Earth Called, page 24
“An annoying plan.” Davis smiled at his Companion, taking the sting from his words. “But you didn’t come here to talk about Cammy—or did you?” Davis gave his Companion a stern look. “Cameron, have you done something I don’t know about?”
Cammy planted his butt on the ground and yipped at his Companion.
“He says he hasn’t done anything. Or at least he doesn’t think he’s done anything.” Davis lifted his brow and turned to Mari. “But, really, what did he do?”
Mari grinned and ruffled Cammy’s ears. “Nothing. Cammy is absolutely perfect.” The Terrier jumped around Mari huffing happily. “Sora and I were just escorting O’Bryan to see Cub—and let you know that he’s going on a mission for River and will be gone for several days, perhaps for as long as it takes us to reach the Valley of Vapors.”
“Oh, well, that’s fine. Mariah and Claudia and the pups are asleep, but you can be sure we’ll take good care of Cubby while you’re gone,” he told O’Bryan. “Would you like me to go in and get him for you?”
“Yeah, Sora and Chloe are going to help with him as well, so they wanted to see him, and Mari is going to try to let Cubby know that I have to be gone but will definitely be coming back,” explained O’Bryan.
“That’s a good idea,” said Davis. “And I’m curious to see if Mari can communicate with Cubby. He’s definitely an interesting little creature.”
“He hasn’t been causing problems, has he?” O’Bryan was instantly concerned.
“No, not at all. He’s well behaved and smart. The pups like him a lot,” Davis said, and Cammy yipped in agreement. Davis patted Cammy’s head. “That’s right, little father.” He looked up, smiling, at his visitor and whispered, “Cammy is very protective of his litter—and he’s included Cubby in that.”
Because Cubby is part of our family!
Mari grinned as Cammy’s emphatic response resonated through her mind as well as his Companion’s. She laughed and crouched beside the sweet Terrier. “That’s right, Cammyman. Cubby is definitely part of our Pack family.”
“You want to go get him, Cammy?” Davis asked.
Cammy huffed several times before he trotted into the tent.
“He can go get him?” Sora asked.
“Cammy has gotten excellent at corralling puppies,” Davis said. “He knows exactly how to carry them so that he doesn’t hurt them. Watch. He’ll be back in just a moment, and I’d wager that he returns without waking Mariah or Claudia.”
Davis was right. It wasn’t long before Cammy returned, ducking under the tent flap to trot back to them with O’Bryan’s Cubby held gently in his mouth. The Terrier went directly to O’Bryan, who bent and took the sleepy baby from Cammy. “Thank you, little man.” O’Bryan scratched Cammy under his chin after taking Cubby and cradling him carefully against his chest.
“He’s really grown since last time I saw him.” Mari stroked the small creature with one of her fingers.
“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” O’Bryan tickled Cubby under his chin, which caused the little animal to make happy grunting noises.
“He really is cute,” said Sora. She lifted Chloe so that the two young ones were nose to nose. Chloe yipped playfully and wagged her tail, and Cubby sniffed her and made more happy grunting sounds.
“O’Bryan, let’s sit,” Mari said. “Hold Cubby so that I can look into his eyes and let me see if I can reach him.”
“This is really going to be interesting,” said Davis, sitting quickly with Sora, Mari, and O’Bryan. Cammy barked in agreement. “Hey, you should probably be quiet. Mari is going to try to talk to Cubby.”
Cammy went to Mari and looked into her eyes. Sorry, Mari.
“Oh, sweetie, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Mari hugged the Terrier. “You can sit here beside me while I try to talk with Cubby.”
Where is Rigel? Cammy asked as he sat beside Mari.
“He just finished eating. He stayed with Laru and Nik,” she told Cammy. Then Mari turned to look at the little wolverine. “Hey there, Cubby.” She leaned over to scratch the young one under his chin as she’d seen O’Bryan doing earlier to Cammy. The baby looked up at her with dark, curious eyes and held Mari’s gaze. “Do you think we could talk? O’Bryan—” Mari pointed to him. “He asked me to speak to you for him. Is that okay with you?”
Mari concentrated on the little wolverine. In her mind she sketched an image of herself talking with Cubby, just like she talked with Rigel, and Cubby responding.
