Fang

After nightfall I went out and perched up at the top of the den basking in the light of a full moon, and looked at the stars. My world had changed so much I hardly recognized it anymore.

I was proud in my Alpha seeing that all of the creatures we had met treated him with respect. And amazed to find out that the area we hunted knowledge including our normal hunting ground was known by humans as one big collective area they namedAlaska. And that our area was one of many more out there. It made me wonder how many different things roamed the world. The demi god Perseus showed me a round ball and said that that was what our world looked like when he caught me thinking about it but it was still a little confusing to me.

Of all the creatures we met Perseus was by far the most interesting and helpful one. Another thing he showed me was how to shield my open thoughts from all but those I want to see them. I did not understand why I would ever have need to do such a thing but LongFang seemed to think that it might be a useful thing for me to learn. I got the impression that LongFang had asked Perseus to teach me more than it being some random interesting little titbit Perseus was sharing with me out of camaraderie.

During our hunt for knowledge LongFang had asked many questions of each of the different kind of creatures we met. The question that bothered me the most was whether or not any of them knew of a Vampire who had come near our woods in the last couple of years. He did not explain his question and even though they all seemed curious as to why he was asking they did not push him for answers. Some of them did remember hearing about a Vampire but had not actually seen it themselves. LongFang did tell me that he felt that my mother could not have come too far to reach our den, her final destination considering the condition she was in which made him believe my birth father must have been and could still be in the area somewhere.

I was frantically trying to think of anything other than the fact that I possibly had a father out there somewhere when I felt LongFang stir then come up and join me.

“You are no longer truly a pup PaleFang.” He begins settling in beside me. “For some time now you have shown all the attributes of a young male.” I see an image of myself being measured against my milk brother and oddly enough against WillowStump the biggest member of our pack. I’m astonished. When had I outgrown even him?

LongFang dismisses the images. “I am ashamed to admit that we have treated you as a pup simply because your milk brother was not yet ready for all the responsibilities that come with being an adult member of this pack. Even though killing Jenny cannot be counted as your right of way kill as is custom when one comes of age I think it more than anything proves that you are ready to take your rightful place among us.”

There is a hint of pride in his words and also a trace of sadness. I do not understand his sadness and cannot help grinning happily at hearing his words.

WildHunt and the adults of the packare suddenly there and take their places forming a circle with me in the middle. I had seen them preform this coming of age ceremony many times and had longed to be the one accepted. Their thoughts too are a mixture of pride and sadness. I long for WindChaser to be here with me now.We had wanted to share this moment since I could recall but I sense his mind close by and there is nothing but pride and happiness for me in his thoughts.

The ceremony is intense but as is our pack leader’sway, there isn’t anything complicated about it. In turn I walk to each of the members of the circle acknowledge him/her and share knowledge they have gleaned over the years.

DenMother shares knowledge about wounds, common and uncommon pack illnessesof the body and mind as well as the treatment of such. She had been teaching us the basics of this for a long time but this is more intense and I carefully file everything away knowing my milk brother and his tendency to get into trouble I might have need of this knowledge often.She grins at my wayward thought but concurs.

WildHunt shares with me the finer nuances of hunting big game and his sister LightFootas always buds in to show me the finer nuances of hunting smaller game. Though they quarrel back and forth about the details good naturedly I am fascinated watching them play images of each proven trick of their different specialities. I doubt I would ever be as good as either of them but with this knowledge I know I will at least never starve.

WillowStump who takes great pride in being the fittest member of our pack imparts his strong opinions of staying fit and focused. “Never let your guard down and always be prepared.” He insists. “No matter how peaceful a situation seems disaster can strike in the blink of an eye.” He doesn’t let me go until he is satisfied I am taking his words to heart.

LongWindis our pack’s story teller. The story’s we are told as pups by most of the adults but especially by LongWind is important even though they are also funny and entertaining it teaches us lessons we learn from as we grow.

I learn all our pack history and so many different aspects of our pack life that I’m scared I will forget things.

LongFang is the last one to share his knowledge and I notice that some of it is not memories but Lore handed down through time from one member of our pack to the next. He shares with me more of the knowledge he has been teaching me about. He shows me that the Tribunal consist of a member of each of the many different races the verse has to offer and explains that the Tribunal makes the law we all live by.

Before I can ask what a verse is he explains that our world has many layers each layer is called a phase and that certain races such as the Werewolf’s are capable of moving between these phases to other layers of our world. Similar to ours yet completely different.

He cannot elaborate too much since most native creatures to this layer is not able to travel to another layer but tries his best to make me understand. He shows me images of each race when he mentions them so I will be able to recognize those he knows of. I learn that there is a phase in which a creature called an Orc lives and am glad that it prefers not to leave its phase ever. Another creature called a fairy lives in many different phases while still more like elves and dwarfs live in only one or two phases at a time. Humans are native to this phase and are able to move or phase as LongFang says it’s called but for some odd reason most of them refuses to believe in phases completely.

The most important rule the Tribunal has made or at least according to our pack Lore is that no one race is allowed to dominate or eradicate any other race. In cases where creatures are accused of this or even suspected the Tribunal as a hole sits in a special phase and decides the fate of those creatures.

They also ruled that no creatures of the same race is allowed to take the live of another of that race except; in the case of the Orc’s for some reason, and humans who have their own law system and does not know about or acknowledge the Tribunal. One last exception of the rule is inthe case of self-defence or the defence of others.This type of case though has to be judged and each Tribunal member acts alone presiding over these types of cases only concerning their own races.

LongFang emphasises this rule and I understand that although I did not break this law it could be seen as such. I killed a Werewolf and even though I did not know I was one as well it would be considered breaking the law. LongFang hammers on the last part of that law though. In Defence Of Others! I was defending my Alpha and he deems me innocent.

I try and act grownup accepting his explanation stoically until he says that I would still have to go and stand trial in front of the Werewolf council member for a verdict of innocence just so there will be no repercussions for me later on. I react very much a pup then seeking the shelter of my DenMothers fur. LongFang pretends not to notice my cowardice and promises to talk to me more about it after the ceremony.

I finally understand the reason behind this ceremony if anything happened to me now and I was ever separated from my pack I would have the knowledge to not only stay alive but form a pack of my own and take care of them as well. This though and the timing of the ceremony bothers me a bit but I am still feeling to excited and special to let it spoil my mood.

Everyone bows low then we all lift our muzzles and I am welcomed into adult hood with the world’s most wonderful sound. Our pack howl vibrates through my body and settles into my soul as nothing else does. I am astounded to find most everyone gone around me when I finally lower my head.