*********
Red's POV
*********
Next morning I got up and headed straight out to the bunk house to check on everyone. After the night we had had in town I wanted to make sure things were better. There had been some pretty wild events that took place for these everyday people. People who went to work, church and the store not thinking that there was a hidden world of spirits and a magic of sort.
I was on the trail that led down to the bunkhouse. Always carried a side arm, there were predators all around as we lived in an area that was remote. I was at a good pace when I felt it, eyes watching me. My pace did not waver, though I made sure I was checking all around. I would mention it to the guys so they were aware.
Rounding the corner, I seen everyone milling around cooking breakfast, splitting wood and generally getting bits done for the morning. I seen Jay, Hooker and Butch chatting off by themselves. I made a bee line straight to them.
"Ah, Red glad to see you. So, we seen some of those big wolves early this morning." Jay informed before I had even finished getting there.
"Yeah that is why I held back yesterday. The One who Remembers called for them. They are from the south and supposedly have no connection to the ones we seen in town." I shrugged. "Granted I felt I was being watched on my way here this morning "
"Yeah been having that feeling since late last night." Hooker huffed.
"So are they something we should worry about?" Jay looked at me.
"At this point, trust us as a whole. Outside us lets make them earn it." I glanced around. "I suspect we will see who they call to after a little bit. Should those things in town come up here." I took another look around. My gut was telling me, we were being watched but at the same it wasn't a threat.
We told everyone to stay close to the bunk house until we could sort out what was going on. I seen a group of kids head to the pond area which was still close to the house. Noting their direction I continued to keep planning how we were gonna use supplies and who was going to be in guard rotations.
"Wolf!!" One of the little kids screamed. The whole group coming back from the pond at a run. All of us picking up weapons and yelling to get the kids in the house.
Running down the trail til just before the turn we slowed as the corner got closer. There I peeked and seen Lada and one of those southern wolves facing each other. I nodded to the guys telling them I was going to go in but for them to stay back and wait for orders. My hands making the universal signs for just that.
Standing up straight, I turned the corner. My eye on the southern wolf. Lada I kept a smaller eye on as she been protecting Lia and had made sure this necklace got to me. "May I ask what is going on?" I asked while walking up to them.
Lada turned to look at me, "The wolves were thirsty, did not mean to scare the children. I have told them about a different water hole away from the area they can drink." Lada nodded to me and stood.
"Ah, we are on edge after seeing what we seen in town the night before last. All of us expect it to come up here." I nodded back to her. "You have a new friend?" I asked her.
"My name is Joe, I was called by the One who Remembers. She asked that we patrol both this area and the areas her wards do not protect." The other silver and black wolf came forward.
"Hello Joe," I greeted. "My guys are very jumpy right now. They have never seen the bits that showed themselves in the town below. Perhaps it would be wise to keep a low profile?"
"Yes, I did not mean to scare the children. I was thirsty. This area is new to us. So the pond was our first choice." Joe sat infront of me.
"I understand." I nodded. I was just about to say how thankful we were that they were offering protection when in the distance I heard a howl. then another. Both of the wolves before me, became alert.
"Excuse me," Joe said and was gone before I could even say a word.
I looked to Lada, who was listening in the distance. "What is going on?"
"There has been a breach in line." Was all she said as she leaped forward. "Get everyone in the house. Stay there til I return!"
I didn't even think I turned and told the guys to get back to the house. It wasn't until I had closed the door that I realized Lia was out. My heart sank, I started to go out the door and it was locked like some kind of magic had been placed on it.