GoldenEars

by Jane H Wood

  ‘But Mother!’ Kegg insisted. ‘The boy helped me and now he’s alone in the forest. Do you think the other animals will kill him?’

  His mother lifted her head and studied her son. It was clear to her that Kegg held some strange affection for the boy, and maybe the boy held a similar affection for her pup too. But she couldn’t comprehend it, and it was wrong to dwell on such things. She smiled dismissively, unable to answer him, and settled down to sleep with young Kegg nestling beside her.

  ***

  Sam woke up, feeling exhausted, and his body ached. A large bruise was forming on his forehead, and his left arm and shoulder were sore, but apart from that he was all right. He swung his legs out of bed confidently, then hesitated, feeling a dizzy spell befuddle his brain. It lasted for a few seconds before subsiding. With a groan he stood up and wandered into the living room. He could hear Bert busily making their breakfast.

  ‘Ah, Sam,’ said Bert, watching him dithering in the doorway. ‘I’m making scrambled eggs and fried bread. Hope that sounds agreeable.’ His friend remained unusually quiet. ‘There’s a pot of coffee on the table… Help yourself,’ Bert added, leaving the stove momentarily to hand Sam a mug from the shelf.

  Sam took the proffered mug without comment, then suddenly remembered where he was.

  ‘Thanks, Bert. I feel a bit better today, and breakfast sounds good,’ he replied, pouring himself some coffee. ‘I could sure use this. My mind hasn’t woken up yet. Oh, and thanks for looking after me yesterday… My God, what a storm that was. I see the shed’s a write-off, but I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that it wasn’t the cabin.’ He stared through the window at the devastation outside.

  The men ate their breakfast, not saying very much. Bert was waiting for Sam to regain his senses before he brought Edmund’s absence to his attention.

  It was when Sam was just finishing his last mouthful that the penny dropped as his brain whirled into action. With a clatter, he dropped his knife and fork onto his empty plate.

  ‘My God, Bert! Edmund’s got a wolf as a pet and he’s run off into the forest to join them!’ He stood quickly and almost knocked his chair over as he stared out into the wilderness, unable to comprehend his son’s actions.

  ‘Sam, I’ve been worried about him too. But we will find him. Come on, let’s get ready. We’ll notify the authorities and bring him home.’

  10

  Finally, the morning arrived, though Edmund hadn’t slept much because every time he’d felt himself slipping from his perch he’d woken up in alarm.

  He stared at the ground beneath him. It was a long way down, but he was hungry. A plan had formed during the night. Firstly, he would find the river, catch a fish, eat, then walk upstream. Hopefully the cabin wouldn’t be too far away. He nodded at his simplistic approach to nature and began to climb down. He was almost at the bottom when his foot slipped off the bark and he fell the last few feet, landing with a cry of pain as his ankle twisted under him.

  ‘Idiot!’ he mumbled under his breath, rubbing his ankle gently.

  Alarmingly, the skin was already beginning to swell and the exposed area around the top of his boot looked red and angry. Frustrated, he blew out a breath, bending to loosen the laces.

  The river would be cold and that would help the swelling go down, that much he knew. Picking up a sturdy stick for support, he set off in what he hoped was the direction of the river.

  The injured grizzly bear had travelled north, its paw in agony with every step. It stopped and let out a roar of pain and anguish. The sound carried through the forest and Edmund stopped and listened, recognising the call of a bear, for he’d heard quite a few since he’d arrived. But it sounded unnervingly different, though in what way he was unsure. Deciding to keep moving, he hoisted his stick further under his arm and, with his injured leg suspended off the ground, he hobbled on.

  The morning drifted by. Edmund hadn’t a clue what the time was, he only knew he was famished. He stopped to search for edible berries among a thicket of bushes. Finding none, he limped on, thinking about the fish in the river and planning how he could catch one.

  A twig snapped behind him and a soft rustling came from a variety of broken branches where a tree had fallen. He imagined a squirrel hunting for its cache of nuts, and hobbled to investigate, hoping he could steal some. Peering over its trunk, he came face to face with a huge grizzly bear.

