Sasqua'ia
Chapter 03
Charles W Bird
[email protected]
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The story is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced by any means without the express, written permission of the author.
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From Chapter 2; As the sun began its descent from midday high, Pau’li led his group back down the trail towards Guardian Farm. The white Wolf pup caused a sensation among those at Guardian Farm, nobody had ever seen a white Wolf before. Many of the other boys drooled in envy, the Wolf puppy had chosen Pau’li as Trek Leader as well as Companion. The two were inseparable and, in a few short months, Char’li grew to outsize every Wolf living among the Sasqu’ia. He would stand over five feet at the shoulders and weigh in at six hundred pounds! It was said his paws were as big as a squash leaf and he could disembowel an enemy with a single swipe of his claws.
BOTH descriptions were correct!
BORDER WARRIORS
As Pau’li matured, Char’li grew, until he was the largest wolf among the Sasqua’ia. He stood nearly to Pau’li’s shoulder and, when he walked, the muscles rippled across his body like huge vines.
Time and time again, the pair, Wolf and young New Human, demonstrated their value to the community, especially against the mutated monstrosities that sometimes wandered across The Guardian from the outside lands.
They did not brag nor did they seek fame for their deeds, but the young humans and the occasional Sasqua’ia youth who accompanied them on their trips across the mountain that guarded the entrance to their forested, lands brought back stories of their deeds and conquests.
That they both were mighty Warriors was never questioned, but the Council grew concerned that there would come a time when the two might become overwhelmed by those seeking entrance to their lands. They asked them both, New Human and Wolf Warrior, to meet with them at the next new moon meeting.
When the two sat down in Council, they were asked to form a Guardian Warrior Corps comprised of volunteers from the races of the Sasqua’ia.
The New Human young men, being the most proficient mind-speakers, rushed to join the new group before the three other races had even heard of the proposal.
Pau’li and Char’li were determined that all the races be represented, Sasqua’ia, Human, New Human and Wolf, so they set about notifying each group separately.
From the Sasqua’ia, they selected Can’tu, Jorg’ee, Rog’r and An’di; from the Humans came, Blan’r, Con’r, Gre’g and Dan’il. Next, from the New Humans came Dor’an, Grd’on, Ev’in and And’ru.
Char’li selected Haw’c, Gra’a, Don’e and Eld’r as Wolf Warriors.
All those selected were eager to prove they were worthy to be included.
The lands between Guardian Farm and The Guardian were given to them for training lands as well as farmlands to feed them. The lands they farmed came to be known as Warrior Fields and, as soon as they had a reliable supply of food necessary to sustain them, they were separated into squads, a Warrior of each race in each squad.
The Squads were instructed to choose a War Leader from among themselves. By chance, a member of each race was elected to be the War Leader by their several squads.
Once the leaders were selected, the squads proceeded to train against each other until they were truly a fearsome force.
They had become self-governing and decided that each squad would spend a five-day guarding the pass on The Guardian, while the other squads would roam the forest, guarding against invaders that had discovered another route into their lands or tend the farm that supplied their food. It was the intent of the Council that the squads be self-supporting as well as self-governing.
The relieved squad, the one that had just come off their five day duty on the Guardian, would rest, repair their equipment and tend the farm.
The first squad to draw The Guardian duty was led by Don’e, a wolf of huge proportions; he was nearly as massive as Char’li himself. In Don’e’s squad was And’ru (Sasqua’ia), Ev’in (New Human) and Grd’on (Human).
The squad strode out of their home shelter for their first five day tour on The Guardian. All four members were casting ahead and to both sides; searching for any danger.
As they traveled up the barrier mountain, they each carried packs of food and materials to be used in erecting a shelter. Each squad would carry building materials until a satisfactory shelter was in place to protect the warriors against the elements encountered at that high elevation.
Water was not a problem but there was only limited amount of game to supplement food supplies carried in from the valley below.
The first two days were spent working on the shelter, with one warrior on guard duty. At night, they took turns sleeping so that there was always one Warrior awake at all times.
It was just beginning to get light on the fourth day of their duty and Ev’in was on duty when he sensed a New Human on the trail coming up from the outside lands. The mind felt young and it was very frightened.
Further down on the outside trail, he discovered three more minds, all jumbled in anger and full of hate. They were chasing the New Human up the mountain!
He roused his fellow Warriors and Don’e said he would go down the trail and observe. He met the New Human pup on the second level, running around the curve on the switchback, reckless and in panic.
The Youngling tripped over Don’e and went sprawling on the ground, panting and crying in fear, “They will catch me and kill me….” The youngling was broadcasting in fear and panic.
Don’e sent to the terrified pup, “They will have to get through me first, I and my fellow Warriors above us, will protect you Young New Human, do not fear.”
The youth sent in panic, “Yuuu yu You are a beast, are you the Eater of Souls sent to destroy me for my sins?”
Don’e replied, “I do not know what an Eater is, I am Don’e, Warrior Squad Leader of The Guardian Warriors.”
The young New Human continued to cry, “They discovered that I am a mind-speaker and that is the penalty of death!”
Don’e sent, “Youngling, if you do not mind-speak, how do you communicate with others, not of your race?”
The youth replied, “But only people have speech, all others are animals!”
Don’e chuckled, “All the races living in the lands of the Sasqua’ia mind-speak, I will call my squad to come to us. We will protect you from those who wish to harm you.”
