The Way of the Ram Read online

  Caper, the Flaxers, Swifter, Ledger, and Boxer’s students were all there to greet Healer. Caper took a tight grip on Healer’s shoulder. “You’re every bit the man your father hoped you would be,” he said, eyes misting. “You’ve become the master of your own fate. And you’ve given all of these sheep that same gift.”

  The people of Fleece City and the quarry surrounded Healer next, reaching out to touch him, give him warm smiles, hold his hoof.

  “You fought for us.”

  “The Healer, our savior.”

  “You’ve shown us that we don’t have to be treated poorly. We’ll never let anything like this happen again.”

  “Yeah, who knew that sheep actually have power?”

  “Come on, Healer, say something.” Swifter laughed, nudging his business partner.

  “Yeah! Speech!”

  The crowd drew back expectantly, leaving Healer at a loss. He glanced at Caper, at Dreamer, and then at the group of dogs standing some distance away.

  “This is a great day,” Healer mumbled. “I only wish Boxer could see us like this.”

  Ledger saw his discomfort and stepped up to rescue him. “I spoke with Boxer after you freed him from the pig city. He knew from the start that you were different. He trained you, he loved you, and he believed in you. He knew you would follow your father’s example. He couldn’t have imagined any other outcome than this.” He turned and raised his voice to address the crowd. “And in Boxer’s honor, I invite all dogs to offer shelter to the sheep left homeless by this disaster. Dawn approaches. Rest this day. Find your families. Find food and water. Tend to the injured. Tomorrow at sunrise, we will all convene here so that rebuilding may get underway.”

  The dogs, birds, and sheep began to disperse. Healer and Dreamer remained in the field with Mauler and Ponder next to them. The four of them stared into the sky.

  From the storm cloud passing over Fleece City on its way south, a pair of violet eyes stared down at them with an expression Healer could not quite discern.

  Chapter 101

  Healer had been tired many times in his life, but this time felt different. It wasn’t the nightmare-ravaged insomnia he’d experienced after the attack on his home, or the medicated torpor following his arrest. It wasn’t the battered fatigue of spending nights on the run with his friends. Nor was it the manic restlessness with which he had developed his clinic. No, this time his weariness was the product of long, hard work. Work which had just started, and to which there was no end in sight.

  These last three days had felt interminably long at the time, but now he remembered it all as a quick blur. Getting food and shelter for everyone had been a messier affair than even he had anticipated. More than once, he had felt an unexpected, perverse appreciation for all the administrative tasks the pigs had performed. At times he was almost sorry they were gone.

  Almost.

  But they were gone, and nothing could change that. Dreamer had told him what the pigs had said to her in the bunker; it wasn’t long after the conclusion of the battle that they realized every pig had simply vanished where they stood, utterly without fanfare. An unmistakable sign that Toxid had died.

  Poor Dreamer was not handling it well, but they had not had time to talk about it yet due to the chaos of the last seventy-two hours. Sheep, birds, and dogs had spent their first three days without anyone to tell them how to go about their daily business or treat one another. The recovery so far had been a crash course in improvisation.

  Healer’s clinic had absorbed overflow from a hospital that now had staff but no administration. He had been a blessing to those with wounds—and Dreamer, who had absolutely thrown herself into the work to keep her mind off things, had been a blessing to him with her uncanny ability to have caffeine when and where he needed it. But a vast majority of the affected sheep were in desperate need of hydration, for which he had no magic spell. The hospital was jam-packed, and everyone who would have handled the logistics of such a massive influx had disappeared.

  Healer had thought that sheep would be the first to unite and work this out smoothly. In retrospect, he had been naïve to think so. Quarry sheep hadn’t been trapped in the city and didn’t have the need for shelter and fluids, but a lot of them had been wounded by the dogs driving them eastward on the night of the attack. A large number of city and quarry sheep were in close proximity at his clinic and he found himself having to interrupt his treatments to defuse arguments.

