Chapter 18
Story by Courgus on SoFurry
Lariana was unable to sat down while Varshgar was missing. She could not bare the thought that might not come back to her anymore.
She decided her next steps but she got caught by someone.
Original story by: Courgus
Translated by: Erazaa
The flames of the fire were still rising, even at this late hour. There was little activity in the camp, as most of the people had already disappeared into their tents. Lariana walked, with bowed head, past the fire. She did not pay much attention to the others around the fire. Even if every man of the Bloodfang Clan would like to take her as his wife, she was already promised to another. But everyone knew that Varshgar was no longer in the camp and so it could only be a matter of time until she would be free for another. Urrak, who was enjoying the warm fire, saw Lariana walk by and stood up abruptly.
>>Hey, Lari...<< he said as she walked by.
She looked up briefly and tried to smile.
>>Hey... Urrak.<< she said casually and went on her way
Urrak was no fool, for he had seen that Lariana was anything but well. Of course, he knew that it was because Varshgar was missing. From his position by the fire, he could see exactly how one of the guards had run away and back to the war master's tent with four scouts. He only needed to put one and one together to know what was going on. He still looked after Lariana, who was heading for her tent. But he could not help himself and had to follow her. A few moments later, he had caught up with her and extended his left paw toward her.
>>Lari... Can I help you?<< he asked dejectedly.
She stopped for a moment and tried not to cry. That was the only thing that was feasible for her at the moment. Lariana gave everything she could to get over the possible loss, but it was a heavy burden.
>>Hey...I know you're upset about Varshgar...but...if you ever want to look for him...<<
The words reached her ear and echoed in her head.
"Is there any possibility that Varshgar is still out there? Is he perhaps still alive?" she pondered for a moment and then gave in.
She turned to Urrak and looked at him. He had been a handsome wolf, and surely she would not push him off the edge of the bed. But she took her oath of allegiance seriously. But when she thought that, she almost had to laugh. At that moment she heard the words of Varshgar who told her not to wait for him. She reached out her paw to Urrak and grabbed his right one. Both looked deeply into each other's eyes and Lariana then said.
>>I cannot give you what you desire. But if you help me find Varshgar, I will be eternally grateful.<<
Urrak looked into the deep blue-green eyes of the beauty of the camp. It was not at all difficult for him to do her this favor. Regardless of what might or might not come of it. He just couldn't stand it when Lariana was sad. And so he looked at Lariana's paw, stroked it, and then returned the favor:
>>I don't care if we could ever be together or not. For me, it is only important that you are well. And yes... Varshgar too. After all, you and I are friends too. If you want to search, I'm with you.<<
Now the gloomy thoughts left Lariana's mind, and she began to smile softly. A moment later she looked at him again and nodded.
>>I would like to look for him.<< she said to Urrak.
He, too, had to smile as Lariana's smile always had a charming effect on the men in the tribe.
>>Then it's settled. I'll be at your tent in a few minutes.<<
>>It's good. But come around the back. No one should see us.<<
Urrak just nodded and walked over to his tent.
His mother had already gone to sleep and Urrak made him as quiet as he could. The journey they were about to embark on was very uncertain, so Urrak had to pack what he thought was necessary. Besides, they had no room for unnecessary ballast. The look into his chest, right next to his soft warm bed, revealed to him that he actually could not be prepared for such a journey.
He grabbed his two daggers and a bow. His harness for the weapons and a belt with two pouches attached to it. A small backpack, which was still in the chest, he also grabbed. The last thing he had in the box was a map. It was already a bit dusty but in a very good condition. Carefully he unrolled it and looked at it.
"Varshgar made them.” He has some of his camps listed here. If we're lucky, they still exist." he thought to himself. It was on a useful scale and contained all the important features for orientation. He took the card and rolled it up. Then, with the paw in which he held the card, he pressed it to his chest and smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Varshgar." he thought to himself and closed his chest. Everything was stowed away in no time, and he laid a flower for his mother, which he had picked on the way.
"So you know I'm fine, Mother."
With this thought and a heavy heart, he set off. He quickly left his tent and followed the path to Lariana's tent. She was already waiting for him and smiled when he arrived.
>>I am ready.<< he said.
Lariana saw that he had really thought about it, and now it was time to leave the camp without attracting attention. They stayed for a while and then the scouts stepped out of Krashak's tent.
>>Now we should go.<< Urrak said and Lariana nodded.
With one leap they jumped onto the branch of a nearby tree and disappeared into the thicket of branches between the trees.