His squad raced down the trail and surrounded their Leader and the frightened youth, their weapons pointed down the trail, waiting for those that were pursuing the young New Human boy. When the pursuers rounded the switchback, they skidded to a stop at the sight of sharp spear points aimed at them!
Don’e calmly walked to the front, making it plain that he was in charge, “Leave this place, leave it now and do not return. This PUP is ours and we shall protect those who are ours, even until none of you remain living! GO, NOW!”
One of the humans pursuers started to grab the youth and Ev’in jabbed him with his spear, drawing blood. The human screamed in pain and withdrew to his fellows, nursing a deep gash across his chest.
Don’e repeated his order, “GO, NOW! Leave this place!”
Last seen in the early morning light, the group from the outside was racing down the mountain, falling over each other in their panic to flee from animals that spoke in their minds!
Ev’in stood with his arm over the shoulder of the youth, “Pup, by what name shall we call you?”
The boy replied, “I am called Rob’e, you won’t hurt me will you?”
Ev’in smiled and replied, “No, young Rob’e, you are safe among us and I suspect you are hungry, will you join us in our morning meal?”
The boy held onto Ev’in’ arms and said, “I have not eaten since two suns ago, they had me tied to a tree and I escaped last night. They kill all who they discover can mind-speak.”
Ev’in replied, “We all mind-speak here, we are several races, Sasqua’ia, Wolf, New Human and Human. I am New Human, you have already met Don’e, he is Wolf. An’dru, over there, is Sasqua’ia and Gr’don is Human. We all mind-speak and Don’e is our War Leader.
The boy looked wide eyed and said, “Bu, bu but two of you are beasts!”
Ev’in chuckled and said, “Young Pup, forget that word, it does not apply here. We are all folk of this land and we do not take kindly to being called beasts!”
He continued, “Come with me, you need some food in you and some rest. Those who were hunting you cannot overcome us and we shall make you one of our own.”
The youth looked at Ev’in and asked, “Will you be my big brother, will you guide me in this new land?”
Ev’in chuckled, “Surely I will, now, I am hungry also, now come, let us eat.”
So it was that the New Human youth, Rob’e became brother to Ev’in, a relationship that would last both their lifetimes. Ro’be would become a Great Warrior Leader and would, eventually, help bring peace with the humans and the new humans of the outside world.
The remainder of their five day Guardian Duty passed without further excitement and they were relieved by Haw’c and his squad. By that time, the young New Human boy had become comfortable among his new companions and he pleaded with Don’e to be allowed to remain in the squad as a sixth member.
It was not long before all the squads had grown by one or two Humans or New Humans, in fact, Eld’er’s squad included a young Wolfling Pup who showed promise of being as massive as either Don’e or Char’li; he was named Kon’r and he became a powerful mind-speaker with a range greater than any previously known.
The rotation continued until the cold time snows closed the pass over The Guardian. It was Eld’r’s Squad who had the duty to close down the Guard structure on the pass, they had stored away all the bedding, dried foods and spare weapons before closing the door and securing it by piling huge boulders against the door.
Kon’r took every opportunity to practice his mind abilities, while the older Warriors were securing the guard post; Kon’r was ranging his mind far down the mountain on the wild side when he encountered a mind so powerful and evil that he lost his morning meal before he could raise his shields.
He screamed and his squad-mates came running to his assistance, Eld’r quickly read Kon’r’s mind before sending his own senses down the mountain. Despite Kon’r’s warning, Eld’r was nearly overwhelmed by the powerful mind at the bottom of the mountain, a mind so incredibly evil that Eld’r could hardly believe his senses.
He broke contact immediately, but not before the mind had drained him like a rag squeezed of its water. He crouched on the ground, panting to regain his breath; his muzzle had turned completely gray!
Eld’r was completely overcome; they had to construct a litter to carry him down the mountain to Warrior Fields. He designated Kon’r to fill in for him until he had recovered.
He never did recover, Eld’r’s mind was so damaged that he could never again command a Warrior Squad!
The alarm went out, something so completely evil and of great power existed in the wild lands that a Wolf mind had come unhinged upon contact!
Kon’r was the only other being from among the Sasqua’ia who had been in contact with the evil being. As young as he was, he was asked to come before Council and tell all he knew. The little that young Kon’r could tell them, the Council was thoroughly frightened, such evil was unknown to them, but they suspected the hated Ka’aa had once again, found them.
Despite his youth Kon’r had great power and the strongest shields those of the Council had ever experienced, they felt that it was the strength of his shields that had saved Kon’r from the same fate as that of Eld’r.
The council knew they would have to confront this new danger as soon as the pass over The Guardian opened in the next warm time.
BORDER WAR
Kon’r was confirmed as Warrior Leader in replacement for Eld’r and all the Wolf Warrior Leaders worked with the young Wolfling to improve his already powerful shields. Every day they challenged Kon’r, testing him and extending his power until they felt he could withstand the terrible evil waiting for them on The Guardian.
What that evil was, they could only conjecture, but, whatever it was, it had the signature of Ka’aa all over it and had left a powerful Wolf Warrior Leader in a state of terror. That Kon’r had already experienced its power and survived, told them he was the only being among them who had any chance of defeating the mind monster, a term they had started using to describe that which they had yet to meet, face to face.
It seemed that the cold time passed rapidly and, before they were ready, green shoots were appearing in the fields and new leaves were budded out on the trees.
