Kabian looked back at his paw prints. They flowed back into the night, fading into the distance. Every now and again the brief breeze pushed the sands to cover his tracks.

He looked towards the sea. The horizon was empty, as it always was. Though the moon shone down brightly, its reflection disturbed by the ripples of the waves as they made their way to shore.

Sighing he made his way forwards, continuing on his trek through the sands. He made his way to a lone rock, thrust from the sand , pointing out into the undrinkable water.

He paced his way around its side and then onto the flat top. He layed himself down, his head resting between his paws. The water was calm further out, and it was difficult to see where the sky stopped and the water began.

There was a sound to his left, but he did not flinch. A familiar scent drifted to his nose. A scent thats had found his way to him many times.

Tobi rested down on the rock next to Kabian. 'Why do you torture yourself so?”

“It is my duty Tobi. You must know that by now. Without it I have nothing.”

“And you know that is not true. i have always been here for you.”

Tobi pushed the meat she had brought for him in his direction. The smell of the fresh deer meat drew his nose towards it.

“You know as well as I do, Tobi, Kamide has forbidden you from coming here. i don't see why you keep defying him. i am sure Poi will not be far behind you.”

“Poi can go ...” Tobi let out a low growl, “He infuriates me. He feigns obedience to Kamide, while he plots to take over the clan. kamide knows his time is soon, and that Poi will likely bring him down, but he pushes on. Poi doesnt have the backing yet to take on kamide. It may be sometim yet, Kamide isnt as old as Poi thinks. And Poi seems to think I want to be leader with him, he is sadly mistaken.”

“Kamide is strong. I dont think Poi will challenge him openly.”

“Kabian? Why is it you pace this beach every night. They are not coming back. you could come challenge Poi again. The moon has passed over many times. Your survival shows that monok watches over you.”

“I am sorry Tobi,” Kabian shook his head slightly, the weight of his duty hung heavily on his shoulders.

“He is right Tobi.” A voice sounded from behind them. Though neither of them had heard or smelt anything.

“His duty currently lies elsewhere. But it does lead in many directions. Just give him time.”

“It has been almost a year. Its nearly time for the new litter od pups.”

“I know Tobi, but I think it is time for you to go now. I can smell poi closing in.”

Kabian and Tobi were about to tell the Longtooth he was mistaken, when a howl sounded not far away. It was Poi following the trail of Tobi.

“I see you are right Sir. I will take my leave then. Kabian I will see you in a few nights.” She stood, turned, and strode of into the forest without even a backward glance.

 Ohenoki sighed “Oh to have the impatience of youth. Though you dont seem like the others kabian. You are not as impatient as Tobinor as rash as Poi. You will do well in what Monok has planned for you.”

Kabian looked towards the moon, crossed his front paws and sighed.

“So now our beloved Monok has a plan for me? Cannot be worse than what I have already been through though.”

“Oh, enough complaining out of you. As you said earlier, you have nothing else.”

Kabian was about to say something when he noticed Ohenoki sniffing at something in the air.

“Come, let us continue along the sands. Poi comes this way. Tobi couldnt make him turn back, and it is not time for you to fight him yet. Let us talk as we walk and watch.”

Kabian nodded and stood. It seemed to be his way. To keep running from Poi. But he was in no mood for a fight and thats all Poi would bring with him.

He leapt lightly from the rock onto the sand below, and waited as Ohenoki followed. They started walking down the sand, just on the edge of where the water came up to until it was taken back. Kabain walked through the wet sand to abscure his footprints, but Ohenoki walked higher up.

Kabian looked back at their tracks. His vanished as the water washed up the sand. But Ohenoki left no paw prints. Kabian said nothing, he had already seen things others had not. He did speak though.

“Ohenoki, when will this senseless wandering end? i have not seen anything since that night so many moons ago.”

“I feel that it will be soon, young wolf. I know this is wearing you down. but if you were not, i fear what would happen to the other clans.”

Kabian noded slowly. He had long since resigned himself to his duty of patrolling the beach. Every time Ohenoki had been with him he was reminded of its importance.

“I fear that things will soon move more rapidly than you can handle, kabian you have grown much since I had first seen you on the rocks. But there is still much you do not know. Things not even the clan leaders know.”

“I have watched the stars, listened to the stones, ans smelt the wind. And everything is telling me that my time is near. I spent so long amongst the clans, but that will end soon.

When a Longtooth realises he will leave the island soon, he needs to find someone to take control of his position.”

