The Dark Sentinel - Complete Saga

                              The Dark Sentinel:

The Complete Saga

Recorded by Sentinel Eleven & Joshua Stevens

Authors Note:

We started writing these stories in December of 2017. At the time we only planned to write The Bay Journal but after its success, we feverishly got to work writing the six stories that have become The Dark Sentinel Saga. Now seven months after our first story we have finished the first season of “Tails of Sanctuary” (ToS) and will be taking a short hiatus to record some of the adventures the dogs will be going on in season two. We would like to thank every person who has contributed to ToS by reading the stories or reaching out, personally, to talk to us. We couldn’t have done this without the dogs who inspired, and in many ways helped to write, the stories and their wonderful owners for letting us record the adventures. We look forward to what the future has in store for ToS and we hope you will join us on our continued adventure in January 2019. Until then we hope you will enjoy The Dark Sentinel Saga.

                

Chapter One

The Raddest Gift –

Coco’s story

I had been going to Sanctuary for just a few years when the adventure that changed my life occurred. I was at Sanctuary as often as a bee is at his hive. I fit in, for the most part, I got in a few arguments every now and then, but the sentinels started giving me some time during the day to rest and I became a much happier dog. I loved Sanctuary, the sentinels, and most of the dogs as well, but something was missing.

          On the day I first went to the place beyond the shed I walked into Sanctuary to a scene of madness, a scouting party had just returned, the sentinels and the dogs were all yelling. The council was being convened in the meeting place between play yards, a small two-foot by a two-foot area where the big dog council members met with the small dog council members. One of the sentinels was there with them. I went to the leader of the scout party, Bailey a giant German Shepard with a very fluffy coat. “What is going on Bailey?” I asked approaching her as she was drinking from one of the water buckets, she picked her head up, looked at me and motioned for me to join her before dipping her head back into the water bucket. I began drinking from the same bucket, and she lifted her mouth out of the water just enough to speak “We found one.” “One what?” I stammered, stunned. She turned her body towards me lumbering over me like an old oak above a blade of grass and gruffly growled “A puppy”. I gasped, “a, a what?!” She nodded, that’s what the council is discussing right now. “What discussion is there to be had?” I asked, Bailey’s hackles raised, eyes narrowed, “It was with the cats.” I softly said “I see. Could it be the dark . . .” but before I could continue Bailey was called to appear before the council, she nodded at me and headed off to say her piece.  

          If the cats had a dog it could mean a world of pain for us in Sanctuary, but a dog from the place beyond the shed hasn’t been found in years, even the sentinels don’t know the last time something like this had happened, and some of them have been here for over 70 years. I began searching the play yard to see who was around to help me satisfy this ever-growing curiosity, Fonzie! Of course! We don’t know what Fonzie is, basset, pit, mutt mix. He had a long body, short legs and was grey with brown spots, but boy he could hear anything and everything. Just the dog I needed to get a sneak peek on what the council was saying. I called to him and he ran over, “What?” He quickly asked. “Can you do something for me?” I shot back nodding towards the solid metal gate separating us from the council, he looked at me before saying “you want me to spy on the council?” I shook my head, “No! I would never ask you to do that, I just want you to tell me what they are saying! Think of it like telling a story.” He turned his head a little I don’t know what was going on inside of there, but he eventually agreed. We walked over to the gate and Fonzie put his nose to the ground, and his ear against the gate.

          Bella, a large Yorkie who has been there longer than anyone can remember, longer than some of the sentinels, said: “We have to send a search party to bring home this puppy, no dog should be left to the devices of cats.” To which Codie, an old yellow, lab said “We cannot risk a search party, it is too dangerous. There is nothing more we can do” Fonzie’s eyes grew wide, he turned to me, “they are about to vote but they are going to leave the dog there! Coco, we have to do something!”

          I nodded my head and began to look around, we would be defying the council, so we needed dogs I could trust. Sniffing the air I scented just the right dogs for the job. Bubba, a brown pit mix who was loud and cranky just the dog I needed by my side if we ran into any cats. Charles, a smaller grey terrier mix who was also in charge of training all the large breed puppies since he was the same size as most of them anyway. He would be the perfect dog to help guide the puppy to Sanctuary.

          I turned to Fonzie who must have had the same thought as me, he said: “I’ll make sure the path is clear to the shed.” I nodded and went to get Bubba and Charles who both agreed to help, and we set off to get the puppy back.

          Once we got through I let Fonzie take the lead, “Do you smell anything Fonz?” He shook his head, “No it’s just the woods and some stale scent of the cats. I can’t tell where they went through.” I thought we should stay on the path. We all knew the stories of the poor dogs who got lost in those woods. The others agreed with me, so we set off, on the path to the Great Oak.

          After a while, Fonzie saw something “Come here! Quick I think I found something!” We all ran to where he was “What is it, Fonzie?” Bubba said, he pointed towards what seemed like a makeshift path in the woods. The brush had been pushed aside but the path was small. Charles said, “It smells like cats for sure, could this be a path to where they gather?” Fonzie shook his head “I doubt it the scent is too stale for that and they would do a better job of covering their tracks.” Bubba scented the air, “do you all smell that?” the rest of us did the same, it was another dog. Fresh too! “Well let’s go!” Bubba and Fonzie nearly shot down the path if it wasn’t for Charles saying “Wait! This is too convenient, I think it’s a trap.” Bubba scented the air before saying “I don’t smell any grimy cats! Fonzie said it himself the scent was stale!” Charles looked around and said, “These woods are known for tracking dogs like us. We must be careful, or we will be lost like the others.” The mention of being lost in the forest made Fonzie and Bubba freeze in their tracks, eyeing the rotting woods around them. I added “How can there be fresh dog scent but stale cat scent? I thought the dog was with the cats?” Fonzie and Bubba looked at each other, turning their heads ever so slightly as the cogs of their mind began to work. Fonzie slowly said, “Maybe the pup got away?” Bubba nodded, “Yes, and we must go save the poor thing before the cats find the dog and us!” With new found confidence Fonzie and Bubba shot down the path towards whatever awaited us. Charles and I followed behind, slowly, leaving rocks behind us so we could find our way back in case it was a trap and the path was gone. Charles looked at me and said, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” I nodded, “It seems too easy.”

                    The path led us to a small rounded clearing like if someone were to cut a tennis ball in half and flatten it, on the edge of it was a mountain jagged rocks led straight up just like the walls at Sanctuary.  “Dead end” Charles scoffed. I shot him a look as if to say shut up and he did. Fonzie sniffed the air and Bubba walked towards what looked like a blanket on the side of the mountain, “Puppy, this is what we were smelling.” Fonzie then yelped “Their coming! Hide!” We all dashed to the edge of the forest and hid behind trees or under shrubs. I stuck myself in the middle of some shrubs to see a procession of a few dozen cats walk into the clearing and behind them, on a ratty old leash was a Border Collie puppy only a few months old.

          A black cat stepped out of the group scented the air and said “Come on out dogs, we know you are there. We would hate to do something to this poor puppy.” Begrudgingly I walked out, and the others did too, all except Charles.  The cat huffed “Is this all the mighty Sanctuary could muster for one of their own kind?” He puffed out his chest “No matter, tie them up.” The three of us snarled as the cats came closer with old leashes. Bubba lashed out as I looked at the leash, thinking there was no way it would even be able to hold us, I laid down and let the cats leash me, Fonzie was running in circles. Not fighting just running around the clearing. The puppy was cowering as three cats had her in between them. Bubba tossed several cats around with ease before five jumped on him, claws extended bringing him down. Bubba, still growling as the cats leashed him and cornered Fonzie.

 They brought us to a tree which didn’t look too rotted away and tied our leashes around the base. The same black cat as before stepped forward and said, “Well since you are all tied up I guess we’ll take the pup.” Licking his paw and beginning to clean his face after a few moments he looked up “what? Nothing? Storm was so much more fun to play with than you all.” I yawned and laid down, Fonzie rolled on his stomach wagging his tail, I’m not sure what he thought was going on, and Bubba snarled before angrily barking “You won’t get away I’ll make sure of it!” The black cat cut him off, first flicking his tail forward then saying “Well we aren’t going to just leave you here. Set the bait.” one of the cats opened a bag of some foul-smelling stuff, old fish maybe, it was hard to tell. Bubba gagged as the scent washed over him. Fonzie sat up as if his favorite food was being made in the kitchen. I kept my eyes on the puppy, trying not to think of the foul odor which was filing the clearing. The cat smiled and said “the bear should be here soon. Good luck.”

With that, the cats began to walk away with the puppy. When they were out of earshot I whispered, “Does anyone see Charles?” Fonzie and Bubba shook their heads, Bubba was still gagging. Charles appeared from behind us our leashes no longer tied to the tree. “Why didn’t you just take them off?” Bubba asked Charles glared at him “I was afraid you were going to throw up on me.” Bubba laughed before running into the forest to vomit. When he returned we took off the leashes.

“What do we do now?” I asked, looking at Charles. Charles shook his head “I don’t know why you’re looking at me like I have any idea.” Fonzie looked at us and asked, “But aren’t you the only one who has been here before?” Charles gasped looking at us, “None of you have been here before?!” I shrugged, “I guess I didn’t think about it when I asked you all.” Charles slumped down “Well. . .” Before he could finish we heard a rumbling in the forest “Time to go!” Fonzie yelled before taking off down the path. We all followed after him hoping the bear wouldn’t be able to pick up our scent with the fish or whatever it was that was stinking up the place.

We made it back to the main path and paused to take a breather and listen, but we heard nothing except for the silence the dark forest mysteriously offers. “I am never going with you again,” Charles said with a wink and a huff as he laid on the ground. “Maybe if you actually ran with the pups instead of recruiting Daisy and Fonzie to do it you wouldn’t be in such bad shape,” Bubba said with a smile. Fonzie chimed in “Hey! I like running with the pups!” And for a moment we forgot where we were and there was bliss, but the moment washed away as I smelled a familiar scent, the puppy! “This way!” I yelled, Fonzie and Bubba took off after me and Charles was yelling something but we didn’t wait to see, the puppy was so close and we couldn’t let her slip away again.

Before too long we caught up to the cats who were resting on the side of the path. There were three cats and the puppy. The puppy and two of the cats rested while one was on watch scanning the forest and the road. I ducked behind a group of trees that would allow me to watch without giving myself away.  I looked around, “What happened to the others?” I asked. Bubba shrugged “I don’t know, maybe they left? We better snatch the puppy before they get back.”

Charles grabbed Bubba’s collar and yanked him towards the ground “Do you remember what happened last time you went running into a situation like this? Without taking the proper amount of time to consider what is going on?” Bubba shrank then whispered, “It was a trap.” Chares quietly barked back “Yes, it was a trap! And did you learn nothing from that experience, or are we going to get trapped again because of your bullishness?!”

 While they were bickering I began to walk towards the puppy and two cats slept. A single cat was on the lookout. I heard nothing, I scented nothing, and time stood still, the puppy was the only thing I saw. My eyes narrowed as I got closer. This was all that mattered. Then I heard a shriek from the forest, the cats and the puppy awoke. The cats ran off hissing and crying leaving the puppy to fend for herself. Bubba, Fonzie, and Charles all ran towards us as I went to the puppy’s side. The puppy looked up at me “Are you going to hurt me too?” I shook my head, “No dear we are going to take you to a safe place.” The puppy’s tail began to wag and she jumped up to lick my face.

Charles howled “It’s time to leave, we do not want to be here when whatever that is gets to the road!” motioning towards the woods which were now alive with some kind of horror. Fonzie, Bubba, the puppy, Charles and I took off running towards the shed. The puppy was placed in between the four of us, Fonzie and Charles at the front of the group and Bubba and I at the end.  The trees began to creek and crack around us, massive birds flew from them. Several cats were tossed out of the woods they laid still on the road. Whatever it was in that forest was following us, but didn’t step on the road or revealed itself to us. We continued to run and the noise got further and further away, and I remember thinking we had outrun the beast.

