Homecoming

Home, sweet home?

As we know, the wolves use an octal (base 8) system, but in addition to the normal numbers, they also have special words, just like our 'dozen' and similar words, and their 'full hands' is equal to 64.

Morning.

The captain of the fast trader Swift Promise is up on deck, studying the weather when he hears a call from the docks, "<Where does the wind blow the ship today?>"

"<Anywhere I want it to go,>" the captain replies good-naturedly as he turns to look at who's hailing him. "<But a few credits could make it go where you want it to.>" Looking closer at the figure on the docks and noticing the old uniform, the simple cape and the ruffled headfur, he continues, "<If you have any, that is.>"

"<A few,>" the stranger replies, noncommittally as he throws a small pouch that the captain catches expertly in a fur covered hand. "<Is that enough to carry me and two crates to the Isle of Schist?>"

"<Throw in a few more credits and you can sleep in my cabin during the voyage,>" the male replies after peeking into the bag. Grinning broadly, he adds, "<And if you throw in another handful, I won't tell my mate to move out, either. Now get your tail aboard, the tide's almost here.>"

"<Thank you for the offer,>" the soldier responds, "<but a hammock will do for me. Besides, I can wait another eight-day.>" Picking up a lumpy pack, he walks up the gangplank and extends an arm in greeting. "<I'm Arramakh.>"

"<Pleased to meet you,>" the captain replies, grabbing his arm in an underhand grip and squeezing, testing the strength of the other "<I'm Rrhahktan, the proud owner of this pile of rotting timbers.>"

"<I've seen worse,>" Arramak counters, squeezing harder and making the other wince before he lets go of his arm. "<Of course, they didn't float!>"

"<Well said, young Arramak. You hail from the Isles, that's for certain. But where is the cargo you mentioned?"

"<Coming right there,>" he replies, pointing at several figures moving slowly down the hill, carrying two large crates.

"<May the next storm swallow me!>" the captain exclaims. "<They're not from around here, are they?>"

"<They're humans, and no, they're not from around here.>"

Turning back towards the soldier, the captain scrutinises him before venturing, "<I thought we were at war with them. You're wearing a uniform. Did we win or lose?>"

"<That depends on what you count as winning,>" the soldier replies. "<On one claw, I've spent the last few years in one of their prison camps, but on the other claw, they're paying for this trip.>"

Just then the group -- two humans and six wolf males -- arrives and carries the two large cases up on deck where they quickly stow them away. The humans exchange a few words with Arramak before they leave as quickly as they came.

Growling ominously, the captain asks, "<Does this mean that we now have new masters to bow down to?>"

"<No, they just wanted to make certain that the cargo was safely aboard,>" Arramak replies in an even tone. "<They would have preferred to fly me across the sea with the shuttle, but without knowing the situation on the Isles, that's not an option.>"

"<Probably for the best,>" the captain comments, his ears perking up and his hackles settling back down. "<I don't think there are any working plasma weapons left, but there're enough of those who would throw heavy rocks from a mountaintop, and there's no lack of mountains there.>"

"<You mean there're anything but mountains there?>"

"<Not much, and you've built your houses on the few flat spots there are,>" the captain replies, suddenly grinning broadly. Looking over the side of the ship to gauge the tide, he barks a single command and the deck suddenly fills with sailors running around in what looks like total chaos, but still getting the ship ready for departure.

Evening.

"<So, tell us;>" the captain asks after the evening meal, "<how long since you came back?>"

"<I landed yesterday,>" Arramak replies. "<But the first males landed three days ago.>"

"<How many came back?>" one of the crewmen asks. "<A cousin of mine was forced to go...>"

"<About four full hands. There wasn't room for more on the ship. They've only got one passenger ship, yet, so it'll take years to transport the rest of the survivors back,>"

"<Only one?>" another sailor exclaims. "<But... they destroyed the entire fleet in a single battle!>"

"<You don't need a fleet for that; just a single ship with powerful weapons, and as one of them later told me, it's not a battle if the opponent never has the opportunity to fire back.>"

"<I'm not certain that I would want them walking around,>" the captain mutters. "<What were they doing in port, then? Except for seeing you off, that is.>"

"<Buying food, of course,>" is the casual reply. "<That and looking for certain books; medical and technical, mathematical and philosophical textbooks, and if they can find any, a few historical texts.>"

"<What do they want them for?>"

"<There're a lot of soldiers still in their prison camps. The books will be duplicated and used to train them as doctors, technicians and whatever is considered beneficial.>"

"<And you? What did they consider beneficial for you to learn?>" one of the crewmen asks, sarcastically.

