Chapter 10: The Singing Stones
The morning mist lay thick over the forest, a swirling cloak of fog that stretched from the valley to the mountain peaks. Nancy led Rodney through a narrow trail, their breaths visible in the cool mountain air. Ahead, the forest gave way to a rocky clearing that seemed to pulse with a strange, silent energy. 
“Are you sure this is the place?” Rodney asked, his voice low as he gazed up at the looming mountainside, dotted with curious stone formations that jutted from the ground.
Nancy nodded, her gaze intense.
“The Elder told me about these stones when I was a child. He said they only reveal their power to those with true hearts. If we’re to continue our fight against Andorio, we’ll need every bit of strength we can muster.”
They approached the first stone, and Rodney’s eyes widened as he took in its size and shape. It was a deep green boulder, smooth and carved with ancient symbols, as if worn down by centuries of hands and winds. Though the air was still, he could feel something just beneath the surface—a hum, a pulse, like a heartbeat.
“What exactly do these stones… do?” he asked, feeling both intrigued and slightly wary.
“They’re called the Singing Stones,” Nancy explained, her voice gentle. “Legends say they hold the wisdom of our ancestors, that they reveal truths and strengths within. But not everyone can hear them. Only those who are truly pure of heart, with a worthy cause, can make them sing.”
Rodney took a deep breath, his heart thudding with anticipation. “And… do they sing for wolves only?”
Nancy shook her head.
“The stones don’t see wolf or human. They see heart, courage, and intent. That’s why you’re here.”
As Rodney reached out to touch the stone, Nancy took a step back, watching him with an encouraging smile.
“Go on, Rodney. Let the stones speak to you.”
He hesitated, feeling the weight of her words, and extended his hand slowly. His fingertips brushed against the cool, smooth surface, and he felt a strange tingle shoot up his arm. The hum beneath the stone grew louder, a low, resonant vibration that seemed to seep into his bones. Rodney closed his eyes, letting the sensation wash over him.
Suddenly, the hum shifted, changing into something rich and melodic—a haunting song that filled the air around them. It was soft at first, like the faint whispers of a distant melody, then grew louder and clearer, a deep, resonant harmony that echoed off the surrounding cliffs.
Rodney’s eyes flew open, and he looked at Nancy in astonishment.
“Do you hear that?”
Nancy nodded, her own gaze filled with wonder.
“Yes… the stone is singing for you, Rodney.”
The melody flowed over him, warm and inviting, and he felt a strange clarity settling over his heart. Images and memories began to surface in his mind—his family, the friends he’d left behind in the city, the search for Margot, and the emptiness he had felt in her absence. Yet as he looked at Nancy, the weight of these memories seemed to shift.
“This song,” he murmured, his voice trembling slightly, “it’s… it’s showing me who I am, and what I’ve been afraid of.”
Nancy stepped closer, her soft eyes steady as she looked up at him. “What do you see?”
He closed his eyes, listening deeply to the song, and his voice grew softer, almost a whisper.
“I’ve been holding onto an idea of who I was… safe, predictable. But the truth is, I’ve never felt more alive, more myself, than since I came here. Since I met you, Nancy.”
Nancy looked down, a flicker of sadness in her gaze, and she tried to smile. “And yet you still miss your old life, don’t you?”
Rodney opened his eyes and met hers, his heart pounding. “It’s true, there’s a part of me that misses the way things used to be. But being here, fighting beside you… I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Nancy’s expression softened, her eyes filled with warmth as she reached out and placed her paw gently on the stone beside his hand. “Then let the stones know your heart, Rodney. Show them the strength you’ve discovered.”
Rodney looked down, his hand brushing against her paw, and he felt the song shift again, its tones lifting and expanding, filling him with a newfound purpose. He felt the doubts and fears he’d held onto slip away, replaced by a fierce determination to protect this land, to stand by Nancy, and to face whatever dangers lay ahead.
The song grew louder, echoing through the mountains, and Rodney felt a surge of energy fill him. “I won’t be afraid anymore,” he murmured, almost to himself. “I’m ready for whatever comes.”
The melody softened, trailing off into a gentle hum, and Rodney opened his eyes, feeling lighter and more focused than ever before. He looked at Nancy, a faint smile on his face.
“I guess the stones approved,” he said softly, still marveling at the sensation.
Nancy nodded, a warm smile playing on her lips. “It looks like they did.”
Just then, a sharp rustle from the forest’s edge interrupted the moment. Rodney spun around, his senses now honed and alert. Emerging from the shadows was a sleek, muscular figure with piercing yellow eyes—another wolf, but one he hadn’t seen before. It stepped forward with a calm authority, bowing its head in respect.
“Apologies for the interruption,” the wolf said, his deep voice reverberating through the air. “I am Rowan, a scout from the Serpent Clan. I bring news.”
Nancy stepped forward, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “Rowan, what news do you bring?”
Rowan’s expression was grave. “Our scouts have spotted Andorio’s forces moving through the valley. They are gathering in numbers, and it seems they are planning an assault soon.”
Rodney exchanged a glance with Nancy, and a sense of urgency filled the air. “How much time do we have?”
Rowan’s gaze shifted between them. “A few days, at most. They seem to be gathering supplies, but their forces are growing. They know the forest well and have begun setting traps along the border.”
Nancy nodded, her face determined. “Then we need to act. We have allies to warn and defenses to strengthen.”
Rodney turned to Nancy, his eyes fierce. “I’m with you, Nancy. Whatever we need to do, I’m ready.”
Rowan bowed his head once more. “The Serpent Clan is prepared to stand with you, Nancy. We will follow your lead.”
Nancy straightened, her voice calm and steady. “Thank you, Rowan. Tell the Serpents to be on guard and to prepare for an imminent assault. We’ll gather our forces and be ready.”
Rowan nodded and slipped back into the forest, vanishing as swiftly as he’d appeared. Rodney felt his heart racing, his newfound strength from the Singing Stones pulsing within him.
Nancy turned to him, her eyes bright with determination. “Are you sure you’re ready, Rodney? This isn’t just a game. This fight will be dangerous, and once you’re in, there’s no turning back.”
Rodney’s gaze held hers, steady and unflinching. “I told you, Nancy, I’m not the same person I was before. I’m here because I want to be. I want to protect this land, to fight beside you, and to face whatever comes.”
Nancy’s expression softened, a look of pride in her eyes. “Then let’s prepare. Together, we’ll make sure Andorio’s forces don’t stand a chance.”
They shared a moment of silence, a deep understanding passing between them. Rodney knew that this path would be filled with challenges, but with Nancy by his side, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.