  Stunned by the size of the creature, just feet away, Edmund let out a startled cry and stumbled backwards, landing heavily on his back. The sudden jolt caused pain to lance up his ankle, throbbing deeply into his calf and thigh muscles.

  The bear lunged forward as far as it could, thrust its head over the horizontal trunk and bellowed at him. Spurred on by fear, Edmund scrambled to his feet and ran. The bear released another warning bellow as it negotiated the fallen tree, then immediately gave chase, lumbering awkwardly across the ground. Edmund twisted his head momentarily, noticing the bear limping where a loop of rope dangled from an injured forepaw.

  With all his strength, Edmund urged himself on, screaming wildly for help at the same time. He hobbled, half-hopping, half-running, using his injured leg until the pain made him revert to hopping again. The stick clutched in his hand jarred with each step but he couldn’t afford to slow down.

  The bear was persistent; it could see its quarry was slow and injured. It would soon catch him.

  Deep in the forest Joel and Mira had just finished their meal and were lying down contented, observing their pups pulling the last bit of meat off the ribs of a dead bobcat, when Kegg’s ears suddenly pricked up. He recognised a voice and without a word ran into the forest.

  The bear let out a roar of anger. It was closing on Edmund and would soon have him.

  Up ahead lay an area of dense woodland with young trees growing side by side. Edmund knew he was thin enough to go through the narrow space between the trees and hopefully the bear couldn’t follow. With a spurt of speed he darted between the trunks, instantly turning to face his pursuer, his stick held high, ready to defend himself should the bear try to push its way through.

  The bear was closing in and didn’t slow down as he’d hoped but in fact accelerated, charging wildly, lifting its paw viciously. The swipe narrowly missed his face, the long claws raking the air harmlessly. Edmund wavered, off balance, tottering backwards, then fell heavily onto the ground. The bear roared in frustration, then began making its slow lumbering progress round the cluster of trees.

  Edmund had accidentally dropped his stick and was frantically trying to find it and regain his balance while keeping a watchful eye on the bear’s progress. Faced with no cover, he began to hop backwards, knowing the bear would soon be on him.

  The sound of paws made him turn… It was GoldenEars. The little pup charged and leapt on the bear, nipping it squarely on the snout. The bear let out a bellow of anger, shaking its head while simultaneously bringing up a paw to knock him off. But the young wolf pup was quick and agile, just keeping out of the bear’s reach as it turned clumsily in circles trying to strike him.

  Edmund watched in amazement, gratified to see GoldenEars hadn’t forsaken him but had returned to save him. It was a mesmerising display of sheer bravery, the pup fighting a grizzly bear so fearlessly.

  The opportunity arose to strike the bear as it charged at GoldenEars. Edmund didn’t hesitate, and lashed out with the stick, striking it squarely in the middle of its back. The bear bellowed and turned quickly, a crazed expression in its eyes.

  Joel and his family had chased after Kegg, calling him repeatedly to stop, but to no avail.

  Minutes later they emerged through the trees and stopped, for ahead was their smallest son… fighting a big bear… and defending a human…! It was unheard of!

  A few disbelieving seconds went by as they watched Kegg bravely attacking the bear and the boy defending the pup when the bear turned on
him. It was only when Kegg received a glancing blow from the grizzly bear that the alpha pair retaliated.

  In quick succession, the two adults leapt at the bear’s chest, their combined weight hurling it backwards onto the ground. Swiftly, Joel adjusted his position, trying to gain a death grip on the animal’s throat. Mira was ripping into one of the bear’s hind legs, while Skeena joined in by biting the bear anywhere she could. The noise of the ferocious fight reverberated through the forest as the struggle continued.

  The spectacle dumbfounded Edmund, and slowly he began to walk backwards uncertainly. He knew it was imperative he get away, because if the bear didn’t kill him then the wolves surely would.

  Forced to leave the fight, Kegg had stumbled to safety. He’d sustained a slight injury to his shoulder where a long claw had grazed his skin, and he lay there panting in distress.