  On top of that, not everyone had accepted the change of leadership so easily. Many dogs had taken Ledger’s suggestion that they accept Healer’s leadership “for tonight” literally. Healer found himself dodging challenges in between trying to see to the wounded. Amongst older dogs, a common sentiment was that Healer was not a dog and his command was therefore illegitimate in Karkus’s eyes. The younger dogs figured they could defeat a sheep easily. It got so bad that Healer eventually enlisted the Tooth & Claw group to keep dogs away from Whole Hogs until he could sort out a public response that everyone would accept.

  Thankfully, the birds were nothing but a boon. Already civic-minded and rational, they helped keep order and naturally took over many of those leadership tasks the pigs had left behind. This caused no small amount of consternation, especially from sheep like Shiver who were convinced that the birds were using this crisis as an opportunity to take over. Healer was more than happy to stay out of that and let Caper handle it, which he did with magnanimity. His approach of deferring to sheep on major decisions went a long way toward calming Shiver’s concerns.

  It had been rough, and there was a long way to go, but they had survived the worst of it. The injured had been treated and the displaced had temporary roofs over their heads, which had been first priority. They could begin to plan for the future. Talks had already begun about selecting new leadership and restructuring society to fill empty roles.

  But now that the immediate needs of the living had been served, it was finally time to take a moment and see to the dead.

  Chapter 102

  Hundreds of dogs filled the forest clearing, and enough torches were lit to ward off the morning cold. But this time, there was no uproar, no howling, no barking. Everyone was quiet.

  The dogs wearing Tooth & Claw medals stood up straight, Healer noticed, with a proud bearing. The others, especially those who had personally witnessed Pincher’s last fights, kept their heads and tails low.

  Even so, none of them had failed to show up for Boxer’s funeral. Healer admired their willingness to pay respects even though, to most of them, Boxer had seemed to be an enemy just days before. He also noted that none of his would-be challengers bothered him today. For now, this was more important, and rightly so.

  Healer stood between Dreamer and Caper in front of the HoundBlood arena. Shiver was in the crowd somewhere, along with Ponder, the Flaxers, and some of the other birds. A group of about twenty dogs wearing scarlet robes stood near the arena’s entrance.

  Mauler and the Tooth & Claw students formed a half-circle around a table of carved granite. On top of the stone slab were several bundles of dry grass arranged in a pyramid shape. Boxer’s silver First Officer medal was pinned to the topmost bundle.

  A weary old beagle with a ceremonial high collar stepped in front of the funeral pyre. “It is with a heavy heart that we lay one of our finest to rest,” he said in a low, hoarse voice. “Boxer went a different way than most of us, but he treated us all fairly. He was a friend to his fellow dogs as well as the birds and sheep of the world. We can all take comfort knowing he left this world in exactly the way he would have wanted to—standing up for his convictions. We can all learn from the example of First Officer Boxer. Now, we wish him peace as he goes to join the army of the War Hound in the life that follows this one.”

  The two Doberman guards emerged from the arena doors, each holding a lit torch in their teeth. As they approached the pyre, the group in red robes lifted their heads and began a howl. It began on a unified note, but some of the dogs
brought their pitch lower, others higher, forming a sad chord. It morphed into a rippling melody that brought tears to Healer’s eyes.

  As the requiem went on, the two elite guards threw their torches onto the pyre. The flames spread rapidly through the dry grass. The silver medal melted and sank into the fire. A column of white smoke rose straight into the air as the choir finished their song.

  They bowed their heads and went through the arena doors, followed by the twin guards and the officiator. When the Tooth & Claw students and the rest of the crowd began to disperse, Healer realized that was all there was to it. After one last look at the pyre, he turned and walked toward the trees. Dreamer and Caper stayed at his side.

  Healer glanced at the old owl. “Well, what are you going to do now?”

  “I am going to take my University in its own direction,” Caper answered. “Sheep will still need education. So will birds and dogs, if they want to navigate a world where no one is telling them what to do. As I said before, Healer, you will always be welcome to finish your education. And if you should want to train others to assist you at Whole Hogs, you could certainly take a teaching position. University was your home for a while and I hope you treat it like one.”

