The Epic Tale of Cody Coyote: \

By Jeremy Koehn

You are invited to come on a breathtaking adventure with Cody and his friends. Discover how a Coyote, a Racoon, a Snake, and two birds find eachother and learn to work together.  Guided by a wise Owl named Otto, they embark on a mission to save the lives of everyone in Toaz in an epic tale of pure excitement and friendship. Enjoy this unique novel with twenty six high quality illustrations and six original songs that you can listen to for free at CoyoteStory.org.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369408988

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 by Jeremy Lee Koehn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/06/2023

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Bird Invasion

Chapter 2 Howler’s Peak

Chapter 3 Siege of Yotetown

Chapter 4 Lord of the Owls

Chapter 5 Eagles Gate

Chapter 6 The King’s Territory

Chapter 7 Sky Kingdom

Chapter 8 Father’s Fruit Feast

Chapter 9 A Marked Coyote

Chapter 10 A Strange Rock

Chapter 11 Outrunning a Runner

Chapter 12 Skunksdale Road

Chapter 13 Crafty Coons

Chapter 14 Caring Bears

Chapter 15 Snake Charmer

Chapter 16 Taunting Voices

Chapter 17 Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 18 Rugar’s Tower

Chapter 19 The Battle for Toaz

Chapter 20 Dorama’s Demise

Chapter 21 Toaz Restored

Back Story: The Origins of Toaz

Back Story: The Cougar Rebellion

Back Story: The Great Expansion

About the Author

Illustrations by Jeremy Lee Koehn

Thank you to those who helped with editing:

Amy Koehn, Crystal Acosta, Judah Koehn, Maggie Nelson,

and the Xlibris editing team

Thank you to those who helped with songs:

Destinee Kaplan, Benjamin Koehn, Glenn Bennet, and Kelli Sample

To My Three Coyote Pups,

Benjamin, Judah, and

Aleithia. I love you.

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Chapter One

Bird Invasion

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A crescent moon lit the night sky over Yotetown. It was the dead of night, and a little cactus wren flew through the darkness headed to a cabin wherein lived a very special Coyote. He spotted the house and perched on a windowsill. Peering in he found him, curled up in his tail on a bed of hemp cloth stuffed with hay. All was quiet, all was peaceful, so it seemed, until we look inside our hero’s heart and find him in a dream.

He spread his arms and took a breath as he stood upon a cloud. With hands raised high, jumped from the sky, and landed in the crowd.

Cody! Cody! Cody! you’re a hero! they shouted in the streets. You defeated the enemy and set our village free!

Everyone loved him. All the young pups wanted to be like him. And the she-Yotes sang songs about him. He was a hero whose life was full of purpose and adventure. But that is neither how his life began, nor how this dream ended.

Suddenly the young hero found himself falling from the sky into the mouth of a giant Cougar with canine teeth as tall as him!

I will devour you, son of Tyros! thundered a voice from the pit below him.

He struggled, flapping his arms, and grabbing at the air until the darkness swallowed him and shut its jaws.

"Aauuu!" howled Cody, awaking from the nightmare. Eyes like an owl, a bead of sweat rolling down his head, he caught his breath.

Not again. That’s not how the dream is supposed to end! he growled.

He sat on the edge of the bed waiting for his heart to stop pounding against his chest. After he calmed down, he got up and went into the living room.

It was winter in Yotetown. Clint and his wife, Luna, were raising their three pups in a log cabin nestled in the Coyote Mountains. Cody, their oldest, sat on the living room floor looking out the window. He wore a sky-blue shirt and, tan pants and held a cup of warm cactus flower tea in his paws. As he waited for sunrise, he wondered about the nightmare that seemed so real. He had so many questions.

"Is that how my life ends? he thought. What are all these dreams? Are they supposed to mean something?"

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Then he started to wonder if he would ever get to live the adventurous life he had always wanted.

