"The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?"
--George Herbert
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By noon the next day the party of fifty-or-so warriors had reached an area of countryside where farms gave way to uncultivated meadows and grassland. For miles around, nothing could be seen but rolling green countryside and clear blue sky. Not a house or tree in sight.
However, the land was not completely uninhabited, as they discovered after topping the next rise.
"What Are those?" Gasped Tikkcik in suprise.
The vast herd of strange creatures grazing in the field below them were four-legged, but had hooves rather than paws. Their fur was dingy white, and extremely curly, and their faces were black. Occasionally one of their number would make an odd bleating sound.
Erin racked her memory. "Sheep." She said at last. "They're sheep."
"I could've told you that." Sniffed Appollo.
"Then why didn't you?" Muttered the squirrel.
Behind them and around them, the other creatures were also gaping at the sight, and beginning to chatter amongst themselves.
"Shh!" Said Erin waving a paw. The others didn't listen.
"There weh sheep weah I came from." Mused Evvey. "These must belong teh somebody, some of 'em ah shoahn."
Erin nodded. She had read about sheep, and how some creatures herded them for their meat and wool. Sheep were, if she recalled, reputed to be the stupidest creatures in existance, at least of warm-blooded species. They lacked the ability to speak in any language of their own, and even that was merely a guttural "signal" language. Sheep weren't the same as Wild Ones, because they lacked even the intelligence to
become civilized.
So who did these sheep belong to?
Erin, absorbed in her thoughts, had failed to notice several warriors, mostly canines and felines, setting off downhill, into the midst of the sheep.
It had been their plan to try and kill one of the obviously uncivilized beasts. Something that large would make a good meal, that was sure.
Erin noticed them just in time.
"Hey! Stop! What d'you think you're doing! Get out of there!" She took off after them, yelling all the way at the wayward comrades who were stalking up on an unsuspecting sheep.
"Why should we?" Asked an ocelot soldier, glaring hard at Erin.
Before Erin could say anything, the answer appeared.
In a cacophany of barks, a dozen large dogs, clad only in wool cloaks, rounded a small hill, charging directly toward the would-be sheep-killers.
The warriors up on the hill, sensing the tension, swarmed into the little valley, weapons at ready.
The dogs stopped several yards from where Erin was standing. A look and smell of fear in their countenances told Erin that they had not expected anything like this. In order to avert disaster, she stepped forward, bowing her head.
"Friends, there's been a misunderstanding. Some of my companions here had a notion that these sheep were theirs for the taking. However, I set them right. We mean you no harm. We're just passing through, you see."
The dogs exchanged glances. Then one, a long-furred black and white male, advanced a few paces and spoke.
"Our clan is peaceful." He said. "We do not wish to start a fight. If what you say is true, and you are our friends, then may blessings be upon you." He watched Erin warily.
The vixen dipped her head. "Thank you, sir."
The dog trotted over to Erin a sniffed in greeting. "My name is Whitepaws MacBrindleback." He said, still seeming a little tense and supspicious.
"Erin Ruadh." Said Erin.
Whitepaws turned to the rest of the company. "Our banqueting hall is large, and open to any of you who wish to feast with us. Tonight is a festival, and there will be plenty of food for all." He barked.
Enthusiastic murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Erin nodded. "We would be honored to join you." She said.
Whitepaws trotted back alongside his
comrades. "Follow us, then." He yipped.
And fifty warriors trotted after a dozen dogs across the shallow valley.
* * * *
The canines' banqueting hall was indeed large, but certainly it wasn't what most of the creatures in the party had been expecting.
The building itself was little more than a lightweight thatched roof held up by eight wooden pillars, and the whole thing looked as though the slightest breeze would blow it over.
Everywhere were dogs dashing about making preparations. Most of them were similar to the type of dog that Whitepaws was, black or brown with white, though a few were short-haired and tan colored with various markings.
Near the hall, were many smaller huts (which actually did have walls) from which smoke could be seen rising, and tantalizing aromas drifted.
Whitepaws stopped on the green near the hall, just distant enough that the other creatures would not be in the way of the busy dogs.
"You can all stop here and rest, for now, I'll go and tell our chieftan of your arrival." And with that he and the other eleven dogs scattered in all directions and vanished.
Reshat settled down on the soft grass. "Well, we had best do as he says. I am all for taking a little nap." He curled up and closed his eyes.
* * * *
The festival began in the late afternoon, when the sun was sinking towards the horizon.
Tables had been set up in the banquet hall, and, amazingly, there was room for everyone.
There were no chairs or benches at the tables, a fact which didn't bother Erin at all (she considered chairs a nuisance), but Apollo and some of the others seemed a bit miffed by what they considered an incovenience.
At the high table, (where, to her suprise, Erin had been seated) a large black and white dog, getting on in his years but still very strong-looking, stood up.
The hall grew silent.
"Welcome, friends," Said the dog in a surprisingly deep and resonating voice, "And our distinguished guests from the city, also. Tonight is the Feast of Ni-Elat. Join me in singing the hymn of praise to begin the festivities." He lifted his head and began the song.
"The light of Ni-El' we praise,
For He is our strength and song.
We praise Him for He is worthy,
And mighty, and infinitely strong.
He who made the sun, the moon
And all that grows,
The brightly shinging stars,
And glistening winter snows..."
As scores of canine voices lifted the song, Erin found herself singing along. She had never heard this song before, but it's spirit, it's hauntingly beautiful melody, carried her along in a stream of joy.
"...And guide us with your hand,
As we go on our way,
Give us your love's blessing
Forever and today."
The hymn ended, and it was time for the festival to begin.