Lupa, the Wolfkin Leader

Until recently Lupa, the Wolfkin leader, had been pleased to lead the pack. He was young for a leader but was happy to take council from his elder kin. His father had passed less than two years ago, defending this place from homicidal adventurers just like those approaching on the causeway.

The situation was getting rapidly worse around the mountain. The cat woman’s tower had been burned out by Orc’s a few weeks ago. The cats were still about in the forest, but without the human woman Lupa could not trust the cats. He told the pack to stay together in the forest and not to hunt at night.

The Orcs had not stayed, they moved on to secure the south pass where the Giant had been slain. And now they had adventurers approaching. The adventurers were so confident they just walked up to the gates. The pack was hidden in the back of the old stable. The elders and fighting kin had prepared and stood at the gate, ready to defend if needed. Thankfully, the adventurers had stopped a distance from the gate. Balto, Lupa’s grandfather, had walked out to meet them.

Balto returned, looking both worried and relived. “They want passage through the gate and into the catacombs,” he said. “They look dangerous. Elves. We should not challenge them.”

They agreed that Balto should be only one to speak. Better they thought us dumb, argued Lupa, and sent several kin to reassure the pack. Lupa thought about their choices. Three generations had lived here. Balto had told stories of their travel from Orc infested lands to the north when he was a pup. When Raoul, Lupa’s father, was killed along with a dozen others murdered or maimed, the pack had spoken of leaving. But it was agreed to stay. Things are changing thought Lupa. Is this my test, is this is my time?

The pack had made a home of the stables just inside the huge arch that marked the entrance to the catacombs. On the right, the stables. On the left, a room barred by a portcullis, and a raised pool 40 feet across with pillars to the ceiling that had intricate figures of horned beasts with spouts for mouths. Beyond this, a huge arched corridor drilled into the mountain, with open areas and smaller corridors branching left and right.

Balto pointed to one of the Elves. He was big for an Elf and had dark skin, a head again taller than Lupa. He wore heavy armour. The pack would not be able to take him, it would be suicide. The Elf reminded Lupa of the armoured men his father had fought.

There was a deformed short man among them who would disappear into the shadows if you took your eye off him. He appeared in the room on the far side of the pool and the others followed. They seemed to have no fear. Suddenly, the adventurers were battling something in the rooms behind the pool. They were shouting and Lupa could hear the clash of weapons.

The pack had heard sounds from behind the pool and portcullis in the past. Lupa could not imagine what lived in the darkness there. The fighting stopped as quickly as it started and, presently, the adventurers appeared in the room beyond the portcullis. After a while they gathered at the portcullis and began to lift it. Balto, took Lupa aside as the adventurers heaved at the portcullis.

“I fear we cannot live here any longer,” he said. “These men will open the catacombs and we will not be safe.” He looked at Lupa and saw his son reflected in the scowling face. “You must lead us to something better,” he said, trying not to sound defeated.

Not content with raising the portcullis, the adventurers barged open the door nearest the entranceway. Balto pointed out that they seemed to have a plan. They had not investigated the huge corridors and caverns that led into the mountain. Instead they were intent on exploring the smaller ways to the west. Ways that had been closed off for generations.

Lupa thought about the pack. Where they might go. It was a few days before the full moon. It would be good to provide an offering for the Totem and pray for advice. Lupa was worried about spending nights in the forest, but he doubted the cats would attack the pack. His almost overwhelming fear was meeting humans or Orcs – or worse, Dwarves.

Lupa spoke with Balto and together they convinced the pack. Three kin would head west over the first ridge and look for caves. They need only find temporary shelter. The pack would wait here and in five days they would pray to the Totum for guidance.

There would need to be a special offering, with fresh blood spilled. Not just an animal, something magical. A big cat? No, that would bring the pride hunting. What about one of the kin? Lupa, went to the back of the stable where the pack were preparing food. I can help them, but they need to see me as the Alfa, he thought, seeing the love they felt for each other as they shared strips of tasty cured meat.

“I will offer my blood to the Totem,” he told Balto. "I will cut my vein over the stone and see what comes of it."

“The others will approve Lupa,” said Balto. “This will make you Alfa. Your father would do this thing.” Balto’s jaw was quivering as if he were a pup again.