The Wolf Folk Series: Prince Tosco

As soon as his SubClan was settled, ChoFan begged release from His Lord of Ced and nominated his cousin SongJu. As he knelt before Jeremiah, he said, "Great Lord of Ced, I beg thee the hand of Thy Son, Tosco that we might live together for all our days." Jeremiah looked at Tosco and saw he was crying and his wolf was phasing in and out. He took Tosco's hand and asked, "My son, is this what you want, also?" Tosco could only nod his head in yes and Jeremiah took both teens in his arms and hugged them tightly. The Lord of Ced announced, "My sons, Tosco Jeremiah Tate and ChoFan Jeremiah Tate, Princes of the Family Ced, shall accompany us as we return to our home!"

The flight from Korea was long and boring. Jeremiah watched as Tosco and ChoFan cemented their relationship. He was chuckling to himself and thinking how wonderful young love was.

His thoughts then turned to more pressing matters, what to do about Europe and the vast expanses of Asia. While they had been in Korea, he had been made aware of legends the Clans of Korea had about lost tribes of Wolf Folk roaming the reaches of Mongolia and the desert that separated Asia from Europe.

If the stories were true, there were Wolf Folk in danger of exposure to the fears and hatred of their Human neighbors. His own folk had lived at peace with their Human neighbors for the last 10,000 years, but only those at the very highest levels of both the United States and Canada governments knew of them and every leader of the wolf clans had always performed any task asked of them.

Only rarely had they been asked for assistance, but the Wolf Folk were quick to respond when asked. They had performed heroic deeds behind the lines in the last two world wars, again in Korea and more recently, in Viet Nam. Now, they were engaged in the Middle East, saving the lives of soldiers trapped by Muslim fanatics bent on murdering those not like themselves.

Those Warrior Wolves currently serving in the middle-east, trying to calm the tensions in those troubled lands and two wolves were presently serving as the advisors to each of the American Ambassadors in two Islamic countries. More to the point, those wolves were the bodyguards of the Ambassadors and had already stopped and disposed of assassins sent to eliminate them!

His thinking was taking shape and he needed to speak with his father before he proceeded. He had replaced his father as Lord Alpha of Family Ced and the Southeastern Clan of Wolves when Lord Franklin Jeremiah Tate finally retired. Family Ced is the senior Family of Wolves in the Western World and is the leader of all other clans.

Jeremiah possessed the largest private fortune in the world and he used it for the benefit of both the Wolfkind and Humankind. His own Warriors were unequaled and no force on the planet could ever defeat them.

Finally, the droning airplane lulled him to sleep, it had been a grueling journey and had resulted in the total relocation of a clan from North Korea to South Korea, they had been able to save less than half that clan's wolves, literally snatching them from the prisons of Communist regime of the North. This troubled Jeremiah greatly.

Jeremiah swore there would never be peace between his kind and the Red Star murderers of North Korea! It was an oath he would keep. To be the sworn enemy of the Wolves was a death sentence and it might take generations of both, but that enemy will be destroyed, TOTALLY!

They landed in Seattle to refuel and stretch their legs. Chief Wolf Pilot Harley Myers advised his Lord that there would be a two hour layover while the plane was refueled and the food stocks were replenished.

Jeremiah advised his people they could stretch their legs in the business terminal. Jeremiah was walking in the terminal, enjoying the quiet time with warm sunshine coming in through the plate glass windows.

Wolf Flight Engineer Tan Keller walked up to Jeremiah and whispered, "My Lord of Ced, we have a problem. There is a stowaway in the luggage compartment; we think it is a child or very young adult, My Lord."

Jeremiah's fatigue left him immediately and he called for his son, Tosco, to attend him. Both Prince Tosco and Prince ChoFan responded at a dead run.

As soon as they learned of the situation, Tosco said, "Papa, let us handle this. If it is a child or a young person, we are closer to the same age and be less likely to frighten or terrify the child." Jeremiah agreed with Tosco's suggestion and the four of them returned to the plane immediately.

