A Wolf Story by James Byron Huggins Read Free Book Online Page B

down the hill toward a wide, white glade.
    Slowly at first, snow began to spin swirling patterns across the old hare's path. Saul limped on through the mist, resisting the deathlike weariness that crippled his body. The storm continued, gathering strength. But still he pushed defiantly onward, refusing to lie down and allow the hateful night to force a swift and cruel ending to his pain. Finally the storm lashed across him with demonic frenzy, crushing him with sheets of ice and swirling snow. Ice coated his chilled gray fur and numbed his strength.
    Yet still he stumbled blindly forward, sensing his own death, leading the beast onward with the last, undying flame of his will.
    * * *

     
    seven

     
    Lost in the memory of that dark night, Aramus was returned to the storm by slashing ice. The assault penetrated his thick coat, chilling his bones with hateful cold. In defiance he shook his head violently, splashing moonlight in a white shower of snow.
    He raised his head to watch the dark swaying trees whispering their ancient song. Aramus had not spoken a word to his father on the long day's journey from their mountain home to the Deep Woods. And finally, when the majestic gray wolf had left him alone, to return in the morning, Aramus had become still as stone, watching the shadows grow long and deep and cold. He had known every whisper of leaf and bush, caught the scent of all that moved in the south, where the wind was born. And as the night had slowly passed, he had begun to feel a thin sense of safety, for he sensed that no creature moved or lived where he rested now.
    In the morning, after his father returned for him, they would begin the long journey north to their mountain home. But first he must survive the night. And it was not just the darkness he feared. More, he feared Baalkor, the beast that had passed him in the night not so long ago. Aramus' blood chilled at the memory of that nightmarish face poised in the shadows—grinning, tasting his weakness.
    Then, as he had done a hundred times, Aramus lowered his head against a freezing blast of arctic air that rushed across the glade like the deadly breath of some evil, ancient beast. And when the crippling cold had passed, he raised his eyes again to search timidly along the faraway treeline, his mind beginning to crumble with his body beneath the cold assault. It was so easy to be brave in the daylight, he thought, where he was warm and safe and protected. It was a different thing to be shivering in the dark, cold and alone, with only his faith to protect him from his fears.
    If he were running with the pack within this storm, they would simply bury themselves beneath it, escaping the freezing gale. But tonight there would be no escape. Tonight there would be only the darkness, the shadows that cloaked his doubts, and the howling wind that slowly froze his body with ice and frost. And there would be the heaviest burden to his tired soul: the yearning for safety and family and the comfort of the pack. Always his fa mily had been his strength, and although Gianavel had taught him to hunt and survive alone, Aramus had always leaned upon the old wolfs awesome strength.
    As the chilling wind slowed and the snow fell heavily over him, the silver wolfs mind turned again to a warm, cozy den, his family at his side, and his father's soothing voice talking of the Lightmaker, the Old Story, and a glorious world awaiting. Even now, amidst the icy mist and deepening snow, Aramus felt his father's strength, so close.
    At a distance, Aramus much resembled his massive sire, although the older wolf held a distinct advantage in the balance of sheer weight and solidness of strength. But Aramus had inherited the promise of Gianavel's giant frame and symmetry, and already the young wolfs hard muscles rolled and swelled beneath his silver coat. Yet where his father's mane was deep gray from the long years, Aramus bore a mane of willowy silver. And where his father's gray eyes seemed to