Chapter 13

                                     The Pack Strengthens

Over the next two moons life settled into a Marden winter’s slower pace. There were the frequent snow falls of course with some areas outside the city with accumulations in high drifts shaped by the winds from the Sea of Storms in some locations and denser drifts closer to the Bay of Throg. This making travel from the city to the other towns and villages slower and more hazardous. The people walked about their daily tasks clothed in heavy cloaks and thick booted feet with scarves wrapped about their necks and fur head coverings nearly concealing their hair and facial features.

A month before, Ruthor and Gayla had become man and wife in a grand ceremony held at her parent’s house. Dax had stood up for Ruthor in the ceremony while Melody had been the attendant to Gayla. Afterward Dax and his men had helped Ruthor make alterations and improvements to Ruthor’s residence, which now was a much more warm and comfortable place for the new couple. Even during this much colder period, Gayla still beamed with happiness whenever she was seen. Ruthor took the occasional ribbing of his Wolf Pack comrades in good temper.

Ofid had stayed in Throgmarden a few times when the men trained in the practice compound, keeping their skills honed to a fine edge. West had been by his side during each of these trips and on one he had brought his son, Yestal with him as well, staying in the men’s quarters with his father. Yestal enjoyed watching the men practice and then practicing himself off to the side and out of their way, someday he wished to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ofid beamed with fatherly pride when he saw his son’s attempts at swordplay or archery.

Other soldiers would occasionally halted their own practices when Dax and his men practiced with the Dire Wolves using some of the straw dummies as targets for the wolves. They would give the wolves attack commands, guard commands, and ceasing ones at different intervals and praise them at every right response with jerked treats accompanied with praising and warm petting. When the wolves were not involved in the practice they would play with their siblings and mother, at times Yestal would be in the midst of such wolf-play. If you watched, other soldiers would talk amongst themselves in awe at such a youngster being able to play with the pack of full grown wolves so easily without becoming hurt or maimed.

A good many of Thane Erik’s army was stationed here in Throgmarden, with even more were stationed in garrisons at the other towns and villages of the realm. His standing army numbered over three thousand in all with all his Captains and commanders maintaining strict practices of fitness, skill and high morale. Many were lifelong; soldiers, men-at-arms and support corps. His naval fleets were docked here in Marden, Skalm, Bjalm and Madar. Lord Daka was his head of all his military forces.

Ofid, Yestal and West had returned home to Ofid’s farmstead several days before and were not due back for several days yet. The rest of Dax’s small group were taking a break from training sessions.

A Captain Keal had sent a message to Dax the evening before asking him to come to his ship docked in the port the next day. Dax was walking up the gangplank taking care as there was some morning ice covering the wooden planks. Once on board he asked for the Captain and was escorted to the door to his cabin.

Dax knocked on the door and heard a gruff voice saying to enter. He turned the door handle and walked inside seeing a heavy man in the uniform of a merchant seaman looked up from his table.

“And who be you?”

“I am called Dax. I received a note saying you wanted to see me.”

“Oh, Captain Dax, yes I have a message for you from Freyjin of Ederwess. Sorry for my abruptness, I am a friend of hers. She wanted me to give you this message personally. Here it is.” Keal said as he stood from his chair and handed the folded and wax sealed message to Dax.

“How is Freyjin, I have not seen or heard from her in a very long time?”

“Well, like me she is old in years, but still spry of mind and not ready yet to succumb to the reaper of souls. I dare say we both will outlive many younger than either of us.”

“Of that news I am glad, she one of few who are dear to me.”

“And you to her, I dare say.”

“Is there anything I can do for you Captain, while you are in Throgmarden?”

“No, thank yee kindly. On my return I will tell her you looked well and were happy to hear from her. My ship will be leaving port in a couple of days. Just as soon as she is both unloaded and taken on new cargo. So, if you wish to send a reply, I could take it back when I shove off. Just get it to me before then.”

“Thank you again, Captain. Once I have read the message, I will know if I should reply with one. Until then good day to you.”

“Good day, lad.”