The baby wolverine went very still.
“Yes, like that,” said Mari softly. She glanced up at O’Bryan, who seemed to be holding his breath, and then met Cubby’s gaze again. “Do you understand me?”
For a few moments Mari felt nothing, and then she was filled with a wash of warmth and in her mind she heard one word very distinctly.
O’Bryan!
Mari smiled. “Yes! O’Bryan is your Companion.”
“Did he do it? Did he talk to you?” O’Bryan spoke softly, but his voice was filled with controlled excitement.
“So far he’s said your name, which is an excellent start.”
“Can you tell him how much I love him and how glad I am that he’s here with me?” O’Bryan said quickly.
“I’ll try.” Mari returned her attention to the baby wolverine. In her mind she sketched another picture—one where O’Bryan was holding Cubby up and smiling at him. She filled the sketch with warmth and light, and sent it to the wolverine.
This time there was no waiting. Mari was instantly filled with happiness.
My O’Bryan!
“He is definitely your O’Bryan,” Mari said, and the baby grunted happily and snuggled against O’Bryan’s hand. She looked up at Nik’s cousin. “He adores you.”
He grinned. “The feeling is mutual.”
“I’m going to try to make him understand you’re leaving.” Mari concentrated again, and Cubby turned his attention back to her, staring up at her with bright eyes. Mari drew a picture in her mind of O’Bryan waving goodbye to Cubby and leaving with a small group of Riders. Immediately Cubby started to whine and move restlessly as he burrowed into O’Bryan, though he kept his intelligent gaze on Mari. Quickly, Mari drew another imaginary sketch, where O’Bryan returned and Cubby rushed happily to meet him.
Cubby’s frantic sounds and movements stopped. She stared at Mari. My O’Bryan no go.
“He has to go.” Mari punctuated her words with a repeat of the first sketch, which showed him leaving camp with the Riders, and then she hurriedly changed the scene to his joyous return where Cubby greeted him. “But he will come back to you.”
Must come back!
The words blasted Mari’s mind with such power that she had to blink several times and rub her temple before she sent Cubby another scene where O’Bryan ran into camp to lift the baby into his arms and hold him close.
“Yes, O’Bryan will be back,” Mari said.
My O’Bryan be back.
The words were strong, but this time they weren’t a mind-numbing onslaught. Mari nodded. “O’Bryan will always come back for you. And while he’s gone Sora and Chloe will visit and play with you.” Mari added a quick sketch of her friend and Chloe frolicking with Cubby.
Cubby turned her head to look at Sora, who sat beside O’Bryan with sleepy Chloe curled on her lap.
Sora?
“Yes, that’s Sora.” Mari reiterated by sending him a smiling sketch of her co–Moon Woman.
“Should I … um…,” Sora began.
“You should definitely pet him,” Mari said.
Sora reached over and stroked the little wolverine. “Please tell him I think he is very handsome.”
Handsome!
Mari laughed. “He can understand you, and he likes that you call him handsome.”
“He can really understand what we say?” O’Bryan’s voice was hushed, as if he spoke a prayer.
“He absolutely does,” said Mari. “He’s not very articulate, which isn’t unusual. Not all of Rose’s pups were easy to understand when they were babies.”
Sora snorted. “Chloe has always been easy to understand, but of course she is advanced.”
Mari stifled a grin. “Of course Chloe is, but even though Cubby isn’t completely articulate yet, he can definitely understand us.”
O’Bryan grinned. “Well then, Cubby, can you tell Mari if you like your name, or if you would rather I call you something else?”
The wolverine looked up at him and grunted.
I Cubby.
“He likes to be called Cubby,” said Mari.
“Then Cubby it is,” said O’Bryan.
Then Cubby met Mari’s gaze again. Love O’Bryan. Love Cammy. Tell Cammy love Mariah and sisters and brothers. Love them and Davis and Claudia—but O’Bryan first!
“Thank you for sharing that with me, Cubby.” Then Mari turned to Cammy. “Cubby wants you and Mariah and Davis and the puppies to know that he loves all of you.”
