Umaldi made his way back into the semi lit cave as quietly as he could, Sventon lay curled up in the corner, his tail lightly thumping the ground. He softly whimpered and then suddenly jolted upright panting as he recovered from whatever had happened.
“Are you ok Sventon?” Umaldi inquired as he strode over to his friend putting a large paw comfortingly on his back.
“Yeah I’m ok it was just a little nightmare is all, I dreamed Mori’s pack was coming after me.” Sventon replied as he took a moment to stretch his stiff joints, he looked up and taking note of the serious expression on Umaldi’s face turned toward the cave entrance.
“What’s going on Umaldi?”he inquired looking back at the bear with a curious look on his face. “Are we in any danger?”
“No, at least for the time being, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Umaldi paused and cast a quick glance towards the cave entrance where he knew Mori was patiently waiting.
“Mori and Henrik are here. I ran into them out in the woods while I was out on my walk.” “They say they want to start a new life free from their father’s tyranny, I brought them here so they would be safe although somewhat against my better judgement.”
He sighed and gave Sventon a gentle pat on the head and took a moment to process before speaking again.
“If it’s ok with you I told her she may come in and I will let her and Henrik stay here.
“Of course it’s ok tell her to come on in.” he yipped excitedly as his tail wagged rapidly behind him.
Umaldi smiled and turned toward the entrance once again, “Alright Mori come on in, someone is sure excited to see you.” His loud baritone voice reverberated against the cave walls as Mori shyly entered.
Her silver fur shone in the light that made its way to the cave, her tail wagged as she walked over to Sventon and nuzzled him.
She was silent for a moment slowly dragging her nose along his neck, she sighed and gazed into his eyes a small smile visible on her muzzle.
“Hi.” she growled softly as Sventon gently returned the affection.
“Hey.” He replied as he slowly nuzzled her cheek. He smiled and sat down next to her resting his head under her chin, a single tear began to trickle down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away.
“You’re here I can’t believe it, you’re really here.” He smiled and ran to the cave entrance barking three times to get Henrik’s attention.
“Henrik get in here you scoundrel, it’s ok you’re welcome here.”
Henrik then slowly meandered his way over and gave Seventon a smile that was a mixture of happiness and relief that he and Mori were finally safe.
“Thank you farmutt, you know something you’re not half bad.”
“The name’s Sventon.” He replied, casting a somewhat frustrated look at the wolf.
“Sventon.” Henrik repeated a small smile forming on his muzzle, “It should be easy enough to remember.”
He let out a wheezey chuckle and made his way inside leaving Sventon staring after him in disbelief.
Mori giggled and playfully bopped her brother on the nose and sat down next to Sventon. “Now that’s quite enough Henrik he doesn't need to put up with your teasing first thing.
The next few minutes passed in silence as everyone sat in their respective corners of the cave, Sventon scooted close to Mori and smiled gently nuzzling along her neck drawing a small contented sigh from her.
“Mori, what are you guys doing here? Sventon inquired curiously as he walked over to where Umaldi sat. “Last time we crossed paths you left with your father, don’t tell me you escaped.
Mori sighed and looked over at Henrik who gave her a small nod of encouragement. “Go on sis and tell him the truth, it’s better than having it looming over everybody’s heads.”
“The truth is Sventon we did escape, we left early this morning and haven’t looked back, we were both tired of our father’s looming presence.” Henrik risked everything to lead the way, he told me my happiness means a lot to him since I’m his sister.”
“Did he now?” Sventon replied looking over at Henrik, a small grin on his muzzle.
“Hey you wouldn’t understand the love siblings have for each other unless you had one kid.” Henrik growled softly as he glared in Sventon’s direction. “I made sure to get her here safely so she could see you again.”
“Hey relax Henrik I was just teasing you, I’m grateful to you for keeping her safe and giving us this opportunity to see each other again.” So thank you Henrik.”