Dax put the message in his waist bag, turned and walked back to the gangplank, then slowly disembarked from the ship. Once he reached his house and was inside, he poured himself a cup of water and sat down to read the message. Freyjin greeted him warmly and hoped he was well first, then she told him that she had heard some unsettling news that had to do with a Tripolian Marauder that had encountered a Lagdian Navy vessel a short time back. The Marauder had been chased by the Lagdian ship and eventually a fight ensued far from shore and in deep waters. She had heard that the Marauder had won this battle after it turned into hand to hand fighting when the Marauder’s crewmen boarded the Lagdian. According to what she heard, what men of the Lagdian were not killed, surrendered. Naturally the Marauder plundered anything worthwhile. But below decks they found many prisoners chained to oars. They freed the prisoners and gave them the ship, who in turn shackled the remaining crew to the oars. She did not know where these prisoners were going to seek refuge at, but she did hear the name of the prisoner who seemed to take charge and thanked the Marauder Captain for releasing all the prisoners, saying he owed him a blood debt now. His name he said was Fargyn of Lagdian. That was the reason she was sending the message to Dax. She had heard some time back that a man named Fargyn had sworn a blood vengeance on Dax, if he ever gained freedom. Lastly she told Dax to be wary of any man who survived being a prisoner on such a ship.

Dax decided to send a thankful message back to Freyjin and also tell her of his becoming reunited with Melody. Then wish her long life and tell her of his continued fond wishes for her. Once the message was completed and sealed he returned to Captain Keal, put the answering message in his hands and paid him for the kindness of delivering it back to Freyjin.

                                                                      *****

Fargyn had been become popular with the other former prisoners, because during the fight between their captors and the Marauders, he had freed both himself and his two oar mates before the battle was done. The three of them had bested the two Lagdians below deck and were starting to free all the prisoners when the Tripolians came below deck and helped them finish what they were doing. Then they helped the Tripolians put any spoils over to the Marauders ship, in trade for keeping the provisions on board for the prisoners. After the Marauders left, he and his new crew butchered all the remaining Lagdians, he told his new men to leave no wagging tongues alive and they did as he bade. All the bodies were weighted down and thrown overboard.

Now they had erased all semblance of Lagdian ownership to the ship. They had renamed her The Shark. Every man on board had a deep seeded grudge against Amish Magdar. Each one had now sworn allegiance to Fargyn and against the Lagdian government. First they needed to find a port or maybe a small bay or small island to call home for now. Then Fargyn could begin to plan. One of the men had heard rumors of an uninhabited small island off the point of Jav. He said it was just beyond the normal shipping routes along the windless sea coast.

Fargyn decided they should make anchor along the southern coast where the Trees of Dark met the Fire Mountains, as no one would look for them there. He said they could find trees to harvest into lumber right at the Lands End Strait seashore and get fresh water and stores from the Fire Mountain foothills. If they were quick and careful they could be back at sea and looking for this island before they were spotted. Many of his men were at first wary, but all finally agreed it was worth the risks.

                                                                  *****

Melody was stepping off the ship she had returned on from a few days in Vlandess. She had been there meeting the Emissary and his staff, becoming acquainted and asking if there was anything she could do to help at this point. They had been gracious in congratulating her of her appointment and accommodating in making her aware of their current status on some minor issues. She had time to visit Minwell for a day as well as her stay in Vlad itself, but was glad to be back in Throgmarden. After unpacking, she would let Dax know she had returned.

But as she was coming down the gangplank she saw Dax walking her way on the pier.

“How did you know I would be here?” she asked her face all smiles.

“In truth I didn’t, I was just coming from that ship up the docks when I thought I saw you stepping onto the gangplank above. So I came straight over here.” He answered as she came close and he took her into his arms and gave her a welcome home kiss.

“I am so glad you did. What were you doing at that Tripolian merchant ship?”

“I had a message from an old friend of my fathers and mine. The Captain gave it to me just this morning and I was sending a reply back before he leaves.” Dax said just before Melody kissed him again.

“Good news I hope?”

“No, sorry it was not good but nothing urgent right now. How about your trip to Vlandess, did it go well?’

“Yes, just mainly introductions and getting a feel of how they are doing there. So can I ask what the not good news was?”

“Of course, we have no secrets. If you remember the rebel in Lagdian I told you about, Fargyn?  He has been able to be freed from his imprisonment on the ship he was put on a while back it seems. Freyjin had heard of it from Tripolian Marauders who were there in a fight with that ship. So it appears that he and other prisoners on that ship now have control of it somewhere on the Windless Sea.”

