Neo and Saurugol: To Save a Life

Neo and Saurugol:



Some days start off with a bang or something extraordinary, others begin fairly usual and continue on as rather uneventful, there are even some days that start off as fairly typical and then explode into the unexpected.  Today in the Barrier Mountains it started with birdsong.
The morning air was still and frigid, the watery sunlight reflected brightly of fresh snow that powdered the ground like icing sugar.

Somewhere close by a crow cawed; a harsh croaking sound that was followed by a clamor of other birds joining in. Every nearby feathered creature wanted to make itself known at this moment. Once satisfied their calls dwindled as they busied themselves with other things and dispersed; only the crow continued.
Under the still cold air glossy black wings brought the creature closer to a spindly branch where it alighted; sharp eyes peered downward.
Below the thin dead tree where the crow perched, there was a small wolf. The dark pup was standing, but barely; it’s tiny head hung down and its figure was hunched over. The eyes were tight shut and no movement could be seen aside from the rise and fall of its small chest.
The crow called again, expectantly.



Saurugol stalked along the north west border of Havir. So much had happened recently, it all felt like a blurr. First Zevahni’s death, then Veron’s disappearance, Valda’s betrayal, and lastly Phoebe’s disappearance. The Alpha had worked very hard as a response, desperate to get his mind off the heavy despair that sometimes still clung to his mind. Rarely had he hunted, finding hunting very difficult recently in his current distracted state of mind, hardly able to do anything without thinking of his lost daughter. However, patrolling the borders of Havir and searching for those lost was something the weary Alpha could do…

It had gotten very cold the previous night. Below freezing, judging by the frost that glittered coldly on the tips of the grasses shaded by trees But the morning sun was shining from the east, and the cold chill of the forest was beginning to be chased away by the fairly warm spring sun.

A crow cawed nearby. Saurugol dismissed the sound as simple background noise. Crows cawed at everything. But it cawed again, and again. Saurugol changed his direction toward the sound. Sometimes the cawing of a crow indicated a scuffle, or the presence of something dead. The Alpha decided it would be best to know what was occurring within his domain, even if it turned out to be nothing. A curious scent touched his nose at this point, faint on the still morning air. His paws moved quicker, his amber eyes sharp and ears cupped forward.

Soon a silhouette appeared beneath a dead tree, still as a statue. It was a pup, hunched with its head hanging. It stood so still that Saurugol thought it was a vision. ”Zevahni…” he murmured instinctively, his pace quickening until he realized his mistake. No, this was no vision, this was a real pup. Its size and age appeared similar to his late daughter, but its pelt was darker and it was a male. He stared down at it for a moment, still a bit shaken by what he had believed he had seen. His face was stony. ”It was a cold night, little one.” Saurugol said finally. He had many wonderings about the pup… who was he, why was he here, where had he come from? But he chose to speak of the simple observation that the pup was certainly aware of first, to test the current competence of the little wolf. Ought to see if the pup could speak.



Although he remained still and quiet in reality the dark pup was fighting with all of his strength. The cold had crept through his body until he could no longer feel himself anymore; his fuzzy baby fur had done little to keep him warm. Powder even clung to his back, he did not move from his hunched position.

He wanted nothing more than to lie down, curl up and sleep; but this would mean admitting defeat. Somehow in his tired mind he knew if he allowed himself to sleep he would never wake up again; so the dark pup remained standing as the energy and heat slowly left his body.

His muscled ached numbly, at first they had been sore from remaining in the same position but now he could no longer feel anything but the stiffness – even the cold feeling was beginning to fade. Still he remained motionless, he wasn’t going to lie down, this couldn't be it.

As Saurugol arrived under the tree the crow left its perch and took to the air. The bird's calling hadn't registered in the pup's mind, but his focus was broken when he heard the Alpha’s deep voice. He hadn’t caught what was said, but almost immediately his eyes opened.

Orbs shone like liquid gold as his gaze shifted up to meet that of the adult that stood before him.  
‘Who are you?’ He asked, with effort he raised his head slightly and small particles of snow fell from his pelt. His golden eyes never left Saurugol's.




Saurugol met the pup’s eyes evenly. Whether he was courageous or beyond a care for his well being, Saurugol could not tell. His movement as he looked up were shaky and cumbersome. This pup was freezing and exhausted, very close to death. Saurugol knew that moment that he was meant to find the puppy. He had only just lost a daughter nearly his same age. And now the Gods had given him this young male to help fill the void she had left. His eyes narrowed.

”My name is Saurugol,” the Golden Alpha did not bother saying his rank. The pup would learn who he was in time. For now their time was short and Saurugol needed to get him to the nursery. ”Do you have a name?”  



That name had a powerful feel to it, and the pup repeated it in his mind. Saurugol It sounded important, like a name you wouldn't forget. What did his own name sound like - Did he even have one?

At this question the pup tried to gather the answer together, but his mind was become more and more cloudy. He tried to comprehend what was happening but he still couldn’t find the right reply.
“I am… I’m…” He struggled, “..I’m not sure... I don't think so.” He finished, his voice growing quieter. He looked away, as though embarrassed.

After a pause suddenly his bright golden eyes closed tight and the child lowered his head.
“I'm just so sleepy.” He whispered almost too softly to hear. Around them the mountains seemed even more silent and still.


Saurugol looked upon the pup as he struggled to come up with an answer. But he had none, resolving to lowering himself, about to give into sleep. Saurugol needed to get him home. ”Fear no, little one. I will take you somewhere safe.” With that, the golden Alpha lowered his great head, opening large jaws and closing them around the puppy’s scruff. He lifted him gently and turned, heading back toward the main den site. His amber eyes were fixed before him as he felt the approval of the Gods in the shining morning light that dappled his golden fur.