Kabian stopped dead in his tracks. A howl of annoyance sounded behind them as Poi reached the rock where they had rested. kabian ignored it tough, as the weight between his shoulders started to increase.

“Why me? I realise that is the obvious question. But it seems fitting. There are many who would be more suited...”

Ohenoki cut Kabian short with a slight cough and a laugh.

“I had thought about the others. but the obvious choice, the clan leaders are too set in their ways. Kamide still doesnt completely believe you. Hoe do you think I would convince of some what I know.”

“Even Poi would be a better choice.”

“He would rather fight than listen. Now, I have a lot to tell you, and dont have as long as I would like. but you must know it.

The creatures, the humans. They used to live amongst the wolves. Or should I say, we used to live amongst them. The lands we once roamed are now theirs. Forests stretching as far as the undrinkable water. Mountains and hidden valleys. rivers and lakes. We roamed it all.

But long ago, when the gods roamed the world, one of the human gods turned on us. the humans are like deer. Once one gets scared, the rest get scared.

They hunted us down. We tried to prove to them they need not fear us. But it was too strong in their minds.

Monok tried to reason with the other gods. But their minds were now closed. They hunteed us down without mercy, and our numbers soon dwindled. We were few and Monok had to do his best to protect us.

It was then the envitable happened. One of the human's gods. The one who had started the genecide struck out at the remaining few, Monok rushed to our protection and was struck down.

You must understand though. A god cannot die until noone believes anymore. But the form he used to be with us perished.

From what we understand, and what Monok has conveyed to us, the god that struck him down banished himself from the mortal realm. then the others fled in disgrace.”

Ohenoki slowed and looked back at where Kabian had stopped, the water lapping his ankles. Kabian's head hung low, and his tail was behind his hind legs.

“So your saying you saw all this? The large white creatures, killing your brother, and sisters? killing tour father and mother?”

Kabian's sorrow dripped from his words. But ohenoki's answer was simple.

“No”

Ohenoki swung his head low and turned away from Kabian. He then raised his head towards the starlit sky.

“Then... how could you know this? How can you assume whats best for me?”

“I don't pretend to kabian. I am only doing as what I am told. And I can't tell you anymore than that. So you should resign yourself to understanding that what i say will kep you alive for now.”

kabian nodded slightly and padded up beside Ohenoki and raised his head.

“The stars say volumes. They see all and relay it back to us here. But they cannot see what will happen by next moon. And Monok has told me, that whatever is to come, I need you.”

“You have not answerd my other question. How can you know all that you know?”

“That is interesting. I am not old enough to have been there, though I have seen my fair share of clan leaders to come and go. I was not there, this I know, but the memories of being there reside in my mind. It is the blessing and the curse of being the Longtooth.”

A sigh escaped Ohenoki's lips. Then he breathed depply of the night air.

Kabian watched as Ohenoki started to sniff the air and walk out into the water.

Kabian took a breathe. but all he could smell was the crisp breeze blowing in from the water, carrying the tang of salt.

Ohenoki stepped back fromthe edge of the water, then looked around in a rush.

“The wind brings ill will”

“What do you mean? i don't smell nothing except the salt”

“There is no time to explain. We need to get to the meeting place.”

Ohenoki raised his muzzel to the moon and let out a long howl. The sound seemed to carry on, further than kabian would have ever thought possible, its echo coming back off the distant mountains.

It sounded of urgency. It begged all the clan leaders to hurry to the meeting place.

Ohenoki started to run off into the forest with Kabian following him as closely as he could.

*          *         *

Kabian dashed through the forest, his paws barely touching the ground long enough to leave a mark. He pushed off trees roots and dodged stumps. Low branches dragged through his ragged fur, and once a cobweb made him sneeze.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

His nose was in an uproar after crossing into another wolves territory. But it didn't matter. His nose wouldn't help him with what he was attempting to do now. He had never been able to scent Ohenoki out. The old wry wolf always managed to sneak up on him. And Ohenoki left no tracks that he could easily follow.

He had to keep pace with the old wolf, or else lose his way. It wasn't the darkness which bothered him, the moon cast enough light for his golden eyes to see by. It was the different territories he was crossing over. He didn't want to make it halfway, then have to fight to get back to the sands.

The old wolf always seemed to be just on the edge of his field of vision. Ducking around tree stumps and through foliage, vanishing from sight. Then Kabian would coming crashing through the foliage moments later to see Ohenoki further down the trail, standing and waiting. Not looking back, but seeming to know exactly when Kabian can see him again.