‘Will he be trying to find you, since he is free?”

“I know he hates me, yes. But I think he will be plotting revenge on his cousin Amish Magdar first. Tomorrow I will let Ceric know what I have gotten in the message and let him pursue it for now. He should send a messenger bird to his counterpart in Viral so that mage can let King Magdar know.”

“Okay, if you are sure. So where are you taking me for evening meal to celebrate my coming home?”

“Anywhere that strikes your fancy, my lady.”

“See, now that is exactly the right answer.” Melody said as she took Dax’s arm and they walked toward her house. “Let’s stop by Ruthor and Gayla’s and see if they can join us?”

“That’s another splendid idea.”

“I have lots of them, just wait until later. I have even better ones.”

They both laughed those knowing laughs of intimacy as they continued walking.

                                                          *****

“Well my large hulk of a husband, do you still think me daft?”

“Not at all Abindahl, nor did I say thus. I don’t know what Dax will think when I have to tell him though.”

“What is there to be disagreeable about? She’s female and now she’s pregnant.”

“I can see that now. It is just something we never considered. I’ll let him know when I am back in the capitol.”

“When is that?”

“I was going back in a few days. I’ll go alone this time. That would probably be best, at least until she delivers.”

“I think it would. Well my love, I need to get back to working on the Bairn so it will be done at least before I return to Throgmarden. I’ll be in before evening meal.”

“All right, I will see you then. Do not work so hard that you cannot pay any attention to your children.”

“Yes, my love.”

                                                             *****

During dinner with Ruthor and Gayla, Dax told them both that he and Melody were thinking of making a trip to Eigle and the villages of their families. They wanted to deliver the news in person about their intended plans to marry.

”I doubt that this will be news to my mother though. She has probably already heard it from somewhere.” Melody added before Ruthor or Gayla could reply.

“They will be excited and happy I am sure.” Gayla answered her friend.

“I am sure of that, she has always wanted whatever I wanted for myself; and she knows how I felt about Dax probably before I did.”

“You know they will want to be at the ceremony. So it would need to happen in one of the two villages you families live in. How long are you two going to wait before you have a ceremony?” Gayla asked.

“I, for one, do not care to wait much at all; Dax has said he feels the same. But we will see what they think when we are there.”

The friendly conversations continued throughout the meal and sometime after. Then Dax and Melody walked back to her house, as Ruthor and Gayla returned to theirs.

The next morning Dax went to seek out Ceric as Melody returned to the Emissary building. He found Ceric getting ready to leave his house and head for the council building.

“Good day,Greyhair.”

“Morning to you Dax, you’ve come early today. Can I do something for you?”

“I have news I think you and Lord Daka should hear.”

“Well, let us stop by the Keeper of the Gates office then. We do not have an early meeting scheduled at the council this morning. This must be news of an urgent nature.”

“It deals with Fargyn of Lagdian.”

“Oh, I see. Well here we are. Let’s go in and discuss that traitor.” Ceric opened the door and called for Lord Daka, who answered momentarily with an enter and good morning greeting. Once they were all inside and seated, Dax relayed what he received in the message from Freyjin of Ederwess.

“Do you accept her message as credible, Captain?” Lord Daka asked.

“I do Lord, long ago her father and brothers were Marauders from Tripolia. She still has friends and contacts with those still plying that trade. I know she only sent the message so I would be warned.”

“Well, we all know what a scoundrel that traitor is. You do not seem to think this is anything for Marden to worry about though, I can tell by your demeanor.”

“No, but I thought you both should know and I would think we would get word to Amish Magdar, he probably does not know this as yet. He might not miss that ship for some time.”

“I agree, I will send one of my birds to the mage at Viral today. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes, Lord Daka, I would like to have your leave to travel to Eigle soon, if that is possible?”

“Could I suppose that the new Deputy Emissary from Eigle would be accompanying you on this journey?”

“You could more than suppose, my Lord.”

