The Hooman Saga - XXIX & XXX - Serial Fiction

SO FAR: Sue has helped Teacher inside that Probe. While Tig remains trapped by some members of his own pack.

Apr 19, 2025

XXIX

"THERE IS SOMETHING wrong," sent Teacher.

She and I saw a vision to the side. Tig had each of his legs in the jaws of four pack wolves, while another was across his back and pushing his shoulders into the ground by its weight.

"We can't get there in time to do anything. Soon he looks to be crippled and left for dead," sent Teacher.

"Is there anything we can do from here?" I asked.

"What you have to know is that where we are is beyond time and space. We know that the world is what we think it as. But Tig is thinking in his mind that he is trapped by these cowards," Teacher sent. "If you were standing next to him, what would you do?"

"I'd tell him to start making fire with each of his paws so that the four cowards would get a scorched tongue. And make a fire under the butt of that one on his back. To make his hot seat fly," I smiled at these ideas.

"OK, try this: Consider that you are right next to him and can whisper in his ear, and then tell him that you'll help him make it work," sent Teacher, also smiling.

At that, I held the idea that I was on hands and knees right by his face. And saw the reaction as his fear turned to anger and then impish delight. He closed his eyes and started a very low growl in a rhythmic chant.

I stood up and pointed both hands at my view of the five wolves holding Tig down, closed my eyes and kept that picture in front of me.

XXX

SNARL STOOD OVER TIG while his hunters had him secured. Tig's own hunters stood to the side, inactive. They knew that any action on their part would wind up crippling or killing Tig.

"What do you think of things now, Tig? Are you ready to give me the leadership? I mean, you wouldn't want this to happen again - and it could at any time..." Snarl was smiling an evil grin.

Tig was frowning, with no real solution to the scene. Snarl knew he had him. At the slightest twitch, he'd be crippled for the rest of what would be a very short life.

"I'll give you to the count of five to decide, Tig. And after that, I'll have them snap one of your legs for every count after that. Here we go: One..."

Tig's face went blank as he heard a familiar voice in his head. And he didn't believe it at first.

"Two..."

Then a look of comprehension came over him and he shut his eyes to concentrate.

"Three..."

Tig started a low, rhythmic growl and moisture formed on his lips with the concentration.

"Four. Tig, your fire chant won't work in all these rocks. Nothing here to burn. I'll give you your last count..."

The faces of the four wolves with their mouths on his paws started looking at what was in their mouths, not believing what their lips and tongue were telling them.

"Five. OK, Tig, what's your answer?"

Flame shot out of all four paws from his hips and shoulders outward along his legs. The wolf on his back yelped and jumped into the air like propelled by a fiery rocket. Each of the four wolves also yelped and jumped back, all turned and ran down the trail past the other wolves in search of water to cool their burning mouths and other parts.

Snarl stood there, astonished and open-mouthed.

Tig stood again before Snarl, tall and defiant. Tig was now completely engulfed in flames with red coals for eyes and teeth. He snarled at the hunting party that was left, "Get Snarl or I'll burn every one here!"

Snarl wheeled and ran off down the farthest trail, while the rest of the hunters sped after him in close pursuit.

Tig started laughing. The flame-wolf vision disappeared without leaving a single hair on him singed. None of his legs were even punctured. He looked up into the sky and bowed his head in acknowledgement. Then trotted away down the same trail the five had used to quench their hot mouths and tail. He chuckled as he went.

We’re now closing in on the last three episodes of this serial.

You’re now familiar with the sentient wolves, the escaped human girl. Sue has now resolved the dangers of the Probe to both her and Teacher. While Tig has escaped a crippled fate with their help. All while the valley itself, along with the huntresses and their cubs, are now in danger.

Now we are counting down the remaining chapters. There are only three chapters after this. But you’ll have to stay tuned until next week to see how they resolve all this…

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