  “Thanks, Caper. I won’t forget that.”

  “I’m sorry it turned out this way,” Dreamer said. “I know you didn’t intend for the technology you made to be taken in such a horrible direction.”

  Caper nodded. “That’s why I mean to expand my operations into the newly vacated Megatropolis. I’ll find some way to redeem the research I pioneered. Until next time, sheep, be well.” He unfolded his wings, ascending over the oak treetops and out of sight.

  Healer looked after him for a minute before facing Dreamer. “Now that we finally have a minute, I want to talk to you.”

  Her face was hard but her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. “What about?”

  “I think you know. I need to make sure you’re alright.”

  Dreamer’s flat expression turned pale, like she was going to be sick. “Like it or not, Healer, you and I are partially responsible for what happened to the pigs. I know we’ve had so much going on, but we can’t ignore it forever.”

  “Well, it’s not as if the pigs gave us much of a choice. It’s like you told me. They made it a question of ‘them or us.’ We did what we needed to do to survive. A ram puts the safety of sheep above all other considerations. I know that’s what Arghast wants me to think, but there’s some validity to it.” He reached out and pulled her close, which seemed to comfort her.

  She closed her eyes and leaned into him. “That makes me a ram too, in some sense. Like Arghast said.”

  “Exactly right. I know you’ll have a tougher time living with this decision than I will, but for what it’s worth, I think you should be proud.”

  She sighed. “That’s worth a lot, coming from you.”

  Healer touched his snout to her forehead. “Now the next phase begins. Remember, I’m going to be lost here. I don’t know how to live without enemies. I’m going to need you around… all the time.”

  She looked up. “Meaning?”

  “I think you should move into the clinic with me.”

  She gave him her wry smile. “You don’t think that will affect your ability to concentrate on your work?”

  “We treat more effectively as a team,” Healer said, trying to hold a straight face. “This is purely a professional decision for the benefit of my patients.”

  She laughed. “Sure it is. Either way, I accept.”

  “Hang on a second,” a gruff voice sounded from behind them. “I get a vote here.”

  Healer looked back and smiled. “Hey, Shiver. Glad you came.”

  The black ram caught up to them. “I had to make sure they sent old Boxer off properly. What’s this I heard about moving in? Dreamer has an education to finish, you know.”

  “I thought you said you trusted me,” Healer replied. “Want to come along? We have more than enough space for you. You could get out of the quarry.”

  “Are you kidding? I actually like my work. So thanks, but I’m going to pass. Don’t think you’re done training, though. Pulling off the greatest upset in the history of dog dueling doesn’t mean you get to relax.”

  Shiver gave a jocular swing of his head. This time Healer was quick enough to deflect it.

  “All kidding aside,” the older ram said, “you both have my blessing. Come by and visit anytime. Love you, Dreamer.”

  “Love you too, Dad.”

  Shiver angled off from them to head for the quarry wall. Watching him go, Healer heard more sets of feet walking through the underbrush. He turned back to see Ponder, Mauler, and Ledger approaching them. The Flaxers and Wender rode on Mauler’s shoulders.

  “Hey, Ledger,” Healer said. “We need to have a talk.”

  The old Dane nodded. “Agreed. Some dogs may not appreciate what’s happened, but in the code of Karkus, you are our leader. What would you have us do?”

  “I think you had the right idea. Help sheep rebuild. Protect us. Teach us to protect ourselves. But I’m more interested in a solution for everyone. I had better appoint someone to run Tooth & Claw and manage the daily affairs for dogs. Someone who understands the culture better than I do, and someone other dogs respect.”

  Another low nod. “A wise choice, Flesh-Mender. Let me know if I can help you sort out any viable candidates.”

  Healer cocked an eyebrow. “Ledger, my mind’s made up. I’m talking about you.”