We came near to the entrance back to Sanctuary where we met the black cat with a dozen more cats beside him. They stood blocking the entrance, and the black cat hissed “Leaving so soon? Why our guest of honor has but just arrived, and you haven’t even said hello to him yet.” the cats lunged at us and we lunged at them. The puppy stayed back, cowering. Fonzie, again, began running in circles and zigzags but this time he would form the cats up into a line as they chased him and run passed Bubba who would knock the cats down like dominos. Again and Again, they did this. Meanwhile, the black cat lunged at me, and I ducked and kicked with my back legs but he clung on to them. I rolled over twisting and turning my body like a fish out of water and knocked him into the forest, right next to the puppy. I gasped, but it was too late. The black cat had grabbed the puppy and hissed “You will stop now!” We froze, and the black cat continued “Now, the puppy is going to go with me.” I growled “No such thing will happen” the black cat smiled “I knew there was a little Storm in you, but it’s too late you have” Before the cat could finish the puppy knocked the cat back and ran to us, yelping “Let’s leave!” We turned and tumbled through the shed.

Fonzie laughed and said, “That was so rad!” The puppy turned her head to the side “What was rad?” Fonzie looked at her quizzically and said “You are!” she smiled and said “I’m Rad? I like that.”

So from that day on we called the puppy Rad, and she was with me in the morning before the sun would rise and at night we would howl with the others singing the songs of our ancestors and retelling the tales of our past.

                 Chapter Two

Puppy Training –

Charles Story

“You said it would be a normal day. I planned for a normal day. You didn’t say anything about this.” I glared at Bella the plump Yorkie as she smiled back at me. “No, I said to plan for a normal day, but the plan has changed so gather your students because we are taking a field trip, Charles.” I looked around to see which of my students were there. Rad, the Border Collie from the place beyond the shed. A dog I was not keen on taking back so soon. Then there was Denali a husky puppy who, despite being nearly three times my size, was the biggest baby I had ever met. And finally Ella a bulldog puppy with a skull more layered than an onion.

I turned my eyes back to Bella and said “No. No way, I don’t even know where to begin with how bad of an idea this is. I mean Rad for starters. . .” Bella wasn’t having any of it, not like she ever did. “I’m not asking your opinion, Charles. This is what we’re doing. Like it or not they are coming with us and we are introducing them to it.” Bella snapped back. I rolled my eyes and said “This isn’t going to end well. This, in fact, is going to end very poorly.” Bella began walking away but paused for a moment to look back over her shoulder and say, “Meet me at the shed with your pups.”

I barked for the puppies to gather and they came running like they always did. They slid into line in font of me. Denali and Rad came flying in. Rad practically riding Denali as they spun and rolled into place. Followed closely behind was Ella who, unable to stop on time, slammed into Denali and Rad and then into me. Knocking all of us down. I heard a laugh from the other side of the gate. It was Bella who mockingly said, “I guess you were right Charles that did end poorly!”

I snapped at the puppies telling them to line up properly. They slowly peeled themselves off the ground and lined up nice and neat for me. “What are we doing today?” Ella asked. Denali smiled and said, “A little birdie told me that we get to go to the shed today.” I growled back “Yes we are going to the place beyond the shed today. Bella and I will be showing you the ropes but that is all.” Bella, who was determined to ruin my day chimed in “Are you ready slow pokes?! We’ve got a long day ahead of us and it’s time to go!”

I grunted as I led the puppies to the shed, “It was supposed to be a normal day.”

We made it through the shed and both Bella and I gave each other a curious look. The dark forest is usually dark, but I don’t remember it ever being this dark. I looked at Bella “Well we came so is it time to head back?” She glared at me, “We’re doing it today end of story.”

          I rolled my eyes and muttered “this way folks.” I began leading the group with Bella at the back interrupting ever so often to add vitally important information that in no way could be missed such as “This path has been traveled for over 100 years!” or “Look and see the creatures in the trees!” information so integral to what we were doing that if I dare miss it all of our lives would be in danger.

 We continued to tour the paths the Sanctuary scouting parties walk and the group became quieter, maybe Bella ran out of things to say or, and more likely, they all became bored by the prospect of walking a scouting trail without doing any actual scouting or marking, or chasing, or running, or anything that would make this tortious trip resemble a productive journey.

Eventually, we came to our first official stop. There was nothing special about it other than some pig markings and footprints. I turned to the group to begin to explain what was there and what it meant to find not only Rad missing but Bella as well!

“Where did they go?” I snapped. Denali looked around before cocking his head to the side and answering “I didn’t know they were gone?”  Ella snorted in agreement with Denali “I was too busy looking at the birds, look at how close they are if I could just sneak up on one. . .” I interrupted “You are never catching a bird. Ever. Now when was the last time you saw Bella and Rad” Denali perked up his ears and got a big smile on his face “When we came through the shed!” Ella barked in agreement. I sank, hopeless. This is hopeless I thought to myself.

Then an idea came to me, “Do either of you remember our tracking lessons?” Ella yipped in happiness “Of course! We will track the two of them and discover what happened once and for all!” Denali began barking in excitement. “Yes,” I stammered, “What is the first thing we should do?” Denali put his snout right to the ground before saying “Find a scent or track!” I smiled “yes. Good job Denali. Why don’t we start backtracking?”

To this Ella began walking backward carefully placing each paw so they matched her tracks, Denali seemed confused at first but quickly took to doing the same thing. I gave a deep sigh and began to follow the tracks. “What are you two doing?” I asked, Ella, picked up her head and said “We’re following the tracks! This is how Fonzie taught us to do it.” I slowly nodded my head and carefully considered how I would respond to these two clumsy puppies attempting to literally backtrack their steps to find Rad and Bella, “Why don’t we try my way today and talk to Fonzie about it later, okay?” I was doing my best not to laugh as Denali took a wrong step and dramatically but slowly tipped over. Ella shrugged and followed my lead and Denali picked himself up and did the same.

We followed our tracks towards the shed and found a side path, a path Bella made sure to make a comment of, something about how these paths crisscross the forest and one must be careful not to get lost when traveling. Two sets of dog tracks split from the group and went down the path. When Ella and Denali saw the tracks they just about bolted down the path. I hissed at them to stop. They tumbled a few feet further before bowling into one another and hurriedly scurried back. “What is it?” Ella asked. I motioned towards the tracks “What do you see?”

Ella went and sniffed the tracks “Bella and Rad went this way? It’s obviously dog tracks and it smells like them.” I nodded, “Good but what else? Does anything else stand out to you?” Denali searched, cocking his head and flopping one ear. “The tracks aren’t even like ours. We were walking side by side, but it looks like Rad was leading Bella somewhere.” I nodded again, “close, but I don’t think Rad knew Bella was there.” Ella then chipped in “Bella was walking off to the side, close to the brush, was she following Rad?” “I think so,” I whispered.

“It’s not safe to go down this path with you two, I think it would be best if I take you back,” I said sternly. “No.” Ella said Denali continued “We both know we slack off and are clumsy and goofy but we are also good at following directions and we need to be trained to do this stuff anyway!” I sat back and considered Denali’s words. Then Ella chimed in “Who better is there to teach us than you. I mean do you really want someone else to teach us how to handle this sort of situation, is there anyone who can do as well as you?” I smiled “you’re right, I guess I could take you two along, but follow my lead and do exactly as I say.” They both nodded

“Before we head out then there are some ground rules. Rule number one: stay 15 feet behind me at all times, unless I specifically say otherwise. Rule number two: If anything happens to me you are to run straight back here and through the shed, you do not stop for anyone or anything until you get to Sanctuary and tell a sentinel what happened. Got it?” Again they both nodded, eyes fixed on me with a stern gaze I had not seen them before. “Alright last rule, if you see anything you tell me and hide. Got it?” a short nod. “Let’s go then,” I said.

I recognized the path immediately it was the one we took to find Rad in the first place. I groaned, this was not a good idea, but Rad didn’t follow the same path. The original path went straight to a dead end along a mountain where we were trapped when we came to rescue her, this time she made a few turns, first right, then left, then right again. Coming to a clearing with a pond. By the side of the pond was Rad, staring at something in the water. Bella was next to her and they appeared to be talking about something but I wasn’t able to make it out.  I looked at the two pups behind me and motioned for them to come forward alongside me.

“What is she doing here?” Ella asked I shook my head “I don’t know. Listen I want you two to walk to the edge of the clearing behind me and stay there until I call you.” They both said okay and did as I told them. I entered the clearing and Bella gave me a stern look. As I approached the two dogs sitting at the edge of the pond I noticed a golden ball. I nearly dropped my jaw in astonishment, “How did you find this?” Bella motioned towards Rad who shrugged her shoulders. “Well, why haven’t you tried to get it, it doesn’t look that deep?” Bella laughed and tossed a nearby twig into the water, the twig was set afire and burned until the ashes fell like snowflakes to the bottom of the crystal clear pond.

I motioned for Ella and Denali to join us and they came running in with as many questions as stars in the night sky. Why did you leave, why did you come here, is that the golden ball? I shushed them, “We all have questions for both of them,” I glared at Bella “but now is not the time or place for them.”

“Well we should get the ball,” Ella said, but Bella shook her head “No, we can’t get through the water” again throwing a twig into the water and watching it burn. Ella took a few steps back and gave a weak bark to the flame. As the last flame on the twig burned we heard something from across the pond. A tree knocked over and a large shadow began to emerge from the forest. Taking the form of a sentinel but standing much taller than any we have seen.

“Get behind me” I barked. Quickly Denali and Ella ran behind me and Bella jumped into position by my side. The shadow began to move closer each step crunching the dead grass underneath its feet. We took a few steps back but Rad didn’t move. She looked at Bella and then me. She mouthed “I’m sorry” and before any of us could respond the shadow’s voice boomed filling the clearing and clearing the forest of any life that was hiding there.

“Thank you for bringing her back to me.”

Rad began to shake and quiver as the shadow approached her, putting its hand in the water and coming up with the ball which it tossed towards us. “Take the ball as a token of my appreciation.” The shadow continued. I looked up defiantly at it. “Never.” Kicking the ball back into the water. Bella chimed in “She is one of us, and she will return to us.” Rad looked at us, her eyes glassed over only shaking and quivering as if something had control of her, and for a moment she shook it and almost yelped for help, but she was unable to before her glassy stare came back and her head turned towards the shadow. I looked at Bella who whispered, “Grab her and go.” Bella lunged out and began singing the song of the stars. Rad broke out of whatever trance she was in and fled to us. I turned to Denali and Ella and shouted for them to run, back to the shed. “Keep Rad in the middle, nothing can get to her!” I yelled.

We started to run, leaving the clearing behind us but the sounds of the battle continued. As we turned onto the scouting trail we saw 4 cats cross in front of us. I shuttered and told everyone to stop.

“Denali do you remember the way back?” He nodded. “Good”, I continued, “I want you to take Rad and Ella back to Sanctuary and find a Sentinel and tell them Bella needs help. Can you do that? Then, Ella, I need you to take Rad to Coco and tell Coco Rad needs to see Codie immediately. Can you both do this?” Ella and Denali nodded. Clearly scared. “It’s going to be ok. I’m going to make sure nothing stops you from getting to the shed okay?” I assured them. Rad was still shaking and could barely walk at this point. “We are going to go a little bit slower to make sure we don’t fall into any traps or anything ok?” Everyone nodded and we started walking, carefully and slowly down the side of the road. We didn’t get more than twenty feet before I heard a familiar hiss from behind us.

“Where do you think you are going?” a slender black cat was standing alongside 3 others. “I thought you missed us” I scoffed. “Give us the dog and be on your way mutt.” The black cat hissed. I shrugged, looking at Rad and whispering “Can you run?” Rad nodded, weakly. I looked at Ella and Denali and nodded to them. I stepped forward, flicked my tail and barked “No thanks.” The pups took off like jackrabbits running from a farmer.

