Jenna and the Legend of the White Wolf

by J. B. Moonstar

  Chapter Eight

  The Hidden Path

  They had traveled for about a half an hour when Trent suddenly stopped, got off the path and crouched on the ground. Ituria stopped and blended into the forest around him and vanished from sight, while the fox and deer immediately stopped and got into the woods beside the path. Quickly following Trent, Jenna crouched on the ground and the squirrels ran into the bushes. Trent was sniffing at the air; something must be close. He looked back but did not say anything.

  The path was now clear, no trace of them was visible.

  Jenna smelled something also while they were waiting, but she didn’t know what. She did not have the experience to identify the various smells of the forest her wolf nose could sense. Suddenly, she heard a noise, like a lot of people walking together, and peered through the bushes. These were not people as she knew them, but something more resembling a cross between a human and a deer, with a human top, but with a bottom half covered with hair and with hoofs on their feet. The hair on their head was shoulder length and tousled, like it had never been combed, and there appeared to be two small horns sticking out of the tops of their heads.

  There were five of them, talking and laughing as they walked down the path. Jenna didn’t know what these were, but it was obvious Trent didn’t want these creatures to know he and the others were nearby. Everyone stayed hidden until the other group of travelers were far down the path, then Trent slowly came out of the bushes.

  Standing beside Trent, she looked at him and whispered, “Who were they?”

  “They were fauns,” Trent explained, “They sometimes visit Middle Forest from their realm, however, they are not really helpful and can’t be trusted. It is better they don’t know we are here. If they knew, it would soon be known throughout the forest. While I and the other animals would not draw any attention, the sight of you and Ituria would get them talking to everyone they meet, which could cause us difficulties if they decide to talk to the wrong creatures.”

  Jenna nodded in agreement. The fewer who knew about their journey the better. Soon they were on their way again. Trent indicated it was only another fifteen minutes or so until they reached Ituria’s home in Middle Forest. Hoping they would make it without further incident, Jenna felt they couldn’t get there soon enough.

  Nevertheless, Jenna couldn’t help but look at the trees, catching quick glimpses of other animals. Everything seemed more colorful and alive than what she had seen from the edge of the forest. The trees seemed more alive, something she could actually talk to; and she wouldn’t be surprised if they talked back to her, not here in Middle Forest. What would you say to a tree if you knew it was listening?

  “Jenna,” Sedric whispered, “are you daydreaming? You need to keep up with the others.”

  Jenna’s mind had been wandering, and she was glad Sedric was paying attention.

  “Thanks,” she said, “everything is so different, I couldn’t help but look around. I guess I should wait until we get Ituria back home.”

  Soon she caught up with the others, and in a few minutes they were at the entrance to a big grove of trees. Stopping to gather the group together, Trent said, “We’re almost to Ituria’s home, and I will take him the rest of the way myself. There are magic paths through this part of the forest that will purposefully get you lost, and you might never be found. It is better Ituria and I go alone.”

  “Jenna, you and the others find a safe spot where you can keep a lookout until I return, it should only be a half-hour or so.” Trent looked around and continued, “It might be best if you head up to the top of those large rocks, there might be a small cave, so you won’t be out in the open.”

  Ituria agreed with Trent, “I have placed magical spells on the path from here to my home, to keep out invaders. Trent knows of these spells and he will be safe, as he has visited me on numerous occasions. Those who do not know how they work could be lost forever.” Ituria bowed his head to each in the group as he continued, “Thank you again for rescuing me and helping me get home. Your help and courage are greatly appreciated. Please wait here for Trent, he will return soon.”

  Jenna and the others headed over to the rocky area, checking out the best places to hide until Trent came back. Looking at a cave about halfway up, Jenna asked, “Does everyone think they can make it up there? It looks safe and we can see what is going on down on the path from there.”

  Nodding in agreement, they climbed up the rocks to the cave.

  About the same size as the cave they slept in the night before, there was plenty of room for everyone. Jenna checked to see if there might be something in the cave, but it appeared empty as far as the light would allow her to see. Everyone came in, and the smaller animals settled in for a short nap while Trent escorted Ituria back to his home.

  They had gotten him back safely.

  It was time to relax, but Jenna’s wolf senses were on high alert. She could not rest now, not until Trent returned and confirmed Ituria was safely back home. Positioning herself at the mouth of the cave overlooking the path, Jenna anxiously awaited Trent’s return.

  Chapter Nine

  Ranco’s Return

  The other animals had settled in for a short nap, but Jenna was too worried. She felt vulnerable without Trent and Ituria, not only for herself but her little friends. It was her duty to protect them, and she did not know if she would be able to do so.

  What if Ranco came back, or some other creature of Middle Forest? She did not know who to trust. Trent said he would not be long, only about half an hour, so she would wait at the entrance of the cave, keeping watch.