  The old dog put his ears back, looking like a pup getting a new toy. “Really? I’d be honored to do that, Healer. I can only hope I can lead them as well as Boxer. And Pincher, of course, before his unfortunate fall.”

  “Boxer kept you close because he trusted you,” Healer said. “That’s good enough for me. If it’s not good enough for the other dogs, you can all hold another HoundBlood tournament or something and sort it out. But I’ll leave that for dogs to decide. And I’ll let you make the announcement, First Officer Ledger.”

  “Thank you, sir. Of course.” Ledger turned to Mauler. “My words to you in these very woods still stand, champion of Karkus. I know there is no going back on the way we treated you when you first came to us. I know our actions since then have no way of erasing what we did, or what we let the pigs do to you. All the same, I hope there is some possibility of you remembering us dogs fondly.”

  Mauler put a hand on Ledger’s shoulder. “Some of you.”

  Ledger made a deep bow and headed back for the clearing. The five birds flitted off of Mauler and landed on Dreamer’s back.

  “Thanks for everything, all of you,” Dreamer said, turning her head to look back at Wender. “I started out with a low opinion of the Church of Optera, but you all made me understand that there were good birds out there.” She shifted her gaze to Mrs. Flaxer. “We owe you everything. When we were completely lost, you carried us through.”

  “Literally, in my case,” Ponder quipped, making them all smile.

  “What should we do without you, Prophet?” Wender asked.

  “Despite Optera’s deception, I think the request she made of us at the shrine was sound. I ask that you continue to learn about the world in her name, bringing faith and reason together into discovery and progress. Perhaps, through you, Optera may one day come to understand honor and loyalty.”

  Mrs. Flaxer gave Dreamer a peck on the cheek and then hopped over to do the same to Healer. “Bye, my dears. I’ve got to get these boys home. We’ll be seeing you here and there, I imagine.”

  Dreamer rubbed her cheek. “Of course we will.”

  The five birds fluttered off, leaving the four companions alone in the quiet forest.

  “Thanks for coming back for this,” Healer said to Mauler. “I know Boxer would have appreciated it.”

  Mauler nodded. “He was our friend.”

  “I guess you’re going to head out now, huh? You and Ponder have a lot of quality time to catch up on.”

&
nbsp; “Yes, we’re leaving.”

  “Now that there’s peace,” Dreamer ventured, “I feel the need to bring this up one more time. There’s no one else here who can hurt you.”

  “It is not only about that,” Ponder replied, placing a hand on the sheep’s back. “We have won freedom and we wish to express it. Explore it. Be away from this place over which Optera and Karkus hold sway. It is not out of any desire to be separate from you and Healer. But we do want to learn what it means to be on our own. I hope you understand.”

  “Of course I do,” Dreamer said, eyes welling up. “I’m just going to miss you. We went through so much together. I don’t want this to be goodbye.”

  Ponder crossed in front of her and knelt, making Dreamer stop walking. “Then this does not have to be goodbye just yet.”

  EPILOGUE

  Healer and Dreamer stepped off the finely crafted little boat. Their hooves sank into the sand and the gentle surf touched their legs as they made their way onto dry land. They were in a lagoon on a small island, no more than a few miles across. A couple of palm trees marked the shoreline, but the vegetation grew thicker and greener as it reached farther inland.

  The two sheep followed Ponder and Mauler to a beautiful thatched cottage set back into the trees, surrounded by bright tropical flowers.

  “This is amazing,” Dreamer said. “You built this whole house by hand?”

  “That is correct,” Ponder answered with a touch of pride. “It is nice to get to show off our home. Mauler is discovering quite the touch for woodcraft.”

  Mauler got to the door first and waved them all inside, where he served them water and fruit. The four of them sat on woven chairs in a small, spare living room.

  “It seems as though relations between the peoples of your land are on the mend,” Ponder commented after a while. “I hope the rebuilding is going as smoothly.”

  “It’s getting there,” Healer said between bites. “Fleece City is going to be restored. Then the Megatropolis will be repurposed.”