The forest started to blur as they ran further and further into it. Kabian had long since lost his sense of direction, so focused was he on not losing sight of Ohenoki. Ahead the light seemed to grow though, and the forest seemed to thin around him. He could see Ohenoki slow and stop.

When Kabian caught up with him he realised that the forest stopped just before them, and an open plain stretched forth before them. It wasn't a large plain, as a wall of solid rock seemed to stretch up in front of them. The wall sat between the two mountain ranges and seemed impenetrable.

“We have reached our destination. You run well for one used to the sands along the water.”

Ohenoki turned his head in order to scan the plain before them.

“This is where the meeting will take place. It is land controlled by none. For who want land devoid of life?”

Ohenoki stepped from the trees and started slowly walking out to an area between the wall and the forest. Kabian followed a few paces behind and watched in awe as the wall seemed to grow. It was much larger than the cliffs near his cave, and stretched for miles between the ranges. He looked down again, and saw that some wolves were already waiting, in a rough circle.

Ohenoki stopped a short way from them and Kabian nearly bumped into him. He slinked around the side of Ohenoki and stood just a little behind him, casting his gaze across the wolves that were already there.

Ohenoki saw Kabian looking at the other wolves and directed his attention to each wolf one at a time.

“The wolves on our left are from the Holy Guardians. Their lands are the last stretch of forest you went through. They will have been waiting the longest.”

Kabian looked towards them. There were two, a large grey wolf with white stripped through his fur lunged on the ground, almost asleep, while a second, slightly smaller wolf with only one eye stood in front of him, facing the group.

“The one on the ground is their leader, Sugano. While the one watching over him is his mate Natsuko. She lost her eye when a stray branch sliced into it one night while hunting. You will find hunting injuries are very common amongst the clans.

The three across from us come from Scarred Tree Clan. They control the land near the Mountains High, right down to the sands.”

The wolves stood side by side, the wolf in the centre slightly forward of the other two. He was smaller than the others by a little, but had a glint in his eyes that spoke of intelligence. The other two might have strength on their side, but it was no good if they couldn't think about what they were doing. The two stood facing each of the other groups, watching them closely but showing no signs of wariness.

“The small wolf in the centre is Koga. He may not seem much, but he is extremely fast and quick witted. The other two are Fumito and Estumi, his bodyguards. They are the least in number, so must watch out for each other.

The third group before us is the Crystal Glade Clan, they are the ones who fought with the Oak Wood over what was Hot Sands territory. Be careful around them, they are quick to jump on others misfortune.”

The two wolves showed signs of recent fighting, with wounds that had only recently sealed over. Kabian found this strange, as it had been many moons since the fighting over the Hot Sands land had ceased. They didn't look like hunting wounds in Kabian's eyes.

“The one on the left with limp in her front right leg is Keiko, their leaders mate. The other is Miki, the second in command. This is strange, as the leaders are supposed to be here.”

Kabian threw his head around to see if there were any other wolves around, but couldn't see any. Then in his mind it clicked that a clan was missing. No one from oak Wood had showed yet. He looked behind himself towards the forest.

Slowly from within the woods emerged three more wolves. These he recognised as Kamide, Tomi and Poi. They seemed to be walking strange. Poi and Tomi stood close to Kamide on either side as he seemed to sway and stagger and nearly lose his footing. They came forward and stood around in the circle. They had yet to see Kabian, for which he was glad, and he attempted to place Ohenoki between himself and them.

Keiko spoke up at that point.

“Ruyushi sends his apologies Longtooth, his wounds are too grievous to permit him to travel any great distance. Miki and myself humbly come in his place.”

Kamide made what could be either a cough or a laugh.

“So poor old Ruyushi is too wounded? hopefully that will send the message to him then.”

“Do not speak of him that way,” Keiko snarled at Kamide, her teethed barred, “show him the respect he deserves!”

Poi snarled back, but a sharp bark from Sugano brought their attention back to the circle.

“We are not here for petty quarrels. If you have a dispute to settle, please wait for the meeting to end. Under the rules of the Longtooth's all wolves are protected during times of the meeting. Ohenoki warrants more respect than anyone who does not show up.”

Sugano stood and walked forwards a little, keeping his eyes firmly on Keiko, the instigator of the quarrel.

“That is all well and good, Sugano,” Koga spoke in an even voice, “but can we please continue with the meeting, Seichi is running the hunt tonight, and I do not wish to miss the fresh meat.”

“Then let us see what Ohenoki has to say then.”

Natsuko looked towards Ohenoki and then at Kabian at his side.

“I am wondering though Sugano, who that is Ohenoki has brought with him.”