“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Cammy huffed happily and wagged the stump of his tail that was left after the attack of the Mouth on Lost Lake.
“He loves all of you, but O’Bryan first,” added Mari.
“As it should be. The love of your Companion comes first,” said Davis. He leaned over and stroked the wolverine. “You’re a good boy. I’m glad you’re part of our family.”
Family!
“He likes that,” said Mari.
Sleep with O’Bryan and Sora now. Cubby jumped from O’Bryan’s lap, made three circles, and fell instantly asleep between O’Bryan and Sora.
Mari laughed softly. “He says he’s going to go to sleep now—with you and Sora.”
“Oh, well, I—uh—think he misunderstands,” said O’Bryan as his cheeks heated bright pink. “Sora and Chloe are going to spend time with him after I’m gone.”
Mari shrugged and winked at Sora. “Too late to correct that now. He’s asleep.”
“Well, you do take him to your bed every night,” said Davis.
“Excuse me? O’Bryan has never taken me to his bed,” said Sora.
Mari giggled. “I think he was talking about O’Bryan taking Cubby to his bed, not you.”
“Oh. Well. That does make more sense.” Sora stood, cradling a complaining Chloe. “So, you sleep with him every night?” she asked O’Bryan.
“Yes, but you don’t have to. Just show him some extra attention and I’m sure that will be fine, especially now that we know he can understand us,” O’Bryan said quickly, his cheeks still on fire. “And remind him I’m coming back.”
“I can do that,” said Sora. “And don’t worry about him. If he seems lonely, Chloe and I will take him to our tent. It’s really not that big of a deal. Be well, O’Bryan. We will see you when you return. Good night, everyone.” Sora nodded to Davis and Cammy and Mari before she and Chloe disappeared into the night.
“Is she mad?” O’Bryan asked.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Mari. “She’s just Sora, that’s all.” Mari had more to say as she watched her friend fade into the shadows, but if what she suspected was true Sora would have to come to terms with it, and it wasn’t her place to say anything to O’Bryan until then.
* * *
The next morning, not long after dawn pinkened the eastern sky, Tulpar and Dove came to O’Bryan’s campsite. He’d already taken down his tent, which Nik would pack for him. All he was carrying with him was a small bedroll and waterskin, his crossbow, and a large cache of arrows. His stomach felt tight and strange, so he’d broken his fast with dry bread and some bison jerky. He sat on a stump, murmuring soft reassurances to Cubby, who curled sleepily against his chest.
“Good morning, O’Bryan.” Dove’s voice was as soft as the blushing sky.
He stood and lifted the bedroll, hooking the arrow quiver over his shoulder and securing his crossbow’s leather strap across his back. “Good morning, Dove and Tulpar.” The horses intrigued him, and O’Bryan couldn’t help but stroke Tulpar’s golden neck.
“The Riders are ready to depart. Through Tulpar’s eyes I see that you are, too. Shall we go?” Dove asked.
“Yes, but I’ll need to return Cubby to Mariah first.”
Dove smiled at the little wolverine. “If you allow it, Tulpar and I will return your boy to his family. That way he can be with you for a little longer.”
O’Bryan lifted the sleepy baby and looked into his eyes. “Dove is going to take you back to Mariah and the pups. Okay?”
Cubby grunted and wriggled his little body enthusiastically.
O’Bryan looked up at Dove to see that she and Tulpar were studying him with open curiosity. “Oh, Mari found out last night that Cubby can understand us. He spoke to Mari.” Even with the seriousness of his forthcoming mission, O’Bryan grinned.
“That is wonderful, though I am not surprised. It is obvious that Cubby adores you, and he seems quite intelligent,” said Dove. Tulpar snorted and Dove smiled. “He says that he likes Cubby’s color.”
O’Bryan tucked Cubby inside his shirt so that just his little head peeked out as he walked beside Tulpar and Dove. “Well, Tulpar, he won’t stay this color for long. He’ll turn dark like a wolverine.”
Tulpar snorted again and Dove laughed.
“What did he say?”
“Only that he hopes he will always smell like a canine. He says wolverines usually stink terribly,” Dove said.
