze trained on the scenic view ahead.
Confused, Reszet looked from Chen to the goats. Goats aren't fast, so he'd probably, "Go straight for them?" Seeking for approval, he peered up at the master hunter.
"Mind the wind!"
Embarrassed the gray wolf ducked his head. Of course! He had to consider that! A quick glance around told him that the wind was coming from behind them and went straight for the herd. "It's coming from there."
"East! 'There' is not a direction," Chen corrected strictly. He turned towards the gray wolf, when his head sunk even deeper between his shoulders. "What?"
With shame, Res' ears folded down. "H-how do I know where east is?"
Chen blinked aghast. Every pup was taught this! "How can you not know this?"
"No one ever showed me..." he admitted eventually. He knew that east was right of north and that north was where the face was. When Chen had given him directions in the past, he always assumed east was right of Chen and west was left of him. He'd often been wrong with that!
"East is where the sun rises, " Chen began to explain. "In the south it blinds you. West is where it sets and in the north the shadows grow."
Trying to process the lesson, Reszet's eyes followed the tree's shadows. "So north is that way?" he asked, pointing back into the forest.
Though Chen again corrected him and pointed a bit further left. "It's evening. The sun stands west and the shadows lean east now."
"What if it's night, though?"
"There's a bright star in the sky, far above, that always points north," Chen continued to explain calmly. They apparently had to start at the very basics. "I will show you."
"And what if it's cloudy?"
"Then you will have to memorize the lay. Though less accurate, there are signs to go by, should that not be possible: Moss tends to grow north. Anthills face south. During fall, birds fly south and in spring they return north. Many plants follow the sun, so generally point south."
With the wind and it's proper direction in mind now, Reszet focused on the goats again. Right now, he was too far away, but was he to go straight for them, his prey would smell, or hear him before he got a chance to snag one of them. Carefully he observed his surroundings, to find a better method. To his left - south west? - was a number of hills. To his right - where Chen had pointed, so north - was a big lake. Beyond that, the field stretched out vastly. "If I shoo them towards that opening," he said, pointing between the large stretch of land between the lake and the hills, "then they have an advantage, can scatter and escape. I'd also need a while to get there. So... I'd sneak along the lake and then chase them towards the hills."
Chen was not impressed. "They have an even bigger advantage in the hills. They'll escape you easily, if you let them get there."
"Then..." he thought for a moment, though it was difficult to do so while feeling shown up like this. Never before had anyone ever given Reszet insight into their hunting practices before. "If I sneak along the hills and come from there, I can chase them towards the water, where I can corner one."
"Better," Chen said, nodding. "Though if they see you on the hills, they're gone. Also: Tall formations such as these hills can catch the wind. Your smell can linger, or be pushed in a different direction to warn your prey."
Unsure what else to try, he looked up at Chen and carefully asked, "Then... how would you do it?"
Cold and calmly, the skilled hunter shared his wisdom, "It's dusk. Goats turn dormant at night and they will do so at a place they feel safe." Pausing he stared at the other wolf expectantly.
It took him a little moment. "The hills...?"
With a nod, Chen went on. "You must not let them reach the hills, though they will move towards them the darker it gets. Furthermore, the goats will expect a predator to come from here, out of the forest, where we have cover. No matter what, your current position is a disadvantage. So you change it!" Already prepared with a strategy, his white finger pointed north. "The lake is big, but it conceals your noise. You can move fast around it and once you are behind the herd, the wind will carry away your sound and scent. You go south form there, block their access to the hills and creep up to them as far as possible, to reduce your running way. If you can snatch one, do so. If they see you, let them run and circle them from the west. Drive them against the water, then east and take down the slowest. If you're lucky, they will break rank just before the forest, fearing more wolves to lurk there. Use the momentum and pick them apart before they scatter completely. Now go!"
Trying to process all those words, Reszet followed his teacher's directions with his eyes over the wide field, though stared baffled at Chen when he turned his lesson into a command. "A-alone...?" he asked unsure, though only met Chen's stony expression. With a gulp, he nodded, plucking up some courage. "Alright!" He could do this. He had to! Reszet wanted to show Chen that he wasn't a waste. That he could learn from him. He was so happy for the chance!
