GoldenEars

by Jane H Wood

  A strong gust of wind slammed against the little structure, causing it to creak alarmingly, and the roof shuddered ominously over his head. Then cold rainwater was dripping from the ceiling, sending the temperature plummeting. In an instant, Edmund was at the pup’s side, lifting his little body and holding him close.

  ‘I’m here now. You’re safe,’ he said softly, still cradling him. It was relatively dry in the corner and he sat down on an empty box, feeling the young wolf pup relax in his arms.

  On the floor, pulled off its hook, were the remains of the beaver. Somehow, the pup had managed to reach it and had eaten a large proportion of it.

  Before Edmund had time to think, the shed door flew open and there standing in the rain was his dad. In that split second Sam took in the scene: his son, the wolf pup and the half-eaten beaver. He was just about to speak when there was a whip-like sound accompanied by a loud clap of thunder. Lightning struck a nearby fir tree. In a confused flash, the roof caved in as the tree came crashing onto the shed. The little structure collapsed on impact, sending the half-rotten wooden panels that supported the roof shattering in all directions.

  Sam was knocked sideways, falling unconscious to the ground.

  The back wall of the shed had crumpled away from the tree, and the wooden panels had splintered, freeing Kegg from his tether, although the rope collar was still tied around his neck. Kegg lay stunned momentarily, before regaining his wits and running terrified into the forest, the rope trailing behind him.

  The falling tree had propelled Edmund towards the corner where the large metal gas cylinders were kept. He lay there, pushed up against the cylinders.

  After a few minutes he regained his senses and could hear Bert on the other side of the tree, talking to his dad… and his dad was answering.

  In the gloom, hidden under the fallen tree, he couldn’t see either man. The crushing weight of the tree had landed on top of the cylinders beside him. Its branches were waving about in the gale-force winds, thrashing wildly about one minute then whipping wet foliage across his face the next. He had to get out.

  Wriggling sideways, he adjusted his footing and stood up, dazed, clinging onto the trunk for support, willing his eyes to focus. He was relieved his dad was all right, but he had to find GoldenEars. Without another thought, he ran straight into the forest, hoping his friend had gone that way.

  Two little pups huddled low in the grass, terrified as the storm raged around them. They’d witnessed the tree being struck by lightning and had watched it topple onto the shed, destroying it. They’d gasped, fearing for their brother held captive inside. Tense with fear, each one stared at the other, not knowing what to do.

  They recalled their father’s voice. ‘The resident wolves have returned. Keep hidden. We’ll lure them away,’ he’d said, then Mother and Father had left them.

  And now they were alone in the storm.

  A few frantic seconds went by, then miraculously a shape darted out from beneath the tangled mass of tree and wood and fled into the forest.

  ‘That’s Kegg!’ screamed Skeena above the noise of the wind. ‘Quick, let’s catch him. Hurry!’

  Their father’s words forgotten, they both raced after their brother, with Tuke lagging behind, struggling to keep up.

  They couldn’t see their brother anymore, for his little form had vanished in the blackness of the forest. Desperate to catch him, the young pair raced on blindly.

  9

  After a few miles, the adult pair stopped.

  ‘Are they still chasing us, Joel?’ asked Mira fearfully, trying to catch her breath.

  Her mate didn’t answer immediately, his eyes were focused, unblinking, staring back through the wet undergrowth, alert to the slightest sound or movement which could suggest their location had been found.

  Even the onset of the storm hadn’t deterred the pack in their desire to be rid of the intruders. And, now the rain had abated, a cool stillness permeated the air. Joel swivelled his ears, noting the continual sounds of dripping coming from the drenched canopies… and nothing more.

  He exhaled with a satisfied snort before turning towards his mate.

  ‘We are alone. The pack have lost our scent in the rain.’ His voice was a low growl. He permitted himself a brief moment to shake his body, sending a spiral of water droplets into the air.

  ‘It’s safe for now, but we must stay watchful. We will go back to Tuke and Skeena, then decide what to do next.’

  It was dark by the time the pair returned to the clearing.