The cats arched their backs and lunged trying to get past me so they can get to the group. I quickly began to jump and howl at them, trying to stop them for as long as I could. One cat would jump and I would jump right at them knocking my body into their and sending them into the woods. Eventually, they began to coordinate their jumps and swipes so one would jump toward me head on then the other two from the sides. I jumped back allowing them to collide into each other knocking them down but not out. The black cat would charge me then, at the last possible moment, try to jump over me, or to the side. I would mirror his movements, never letting him get past me.

Soon I heard a thundering from the direction of the shed. The reinforcements had arrived! Hojan whose orange fur was exceptionally bright in the dark forest was leading the way. By his side was Strider, her black coat nearly blended into the surrounding woods. The two collies spotted me and the cats and quickly took off towards us. Behind them Ace, the largest black and white pit anyone has ever seen, Bailey, a massive German Shepard, and Daisy a large black lab came charging in as well. They were singing the battle song of the wolves and startled the cats who fled into the forest. Strider, who was the closest to me, asked: “Are you hurt?” I shook my head no, Strider continued “Good, where’s Bella, and what is happening?” I told them to follow me and I would explain on the way.

By the time we made it back to the pond the sounds of battle were long gone. Bella laid in a blackened field, breathing, but hurt. The shadow was gone and a silence eerie even to the place beyond the shed had settled in over the clearing. Bailey and I went to Bella as Ace, Hojan, Daisy, and Strider scoured the clearing looking for any signs of the shadow or whatever it may have left behind. Bailey began to examine Bella, “No serious exterior wounds, maybe some bruising but I think she will be okay.” I asked, “What happened to her then, it’s not like her to just lay down and take a nap?” Bailey lifted a paw to reveal a dark mark on Bella’s stomach “That.” Bailey looked at me, “It has returned then.” I shrank down. The others returned with nothing to report, but when they saw the mark on Bella they too gathered around. Together we sang the song of the moon and made our way back to the place beyond the shed.

As we crossed the threshold Codie greeted us and accompanied Bailey, who was carrying Bella. Codie told me to go talk to the remaining council members. I stepped into the holding area where the council met and Opal, a small Dalmatian, greeted me with one question “Is it true? Is it back?” I looked at her and said, “Yes, the Dark Sentinel has returned.”

Chapter Three:

                                   The Long Walk Home –

                 Sentinel Eleven’s story

For every dog, a time comes when they pass on to the Great Oak. They are but an angelic presence given to us for too short of a time. Allowed into our lives to teach us the things we may otherwise overlook. Such things as loving those closest to us, always being there for the people you care about, and regular exercise is vital to a healthy life.

Whenever a Sanctuary dog dies they pass to the place beyond the shed. They await for a Sentinel to guide them to the Great Oak where the dog will stay for the rest of their days. This is the only time a Sentinel is allowed in the place beyond the shed, and we must stay on the path the Great Oak lays before us or else be lost to the darkness which surrounds the path. The path is ever-changing and shifting, no two dogs will walk the same path home to the Great Oak.

Usually, the dogs go into the place beyond the shed and when they return they meet with a Sentinel, to tell us of their adventures so we may write them down and add it to the legends and tales we have come to know. But for a dog who is on their final journey, for a dog who will not be coming back, a Sentinel accompanies them to talk of their days at Sanctuary, with their keepers, and to write down all they say so we may give their keepers one final goodbye from their beloved dogs. This story is such an account.

It was a solemn day when Codie, an old yellow lab, passed away. From the arms of his family to the place beyond the shed. The first thing I did when I got to Sanctuary was go straight to the shed. So I could greet Codie and begin my last walk with him.

I pushed my way through the old, cramped shed to find myself in the dark forest. Cold and rotting trees surrounded me. I went to the shed and found the same illuminated path I had traveled many times before waiting for me. Next to it was Codie, an 11-year-old yellow lab whose eyes sparkled like the bright side of the moon and whose mouth was filled with his blue leash. The same leash his owner would walk him in on every morning.

Over the past year, Codie and I had many talks, he was made a counselor about 3 dog years ago. He was wise, calm, and sweet. Everything an old lab should be. During the hard times Codie would lift our spirits with a lick or a joke, and during the good times, he would dance with joy.

I greeted my old friend as I did every morning, “Hi Cody”. He wagged his tail and gave a strong “Woof” one much stronger than any I had heard in a long while. I smiled at him and asked, “It’s our last walk buddy, would you like for me to hold the leash or do you want it?” I beheld a sight rarely seen as Codie offered his leash to me to hold saying, “I think it is best you lead the way, besides I’ve got a lot to say and can’t have a leash twisting my tongue.” I continued to smile and nodded at him as I took the leash from his mouth and we started walking along the blue path that dimly glowed in the dark forest.

Codie looked at me while we were walking and asked: “Do you remember when the last Sentinel joined Sanctuary?” I laughed, “The one you told Rad to run up to and say there was something wrong with the shed as you had Bailey open the gate to the play yard? Yes, I do.” Codie laughed as well, “I liked her she was very sweet to me.” I patted Codie’s head and paused a moment before saying “What was your favorite moment? At Sanctuary I mean.” Codie took a moment before responding, as he usually did, but eventually said “It’s hard to say. The mornings when I would greet all the dogs and Sentinels, playing ball of course, but I think I would have to say my favorite of all was going home at the end of the day with my keeper. I will miss her greatly, will you tell her that for me?” I nodded, a tear slowly rolling down my cheek. “Of course I will Codie.” He thanked me and we made it to our first checkpoint.

“Here we are?” I said but the checkpoint seemed to be missing something, typically there was a statue of a sentinel there but it was missing. The pedestal it stood on was there but the statue itself was gone. I shrugged it off, after all, no two walks are the same. The checkpoints are always a small field, typically grass but it’s not unheard of for there to be flowers or bushes if the dog was particularly fond of them. On each side of the field, where the path connects to it, there stands one statue. A statue of a sentinel who guards the field. Though they were missing, along with the statue is a concrete slab with water, and whatever else we may need on our walk. 

  “All right Codie,” I said turning to him, “it’s the first stop, are you ready for your treats?” Codie’s tail began to wag as he barked in excitement. I laughed, took off his leash, walked over where a bowl of treats sat, several milk bones for Codie. I tossed one to him and he snatched it out of the air. Next, I asked him to lay down and he did so quickly, with no pain and in return he got another bone. We continued like this for some time doing tricks and throwing treats. I gave Codie a bigger bone to gnaw on for a little bit before we continued our walk. Codie looked up from his bone and said: “Do you remember my first day at Sanctuary?” I sat back and thought about it “I do, it was a Tuesday and you had come in right before Pebbles the Great Dane came in for her first time. She must have been your first friend at Sanctuary?” Codie nodded, “She was!” He barked. I patted Codie on the head “You are a good dog Codie, are you ready to keep going?” Codie got up, leaving the remnants of his last bone behind as I put his leash back on him.

These final walks vary from dog to dog. Some are very talkative the entire time, some will hardly say a word. Codie struck just the right mix between the two. We told stories of his first days at Sanctuary; when he became friends with Bella, when he helped Fonzie get unstuck from under the play structure, and of course playing ball. We made it to our second checkpoint. A similar bright green field of grass populated the area, with a line of trees tightly packed around the field making a dense wall not even a tennis ball could fit through. Again the statues meant to watch the area were missing with no trace to be found.

I looked over and saw several tennis balls in a bowl and whispered a thank you, the tennis balls always get so slobbery it’s nice to have a backup or two. I took Codie’s leash off and then picked up a ball getting ready to throw it as Codie ran off. Together we played, bouncing the ball off the trees, throwing it high in the air for Codie, and even rolling it to the jubilant dog. Playing as if he was a puppy again. Panting he dropped the last ball in the bowl, all three slobbery and dirty. He began to lap water from the pond before laying down to cool off, saying, “Some of my favorite days were in the summer. When the pools would come out and we would play in the water and with the tennis balls. Or when you and the other Sentinels would bring out the hose and play tag with us.” I began scratching behind his ear, “They were good days Codie. Like the time we got Ella to jump into the pool from the top step of the play steps?” Codie chimed in “Or when the ball got stuck in the fence and she couldn’t get it out?” we both laughed as we walked to the last checkpoint and reminisced about all the jokes, and chaos Codie took part in and manufactured.

Codie stopped a little way before the last checkpoint, looking at me with his big brown eyes he said, “I’m starting to get tired, can we take a rest for a moment?” I shook my head, “We’re almost there, let us get to the next spot and we can stay for as long as you’d like.” He lazily nodded his head, trying to stay awake. We got to the last checkpoint and the field of grass was dull, no statues to be found, a small pool of water next to us and a few very fluffy blankets and a pillow begging to be used.

 I grabbed the blankets and pillows arranging them for Codie to lay down, and no sooner did I lay the first one down did he plop on it and begin to sleep. I quietly finished putting everything in place around him and took off his leash. I kept a pillow for me to sit on. While he slept I stroked his side and recited two stories. The first is the founder’s stories, the struggle between the lion and the wolf over the place beyond the shed. The second the three dogs who found the Great Oak, one of which came to Sanctuary in his later days, and taught us the ways of the place beyond the shed. He was the first dog we ever recorded. Codie was like him in many ways. Willing to sacrifice for others, a great leader, a dog who could teach anyone who would listen.

After I recited the stories to Codie I began to hum the song of the moon, I cannot sing it and come to think of it, I don’t think any human can. After quite some time Codie awoke and stretched all of his legs, one at a time. But he was ready to go on the last part of our walk together.

“What will happen to Rad?” Codie asked I shrugged my shoulders, “I do not know. We’ve never had a dog from the place beyond the shed before, she will go through her training like every other puppy and live as all the other dogs do. Where she was born doesn’t matter to us. We will treat her like every other dog at Sanctuary.” Codie nodded, “What about the council what will happen to my seat?” I grinned, “The council will meet once I return and go over candidates to take your seat. If you have any recommendations I’m sure the council would like to hear them?” Codie nodded, “Just one, Bailey. The shep.” I thought about it for a moment before saying “I’m sure Bailey would be a great council member.”

We had almost arrived at the clearing of the great Oak when Codie stopped moving completely. He was frozen, he looked up at me and shook his head, “I can’t do it. I can’t go to the Oak.” I dropped the leash and went over to hug him, “Why not?” Codie continued to shake his head, “I can’t leave my keeper or Sanctuary behind!” I began to pat his head to reassure him and I said “Everything will be ok, I will tell your keeper all that we have done here today. Every last word, and as for Sanctuary, well I think it’s still in pretty good paws. The Great Oak isn’t goodbye Codie. All the dogs from Sanctuary will meet you there one day, and your keeper will not be far away. You have my word, ok?” I took off his leash and we walked the last leg of his final journey side by side. 

We made it to the clearing of the Great Oak, and down near the ground was a familiar face, “Dexter, old friend” I yelled waving to him, Dexter gave a hearty “woof” before stepping down off of his branch to greet Codie. I took a step back. Dexter greeted Codie and in the Great Oak, I saw all the dogs who had passed through Sanctuary, including the founders. Dexter asked Codie, “Are you ready?” Codie nodded, looking back at me, “I think I am.” I hugged both of them before Codie walked with Dexter up onto a branch and together all the dogs and wolves of the Great Oak erupted into the song of the moon.

I waved goodbye to them all and placed Codie’s leash at the foot of the Oak, Codie had completed his long walk home.

.

               

               

Chapter Four:

Signs & Shadows

Bailey’s story

“It’s locked?” Strider hesitantly said returning from the inside of the shadowy shed. Her coat was so dark I could not tell where it ended and where the darkness of the shed began. “Locked? It doesn’t lock?” I gruffly responded while walking into the shed to find it was indeed locked. Maybe locked isn’t the right word, usually, you walk in and emerge back in Sanctuary. This time there was a wall as you would find in any normal shed.

I walked out and Strider smirked at me playing with the flower we were sent to find, “I told you it was locked, Bailey.” I rolled my eyes and said, “Put the flower away before you destroy it, they don’t grow everywhere you know.” Strider’s smirk was quickly wiped from her face as she stammered ‘I, uh, okay, sorry.” I shook my head and chuckled before seeing a shadow dash further into the forest from the corner of my eye. I raised my hackles and began to growl. Strider put her back to mine as she tucked the flower into her coat. We scanned the forest and I saw it again. I whispered, “It’s a dog?” Strider nodded and added, “You recognize him don’t you?”