“Then let me say this Outlander, and that is the last time I will ever call you that, Captain Dax. I not only grant this leave to travel to Eigle, but wholeheartedly approve. Especially if this means you two young people are seeking approval to marry, as I would wager it is.” Lord Daka gave a quiet chuckle at saying this and then continued. “Captain, I am seldom wrong in my judgments of people when I meet them. You on the other hand, I am glad to say you have proved me wrong, and I am glad of it. I have been in military service to Marden all my life. My father was a commander in the Marden Army, as was his father before him. My son is a lieutenant stationed at the garrison at Madar and my daughter is the wife of a Sergeant-at-Arms stationed at the garrison in Dakam. You did not know it, but you met him with others while you and your men set out on the mission to Neder. They live at our ancestral home just outside Dakam. I, as my fathers before me, started out as common soldiers and rose through the ranks; my son has done the same and my son-in-law is also. When I first met you and sent you to our dungeon, I thought you to be no more than any other thief who had been sent there. However, over the past many moons you have proven to be a man of honor and true r to your word than most. You have shown many skills and a good knowledge of tactics more than once and in doing so are a credit to Marden. You evoke deep respect from your men, men who I believe would follow you into the jaws of death, as some in our profession have occasion to do. So after saying so much more than I generally am known to do, I will finish in saying this. I hope you two get permission to marry and that you settle here in the capitol. That may be a reason for you to continue in your service to our Thane and Realm, you are an asset to both, and I now count you as an honored Captain in this army I command.”

“Thank you Lord Daka, I will never intentionally let you or Marden have reason to doubt that. I also feel fairly sure Melody and my request will be granted. It is no greater a request than was granted my Sergeant-at-Arms, Ruthor and his wife Gayla, who’s family is from Eigle as well. If there is nothing more I can tell you for now, I will go and tell Melody that we can plan our journey. I will report back when we return to the capitol.”

Both Ceric and Lord Daka rose to shake Dax’s hand before he left the office. Once he was gone Ceric turned to Daka with a questioning look on his face and said to his fellow councilor of many years.

“I do not believe I have heard you talk so compellingly of your family to someone in a position such as Captain Dax in all the years I have known you.”

“You saw in him, old friend, much more than I did almost from the first. I now see in him a man we all should be glad of. Dax is a man prone to not believe in his full worth, probably from being a traveler for so long. He is a man we need in Marden and in our forces of the realm. I think he needs to know that and as his commander it falls to me to give him that confidence in his worth here. Now let us go and appraise Thane Erik of this latest wrinkle in Lagdian.”

“Agreed, let us be about our duties.”

After Dax had told Melody of his discussion with Lord Daka, she in turn talked with Torek. Afterwards she made arrangements with Gayla on what she could be doing in the office while she and Dax were away. The trip could take somewhat longer than usual during the winter season. The temperatures had not been as bad as they could have been, but still the higher they would rise in the mountains the slower the travel might be. With everything set in motion, the two of them would be leaving the next morning Melody was anxious to share the news with her parents.

They had left early that morning dressed in heavy winter clothes and outer gear, blankets draped across their saddles to help with the warmth to their mounts. They had decided that riding the horses was better than using a carriage as they could then ride directly to the upper two villages once they left the road along the Arn. On the second day they camped at the foothills of the Fire Mountains so they could make the initial climb up into the higher areas in one day. This could have been the most dangerous in this time of year, but they were lucky in that the snow pack was less than it sometimes was in winter. Each night they slept rolled together for warmth, with the two extra blankets draped over their mounts, all four of them near their camp fire.

When they reached the heights of the mountains they traveled trails well known to Dax and reached the Arn village during a mid-day with the sun at its zenith. As they started down toward the village they could see Iron Beard and Esdonia’s house with smoke wafting from the fire place chimney. As they halted their horses in front of the house, Iron Beard was opening the door, he had heard the noise from inside.

“Gads Bones, Esdonia, come and see what the winter wind has blown to our house.”

“Good day Uncle, and to you Aunt.”

“My eyes do not deceive me, is that you Melody?”

“Yes it is Esdonia, I was not sure you would recognize me.”

“My child, I would know you in the dark, and traveling with this wayward nephew I love so dearly. How could I guess it would be otherwise? I am so happy to see both of you here and together. Now Husband, you and Dax get those animals under shelter and then back inside. You child, get right on here by the fire and warm yourself.”