The engineer led them to a series of storage compartments and motioned them to be very quiet. He silently opened the door to admit Tosco and ChoFan. They closed the door behind them and sat down in the darkness of the small compartment.

Tosco said aloud, "I am Wolf Prince Tosco and my partner is Wolf Prince ChoFan. We know you are in here and you are probably scared. We will not hurt you. You are the same as we are."

Both of the young princes could smell that whoever was in there was also wolf and Tosco continued, "We are like you and we will protect you from anyone who might hurt you. Please come out from your hiding place."

They could hear someone moving around and, suddenly, there were two sets of hands reaching for them. Tosco and ChoFan wrapped their arms around two youngsters and held them as they cried.

When the youngsters were finally cried out, Tosco contacted their minds, they were twin boys, brothers and were just turning fifteen. They apparently spoke no English, so ChoFan tried Korean and still got no response. He knew some limited Chinese, so he tried that and one of the boys mumbled a reply.

Suddenly, ChoFan let out a shriek, "TOS, get your Papa in here, NOW!" Tosco set out a mental scream for Jeremiah to come into the compartment! Tosco's scream was so paramount that a dozen Warriors followed Jeremiah and waited just outside the compartment.

Jeremiah felt the time for quiet was past; he stepped into the compartment and flipped on the lights. His ring was glowing brightly as he saw his two sons holding two young boys, covered in bloody scabs and totally without clothes!

ChoFan said, "These boys are Wolf and they are from the area west of China, in the land of the shifting sands!" He thought for a moment and then continued, "They both speak Mongolian, but Qui-Don here, speaks a little Chinese. The other boy, Gung-Tao, speaks only Mongolian. I will translate for you, My Lord. I speak both, My Lord," he added.

Jeremiah sat on the floor and ChoFan began to speak with the boys. He first translated what Qui-Don was saying, "We come for help get. Raiders steal small boy and girl childs. Make bed slave them." Jeremiah needed no translation, his eyes went blood red and his fangs extended in anger.

He asked ChoFan to translate, "Where do your people live?" Jeremiah sensed the two teen's minds but could not make sense of their words as they had not yet made their first change.

The ChoFan translated for the boy as he replied, "Peoples live at Green Tree Oasis near Kahlkyn Gol. Raiders us steal. This boy is Gung-Tao, he is elder child of High Lord. Raiders kill high lord. All people raiders kill. Us people dead, except we."

Tosco assisted his sons in getting the stowaways out of the luggage compartment and they wrapped them in clean towels before carrying them into the passenger cabin.

Once the two boys had eaten enough for folk twice their number and size, they curled up on Tosco's and ChoFan's laps and went to sleep. They were obviously too tired to worry about being with strangers.

Jeremiah sat on the armrest across the aisle from Tosco and ChoFan, he said, "Boys, we must do something about this, we must locate any more of our folk living out on that desert and get them to safety."

Tosco looked at his Father and replied, "No, Papa, their safety lies only with us. They cannot go on living in that awful place, we must find a new home for them where we can guide them and make them part of our own folk."

Jeremiah though for a while and then replied, "First, as soon as we get home, let us search all the old records, maybe there is something that remains from when our Folk first came to North America that we have missed previously. If not, then we must go on safari and find them."

That satisfied Tosco and ChoFan and they continued to hold the two refugees. The two boys were exhausted and, at last, they felt safe in the arms of these two young wolf men who were only slightly older than themselves. They could no longer keep their eyes open and they passed out in exhaustion.

Their protectors, Tosco and ChoFan held them the entire time they slept, and, when the young boys awoke, they realized they had new protector parents.

Jeremiah shared with the others what they had found and Peter made a beeline for the boys. He snuggled up to the two youngsters and, very soon, all five of them were fast asleep.

Jeremiah sat in his own seat and reached out to his Father, Franklin, asking him if he had any information about those who had been left behind during the Great Migration.

Franklin did not, but he remembered some old ledgers and documents that had gone into storage when they moved all the business matters to Greystone Manor in Charlotte. Jeremiah said that he would dig into the archives just as soon as he got home.