“We need to leave here, now.” I gruffly said. “Where are we going to go?” Strider asked, “The shed is blocked remember?” I wondered to myself if this was the plan all along or just tremendously bad luck that got us stuck here with him and no way out. I didn’t have much time to wonder before I felt Strider tugging at my coat “We need to go!” She was pulling me to the Great Oak, but I shook my head “We need to go to the grove. The Oak is too far and we cannot risk leading him there!”

She wanted to argue, she wanted to fight, and she wanted nothing more than to stand there proclaiming all the reasons I was wrong; but she and I both knew there wasn’t time for it. So, instead, she followed my lead and we ran to the grove. The forest was quiet as we cut through the paths it had laid for us. No birds or pigs or cats, the only sound I heard was our feet on the ground and our breath in the air. When we finally made it to the grove our hearts were nearly beating through our chests and we strained to hear anything that was out of place. Instead, we heard the continual and unnerving call of unnatural silence which fell on us like the eye of a storm falling on unwary and unprepared travelers, allowing us a moment of deceitful rest.

We never would or could have imagined what we saw in the grove that day. Typically the grove is one of the few bright spots this side of the Oak. With clean, healthy grass, vibrant trees, running water and a statue of the first Sentinel in the middle. Watching over the grove as if it were Sanctuary itself.

When we got to the grove we saw more than a statue of the first Sentinel. Instead we saw the statues of the sentinels who are supposed to guard the final walk path. Each statue was broken into several pieces each and carelessly tossed across the ground. The center statue; that of the first Sentinel was missing its hands and head. I could not see them anywhere in the grove, just a body stood there. One who could not see or stop anything anymore. The stream which was usually so clear you wouldn’t know there was water there if you didn’t hear it babbling by was now brown and murky. Although it was silent it looked as if it was struggling to move just another inch. As I gazed into it I was mesmerized in horror to see Strider hanging in the reflection of the water suspended by an unseen force. My gaze was broken by Strider muttering. I looked to see she had turned her nose away from the place and mumbled: “I told you we should have gone to the Oak.” I whispered “Yea” in disbelief. “This isn’t supposed to happen.” I continued, but Strider cut me off “But it did, just like the shed isn’t supposed to close and the forest isn’t supposed to be silent but it did and hold on a second.” She paused for a moment “Yea it’s still perfectly quiet.” Her words rang throughout the grove and into the forest like a rock being plopped into the middle of a lake. He would come now, we both knew it would happen sometime. I looked at her to apologize and that’s when we heard him.

“Well hello, ladies” we turned to face him. It was Troy a basset hound lost to the shadow years before Sanctuary was founded. Instinctively I snarled at him. He was less dog and more other now. What little of his coat still clung to his skin lay clumped and matted. His bones defining most of his shape and his ears were rotting from the inside out. He returned my snarl with a mostly toothless smile. “Come now where are your manners?” stomping his paw on the ground; I let out a single “yip” as I felt a pressure on my neck and was forced to bow. I turned to Strider and saw the same thing. “Much better,” Troy said his tongue filling all the spaces his teeth should be. “What do you want?” I asked staring up at him so I could fix my eyes to his. “Well, I come with a generous offer from my master.” The pressure on my neck was lifted and I stood up, shaking out my coat and laughed “An offer? From you. I would rather die thank you very much.” Troy’s black eyes narrowed before coldly saying “That can be arranged.” Strider stepped in front of me swiping my snout with her tail. “Sorry about her, it’s been a long day. What is the offer?” Troy straightened his posture and his lips curled into another smile as chills went down my back. “Join us and we will let you live in the hollowed out and charred remains of your oak.” Strider looked at me, doing her best to stifle a laugh. Strider’s tail which was frozen began to softly sway from side to side. She showed her exceptionally white teeth and barked out “The Oak will stand forever.” Troy shrugged his shoulders and let out a brief sigh before saying “Then you will die.” He lifted his paw and again I felt the same pressure on the back of my neck. Silence surrounded me and as I struggled to lift my head and to my horror I saw Strider’s feet hanging inches from the ground as if she had tried to jump in the air to catch a ball and was suspended. I froze remembering what I saw in the murky water just minutes ago. An eerie kind of silence filled the eternity that followed the only sound I could hear was what sounded like air being sucked out of a room. I didn’t speak or move as I began to accept my fate.

Just then a sound broke through the shroud of silence, “Let them go Troy!” a Jack Russell Terrier jumped from out of the forest right in front of Strider and myself. Strider collapsed onto the ground just ahead of me and began coughing. I ran to her checking to make sure she was still breathing. She was, but barely. I examined her coat, checking quickly to make sure the flower was not crushed or missing, and it was still there like a the moon in an otherwise starless sky.

 I looked to see who had come to save us to see a small Jack Russell, mostly white with a few brown spots. One over her left eye even covering the base of her ear and two more on either side of the chest which wrapped around her shoulders. She shone brightly, almost blindingly so. I did not recognize her from Sanctuary and I had never seen her before.

She stood between us and Troy. The two growled as they circled around one another. After just a few moments Troy bolted back to the forest where he came from. The small dog who had saved us turned and greeted us as she shook out her coat “Hello Bailey and Strider, sorry I’m late. Traffic you know?” Confused both Strider and I looked at the other both of us had the same question but before it could ever escape our mouths the strange bright dog answered for us “We have not met, but I am sent from the Oak. My name is Jenna, I am the sister of Hank the first dog of Sanctuary. I am the first chosen of the Oak.” Her eyes widened and her light grew brighter as she spoke her voice rung throughout the forest as if we were at the base of a canyon. Strider and I immediately bowed towards her. She huffed at us “Get up. I am no greater than you, just much older.” She said with a wink “Walk with me as there are things I have been instructed to tell you.” We did as she asked.

“Rad has left Sanctuary. She snuck out shortly after you two departed. Your sanctuary blocked the shed once they discovered she was missing in case she had not yet crossed over, but they were too late.” A feeling of shock washed over us. “Where is she?” I asked. Jenna shrugged her shoulders before saying “With an old friend.” Strider gave me a concerned look before Jenna continued “We are going to be sending her to another Sanctuary.” Both Strider and I bristled at the idea and I screamed “We found her! We have protected her, we have given her everything we could!” Jenna stopped walking and gave us both an empathetic but stern look “We know, and now she needs something and someone else.” We all stood there kind of quiet for a moment before Strider’s eyes glistened as she picked up a scent she recognized. Her tail began wagging and she looked at Jenna, “Is it?” Jenna nodded before Strider could finish. Strider nearly flew past us, her feet barely touched the ground. Jenn who was rolling her eyes motioned for me to follow her. “The dark Sentinel is not here, well not really here. He is powerful enough to manifest an image of himself out here but not much else. Even those who serve him like Troy are not really here. Their beings are still locked away. But Rad can undo all of that. She was born of this place and she has the power to release them or destroy them.” We rounded a corner and Rad sat beneath Storm the grey lab mix who was talking to a very excited Strider. Jenna looked at me “The race is coming soon you cannot allow it to happen or he will strike.” Her eyes, which seemed so dull in comparison to the rest of her glimmering body searched me, and I nodded.

We met with Storm who said Rad would be coming to her own Sanctuary. She assured us Rad would be taken care of and watched carefully. Rad didn’t say much, she kept a curious eye towards the darkest part of the forest. Several times I saw her uncomfortably squirm and when I looked to the woods I thought I saw a familiar face for just a moment before it faded into the darkness. Storm and Strider saw it too. We accompanied them to a water fountain where they pass through to their sanctuary and they hopped into it. Quickly disappearing from sight.

We said goodbye to Jenna and went back to the shed. When we arrived we saw Troy again His black eyes wider than should be possible and what was left of his lips were completely drawn back. His clumped hair raised. Our hackles raised in response and we prepared to leap at him. He opened his mouth “Then you will die.” He began to lift his paw but before he could do anything a small bright dog dove through the air like a shooting star streaks across the sky. We saw her light envelop them both as they rolled on the ground. It took but a moment for her light to overtake his darkness and when she arose from the ground she was alone and the sounds of the forest had returned. “Is he gone?” Strider asked. Jenna shook her head “No,” looking at me “They aren’t really here” I whispered. Strider tilted her head to the side and gave me a questioning look “I’ll explain when we get back” I quickly said. Again we said our goodbyes and walked back through the shed. To our Sanctuary.

When we arrived we saw the council was already in session missing only two members, myself and Bella the Yorkie. Strider went to deliver the flower to Bella and I turned towards the council’s meeting place to address my peers.

                

                     

Chapter Five:

                The Great Race –

                 ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Kalani’s story

                                       

“The fire must be kept lit. It’s the only thing that keeps us safe from the darkness.” Hojan said, stepping out of a large crowd who had gathered to hear the council’s decision. Bailey’s glare met Hojan’s as she said, “We know but it is too great of a risk!” Hojan’s hackles rose and he barked out “It’s too great a risk?! You’re ensuring we will be overtaken!” Bailey shook her head stepping forward and placing her nose on Hojan’s before growling, “What would you have us do? Send you and a group of dogs out to keep the fire lit? Then what? Have the dark Sentinel either take you or lead him straight back here? No. We won’t do that. We stand the best chance of beating him here. With the Sentinels by our side. The messenger was clear. Do not race.” Hojan huffed, “Maybe, but no one else heard her, right?” Bailey’s hackles raised in response and her eyes narrowed, “What are you implying, Collie?” Their shouting alerted Sentinel Eleven who shouted for Hojan to go inside and he did. The crowd dispersed in separate directions and I followed after Hojan.

          My mind was reeling! A race had never been cancelled in the history of Sanctuary. What was going on? I ran inside to find Hojan talking to the Sentinel who had called him in. As I began to walk up, I heard them say goodbye and the Sentinel walked back towards the stacks, the place where the histories of Sanctuary are kept. “Why are they cancelling the race?” I briskly asked Hojan. He looked up at the ceiling then out a window “They are afraid. They don’t want anyone to get hurt out there.” He nodded his head toward the shed which Fonzie was guarding. “They’d like to believe if we pretend it’s not there that it will just disappear. It won’t. He is still out there. He hasn’t forgotten about us.” I leaned my head to one side, “He? Who?” Hojan rolled his eyes, “The dark sentinel.” A wave of fear and excitement washed over me, and I felt my hackles raise. I began to shake my coat and asked, “I thought the fire was supposed to keep him locked away?” Hojan nodded, “Yes, but there is a reason we send scouting parties to check on it. Sometimes it dies early. The last scheduled check was cancelled when the council decided to reduce the parts of the forest we patrol after Bella’s injury.” I nodded before continuing with my questions “Do you know how she is doing?” Hojan, again nodded, “She’s recovering. The flower Bailey and Strider found was the right one. Opal is looking after her now.” Hojan then looked me up and down and motioned me to walk with him towards the gate, “What do you think of all this Kalani?” I looked over at him, wondering why he would ask me such a thing, but I answered in a quivering voice, “I think we need to keep the fire lit. He smiled before saying “Good. I will see you tomorrow.” He walked off and just a few minutes later his keeper came to get him.

          The rest of the day went on without issue. We played in a pool the Sentinels had set out in the early afternoon and chased tennis balls as well later in the day. I saw Bailey and Strider kept an eye on me until Bailey called me over to speak to her. “How are you Kalani?” the massive Shepard asked. “I, uh, I’m doing well. How are you counselor?” Bailey scoffed at me, “Don’t call me that, Bailey is fine.” I nodded my head politely before she continued, “I saw you talking to Hojan. He’s a good boy and a good dog.” I nervously kept nodding, “Would you walk with me for a moment Kalani?” She began to walk towards the shed without waiting for a response. I reluctantly followed her, “I know he has a plan to escape here and try to keep the fire lit.” Bailey stopped in front of the shed and turned to face me leaving only inches between her mouth and mine, “When was the last time you were out there?” She asked nodding towards the shed. I shrank a little and slowly said “I, uhm, I. . . I haven’t been out since my training classes.” Bailey’s eyes narrowed further, “Come with me.” She opened the door to the shed and nearly pushed me through.