“You’re welcome pup but I didn’t do it for you, I did it because Mori wanted to see you again and her happiness means the world to me.” He chuckled and walked over to Sventon and ruffled his fur a bit before returning to his corner of the cave and sitting down.
Sventon growled playfully as Mori tugged on his ear and began to gently nibble on it, he cast his gaze back at the silver she-wolf and smiled. The attack on the sheep seemed like forever ago and now with her pack behind her Mori was eager to begin her new beginning with Sventon and Henrik by her side.
Meanwhile at the entrance of the forest the search party gathered and prepared to begin looking for Mori and Henrik, their orders had been simple bring Mori back unharmed and teach Henrik a lesson for betraying the pack.
A big burly wolf with a chuck missing from his left ear named Armar slowly approached his partner and asked the question that had been on his mind since they left.
“What do we do if we find that farmdog Sventon, do we teach him a lesson as well?”
“The boss said to make it something painful, but I wouldn’t mind roughing him up a bit if it came to that.”
Asmir, the scared enforcer of the pack, had scars all over his body; they were a symbol of not only his past battles but also his duty.
The two wolves ventured into the forest scanning the way ahead every few seconds. If Mori and Henrik had made their way into the forest they would find them and things would not be pretty when they did.
Later that night after Umaldi and Henrik had fallen asleep Sventon made his way over to Mori, she smiled and leaned up giving him a slow gentle nuzzle along his cheek before casting a glance towards the cave entrance.
“Are you ok Mori, you look a little on edge.” Sventon stated as he too cast a glance towards the entrance to the cave.
“I'm all right Sventon, I’m just nervous is all, I’ve never run away from home before let alone betray my father.” She sighed and then leaned up and kissed his nose.
“But having you here makes it easier to face whatever comes.”
“I honestly thought I’d never see you again after your father took you away, plus there is something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while.” “I’ve kind of been cold to you since what happened at the farm.” Sventon stated as he paced back and forth.
“Kind of?” She inquired as she raised an eyebrow giving him a piercing look.
“Ok I was totally 100 percent cold towards you, but for what it’s worth I’m just you’re ok Mori.” He smiled and lay on his side gazing up at her with a small grin on his face.
“You are such a dork you know that right?”
“Yeah but I’m your dork.” He replied as he yawned and lay beside her, his tail gently entangled with hers.
“Yes you are and I wouldn’t have it any other way either.” She replied as she let loose a small yawn.
The pair finally fell asleep a minute later and it was obvious to anyone still awake the two were quite happy together.
Umaldi woke up the next morning to the gentle patter of rain outside, he gazed at the far left corner where Mori and Sventon lay cuddled together.
He smiled and stood up silently striding to the entrance of the cave and peeking his head out. The rain still lightly pattered against the ground and he cast a quick glance to where Henrik was stretched out his gentle snores echoing lightly throughout the cave.
As Ulmaldi set off on his daily trek through the forest relief flowed through him, with the rain coming down even light as it was it kept any potential persurers off their trail, he grinned and made his way through the bushes knowing their scents were washed away.
If the pack had entered the forest it would be some time before they found them.
A few minutes later back in the cave Seventon opened his eyes and stood up stretching his limbs with a small groan. He smiled and gently licked Mori’s cheek.
“Good Morning beautiful wolf, I hope you slept well.”
Mori gently stirred a soft moan escaping her throat, she opened her eyes and leaned up planting a small kiss on his cheek and smiled.
“Well good morning to you too handsome farmdog, I slept very well with you by my side.”
Sventon chuckled and then took a look around the cave noticing Umaldi was gone, he gulped and started to panic before he remembered the bear always took a walk in the morning.
He breathed a small quiet sigh of relief and returned his attention to Mori gazing into her eyes.
She giggled and turned her head away, a faint blush forming on her cheeks as her tail gently swished behind her.
“”What is Sventon? Do I have something on my face?”
