Chapter 85

I don't know why, but I woke probably two hours before sunrise. Somehow I was able to get out of the bed without rousing anyone else. I crept into the bathroom and took a quick shower then dried and dressed and made my own coffee for once.

My only company while I sat and drank the first mug came from Prince, King, and Rover. It was a little funny I had made it such a priority to capture them when I first came here, but now Maia and Merita were looking after them and the younger wolves I'd caught later and I didn't really have much time for my substitute dogs.

They were doing exactly what I'd hoped they would though. We were never bothered by pesky varmints. I guess just having the wolves staying with us, exploring all around and pissing on everything which smelled interesting kept the animal sneak thieves away.

Being alone for a change let my mind wander a little and I started thinking of the situation I found myself in. It really was a wonderful life. Not like the old movie, but even better. There were no problems in the world or no big ones.

I was master of my fate and it had turned out I was master of the fates of many. The advantages given to me by Argent and company were a big part of it and the knowledge I had which those around me would never know made me more able to take care of them and myself.

It wasn't they lacked intelligence, what they lacked was the benefit of thousands of years of accumulated wisdom. The intelligence and the trial and error of millions who came after them and before me gave me advantages no single man born in this time and place could ever gain.

Did I feel guilty, was I taking advantage of the situation. No, I didn't feel guilty and yes I was taking advantage. If I was hurting anyone in the process I didn't know about it. I thought I was being fair in my dealings with my people and I believed what I was doing was helping them.

When it came down to it though, I didn't really have a choice in the matter. My last real decision had been to let Argent put me here instead of letting cancer put me in the ground to push up daisies or whatever dead people had to do.

It was enough of that kind of thinking for me. I refilled my mug and walked outside with the wolves following me. They lost interest in my company when we got outside and occupied themselves sniffing of and pissing on every bush or tree which caught their interest while I headed toward the horses.

Approaching the pens I heard some of the horses snort as they picked up my smell or heard my footsteps. When I came into sight I could see their eyes following my movement. Those who had been trained and worked already didn't pay much attention to me. The ones who were in the process of being trained kept watchful eyes on me though. Perhaps they were wondering what new indignity I would heap on them today.

Aside from the few soft noises they made it was quiet outside. The sky was clear and though I was no astronomer I could easily tell the difference between the night sky now and the one from my time. I didn't know shit about what star was where, but it was easy to see the difference in clarity of the view.

Thousands of years of smoke and fumes really had obscured it in my old life. When it came down to the facts of my situation I was a hell of a lot better off here than I had been way back when.

I got an odd feeling and then Argent appeared near me. It surprised me because it was the first time I'd seen him in person since just before they put me here.

"Hello John."

"Hello. I woke up very early and decided to take a look around while everything was peaceful," I said.

"It is very different from the life you left isn't it?" he asked.

"Yes, different - and better for me. I like my life here much better than the one I left."

"Good, we had hoped you would," he said.

"I don't suppose you dropped in to tell me what this is all about did you?"

"No. Does it really matter so much to you?" Argent asked.

"Not anymore. I thought it did at first, but now I don't think it does. I like it here no matter the reason. I hope you are gaining something from the experiment, I know I am."

"It is more than we could have ever hoped for. Just continue with your life here and do as you see fit. We are more than pleased," He assured me, and then disappeared.

I didn't want to get started speculating about the reason for all this. It really didn't matter to me anymore, but I would be mad as hell if some gotcha showed up later.

I went back to my cave and found Dalia and Shelalliea cooking.

"Where have you been John?" Dalia asked.

"Just out looking around. It is very quiet and peaceful before anyone else is up."

"We were worried you might have gone away," Shelalliea said.

"I will never leave you if I have any say in the matter," I assured them.

"You are not angry because you had to make your own coffee or wait for your breakfast?" Dalia asked.

"Not a bit. I don't expect everyone to wait on me hand and foot. I don't mind when you do, but I don't demand it. I will never be angry for waiting on my breakfast, I will always just be grateful when it comes."

"Well be grateful then because here it is," Shelalliea said, as she brought my plate and Dalia brought more coffee.

"I am grateful for the food, I am grateful for the coffee, and I am grateful for two beautiful asses to feel when it comes to me," I said, as I gave each of their asses a little grope.

I ate slowly and I seemed to be in an odd mood, almost as if what I did didn't matter. It seemed that everything went my way now no matter what I got up too.

In fact everything had gone pretty smoothly for me since I got here. Well except for Gigo and Dergo getting killed. That hadn't seemed like such a good deal at the time. It had given me four more mates and I had to admit I liked their company more than I had enjoyed Gigo and Dergo. Maybe I just needed more coffee to perk me up.