Motionless Chen watched as Reszet's slate gray form became one with the brown reed along the shore of the lake. "Previously I wouldn't have bothered to teach him," Chen admitted, briefly glancing down. A patch of May Bells lined the fallen tree he sat upon, their tiny, white heads looking this way and that all coyly. "I wish I could name you a reason for my negligence, though I guess I was just, well, negligent. How fatuous! Had I given him a direction long ago, we might not be in such a quagmire now. I was so set on the pack's success and relied so much on my own abilities, that I ignored its greatest potential for growth. He seems towardly, you know?"
The gentle flower paid him no regard.
"Did you see him smile?" he asked crestfallen, averting his eyes from the May Bells. "It still hurts. I know it's foolish. I know you would chastise me." A sigh of vexation escaped him. "I'm doing my best. I'm... trying to do my best. I fear I might be too rough with him."
The sounds of panicked prey came closer and with a confident huff, Chen jumped off the trunk to get into position. He had sought out a spot as soon as they got here, right next to a bramble bush. Goats wouldn't run through bramble! And according to his prediction, they veered south to head for the hills again. Driven by the fear of the wolf behind them, the herd of prey easily overlooked Chen, even despite his striking color. He let the first one pass to lull the rest into a sense of security. The second one had his teeth in its throat before it could even bleat. What was left of the herd scattered, though Chen was rested. He charged, took down the goat closest to him and then went for the slowest one. An easy haul.
"I got them!" Reszet cheered, coming to a halt at Chen's side, his muzzle bloody and panting. "I got them! One in the grass and one by the lake. Did you see?" Happily his long tail wagged behind him, unable to hide his juvenile pride.
Clinically, Chen acknowledged the success. "Of course. Mrff?!" His already stone-still body turned to outright ice, though, when Reszet bumped into his side, eagerly rubbing himself against his newfound mentor. A growl scratched in the white wolf's throat, though he swallowed it down.
The fact that his joyous affection wasn't received well, wasn't lost on Reszet and set him back. Ducked, he flinched away from the irked canine, ears flat. "S-sorry..."
His mind and body unreadable, Chen slowly raised a paw, though whether it was for a slap, or a pat was difficult to say. Eventually, he lowered it again with a huff. "Nevermind." Coldly his muzzle jerked towards Res' booty. "Go and eat. The less dead meat we have to carry back, the better." He paused, at odds with himself. "Good job, Reszet."
A little wag returned to his tail and he nodded circumspectly. "Thank you for your guidance!" Without further contact, or words, Res wandered off. His initial mirth was a bit marred by the newly rebuff, though he knew Chen never was particularly keen on being touched. He just thought, now that he was a bit more... amicable...? Well, he just had to mind Chen's personal space. He could do that.
The night was still young, the booty rich, so Reszet took his time to reduce the goat to its skeleton on-site. The other one, he'd bring back for Turnipper. He was looking forward to telling him about his foray. With Chen's instructions it had felt so natural, almost easy! He could play out his speed perfectly, running didn't even hurt anymore, and the goats went exactly where he wanted them. For the first time, since he stood on the edge of that waterfall, Reszet had felt alive again.
When he returned, Chen was resting beneath the fallen tree they had done their planning on earlier. He was facing a patch of small, white flowers that grew in its shade, the three goats he had killed lay neatly arrayed beside him, all untouched. The white wolf was mumbling something and, for a brief moment, Reszet considered to just sneak off again. Though he'd never before managed to evade Chen's keen ears, so he was sure he had already been spotted anyway.
Putting his goat down, Res carefully walked up to the laying wolf. Chen didn't say anything, so he sat down beside him and followed his idle gaze to the flowers. They looked neat, but also a bit sad, just like the wolf staring at them. Cautiously, Res leaned down, pressing his muzzle to Chen's nape. He nuzzled him, then licked and found his affection endured with cold, wordless poise. Weren't it for the fact that his tongue would give out eventually, he would brush his idol for as long as the night would last. Though much to Reszet's dismay, a third force brought an end to his worship that evening.
Chen accepted the gesture for a while, calm and stoic, but eventually simply said, "Stop."
Naturally Res complied. And when Chen stayed put, he seized the opportunity and laid down beside him. They didn't touch, but Res could feel the bigger wolf's warmth. Hear his calm breath. "You didn't even touch your goat's," he noted to break the silence that made him nervous. Chen always was so unreadable. Even now Res had no idea whether he was sad, or angry, or even nauseated.
"I didn't feel like eating," he simply stated, not looking at the other wolf.