Dax and his Uncle did as Esdonia bade them to do. Esdonia ushered Melody inside, helped her out of her outer garments and straight to stand in front of the fire. Then she brought her a steaming cup of herbal tea.

Before much could be said between the two women, Iron Beard and Dax were coming through the door themselves. Both men hanging their coats on the antler hooks on the wall next to the door.

“I don’t know what you gave Melody, wife but I want a warmed stout mead if you please?”

“Two are warming now, my love.” She answered as he and Dax made their way to the hearth of the fire place. Both Dax and Melody were standing slightly bent at the waist so their heads were below the beams of the ceiling inside.

“Sit down you two, you are making my back ache, seeing you hunched over like that. Be at home in here.” Iron Beard chortled at both of them.

“Thank you Uncle, we will.” Dax said as he pulled a bench a little closer for him and Melody to sit on.

“Now what has brought the two of you up here in winter, as if I cannot guess. But go on tell us your surprise, so I can scream with long awaited joy.”

“You are just like my Mother, Esdonia, you always know the answer before the question is asked. But yes, I will tell you before this nephew of yours does. We are here to see both of you and my parents and ask if you will approve of us becoming man and wife.”

“Woo whoo, I knew it. Yes, yes, yes. Why have you even waited to travel so far at this time of year? But, I am so glad you did, now we can be there for the ceremony.” Esdonia exclaimed all smiles and tapping of her small feet. As she did Iron Beard slapped Dax on the back of his shoulders while he walked to Melody and gave her a warm hug and kiss on the cheek before he spoke as well.

“Now see, that puts you at my height, so I can give a welcome and long awaited kiss.” To which Melody kissed the old dwarf back, before getting up to hug Esdonia as well.

As Melody and Esdonia stood back from each other Esdonia walked to give her nephew a motherly hug and kiss on his cheek. “I have hoped of this day a long time and yet feared at times you would not find her again so you could know what many of us have known for most of you two young people’s lives.”

“Known what, Aunt?”

“That you two were meant for one another. Right from the time you met as not much more than babes. It was plain to all of both your family’s that you two had that special bond, which many never find. You’re Uncle and I did, and your parents, Melody, Bulb Nose and Daitha did. But many sadly never get to know how deep and good such a match feels.”

“Can I assume you are on your way to the Fire River Cave Village when you leave here?” Iron Beard asked.

“Yes Uncle, that is our plan.”

“Good, then get up. You and I will put our coats on and go start the news throughout the village. We can be back before the evening meal. Wife, I might guess that many will want this meal at the Gathering Hall today before they leave.”

“I have no doubt, everyone will want to share in this. Melody, I will start our preparations and when you two get done stop by there and get a fire started in the fireplace. We will join you there.”

“As you say, my love, it shall be.”

Iron Beard and Dax rose, put on coats and head gear and left the house. It was a couple of hours later by the time they got to the Gathering Hall and by a hour later the hall was alight with a warm fire and people started coming in. The evening was joyous and full of congratulations, hugging, kisses and jokes. The food could not have been better. Many said they would follow Dax and Melody to her parent’s village, they all knew her mother would want to host the ceremony there, and none wanted to miss this occasion. That night Dax and Melody slept on a pallet on the floor in front of Iron Beards fire place, cuddled together, completely exhausted from the morning’s travel and all that had transpired once they had arrived at the Arn Village.

Dax and Melody left early the next morning for her parent’s village. It would take them a day and half to get there without any delays. They knew many from Village Arn would be following later or the next day.

The scene as they walked their horses through the crack in the mountain that was the village’s entrance, was just as heart felt. Even before they got to Bulb Nose’s house, people were stopping them with warm greetings of welcome back. By the time they were at her parent’s house both were outside to see what the noise was about. Daitha even yelled out at seeing the two together and there. Before either Dax or Melody could say anything, she blurted out the question.

“You two are here to get married, come on answer me, before I burst with expectation?”

“”Yes, Mother, we are here to ask you and Father’s permission to marry.”

“Permission? Girl you have seldom asked permission, more like forgiveness afterwards.” Bulb Nose answered back, a large smile of approval on his face. “Of course we approve, Gads Bones, we have waited long enough for this question from the two of you.”