The sun peaked over the mountain and warmed his face. He smiled and took a deep breath of comfort. All seemed like a normal morning, that is until he spotted the little cactus wren inside a hole dug into their saguaro cactus.

"That’s strange," thought Cody, watching curiously from the window. Cody turned to Luna, his mother, who was busy preparing a large-mouth bass for breakfast.

Mom, why is there a bird living in our cactus?

Oh, Cody, she chided, you know we don’t have birds in Yotetown. The law forbids them to live here or even fly low to the ground. Maybe it’s a butterfly.

Cody looked again.

No, Mom, it’s not a butterfly. I’m pretty sure it’s a bird. Come look!

That’s silly, Cody. She turned to stare out the window, peering at the hole in the cactus. She gasped.

"Oh my, there is a bird out there! But what is it doing in Yotetown?" She put down her knife, walked over to the window, and fastened her eyes to the bird nestled in the hole.

What kind of bird is it, Mom? Is it an eagle?

"O no, it’s much too small to be an eagle. This little one is called a cactus wren, a bird that builds its nest in a cactus, usually a saguaro."

Well, if I were her, I would just make my nest in a cave. It would be a lot easier than digging a hole, said Cody pointedly.

His mother chuckled. "Actually, it’s a he, not a she. Only the daddy wrens make the nest. Then the mommy lays her eggs there."

Cody stared in confusion, but his mother continued,

You know, Cody, in less than a year you’ll be a full-grown Coyote, and you’ll have to learn to survive just like him. Maybe you should learn a thing or two from that little bird.

Your mom’s right, Son, affirmed Clint from behind them. This summer you’ll be old enough to leave the den and you need to be prepared.

Clint fastened his knife to the belt of his River Guard uniform and stood by the window with his arm around Luna to take a look.

A bird sighting, huh? said Clint. That’s odd. Kind of risky to make your nest in the middle of a Coyote town, I say, with all the bird hunting going on lately.

Luna responded, It’s such a shame that some Coyotes don’t have the decency to obey the law. Those poor birds...may they be brought to justice!

They all watched the bird for a moment wondering what to make of the situation.

Well, said Clint, maybe I’ll go out and scare him back to his home. He’s probably just lost or confused.

Just as Clint turned away to get some tea, a red cardinal flew by the window and landed on their mesquite tree.

Dad, look! Cody exclaimed. Now there’s a red one on our tree!

Before he finished speaking, a swarm of sparrows rushed loudly by the house.

What is going on out there? They can’t all be lost! exclaimed Luna.

Clint put down his teacup and darted out the front door. Cody and his mother followed. Now the whole sky was filled with birds.

Clint turned to Carina and Cody with a concerned face.

Honey, what do we do? asked Luna.

Just then Yarel, their neighbor came with a message, Clint, your brother needs you at Pack Hall immediately!

All right, thanks, I’ll be there. Turning to Luna he said, I’m going to find out what’s going on. You all stay in the house until I get back.

But, Dad, I want to go with you! whined Cody.

No, Son, you stay here with your mom and the pups. I’ll be back soon, I promise.

Before Cody could say another word, Clint ran off on all fours, jumping over the broken part of their wooden fence.

Now Clint’s older brother, Yaten, was Grand Chief of Coyotes at this time. He was at a Yotetown meeting with the chiefs and elders discussing what to do about the birds. When Clint arrived at the city gate, he saw his brother and the other leaders of the town gathering at the entrance of Pack Hall. At the foot of the stair entrance on the left side stood a large black stone on which the laws of Etoah were engraved. On top of the stone stood a statue of Tyros, Clint and Yaten’s father, howling to the sky. Birds of all kinds were now perched on the roofs, trees, and even hopping along the ground. They filled Yotetown like a swarm of bees.

Brother, I’m glad you’re here, said Yaten, shooing away some sparrows with his paws. Let’s talk inside and get away from the birds.

Inside Pack Hall with the chiefs and elders, behind shut doors, Clint asked, What’s happening, brother? Why are all the birds flocking into our territory?