          When we got through the shed we came to a decrepit forest. The sky was dark except for a worn purple light emanating from a source some distance away, “the Oak.” I whispered. Bailey came from behind me “Yes. Now lift your nose and scent the air. Tell me what you smell.” I did as she asked, and a horrible smell filled my nostrils as I choked out “Fire.” Looking around I was horrified. Bailey nodded, “He’s not here. It’s just his scent. Why don’t we go back now?” As we returned through the shed and back to Sanctuary I was still coughing when we got back. “It is too dangerous to let anyone attempt to keep that fire lit. Not only will he be able to get them. They could lead him back here before we are prepared. You get that don’t you?” I nodded my head and Bailey smiled “Good. Now go, it’s time for bed.” As she finished speaking I heard a Sentinel calling my name and ran to them as they tucked me into bed. They told me a silly story of a cow jumping over the moon, as if cows could jump I thought to myself. Once they left the conversations I had with Hojan and Bailey returned to my mind. I remade my circle every few minutes attempting to sleep but it eluded me all night long.

          Eventually morning came and, with it, a decision. I knew what I was going to do. I knew the choice I must make. Hojan arrived early in the morning and jubilantly walked up to me, “She took you through the shed, didn’t she?” He asked. I nodded and looked at him to see him staring at the shed. His eyes didn’t leave it as he said, “It can be scary it’s true. Did you know the first time I went beyond the shed I was ambushed by a group of cats?” I shook my head, Hojan nodded while glancing at me before looking back to the shed and continuing his story, “Yea, I went ahead of my group and they led me on one of the back trails. You know the ones only the assigned scouts are allowed on? The cats had the golden ball. They led me out of the forest and to a cliffside. They surrounded me and nearly pushed me off the edge. Then the rest of the group came.” I too was staring at the shed and I whispered, “Who did?” But I didn’t hear a response, I looked at him as he was getting up to leave he looked over his shoulder as he popped the gate open, “Come see for yourself?”

          I eagerly followed. My tail up and wagging almost propelling me forward. We made our way past the Sentinels who bathe and trim our coats unseen. We entered a small hall with two rooms, one of which was open. Hojan walked in and beckoned me to follow. As I entered the room I saw three other dogs. The two chihuahua sisters, Cokey and Seven. Cokey was a black and brown dog who almost looked like a long haired Rottweiler if you shrunk her down to about five pounds. Seven was an all tan chihuahua whose green eyes looked like they were picked out of a display case showing the worlds’ rarest marbles. The two of them snuggled together in a blanket only sticking their heads out. The third dog wasn’t one I recognized. He was a bulldog who had a tan coat with a patch of white covering most of his stomach and left side of his waste, and with socks for paws. “It’s about time you showed up.” The bulldog muttered as Hojan and I walked in the room. Hojan looked at him “Well, I had to get the last member for our journey.” The bulldog snorted, “Yea, whatever. She doesn’t look like much. You sure she can hold her own out there?” I instinctively growled at him and I felt my hackles raise. He showed me his teeth and began to bunker down before Hojan hissed at the both of us, “Stop you fools! There will be plenty of time to fight, but not with each other!” Hojan stepped between us, slapping me with his tail and thwapping the bulldog with his paw. We both whispered “sorry”. We introduced ourselves. Turns out the bulldog’s name was Thomas and he came frequently to Sanctuary. Thomas has been coming less because of his keepers but Hojan needed a favor so Thomas came immediately.

          Hojan explained the plan. Seven and Cokey would distract the guard on duty and the three of us would sneak in. Seven and Cokey didn’t like the idea of just us three going in. They profusely protested but Hojan eventually convinced them this was the best plan. They couldn’t keep up with the rest of us and we couldn’t risk separating the group. After we made it through the shed we would make our way to the fire keeper. An old raccoon who kept the only fire in the place beyond the shed lit. He would give us a torch to carry to the fire where we would light it once more. It was our hope that doing so would help to push back the Dark Sentinel or at least buy us more time.

          The plan went off without a hitch. Seven and Cokey got the dog on guard duty to chase after them for a few minutes. This allowed us to get through the shed and to the place beyond. Once through Hojan began to lead us on one of the back trails “Are you sure this is the right one?” Thomas asked after about a half an hour of walking, “I thought the old badger was much closer than this?” Hojan nodded his head “Just a little bit further, and he’s a raccoon, not a badger.” Thomas huffed, “Raccoon, Badger, whatever, I don’t think it makes much of a difference.” Even though I could only see the back of Hojan I knew he was rolling his eyes at us. Then Hojan stopped and turned to face us “It might not to you, but it does to him. His cave is right up ahead, I’ll be the one who does all the talking got it?” I nodded my head. Thomas gave an over-exaggerated nod then rolled his eyes so far back I almost thought he lost them somewhere in the back of his head.

          We entered the cave to see a smoldering fire in the center of it and a small creature madly dashing around in the shadows “Oh no, oh no! Where could it be, where is it?” Hojan cleared his throat “Uhm, Mr. Howell?” I saw the creature stop scurrying around the cave the shadows and stand up on his back feet, “Hojan? Is that you? Oh dear, oh no. This won’t do! No, this is very bad. Hojan you must leave now!” Hojan, clearly confused, asked “What do you mean Howell? What’s going on here? We have to get the torch to light the fire.” The creature scrambled into the dim light created by what was left of a dying flame “It’s too late Hojan. He has returned.” Hojan shook his head, “No it’s not actually him. It’s not fully him. The oak told us.” Mr. Howell put his hand up to Hojan’s mouth before whispering, “Listen.” We all fell silent and the only sound we heard was the crackling wood from the fire, to which Mr. Howell turned and shushed. I saw Hojan’s hackles stand up, “We’re too late?” The raccoon nodded, and our hearts sank. “The fire cannot be lit, at least not in the brazier the first sentinel brought in. You must start a new fire, a different one.” The raccoon scurried off into the darkness and came back with an old piece of paper. “Is that a map?” Thomas blurted out. Hojan shot him a look that reminded us to stay quiet, but Thomas pushed towards the raccoon, “I thought there were no maps of this place?” The raccoon shook his head, “There wasn’t, but I made one.” Thomas laughed, “A badger made one!” The raccoon snarled at him, “Well I’d like to see a mutt like you try! You’re big paws wouldn’t allow you to write even the faintest outline of a forest. Let alone outline the intricacies of this place! ” Thomas began to growl and Hojan pushed him away before growling, “Not the time Thomas.” Thomas hunkered down and turned away from us, facing the outside of the cave as Mr. Howell continued, “The brazier is here, about a day’s journey to the west. According to the legends and from what my kind has gathered and from being in this place there is another spot where a fire could be lit. This that would stop the Dark Sentinel.” Hojan shook his head, “No, the Sentinels would know about it, or the Oak would have told us.” Mr. Howell shook his head, “No. If we told you someone could have sabotaged it. We can’t risk it.  Not with the stakes as high as they are.” I leaned my head to the side, making a mental note to ask what Mr. Howell meant later, Hojan asked the obvious question “Where is it?” The old Mr. Howell looked up at us “It’s the first tree. The Elm.” We all stood there, quiet and motionless for a moment. I could tell even Thomas was taken aback by what Mr. Howell had just said. Hojan shook his head “No. We aren’t doing that to the first tree.” Then Mr. Howell sat down and looked at the fire, then looking back at Hojan he said, “Then you must return home and hold those you love close while you still can.”

          We all sat there in silence for quite a while. Thomas finally walked by, pushing Hojan out of the way saying “If Hojan won’t do it, I will. Even if I go alone.” Hojan stared at the ground but I rose “I’ll go too.” The words brought a flood of exhilaration over me. The three of us looked at Hojan who whispered “It’s the first tree. The birth of all of this comes from it. Who are we to destroy it?” Mr. Howell shook his head, “Destroy it? Has Sanctuary or the Oak taught you nothing? We aren’t destroying it, my friend, we are setting it free to the next life.” Hojan looked up and asked, “What is the next life for a tree?” Mr. Howell began walking towards the mouth of the cave, motioning for us to follow as well. Gathering around him, he pointed out at a young tree in the forest, “That, when the last ember of the mighty elm goes out a new tree will begin to form from the seeds that were dropped by the old Elm. Most will burn away, some will make it to the ground, and a few may even sprout. But at the end of it, all one will take the place of the giant Elm.”

          I began to look around, to see everyone glancing at each other a new spark in each of our eyes. Hojan whispered, “For Sanctuary.” Before looking at me and then Thomas. We both nodded to him, and Thomas spoke up “We will need someone to carry the torch.” Hojan looked at him, smiled, and said: “We already do.” He then looked at me and asked, “Are you ready, fire bearer?”

“The what?” I remember thinking I must have misheard him or been daydreaming. There was no way I was meant to be the, “Are you ready, fire bearer?” Hojan repeated.  I started to sway. “I’m not here to be the fire-bearer. That’s supposed to be you! You even have a coat of fire.” Hojan laughed and shook his head while he said, “It isn’t a choice we make Kalani. Neither Thomas nor I can carry the fire to the Elm. It must be you.” I nearly fell down, “No, uhm, no this is not right. This is some kind of joke.” Again, Hojan shook his head. “We’ll rest here for a while but you will be the one to carry the torch.” I got up and looked towards the oak which was still giving off a faint purple light and asked aloud, “Why me?” Mr. Howell tugged on my collar, trying to get my attention, “Look at the fire dear. See how it dances when you get near to it. How it reaches out to you? Calling for you to guide it?” I walked closer to it and saw the small flame bend towards me. I walked around the fire and the flame followed. “But, why me?” Mr. Howell shrugged his shoulders before placing his paw underneath his chin and sat down, “I’m afraid I don’t know why the fire chooses who it chooses but it has good reasons. All this time it has never chosen wrong. You can do it young lab.” I turned my head to the side so I could look him in the eye and asked, “How do you know?” That’s when Hojan stepped in with Thomas at his side and said to me from across the fire, the light illuminating the white in his face and making his orange coat glow, “Because the fire believes in you, and so do we.”

We huddled around the fire and Mr. Howell brought us some berries and nuts he had stored for guests. We graciously accepted and began to eat. “How did you and Thomas meet?” I asked Hojan, who then shot Thomas an uneasy look. Thomas nodded. “We have known each other a long time, we came to Sanctuary on the same day nearly 30 years ago now.” Hojan began but Thomas interrupted, “At the time I had keepers who were very distant. They brought me to Sanctuary and talked about ‘rehoming’ me. Something about not being able to give me what I deserved.” I looked into the flame which was dancing almost recreating the story that Thomas was telling. I saw a young pup getting home from playing all day at Sanctuary, making friends and forgetting all of his issues. As soon as he got through the door he was given a bowl of food and put into a crate. Only let out to relieve himself before being shut away again. I saw two keepers, one male and one female. I saw them arguing in the kitchen while the same young pup barked asking them to stop. I could almost hear the hurtful words the keepers were using against one another. All the while the pup whimpered in the crate wishing more than anything he could do something to stop them. I looked up from the flame and my eyes met Thomas’. He nodded at me and softly said “Yea, that’s it.” Motioning towards the flame I was watching. “What happened next?” I asked him. Thomas took a deep breath, “Hojan was the only one who I told what was happening.” I looked to the flames and I saw the same pup who was now almost two years old. The female keeper was gone and the male keeper didn’t seem interested in him. He had these dark colored bottles laying around the house and whenever the pup did something the keeper didn’t like he would hit, or kick the pup. The pup would whimper and crawl back to the crate. I looked away from the flames tears in my eyes slowly shaking my head. I felt the hackles on my back raise. I heard Thomas’ voice echo in the cave “Those were the dark days alright. Still my keeper took me to Sanctuary, he looked for someone to give me too but anytime someone came to look at me I would lash out against them.