Franklin was no longer surprised at his son's use of the Ancient Powers and he suspected his son had all Ten of the Ancient Powers, thought lost more than a thousand generations in the past! He did not yet know that his Grandson, Tosco, had already demonstrated his use of all Ten of the Ancient Powers also!

When they finally got home, there was a double whammy waiting for Jeremiah, there were the Lords Alpha from all the major clans waiting to meet with him.

Thomas Bekker, Lord Alpha of the Northwest Clan in Seattle was their spokesman, "Lord of Ced, we must speak of realignment. You have been out of touch since you went to Korea. My Lord, you are our ruler if not in name, then in fact! We wish to present a plan to you that will cure this problem."

Jeremiah looked a little uncomfortable, but he replied, "OK, what is your plan?" He realized that the truth was being spoken, he could not secret himself away and leave his duties undone.

Alpha Bekker replied, "We wish to install you as an Overlord, over us all and that you establish your own staff separate from the Southheast Clan. We know that your son, Prince Tosco, is ready to be the Clan and Family Alpha."

Jeremiah's immediate reply was, "I WILL NOT BE KING!"

The visitors made haste to say that they did not want him as king, just as High Lord or OVER Lord!

Jeremiah gathered Tosco, ChoFan, Chub and Jonal, Jeremiah's long-time friend and Chief Warrior and they discussed the proposed changes. They decided that a Conclave of Clan Alphas be held. Jeremiah agreed and he had been sending to his father, Lord Franklin Tate and he, also agreed.

The word went out that a Western World Conclave of Clan Lord Alphas and their Prince Alphas was to be held in Table Rock, North Carolina on the first day of the new moon next. That was just twelve days hence and the rush was on to get ready to receive all the Clan Alpha Wolves and their heirs.

Franklin told Jeremiah that under no circumstances would he involve himself in the changes, he was retired and he was going to stay that way. Advice, yes, work, not only NO but HELL NO!

They hardly had time to get ready for the Conclave when the day was upon them. They stationed every vehicle they owned at the Charlotte International Airport and Jonal was tearing his hair out providing suitable escorts for the visiting dignitaries.

He had surrounded the Conclave grounds with every Wolf Warrior he could beg, borrow or steal; he had the Conclave grounds so tightly sealed that not even a flea could attempt entry without being challenged.

Over the years, Jeremiah had met every one of the Clan Alphas and Family Alphas, he was nearly bowled over when the Clan Alphas of both the clans in Korea showed up. That was a first-ever, not ever in their 10,000-year history had they attended any meeting outside their own country.

HanDoi and HanRho made a special effort to embrace Jeremiah and Tosco and they greeted ChoFan warmly, calling them Loved Brothers. There was no question the two Korean Wolves meant what they said and any lingering fears that ChoFan had, disappeared in that moment.

They had SubClan Alpha SonJu, formerly of North Korea, with them. He hugged his cousin, ChoFan and then cursed him for throwing the responsibility of their people in his lap. He said it with a smile on his face, letting ChoFan know that he did not blame him. The youngster had matured greatly as responsibility for his people had descended upon him.

Lord Prince Alpha Carlos de Montoya was warmly greeted by Jeremiah and, when Tecito showed up in full Mayan Regalia, Jeremiah was floored. The "boy" was six and half feet tall and looked to weigh in at three hundred pounds. Not a single ounce of it was fat!

Tecito swooped down and picked Jeremiah, who was no small person himself, and hugged him while his feet dangled at least a foot above the floor!

Jonal was standing there with his ceremonial guards; he could not keep a grin off his face as his Alpha tried to straightened his clothing and retain some small measure of his dignity!

When all had arrived, both Chub and Tosco served as Proxies for Jeremiah, Lord of Ced. They both served with pride for the man they loved as a brother and father.

When all the pageantry and ceremony had been satisfied, Lord Alpha Bekker of the Northwest Clan stood and bowed to Jeremiah before describing the plan that he and the other Clan Alphas had put together.

Jeremiah was to be elevated to Lord High Alpha of the West.