  ‘GoldenEars! Come, boy, come with me,’ coaxed Edmund, trying to lure the pup towards him.

  Kegg didn’t move. He was too engrossed in the ongoing battle against the grizzly bear. His father was fighting courageously, but a bear this size was usually tackled by a pack of wolves. Then his mother received a glancing blow, knocking her sideways and sending her skidding on the ground a short distance.

  The bear swept Joel off his chest with one disdainful swipe of its paw, before swiftly regaining its balance on all four legs. It roared in triumph, transferring its weight onto its hind legs, and towered over the big male wolf before lumbering towards him.

  Blood coursed down Joel’s head and entered the corners of both eyes, distorting his vision. He’d been lucky to survive, having dodged the full impact of the bear’s swipe. He lay blinded and vulnerable, blinking rapidly, desperate to clear his vision. Kegg let out a warning yelp just as the bear adjusted its weight to deliver the fatal blow.

  Edmund could see what was about to happen and, picking up a nearby rock, he squeezed it in his hand. It was hard and round, about the size of a baseball.

  Taking aim, he threw it hard and true, striking the side of the bear’s skull with a resounding crack. The bear bellowed and staggered backwards… falling unconscious to the ground with a thud.

  Everything went quiet.

  The fight was over. Edmund stared at the two adult wolves, side by side and glaring at him. The sight made him shake with fear. Surely they would kill him now, he thought. Nearly tripping in his haste, he turned, urging his aching legs onwards.

  But Joel was perplexed, and hesitated, not understanding why the human had helped him.

  Kegg whimpered and pulled himself onto his paws. His shoulder felt a little better and he made his way over to his parents.

  ‘Father, Mother, are you all right?’ he asked, trembling.

  ‘My son, we will be all right,’ replied Joel, ‘but we need water and rest. You are so brave. I can’t believe what just happened.’

  Mira nuzzled her pups, proud at how well they’d fought. Even Tuke had tried his best, distracting the bear when he could. True descendants of a remarkable and fearless leader, she thought, pressing her head close to Joel and licking him fondly.

  ‘It seems that the boy is also brave. He risked his life for Kegg, and us. Why did he?’

  A strange feeling came over her as she thought about it. The fear and hatred of all humans that had been born in her had changed. She didn’t understand, and tilted her head while studying her youngest son. Joel was at a loss as to what to say, when Kegg spoke, his voice strong yet full of wonder.

  ‘Mother, the boy fed me and kept me warm. I don’t know why. I was suspicious at first. But he is gentle and kind. I care for him too, Mother, Father. Is that wrong?’ he spluttered, almost in tears, for he felt a pain in his chest and didn’t understand why.

  His father thought for a moment, his gaze resting on Kegg, and his expression softened.

  ‘Perhaps not all humans are the same. But we must be wary,’ he said, surveying the boy stumbling away as fast as he could.

  Edmund was almost at a run now, despite his swollen and painful ankle. Out of breath he stopped and clung onto a tree for support, casting a frightened look behind him.

  They would chase him soon enough and kill him. Perhaps they liked their sport and were giving him a head start. He looked up into the tree. Maybe it’s possible to climb up to safety. But that would only prolong the agony. He would take his chances on the ground.

  He took a deep breath, rebalanced his weight, and hobbled on.

  Kegg bounded happily after the boy; his father had told him to go to him.

  ‘Guide him to the river. We will all meet there,’ he’d said.

  Edmund registered the rush of paws drawing closer, and he turned, fully expecting to see the angry male in pursuit. But then relief swept over him at the sight of GoldenEars, alone and running towards him, his ears flapping wildly with every bounding leap, the golden hairs waving on the ends. His expression relayed one of happiness as his tongue wagged from the corner of his open mouth.

  The pain temporarily forgotten, Edmund fell to his knees in an expression of pure joy, preparing to greet him. The wolf pup was just yards away, not slowing, and pounced straight into his open arms. They stayed like that, both happy that they were together again.

  Joel and Mira were taking Tuke and Skeena to the river; they all needed to drink and wash their wounds and, importantly, rest. Mira stopped, turning to encourage Tuke who was lagging behind.