 I didn’t want a new keeper. I wanted my keeper to love me like I loved him. Even in those days Hojan was there for me. Every day Hojan would greet me with that big smile he wears. Every day he would tell me today could be the day it all changes. Today could be the day everything gets better. Hojan never let a day go by where he didn’t tell me I was a good dog, a dog who deserved to be loved and cared for. Hojan kept me alive in those days.” I saw Thomas look at Hojan who moved closer to him, they nuzzled each other as friends do, tears in both their eyes now. “Then one day” Thomas continued, “a Sentinel came back with my leash, he told me my keeper wouldn’t be getting me that day. They set me up in a room and gave me their food. They read me a story as I went to sleep. I was there for about a month. Eventually someone came through who I had once known.” I looked at him and mumbled “The female keeper.” My voice was low and I thought the fire, which had grown quite large despite no additional wood being added to it, had concealed it, but I felt Thomas’ glistening eyes staring right at me. I slowly looked up and he nodded before continuing with his story, “Yes. She had returned for me. After that I came to Sanctuary less and less but Hojan and I ended up being neighbors so we still saw each other just about every day.” Thomas huddled next to Hojan and laid down to sleep. Hojan placed a paw over his shoulder and mouthed to me to lay down and get some sleep. He would keep watch.

I laid in the quiet for a while and listened to the crackling of the fire which kept silences oppressive force at bay. Eventually I was able to catch some sleep. I awoke to the first sound we had heard other than ourselves and the fire since we had entered this place. The crickets. I lifted my head up and saw Hojan at the mouth of the cave so I walked up to him, “Crickets?” I said still half asleep. Hojan nodded, “You know the story of the crickets don’t you?” I shook my head, “No, what is it?” Hojan smiled, “Well first it’s good fortune for us!” Before letting out a hearty laugh which woke Thomas up, “The crickets again?” He groaned from near the fire, Hojan spun around “Why do you say it like that? It’s good fortune!” Thomas moaned “You are a fool old Collie!” Hojan laughed again, “A fool? No I just remember their purpose.” Thomas just waved a paw at us, telling us to be quiet so he could sleep and before long we saw his paws racing. Chasing after rabbits and a low playful whimper coming from him. Hojan smiled at him before looking back at me, “Ah the crickets! Yes! Well, sit down and listen young fire bearer. It is said back before Sanctuary was first founded, back even before the first dogs entered this place, there were two creatures who came. One artic wolf cast out from his pack, and one lion seeking new prey to hunt. On their first night the Oak presented each of them with a challenge. There were birds singing in the trees, squirrels scurrying about, and crickets chirping. Each down a different path. One path led to the scorching desert, one led to the Oak herself, and the last led back out to the place they had come from. The Lion first pursued the squirrels, capturing and eating one, and then another, and then interrogating the third to find the greatest prey this place had to offer. His questions were met with only unintelligible squeaks. Then he chased the birds, promising not to harm them if they would just lead him to a large gazelle or antelope he could chase. He followed them as they sang a deceptive song promising a land of riches lay just ahead, but at the end of their path the lion found himself alone in a scorching desert with no way to return to the forest. The wolf, on the other hand, listened to each song. He heard the birds promising a land of sun-soaked riches, and the squirrels promised to bring the wolf back to a past he longed for, but it was the crickets whose song intrigued the wolf the most. They sang of one who was cast out looking for purpose and belonging and if he would only follow the path presented before him he may find it. The wolf followed the crickets and made it to the Oak. He became the first of the Oak’s chosen ones. The wolf would return to his home, retake his pack, and bring them all back here to live in this forest until the last of their days.” I looked off into the distance towards the Oak and I could see the top of it swaying gently above the other trees. “So why are the cricket’s good fortune?” Again Hojan smiled, “Because if the Crickets are leading us we are on the right track.”

Thomas scoffed from behind us. I nearly jumped out of my coat as I exclaimed, “I thought you were still asleep?” Thomas shook his head, “He tells the story far too enthusiastically for anyone to be able to sleep.” Hojan rolled his eyes and playfully bumped into his old friend. “It’s time then?” I asked. They both nodded their heads. Mr. Howell brought me the lit torch and I carried it in my mouth. We thanked him for his help and then Thomas inquired, “What direction?” Mr. Howell smiled and responded, “Well you already know don’t you?” Thomas tilted his head to the side, clearly confused, and Mr. Howell continued “Follow them.” Motioning towards the crickets. Thomas plopped on his side “Not you too!” Hojan and Mr. Howell both laughed and Hojan helped Thomas up and playfully said, “Told you it was more than just a story.” Thomas rolled his eyes and began to mutter something about coincidence.

We were on our way, the three of us. The crickets led us, playing their song through brambles and thickets. Never once stopping or letting us even imagine we were without our noble pathfinders. We set off into the dark night with a dim light and a soft sound to guide our way. We did not know what may lay ahead but we thought we could take on anything if we were together. We believed nothing could stop us. We were wrong.

About an hour after we had set out from Mr. Howell’s cave we were led off the path and began to make our way through brambles and thickets led only by the sounds of the crickets. The light from the Oak was at our back and what laid ahead of us was only darkness. The torch I held in my mouth gave off a little light but only enough to see a foot or two ahead of me. Not nearly enough to guide myself much less the group at large. I was placed at the back of the group so Hojan and Thomas’ eyes could adjust to the darkness we were walking into.

*Crack* we froze. The crickets halted their song. My heart jumped into my throat and I nearly dropped the torch. Darkness consumed us as the fire was just an ember on the very tip of the torch. “Who’s there!” Hojan demanded from whatever presence was in the forest with us. “It’s just me.” A small Border Collie emerged from the other side of a decayed tree, her steps crunched on the dead leaves and twigs as she walked towards us. “I saw you guys on the path back there and followed. I recognize you from Sanctuary.”  I heard Hojan gasp, “Rad? I thought you went with Storm?” Silence followed and I could feel Rad thinking of what to say like a pup grasping for the edge of a pool the first time they accidentally slip in. Finally her answer came, “I did, but I left. I felt something calling me and followed it.” I felt my heart settle back into its normal place. The fire lit up and as it illuminated the small area around me I saw Rad’s face. She was a dog I recognized and had, on occasion, played with. The fire grew even brighter than before now pushing back the darkness nearly twenty feet all around us. A new friend to join our adventure, my heart soared!

          Hojan’s face told me a different story. One that said he just wasn’t convinced. Thomas’ followed suit as they gave each other a worried look. “What called to you Rad?” Hojan asked pulling his eyes away from the safety of Thomas’ and meeting the young Collie who stood before us. She looked down and shrugged her shoulders, “The Oak I suppose?” Then Thomas took a step toward her, “But it led you here?” Rad nodded her head enthusiastically, “Yes!” again Thomas and Hojan stared at each other. “What is so difficult to believe that Rad would be led here to help us?” I asked Hojan. Hojan briefly looked at me before turning his gaze towards the direction of the Elm and said, “Bailey said it was one of the Oak’s chosen who told her we shouldn’t run the race. Why would the Oak send someone to help us?” Rad quickly responded, “Because you didn’t listen.” Hojan and Thomas cautiously eyed her but eventually relented, “Alright.” Hojan said, “But you are to stay in between Thomas and myself you got it?” Rad nodded, then with a smile on her face asked, “Where are we going to go then?”

          Hojan pulled his ears up to listen for the Crickets but their song did not return. He looked crossly at Rad before muttering, “You scared off our guides. I don’t know where to go. Do you?” Rad nodded, “I think so. I think I was supposed to lead you there.” Hojan motioned his head telling her to take the lead and whispered something to her while she passed by. She flicked him with her tail and began to trot off in towards where we had last heard the crickets soft chorus.

          It wasn’t much longer before I saw a massive tree sticking out taller than the rest. Dead limbs reached out above the top of the decrepit forest as if they were begging for the light of the oak to warm their cold fingers once more. “That’s the tree we need to burn down?” Thomas asked. Hojan nodded, “She doesn’t look like she once did, but the Sentinels have stories from way back when this entire forest was teeming with life. Shortly after the Wolf came through his pack cleaned up the entire forest. Ridding it of the disease and death that had once plagued it. After that the entire forest had hundreds of years of peace and growth.” Rad turned her head for a moment, “What happened to it?” she asked. Hojan stared up at a starless sky as he said, “According to the records at Sanctuary that’s when he came. The Dark Sentinel wasn’t always that way you know? No. See once upon a time the Dark Sentinel was a man, a keeper even a Sentinel. He ventured into the place beyond the shed shortly after Sanctuary first opened with Hank who was the dog who told us all of this place. The records say that Hank returned alone revealing the Sentinel had ran off towards the Elm and wouldn’t return to Sanctuary. A second Sentinel went in after him, but we never saw her again.” Rad’s ears perked up, “What happened to her?” Hojan shook his head, “We don’t know. The Sentinels won’t let anyone read those records. Hank was the only one who knew and he told it to Sentinel Eleven who keeps it in a special file we can’t get to.” Rad slowly nodded her head as Hojan continued, “Anyway, after that the Sentinels locked the place off. Not even Hank was allowed in. Despite that Hank found a way in, and the darkness found a way out. Dogs began to cough and we could see the Sanctuary begin to fade like watching a picture age.” Rad interrupted, “How did Hank stop it?” Hojan shot her a look as if to ask how she knew the next part of the story but responded by saying, “To be honest I don’t know. The last living being to know would be Sentinel Eleven. He was there.”

 Rad immediately stopped and turned around. Hojan ran into her as he was still staring up at the blank sky, “He what?” Hojan shook out his coat and huffed a little before again saying, “He was there.” Rad sat down clearly confused, “I thought it was just Hank and the Dark Sentinel?” Hojan shook his head, “No. We don’t know exactly what happened, but we know that Sentinel Eleven is the only Sentinel to come to this place and leave it unchanged.” Rad stared off in the direction we had come from. Looking back I could still see a faint purple glow coming from the Oak. It almost blended into the rest of the darkness but something set it apart. As if a thin line on the horizon separated the two. To offer a subtle warning that beyond it is the darkness from which few ever return.

We sat in silence. I turned my eyes from the divided horizon towards the flame. In it, I saw Hojan facing down the giant shadow which was the Dark Sentinel. Howling for the moon which came to his call. I saw myself dashing towards the dying Elm and setting it ablaze. In the light of the fire I saw Rad run at the Dark Sentinel and leaping towards it I saw her bowl it over and drive it into the fire of the Elm. I saw Thomas grappling with a sickly looking Basset who was tossed into the fire. Together we stood victorious. “You can’t believe everything you see in those flames.” Thomas’ voice broke the silence. “I thought they were never wrong?” I inquired of him. I saw him shoot a look at Hojan before Thomas cleared his throat. “The flame sees the possibility of what may come to pass but not always what will.” Hojan huffed at Thomas, “Well it’s never been wrong before, now has it?” They both rolled their eyes at each other and I looked back into the flame to see us standing in the light of the Oak. We were heralded by those who had come before us. They sang a song I didn’t recognize but I looked forward to hearing. How foolish I was to believe the lies of the fire.

Rad got up and asked us if we were ready. We fell back into our spots with Rad leading, Hojan behind her, Thomas behind him, and me at the back. It felt as though just minutes later we were there. We stood at the edge of a clearing which was nearly identical to the one around the oak. At the center was the Elm which was hanging on to its last moments of life. The entire clearing was darker than the rest of the forest we had traveled through to this point and it was difficult to see into the clearing even with the light of the fire guiding us. The darkness crept around us at first but soon pushed the light back altogether.