“No, I’m just taking in how beautiful you look.” He smiled and the pair snuggled together again contented growls escaping their corner.
Unbeknownst to them Henrik had finally woken up and had been watching them for the last couple of minutes, the utter dislike and contempt he had for Sventon back at the farm had completely disappeared and in its place was happiness for them both.
He made Mori happy that much was clear and to him that was all that mattered, he stood up and strode over to the pair and stood behind Sventon watching for a moment before clearing his throat.
“I want you to know that I appreciate what you’ve done to keep Mori happy, I haven’t seen her this cheerful in a long time and I’m glad she has someone who treats her like she matters.”
Sventoon stood up and after staring at Henrik for a moment smiled and put a reassuring paw on his shoulder.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure she is safe Henrik you have my word, she adores me and the feelings are mutual.”
Henrik chuckled and looked at Mori before returning his gaze to Sventon.
“I can see that, I may have given her guff for her interest in a farmdog. But she sees something in you and I respect her judgement.”
Just then Umaldi walked in his usual gathering of berries clutched tightly in his mouth.
“Here you go everyone I brought some food to eat up, you're going to need to keep your strength up. The last thing I need is you dying from hunger.”
Henrik gazed at the berries in front of him and gave them a sniff, it wasn’t his usual favorite but it would do.
“You’re not bad, Umaldi, thank you.” he growled softly as he began to eat.
“You’re welcome Henrik, you may have given Sventon trouble back at the farm but that’s past history and I’ve never been one to hold grudges.”
He sighed and sat next to Mori and Sventon who had begun to eat themselves and smiled.
“You know if you had told me three months ago a farmdog like Sventon was going to fall for a wolf like Mori I’d have thought you were crazy.” “But seeing how she looks at you, maybe it isn’t that crazy after all.”
“Any sign of trouble while you were out Ulmaldi?” Mori inquired softly.
“Not yet a good thing about the rain is that they have had to pause to take shelter, but I have no doubt they’ll be back on the hunt once it stops.” Umaldi replied as he too began to partake in his share of the food.
“I’ll be ready for them, with Mori, Henrik, and you by my side Umaldi we can push back anything they throw at us.” Sventon growled softly as he licked Mori’s cheek.
“Besides, if they think they can take Mori away from me and hurt my friends they got another thing coming.”
Henrik chuckled and softly ruffled Sventon's head fur giving him a stern look.
“I like your moxy kid but these guys are no slouches, they are warriors trained personally by our father for battle.” If you wanna protect Mori you’re going to have to become a bit stronger.”
“If you want to train me up a bit, Henrik I wouldn’t mind learning from a tough p fighter like you.” Sventon replied eagerly, looking at him with an excited look on his face.
“Well I don’t know about that but I’d be happy to show you some stuff.” Henrik chuckled as he looked at his sister. “As soon as this rain lets up we can begin.”
Meanwhile sitting under the cover of a row of trees, the wolves that made the search party sat and waited. They had now lost the one thing that was helping them track down the escapees' scent. The rain no doubt has washed it away. A few minutes later the rain finally let up, the sun shined through the clouds and the duo set out once more on their mission to bring back their leaders.
Meanwhile back at the cave Sventon barked excitedly as he saw the rain finally let up, he ran in circles around Henrik barking as Mori couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come Henrik the rain is gone, you promised you’d show me some fighting moves.” He growled softly and much to Henrik's chagrin began to gently nom on his ears, Mori meanwhile rolled on the floor laughing as Umaldi watched the proceedings with a small smile on his face.
“OK Ok let go of my ear kid and lets go, I did indeed promise to show you some things after all.”
The pair then headed outside into the fresh air followed by Umaldi and Mori who watched with interest from the mouth of the cave.
Mori smiled and looked at Umaldi who was watching a small chuckle escaping his lips. There would be trouble on the horizon and there was no one else she’d like to help Sventon than her brother.
