Under a Full Moon (Prologue)

As some of you readers may know, I am writing a book.  This book has been in the writing stages for about five years now and finally there have been some major breakthroughs in it's development.  I am pleased to be able to write some of the book here for you all to critique with me and my editor.

This book began its journey when I was in sixth grade.  Again, as some of you may already know, wolves are a passion of mine.  This animal is strong, maintains bonds, and accepting.  They also are powerful and not to be messed with and for that, I respect them above all other animals (perhaps even above us homosapiens).  I also have been researching them and I was inspired to write a story about a wolf pack.  Originally I wrote the first chapter out in German class, working on my poor German (at the time).  When I returned home and proudly holding a good grade for my little story, I decided to make it more complex and write it out in English.  From there was born, Under a Full Moon, a tale about a strong wolf and his friends, trying to find who they are and what they are fighting for...  The inspiring thing I believe rests in this story is how the deeper meanings sleep under the simple ones, making this story understandable across many ages (from young adult to adult).

The blue text is what I feel is slightly awkward or can be changed and the red text is what I need to really change (the bare-bones was written down in the red font).

Please comment.  My writing depends heavily on what you all think.  Thanks.  :)  Enjoy...

Under a Full Moon

Prologue

“In the deep forest, high in the mountains far away from any clothskin populations, there lived the Wolves.  These wolves were known throughout the lands, throughout the species on Mother Earth, as being the most powerful, blood-lusting beings ever to breathe.  They would defend their territories from even the strongest clothskins and their stinky metalbreaths that allowed them to sit inside their bodies.  These wolves meant business and power.  Even among them lay a power even more sinister, right underneath their paws, deeply embedded in the Earth itself.  But, there was a better power in the sky that could match the one lurking below.  These two Gods lay watch over the Wolves of Wolf Mountain and the smaller valley below.  Sky Lord, the wolf that walks on the paths of stars watches down on us from above, the good and powerful.  Then there is his dark brother, Deadearth, the cruel and mean shadow that follows the light.  These two names strike fear and love in the hearts of even the strongest wolves -”

“Like my daddy?”

“Uh…  Yes, Saberkit…  Like your Father indeed…  As I was sayi-”

“But he isn’t afraid of anything!”

“My kit, Sky Lord and his foul brother should be feared.  But Sky Lord should be loved too.  Perhaps my lessons have got something stuck in your mind,” smiles the Elder, cuffing the playful kit with his large paw.  The joy that lights up in his eyes while teaching the kits could not match even the healthiest mate or the thick of battle.  This was pure adoration and wisdom, oozing from the open heart of the ‘Lord of the Mountain’, the most powerful alpha, leading the most powerful pack of them all.

After a few moments of pondering, Saberkit perks his ears up and wakes his mentor and elder-father with yet another question.  Trying not to get another scolding, Saberkit squeezes his muzzle shut, trying not to let the question fly away.  Mountainlord sighs and looks at his grandkit.

“What is it Saberkit?” he asks, aware of his comment’s power on the mind of the curious kit.  As expected, the floodgates of questions opens and the river burst out and into the barren, dried riverbed below, “Mountainlord!!!!  Why are you not the alpha anymore?  How come Father is the alpha male but you are still here.  Father sent away and killed other wolves that said they were alpha.  Why did he not do that to you?”  The kit looks deeply into the eyes of his mentor as though he was trying to lure the answer out of the windows of his soul.  Mountainlord sighs and looks deeply back into the little one’s eyes.

“My kit, listen…  There are times when a brave warrior, even your Father, will have to stop fighting and live according to Sky Lord’s great plan.  Everyone must indeed return to the earth from whence we came.  It is the Circle of Life: birth, pain, life, wisdom, and eventually death.”  Saberkit’s blank expression pressures Mountainlord to explain further.