Kon’r had attained his adult growth; he was indeed, an enormous Wolf, tipping the scales at just under 700 pounds and could look an adult male Human or New Human squarely in the eyes while standing on all four feet. His muscles rippled when he walked, even his own kind were cautious when they played, fearing his great strength.
With all that, he had a gentle demeanor, he was frequently seen lying on the playground with small children climbing over him, riding on his back or tugging on his sensitive ears.
There was one little boy he had come to adore, Jam’il was an orphan, his parents had died in a house fire while Jam’il was at school. Kon’r had applied to the Council to adopt the boy and it was under discussion. The Council had promised a decision before the next meeting.
Kon’r had made arrangements for the boy to stay at Guardian Farm whenever Kon’r had Guardian duty on the Mountain. Jam’il also was a powerful mind-speaker, nearly as powerful as Kon’r himself, between the two, they were the most powerful pair in all Sasqua’ia.
At last, the Council’s decision was announced; Jam’il was the adopted son of Kon’r of The Wolves! Kon’r’s fellow Guardian Warriors went all out, the week before the Squads were to begin their five day duty tours; a festival was announced at Guardian Farm and Guardian Fields. All were invited, particularly all of Jam’il’s schoolmates.
All the wolves and wolf companions attended, as did the Guardian Warriors, and the residents of the nearby farms. There were over two hundred folk in attendance, of which ninety were children.
Games and entertainment were provided and a huge meal was served. A proud Wolf Poppa introduced his new son to the crowd; Jam’il was grinning ear to ear as he climbed on Kon’r’s back to ride around the crowd, shaking everyone’s hand.
Jam’il started to slip off Kon’r’s back, without thinking, Kon’r used his mind to steady the boy and push him back into place on his shoulders! It was not until later that the two of them realized that Kon’r had used levitation to reposition the boy!
Levitation was a power never before known by any of the Sasqua’ia! By the next morning, the entire farm community was discussing this new manifestation of mind-power; Kon’r found that his power was greatly multiplied whenever he was with Jam’il.
That afternoon, the two of them were experimenting with their newfound abilities; they found the same effect took place if they were in mind-speech with each other!
By the time Kon’r was ready to lead his squad out for duty on The Guardian, he was in continuous subconscious contact with his son, Jam’il. Neither of them was consciously affected by the contact, it was just “part of them”.
Of course, each knew whatever the other knew; Jam’il knew everything that was taking place on The Guardian as soon as Kon’r was aware of it, just as Kon’r knew what was taking place with Jam’il.
The off-duty Squads were made aware of the trickle of refugees being passed by Kon’r and his Squad and they knew of the mind touches between Kon’r and the evil presence on the other side of the mountain.
As the squads rotated duty periods, Kon’r and Jam’il were able to maintain contact with the Wolf Warrior of each Squad. They knew that the evil presence was testing each Squad, searching for weakness.
They found that they could lend strength to the Wolf Warrior on duty and, after a time, it became an unconscious act every time it probed, looking for a weakness, Kon’r and Jam’il bolstered the Wolf Warrior on watch at The Guardian. Even when asleep, they were able to assist the Wolf Warrior up on the mountain.
It began to become apparent that the evil presence was also very intelligent; it would probe at hours when extra assistance to the Wolf Warrior would be expected to be sleeping.
Both Kon’r and Jam’il agreed that something had to be done; they felt that it was only a matter of time; eventually the enemy was going to discover a crack in their defenses and take over the mind of the Wolf Warrior on duty, allowing it to enter Sasqua’ia undetected. The Beast could raise havoc among their folk before anyone realized it was there.
When it came time for Kon’r’s squad to do their tour of duty again on The Guardian, Jam’il insisted that he go with his Father, it would take the two of them to control the evil being, if it ever broke through their defenses their people would have no defense against its attack, it would be upon an unsuspecting population in a heartbeat.
The most powerful members of the squads volunteered to make up a special squad under the command of Kon’r and Can’tu, Dan’il and Rog’r were selected to accompany Kon’r and Jam’il on a five day patrol.
As they started up the winding path that would take them to the guard station at the summit, they all could feel the evil one probing their defenses. Kon’r and Jam’il built a mental barrier to protect them all from the ever increasing probes.
By the time they reached the summit, the air around them was shimmering with energy and both Jam’il and Kon’r were perspiring freely.
They relieved Don’e and his squad, they were reluctant to leave Jam’il and Kon’r’s squad, but they had been resisting the evil for an entire five day period, without let up and they were exhausted.
The moment the off-duty squad departed, the mental pressure from the evil one came battering down on them, stronger than they had ever felt it before.
They knew it was going to be the final battle. All night long they repulsed the probes and the mental assault, just before light time, the assault slackened somewhat. Apparently, their attacker was nocturnal and sunlight weakened it.
Jam’il whispered to Kon’r, “We must end this; we cannot survive another dark time! You go down the path towards the outlands and I will go down through the rocks. We must confront this evil thing from front and back at the very same time. It cannot fight us from two different directions at the same time.”
They began a careful descent, keeping the resistance barrier up while they moved down the side of the mountain. They had packed high energy foods and they nibbled on those energy sources as they descended the mountain, the mental strain was draining them.
When they got about half way down, they could see a campfire and several beings moving around a central figure, who was sitting on a throne-like chair in front of the fire.
