Salem

From snow to ashes...

Salem grew up in a happy home, full of siblings and loving parents. His siblings loved playing in the snow together. Hiding in makeshift tunnels and creating mounds to get the higher grounds for jump attacks. Life was good. When his four eldest siblings came of age they set up their own homes while staying close to their parents. His sisters decided to build their igloo together, big enough for all of them while his eldest brother set up closer to the woods that bordered their clearing but still close to home. Salem and his younger brother stayed home since they were still pups. It wasn’t even a month when the fog started to appear.

It started when it only appeared at dusk to dissipate at dawn. Normal fog behavior right? Salem’s older brother was the first to be on high alert. Something wasn’t right for him. Their father didn’t want to believe him, only the young male’s hyper imagination from living alone for the first time. His brother wouldn’t lie, even abandoned his igloo near the edge of the forest for one closer to their parents and grandparents.

Their father and grandfathers were the next to become in high alert. Strange noises from the woods. Mysterious killings of prey in their hunting grounds. Their father apologized to his eldest brother and their sisters were becoming nervous. They’ve never seen all the adults become on edge. Their grandfathers decided to venture towards the neighboring village to see if anything was reported about a possible strange beast or feral creature lurking in the woods.

The day they left was when the fog would blanket their clearing day and night. It was relentless and dread seeped in their bones. Salem and his youngest brother stayed close together. They never were apart and was always within reach from their mother. The noises in the night grew worse and their grandfathers never returned.

Their father and brother was the next to leave the clearing to hunt and hopefully find their elders. It wasn’t even a full evening when his brother came running back. The tattered clothing of their father within his grasps and blood spatter all over his fur, tears streaming down his face. He couldn’t even get a full sentence when an ear piercing howl echoed the clearing. Salem’s grandmothers and mother ushered Salem’s sisters to protect Salem and his brother as they got into defense. Their teeth bared and terrible growls within their chests. This was no natural attack.

From the fog, one of Salem’s sisters yelped and was dragging into the fog. Their mother howled and tried to get her back as one of his grandmothers was able to drag some trees and started a fire to try to get some sort of visual through the fog. Salem had made the mistake of peering from under the snow he was hiding under to see a giant white shaggy furred beast clamp its maw upon one of his grandmother’s neck and dragged her into the fog; her growls and howls silenced almost instantly.

His sisters were terrified but Salem couldn’t help but think of how brave they were when they defended their home with their baby brothers hidden inside. Their fur along their backs raise, ready to attack and pounce as they growled their warnings. Three more beasts came into view. The one on the right still had their eldest brother’s neck within its jaws. A sickened snap before it dropped him.

Salem was soon blinded by the snow collapsing on top of him and his brother. They clawed their way to the surface. Something wasn’t right... It was silent. Not a sound but the fire that rages. Salem tried to look around but his brother saw the body of their mother first and ran towards her. Before Salem could grab him from the fog materialized one of the monsters that attacked their family. His brother’s body crumpled like a twig within the beast’s jaws. These beasts are unnatural. Salem was unable to comprehend what was happening. Fear drove him to run but clumsily he ran into the burning branches. The flames licked his fur and pain screamed from his eyes. Falling instantly into the snow, Salem could feel the breath of the beast as he waited for his fate similar to his family.

Another howl echoes the clearing...

The beasts paused and looked towards the sound. Salem could barely see but noticed an unusual blur that sent the beast above him flying. There were snarls and he could hear the fight but he was torn between trying to bury himself within the snow or to just play dead. His eyes hurt too much he decided to try to play dead. Maybe then this nightmare will be over. It wasn’t long before silence returned. All Salem could hear is his heartbeat ringing in his ears as he tried to be as still as possible. That is until something picked him up by the scruff. He yelped and tried to growl and swipe a paw the best a pup could do. He was gently placed down which made him try to open his eyes again to see who saved him?

They were but a blur of white. Two massive beasts, one being a very large stark white Great Pyrenees while the other smaller one was a white Borzoi with some sort of grey markings? The smaller sniffed him,

“A survivor. He is injured and he won’t survive on his own. We need to bring him with us.” The larger took a step closer and sniffed Salem before replying,
“The pack would accept him. Grab him and let’s go home.”

And with that Salem was picked up gently and was brought within the woods. He doesn’t remember much of the travel as exhaustion from his trauma overcame him. When he came to he was within a small den, a large rust colored coyote nuzzled the smaller Borzoi looking one and greet the one that carried him. Sìleas was her name he thinks and the large coyote must be her mate. Salem didn’t think of it long when a small slender white wolf made her way towards him with some herbs. She placed some over his eyes and spoke in a language he didn’t recognize. There was a soft greenish glow and a cooling sensation rushed over his body. It felt nice. After a few minutes she removed the herbs and Salem was happy to notice that his sight was a little better. She introduced herself as Ylva and she told him that the moon helped heal his eyes, turning his amber eyes to the milky white. She had painted runes and symbols upon him that the moon engraved into his fur as symbol of the magic that healed him.

He was to stay with Ylva to help him get used to the new clan until he was grown enough to find his place. He found that he could see better at night depending on the lunar scale but Ylva told him that during the day, he would be basically blind. Luckily, he is still able to see basic shapes. It wasn’t long before he was introduced to the packs like Kodiak mentioned when he was younger. He was presented to Oolong to find where he’d fit in where. Oolong agreed but wouldn’t place him until he himself, the leaders, or the betas observed Salem interact within the clan so that they could place him properly.

Salem was nervous. Everyone was friendly but there was definitely a darker side of this clan. He could feel them watching him and yet it wasn’t like they were waiting to attack. It was as if they were on guard, just watching and some just liked to watch him. It wasn’t long before one decided to test him. Salem was familiar with Blackmore. A massive black Irish Wolfhound, Blackmore tends to stick within the shadows, easily out of sight. He was second in command to Krykogrim and they were the darker side. Blackmore must be strong if he’s able to keep even those of the Barghests lineage in line and at his command.

Salem decided to take a walk within the woods when he noticed a lone black hatchling playing amongst some flowers. He looked around but decided to try to help find where this little hatchling belonged too. That is until a shadowy creature appeared in front of him. The monster attacked him but he was able to dodge easily. Salem couldn’t bring himself to attack the monster. For some reason unknown to himself, he just couldn’t attack. That is until the shadow turned its attention to the hatchling. Salem jumped in front of the hatchling as it attacked; large claws slashed across his shoulders. Salem growled deep as he finally attacked. His jaws going straight though the shadow as it disappeared. Confused he turned towards the hatchling...just as she transformed into a crow and flew straight to Blackmore who in turn appeared from the shadows.

“You will not make it within my pack. Unable to attack a threat instantly and without question.” Salem bowed his head ashamed at his own hesitation. Blackmore tilted his head, pondering, “You’re too innocent. However, you are willing to sacrifice yourself to protect those who need protecting.” He motioned to the crow before turning, “Come, I think I know where you’ll belong peacefully.”

Salem now guards the Daycare. The more peaceful part of the clan, despite the supernatural hijinx that may ensue. The hatchlings love him and Arodan enjoys having a permanent guard to watch over them when he can’t. Finally at home, Salem is able to peacefully live his life. Only occasionally Oolong will call on him to assist with pack related jobs but being a protector will always come first.