Wolves of the Beyond 02 - Shadow Wolf

formation, and interpretation of the silent signaling system. Extra points could be granted for certain tasks if performed exceptionally well. Even before the scores were announced, there were whispers about these extra points and who might receivethem. But as Liam leaped onto a stump, the tension mounted.
    “The taigas have concluded their scoring process. I am pleased to say that you have all performed exceedingly well in this first round of the Gaddergnaw Games. We shall begin by announcing the highest scores. In first place is the gnaw wolf Creakle from the MacDuff clan. Creakle scored a solid ten in basic running as well as another ten in position adherence. He scored five in shifting rate of speed and direction, and an additional four points in signal interpretation. Although the last score was rather average, Creakle made up for it by a powerful leap in the kill rush, earning ten extra points. With no penalties for inattention, shoving, or stumbling, the taigas have given Creakle a total score of thirty-nine!”
    A great cheer went up. This was considered a very high score. Not as high as the legendary gnaw wolf Hamish, who became the Fengo of the Watch and had accumulated the highest score ever with an astounding fifty points.
    Liam MacDuncan continued with the announcements. Second place was considered an upset, going to none other than tiny Edme, who had gained extra pointsfor her quick thinking when Faolan faltered and for her spot-on delivery of a bite to the life-pumping artery.
    Faolan, listening to the mutterings of the wolves around him, was gradually becoming aware of what a big upset it was considered that he—the wolf who had jumped for the sun—had not won, let alone placed second, in the byrrgis competition. A gasp swept the crowd when Tearlach was announced as the third-place winner with a score of twenty-five. Faolan felt all the eyes of both wolves and owls turn toward him.
    “In fourth place, with a total of twenty-two points, is the wolf from the Blue Rock Pack of the MacDuncan clan, the Whistler.”
    A cheer went up.
    There were only two more gnaw wolves left to place. It felt as if all eyes had focused on Faolan and Heep. Faolan began to walk away. “And now in fifth place, with no extra points for anything and a two-point penalty for inattention”—Liam MacDuncan paused—“is the gnaw wolf Heep of the River Pack.”
    Faolan could hear Heep groveling in the dirt, pressing the side of his face into the dirt, claiming that such a lowly wolf as himself, such a humble wolf, had never expected to win this honor. He was unaccustomed tobeing anything but the most humble, the lowest of the low. On and on he went.
    “And in sixth place, with a penalty of twenty points for two stumbles in the last quarter of the byrrgis , and for missing his cue for the kill rush, the gnaw wolf Faolan from the MacDuncan Pack of the Eastern Scree.”
     
    Mhairie rushed up to him. “What happened?”
    “Well, I didn’t bump into you!”
    “No, you stumbled and you missed your cue. If not for that, you would have tied with Creakle,” she said with exasperation.
    “But I didn’t. I was inattentive, distracted.”
    “Yes, but so was Heep.”
    “He was?” Somehow, this surprised Faolan.
    “Didn’t you hear? He got penalty points for some kind of inattention.”
    “No, I started to walk away and, truthfully, I wasn’t listening. But the thing is, he didn’t stumble because of inattention.”
    Dearlea had come up in the middle of this conversation. “He was looking around. I saw him. I had to report it to the taigas .”
    “What was it, Faolan?” Dearlea pressed. “You were running so well beside me and then you just seemed to lose it. I could almost feel it before that first stumble.”
    He shook his head wearily. How could he explain something that only he seemed to be able to hear? And it might appear so minor, so trivial—like the buzz of a mosquito. The two sisters stopped walking. Mhairie stepped close to Faolan’s muzzle. In her deep green eyes he saw golden flecks, like little constellations , he thought. Mhairie and Dearlea both tipped their heads slightly and blinked as if they had seen something in his eyes as well. For a moment, the three young wolves seemed caught in a web of golden light.
    “Dearlea, Mhairie, I’ll tell you what distracted me, but it might seem stupid.”
    “No! No!” both wolves urged. “What is it?”
    “Heep.”
    “Heep distracted you? But he was