I saw something from inside the tree move. A shadow from inside the darkness and a voice echoed around the clearing, “Good job my sweet. You see I told you they would follow.” Rad walked into the darkness. Again my heart leapt into my throat. I felt the hackles on my shoulders rise as I tucked my tail in-between my legs and lowered my body. The light that had once followed her stopped at the edge of the clearing and began to shrink away. The shadow from inside the tree laughed, “This is what he and the Oak have sent to stop me? You three?” Hojan stepped forward, taking a deep breath, arching his back,   and straightened out his tail, “Not so fast collie.” The Shadow took only a step but appeared right before Hojan. The shadow held him with only its hand which was wrapped around Hojan’s neck. Thomas lunged at the shadow but fell right through it like the Dark Sentinel was made only of smoke. Thomas then looked at me and yelled, “Kalani the tree!” I saw the weary Elm standing there beckoning me to bring the fire I held to it, but I froze. The shadow again let out a booming laugh that shook me to my core, “It’s over mutts.” With a single hand he knocked Thomas into the tree and hit me into the forest. The torch flew out of my mouth and whatever fire was still left was extinguished. I heard a thump next to me and scrambled up to see who it was. “Hojan?” I whispered feeling desperately to see if he was still breathing. He was. He slowly got up and ran away without saying a word. I heard Thomas screaming from the clearing begging for Hojan to come save him. Then Thomas began to cry for me to save him, but once he realized he was alone and we weren’t coming he grew quiet. I saw the Shadow move towards where I thought Thomas was. I heard Thomas whimper before one more scream came over the entire forest. Suddenly, it was gone and the oppressive force of silence again came over the forest. I turned to run towards the divided horizon. Hoping I would not be left alone in this forest to suffer the same fate as Thomas. I must have ran for an eternity, or maybe it just felt like one.

Finally, I reached a weed and bramble laden road, but a road nonetheless. I continued racing off and made it back to where the purple light filtered through the trees. I picked up a familiar smell, Hojan. I needed to find him. We needed to get back to Sanctuary. I followed his scent and tracks back to Howell’s cave. I saw him lying there next to a cold fire pit weeping holding a small figure. I slowed my run to a walk and entered the cave. The once grey walls had streaks of red splattered across them. “What happened here?” I asked. Hojan never looked up and didn’t even acknowledge me. He just stared at the body beneath him, “It was a trap. All of it.” He whispered. Again I asked, “What happened here, Hojan?” He began to walk away and started to dig a hole, “They killed him. They waited for us to leave and they killed him. He didn’t stand a chance and they only knew he was here because of us!” He began to dig deeper but stopped, “And Thomas! I left him there, alone!” Hojan wept once more. “What did you think would happen Hojan?” I asked and walked up to him, I felt my head grow hot, my voice raised, talking faster, “Why did you leave me Hojan? Why did you leave Thomas?” Hojan stopped digging and sat in the three-foot-deep hole and I thought his tears alone would fill it as he wept. He didn’t say a word. He just sat there and cried in the incomplete grave of his friend. I continued walking up to him, “Tell me something Hojan! Say something!” When I got to the hole he was digging and I looked down and I saw thin strings of red mixed in with the water. I looked at his paws and saw a bloody mess. He didn’t seem to realize he had dug so hard he had ripped several nails clean off.

I pulled him out of the hole and nuzzled my snout against his. I held him for a long while in silence. Hojan quickly laid down and fell asleep unable to fight off the exhaustion that so clearly invaded him. I crawled into the hole and finished digging it. Then I got what was left of Mr. Howell’s body and buried him. I sang the song of a fallen hero.

“You didn’t see it, did you?” Hojan asked in a weak voice. I didn’t look at him but I said, “I saw the shadow.” I could feel Hojan staring at me, “You didn’t see it. It’s more than a shadow. When it held me I saw it. Evil. Darkness. There was no good in it. There was no light. There was nothing but destruction.” He stood up as he said this. I could hear him coming closer to me. “Yet you left him there.” I spouted off. Hojan scoffed at me, “And what did you do?” I looked back at him, tears once again swelled in his eyes as he said, “You think I don’t realize what I’ve done? You think all this is lost on me?” He pointed towards Mr. Howell’s grave before continuing, “I lost two good friends today. If you think Thomas’ voice has stopped ringing in my head then you are wrong. I failed my best friend.” I shook my head, “No, you failed all of us, but you can still help make it right. You can still make sure they didn’t die in vain! You can save those of us who are left.”

I started to walk out of the cave but Hojan didn’t follow. I turned around, “Well are you going to do? Huh? Are you going to stay in this cave forever or are you going to do something about it?” He didn’t move but he shook his head, “Go back to Sanctuary Kalani.” I started walking towards him, and he growled at me, “Go back to Sanctuary Kalani!” I froze. My hackles raised and I bore my teeth at him, “What are you going to do? We don’t have time to stay here we have to act or Sanctuary will be lost!” Hojan got up and walked right past me, “Sanctuary is already lost. I’m going to get my friend back.”

With that, he took off. He stopped at the edge of the cave and said, “I’m going to the scorching desert to find Thomas. I’m going to find him and bring him to the Oak.” I looked at him, “Hojan, Thomas is dead.” Hojan shook his head, “No he’s not.” Hojan turned around and he ran off into the trees towards the desert.

Now alone, I made my way back to the shed. When I made it through Sanctuary, it looked exactly as I had left it, Cokey and Seven being chased by Kelcy, who was the dog that was guarding the Shed. Bailey was looking right at me as I emerged through the shed and collapsed. I heard her bark and then a lot of commotion. Next thing I knew I was in a room with Bailey and Sentinel Eleven, Bailey looked at me with narrow eyes and lips pulled back revealing her large teeth, “What did you fools do?”

                     

Chapter Six

The Dark Sentinel

Storm’s Story

As I ran through the fountain and into the place beyond the shed I could not shake the images that flashed through my head. At first we stood shoulder to shoulder with the Sentinels. We sang our songs and they recited their oaths but soon it did not matter. One by one the dogs on each side of me began to cough and fall to the ground in pain. The Sentinels faded like a leaf being blown off a dry tree. In a matter of minutes just the council remained. Their words still echo in my mind, “Find her. Stop the Sentinel.”

I heard a booming laugh behind me, “You cannot win Storm!” It was close on my tail and I didn’t have much time to act before it caught up to me. Quickly I made my way to the grove. My feet beat hard against the broken and weed covered path. By some miracle I was able to make it to the now disheveled and defeated grove. I looked around and saw the desecrated statues lying about. I turned around, and saw it standing on the edge of the grove, laughing still, “Time’s up, pup.” I dug my paws into the ground the dead grass easily breaking under the weight of my body and even the dirt was as hard as concrete cracked and gave way to my nails. I lowered my body and in a single motion pointed my nose to the sky and stood on two feet. I began singing the same battle song the wolves first sang when they cleansed the woods so many years ago.

I began to walk towards it. On only two feet and then it vanished. I dropped down to four paws and whipped around. Scanning the clearing to see if the shadow was playing a trick on me. Then I heard the crickets, birds, and the normal signs of the forest return. For the first time in months the forest seemed alive again.

In between the decaying trees I saw a small dog make her way into the clearing. I barked, “Who’s there!” my voice cut through the noise of a reenergized forest and the dog stopped in her tracks, “It’s just me.” Rad poked her head over a small bush. I motioned for her to come closer and she timidly made her way into the clearing and came to sit right in front of me.

“Why?” I asked looking down at her. She stared off towards the Oak, “I thought it was calling me.” I sat down and scanned around the clearing once more, “You thought what was calling you?” She looked at me, “I thought it was the Oak, or Codie, but it wasn’t either of them. It was him. He said he was the reason I was brought here. To help him.”  I shook my head, “What are you talking about Rad?” She brought her gaze to the direction of old Elm before she continued, “I didn’t remember at first but I do now. The day I was born. The day he made me.” I slowly nodded prompting her to continue, “He went to the Elm, before she was so old, and took some of the branches and roots from her to form my limbs. Afterwards, he took fur from a dog left behind by a dying sanctuary. Then he put me in a pond and my dry bones soaked up all the water. He took me out, dried off my bloated bones, and draped a new coat around me. Then he started singing. After many days the coat formed to my body. He reached into the bed of the now dried pond, found two small round pebbles, and placed them in my eyeless head so I could see. My tongue was fashioned from a small piece of vine that was in the water far too long.  At the end I stood there motionless and though anyone who passed by would believe I was a real dog I missed the very thing which separates us from a work of art.” She briefly paused, looking straight at me, before muttering, “Life.” I sat, looked her up and down as I continued my steady nod asking, “How did it give you life?” She smiled, “He took it for me.” I felt the hackles rise on the back of my neck, “From where?” I demanded and the forest grew quiet as a single breeze blew through the grove and took Rad with it.

I jumped to my feet and yelled, “Rad get back here!” Silence fell over the forest. I looked to the Oak and saw leaves at the top beginning to wilt and change color as if fall had just begun. I then turned towards the Elm. I couldn’t see her amidst the sea of dead and rotten trees reaching their arms out begging for life to be restored. I set off anyway, towards the Elm. First walking, then trotting, but finally running full speed. Following the only lonely road that would take me to it. I passed the Oak’s light and ventured into the dark place where hopes are lost and fears found.

By the time I got there, I could barely see a few inches out from my snout. I was being guided mostly by scent and the familiar feel of a broken trail beneath my paws. At the center of the clearing was an old, haggard, and desolate tree. I approached her and sang the song of the Oak. I felt a small breeze pass through and heard her tired branches creak. I heard one far off snap and tumble through the air before it softly thumped to the ground. The center of the Elm was hallowed out and smelled like a mixture of fire and rotting flesh. I scanned the area and traced every inch of the clearing. There was nothing else there. I found a spot near the base of the Elm to lie down and thought of my next move, I heard a voice coming from inside the once mighty tree, “From here.” I heard a growl emerge from my throat, “What are you?”

I heard her rustling around from inside the tree as if she was attempting to make herself comfortable before laying down and heard her say, “I’m Rad.” I responded, “I didn’t ask your name I asked what you are.” I walked around the trunk and towards the opening in the tree, but when I got to it I didn’t see the Collie puppy laying down. I didn’t see anything. Then I heard a voice from behind me, “That’s all I know. What else would I be?” I lowered my body and tensed my muscles, allowing the growl from deep inside my throat to rise up, “I don’t know.” I spat at her and quickly turned around to see there was no one and nothing there, save for a small wooden stick laying on the ground. I approached it and found it was a torch. The same torch Mr. Howell keeps in his cave. I picked it up and found the lonely path and made my way to Mr. Howell’s cave.

“You don’t want to go in there.” Rad sat at the mouth of the cave, stopping me from going in. I glared at her, “Move aside Rad.” I growled with the torch in my mouth and went to push her away but moved right through her as if she was only made of smoke. What I saw before me was more troubling than what I had just passed through. A disaster. Blood smeared on the wall. His fire, which was always lit, had died. I dropped the torch. “What did you do here?” I heard her from behind me, “This wasn’t me. This was because of Sanctuary. This was because of you” I grew hot for a moment but a wave of grief came over me as I saw a grave near the back of the cave and made my way to it, “What happened?” I saw her walking beside me, “Hojan came with two others. They took the fire and brought it to the Elm, they brought it to him. When I started following the voice it brought me to them. They said if we burned it we would stop him. He was there. He took the fire and scattered them.” I laid down next to Howell’s grave and began singing the song of a fallen hero. My voice echoed in the cave and it was the only thing I heard. When I finished I wiped a tear from my muzzle and turned to Rad, who was gone. A whisper echoed, “Quickly, to Sanctuary.” It wasn’t Rad’s. I looked to the mouth of the cave and saw another Border Collie. A full grown male who’s white coat shown and almost covered the few black spots on his ribs and legs. I knew him from legend and asked, “Are you?”, but before I could finish he nodded his head and said, “We must hurry Storm.”

We started racing from the mouth of the cave towards Sanctuaries shed, “What’s going on?” I asked nearly out of breath. The Collie kept his head forward, always a single pace ahead of me, “We can’t see into it, but he is there.” I nearly tripped on a dried vine that was draped across the path, “How am I to defeat him?” He laughed, “You aren’t.” I shook my head, “Then why are we going there?” He stopped at a place where the road forks. One leading to Sanctuary, the other leading to the pond where we first saw Rad. The pond where she was born. He took a deep breath, “You are to save Rad.” I laughed at him and took a moment to catch my breath, “She can’t be saved.” He slowly shook his head, “Then we will die.” His words brought an unnerving silence to the forest. I nodded, “What are you going to do?” He looked me up and down, “I’m going to stall until you arrive with her.” I tilted my head to the side, “Can’t you and Sentinel Eleven defeat it again?” He shook his head, “No. We had help last time.” I tilted my head, “What do you mean?” He dug his claws into the ground, “I mean you need to get Rad or all of this will have been in vain and the Oak will be destroyed.” With that, he took off towards Sanctuary and left me eyeing yet another lonely road and contemplating the same impossible task. Save her, defeat him.

