ＣＨＯＳＥＮ ⊰ ᴀ ωᴏʟғ's ᴛᴀʟᴇ ⊱ ᶜᵒᵐᵉᶰᵗˢ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ

[SkieNight]

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If you where ｃｈｏｓｅｎ.
Ｃｈｏｓｅｎ against all odds.
Ｃｈｏｓｅｎ to do the impossible.
Ｃｈｏｓｅｎ to succeed,
Whether you wanted to or not.
Would ｙｏｕ?
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⊰⊰⊰ Info & Updates ⊱⊱⊱

So I posted this story up on CS some time ago. It's been slowly worked on but I'm all ready five chapters with over 50 pages written that hold over 30,000 words. Yeah, I have written a lot. Now, since there are five chapters I decided that I would go back and edit them all since they've all been written over a year. As I edit all of the section they will be posted. So editing and posting will take a lot less time the writing, editing and posting. Once I get through these five chapters the sections will come a bit slower, that that is for a later time.

⊰⊰⊰ Teaser ⊱⊱⊱

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She was born with her life all ready planed out. Her destiny would be the fate of the valley, and her life would be used for good.

All her life Kaɲɲa has been shielded from the hash truth. Her destiny has been chosen for her. All she has to do is follow the instructions of her Aunt and Uncle and she wold be okay, she would make them proud and make the valley happy. But for once Kaɲɲa is give the option, she has the chance to choose what she will do. But one wrong move and her whole world as she knows will flip, and the darker side of the valley she loves will show.
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Her emerald eyes widened and her legs tightened, but it all happened to fast. She felt her back legs fall out from under and she soon she was falling. Her paws whipped around the air, as she tried to grab onto something, anything.

Her front paws scrapped something and she glanced up to see that she wasn’t the only one falling. The noise around her was tremendous. She could hear Ithgar yelling and Flint yelling, and paws around her, and the water rushing as she neared it. But there was one word she could hear above everything else. Sorry.

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⊰⊰⊰ Chapters ⊱⊱⊱

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Chapter One ⊰ Part One ⊱
Chapter One ⊰ Part Two ⊱
Chapter Two ⊰ Part One ⊱
Chapter Two ⊰ Part Two ⊱
Chapter Two ⊰ Part Three ⊱
Chapter Three ⊰ Part One ⊱
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[SkieNight]

Something will go here when I feel like it....

[SkieNight]

The full moon cast its silver glow over the forest. Beams of white light fell through the trees, lighting the path for any who ventured about at the untimely hour. The snow that capped the plants glistened in the white light, giving the forest a glowing, almost ghostly look. Even the trees long dead looked oddly beautiful in the silvery aura that seemed to drape over the land like a thick blanket.

A shadowy figure moved through the snowdrifts, only leaving shallow tracks that would soon be covered by the fresh snow gliding down from the partly clouded sky. The forest fell into an eerie silence as the figure moved through the trees, it was as if time itself stopped to watch them pass. They moved slowly and steadily, the only sound was that of the wind that played through the leaves overhead.

Once out of the bright moonlight, the ghostly figure moved through the forest at a quickening pace. They darted past the trees hoping to stay hidden in the tall shadows of the evergreens. After emerging from the darkness of the forest the animal stopped in a snowy clearing. The silver light had faded as the moon vanished behind more snow clouds. He lifted his muzzle to the sky and took a long deep breath of the cold air. As he release the air from his lungs, his breath hung in the space before him like fog, before slowly melting into the darkness of the night.

The animal’s amber eyes fell on some fallen logs that hung together blocking what ever was behind. He turned and raced toward the logs flying over them with a fluid and graceful jump. The only sounds of his landing were the faint crunching of snow and the huffs of breathing as he took back, and controlled his breathe. An open clearing lay in front of him. The wind blew through the space creating a faint whistling noise that echoed threw the trees.