Prince Tosco was to be elevated to Lord of Ced and Lord Alpha of the Southeastern Clan and Lord Wolf Warrior Jonal was to be elevated to Lord High Wolf Warrior of the West.

There were a number of eyes going squirrelly on the podium. Poor Jonal was completely flummoxed and had to sit down while muttering, "bbbBubbbbut..........."

Lord Prince Alpha Carlos de Montoya stood and asked to be recognized.

Jeremiah responded, "I SEE THEE, LORD CARLOS OF MEXICO CLAN, I KNOW THEE LORD CARLOS."

Carlos bowed and said, "LORD JEREMIAH, FRIEND AND PROTECTOR OF MY FAMILY AND CLAN, I PROPOSE THAT WE SEND EMMISARIES TO EUROPE AND ASIA IN SEARCH OF OUR LOST WOLF BROTHERS. SURELY SOME OF THEM HAVE SURVIVED SINCE THE GREAT MIGRATION. I PROPOSE WE SEND YOU, LORD JEREMIAH, AS OUR AMBASSADOR TO OUR LOST BROTHERS AND THAT YOU BRING THEM HOME TO US."

There were tears in the eyes of the Conclave Participants when they remembered the LOST WOLVES that occupied their legends.

The Great Conclave, the first ever in the more than 10,000 years they had lived in North and South America, came to a close. It was agreed that the delegates would remain in Flat Rock for several days working out the fine points of what had been decided upon.

Each Family was to be taxed to support the activities of Jeremiah's Office. Those Families who had no surviving Alphas were to elect a new Alpha and he was to impose his rule upon the subordinate Clans.

There was to be a meeting at least once per year, headed by the Alpha of the Most Senior Family to adjudicate all problems among the Families.

Jonal, Lord High Wolf Warrior of the West was to maintain a standing Army of Warrior Wolves, the first ever among their kind, and a Ready Reserve of Warrior Trained Wolves in each Family. He was to be directly responsible to the LORD HIGH ALPHA of the WEST.

Franklin had sat, throughout the proceedings, quietly to one side, taking in everything every wolf had to say. He stood slowly and walked to the floor and bowed to his son, Jeremiah, "LORD HIGH ALPHA, LORDS AND WARRIORS HERE ASSEMBLED, WE HAVE MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS HERE THIS DAY. WHAT WE DO NOW IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR FOLK AND ALL OUR KIND. LET US HERE, TODAY VOW THAT ALL OUR WORKS, ALL OUR EFFORTS AND ALL OUR ACTIONS SHALL BE FOR THE WELFARE OF OUR KIND AND THAT ALSO OF OUR COUSINS, THE HUMANS." The elderly wolf sat down to a thunder of cheers.

An old Indian man was sitting towards the back of the room, tears were flowing down his wrinkled face. A younger Indian man was beside him, assisting, as the old man stood to speak.

He spoke in a quavering voice, "LORDS OF THE WOLVES, I SPEAK FOR MY PEOPLE, I SPEAK FROM MY OWN HEART. THEE HAVE FOREVER BEEN OUR FRIENDS, OUR SAVIORS AND MENTORS. I PLEDGE MY FOLK, THE CHEROKEE, THAT WE WILL ASSIST YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS, CARE FOR THOSE WHOM YOU RESCUE AND BE YOUR PARTNERS IN ALL THAT YOU DO."

The old Indian, Chief Wild Ox, sat down to a thunder of applause.

The younger Indian Man, Chief Running Deer then spoke, "I SPEAK FOR THE CHIEFS OF MY NATION, OUR LANDS, OUR PEOPLE AND ALL WE POSSESS IS PLEDGED TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR MISSION TO SAVE THE WOLF FOLK WHO WERE LEFT BEHIND WHEN YOU JOINED WITH OUR FOLK AND CAME TO THIS LAND."

There was absolute silence, only a few of the Wolf Folk had known of the close ties that Jeremiah had forged with the Cherokee and they were stunned at the absolute support the Cherokee People were giving to them in their effort to reclaim the Wolf Folk around the world.

The search begins to find those who had been left behind more than 10,000 years earlier.