  ‘I can’t see them anywhere!’ panted Mira, standing in the exact spot where they’d left their two pups. ‘Where could they have gone?’ she added, perplexed they should’ve moved from there. Lifting her head, she gave a high-pitched yelp into the air and waited… No response.

  The human dwelling appeared unscathed amid the clearing, though dwarfed by a fallen conifer lying horizontally nearby, its wide-spreading branches obliterating the view of the shed crumpled beneath it. The whole area looked devastated and was eerily quiet after the turbulent storm. With a dread verging on panic, Joel stepped into the clearing.

  ‘Come with me but keep low. We need to check if Kegg is still in the smaller dwelling.’

  Mira followed a pace or two behind, loath to discover Kegg badly injured or, worse, lying dead beneath the tree. She shook off the feeling and accompanied her mate. With heads lowered the pair advanced, scenting the wet ground for any clue to where Kegg might be. Crouching, Joel crept under the branches of the fallen tree and found himself among the splintered remains of the shed.

  ‘He’s not here, thankfully. But he was, and eating. Look… a beaver, and it’s covered in Kegg’s scent,’ said Joel, turning towards Mira.

  He was relieved his son had obviously escaped, but then astounded at the discovery of meat left for him to eat. His nose lingered on the carcass. It was tempting, and he licked his lips longingly.

  In that instant Bert came outside armed with a rifle, having just got Sam into bed when he had spotted the wolves’ surreptitious approach. Standing on the veranda, he fired a warning shot over their heads. Quickly, the adult pair turned and fled into the trees.

  Bert hesitated momentarily as an uncomfortable tightness began churning his insides. He couldn’t deny the possibility that Sam could be suffering from a concussion. A doctor was needed but he dared not leave his friend unattended to fetch one. Edmund had run off to who knows where, and now wolves were trying to eat the little bit of food they had left.

  Joel and Mira set off along a trail they thought looked promising. But the sustained heavy rain had churned up the mud, rendering it impossible to detect any paw prints or the slightest hint of a scent.

  ***

  Kegg had run on in a blind panic, the rope trailing behind him, catching on shrubs and twigs as he careered past. His neck felt sore, chafed by the rope, the knot tightening as he ran. Forced to stop, and panting, struggling for breath, he frantically turned on the piece of rope, biting and ripping into it, hoping to free himself. But it only made matters worse by pulling the knot tighter around his throat. Kegg felt dizzy and dragged himself into the shelter of a bush to lie down, his breathing restricted and barely able to swallow.

  Meanwhile, Edmund continued through the forest, with no clue which direction he was going in. Single-minded about his wolf pup, he trudged on, calling his name repeatedly.

  The rain had eased, and the moon appeared between the scudding clouds, casting a silvery light over the wet vegetation. He was soaked through, cold, alone and hopelessly lost.

  Edmund was frightened; he knew there were bears and wolves out here. In his pocket was a small flashlight and a penknife; it wasn’t much but it was all he possessed.

  He stumbled on through the wet forest, the flashlight’s narrow beam illuminating a mere step or two ahead of him. Time ebbed by, and a deep despondency crept
over him. Maybe he would never find GoldenEars, and he would die out here, alone.

  He thought of his dad; how selfish he’d been to leave his own father, knowing he was hurt. For all he knew he could be dead!

  Tears stung his eyes, remembering the last image of his dad – shocked and bewildered, just staring! And Bert, alone and having to deal with all that by himself. He stood still as the memory induced a painful pang of remorse. He bit his lip and stared into the darkness, determined to find his way out.

  Lifting his flashlight, he rotated on the spot, directing the beam in front of him. Columns of trees stood like a fortress, blocking his path whichever way he turned. Nothing was familiar; he hadn’t been this way before. Annoyed with himself he sat down, trying to figure out what to do.

  A soft whimpering sound, like a hushed whisper, was coming from a bush behind him. Edmund spun round and shined the beam through its branches… and there, lying on his side, was GoldenEars, barely breathing, saliva foaming at the corners of his mouth.