Apologetically Reszet lowered his ears. "Is it because of me...?" Was this heedless gesture from earlier the reason? How could he be so stupid?! He mustn't do anything to provoke Chen! He couldn't lose his favor. He couldn't!
"Don't be foolish!" the white wolf said and quite deftly managed to hide his true emotions, which indeed concerned Reszet - to a degree, at least. That degree was, in fact, his main issue, not the wolf. He failed to discern it. Couldn't pin it down. A self-imposed obstacle he still had, though feared to overcome.
The answer was a bit relieving. "Can I help?"
"No," Chen replied swiftly and harsh, feeling the small body beside him flinch. That had not been his intention. Though nothing and no one could, or ever would be able to provide a remedy. Not for the source of all his grief. "How are you feeling?" he asked, to attenuate his tone. "Still sore?"
Res softly shook his head. His muscles definitely still were a bit stiff, but he was ready and willing to pull his weight! Contrary to that statement, Reszet felt very comfortable in his current situation, just laying here, idle and full, beside Baochenmo. He'd talked more with him today, than in the entire past moon cycle! Reszet felt reborn, stronger and happier than ever before. Though of course Chen was still the same taciturn, grumpy wolf he had been before and swiftly let the silence reign. Res was still as well for a while, occupied with his own thoughts.
"Baobei...?" the gray wolf eventually spoke, carefully glancing up from the May Bells. When no response came, he went on, "Why do you talk with flowers?"
He'd witnessed it many times before now, though always found it odd. Most wolves spoke to the moon, some to the stars, or even the sun. Though he'd never heard about, or seen a wolf speak to plants. Toshiba was stupid enough to mock him about it once and almost got his nose broken, so it had to be a matter of heart, Res assumed.
The question didn't seem to fluster Chen at all, there was neither a hint of embarrassment, nor annoyance on his calm, handsome face. Though he nonetheless answered with a resolute tone. "I don't talk with flowers. I talk to them."
Slightly confused, Reszet tilted his head. "What's the difference?"
"Flowers don't answer," he revealed bitterly. "They are as dead as a living thing can be."
Silence once again took over and Res wondered whether he rather not should have asked that. Though he was genuinely curious. He knew terribly little about Chen, despite all the time they had traveled together as a pack. Chen was so withdrawn. Beautiful and reliable, like the moon, but also far above everything else, remote and unyielding, inexorable in his way.
"There was a wolf, in the pack I was raised in," Chen suddenly spoke. He'd never before talked about this to anyone, though maybe now he should? Wolves were supposed to talk about such things. Pass on stories and legends to keep them alive. Who else would tell this story? Reszet didn't hold many of his own, never got to listen to a pack's tales. It might be good for him to hear some. So why not start with this most tragic one? He'd asked for it. "She was buoyant and playful. Creative and very smart. Her fur brown and mottled, with a darker face, pale yellow eyes. She was a bit on the small side, like you. We grew up together. Her name was Caoyesheng..." He hadn't said that name in ages.
Quite enthralled, Reszet absorbed every single word. The concept alone of having grown up together with someone you could speak so dearly of, was no more than an unfulfilled desire of his. He was glad that Chen had such pleasant memories.
"She used to say, that when we die and our body becomes one with the earth, our life is given to the things we feed, just like how the lives of our prey feed us. Nothing is ever truly lost, just passed on. Borrowed and returned. She said that when she dies, her body will feed and live on in the flowers that grow on her grave, to give back all the lives she'd taken to prosper."
"She seems very special to you," Res carefully said, then bit himself on the tongue in shock when he looked at Chen. A single, terrible tear was welling in his sorrowful eye and ran down over the perfect, white fur. He had never seen Chen cry before. Ever! "Is she... dead?" he asked softly and found his suspicion confirmed when Chen nodded thoughtfully. "What happened?"
In a flash the white wolf's features changed and his grief-stricken expression turned into one of anger, if not outright hatred. Afraid to have crossed a line, Reszet's ears flattened and he huddled into the grass, though Chen's ire was not directed at him. "She became sick," he explained, every word from his muzzle laden with sovereign contempt. "It was winter - a harsh one. I took care of her, hunted in her stead, kept her fed. It was a prolonged disease, but she was recovering. She did get better..." After a deep breath that didn't manage to harness his wrath, Chen went on. "One day, when I returned from a foray, she was dead..."
The powerful emotions radiating from his companion, leaped to Reszet and put the fear of the moon in him. He'd seen Chen angry many times before, but never this inveterately ingrained with hate. "I'm... very sorry about that..." Res whispered, though he hadn't heard it all yet!