They were sure that was their target and they continued their careful journey, making as little sound as they could.
THE FINAL BATTLE
When they had, at last, reached the level where they had seen the campfire, Jam’il and Kon’r mentally joined hands.
By making such a strong mental contact, they raised their power transfer and, at the same time, masking their mental signature, confusing the evil one. It could not recognize them and it believed yet another powerful being had entered the battle against it. The being had no sex, it was just itself and multiplied by extending part of its own flesh and forming it into another creature like itself.
They burst into the firelight that surrounded the seated individual, those with him were totally surprised and unable to move. Kon’r drove a spear into the neck of the seated individual and the evil pressure ceased immediately. Jam’il cracked a tree limb over the head of the evil beast and the other three individuals in the camp suddenly stood still and then crumpled to the ground.
It was obvious that the seated individual was mortally wounded, it screamed in wordless sounds that finally died in a gurgle as its lungs filled with blood from the wound Kon’r inflicted upon it. When it stopped moving entirely, all the other individuals ceased moving and fell to the ground, twitching and gasping for breath.
The creature gave out the most awful screech as it died, a mental scream heard all the way back in Sasqua’ia.
After it had finished its death throes, the area was utterly silent, there were no night sounds, no animal calls, not even crickets or flying insects, the area was dead, no native animal, insect or other creature had survived. Even several birds, that had been flying overhead, dropped to the ground, dead.
Jam’il and Kon’r huddled around the fire, not wanting to explore in the dark. By light time, they saw that every living thing in the area was dead, the trees and bushes looked as if they had been fire blasted. No small animals, not even any insects had survived and the small stream was covered in ice, all warmth had been sucked from it.
The rest of the squad rushed down the mountain, fearing that Kon’r and Jam’il had not survived the final battle. The two were found by their fellow Warriors, staring dumbly at the dead beast and the carrion that littered the camp.
It was truly a camp of death. The dead beast was like nothing any of them had ever seen before, it could not have evolved on their Earth!
The whole area smelled of rotting meat and there was nothing to be salvaged, not even anything that could have held clues as to what or who the evil beast was, or even where it had come from.
They discovered the bones of many humans the awful thing had killed and probably had eaten. There were the gnawed bones of animals and game also, but the human bones were all from children!
Rather than bury the disgusting mess in the soil, Kon’r ordered the area to be set on fire to cleanse what had been soiled.
There was no other life in the small valley, even the trees were dead. Nobody wanted to stay any longer in that place of death than they had to, as soon as the fire had died down, they all left and headed back up to the clean areas of The Guardian Mountain, where the plant life was alive and small birds had begun to chirp and sing in the morning light.
Kon’r and Jam’il reported all they had seen and done, even though all those who stayed behind already knew the evil was gone, they had felt its demise, but none of them would ever sleep soundly at night again, ever!
They finished out their five day tour of duty and were eager to return to their home, where things were alive and warm. Both Kon’r and Jam’il were totally drained.
They had been touched by an incredible evil and had survived, but the cost to their souls was great. They were thin and gaunt; their faces had a haunted look that would take the rest of the warm time to erase.
Jam’il would have occasional nightmares for many years before they would fade into the past. Unfortunately, the evil thing was not the only member of its race, there were more of the evil creature’s brothers in their future!
They arrived back to their home at Guardian Fields to a great celebration. The Sasqua’ia folk had brought foods and picnic for their Warrior Squad and both Jam’il and and Kon’r were much made over, so much so that Jam’il had to run, red faced, into their house and close the door to escape his adoring fans! The young females of his own kind chased him all the way to his home and he escaped only by slamming the door shut.
Life finally settled down for the heroes, they maintained the squads and kept watch on the trail over The Guardian, but it was more a lifesaving effort now. As time passed, the small but steady stream of refugees resumed their trek to reach sanctuary in Sasqua’ia, many of the refugees arrived with newer and more powerful mind abilities, the races were changing and mind-speech was becoming accepted.
Fewer and fewer of the refugees told of being discriminated against for their abilities.
They were about to close the Warrior Station for the cold season, when a delegation of young mind-speakers came struggling up the trail. They were led by a young mother carrying two small babies in her arms. She was clean and well fed, and certainly not frightened. She asked, “My babies have great mind talents that are not acceptable to many of those living in the outside lands, can you teach my babies and show them how to handle their powers?
Kon’r read the minds of the babies and found them nearly as powerful as he was.
Jam’il spotted the two little babies and went to them, they put out their little hands to him and soon, they were all giggling and laughing.
The young woman was invited to remain at Guardian Fields, where she started a small business making clothing for the Warriors.
The flow of refugees never again became a flood, but each warm time saw a steady trickle of new talent and knowledge arriving in Sasqua’ia, enough to expand their lands with skills and talents they had not seen before.
They were a happy people and were entering a period of new prosperity and expansion. New goods and services began appearing in their communities, new schools and services were built and whole new communities began appearing in the forest.
Through all the expansion, the wolf folk kept pace and were honored citizens in the communities. The period of peace and expansion would last for many years, but like many things, there would be bumps in the road of progress and the warriors kept in mind that the evil one was not the only one of its kind.
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TBC
The folk of Sasqua’ia will enjoy a period of peace and calm, their children will grow up safe and well educated, the several races will become so integrated, it will be difficult to tell one from another. The Sasqua’ia themselves will finally feel at home on a newly peaceful world.
