Wolves of the Beyond 02 - Shadow Wolf

first of the caribou herds migrating north. Just past dawn, one came back with news. A small herd had crossed the river and was heading north by northeast at tock-tock speed.
    “To the west or east of Crooked Back Ridge?” Liam MacDuncan asked. The large gray wolf had become the chieftain of the clan after his father, Duncan, died. But there were whispers that his mother, Cathmor, was the real power and guided him in every decision.
    “They are crimping easterly.”
    There were barks of approval, for this meant the herd was heading directly into MacDuncan territory.
    Cathmor stepped forward. “Don’t count on it. The herd could split at the base of the ridge. I think it wouldbe wise if this byrrgis of gnaw wolves had experience in pincering. After all, pincer strategies are fundamental to all the byrrgises run by the gnaw wolves of the Beyond. Their responsibilities at the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes prohibit them from chasing herds too far. They do not have the luxury of extended hunts as we do. Why not see how these young gnaw wolves do?”
    “Pincering?” Tearlach said in a shaky voice. “I’ve never done a pincer move.”
    “I must humbly remind you, Tearlach, that none of us has ever been anything but the lowliest sweeper,” Heep interjected.
    A low scathing hiss issued from the Whistler’s throat. “I humbly beg you to go off and eat a moose patty!”
    The other gnaw wolves began to chuckle and wag their tails. Despite Tearlach’s apprehensions, all the gnaw wolves were excited to be running as truly significant members of the byrrgis and not sniffing the prey’s scat or urine. This was the one and only time that other wolves took on the responsibilities of sweepers.
    “Can you beat that!” Little Edme gave Faolan a gentle poke and tossed her head toward Heep, who had moved off after the Whistler’s remarks. Once again, Edme, despite having been born with only one eye, saweverything. The yellow wolf was now prostrating himself and began to writhe excessively before a handsome black wolf from the MacDuff clan, a high-ranking raghnaid member.
    “What’s he saying?” Edme asked.
    Faolan shoved his ears forward. But as seemed to be the tendency with gnaw wolves, it was the earless Tearlach who picked up the conversation.
    “Dunstan MacDuff, I understand that your esteemed son has agreed to run as a sweeper so that we ignoble gnaw wolves might for this one time assume loftier positions in the byrrgis . Although it might seem presumptuous of me, a lowly, humble—”
    “Here we go again,” said Edme. They had surreptitiously crept a bit closer and could now hear Heep without Tearlach’s aid.
    “I thought I might offer some modest advice in regard to the sniffing of scat.” This was one of Heep’s most theatrical displays of humiliation and ingratiation, which was fortunately soon drowned out by the rallying howls of the gaddergludder .
    Faolan was to be a packer alongside Mhairie’s sister Dearlea, who was a tight-end packer on the western flank. Heep was also a packer on the western flank.
    Why couldn’t they have at least assigned him to the eastern flank? Faolan thought grimly. Why couldn’t it have been the Whistler at his side? Why was it always Heep?
    Just as they were forming up for the byrrgis , Creakle barked, “Look! Owls—a lot of them!” He pointed his muzzle toward the sky.
    Dearlea, who was passing by, stopped. “Oh, yes, they love to see gaddergnaws . Mostly colliers and Rogue smiths.”
    I wonder , Faolan thought, if Gwynneth is here? At that very moment, the Masked Owl swooped down.
    “Oh, Gwynneth, I’m so excited to see you. I’ve tried to do what you told me to. Become a gnaw wolf.”
    “Yes, dear, I know.”
    “I’ve had some…some…”
    “Slipups? Yes, I heard about that first byrrgis .” Faolan dropped his tail. “Well, I know you’ve most likely learned your lesson.” Gwynneth paused.
    It seemed to Faolan there was something else she wanted to say to him. He peered into her shiny dark eyes. “What is it, Gwynneth?”
    “It can wait until after the byrrgis . We’ll talk then.”
    The summoning howl curled into the air. “To the Marrow!” The byrrgis was about to begin.
    “I have to go now, Gwynneth.”
    “I know, dear. All of you gnaw wolves are going to have more responsibility than ever in this byrrgis .”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Well, an alert has just gone out. Outclanners have been spotted. So some of the scouts and wolves that would