It is a degree^ before the Rise hunting-degree. Why am I awake? Unfamiliar dogs are coming. They are a mix of Set and Rise so it isn’t Amiable First Eyes coming to make me runt. I am up and alert. Still Runt^, Timid, Mirth and Proud are also awake and form up around me in defence against whoever is coming. Quizzical Set and Curmudgeonly Set are both stirring too. There is a 3-Notch leading a small pack of warriors. They are approaching our shift-den. They are not rushing. They are confident. They don’t need to rush.
(( Provider responses everydog. Assume this is routine unless/until we know it is stealth-relevant. One of the most common errors of stealth-work is giving oneself away after assuming to have been caught. Very few dogs really consider our existence. )) As I communicate, the precise formation falls apart as each stealth-dog shrugs on their doga^. Quizzical Set and Curmudgeonly Set are awake and smelling baffled. I can smell consternation from the Rise-shift-pack. Sturdy Rise is awake and challenging the warriors.
“What is going on? I am the boss of this pack. You have to tell me what you want with my pack.”
“We have reason to believe that Cunning Runt Set is not for-Pack. We are going to take her to HQ to be interviewed by high-notches.” The wave of shock and horror that rolls off the Set provision-pack is not faked by the trainees. Still Runt is not surprised, she throws out some shock but a moment later than the rest of the pack. She knew this was coming. This is some plan of Honest’s. I push into the fear I felt when I woke, I focus on that moment before I knew what was happening. That is how I should smell in this moment. The warrior-pack enter the den.
“Cunning Runt Set, you are coming with us. You will defend yourself to the high-notches.” I do not know this dog. I am glad Honest has kept this quiet. These warriors will have been told to collect me, but they do not know why or who I am.
“I am for-Pack. Ask any of this pack!” I desperately look to the others. I can smell Curmudgeonly Set and Quizzical Set wondering if I did more than tell Set scent-poems at night. (( Do not speak up for her. If she is going to be taken away, do not compromise the rest of us. )) Still Runt is effortlessly taking up the role of pack-guider^. I am grateful for the degrees of pack-communication training. This is exactly what it is for. They begin to let seeds of doubt be felt in the provision-pack. I let the silence sit long enough to sadden every dog in the den.
“Well. I am glad to know I have as solid a pack-bond with you as I do with these dogs I have hunted alongside for a quarter-season^.” I direct at the 3-Notch. I then show my willingness to be taken back to Pack and high-notch judgement by leaving for the surface and the long walk until I know what Honest is planning. I throw a last message to Still Runt, (( Tell them when you can. ))
(( Of course. Sorry. )) She feels genuine (I think) sadness. I exit into the Rise scents. The warriors fall in around me. The 3-Notch sets a fast pace. One of his warriors is barely able to keep ahead of him.