[email protected]
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The story is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced by any means without the express, written permission of the author.
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From Chapter 2; As the sun began its descent from midday high, Pau’li led his group back down the trail towards Guardian Farm. The white Wolf pup caused a sensation among those at Guardian Farm, nobody had ever seen a white Wolf before. Many of the other boys drooled in envy, the Wolf puppy had chosen Pau’li as Trek Leader as well as Companion. The two were inseparable and, in a few short months, Char’li grew to outsize every Wolf living among the Sasqu’ia. He would stand over five feet at the shoulders and weigh in at six hundred pounds! It was said his paws were as big as a squash leaf and he could disembowel an enemy with a single swipe of his claws.
BOTH descriptions were correct!
BORDER WARRIORS
As Pau’li matured, Char’li grew, until he was the largest wolf among the Sasqua’ia. He stood nearly to Pau’li’s shoulder and, when he walked, the muscles rippled across his body like huge vines.
Time and time again, the pair, Wolf and young New Human, demonstrated their value to the community, especially against the mutated monstrosities that sometimes wandered across The Guardian from the outside lands.
They did not brag nor did they seek fame for their deeds, but the young humans and the occasional Sasqua’ia youth who accompanied them on their trips across the mountain that guarded the entrance to their forested, lands brought back stories of their deeds and conquests.
That they both were mighty Warriors was never questioned, but the Council grew concerned that there would come a time when the two might become overwhelmed by those seeking entrance to their lands. They asked them both, New Human and Wolf Warrior, to meet with them at the next new moon meeting.
When the two sat down in Council, they were asked to form a Guardian Warrior Corps comprised of volunteers from the races of the Sasqua’ia.
The New Human young men, being the most proficient mind-speakers, rushed to join the new group before the three other races had even heard of the proposal.
Pau’li and Char’li were determined that all the races be represented, Sasqua’ia, Human, New Human and Wolf, so they set about notifying each group separately.
From the Sasqua’ia, they selected Can’tu, Jorg’ee, Rog’r and An’di; from the Humans came, Blan’r, Con’r, Gre’g and Dan’il. Next, from the New Humans came Dor’an, Grd’on, Ev’in and And’ru.
Char’li selected Haw’c, Gra’a, Don’e and Eld’r as Wolf Warriors.
All those selected were eager to prove they were worthy to be included.
The lands between Guardian Farm and The Guardian were given to them for training lands as well as farmlands to feed them. The lands they farmed came to be known as Warrior Fields and, as soon as they had a reliable supply of food necessary to sustain them, they were separated into squads, a Warrior of each race in each squad.
The Squads were instructed to choose a War Leader from among themselves. By chance, a member of each race was elected to be the War Leader by their several squads.
Once the leaders were selected, the squads proceeded to train against each other until they were truly a fearsome force.
They had become self-governing and decided that each squad would spend a five-day guarding the pass on The Guardian, while the other squads would roam the forest, guarding against invaders that had discovered another route into their lands or tend the farm that supplied their food. It was the intent of the Council that the squads be self-supporting as well as self-governing.
The relieved squad, the one that had just come off their five day duty on the Guardian, would rest, repair their equipment and tend the farm.
The first squad to draw The Guardian duty was led by Don’e, a wolf of huge proportions; he was nearly as massive as Char’li himself. In Don’e’s squad was And’ru (Sasqua’ia), Ev’in (New Human) and Grd’on (Human).
The squad strode out of their home shelter for their first five day tour on The Guardian. All four members were casting ahead and to both sides; searching for any danger.
As they traveled up the barrier mountain, they each carried packs of food and materials to be used in erecting a shelter. Each squad would carry building materials until a satisfactory shelter was in place to protect the warriors against the elements encountered at that high elevation.
Water was not a problem but there was only limited amount of game to supplement food supplies carried in from the valley below.
The first two days were spent working on the shelter, with one warrior on guard duty. At night, they took turns sleeping so that there was always one Warrior awake at all times.
It was just beginning to get light on the fourth day of their duty and Ev’in was on duty when he sensed a New Human on the trail coming up from the outside lands. The mind felt young and it was very frightened.
Further down on the outside trail, he discovered three more minds, all jumbled in anger and full of hate. They were chasing the New Human up the mountain!
He roused his fellow Warriors and Don’e said he would go down the trail and observe. He met the New Human pup on the second level, running around the curve on the switchback, reckless and in panic.
The Youngling tripped over Don’e and went sprawling on the ground, panting and crying in fear, “They will catch me and kill me….” The youngling was broadcasting in fear and panic.
Don’e sent to the terrified pup, “They will have to get through me first, I and my fellow Warriors above us, will protect you Young New Human, do not fear.”
The youth sent in panic, “Yuuu yu You are a beast, are you the Eater of Souls sent to destroy me for my sins?”
Don’e replied, “I do not know what an Eater is, I am Don’e, Warrior Squad Leader of The Guardian Warriors.”
The young New Human continued to cry, “They discovered that I am a mind-speaker and that is the penalty of death!”
Don’e sent, “Youngling, if you do not mind-speak, how do you communicate with others, not of your race?”
The youth replied, “But only people have speech, all others are animals!”
Don’e chuckled, “All the races living in the lands of the Sasqua’ia mind-speak, I will call my squad to come to us. We will protect you from those who wish to harm you.”
