“Food?” Dren said. “I think Rick put a little in our packs. It’s not much though.”
“Well, save it then,” said Samanestra. “You may need it later. Now, hurry up and get packed. You can share some of our delicious gruel as your breakfast.”
When Dren did not move, Samanestra said, “Hurry, child. We don’t have much time.”
Dren took off running towards their tent dodging bustling gnomes as she went.
How am I ever going to tell Brachia? Dren wondered.
Chapter 21 – The Allies
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Awareness came slowly to Richard, but bit by bit, he became aware of his surroundings. The ground beneath him was hard. He felt warmth and softness around him on all sides. He heard whimpering sounds coming from every direction. Something soft tickled his nose. Richard raised his hand and brushed across his face. His hand touched something long and hairy.
Opening his eyes, Richard focused on a stone ceiling overhead. The ceiling was about three meters away. The stone was lit by a reddish glow which seemed to flicker in an almost hypnotic way. The hairy thing across Richard’s face moved again. It was a tail with soft, blackish hair. Easing his head around, Richard saw he was lying in a mass of whimpering, sleeping wolf pups.
I’m alive. Why? he wondered. I should be dead.
A heavier, deep breathing came from one side. Richard slowly twisted until he could see its source. Lying about two meters away was the adult female. He assumed it was the same one that had been licking his wounds when he passed out. She was lying on her side. Three of her pups were sucking away at her belly. The adult wolf’s red eyes were open. She looked directly into Richard’s eyes. The wolf did not growl. She just watched.
Cautiously moving his left hand to his belly, Richard felt for his open wound. His belly was sore, but the skin felt whole. He moved his hand to his chest. He did not feel any wounds there either. Richard had a sudden realization that his arms were no longer broken. He moved each of his legs a little. He felt no pain. They were healed as well. Richard felt the lower part of his rib cage on his left side. He’d lost his lower rib during a battle the previous year. The missing rib was back.
That’s not possible, Richard thought. What’s going on?
Although he was pretty sure what he’d find, Richard touched the back of his legs and his lower back. There were no blisters, and the skin felt smooth and whole. There was no pain.
Richard slowly rose to his knees. He made no sudden moves. He made sure he did not disturb the slumber of the wolf pups around him. He wasn’t sure why the adult wolf had not killed him, but he was determined not to give her a reason to change her mind. Of course, for all he knew, she was saving him for a late night snack, but he didn’t think so.
By all rights, I should be dead, Richard thought, but I’m not. There must be a reason. Why did the demon attack me? He said he was doing me a favor. He told me to make friends and allies. Are these supposed to be my allies?
Taking a moment to survey his surroundings closer, Richard realized he was in a cave about ten meters across. He wrinkled his nose. The air had a distinct odor of sulfur and brimstone. Flickering-red light entered the cave through numerous fist-sized openings in the ceiling. He saw no other openings in the rock walls of the cave. As far as he could tell, there was no entrance or exit. Richard felt a moment of panic, but he pushed it away.
There’s plenty of time to worry later, Rick, so don’t lose control yet. The she-wolf got in here somehow. There has to be a way out.
The openings in the ceiling gave enough light for him to see. He counted twelve pups in addition to the adult female. Richard had a sudden awareness that he was still naked. He glanced around the cave for any sign of his equipment. At length, he noticed a familiar black strap protruding from underneath the adult wolf’s front leg.
She’s lying on my dimensional pack.
He continued looking around the cave for any sign of his battle suit or weapons. He saw nothing.
Nick, he thought privately. Are you here?
Nothing.
Nick? Are you here, old buddy? I could use a little help, partner.
Still nothing.
Remaining perfectly still, Richard made a sweep with his passive scan. He sensed dozens of other lifeforms within a five hundred meter radius of his location. He expanded the passive scan to two thousand meters. He became aware of hundreds of lifeforms surrounding him. Richard compared the frequency of the lifeforms with the frequency of the adult female and her pups. They were similar. He held down another wave of panic. He was in the midst of a thriving community of these king-sized wolves.
Richard noted he was lucky in one respect. His Power reserve was full. He tentatively sent out a small, active scan in the direction of the adult female. Sure enough, he sensed his dimensional pack underneath her leg and upper body. Tentatively, Richard wrapped the pack in Power and gently started pulling it towards him. The adult wolf gave a warning growl. He felt a wave of emotion sweep over him. It was almost as if the she-wolf were telling him to stop. Richard obeyed. He stopped pulling.
Okay, he thought. I’ll let her keep it for a little while.
Richard scooted to the farthest corner of the cave until his back was flush against the wall. He watched the wolf for any sign of a pending attack. She continued looking at him, but other than that, she seemed content to feed her pups. Richard inspected the pups closer. He wasn’t sure how old they were. Since their eyes were still closed, he assumed they were newborns. They were big for newborns, but then again, their mother was big as well. Most of the pups were black like the she-wolf. A few were black with brown patches. Two of the pups were albinos. Their fur was snow white, and their noses and the pads on their feet were a soft pink. Under different circumstances, Richard might have thought the pups looked cute. A nearby pup gave a big yawn exposing long fangs. Richard decided the pups didn’t look cute after all.
