Wolves of the Beyond 02 - Shadow Wolf

completely lost the trail of the gnaw wolf Heep. It was, one of them said, as if the wolf had vanished.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
A W OLF OF THE B ONE
    THE FOLLOWING DAY, FINBAR, THE five hundred and second Fengo of the Watch of the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes, stood on a drumlyn of bones carved during the gaddergnaw .
    “I stand before you today,” he intoned in a low, gravelly voice, “to announce the new members of the Watch of the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes.”
    “Members? More than one?” the wolves whispered in surprise.
    “Yes, I can see your surprise, for it happens only once in perhaps a decade that we find two gnaw wolves at once who demonstrate the outstanding abilities required to join our small fellowship. We are a small order of wolves and a select one, but we are joined in a trust that goes back to the beginning of our time. It wasan owl who led our ancestors to the Beyond, and in gratitude we pledged to guard the Ember of Hoole that lies deep within the crater of a sacred volcano. We vowed to protect that ember from any foe of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole. This trust between wolves and owls is ancient and honorable.
    “Both the wolves selected were not the top point winners in the byrrgis , but their story bones exhibited a skill and depth of feeling that we have rarely seen. It is, therefore, an honor to introduce the two new members of the Watch.
    “Come forth, Edme, gnaw wolf of the West Pack of the MacHeath clan.”
    Edme staggered a bit with disbelief. Her single eye spilled a tear as Finbar began to speak.
    “Edme, you distinguished yourself on the byrrgis for your quick thinking and unerring aim in delivering the fatal bite. We see that you are not merely a quick thinker, but that your mind runs deep. Your bone made us feel the missing eye of yours that guides you like a spirit from the Cave of Souls. It was with tears in our own eyes that we read your bone.”
    Edme came forward, her tail held high and wagging as the Fengo placed a necklace around her neck with onesmall bone on it, the rest to be carved by Edme when she reached the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes.
    “And now,” the Fengo continued, “to announce the second member.” Tears had begun to stream down Finbar’s face. “On behalf of the taigas of the Watch, I call forth Faolan, member of the Pack of the Eastern Scree of the MacDuncan clan.”
    A great roar went up. Above all were the barks and howls of Dearlea and Mhairie.
    “He did it! He did it!” They leaped high into the air, their tails wagging madly.
    Such was the clamor, the Fengo had to bark a hush command. “Faolan, you came to the clan mistaken for a wolf with the foaming-mouth disease. You jumped a wall of fire. From the very first, there was talk of your extraordinary carving. There were baseless rumors, I am ashamed to tell you, that only a creature from the Dim World could have carved such bones.”
    The Fengo cut his eyes toward the MacDuff clan, long suspected to be the source of the rumors. “But we of the Watch know that such carving is a gift from the Great Star Wolf himself. Your story bone tells not simply a story of devotion but one of goodwill, conciliation, and understanding among the species with whom we sharethe Beyond. You have endured a level of abuse no other gnaw wolf has. You were impetuous and did not use good sense, but your dignity during these games, and your carving, make the members of the Watch feel it would be an honor to teach you and to serve with you at the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes.”
    Faolan walked forward and bowed his head so that the Fengo could place the necklace around his neck. There was a spark, and the spiraling marks on his paw swirled in front of him. This has happened to me before . There was something familiar, hauntingly familiar, about the weight and the feel of the bone around his neck.
    Edme and Faolan stood still for several seconds, staring at each other in disbelief. The other gnaw wolves gathered around them and seemed genuinely happy with their success.
    “Come on,” said the Whistler to Faolan and Edme, who were still too stunned to bark or yip or utter a single word, “show some enthusiasm here!”
    “But I can’t believe it,” Edme gasped. “I’m not sure I deserve it.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Creakle said, limping up. “With your one eye, you see more than any of us, and not onlythat, your story bone stirs our marrow more deeply than you can imagine.” Creakle paused and turned to Faolan. “And