Talhi: Book One

--Rine--

Introduction

Above the view of the tallest mountains and the highest grounds, the stars shone with unimaginable brilliance along with the full moon. The moon, a symbol associated often with the wolf. A wolf sat in front of this moon, looking out to it and the surrounding starlight. The wolf’s fur was not at all shaggy or dirty as some might think, but it lay so that the wolf’s strong build was accurately portrayed. Although, this wolf was not a wolf, or at least not totally one. The silhouetted form of two eagle-like wings rose from its shoulders.

As the moon continued to rise, color was given to the winged wolf; well, if gray could be considered a color. Its fur was a deep gray with a few different, but not drastic, shades throughout. The primary and secondary feathers were a silver that glittered in the starlight. The wolf seemed to be in deep thought, or was maybe just taking a rest from the day’s travels.

But where could the wolf have traveled? Being about level with the moon and engulfed in stars, this creature was far above the earth. The name of the place fit with its surroundings. The Stars, where this winged wolf now resided, was what humans would call an afterlife, both a heaven and hell.

The wolf’s ears flicked back at the sound of another. This one’s fur was white. Silver ran up its muzzle, parted across her forehead, and came to a soft curl around the outer side of its eyes. Those eyes were a blue that the sky would be jealous of. The silver that was on its face also covered its hind feet. The wolf’s build was thin, but not unhealthily so. Anyone could tell that the wolf would be hard to beat in any race.

As the white wolf came up diagonal to the gray, the white’s upper body lowered down, its right front leg reaching out on the transparent cloud that floored the Stars. This wolf had wings as well, though they were dragon-like. The bony structure of them was the same shade as its main fur, the leathery member the silver color. Those wings were spread out to go along with the apparent bow the wolf was doing.

“You have no need to bow to me. You know that, Shar,” the gray wolf said, his tone was strong yet kind, and held a slight bit of laughter in it. The white rose to her four feet and then sat back on its haunches.

“It is a hard habit to break, Lord Zye,” she said.

“What habit isn’t?” was the reply, mixed in with a soft chuckle. “Now, what is it that you came to me for, Power Spirit? Are my fellow shana alright?”

--

The shana, winged wolves from the land of Rine. Their afterlife is spent in the Stars that settled above the shanan homeland of Rine. Rine is on the planet Earth, but it is hidden from human eyes. If one were to walk directly towards the land, they would continue walking in a land they knew. But the shana would find themselves entering an ancient place. One of great importance to many creatures, though in the past, it was one of hatred.

Now, as you have probably already figured out, the shana are quite different than any wolf, one because of their wings, another because of their past, and last because of their hierarchy. Shana have wings because, while they are winged wolves, they are truly wolf-dragon—or wolf-bird-hybrids. The history of the shanan race is quite long, that is what I hope to tell you, mostly through Zye’s eyes, throughout this tale. Now their hierarchy is a completely other matter. The shana are divided up into race ranks and pack ranks. The race ranks include those who have been named a legend, a hero or great one in Rine. Zye, the gray wolf as I have introduced him, is the shanan god. He was the first shana and played a huge role in creating them; again, he was the first. At his side, or “right hand” as I have heard used, are two spirits: the Spirit of Power and the Spirit of Nature. The Spirit of Power, who I have also already introduced, is Shar. She is in charge of giving certain shana powers, or special abilities. Shar’s brother, Chance, is the Spirit of Nature. He is able, as his title says, control aspects of nature, such as weather, in Rine. Other legends are ranking in her as well: the Great Dragon, the First Prophet, the High Powered, and a few others.

Pack ranks are more similar to the wolven ones. They consist of an Alpha—Alphess if they are female—, a Consur, Oshla, and Hyka. The leader of a pack is the Alpha or Alphess. The Alphas’ Consur is the second in command, much like a right hand if I use the term again. The Oshla are strong members of the pack, led by a Top Oshla. And finally the Hyka, the remaining pack members.

Just a quick bit about the shana. I’m sure you want to get back to the tale, so I shall stop here for now.

--

“They are all fine,” Shar said. The fae then shifted uncomfortably. “Well, as you know, we had quite a lot of stillborns in the last denning,” which was a few years ago.

Zye had turned around by now and nodded agreeing at her. His eyes were a soft hazel, the green more predominant than the brown. Below both eyes was a dark, nearly black, gray marking. It looked like three triangles, whose bases were placed together, and those bases were wrapped around the bottom of both eyes.

“They,” the white shana continued, “Would like to hear about Rine, considering that they never set a living paw onto soil.”

“How far do they want me to go back?” the god questioned, not with any feeling of anger or annoyance. In truth, he was actually more of a youth in heart than some great god.

“Since you were a...a wolf pup,” Shar replied with a bit of uneasiness, knowing a bit about Zye’s pup hood.

A sigh released from the brute’s maw and he raised his head upwards, as if sniffing the air. His lips then pulled back into a soft expression, much like a smile.

“And I believe I will have more listeners than the stillborns. I mean, it’s not everyday I tell the entire history of the shana,” Zye chuckled, rising to his feet. Shar rose to her paws as well and followed her god.

The two padded slowly through the Stars, giving acknowledging nods to the numerous bows of the other shana. Zye thought about how large he had grown and how far he had come from being a hated omen. That story and ones from after his death were ones he would tell the group his green-brown eyes now laid upon.

It was a correct guess that not only the stillborns would be there to listen. Pups, youths, adults, elders, and the stillborns of course were all gathered in a semicircle so the god could easily be seen. The shana also set themselves into rows according to height and age, being respectful of the elders and stillborns.

Two of the youth stood out to him. Akila and Zeera. Akila had white-silver fur with a darker gray stripe down her back that eventually took over her back legs and darkened even more at her tail. That tail was wagging excitedly with anticipation that also showed her playful and adventurous nature. Zeera’s fur was a deep black with white highlights around the back of her jaw and tail. Both had eagle wings. Akila’s feathers were the gray of her body, which lightened with the layers until they became a silver shade identical to her base fur. Zeera’s were much like a raven’s wing in black coloring and a blue-green sheen on the back. They probably did not know they were to be included in the tale Zye was about to tell.

“It’s good to see so many of different faiths and families gathered together as one,” Zye began. He spoke with a strong yet not intimidating voice. “Shar has informed me that the stillborns,” he nodded to them, which sent their tails wagging fast and their eyes widening, and then continued, “And some others have wanted to hear about the shana from the very beginning, including a bit of my wolf life. I believe that this would be a good time to tell of some things that only the High Spirits, myself, and some of my spirit kin know of. Listen closely, for I may not tell this tale again.” His hazel eyes scanned the crowd, making sure he had all the attention he could gather. “Let me begin,” Zye continued, and saw many ears perk at knowing the story would start, “From when I was just a young pup and the son of the Alphas of the East Creek wolf pack...”