The Hooman Saga - XIV - Serial Fiction

So far: While Sue continues her recovery, the Wolf Chief calls a Council of Hunt to address the attack by ferals on the hunting party and her presence as a hooman in their long-protected valley..

Jan 25, 2025

THE HUNTING COUNCIL WAS called by the Chief, to meet outside the Chief's den.

The chief was resting when the hunters arrived. He'd called all the male and female hunters to a great meeting. Most thought it was about the ferals. The Chief cleared his mind, then barked to get their attention. All thoughts were silenced.

He welcomed them. Although the sickness of his body kept him from traveling for long periods, the clearness of his mind was still present.

He sent in his strong voice that all could hear and those that were lounging sat up. It was a rare occasion. He wore the Talisman around his neck.

"I bring you these stories, these tales today, not because you need them. But I would remind you of what we all lived through and what we are. We have lived in this valley for many many lifetimes, for many teachers' lifetimes. We have thrived. We've grown in wisdom and in strength.

"You are my finest. You are the pack's hope, our future.

"We've seen the ferals now know of our valley and they've been growing in number. It's not just feral wolves, from what our hunting party told me. There are coy-dogs and full-bred coyotes in that mix. We cannot have not a pack of that number who knows our front door. And so action needs to be taken.”

Many growled rumblings from among those present, many sent ideas of what to do. The Chief held up one paw. He looked into the sky and waited until the thoughts had settled.

"Yes, we will go and chase the ferals out and push the feral-lands back. We must. As close to the hooman settlement as we can. There must be a dent in their lands.

"We will engage them. We will defeat them. We will leave sign that this is our land and they dare not enter it. But as much respect as we show them, we cannot trust that they will show us the same respect. So this is a battle that the feral have brought to us.

"Yes I know we have a hooman among us. Her fate is uncertain at this point. Both Tig and the teacher have seen signs that this hooman is here to teach us. There are many lessons to be learned from her. And this will change our future and help us. But that is not your concern today.

"You must ready for the fight that will be coming. You must go see to your family, see to your cubs. Let them know what you know. Share your wisdom.

"This will not be an easy task and you must come back successful. As usual, the spirits run with us if are one with the spirits. We will meet again. Come when your families are settled, in two day's time. We will travel. So go – be with your families. Enjoy the peace of this valley.”

And with that he rose and turned and went into his den. A limp on his hind quarter was noticeable, but no one thought anything of it. They all rose and turned and went to their respective dens.

IT WAS STILL EARLY MORNING and the scent of the flowers was blowing through the winds on that summer's day.

Tig-she walked next to Tig. They had grown up together in different families and neither yet had a family of their own.

Tig-she asked what he thought of the hooman.

Tig replied, "She's different. She's special. As the chief said there are things to learn from her. We can know these things. They should help us with a hooman settlement and maybe even the ferals.

Tig-she snorted. "A human who can send. That's almost sacrilege.”

Tig frowned, "Is it now? Perhaps the hoomans are all able to send. If they would only open their ears to hear and open their eyes to see.”

With a single raised eyebrow, Tig-she replied, "I've never seen a human who is anything but close-minded."

Tig sat quiet for a moment. "We don't see the wildflowers every year, quite the way we did the year before. This planet has changed since hooman cities left and remaindered their few among us. I don't know that it isn't as the teacher said 'It's ours to learn.'”

He continued, "This day is ours to learn. Perhaps there is a solution to the ferals and the hoomans and the troubles we all have. There might come a greater harmony out of this."

Tig-she frowned, and sent, "And yet the chief tells us to go on to fight this day.”

Tig chuckled. "Well, not this day. We have a couple to share.”

Tig-she’s face relaxed. "Will you visit your cousins?”

To that, Tig glanced down across the valley. "They have their own father to share their lessons.”

Tig then looked thoughtfully at Tig-she for a pace. "I haven't been fair to you. Let's go up to the pool, by the upper caves. Let's enjoy this time we have. You can tell me what you know, how things have been while we were gone, and I can share all that I know.”

Tig-she brightened at that. Although she knew Tig was still not bonded to her, this friendship they'd shared since cubs kept them close.

Together they loped off up the trail to the higher caves.

We’re now well into a new serial.

Surviving her near escape from the ferals. Sue is befriended by two female wolves, the Teacher, and “Tig-She” — as she adjusts to living among a pack of sentient wolves. And preparing to undergo a mysterious “probe” which no human before her has survived…

Of course there are some 21 more chapters after this. But you’ll have to stay tuned until next week to see how they get out of this…

For now, set your calendar to keep track of these new adventures. Every Saturday.