“Well, I’ve been bathing him whenever we stop near a creek or stream,” said O’Bryan. “I’ve been aware that his scent might get off-putting, but so far he just smells like a puppy to me.”
“That’s what he smells like to Tulpar as well, so whatever you’re doing is working,” said Dove.
“That’s good … that’s good.” O’Bryan thought that he should probably keep up a conversation with Dove. He liked her, thought Tulpar was magnificent, and usually would have enjoyed the opportunity to speak with both of them, but O’Bryan’s mind kept circling around and around replaying River’s words. He was going to have to kill Riders and their Companions—and that thought blotted out small talk as surely as snow clouds blotted out the sun.
It didn’t take long to reach the group that had gathered near the rear of the Herd’s temporary camp. River and Anjo, of course, were there—as were four Rider/Companion teams—one of which was hitched to a strange-looking small cart. Then O’Bryan blinked in surprise as he saw that Sora and Chloe were there as well.
“Good morning to you, O’Bryan,” said River.
“Good morning, River and Anjo.” O’Bryan bowed respectfully to the Lead Mare Rider team before greeting her mother. “And good morning to you, Dawn and lovely Echo.” He bowed again.
Dawn saluted him. “What you do for us shall not be forgotten,” she said somberly.
“Never,” said River firmly. “We will never forget. Now, let me introduce you to the team Tulpar chose for this grim mission. You, of course, already know my mother and her mare, Echo.”
“Of course.” O’Bryan smiled at Echo, who stretched out her muzzle to greet him. He stroked her gently, marveling in the softness of her coat.
“And this is Stanton and his Dodger.” River gestured at a tall, dark-skinned man who stood beside a muscular sorrel stallion.
“Good to meet you,” said O’Bryan.
“Thank you for what you have agreed to do,” Stanton said.
“This pair is Lace and her mare, Lovie,” River introduced.
“Hello,” said O’Bryan to the tiny woman who leaned against an athletic-looking brown and white paint mare.
“Please know that we are grateful for you,” said Lace.
“And Ian will be your cart driver. His Dozer is an expert with the light cart. They will take good care of you,” River said.
“I am glad you are with us,” said Ian as he patted Dozer, a big dapple-gray gelding, on his shoulder. He met O’Bryan’s eyes and spoke frankly. “You save us from having to kill a fellow Herdsman.”
O’Bryan breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad the Riders were going to speak openly about what he must do. “Thank you. I will not say I am happy to join you on this mission, but I can say that I understand. I can imagine how horrible it would be if we had to pass this sentence on any of our Pack. I give you my word I will be swift and aim true.”
“That is all we can ask of you,” said River. “Dawn will, of course, lead the team. Stanton is our expert on Flyer poison and its uses. He will guide you on how to dress your arrows. Lace is our best tracker. Should Clayton and his people not be at their camp she will track them.” River went to O’Bryan and saluted him formally. “My wish is that you return to us soon, O’Bryan, and may a mare’s luck be with you.”
Then Sora was there, standing in front of him. Her full lips tilted up as she scratched Cubby under his chin. “I thought you would probably bring him with you. I can return him to Mariah for you.”
“Th—” O’Bryan began, but found that he had to clear the emotion from his throat and begin again. “Thank you. Cubby and I appreciate that.”
Sora looked from the little wolverine up into O’Bryan’s eyes. Something flashed across her face, and then she took his hand. “I have to speak to O’Bryan alone for a moment. We will be right back.” And without saying anything else, she led him away from the group to a small stand of pecan trees.
“What is it?” O’Bryan felt a tremor of worry. I hope she hasn’t changed her mind about taking care of Cubby. Hastily he said, “I really don’t think Cubby is going to be a problem, but I’m pretty sure Mari and Dove will help you if she gets too much.”
Sora made a shooing gesture. “Cubby won’t be a problem. Chloe and I are looking forward to spending time with him.” At her feet, the black Terrier pup yipped agreement. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
“Me?”
“Well, yes, of course. You’re going to have to shoot and kill Riders and their horses. It’s going to be horrible.”
O’Bryan looked down at his feet while his hand caressed Cubby and held his warm little body close to his chest. “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“That’s normal. O’Bryan, look at me.”
