Maccabeus hacked again as Kym proffered to him her water skin. He took a hasty gulp of water, noting that she had drawn water into it from Mahiya?s pool; it more than slaked his thirst. The smooth, clean, clear water instantly rinsed the barbs from his throat and soothed him comfortingly. His last mouthful he kept in his cheeks and allowed the water to trickle slowly and gently down the back of his throat.
The wolves, apparently finished with their negotiations, lifted their muzzles in unison and sang to the morning stars. It brought Maccabeus instantly back to his clan days, when such a chorus was commonplace. He hadn?t heard so closely the wolfsong in many seasons. It raised a tender spot in Maccabeus?s chest, to hear that song.
"C'mon Maccabeus, you're part of the pack...howl with us and then we shall hunt!" Maccabeus realized that Kym was right; it was his duty to sing with the pack at this time, and he thrust his voice out to those divinities that yet rode the sky, and to Kossuth, still more than a hand away. False dawn was nigh.
The newly formed clan sang sweetly together for too short a time, announcing their forging to the forest and mountains. It felt good; thanks to Mahiya?s water, Maccabeus?s voice was well pitched and true. When the song was over, Wolf licked Maccabeus?s chin, and then Kym?s. The pack?s alpha male licked Kym?s face, and then Maccabeus?s. It was good to have a family again.
?Hold a moment, please, whilst I inform Bramble that we have a large, new family that he may allow to enter and exit freely. I would suggest, by the way, that our pack try to enter and exit the Ring by any way other than the North, where Little Threshold lay. Bramble will accommodate our comings and goings.?
He then sat next to Bramble, pushed his pointed nose into the vibrant fronds, and began to talk with the great shrub. ?Bramble,? he said, ?I am sure that you are keen enough to know that this starry morning I and Wolf have bound ourselves unto this wolf pack, and to this kindred woman as well. We are a family now. Much as I have to this day asked that you grant passage to the ones called Ashe and Jarmok, I ask that this pack of wolfkin and this young lady be granted passage unto the Ring of Mists. They are trusted allies of ours, and of Vallenwood.?
Bramble caressed Maccabeus?s face, embracing him as they communicated. And so it was.
?Sorry for the momentary delay.? He apologized, turning back to Kym and to the wolves. ?Kym, can you tell our brethren that as of this moment onward, Bramble will allow them to come unto and go forth from the Ring of Mists as they please? I will have a similar (although unnecessary) word with Vallenwood.