His squad raced down the trail and surrounded their Leader and the frightened youth, their weapons pointed down the trail, waiting for those that were pursuing the young New Human boy. When the pursuers rounded the switchback, they skidded to a stop at the sight of sharp spear points aimed at them!
Don’e calmly walked to the front, making it plain that he was in charge, “Leave this place, leave it now and do not return. This PUP is ours and we shall protect those who are ours, even until none of you remain living! GO, NOW!”
One of the humans pursuers started to grab the youth and Ev’in jabbed him with his spear, drawing blood. The human screamed in pain and withdrew to his fellows, nursing a deep gash across his chest.
Don’e repeated his order, “GO, NOW! Leave this place!”
Last seen in the early morning light, the group from the outside was racing down the mountain, falling over each other in their panic to flee from animals that spoke in their minds!
Ev’in stood with his arm over the shoulder of the youth, “Pup, by what name shall we call you?”
The boy replied, “I am called Rob’e, you won’t hurt me will you?”
Ev’in smiled and replied, “No, young Rob’e, you are safe among us and I suspect you are hungry, will you join us in our morning meal?”
The boy held onto Ev’in’ arms and said, “I have not eaten since two suns ago, they had me tied to a tree and I escaped last night. They kill all who they discover can mind-speak.”
Ev’in replied, “We all mind-speak here, we are several races, Sasqua’ia, Wolf, New Human and Human. I am New Human, you have already met Don’e, he is Wolf. An’dru, over there, is Sasqua’ia and Gr’don is Human. We all mind-speak and Don’e is our War Leader.
The boy looked wide eyed and said, “Bu, bu but two of you are beasts!”
Ev’in chuckled and said, “Young Pup, forget that word, it does not apply here. We are all folk of this land and we do not take kindly to being called beasts!”
He continued, “Come with me, you need some food in you and some rest. Those who were hunting you cannot overcome us and we shall make you one of our own.”
The youth looked at Ev’in and asked, “Will you be my big brother, will you guide me in this new land?”
Ev’in chuckled, “Surely I will, now, I am hungry also, now come, let us eat.”
So it was that the New Human youth, Rob’e became brother to Ev’in, a relationship that would last both their lifetimes. Ro’be would become a Great Warrior Leader and would, eventually, help bring peace with the humans and the new humans of the outside world.
The remainder of their five day Guardian Duty passed without further excitement and they were relieved by Haw’c and his squad. By that time, the young New Human boy had become comfortable among his new companions and he pleaded with Don’e to be allowed to remain in the squad as a sixth member.
It was not long before all the squads had grown by one or two Humans or New Humans, in fact, Eld’er’s squad included a young Wolfling Pup who showed promise of being as massive as either Don’e or Char’li; he was named Kon’r and he became a powerful mind-speaker with a range greater than any previously known.
The rotation continued until the cold time snows closed the pass over The Guardian. It was Eld’r’s Squad who had the duty to close down the Guard structure on the pass, they had stored away all the bedding, dried foods and spare weapons before closing the door and securing it by piling huge boulders against the door.
Kon’r took every opportunity to practice his mind abilities, while the older Warriors were securing the guard post; Kon’r was ranging his mind far down the mountain on the wild side when he encountered a mind so powerful and evil that he lost his morning meal before he could raise his shields.
He screamed and his squad-mates came running to his assistance, Eld’r quickly read Kon’r’s mind before sending his own senses down the mountain. Despite Kon’r’s warning, Eld’r was nearly overwhelmed by the powerful mind at the bottom of the mountain, a mind so incredibly evil that Eld’r could hardly believe his senses.
He broke contact immediately, but not before the mind had drained him like a rag squeezed of its water. He crouched on the ground, panting to regain his breath; his muzzle had turned completely gray!
Eld’r was completely overcome; they had to construct a litter to carry him down the mountain to Warrior Fields. He designated Kon’r to fill in for him until he had recovered.
He never did recover, Eld’r’s mind was so damaged that he could never again command a Warrior Squad!
The alarm went out, something so completely evil and of great power existed in the wild lands that a Wolf mind had come unhinged upon contact!
Kon’r was the only other being from among the Sasqua’ia who had been in contact with the evil being. As young as he was, he was asked to come before Council and tell all he knew. The little that young Kon’r could tell them, the Council was thoroughly frightened, such evil was unknown to them, but they suspected the hated Ka’aa had once again, found them.
Despite his youth Kon’r had great power and the strongest shields those of the Council had ever experienced, they felt that it was the strength of his shields that had saved Kon’r from the same fate as that of Eld’r.
The council knew they would have to confront this new danger as soon as the pass over The Guardian opened in the next warm time.
BORDER WAR
Kon’r was confirmed as Warrior Leader in replacement for Eld’r and all the Wolf Warrior Leaders worked with the young Wolfling to improve his already powerful shields. Every day they challenged Kon’r, testing him and extending his power until they felt he could withstand the terrible evil waiting for them on The Guardian.
What that evil was, they could only conjecture, but, whatever it was, it had the signature of Ka’aa all over it and had left a powerful Wolf Warrior Leader in a state of terror. That Kon’r had already experienced its power and survived, told them he was the only being among them who had any chance of defeating the mind monster, a term they had started using to describe that which they had yet to meet, face to face.
It seemed that the cold time passed rapidly and, before they were ready, green shoots were appearing in the fields and new leaves were budded out on the trees.