It seemed at that moment that the others wolves seemed to notice Kabian. They all started sniffing the air to try and tell where he was from. But Poi leapt forward, growling loudly.

“The outcast!” His voice was full of the anger his stance showed, the hackles on the back of his neck rising, “what is he doing here? He doesn't deserve to be amongst us!”

Kamide swayed and tilted to the side Poi had just abandoned, a large wound clearly visible right down his side.

Ohenoki took a single step forward, brought his chest up tall, and looked down his nose in the direction of Poi.

“Who I decide to bring to the meeting is up to me. Nothing you can say will stop anyone being here. You have no sway over these meetings anyway, you are not your Clan's leader.”

Ohenoki kept a level tone, not raising his voice in anger. Poi seemed to get the message though and the hackles slowly lowered themselves. He leaned forwards on his front paws, the tip of his nose touching the ground. The snarl never left his jaw though, and it was through gritted teeth with which he spoke to Ohenoki.

“If it is your will.”

Slowly he paced backwards, head down but eyes on Kabian, to stand beside Kamide once more. Kamide growl deep and low to Poi, too low for any ears save their own to hear it. Poi's expression did not change though, and Kamide seemed slightly surprised at that.

“I am... sorry for the interruption,” Kamide coughed, blood and spittle spraying the ground, “please continue Ohenoki, I have no objections.”

The clan leaders in turn nodded their heads for Ohenoki to continue. He stepped back to where he had been, so he could clearly see all the clan leaders. Slowly his eyes traveled from one to another, ready to judge their reactions.

“We are in grave danger. The creatures that destroyed the Hot Sands Clan are on their way back. Monok has told me so on the winds.”

Kamide's head came up quickly, as did Poi's. They growled low to each other, discussing something they didn't want the other to hear.

The other Clan leaders had not seen the creatures that had attacked Kabian's Clan, and their reactions were not as pronounced. Sugano dipped his head slightly, watching for what else Ohenoki was likely to say. Koga's eyes were drawn to Kamide and Poi, as if wishing to know what they were discussing. Keiko too a step backwards, tail between her legs, but she quickly righted her posture and her tail was soon rigid straight back.

“They will be here before the end of the next moon. I am not sure exactly when though. So I seek whatever aid you can give, to watch the Hot Sand's with Kabian. We need to know when they arrive, we cannot be unprepared. What happened to the Hot Sands Clan cannot be allowed to happen to any of your clans. Kabian has watched those Sands by himself for much of his lifetime. But he cannot watch them all at the same time.”

“I will send some of our stronger members to be with him Ohenoki,” Sugano gave a quick look at Natsuko, who tilted her head and tapped her front paw in counting, “I believe, we can send three wolves down to help Kabian, without disadvantaging ourselves.”

“My apologies great one, but we cannot aid him.” Kamide looked at Ohenoki with sadness in his eyes.

“I don't know who would want to walk the Sands with that outcast anyway,” Poi scratched the dirt behind him with his paws, as if cleaning up a mess.

“I understand Kamide. I do not order, only request. If you cannot, then you cannot,” Ohenoki had a sense of sadness in his voice too, and a quick glance at Poi said what was on his mind.

“I have to apologise as well Ohenoki. but we cannot lose any of our number either. We have too many wounded,” Keiko looked across at Kamide, who seemed to laugh at their misfortune again.

Koga looked at the wolves who had declined, then looked at Kabian. It took him a long time before he said anything, as he decided whether it was worth the risk. In the end though he offered his aid.

“I can send two wolves. I think six wolves should be able to cover the Sands with no worries. And I look forward to seeing these creatures. These creatures that were strong enough to wipe out an entire clan in a single turning of the sun.”

“That is good, thank you Koga. I would ask that they meet Kabian along the Sands edge. I am sure he will find them tomorrow night. Let them wait at the edge and he will come tell them what to do. That is the only reason I asked for you here tonight. You may leave if you wish.”

Ohenoki turned away and twisted his head for Kabian to follow him. But a sharp bark brought him to a sudden halt.

“Ohenoki, I would have a word with you, before you leave,” Koga had stepped from between his bodyguards to stand where the circle had once been. The other wolves had already turned to leave. A couple stopped at the forest edge though, when they heard Koga speak, but they were soon out of sight. “Alone if you would. I will have Estumi show the young pup back to the Sands, as it seemed you were about to.”

“That would be most kind Koga. His nose is not yet accustomed to the changing scents of the different territories. I will gladly speak with you.”

Ohenoki turned to Kabian, who was watching one of the large wolves walk towards the forests edge, just off to the side of them.