The animal lifted his muzzle once more as an eerie call caught his ear causing his head to turn. “The Raven takes flight...” the voice faded as quickly as it had appeared. It was almost impossible to tell where the words were coming from or even if they were there at all.

His eyes darted around before he spoke in a think, lanky voice, “At the brake of night...”

“When the call of fright is heard.” The voice responded quickly, getting closer and firmer.

“And he who comes under the light of the moon...” he spoke slowly taking a step forward towards where he believed the voice was coming from.

“Will find the chosen, near, very soon.” The under growth a head of him rustled and a figure stepped out of the brush and into the faint light. She was a very lean wolf with large ears atop her head and narrow, but calculating eyes. Her coat was a russet red with hits of darker gray and even some black.

She studied him closely as if deciding weather to trust him or not. She raised her head, her brown eyes meeting his bright amber orbs. A smile crept over his muzzle and he looked her over once again.

“Hello Vӕri.” he said taking a step towards her. The female gave him a look of disgust and took a step back to even the space between them.

“What are you doing hear?” Vӕri growled, her ears slowly going back to pin against her skull. “I thought, well more like hoped you were dead.”

A look of hurt crossed the male’s features but he quickly pushed what she said away. He wasn’t surprised in the least that she had reacted the way she did. “I knew you would say that, but I had to come a see the pup, just once. It’s all I ask, Vӕri.”

Her lips curled back exposing her purely fangs and she stepped forward forcing him back. “You really think I would trust you?” Vӕri growled her tail rising as she displayed her dominance. “Nazn,” She spat his name as if poison had danced over her tongue. “Leave.”

Nazn lowered his tail. It was no use fighting with her; she had every right to be angry. In fact he was still angry with him self. If only he could tell her the whole story, maybe then she would understand why he did what he did. Maybe she would accept him again. But the chances of that were unlikely, even if she did understand she wouldn’t forgive him. Vӕri’s mind had all ready been made.

“Vӕri, you must try to understand.” He said taking a step towards her. Even if she wouldn’t listen it was worth a try.

“No you must listen!” She snapped as his muzzle, making him stumble back. “I made a promise to protect the child, and I will gladly do it with my life.” something flicker in her deep, brown eyes, as if she had said too much. Still, her face remained calm and hard, the face he remembered from so long ago.

I will gladly do it with my life. The words echoed through his head as he studied her. He had only heard her say that once before and sudden fear bubbled up in side of him. She didn’t… did she? He wondered as the silence between them continued.

Finally he spoke up putting his thoughts to words, “Y-you didn’t do it. Did you?” He asked softly looked at her the worry plain on his face.

“Why would you care?” Vӕri’s words stung more then Nazn could ever have thought. She didn’t understand, did she? Had she forgotten what was once between the two of them? Or did the betrayal block any other feelings she felt towards him.

He opened his mouth to answer but found him self lost for words, how was he to say something she would have forgotten. Closing his jaw once again he sighed “I just… just thought that… oh never mind.” He gave up, it was pointless to try and talk to her.

“Well spit it out. I haven’t got the entire night you know.” Her once soft gaze seemed to have gone. She now just looked at him as if he was the enemy; as if it was his fault they were all in the mess.

I just don’t want you to get hurt. He thought but what he spoke was different, “Why would you make a blood promise?” he asked his voice died down to a whisper that seemed to vanish into the night.

“That’s none of you business now is it?” Her tone was harsh and her voice cold as she spoke again. “Now get lost. I promised the protect the pup from harm and I will do just that, even if it means a fight.” Her voice went from a sharp whisper to a crisp bark. She wanted him gone.

Nazn let out a sigh and shook his head. He looked over her once more to get every detail of her embedded in to his mind. “As you wish,” He said softly with a small dip of his head. He turned with out saying a word and disappeared back into the shadows. He moved through the trees and looked back only once to see the out line of Vӕri vanishing into the brush.