  He could see that the rope was choking him. Swiftly he was at his side, the penknife working quickly in his hand, freeing him from the rope. The pup appeared lifeless as Edmund lifted him, his fingers working gently, rubbing the pup’s neck and chest, trying to massage some life back into his inert form.

  Distraught hot tears streamed down his face as he watched GoldenEars struggle to take a breath.

  ‘I’m so, so sorry. Oh, GoldenEars, please don’t die!’ Edmund wailed. ‘Please wake up! I won’t ever put a rope on you again… I promise. Just don’t die!’ he sobbed, rocking him gently in his arms.

  Minutes went by, and he was lost in misery, his face buried in GoldenEars’ fur and his eyes closed in silent prayer. The little body took a deep shuddering breath, and Kegg opened his eyes slowly and looked up at him. Tears were still streaming down Edmund’s cheeks but now they were tears of relief and joy as he stared into the pup’s face.

  ‘Thank you, God!’ he exhaled, and hugged GoldenEars close to him.

  The pup shifted in his arms, reaching up to lick his face with such exuberance Edmund lost his balance and rolled onto his back, laughing at his persistence. Even though he was cold and wet, and now covered in mud, he didn’t care, because GoldenEars was all right and that was all that mattered.

  A short distance away two wolf pups were searching for their brother; they stopped and listened intently. A strange noise was coming from the bush ahead. Tuke tilted his head, puzzled.

  ‘Do you hear that?’

  Skeena nodded and crept forward.

  ‘It’s Kegg!’ she called, relieved, and charged off to find him.

  ‘Wait, Skeena! It might not be safe,’ Tuke called, hurrying as best he could.

  Hidden on the other side of the bush Edmund was sitting on the ground stroking GoldenEars. The pup was lifting his head obligingly, enjoying the sensation and allowing the silky fur underneath his chin to be touched.

  The young siblings hesitated in the shadows, gazing at the unusual sight… What was happening?

  It was then that Edmund became aware of them. He sat perfectly still, his heart pounding, staring at the two wolf pups standing nearby. Kegg stirred, registering his unease, and turned to see his brother and sister standing a few yards away. His brother stared at the boy, poised, lips parted in a snarl and a low growl growing in his throat.

  Completely recovered, Kegg leapt off Edmund’s lap and bounded over to them.

  ‘Oh Tuke! Skeena! I’m so happy you’ve found me. Where’s Glyth and Father and Mother?’

  ‘Keep away from the human, Kegg, then together we can attack him!’ snarled Skeena, and curled her lips, revealing needle-sharp teeth.

  ‘No. Skeena, keep back, and you, Tuke! This human boy saved me. I would be dead in the river if it wasn’t for him. He fed me and looked after me,’ called Kegg, standing in front of Edmund, defensively.

  All this time Edmund had remained sitting on the ground, watching the exchange between the three pups. He could see they were about the same age, though GoldenEars was the smallest. Now he could see them clearly, he wasn’t too worried, although he knew they could still give him a serious nip if they chose to. It was the thought of their parents that spiked a feeling of vulnerability, and he scrambled to his feet. As though his thoughts had conjured them up, the adult wolves emerged through the undergrowth and stopped in front of him.

  Edmund felt an icy fear, knowing he was in trouble as he stared into two pairs of pale eyes glinting in the moonlight, mere feet away. The big male took a menacing step forward, his eyes trained on Edmund’s face.

  Edmund’s chest tightened uncomfortably as he quickly scanned through the gloom for GoldenEars, hoping he would come to his aid. But Kegg was oblivious to his plight, enjoying the security of his family’s presence and the tenderness from his mother.

  It was then, very gently, that Mira explained about the death of his brother Glyth, and his little face dropped in sadness.

  Edmund could sense his situation was changing for the worse, and very slowly he began to edge backwards. A deep hatred was growing inside Joel, his eyes trained on the boy. He took another step towards him, his lips curled, displaying a row of white teeth in a warning snarl. Mira joined her mate, sensing in Joel a desire to kill this human. The pair advanced, a low growl building in their throats.