One of the all black pups sniffed around. It worked its way in Richard’s direction by alternately taking a couple of wobbling steps and then crawling for a few more. Richard started to kick it away, but a soft growl from the mother kept his leg in place. The pup snuggled up against Richard’s bare leg until it found a comfortable spot. In a moment, it went back to sleep.
“So, what am I supposed to do?” Richard said to the she-wolf. “Am I a new play toy for your pups? Or are you keeping me alive as a special treat when your pups get tired of drinking your milk?”
The adult wolf continued looking at Richard. Then she yawned and lay her head back down. Before long, her breathing became steady. Richard thought about pulling at his dimensional pack again, but he did not. With several wolf pups still sucking at her breasts, Richard assumed she was only in a light dose.
Don’t upset the applecart, Rick. Keep the status quo. I’m alive, that’s more than I have a right to expect.
The hours dragged by without any noticeable change in routine. The pups alternated sleeping and eating. The she-wolf occasionally stood up and stretched. For the most part, however, she just lay down and allowed her pups to eat.
For whatever reason, Richard noticed most of the pups seemed to think he made a nice pillow. At one point, he had two pups sleeping with their bodies half across his legs while another slept with its head in his lap. Richard unconsciously scratched the nearest pup behind its ear. One of its legs kept time to his scratching. The pup snuggled its head against Richard’s belly. After a while, Richard got bored enough to dose. When he awoke, he was surprised to find half the litter gathered around him in a pile of fur and whimpering bodies.
Great, Richard thought. Apparently, I’m turning into their favorite blanket. That’s all I need. Instead of playing nursemaid to a couple of children, I’m stuck entertaining a pack of wolf cubs.
Richard felt a stab of regret. The children had undoubtedly awakened long ago and found him missing. He didn’t want to think how they must feel. He dreaded thinking what would be
come of them if he didn’t return soon or at all.
Don’t think about that now. I’ve got a few problems of my own.
Richard’s stomach growled. He was hungry, and his throat was very dry. He eyed the she-wolf. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was steady. Her earlier movements had exposed most of the dimensional pack. Only one strap lay under one of the wolf’s front legs.
I need that pack, Richard thought. It will do no good for the wolf to have spared my life just to have me die of thirst.
Gently lifting a couple of the pups off his legs, Richard eased himself up to a kneeling position. As silently as possible, Richard crept over towards the she-wolf and his pack. He wasn’t sure if she had sensed his Power flow last time. Just in case, he was going to try fetching it manually. As Richard crept closer, the she-wolf opened one eye and stared at him. Richard froze. The wolf raised her head and yawned. She moved her leg off the pack’s strap. Once the pack was free, she lay her head back down and closed her eyes. Within a few seconds, her breathing became steady once more. Richard was flabbergasted.
Did she intentionally free my pack? he wondered. Does she know what she did?
As to whether the wolf was giving him permission to take his pack, Richard did not know. But, he was determined not to let the opportunity pass him by. Wrapping the dimensional pack with Power, Richard levitated it into his waiting hands. Once the pack was in his grasp, Richard eased his way back to his spot by the wall.
Being as quiet as possible, and without disturbing the pups, Richard opened the flap of his dimensional pack. He pulled out a battle suit and battle helmet. He pulled on the helmet first.
Nick? Richard said. I need an analysis of the situation and some suggestions.
Specify required analysis, said an unfamiliar, emotionless voice in his head.
Who’s this? Richard said. Who are you, and where’s Nick?
I am battle computer serial number 12592, version six, edition five, replied the voice. Please specify parameters for requested analysis.
Richard cursed under his breath.
Invalid parameter, said the voice.
Switching back to thoughts, Richard said, Where’s Nick? Where’s my battle computer?
Insufficient data to answer your question, wizard scout, said the voice. I am the battle computer currently programmed into this battle helmet.
Do you have a name? Richard said. He desperately wanted to know where Nick was, but he also needed to get out of his current situation. He resigned himself to work with the tools he had at hand.
I have not been assigned a name, wizard scout, said the voice.
It figures, Richard said. We’ll deal with that later. Do a frequency analysis of the creatures in this cave and compare them with known life frequencies in your databanks.
As he waited for the battle computer to complete its analysis, Richard eased on his battle suit. He was careful not to jostle any of the sleeping wolf pups.
Seal the suit, Richard commanded.
The battle helmet changed shaped, and the battle suit sealed.
Well? Richard said as he quietly pulled his utility belt with holster and phase rod out of the pack.
Unknown command, wizard scout, said the battle computer.
A few weeks before he’d been sent on his internship assignment, his fellow cadets at the Intergalactic Wizard Scout Academy had been issued their battle suits and battle helmets. Even though he’d gotten his months earlier, Richard had attended the indoctrination classes with the rest of his cohort. Several of the Academy’s instructors had mentioned that the new battle computers would take years to develop personalities. They had also discussed the necessity for the cadets to give their battle computers specific instructions until the AI units adapted to their new environment. Richard had wondered at the time what the instructors were harping about. Nickelo had a distinct personality, and he had no trouble anticipating Richard’s desires. Now that Richard had an out-of-the-box battle computer, he began to realize how blessed he had been.