Kon’r had attained his adult growth; he was indeed, an enormous Wolf, tipping the scales at just under 700 pounds and could look an adult male Human or New Human squarely in the eyes while standing on all four feet. His muscles rippled when he walked, even his own kind were cautious when they played, fearing his great strength.
With all that, he had a gentle demeanor, he was frequently seen lying on the playground with small children climbing over him, riding on his back or tugging on his sensitive ears.
There was one little boy he had come to adore, Jam’il was an orphan, his parents had died in a house fire while Jam’il was at school. Kon’r had applied to the Council to adopt the boy and it was under discussion. The Council had promised a decision before the next meeting.
Kon’r had made arrangements for the boy to stay at Guardian Farm whenever Kon’r had Guardian duty on the Mountain. Jam’il also was a powerful mind-speaker, nearly as powerful as Kon’r himself, between the two, they were the most powerful pair in all Sasqua’ia.
At last, the Council’s decision was announced; Jam’il was the adopted son of Kon’r of The Wolves! Kon’r’s fellow Guardian Warriors went all out, the week before the Squads were to begin their five day duty tours; a festival was announced at Guardian Farm and Guardian Fields. All were invited, particularly all of Jam’il’s schoolmates.
All the wolves and wolf companions attended, as did the Guardian Warriors, and the residents of the nearby farms. There were over two hundred folk in attendance, of which ninety were children.
Games and entertainment were provided and a huge meal was served. A proud Wolf Poppa introduced his new son to the crowd; Jam’il was grinning ear to ear as he climbed on Kon’r’s back to ride around the crowd, shaking everyone’s hand.
Jam’il started to slip off Kon’r’s back, without thinking, Kon’r used his mind to steady the boy and push him back into place on his shoulders! It was not until later that the two of them realized that Kon’r had used levitation to reposition the boy!
Levitation was a power never before known by any of the Sasqua’ia! By the next morning, the entire farm community was discussing this new manifestation of mind-power; Kon’r found that his power was greatly multiplied whenever he was with Jam’il.
That afternoon, the two of them were experimenting with their newfound abilities; they found the same effect took place if they were in mind-speech with each other!
By the time Kon’r was ready to lead his squad out for duty on The Guardian, he was in continuous subconscious contact with his son, Jam’il. Neither of them was consciously affected by the contact, it was just “part of them”.
Of course, each knew whatever the other knew; Jam’il knew everything that was taking place on The Guardian as soon as Kon’r was aware of it, just as Kon’r knew what was taking place with Jam’il.
The off-duty Squads were made aware of the trickle of refugees being passed by Kon’r and his Squad and they knew of the mind touches between Kon’r and the evil presence on the other side of the mountain.
As the squads rotated duty periods, Kon’r and Jam’il were able to maintain contact with the Wolf Warrior of each Squad. They knew that the evil presence was testing each Squad, searching for weakness.
They found that they could lend strength to the Wolf Warrior on duty and, after a time, it became an unconscious act every time it probed, looking for a weakness, Kon’r and Jam’il bolstered the Wolf Warrior on watch at The Guardian. Even when asleep, they were able to assist the Wolf Warrior up on the mountain.
It began to become apparent that the evil presence was also very intelligent; it would probe at hours when extra assistance to the Wolf Warrior would be expected to be sleeping.
Both Kon’r and Jam’il agreed that something had to be done; they felt that it was only a matter of time; eventually the enemy was going to discover a crack in their defenses and take over the mind of the Wolf Warrior on duty, allowing it to enter Sasqua’ia undetected. The Beast could raise havoc among their folk before anyone realized it was there.
When it came time for Kon’r’s squad to do their tour of duty again on The Guardian, Jam’il insisted that he go with his Father, it would take the two of them to control the evil being, if it ever broke through their defenses their people would have no defense against its attack, it would be upon an unsuspecting population in a heartbeat.
The most powerful members of the squads volunteered to make up a special squad under the command of Kon’r and Can’tu, Dan’il and Rog’r were selected to accompany Kon’r and Jam’il on a five day patrol.
As they started up the winding path that would take them to the guard station at the summit, they all could feel the evil one probing their defenses. Kon’r and Jam’il built a mental barrier to protect them all from the ever increasing probes.
By the time they reached the summit, the air around them was shimmering with energy and both Jam’il and Kon’r were perspiring freely.
They relieved Don’e and his squad, they were reluctant to leave Jam’il and Kon’r’s squad, but they had been resisting the evil for an entire five day period, without let up and they were exhausted.
The moment the off-duty squad departed, the mental pressure from the evil one came battering down on them, stronger than they had ever felt it before.
They knew it was going to be the final battle. All night long they repulsed the probes and the mental assault, just before light time, the assault slackened somewhat. Apparently, their attacker was nocturnal and sunlight weakened it.
Jam’il whispered to Kon’r, “We must end this; we cannot survive another dark time! You go down the path towards the outlands and I will go down through the rocks. We must confront this evil thing from front and back at the very same time. It cannot fight us from two different directions at the same time.”
They began a careful descent, keeping the resistance barrier up while they moved down the side of the mountain. They had packed high energy foods and they nibbled on those energy sources as they descended the mountain, the mental strain was draining them.
When they got about half way down, they could see a campfire and several beings moving around a central figure, who was sitting on a throne-like chair in front of the fire.