I’m not sure. Perhaps they are fleeing from some sort of danger. But to be certain, I’ve assembled a scouting team to travel north and bring back a report of what they find.

Good idea, brother. May the mission be successful, responded Clint.

Yaten put his paw on Clint’s shoulder and stared at him resolutely, Clint. I need you to lead it. I cannot entrust this mission to anyone else who may lack the strength. I’ve heard rumors from Bear Scouts in Grizzdale that the enemy has regrouped and is planning an invasion. If you discover that the enemy is within our borders, then you must return to us immediately so we can prepare for battle.

Clint blinked. He wasn’t expecting to lead a team that far north on such short notice. He was used to guarding the river border as far as Howlington. But he knew if the rumors were true, everyone in Coyote Territory was in grave danger. Urged by his sense of duty, Clint nodded.

All right, brother, I’ll go pack my bag and say goodbye to my family. We’ll head out at sundown under the cover of darkness.

As Clint turned to leave, Yaten called after him, Hey. It’s good to see you, brother.

It’s good to see you, too.

Clint returned home in the afternoon and found Luna on the front porch, sitting on the swing. Birds hopped around everywhere, twittering.

Well, what did you find out, honey? she asked.

Clint walked slowly up the wooden steps thinking about ways to say what he needed to tell her. Well, I, uh- we know where the birds are coming from and-

Just tell me, hun. It can’t be that bad, prodded Luna.

Clint sighed. Yaten wants me to lead a scouting team up north to find out what’s happening with the birds.

Oh. A mission. That doesn’t sound so bad.

Clint sat down next to Luna and put his arm around her.

Be careful, she told him. And come back to me safe and sound.

I will. I promise. I’ll return in three days, said Clint, looking toward the north. Then Clint got up, went to his room, and quickly threw his supplies into a bag. He set his bag and spear by the door.

Luna called out to the pups who were playing in their room,

Cody, Tuwi, Leila, come give your father hugs and kisses goodbye!

Tuwi and Leila came running out. They were a lively pair, stumbling over each other as they raced to the door.

Daddy, Daddy, me first, me first, I’m your favorite pup, remember? shouted Leila.

Hey, you always get all the attention. You’re a spoiled brat! snorted Tuwi.

Oh, you know I don’t play favorites, Clint chuckled, But you’re my favorite girl, and you’re my favorite Tuwi pup!

Now listen up you two. I’ll be gone for three days so I want you to be good for your mama while I’m away, okay?

I don’t think I can be good that long. Said Tuwi.

Sure you can, my little Tuwi. You’re a good pup. Just listen and obey right away, and I’ll tell you what, Clint leaned in and whispered in Tuwi’s ear. If mommy tells me you were good, I’ll give you three agave cookies from the Sugar Paw store.

Really?! Okay, Daddy!

"Shhh, it’s our secret."

Leila’s ears lowered. But, Daddy, Chuwi’s always mean to me when you’re gone. Do you have to be gone so long?

No I’m not, be quiet! defended Tuwi.

Tuwi will be nice to you honey. Right Tuwi?

Tuwi paused for a moment then smiled. Yeah, I’ll be nice!

Leila started to whimper, Can’t I come with you?

I’m sorry, sweetie, you can’t come this time. Daddy has to go see why all the birds are here. We need to help get them back to their home. Clint kissed them both goodbye.

Cody surprised everyone by coming out of his room with his bags all packed. He had a long stick he had sharpened for a spear.

Alright, Dad, I’m coming with you this time. I’m ready. he said with a resolute look on his face. I’ve got everything I need in my bag. And look, I even made a spear in case we run into trouble.

Clint looked at Luna, but she motioned to him to deal with it. So, he knelt down and looked his son in the eyes,

Cody, you are a brave Yote, but you’re a bit too young to travel with the scout pack. I’m sorry, Son, but you are more needed here.

Cody’s feeling of confidence turned to heartbreak.