I jogged down the road keeping my nose to the ground and ears up looking for anything that may be out of place. Yet every leaf I passed stayed the same no matter how close I got to step on it. I accidentally stepped on a twig but it did not break so I stopped and took a step back. I investigated the twig and apart from its unwillingness to bend beneath my weight it seemed like any other twig. I found another stick along the road and tested it as well. Just like the first it did not budge. I looked around and despite a persistent wind the trees nor the leaves moved an inch.

My eye was caught by something further down the road. A light from the pond. I quickly approached it and moved through the bushes which were more like stones due to their unnatural disposition. When I got a view of the water I saw two creatures. Sitting near the edge of the pond was Troy the deathly basset. He was chanting in a voice I did not recognize and spoke words which were alien to me. Drifting in the middle of the pond I saw her. The water was swirling around her and was formed into two distinct and separate bodies. There was water that was whiter than snow and it swirled further away as a black sludge lapped at her coat. I heard a hiss from behind me, “It’s about time you showed up.” I slowly turned around to see a familiar black cat, “I’ve been wondering where you had crept off too.” I quickly retorted. The cat smiled, “well I’m here now why don’t we finish this once and for all?” I smiled back and dug my claws into the ground, “Let’s do it.”  I lunged at the cat. He tried to move but he wasn’t fast enough. I grabbed him by the scruff and threw him into a tree, laughing I said, “Stay boy.”

I emerged from the brush and cleared my throat. Troy did not move a muscle. I walked to the far side of the pond where the white water was pooling. I dug my nails into the ground and let the water wash over my feet. I lowered my body and in a single motion pointed my nose to the sky and stood on two feet as I began to sing the song of the moon. Troy’s utterances grew in intensity and became faster. I saw Rad’s ear twitch and the white water began to swirl faster making its way towards the center but was stalled and driven back by a wave of sludge. I changed the tune and sung the song of the stars and again the snow like water raced towards the Collie, and again in response I heard Troy’s utterance grow in intensity and speed. My waters receded. I looked to the light of the Oak and felt a sense of dread fall over me. The songs of old weren’t working.

I felt a small breeze blow through the clearing and in it a new song. It’s not a song to the Oak or the moon, or the stars. It doesn’t commemorate the past but tells of the future. I stepped into the water and began to sing. As I did Troy opened his eyes and for a moment his utterance came to a halt as the white water pooled and raised and the crude sludge was washed away as a wave overcame Rad and Troy. When the water subsided Troy was nowhere to be found and Rad stood on the far side of the pool. She was not the puppy I saw not so long ago, she was fully grown now. The black spots on her coat were barely visible because the light that was shining from her was so bright.

She looked at me, “Thank you Storm.” I nodded towards her and picked up my torch, she laughed, “We don’t need that anymore. He won’t be coming back from this.” I turned my head to the side and she took a single step clearing the whole pond with it. I dropped the torch and she kicked it into the water. She looked at me. She was taller than me now, and she said “Fire came from the outside to keep away the outside, but we don’t need to keep it away. It is time for him to be defeated. Once and for all.” I nodded towards her and she quickly said, “Grab my coat, Storm.”

Before I did we saw a small black cat emerge from the woods on the other side of the pond. The cat hissed, “Do you really think a tree could stop me?!” Rad and I exchanged a curious look with each other. I looked back over and saw the cat had attempted to run towards us, but had gotten himself stuck on a vine. Again, Rad and I exchanged a humorous look before shrugging our shoulders. I did as she instructed and clung to her coat and in the single blink of my eye we stood before the shed. The pond, Troy, and the cat were all thoughts of the past.

I began to walk forward but her tail brushed my shoulder like she was asking me to stop. I turned my head towards her, “We don’t have much time.” She nodded her head, “You need to know what you are going to see when you get in there.” I shook my head and began to turn around but she appeared in front of me. Preventing me from going any further. I dug my claws into the ground, “You aren’t going to stop me Rad.” She laughed, “Go ahead and try to get through me, or wait just a moment and let me speak and we can enter together.” I relaxed my body and my hackles settled into their normal positions, “Ok.” I said reluctantly.

“When we walk through the shed most of your friends will be gone, the council members and a few of the older members will be left. The Sentinels too. Only the longest-serving will be left standing. I staggered back, “This isn’t the other Sanctuaries. This is the Sanctuary.” She shook her head, “This place isn’t the first and won’t be the last. You need to know something else.” We stared into each other’s eyes neither one of us wavering, “What is it?” I stated coldly. She took a deep breath, “When this is over Sanctuary will be destroyed.”

I huffed, “Never.” Then turned to run through the shed. I heard quiet protesting behind me but Rad was by my side as I pushed through the darkness and into Sanctuary.

When we emerged on the other side I only saw a fragment of the Sanctuary I once knew. Charles, Bella, Bailey, Strider, Morra, Hank and a few I didn’t recognize were the only dogs left that I could see. The shadow was holding Sentinel Eleven by the throat. Sentinel Thirteen stood next to them, completely motionless and in shock. I saw the dogs I didn’t recognize begin to cough then fade away like dust tossed into a strong breeze at the same time I saw Sentinel Thirteen vanish like smoke in the same wind. 

Sentinel Eleven was held high above the ground and the shadow spoke in the same tongue as Troy did at the pond. The Sentinel would respond in a similar tongue. Behind those two stood the remaining dogs singing the song of the Oak. Hank, the Border Collie who guided me to Rad stood leading them. The shadow, seemingly knowing that something had changed, dropped Sentinel Eleven who laid on the ground gasping for air. The shadow turned towards myself and Rad and let out a booming laugh that nearly pushed me back through the shed.

 “My dog, you have returned to me!” I heard a voice come from the dark abyss which stood before us. Rad responded with a slow and calm voice, “I am not yours.” For a moment, I thought I saw the shadow take a step back as if it were surprised. Rad continued, “I have returned only to stop you.” The shadow laughed and let out another booming laugh that pushed me back into the closed shed doors. “You cannot. You are bound to me.” It said in a voice so confident I almost believed it myself. The shadow began to mutter in the same tongue it just used when speaking to the Sentinel moments ago. I saw Rad’s eyes begin to glaze over and before I could move another voice rang out. From behind the shadow Sentinel Eleven stood singing in the foreign tongue. An infuriated shadow turned and picked up its foe and threw the Sentinel against one of the stone walls while blood sputtered out from the Sentinels mouth. The song did not cease or even miss a beat. The shadow slowly approached the Sentinel as if to taunt its enemy. The other dogs stood still, singing the song of a fallen warrior as if they were preparing the Oak to receive another life. I ran across the yard, Rad and Hank both yelled for me to stop but as soon as I got close enough I dove for the shadow

The shadow vanished and I pounced on the Sentinel and watched, in terror, as the Sentinel’s head slammed against the stone wall and the song ceased. Tears filled my eyes as I heard yet another booming laugh from behind me, “Well that wasn’t too difficult.” I turned to see the shadow standing over Hank, “Remember how this all went the first time?” Hank dug his claws into the ground and began howling as the moon appeared through some clouds. The shadow laughed again, “Not this time, pup.” It lifted up a hand and I saw the light that once surrounded Hank drift away. I watched the hand swing in slow motion but right before the shadow struck Hank I heard a booming noise and glimpsed another burst of light, Rad. She knocked the Shadow down and began to sing the song from the pond. The song of the future. Quickly the rest of us joined in and Rad moved slowly to stand over the shadow.

The shadow lifted its hands to stop the light radiating off of Rad’s coat from engulfing it, screaming in agony it asked, “How could this be?” I heard a voice from behind me answer, “Because you didn’t give her life. We told you then. She chose Rad. You had nothing to do with it.” I looked behind me to the Sentinel standing again spitting blood on the ground. The Sentinel kneeled down and put an arm around me before joining in our song. The shadow was overtaken by the light from Rad. We saw the darkness wash away and for a brief moment saw its original form.

A small man whose unnatural red eyes were filled with anger and rage. We all stopped singing except for Rad, Hank, and the Sentinel. The three of them surrounded the man. The Sentinel placed one hand on both Rad and Hank as they all knelt down. “Come back to us.” The Sentinel asked quietly. For a moment, the man’s eyes softened and I thought I glimpsed a speck of blue emerge in them but the look was quickly washed away as darkness began to consume him again. It poured over him the same way fog covers the ground early in the morning. I saw him open his mouth as the darkness was swarming his face and I saw a tear wash down The Sentinels cheek as together the two Collies and the Sentinel finished the song, completely engulfing the man in a bright light and when the light was gone so too was he. Leaving nothing but a small black sludge pooling in the spot he once laid.

The other five dogs approached me and each gave me a warm greeting. They asked if my Sanctuary was ok and what had happened to Rad. But my eyes were drawn to the conversation being had by the three mysterious figures. Rad and Hank said goodbye to the Sentinel then walked towards the shed, “Where are you going?” I called out to them. Hank looked over his shoulder, “We must return to the Oak, but don’t worry we will send for you soon.” I shook my head and ran towards them, “What does that mean? What do we do now!” but before I could reach them they disappeared to the place beyond the shed and far beyond my reach.

I wanted to chase them but the Sentinel called us over. “What do we do now?” I repeated. Bailey sighed and looked around an empty and shattered Sanctuary, “We rebuild.” The Sentinel gave her a stern look, “I’m afraid not Baily. This was Sanctuaries last stand.” Bailey turned her head to the side, “What do you mean?” The Sentinel motioned to the spot the Shadow was engulfed and we saw a black sludge oozing from the ground, “What is that?” The Sentinel took a deep breath, “That is the darkness.”

Bailey began walking towards as if she was entranced by it but the Sentinel reached out a hand and pulled her back, “That is the reason you all must leave.” The Sentinel looked directly at Bailey, “We can’t leave! This is our Sanctuary!” Charles protested. I then asked, “What do you mean?” The Sentinel looked at the two of us and took a long pause before responding, “In order to make sure the darkness is never released no dog can ever come to this Sanctuary again.” Charles and Bailey both scoffed, Charles asked, “What about you?” the Sentinel gave Charles a stern look, “I am going to build a seal for it, and put it somewhere no one will ever find it.” Bailey turned her head to the side again, “And then what?” The Sentinel gave a warm smile, “Then I must enter through the shed and destroy the entrance to this place.” Charles shook his head, “Isn’t that how it was made?” The Sentinel gave a sorrowful look towards the sludge before saying, “It wasn’t that simple. We don’t just become the darkness, but it doesn’t matter. The Oak has granted me a special position.” Charles rolled his eyes, “Oh? And what is that?” The Sentinel smiled and said, “I will be tending to the final walkway.”  I gasped, “You’re going to be in there?” The Sentinel nodded, “Yes I will be taking dogs on their final walks.”

Morra chimed in and asked, “Then where do we go?” The Sentinel shrugged, “The Oak has a plan for each of you but where it leads I cannot say.” Morra gave a huff of protest before asking, “When do we have to leave?” The Sentinel walked over to her, hugged her, and whispered something to her before wiping a tear away. Morra hung her head low and slowly walked to the shed.

One by one each of us said our goodbyes to the Sentinel and to the Sanctuary we had loved for so long. One by one the Sentinel gave us words of wisdom, encouragement, and love. I was the last to say goodbye to the Sentinel. I was asked to recount my story so it could be added to all the others. So we could finish this Saga. So I did. We sat in the stacks one last time and I told the Sentinel everything. When we finished the Sentinel looked at me and said, “There is one more thing I must ask you to do for me.”

                         The end