"Succumbed to her illness, I was told. Though I could see it in her harrowed face. I could smell his breath in her fur and saw the marks of his teeth on her throat! Our alpha had choked her. He had killed Caoyesheng! Because she ate without contributing, because she slowed the pack down, because she refused to die! I killed him the very same day..." Slaughtered would have been a more fitting word. There wasn't enough of him left to feed the crows!
Though neither revenge, nor crying, or howling, begging, or cursing the moon would bring her back. And together with Caoyesheng, Baochenmo's heart had died that winter. What remained was a forlorn, embittered wolf.
In silence, Reszet shared Chen's pain. He knew what it felt like to be alone. To be left alone. His family may not have died when they abandoned him, though that feeling of loosing a part of your life that gave you the comfort, strength and security you needed to go on, to be on your own suddenly without a way back, was a horrible feeling, no matter the circumstances. Not to mention the cruel betrayal. "You loved here... didn't you...?" he asked meekly, fearing the answer he already knew. Though he didn't want Chen to dwell on the dark part of his past. His ire was far too frightening. He much rather would hear more about Caoyesheng. If she was able to touch Chen's soul like this, she must have been a remarkable wolf!
"Like my own blood!" the white wolf declared without missing a beat. "She was like a sister to me. We did everything together. Hunt, eat, pledge to the moon, sing, discern plants, patrols... We were inseparable." The thought that all of that was in the past now, was intolerable and still hurt after all those moon cycles.
"You can sing?"
"Naturally," Chen confirmed. He'd heard and shared many songs, especially during his youth. "Can't you?"
Abashed, Reszet shook his head. "I've only heard very few and only from afar. It was hard to make out the words..." He'd so wished he could join the pack he was following, to be a part of them and to be able to partake in their customs. "I'd love to hear you sing!"
"Hrm..." Not entirely inclined, Chen kept staring at the flowers. It had been a long time since he last sung. It usually was an activity reserved to celebrate, for loved ones, or to pass on history, so he didn't have much reason to. With a flick of his ears, Chen stood. "We ought to head back. Since we've been successful already tonight, we might take the chance to scout further south. Tomorrow we'll return for the rest of the goats."
A bit disappointed, but unwilling to press the matter, Reszet followed suit. "I'll quickly get the one I left behind," he said and sauntered off.
Chen stayed behind and, once the other wolf was out of earshot, let out a sigh. A bit wearily his eyes fell back down onto the May Bells. All those tiny, white blossoms were trying to look any way but him. "I did say I would teach him the ways, didn't I...?" he said, though more to himself than the plant. "How about we start with your favorite?"
When Res returned, Chen sat upon the fallen tree, above the patch of flowers, and stared up at the rising moon. As he realized what his mentor was about to do, Reszet dropped the goat and wagged his tail with excitement.
When Chen raised his awing voice, it was cold and mirthless. Though every word of the ballad was sung with deep emotions. It was a calm, eery song that made the chilly autumn night feel even more frigid.
"It cometh,
It cometh,
I see it afar.
It cometh,
It cometh,
Deadly its snarl
My claws
And my teeth
They cannot prevail
Its claws
And its teeth
Devour us like prey
Its hunger,
Voracious
Day dark as night
Our struggle,
Audacious
Night swathed in light
The Wrath
Will break
Barren the land
Mere Death
In it's wake
Though Live is grand
It cometh,
It cometh,
Seeds have been sown
It cometh,
It cometh,
Roots soon are grown
A single blossom, humble and stark
Can brighten the world, just as a spark"
The skin underneath Reszet's shaggy fur prickled like a hailstorm and he had to clench his teeth lest his heart would jump out of his muzzle. Chen had sung. For him! He wished he could go back in time to hear it again, though this once was already better than Res ever would have dared to dream. Having witnessed this glorious moment was worth it to be pulled from the river!
Once his atrabilious song had faded, Chen raised his head towards the moon and sent an eery, heartfelt howl into the darkening sky. Reszet chimed in with his own, distinctly rougher voice and together they filled the night with their vows.
"That was beautiful!" he marveled, still processing and internalizing each of Chen's words so he would never forget them.
Chen accepted the compliment silently, though didn't deem himself worthy of it. His rendition was but a pale imitation of Caoyesheng's heartwarming voice. If only he could hear her one more time. "Now help me carry and let's go back."