"<Not much really,>" is the unperturbed reply. "<I've been taught to read and write and how best to teach others. And then there're the crates up on deck. Not only do they contain books and writing implements, but there's also a radio and generator in them.>"

"<A radio?>" the captain barks in surprise. "<How did you get hold of a radio?>"

"<It was given to me by the humans. When they return with the next shipment I'll be using it to advise on weather and other conditions. Other than that, I'll be using it to communicate with other towns. They're placing a set in every town above a certain size. There'll even be one on each island.>"

"<Any chance for me to use it?>"

"<No,>" Arramak replies casually. "<You don't think I'm going to let just anybody touch something as delicate as a radio? But I'll be more than happy to send any message you or anyone else want to transmit.>"

"<For a fee, I assume?>" one of the crew ventures.

"<Of course, but no more than what people can afford. And some messages, like ship departure and arrivals, will be free.>"

An eight-day later.

"<It has been a pleasure having you aboard, young Arramak,>" the old wolf states as he grasps the younger male's arm in parting. "<I believe you have better things to do than wait for us to finish unloading. No one will run off with your cargo while you track down your family.>"

"<Thank you,>" the younger male responds, "<and thank your mate for the wonderful food.>" Letting go of the captain's arm, he picks up his pack and makes his way down the gangplank while waving to those of the crew that he can see.

"<Is that young Arramak, or are my senses deceiving me?>"

Hearing the familiar voice, Arramak turns to face the doorway it came from. "<Rhakhmar!>" he exclaims. "<I expected you to have disappeared in a storm before now, or at least been chased off the island!>"

"<Ah, the sound of a young one being respectful to his elders,>" the old wolf retorts as he steps outside. "<Since you're back, the war must be over, then?>"

"<Yes, It's over, but if you ask me whether we won or lost, I don't know.>"

"<It doesn't matter,>" the old wolf comments, rubbing the graying fur on his muzzle, "<I'm too old to bow to a new master, anyhow.>"

"<You've never bowed for anyone before,>" Arramak responds, laughing.

"<Such insolence,>" the old wolf comments, shaking his head sadly. "<When did you return?>"

"<Just now.>"

"<Then you haven't been home yet?>"

"<I was on my way when you called. Why do you ask?>"

"<You're bound to find out sooner or later, anyway,>" the old wolf replies, sighing, his ears drooping. "<I suggest that you stop at the inn by the waterfall.>"

Seeing the sadness in the other's face, a dread-filled Arramak sets off in a fast march uphill.

"<We're not open yet,>" the portly wolf behind the counter calls out when he hears the door slam open. Hearing the determined steps of the other he turns to berate the impatient customer. "<Didn't you hear me--- Arramak? Is that really you?>"

The young male doesn't bother to reply, only marches up to the counter and fixes the other in a steely gaze.

"<Upper floor, second door to the left,>" the one behind the counter utters after a strained pause.

Arramak give a barely noticeable nod before he turns and stomps his way up the stairs. In the corridor he pauses for a moment before dragging his right-hand claws three times across the serrated panel next to the door.

"<Go away!>"

Recognising the voice, he slowly opens the door to peek inside.

"<Didn't you hear me?>" the black-furred female curled up on the bed cries without looking up. "<Leave me alone!>"

"Rahnee!" he exclaims, grabbing the female by the shoulder and forcing her to face him."<It's me, Arramak!>"

Staring wide-eyed at him while a hand moves to cover the bleached stripe of fur around her neck. "<Arramak, is it really you?>" she asks, then throws her arms around his waist to cry into his chestfur.

"<Where is your collar?>" he asks, confused. "<And what are you doing...?>" the last word he can't seem to get out. Not getting a reply, he starts stroking her head and back, running his fingers through the coarse fur along her spine, stroking her ears and whispering soothing words. When her sobs finally stops he gently pulls her to her feet so that he can look her in the eyes. "<What happened?>" he asks.

"<Your brothers,>" she finally mutters, "<they said you were dead and threw me out.>"

"<Without paying your way back to your parents?>" he asks, incredulous. "<But... what did father say?>"

"<He disappeared last winter,>" she replies, then starts crying again. "<They didn't let me take anything with me other than the clothes on my body,>" she manages to get out between the sobs.

"<Gather your things and follow me,>" he commands with a snarl, then grabs the bottle of bleach from the washstand before turning and stomping out of the room.

She quickly puts on the robe that's hanging over the back of the room's single chair, ties a scarf around her neck to cover the mark of her profession, then gathers her belongings in a bundle that she hangs in her belt before rushing after him.

"<Stop there!>" one of the inn's patrons yell as he tries to block the couple from reaching the exit. "<Where do you think you're going with our entertainment?>"

Seizing the other by the throat, Arramak pulls him close, bares his teeth and hisses, "<She's my bond mate, and if you so much as think about her I'll rip your liver from your belly and feast on it, then strangle you with your intestines!>" Then he throws the terrified male across the room to crash into a table. Seething with anger he looks around the room, daring anyone to say or do anything.

"<Please,>" the female begs, tugging at his left arm.

Snarling and casting a final glance through the room he opens the door to let her precede him outside.