  Adrenaline spiked the reaction needed and Edmund turned and fled, stumbling blindly into tree trunks and leaping over exposed roots and fallen branches in his haste to get away. He could hear their breathing; soon they would catch him. Then his foot caught on a root, invisible in the darkness, and he was falling… and landed sprawled on his stomach. Terrified, he put his arms over his head, powerless to help himself, and waited for the inevitable.

  Joel stood over the boy, looking down in hatred and loathing. He was about to rip the boy’s head off when his three pups caught him up. Kegg was whimpering and yelping frantically, pleading with his father, desperate to explain what had happened to him.

  A minute went by. Edmund lay still, waiting… but nothing happened. He looked up slowly… and they’d gone… silently disappeared into the forest. On shaky legs he stood up and peered uncertainly into the darkness. He was alone and very lucky to be alive.

  A sudden feeling of nausea gripped his stomach and, unable to stop the bile pooling in his mouth, he threw up on the spot. He sank to his knees and wiped his mouth, thinking about GoldenEars. He had deserted him without a care, just left him to his fate. Edmund blew out a bitter breath of resentment.

  It was late. He’d better worry about himself. He had no illusions that he would have to spend the night in the forest, then, if he survived, try to find his way home in the morning. He stood up, scouring his memories, trying to recall what his dad had told him about survival in the wilderness. He scratched his head, cursing his inability to remember the fundamentals his dad had repeatedly drummed into him. His dad was right, he never listened to anything he said.

  Then a thought popped into his head. Fire! That was it – he should light a fire. He stared around him forlornly. It would be impossible; the twigs were soaked and the ground remained sopping wet. He discounted it immediately, remembering the most important rule in survival was shelter – somewhere he would be protected from the elements and away from wild animals that might want to kill him. He’d better hurry.

  As luck would have it, he only needed to wander a short distance before he came across a gnarled fir tree with an abundance of lower branches. He peered into the black tangle above him, noticing several places where he could rest and hide among its twisted boughs.

  A familiar howling broke the silence as wolves began their evening chorus, their combined voices echoing around the hillside. The sounds, not so endearing now that he was alone and vulnerable, spurred him into action.

  Taking a big leap, he caught hold of the lowest branch, grasping it tigh
tly. Moving hand over hand he climbed until he was roughly twenty feet above the ground. He adjusted his weight and straddled the next branch and surveyed the wilderness. The black silhouettes of the trees stood out against the inky skies, stretching on for miles in all directions. His heart sank. How was he going to find his way back to the cabin?

  He sat there for what felt like an age, wondering what to do. Sleep crept over him, and slowly his eyes began to close. The world took a sudden lurch sideways as he felt himself falling. In a panic he made a grab for the main trunk and hung on, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. Removing his trouser belt, he decided to strap himself to the branch he was straddling, tightening the buckle and feeling himself secure at last. Resting his head against the main trunk, he let his eyes close in sleep.

  ***

  Kegg wasn’t his usual self. He’d joined in a game with his brother and sister, trying his best to appear happy, but he’d crept away at the first opportunity, wishing to be by himself. His mind was dwelling on the tragic death of his brother Glyth. He missed him so badly, like a thorn was piercing his heart, knowing he was never going to see him again. He gulped, trying to breathe, his muzzle lowered. He felt so alone and ached inside.

  His mother rested nearby, watching him with concern, whereas his father was standing on a mound of earth a short distance away, on guard, scanning the forest for any approaching danger.

  Kegg pulled himself onto his paws and trotted over to his mother, a worried expression fixed on his little face.

  ‘Mother, what happened to the human boy?’ he asked, and sat down in front of her, his head tilted on one side in a pose his father often adopted.

  She licked his face affectionately, wondering why this was so important to him.

  ‘Father listened to you, my son, and allowed the human to live. We keep away from all humans. They are bad, and we want nothing to do with them. You’re safe with us and that’s all that matters. Sleep, my son, for it is late,’ she said, resting her head on her outstretched paws.