Well? Richard said again. Have you completed the analysis?
Affirmative, wizard scout, said the battle computer.
And what were the results? Richard said trying to keep the frustration out of his thoughts.
Life frequency analysis indicates fourteen known lifeforms in this cave, said the battle computer. Thirteen of the lifeforms are called dolgars. There are seven females and six males. They are inhabitants of the spiritual plane. The fourteenth lifeform is a male of human stock. He is a wizard scout cadet from the physical plane.
Richard rolled his eyes. He felt like taking his battle helmet off and beating it on the floor to knock some sense into it. With great effort, he controlled his temper.
Thank you, Richard said. Are you connected to the tele-network?
Affirmative, said the battle computer.
Hope leapt in Richard’s heart.
Great, Richard said. Do you have communication with the central computer?
Affirmative, wizard scout, said the battle computer.
Good, Richard said. Request an immediate teleport back to the location of the children.
Transmission sent. I am not receiving a response, wizard scout.
Bummer, Richard thought. ‘The One’ is being a butthole again.
Message relayed, wizard scout.
What message? Richard said.
Message indicating ‘the One’ is being the orifice of a rectum was sent to the central computer as requested, wizard scout.
Are you kidding me? Richard said. Are you that stupid?
Invalid line of questioning, wizard scout, said the battle computer. Please provide valid input.
Never mind, Richard said shaking his head. Are there any tele-bots in the vicinity? If so, how many, and do you have contact with them?
Affirmative, wizard scout. Six tele-bots are in this cave. Twenty more tele-bots are conducting recognizance of the local area.
Outstanding, Richard said. Now we’re getting somewhere. Combine the data from the tele-bots with my passive scan. Plot the surrounding area and pertinent information on the heads-up display. Color-code the dolgars with yellow.
The battle helmet’s heads-up display lit up. Yellow dots peppered the surrounding area.
Data analysis, Richard commanded.
Four hundred and seventeen dolgars are within a two thousand meter radius, wizard scout.
Richard started to give another command when he noticed a movement to his left. He turned his head in time to see a dark shape emerging from the stone of the cave wall. Richard saw it was an adult wolf, another dolgar. It seemed to be walking out of the solid wall of the cave. The new dolgar was a male, and it was a third larger than the female. A four-legged beast about the size of a pony was clutched in the male dolgar’s jaws. The beast was still alive. Its eyes were panic stricken, but it seemed unable to move. The male dolgar looked at Richard and snarled.
Richard felt a wave of emotion flow out from the dolgar. He had no doubt the dolgar was announcing his intent to rip him apart. The pups on the floor began scurrying around in an attempt to put distance between them and the newcomer. As Richard stood up, several of the pups took refuge behind his legs. Richard snatched his phase rod in his left hand. He kept his finger on the switch, but he did not activate it.
Think before you act, Richard thought to himself. That’s what Nick would tell me. See how things pan out before I escalate the situation.
The male dolgar took a step towards Richard. It continued to clutch the limp beast in its jaws. The dolgar gave a deep growl. Its eyes flashed red fire. Richard was sure he had only seconds before the male dolgar dropped the beast and attacked him instead. Richard prepared to act first.
Suddenly, another dark shape jumped between Richard and the male dolgar. It was the female. She hunched down in front of Richard facing the male dolgar. She gave a vicious warning growl. Richard felt a wave of emotion from the female. He had no trouble understanding she was warning
the male to back off.
What the heck is going on? Richard wondered.
Chapter 22 – The Dolgars
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The big male stared at his mate taking in everything at once. He’d stayed away too long while hunting for the choicest morsel for his mate. If he’d have come sooner, he could have prevented the current situation. But, he knew only too well his opportunity to alleviate the problem had come and gone. From her demeanor, the male knew his mate had tasted the flesh creature’s blood while still in her birthing phase. His mate now considered the flesh creature one of her pups. She would fight to the death to protect it. His mate would even fight him were he foolish enough to attack her flesh-creature pup.
The big male felt trapped. The flesh creature must have planned its arrival at exactly the right moment to take advantage of his mate. He could only surmise the flesh creature had arrived while his mate was still cleaning the blood from her litter or shortly thereafter. The taste of a pup’s birth-blood bonded the mother to the pup. Assuming his mate had tasted the flesh creature’s blood, which he had no doubt she had, his mate was now bonded to the creature as surely as if it had been born from her womb.
Do not harm my pups, came the emotion and images from his mate.
This one is not our pup, the male replied in a series of images and emotions of his own. He knew any arguments were useless, but he tried anyway since he could think of nothing else to do.
This one was given to us by the Creator, said the female. He is under our protection now. He is a part of our pack. He is ours.
He is from no seed of mine, said the male. Let me drain his life force and take him down into the stone with the other refuse.
Never, snarled the female. Saliva dripped from her mouth as she crouched even lower in preparation for interceding in her adopted pup’s behalf.
I brought you this other flesh creature, said the male as he shook his head in order to jostle the creature from side to side. Its life force is potent. It’s your favorite.
Wizard Cadet (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 2) Page 28