As they walk uphill, Rahnee barely manages to keep up with Arramak even though he has a heavy bag and she's barely carrying anything. As they reach the summit and turns down another street, locals begin to follow the couple. When they finally stop before an old single story house, there's a large group -- males and females both -- gathered at a respectful distance.

Throwing the bottle of bleach against the door so that it shatters, spilling the liquid and creating an acrid stench, Arramak yells, "<Come out, you blue-rotted, honourless thieves! Come out before I come in and tear the hide off your rotting carcasses!>"

For several minutes nothing happens, then the door opens and a head pokes out. "<Brother!>" the male that exits exclaims. "<We thought you were dead!>"

"<I don't have a brother!>" Arramak counters. "<There are no thieves or murderers in my family!>"

"<Those are dangerous words, dear brother,>" the male in the doorway snarles.

"<Those are true words,>" Arramak states with an icy cold voice. "<Now, get out of my house!>"

"<Your house?>" the other asks in a mock-surprised tone. "<It was you who left to play soldier, leaving us to tend to the family.>" As he speaks he's joined by another, scruffy-looking male.

"<How much did the recruiters pay you?>" Arramak shouts, then adds before the other can reply, "<How much did they pay for a building full of males that you owed credits? Don't try to deny it; the recruiters laughed at us when they told us that someone told them about a large building filled with young males and only one exit!>"

"<That's a lie!>" the scruffy looking male yells. Storming towards Arramak he screams, "<Take those words back before I kill you, brother or no brother!>"

"<You're no brother of mine!>" Arramak howls as he slashes out with his right arm towards the other, ebony claws filed to razor sharpness. Before the scruffy male can react the claws slash his unprotected belly, sending a spray of blood across the street. As the male staggers away, his hands clutching his belly -- more out of shock than actual injury -- Arramak steps purposely towards the door and the other male. "<I suggest that you run NOW,>" he states in a deceptively calm voice. "<Run fast and run long so that nether I nor the others you sold to the recruiters ever find you, for then you will surely die! Run and leave your name behind, because from this moment on my mother gave birth to one son only!>"

Seeing the rage in Arramak's eyes, the male dashes around him and down the street, not even stopping to lend his wounded brother a hand.

"<What happened to the others?>" a female somewhere in the flock of bystanders asks.

Opening a pocket and taking out a single sheet of paper, Arramak proceeds to read out five names. "<Alive and to be returned on the next ship,>" he proclaims. "<Larreh was blinded and Karrlak will never walk again.>" Then he reads off another fifteen names and finishing with a single word, "<Dead.>" At that word several of the males who are standing around break from the group and head after the two brothers, finally breaking into a run as they round a corner.

Arramak is about to open the door to his home when a female in a gray robe walks up, asking timidly, "<My mate, Karrlak, what will happen to him? When will he return?>"

"<He won't return,>" he replies. "<But the same ship that will bring the rest of the survivors home can take you to him on Earth.>"

"<Earth?>" she asks, bewildered.

"<The humans aren't as bad as the lords claimed,>" Arramak states, spitting after mentioning their peoples' former leaders. "<The humans are giving Karrlak the best possible care, but what he really needs is you. I suggest that you spend the next twelve eightdays until the ship arrives preparing yourself.>"

"<But...>" she stutters.

"<Come back tomorrow,>" he replies to her unspoken question. "<I'll tell you what you need to know then.>" Placing a hand on her shoulder he then urges her towards her parents who are standing nearby. He then opens the door and enters the main hall of his home where he slumps down in a deep chair.

Following him a few moments later, Rahnee perches on his lap and stares at him. Running her hand along the suspiciously thin fur on the left-hand side of his head, she finally asks, "<What's happened to your face? And what's wrong with your eye?>"

"<I survived,>" he replies. "<That's what happened to my face. I was dragged out of the burning wreck of a shuttle, more dead than alive. The fur was replaced with hairs taken from other parts of my body. The human doctors did a good job matching the patterns, but not all the fur is of the correct length, and my eye...>" Reaching up with his right hand his fingers dig under an eyelid, there is a wet, plopping sound, and when he removes his hand what looks like an eye lies in the palm, staring blindly at her. "<It's coloured glass. Nothing could save my eye.>"

That evening, after clearing out and burning the clothes belonging to his brothers, setting up the radio and a dinner eaten in silence, Arramak enters his bedroom to find Rahnee already lying under the covers. Without a word he disrobes and slips under the heardbeast fur that's used as a duvet to lay with his back to his mate.

When her careful nuzzling and nibbling on his shoulders don't produce a response, she slips an arm around his waist to rest on his chest before asking quietly, "<Are you angry at me?>"

"<Yes... No... I don't know,>" he mutters. "<You only did what you had to in order to survive.>"

"<Maybe I should sleep in another room tonight?>" she asks sadly, turning over and sitting up.

"<No!>" Grabbing her arm he pulls her back and embraces her. "<I... need you.>"