They were sure that was their target and they continued their careful journey, making as little sound as they could.
THE FINAL BATTLE
When they had, at last, reached the level where they had seen the campfire, Jam’il and Kon’r mentally joined hands.
By making such a strong mental contact, they raised their power transfer and, at the same time, masking their mental signature, confusing the evil one. It could not recognize them and it believed yet another powerful being had entered the battle against it. The being had no sex, it was just itself and multiplied by extending part of its own flesh and forming it into another creature like itself.
They burst into the firelight that surrounded the seated individual, those with him were totally surprised and unable to move. Kon’r drove a spear into the neck of the seated individual and the evil pressure ceased immediately. Jam’il cracked a tree limb over the head of the evil beast and the other three individuals in the camp suddenly stood still and then crumpled to the ground.
It was obvious that the seated individual was mortally wounded, it screamed in wordless sounds that finally died in a gurgle as its lungs filled with blood from the wound Kon’r inflicted upon it. When it stopped moving entirely, all the other individuals ceased moving and fell to the ground, twitching and gasping for breath.
The creature gave out the most awful screech as it died, a mental scream heard all the way back in Sasqua’ia.
After it had finished its death throes, the area was utterly silent, there were no night sounds, no animal calls, not even crickets or flying insects, the area was dead, no native animal, insect or other creature had survived. Even several birds, that had been flying overhead, dropped to the ground, dead.
Jam’il and Kon’r huddled around the fire, not wanting to explore in the dark. By light time, they saw that every living thing in the area was dead, the trees and bushes looked as if they had been fire blasted. No small animals, not even any insects had survived and the small stream was covered in ice, all warmth had been sucked from it.
The rest of the squad rushed down the mountain, fearing that Kon’r and Jam’il had not survived the final battle. The two were found by their fellow Warriors, staring dumbly at the dead beast and the carrion that littered the camp.
It was truly a camp of death. The dead beast was like nothing any of them had ever seen before, it could not have evolved on their Earth!
The whole area smelled of rotting meat and there was nothing to be salvaged, not even anything that could have held clues as to what or who the evil beast was, or even where it had come from.
They discovered the bones of many humans the awful thing had killed and probably had eaten. There were the gnawed bones of animals and game also, but the human bones were all from children!
Rather than bury the disgusting mess in the soil, Kon’r ordered the area to be set on fire to cleanse what had been soiled.
There was no other life in the small valley, even the trees were dead. Nobody wanted to stay any longer in that place of death than they had to, as soon as the fire had died down, they all left and headed back up to the clean areas of The Guardian Mountain, where the plant life was alive and small birds had begun to chirp and sing in the morning light.
Kon’r and Jam’il reported all they had seen and done, even though all those who stayed behind already knew the evil was gone, they had felt its demise, but none of them would ever sleep soundly at night again, ever!
They finished out their five day tour of duty and were eager to return to their home, where things were alive and warm. Both Kon’r and Jam’il were totally drained.
They had been touched by an incredible evil and had survived, but the cost to their souls was great. They were thin and gaunt; their faces had a haunted look that would take the rest of the warm time to erase.
Jam’il would have occasional nightmares for many years before they would fade into the past. Unfortunately, the evil thing was not the only member of its race, there were more of the evil creature’s brothers in their future!
They arrived back to their home at Guardian Fields to a great celebration. The Sasqua’ia folk had brought foods and picnic for their Warrior Squad and both Jam’il and and Kon’r were much made over, so much so that Jam’il had to run, red faced, into their house and close the door to escape his adoring fans! The young females of his own kind chased him all the way to his home and he escaped only by slamming the door shut.
Life finally settled down for the heroes, they maintained the squads and kept watch on the trail over The Guardian, but it was more a lifesaving effort now. As time passed, the small but steady stream of refugees resumed their trek to reach sanctuary in Sasqua’ia, many of the refugees arrived with newer and more powerful mind abilities, the races were changing and mind-speech was becoming accepted.
Fewer and fewer of the refugees told of being discriminated against for their abilities.
They were about to close the Warrior Station for the cold season, when a delegation of young mind-speakers came struggling up the trail. They were led by a young mother carrying two small babies in her arms. She was clean and well fed, and certainly not frightened. She asked, “My babies have great mind talents that are not acceptable to many of those living in the outside lands, can you teach my babies and show them how to handle their powers?
Kon’r read the minds of the babies and found them nearly as powerful as he was.
Jam’il spotted the two little babies and went to them, they put out their little hands to him and soon, they were all giggling and laughing.
The young woman was invited to remain at Guardian Fields, where she started a small business making clothing for the Warriors.
The flow of refugees never again became a flood, but each warm time saw a steady trickle of new talent and knowledge arriving in Sasqua’ia, enough to expand their lands with skills and talents they had not seen before.
They were a happy people and were entering a period of new prosperity and expansion. New goods and services began appearing in their communities, new schools and services were built and whole new communities began appearing in the forest.
Through all the expansion, the wolf folk kept pace and were honored citizens in the communities. The period of peace and expansion would last for many years, but like many things, there would be bumps in the road of progress and the warriors kept in mind that the evil one was not the only one of its kind.
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TBC
The folk of Sasqua’ia will enjoy a period of peace and calm, their children will grow up safe and well educated, the several races will become so integrated, it will be difficult to tell one from another. The Sasqua’ia themselves will finally feel at home on a newly peaceful world.