  ‘Come on, my son… not much further,’ she urged gently.

  The young wolf looked up at his mother, his brow furrowed with the pain that he was trying so hard to conceal.

  The sounds of the river could be heard coming through the trees, and Joel quickened his pace, eager to drink. A clatter of hooves signalled their presence had been detected as the wind ruffled the fur on his back. Joel hesitated in the safety of the bushes, scenting the air before venturing out into the open.

  ‘Stay here. I’ll see if it’s safe.’

  With wary steps he ambled to the water’s edge, scanning the riverbank for danger. Detecting nothing abnormal, he refocused on the water lapping gently at his toes. He proceeded purposefully into the river and drank deeply. The water was cool and he pushed his head under the surface, remaining there for a few blissful seconds, his eyes closed. The muted sounds of moving water were caressing his ears, the sensation soothing, and for the briefest of moments he let go of his pain and grief and allowed himself to relax.

  He straightened and breathed deeply, feeling calmer than he had for a long time. Remembering his family were waiting for the all-clear, he gave a low yelp into the air.

  Impatiently, Mira and the pups trotted down to the water’s edge and began to drink.

  Edmund was usually a bright boy but on this occasion he couldn’t understand what the problem was with GoldenEars.

  ‘Come on, boy, this way,’ he said, walking on.

  Then he would have to stop because GoldenEars refused to follow him. The pup began trotting in the opposite direction, then stopped, turning to whimper at him. Finally, Edmund understood and slapped himself on the forehead for his stupidity.

  ‘Okay, boy, lead on.’

  It was late afternoon by the time they arrived at the river. Edmund was exhausted, and his ankle throbbed, sending a searing pain up his whole leg. Staggering down to the water’s edge, he knelt, hands eagerly scooping up the water and gulping it down as quickly as he could. Water had never tasted so good; he drank more, dribbling the surplus down his arms and soaking his shirt in the process.

  A sharp pain forced him to alter his position, and within seconds he was leaning back on his elbows, letting the cool waters flow over his outstretched legs. The relief was instantaneous, and he sighed, closing his eyes, feeling the pain ease away.

  Kegg had stayed beside him, noisily lapping at the water’s edge. With a jolt, Edmund opened his eyes, realising the adu
lt wolves must be there too. He shivered and darted a look behind him, searching along the top bank for them.

  But Joel and Mira weren’t interested in him, although they were acutely aware he was with them. Joel had taken the high ground and was on watch. Blood still dripped down his face, and he shook his head to clear it from his eyes.

  Edmund focused on the river again. The current gently meandered downstream, and he noticed a mass of leafy vegetation floating on the surface: a mixture of twigs, and a variety of reedy stems and uprooted water plants tangled together. He watched its progress, bobbing on the water, bubbles breaking the surface near the edge of the clustered weeds.

  His keen eyesight told him that fish were just beneath the surface. Without a thought he dived head first towards the nearest array of bubbles, his arms outstretched and fingers searching for something firm to grab. It hadn’t occurred to him that rocks could be just beneath the surface, as his reckless side took over.

  Seconds later, Edmund resurfaced, choking and spluttering, and clutched in his grasp was a big silver fish, twisting violently, trying to break free. But he held on to it firmly, turning his body as he threw it towards the riverbank. The adult wolves gazed at him in a lazy disinterested way, whereas the two able youngsters ran to seize the fish, eager to claim it for themselves.

  ‘It’s mine, you two. Get away!’ Edmund shouted, scornfully.

  Though he couldn’t help smiling at the sight of the pups trying to drag the fish away while he waded out of the river. Of course, they ignored his progress up the bank towards them, he noticed, too engrossed in their task together, as GoldenEars and the female pup continued biting and pulling at the fish’s slippery scaly skin.

  He hurried with a bit more urgency to rescue his meal, when he spied the other male pup just sitting, watching his siblings. Edmund picked up the fish and wiped the dirt from its slimy skin before placing it on the nearby rocks out of the pups’ reach.