“Kabian, Estumi will lead you back to the Sands. Please meet the other wolves tomorrow night. I will try and see you, but make no promises. Keep an eye out for the lights over the water. they will mark our end of days.”

With those final words Ohenoki took off with Koga towards the cliff face, and the wolf Estumi paced over to him.

“Follow me young pup. I will take you through our lands and back to the Sands. Have no fear of me. I don't bite, hard.” She laughed a little and the turned to run down the forest edge to the north east.

*          *          *

Kabian followed close behind Estumi. She moved at a slow pace for him, allowing his nose time to adjust, rather than the mad dash Ohenoki had made him do before.

He had a chance to take in his surroundings now. He looked upwards at the cliff, his nose pointing ever up as it searched for the top. It soon found it, and he decided it wasn't as high as he had originally thought. It was still high though. He could see dark clouds looming over the cliff and down along the mountains. Slowly they rolled in over the top of the forest.

They entered the trees as the rain started to come down. The canopy of the trees softened the intensity of the rain somewhat, but it was still coming down heavy. He could smell the damp leaves that littered the floor of the forest. The smell seemed dulled though. He was having difficulty sensing Estumi with his nose too. But when he did, he could smell the water going through her fur, it had a distinct smell. He smelt that way far too much.

They paced through the trees, heading for the Hot Sands. Estumi didn't seem to want to say much, so Kabian was more than happy to run in silence. He stayed a few paces off the lead though, just in case she changed direction. Then she started to slow.

It took Kabian's nose a little while to realise the change in smell, over her wet fur and the dulled smells due to the rain. But they must have crossed a clan boundary. He looked up at her, she seemed more at ease.

“We go slowly now. The Holy Guardians territory is behind us now. Welcome to the Scarred Tree. I will not take you near the knoll, but there is no need to rush now. You will be safe with me by your side.”

She turned and started walking at a much slower pace, but still in the same direction. Kabian followed quickly, keeping pace beside her now, his eyes, ears, and nose taking in the surroundings.

“Why do you do it?”

The question took Kabian by complete surprise and he staggered on an exposed tree root. He righted himself and looked at her, a quizzical look in his eyes.

“I do not understand what you mean...”

She didn't stop walking.

“Why do you spend every night walking the Sands? Watching out over the Water. Quite often a few of us have stood along the trees edge, out of your sight, just watching your movements. And we are surprised. Every night it is the same. You pace up and down the sands, eyes cast from the forest, watching over the Water for them to come back. But why?”

He came up beside her again.

“I am not completely sure myself now. I was only a moon or so old when my whole clan was destroyed by the creatures. You cannot understand how that feels. And I did nothing that day. I stood in the trees and just watched. Poi has every right to be frustrated with me. I went to Oak Wood after, as I knew nothing else to do. They made me feel one of them for a night, but then they turned on me, and I ran away again.

I wandered the Sands, as I was too scared to set paw in the forest again. I found a cave, I found food, but I had nothing else. Then Ohenoki came by and spoke with me. He gave me something to do, and I had a purpose again. Then he all but shattered that before. And now the creatures are coming back. Am I ready to face them? Will I run away with my tail between my legs again?”

“I do not believe you will. I can see the look in your eyes. You know what these creatures can do, we do not. Just telling us would not allow us to protect ourselves. We need to see it for ourselves. But you have seen it. And the sadness in your eyes, not only for your clan. Your worried about the other clans now.

And you are not a puppy anymore. It is nearly birthing season again. Soon you will be one year old, thirteen moons. You have grown strong. You don't seem to be chasing deer, but something has made your muscles strong. The walking of the Sands has also kept your mind keen and your limbs nimble. You have not just sat away, moaning about what could have been and what was. I think you will be prepared for when they come. And from what Ohenoki was saying, I would think it was soon.

Doesn't talking pass the time quick?”

Estumi stopped suddenly, and Kabian took a couple of extra steps. The familiar shifting sands of the Hot Sands slid under his paw. They had reached it already. He hadn't even noticed. He took a few more steps out onto it, feeling at home again. The forest was full of too many smells. The rain made the sands hold together better, and lightning played on the horizon over the water.

He looked back at Estumi, still standing on the forests edge.

“I will be back tomorrow night I think, young wolf. I might enjoy walking the Hot Sands by the light of the moon. Though I wonder how long before we see anything. Find peace for now.”

She turned and took off, leaving Kabian to stand alone in the rain on the Sands. He looked around again, then went back to his nightly vigil. Tomorrow night though, things would change.