  It was not long before she saw movement, maybe only ten minutes or so. She heard something and looked down at the path they had come from. Soon, she saw a large grey wolf, along with three other wolves, slowly walking up the path, their noses to the ground. The wolves stopped in front of the trees where Ituria and Trent had entered. Walking by the entrance, they stopped, circled, and came back. They circled a few times, always coming back to where Trent and Ituria went into the forest.

  “This is where I lose their scent,” said the large wolf quietly.

  It was Ranco, Jenna realized. He had gone back to get part of his pack and had been tracking them. It was a good thing they had hurried; they had only been a few minutes ahead. What would he do now? What should she do?

  “They could have gone into the trees,” said one of the other wolves, “should we check in there?”

  “I don’t know,” Ranco replied. There was worry in his voice as he continued, “I’ve heard strange stories about animals going into this part of the forest, some getting lost for days while others were never seen again. I’ve heard even if the path looks straight, it leads you around in circles. I don’t know if that is true, but we will have to make a careful plan if we hope to find Ituria. Since Trent is with him, it will be more difficult. I don’t smell that white wolf who helped him, so maybe it is no longer helping Ituria.”

  Jenna thought, she had been down there in the same spot Ranco stood. Maybe because she was not a real wolf, she did not leave the scent of a wolf on the path. This might work to her advantage, as they would not be looking for her now, only Trent and Ituria.

  “We could just wait until they come out,” said another of the wolves.

  “That might work, there are only two of them,” said Ranco, nodding his head. “We may wait for several hours, but they have to come out sooner or later. Then we will be able to surprise them, we would have the advantage. Let’s split into two, one set on each side, just off the path nearwhere they entered the trees. I’m sure they will be back sometime soon.”

  Ranco and one of the wolves went north a short way on the path and disappeared into the bushes. The other two went south and did the same. They were settling in to wait for someone to come out of the woods and were prepared to wait for hours.

  Jenna realized Tren
t would probably come out of the forest in the next few minutes, and he would not stand a chance against four full-grown wolves. What could she do to warn him? She could send one of the little animals into the forest, they could make it past the wolves if they ran fast. No, the magic of the path would prevent them from finding Trent or Ituria. She needed to think. Carefully she backed into the cave and turned to look at the other animals. Sedric still had the small bag around his shoulder. It contained a knife and some matches. What can I do with those?

  She had an idea. Quietly walking over to Sedric, who was napping, she gently nudged him with her nose to wake him. Once he opened his eyes, she whispered, “Ranco and some other wolves are hiding just off the path where Trent will be coming out. We need to warn him. Can you open the bag you have and find the small box?”

  Sedric pulled out the box and was able to open it with his paws. In it, there were about 15 small wood sticks with red tops. Looking at Jenna, he whispered, “What can we do with these? They do not appear to be useful weapons, not against a wolf.”

  But Jenna had another plan. If they could light a small fire, the smoke in the air would warn Trent something was not right. Where could they put a fire so it would not hurt them, but could be seen or smelled from the path leading away from Ituria’s home?

  First things first: the two squirrels would need to gather dried leaves and small twigs. While they were doing that, she would look around the outside of the cave to see if there is a little place where Ranco could not see them light the fire. “Sedric,” whispered Jenna. “You and Fira need to find a few handfuls of leaves and twigs, they have to be dried and brown. I will try and light a fire to warn Trent. These small wood sticks will help us start the fire.”

  Hearing the conversation, Fira hopped over as Jenna continued, “I don’t think Ranco would think it suspicious for a few squirrels to be running around in the leaves and won’t leave his spot watching the path. Just make sure you don’t get near to them. If one does start chasing you, run up a tree, they can’t follow you there. Make your pile of leaves just outside the cave to the north. There is a large bush that will hide what you are doing.” Fira and Sedric nodded and ran off.

  It took about five minutes for them to get a small pile of leaves and twigs. Signaling for them to remain after their last trip, Jenna had them move the pile a little further from the cave entrance. This spot would work for a small fire.

  “Sedric,” she said. “You need to light the wood stick as I am unable to. Do you see the dark stripe on the side of the box?” Sedric looked and nodded but didn’t understand what he needed to do.

  “I will hold the box with my paws with the stripe facing up,” Jenna said. “Take one wood stick and pull the red part across the dark stripe quickly. As soon as you do, a fire will appear at the end, and you need to throw it onto the pile of leaves. The fire will burn, so don’t touch it. Just throw the stick into the leaves. Do you understand?”

  Looking at the small wood stick, then looked at Jenna, Sedric shook his head. “Not really, I don’t know how a stick can start a fire, but I will try.”

  Jenna nodded, holding the box between her paws, sitting near the leaf pile. Sedric had one of the matches in his hand, and he pulled it across the dark stripe. Nothing happened. “You have to pull it faster and be ready to throw it into the pile,” she whispered.

  Sedric tried again, this time a small fire appeared at the end of the stick. He was so surprised he stared, marveling as it started to burn down the stick. “Sedric,” Jenna whispered urgently. “You must throw it into the leaves before you get burned!”

