The Grey Peace

The snow-white wolves waited for the signal, wings flared, in a majestic pose. The black wolves did, too, only their fierceness took away from the awe of being a winged wolf.

The alpha wolves from both packs, Ash and Ice, watched each other from their overlooking spots in silent rage. They gave the signal to start fighting. Their soldiers sprang from statue-like poses and attacked the wolves of the other pack in battle.

It was dawn, and the wolves had been standing ready for war since midnight, but no sign of tiredness crossed their faces.

As the wolves fought, the day wore on. What they were fighting for, not even the pack leaders knew. But they did.

Now, it was midafternoon. Ominous, dark clouds covered the sky and hung low over the battlefield. The soldiers were exhausted. They could hardly fight any longer.

Then, from the clouds, a smoky grey she-wolf soared gently down amid the war. Both Ash and Ice jumped up from their overlooking spots, confused by this lone wolf. Where she came from, they did not know. She was not white, or black, but both.

Two he-wolves, also grey, accompanied her and landed, too. The grey wolves took in the despairing scene with compassionate eyes. Then they howled. It was a low, sad howl that caught the attention of every warrior. They stopped fighting and listened. Even the coldhearted Ash and Ice subdued to the music and came closer.

For a full minute they howled, then when the last note was sounded, they rose into the sky on slate-grey wings.

When they were gone, the wolves looked up at the sky, remembering the grey wolves, and ended their war. White and black wolves helped others from the opposite pack, tended to each other’s wounds, and stayed in dens together. The alpha wolves forgot their royal status and blended with their once subjects.

And the wolves lived in peace.