“Have you seen Esdonia, yet?”

“We did Mother, we stopped there overnight on our way here. I think many from the Village Arn will be following us and arriving here maybe tomorrow.”

“Wonderful.” Then Daitha turned to look at the now swelling throng about them all and said in a loud voice. “They are getting married here in a day or so and many of our friends will be joining us for the ceremony. Please open your houses to all our friends and kin.” In the back ground there was clapping, hollering, many people even danced around, and sang as they did.

Once again that night was for feasting for the whole village. Melody, Dax and Darma slept cuddled side by side on blankets before the fireplace. By noon the next day many more people from Village Arn arrived, accepting the hospitality of friends and relatives of the Fire Cave Villagers. The banquet that night was expansive with delights not often served. There was much storytelling, music and dancing.

The ceremony the following mid-day was one Melody and Daitha would cherish for the rest of their lives. Melody wore a crisp white dress, emblazoned with glittering small precious stones and wore a garland of woven vines in her long hair that had dried flowers, donated by women of the village. Dax was dressed in the finest of tanned soft ramskin that had been bleached white and a tunic of white woven cloth, decorated with small seeds and stones. Their vows to each other were of the traditional Dwarf fealty, love and honor. The following banquet was almost unimaginable; delicacies rarely eaten on any other occasion, rare vintage wines that was horded for only the highest of ceremonies, tankards of mead and ale. It was nigh onto dawn before the last revelers finally sought out their beds.

At one point while Dax and Melody were outside the entrance gazing at the bright stars overhead, an elderly man neither of them recognized walked up and began to speak to the newlyweds.

“Congratulations to you both. My name is Davin Mawl. I was an old friend of your grandfather, Dax. Baldax and I hunted ores in our youth, many, many times.”

“Thank you, Davin. I barely remember hearing a story or two of you and my Grandfather.”

“I am sure there was a story or two. One I might relate, if you would listen?”

“Of course, a story of Baldax would be welcome.”

“It was while your Father was still in swaddling and nursing a Zian’s generous gifts. Baldax and I had been out several nights and were laying on our blankets watching the stars in the crisp night sky above. We saw a wondrous display as a shooting star streaked across the heavens. But this one did not disappear as they usually did. We watched its fiery tail as it fell closer and closer to the mountain. Then felt the mountain shake as it crashed a mere quarter of a league from us and just over a small ridge. We jumped up and trekked over that ridge and saw its still red glowing heat, we were frightened at the site, and no one had ever been so close to a fallen star that we knew of. As the glow ebbed to darkening we approached closer and stood amazed at the rather small rock that had been a falling star. As the dawn started to glow its first pink rays in the east, we knelt down. And as the pink sky started turning to sunlight, Baldax reached his hand to touch the stone. It was still quite warm, so he used his tunic to pick it up out of the hole it had created in the mountain. It was an odd looking rock and was quite heavy for its size and had iron looking properties. We also found a few even smaller pieces close to the hole. We collected them all we could find. I tell you this, so you will understand why I am giving you this gift.” Davin reached into his small bag tied at his waistband and pulled out a small nugget of rock. Then he handed it to Dax. “This is the only piece I kept for myself. I want you to have it now. It is the stone that Baldax fired with iron ore to make the steel. Which the blade you carry from your Father was made of. I think your Father spent much of his life searching for similar rock.”

“He did and we never found any, now I can guess why. Thank you Davin, I will treasure this.” Dax reached to shake the old dwarf’s hand after he handed the stone to Melody to look at.

“I have always thought that one would have to look for depressions in the rock, like the one we found, to find any like stones. But I am an old man now. Thank you for allowing me to tell you this tale of Baldax and myself. Good luck to you both.” Old Davin turned and walked back through the entrance to the village.

Melody handed the stone back to Dax who cupped it in his hand, took hers within his other hand and they followed the old dwarf back into the village. He disappeared into the crowd of people still celebrating. The second morning after, Dax and Melody bid their families, friends and villagers goodbye, mounted up and headed back toward Marden. They spent one afternoon and evening in Eigle. Had their evening meal with members of the Triad and a few of Melody’s friends there and then continued their journey home. Both of them now content in being husband and wife.