  Quickly, he threw the stick into the leaves, and they started to burn also. Soon the small pile was burning, and a trail of smoke floated up into the sky. Jenna hoped Trent would see the smoke, or at least smell it, and realize something was wrong.

  The other animals had heard them and had come to the front of the cave and watched the fire burn and the smoke trailing skyward. They too, hoped this would keep Trent safe. Now all they could do was wait.

  Chapter Ten

  Trapped

  It was not long before Jenna saw a wolf on the path below them, but it was not Trent. It was Ranco, who must have smelled the smoke. As Jenna watched Ranco carefully walk up the path, she heard a sound from the sky. She looked up and saw a hawk circling overhead. It called out once more and turned to fly away.

  Was this the same hawk who had been with them before? She was not sure but hoped it would get help, for now she and the others were trapped in the cave with Ranco searching around outside.

  Jenna looked around from the front of the cave, up and down the rocks. There was no way to leave the cave without Ranco seeing them.

  Ranco quietly called to his pack, “I smell smoke, but there was no lightning and I didn’t hear any humans in the forest on our way here.”

  With a low growl he continued, “We need to find out where it is coming from and how it started. I don’t want to be trapped in a burning forest. You three wait for Trent and Ituria, I will check around to see where the smoke smell is coming from.”

  The wolves hesitated to return to their spots, looking at each other; and one started to speak, “But…”

  Ranco cut him off with a sharp bark, “No arguments! Call me if they return.”

  The three wolves nodded and returned to their hiding places in the forest, just on the outside of the path. Ranco started sniffing the air and sniffing the ground. He was going to find the source of the smoke and who made it.

  Turning toward the animals, Jenna motioned them to go to the back of the cave.

  She carefully kicked some dirt on the fire to put it out and pushed the burned leaves a little further away from the cave before joining them. The cave seemed to curve near the back, so they went around the turn so they could not be seen from the front of the cave.

  They could not see where they were going, so they carefully felt their way, going slowly further back into the cave. When they were fully hidden from the front, they stopped, silent, listening to hear if they would be discovered.

  It was not long before they could hear some movement at the front of the cave. No one moved. Whoever it was, they stopped before reaching the cave and sniffed, then moved off a little to sniff where the fire had been. Jenna hoped the smoke would conceal their scent, as there was a smell of smoke in the cave and on their fur. Huddling together in the darkness, they dared not make a sound.

  After what seemed like hours, whoever was at the front of the cave moved away, and Jenna could hear pebbles rattle as the visitor went back toward the path. A minute later, she heard Ranco talking to his wolves. Moving near the front of the cave, she strained to hear what they were saying.

  “I found the source of the smoke,” he was reporting in low growls. “It looks like a human had started a fire, then put it out. There was the faint smell of a human up by the cave near the fire, but there was a bit of smoke around the cave, so I couldn’t tell how many. They must be gone now, or we would hear or smell them. There was no camp set up, so they must have been passing through.”

  “Should we leave?” said one of the wolves.

  “Not right now,” said Ranco. “I’m not so worried about a human or two, and I don’t want to lose Trent and Ituria. This is our best chance to catch them by surprise.”

  He sniffed around. “Let’s go back to our original plan but be aware of any unusual smells or sounds that might indicate a human might be in the area.”

  Now they were worse off than before, thought Jenna. She and the other animals were trapped in the cave.

  The fire was out, so they wouldn’t be able to warn Trent of the ambush waiting for him when he came out of the trees.

  One thing she had learned, though, was to a wolf, she smelled more like a human. She wondered if Trent had noticed. He must have, yet he didn’t say anything to her about it. She wondered why.

&n
bsp; Suddenly she heard a slight noise from the back of the cave. Ralphie was moving back toward the front of the cave to join her. She nodded at him, and he sat down beside her. They both looked down at the path.

  Looking at Ralphie, Jenna whispered, “Ranco and one of his wolves are waiting on the north side of the path, and two other wolves are waiting on the south side of the path. When Trent comes back out, they are planning to attack him. I don’t know what we can do, as we are trapped in this cave ourselves.”

  Ralphie whispered back, “I have gone back in the cave and it is bigger than we thought. It might have another opening somewhere if we go back far enough.”

  Ralphie paused, then slowly added, “The only problem is we can’t see where we are going. We are feeling the floor and following it around, but we don’t know if we are going in circles or what. Do you have any suggestions?”

  Jenna thought carefully. If there was a back way out of the cave, they could get away from Ranco, and possibly warn Trent somehow.

  But the cave was dark, and they couldn’t see where it went. Jenna had an idea. What if the animals formed a chain and walked along the wall, they wouldn’t be covering the same area again and again. They could follow the wall until it led them out, or until they came back to the front on the other side of the cave.

  “Okay,” said Jenna. “Since we can’t go out the front way, let’s see if there is a back way. Let’s go to the back on the right side of the cave,” she called as she got up and headed toward the darkness behind them. “We can follow each other, and if there is no exit, we will end back up on the left side of the cave.”