Princess in the Rough

Amber

Once we got back to the clan, we realized Echo didn’t have a place to sleep so I let her stay in the den with me. She didn’t seem too comfortable to sleep surrounded by wolves. I gathered the softest plants I could for her to sleep on and once we were properly adjusted, we fell asleep.

“Time to wake up.” I said as I poked Echo’s shoulder. She was snoring pretty bad and there was a dribble of drool dripping out of the side of her mouth. I sighed and gave up. I walked outside and watched the stunning sunrise. I guess she wasn’t used to waking up so early. “I wonder what the city will be like.” I said to myself.

“What time is it?” Echo came out, her hair a disheveled mess. I chuckled at her appearance. Somehow, after only one night of sleep she ended up looking like me; a girl who has spent fifteen years in the wild.

“Sun rise. Time to hunt. We didn’t want to leave you alone.” I said to her. She rubbed her eyes and whipped the spit off her mouth. I turned back to the sunrise. A painting of orange, yellow, pink, and gold. I see it every day but it’s still so breathtakingly stunning. I turned to Echo once again. “Are you still going to take me to the city?” I asked, nearly begging. Promise filled my mind, drawing out any thoughts of what danger we could encounter this time around.

“Of course, I promised to bring you to the city, and I intend to keep that promise.” She said. I smiled a heartfelt smile and hugged her. I never knew how badly I wanted this until Echo came along. Best, forest find ever. I am really glad Birch told me she found a human or I would’ve never found her.

“Thank you, so much.” I nearly cried.

I finally got to run with the wolves on my own for the first time! It was exhilarating! Echo rode on Green Paw as we chased down a herd of moose. My favorite part was my part. I would sneak up in front of one of the moose and take it by surprise. While it was stunned to see a human and not a wolf, the wolves would take it down.

“So, how do you like hunting with wolves?” I asked Echo as Hound Heart, Green Paw, Echo, and I dragged the moose to the den.

“I didn’t like hunting in the first place, and wolf hunting isn’t much better. How do you do this every day?” She huffed while dragging the carcass.

“Oh come on! This is the life! The only way to eat! If we didn’t hunt our prey, we would all get lazy and fat.” I chuckled and then groaned at the weight of the animal. “What do you think the city will be like?”

“Chances are, there won’t be any wolves. We might have to leave your friends at the gate.” Echo shrugged. I whined.

“But, their like my family. They protect me! Is there any way we could conceal them?”

“I don’t know, maybe we can disguise them as your grandparents.” She joked. I made a kind of offended face because, well, I was! But the joke finally got to me and I started laughing.

“Do you eat berries? I saw a few bushes back there, and you got to get tired of meat at some point.” Echo pointed with one hand towards a berry bush.

“Well, not really. That’s how I was raised. I do eat berries, roots, nuts, and fruits on occasion. Do you want some?” I asked as I gave the final tug into the den and wiped my brow.

“I would.” She dropped the carcass and took a deep breath in, then made a disgusted face at the smell of the dead animal.

“They’re this way.” I said and started walking in the direction I pointed.

After Echo and I had had our fill of all assortments of non-meats, we walked back to the den to see that the wolves had left us some meat. I was very thankful for that because most of the time they followed the eating rule. If your not there, you don’t eat. Ice Water must’ve saved it.

“You ever had moose?” I asked as I ripped into the red flesh.

“Um, no. How have you not had salmonellosis?” She asked, staring at the raw meat I was eating. Chewy, bloody, mushy meat. I couldn’t deny hard earned food in fear of what they would do to me, but I certainly didn’t enjoy it.

“Salmon?”

“Salmonellosis is a disease from the salmonella bacteria, most raw meats contain the bacteria. You can get cramps, a fever, and some vomiting may occur, it’ll last for about a week. Learned that in health class.” She summed up, sitting well away from the raw meat.

“Sounds about right. I get that about once a month now but it’s not that bad. I don’t get it as much as I used to and I’ve gotten used to it.” I chuckled. You learn something new every day. “So, what now?” I asked and burped loudly.

“We should probably plan our route, so we don’t end up as prisoners again.”

“Definitely. Although, we planned our rout last time and we still had to take a detour. No matter what we encounter, we have to press on.” I took a bite of meat. “I’m going to go find Green Paw and Night Cry.” I said with my mouth full and swallowed my last bite. Then I walked off into the foliage. I popped my head back out. “Stay here.” I said, then I was gone.

When I rounded up Night Cry and Green Paw, we discussed the plan in the den where Echo was waiting.

“I think we should bring at least another wolf. For extra protection. I suggest Hound Heart or Ice Water.” I said as I sat cross legged on the ground.

“That’s good and all but it might blow our cover.” Night Cry said as she laid down.

“I’m fine with whatever.” Green Paw shook his head.

“What about you Echo?” I asked.

“I think we could at least bring one.”

“Who should we bring?” I asked. Every wolf was running through my head. Crystal Breath is a good tracker but Hound Heart is strong. Ice Water is a ferocious protector but Autumn Coat is the best at staying hidden. Ugh! Every member has its own special thing. How am I ever going to pick one! My head hurt from all the possibilities and potential scenarios.

“Hound Heart, Silver Light, or River Fall.” Green Paw suggested and scratched behind his ear. At least one of us was at ease.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring family members or important, no, not important, high ranking, wolves with us, lest we get ambushed and somebody gets hurt; or worse.” Night Cry pondered as she padded back and forth. “I think we should consider Wind Runner. He knows every nook and cranny in our territory. He’s also the fastest wolf in the clan, hence the name. He would be able to get us in and out of the forest without difficulty.”

She has a fair point. I thought. “Echo doesn’t know any of these wolves accept you guys, Hound Heart, Crescent Moon, and Ice Water. How will she decide?”

Echo stood up. “I don’t need to.”