Once they were finally back in the city, they told their friends of the journey, marriage ceremony and then they decided Melody and Dax would for now live in Melody’s house, since it was the larger of their two previous houses.

The next day after Dax, with Ruthor’s help, moved his belongings into the couple’s now joint residence, Dax went to the practice grounds to put in some practice and talk with his men. It was Ofid who wanted to talk to everyone first, after Dax arrived there that morning.

“I have some news we had not anticipated, Dax.”

“What is that?”

“West is pregnant. She will probably have her litter in about two moon cycles. Abindahl spotted it first. That is why I didn’t bring her with me when I came to Throgmarden this time.”

“You’re right that is one thing we had not counted on. Her, South and Darma are all females. Usually they would leave a pack to look for a male partner and then form a new pack of their own. Any idea who sired the pups?”

“Not really. It could be East or North, I guess. If not then I don’t have any idea who or when it could have happened, she’s never been gone for any length of time. Only for night hunts for meat. And most times with the pack, except when we were here at home.”

“It could be East or North I guess.” Dax looked at Vlad. “Have you noticed any changes in South?”

“No, but I wasn’t thinking about her getting pregnant either.”

The five men then took a closer look at South. She didn’t understand the added attention, but accepted the petting and handling as if she was being praised or played with.

“It doesn’t look as if she is showing any signs of being pregnant that I can see.” Vlad finally said.

“I agree, her teats aren’t enlarging and she doesn’t seem to be getting heavier so far.” Ofid agreed.

“Dax, this could be a good thing. We might be able to use this to our advantage.” Ruthor said in an almost quizzical tone.

“How so?”

“Well, there will probably be four or six pups in her litter. If we added say, six more men to our unit and started training them now, then by the time the pups were weaning age they could be trained like our five are now. We could double our size.”

“That is a good possibility. Increasing our strength and yet still everyone partnering with a Dire Wolf, could give us an even bigger edge when we needed one. But let me ask this, do any of you have men in mind that we might want added to our strength?”

“I can think of at least two very good archers, who would be good additions.” Cran told his friends.

Ruthor, Ofid and Vlad quickly talked amongst themselves and mentioned half a dozen men they thought would be possible. One Vlad mentioned was said to be a fine tracker and another Ruthor said had some knowledge of herbs and wound caring skills, not as good as they had seen in Dax, but better than many he knew.

“Alright, then let’s make a list of these men. Are they all soldiers now?”

They all shook their heads affirming that but said, some were soldiers and a couple were men-at-arms.

“That is even better. Ruthor make a list of these men. Then you and I will go and see if we can meet with Lord Daka. If he agrees with our idea, then we can talk to these men and see if they are interested. These men need to be men you all can trust and they need to be interested of their own free will. There are those who would not be as good as you all have become at working with wolves.”

Ruthor compiled the list of soldier’s names and who they were assigned at this time. When the list was done, he and Dax left the practice grounds and walked in the direction of the Keeper of the Gates office. When they arrived they told the soldier outside they wished to meet with Lord Daka if he would permit it. The man stepped inside and told them to go in, he was ready to see them.

“What can I do for you, Captain?”

“Lord Daka, we have come into an unexpected, but what we think is a new possibility for the Wolf Pack.”

“I am listening?”

Dax and Ruthor then gave him the news of West’s pregnancy and their thoughts on how to turn it into an advantage to their unit. Daka listened and then leaned back as if pondering the suggestion.

“So, you are telling me that you think you can train men to work with wolves like the five of you do and in the process double your strength? And that you have considered men you think would be good for this. Now you are asking if I think this is a good plan to attempt before you ask any of these men if they are willing to try it.”

“Yes, Lord Daka, we are. I would not think of trying anything like this without your approval.”

“Captain, you never cease to amaze me. If you can make this work, I think it has some really good potential which would be to our advantage. By all means, have your conversations with the men you choose. If they are agreeable to try this, then I will have them assigned to the Wolf Pack under your command. Then you can start their training as soon as you wish.”

“Thank you, Lord. I will come back and give you the names of the men that agree.”

“Good, I will look forward to your report.”

Dax and Ruthor left the office and headed back to the practice field and the rest of the men so they could start talking to the men they had decided would be the best candidates.