“You see, when an alpha dies, they join Sky Lord but then their body can no longer carry out the duties of an alpha, they resign or become an Elder like any other warrior.  Becoming an Elder means one accepts their time on Mother Earth is ending and that Sky Lord is the supreme power. He blesses you with wisdom and the next alpha allows the previous one to take over the training of the kits, like you,” smiles Mountainlord, patting Saberkit right between the ears.  Saberkit fluffs his back up again and smiles.

“Now run along now little one.  I believe your mother wants a word with you.”  Saberkit jumps up and scrambles to his paws.  Mountainlord watches as his grandson skitters away like a field mouse.  He could feel the presence of Sky Lord, his eyes staring into his heart but it only comforted him.  He could already taste the fear and anguish that would bubble up inside the little kit on hearing from his Mother that he would be leaving the pack forever.  Mountainlord knew his time was up and that last tale would forever stay in his grandson’s mind.  How he wished he could linger just a little longer to see him grow older but Sky Lord and Earth cannot wait.  He had already cheated them out of his soul twice and Sky Lord would not give him another gracious choice.

Mountainlord sniffs the air and bows his head slightly to Rocklord, signaling him from afar.  His son jumps down from the cliff with ease and in three long strides makes his way over to his father.  Rocklord bows slightly in respect for his father and Elder alpha.

“Mountainlord…  What do you need, seeking me out?  Me of all wolves…” questions his nervous son, already showing signs of the stress brought on by his quick temper.  His father sighs a deep and confident sigh and smiles.

“Son…  A time comes when a wolf no longer is needed on Mother Earth’s gracious body.  It is that time in my many fortunate seasons.  You are a fine alpha and a father; you remind me of myself.  This pack,” he says, looking around at the younger warriors training and the older ones trying to teach them, “have benefited far more from you than they would have ever from me as their alpha.  You have indeed greatly surpassed me.”

“But Father, you brought these wolves together.  You built the foundations of this mighty mountain, hence your gracious title christened upon you by Sky Lord himself!” pleads Rocklord, his mind trying to count how many seasons his father had indeed seen, trying to find the truth with his own mind to force belief and acceptance to flower.

Mountainlord looks at his pained son, the same expression lingering in his own eyes.  Thank Sky Lord I had no other kits or this would be ever so much harder!  Indeed, I am thankful for this one.  Rockkit, born among the rocky hillside that claimed so many lives of the first wolves that followed me over from the valley onto this mountain, the true foundation of the Mountain.  How I miss their faces of joy, hope… the willingness to live as their life blood poured down the Mountain like rivers, their eyes no longer twinkling, dull and paler than they had been in life.  My brethren!  Why must you have left me so early on?  I should have died there with you on the rocks…

“Father!  If it were not for you, there would be no Mountain Pack!  There would be nothing!  You brought our kin here to live in this territory!” pleads Rocklord, his mind clear in his father’s decision but his heart aching.  With a booming voice, Saberlord barks back at his son, the flame in his heart kindling with every word, “All of those wolves are now in the ground and I intend to join them!  My time has come son.  I cannot deny Sky Lord what he wants or has wanted for a long time now.”  With a pained look on his face, Rocklord nods, his heart filling with understanding from the sky.  The clouds drift past peacefully, the night coming, the sun just over the horizon, the last light before the red sun sleeps.  The beauty calmed the Father and the Son’s souls, trusting them with love and hope for reincarnation in Nature’s special way of life.  With a heavy sigh, Rocklord nods and smiles at his father, “So be it then Father.  We will miss you and ask Sky Lord to honor you in your new life walking The Sky.”  Mountainlord nods as he turns his back on his son, trying to hide his tears.  His paws scrape against the rocks of the new alpha’s den, for the last time.

“So many memories…  So much death…  So much love…  So much improvement…  Well Sky Lord, it looks like the day has come.  Are you ready for me?” whispers Mountainlord to the rocks under his paws.  Feeling a wave of peace and relaxation, the Elder alpha picks up his heavy head and walks on, a slow and careful pace.

Right at the border of the Main, Mountainlord turns ever so slightly to allow his son to hear his last words, uttered from his lips like words to a lover in the middle of the night.

“Judgment is coming.  Be ready…  My son…”