His eyes watered and his vision blurred as he pushed through the under growth. He didn’t bother to watch where he stepped. A twig snapped under his foot and his head snapped up. He glanced around before talking off, flying through the trees once more.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered over and over again. He hopped the words would bring comfort to him, like they once did. But after saying them a million times they were just empty sounds meaning nothing, just sounds that echoed lightly though the trees.

The wind brushed against his dark gray fur, making it ruffle and fall away from his eyes. His feet slowed and he looked up and around, pausing in the deep snow. He looked back to see is trail deep and imbedded into the snow. He could feel the tears running down his face freezing at the end of his fur. He had no choice so he started to walk again.

“Now, now Nazn crying will do you no good.” A deep, and dark voice rose from the shadows near by. Nazn looked up, his chest tightening and his eyes growing large. “Surprised to see me, are we?” the voice continued and the bushes rustled slightly. “You know running will do you no good. I had a feeling you would try to scamper off so I decided to wait here. Lucky for me you decided to cross my path.”

A large figured came out of the shadows, he was as dark as the night and his golden eyes glowed with pride and power. His tail was raised slightly and he walked forward, one large paw after the other.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t… mean too… please I wasn’t th-thinking. Give me another chance.” Nazn whimpered as the larger figure moved towards him. “S-she didn’t even sh-show me the p-pup! P-please I got n-nothing from her!” He cried, the cold snow making him shiver as he lay against the hard ground his tail tucked and ears pinned against his head.

He dug his face deeper into the icy ground and shook waiting for something, anything to happen. A cold silence filled the forest and Nazn could practically feel his eye being frozen shut by tears. I-I’m sorry I’m not strong enough Vӕri, he thought as the gilt coursed through his veins.

“Lift your sorry head you mutt,” the deep voice growled. Nazn did as he was tolled and lifted his head up slightly. Towering above him like a hawk was a large figure. A black muzzle looked down at him and gold eyes seemed to look through and into his mind. “Get up!” Nazn remained in place fear making him stiff. “Now!”

Nazn scampered up through the snow and sat on his haunches quaking with fear and cold. He kept his amber eyes on the figure in front of him as they spoke.

“Good,” The figure said. “You’ll still listen to commands.” He stood up and slowly began to circle Nazn as he continued. “But you failed. You know what failure means right?” Nazn shook his head muttering something inaudible. “You promised the pup in return for Vӕri’s safety. But you didn’t show me any pup. Unless you tell me something useful, both will be killed,”

Nazn blinked and lowered his vision as he tired to think, his mind clouding. “I’m waiting.” The large animal said to Nazn sitting down and starring blankly at him. Nazn’s tail thumped as he thought.

“Well,” he finally said trying to by time, “You know about the entry poem, right? I c-can tell it t-two you.” Nazn muttered trying to think. “Or… w-what about t-t-the um.... clearing! I know the clearing, the pup must be by there!”

The figure said nothing; he just rose to his feet again and turned away from Nazn. “Looks like I’ll have to kill her. All the information you’re giving me is stuff you have all ready discovered. One new piece of information and I won’t kill her.”

“Vӕri....” Nazn muttered, she had said something to him but what. As he started to walk away Nazn bounded forward. “I have it!” He said with a new found confidence causing the other animal to stop and turn around slowly. Nazn continued trying hard not to stutter, “S-she, Vӕri, mention something a-about blood ties. She made a blood promise to the child's mother, if she brakes it she-”

“Yes....” He said slowly a smile spreding across his face. “Yes. You have redeemed your self Nazn,” He said taking a step toward the male. “Now your precious Vӕri will not be killed.”

“You promise!” Nazn said looking up to him and meeting his cold gaze.

“I promise.”

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[SkieNight]

Feel free to post away to your hearts content.

[SkieNight]

Her brown eyes closed tightly as she walked through the brush. She didn’t dare look back to see him go. Part of her wanted to run back out, to sob, to forgive him for what he had done to her and the others. But she rooted her self to the ground refusing to budge. That small part of her heart was out numbered by her hate and resentment for him. She had meant every word she had spat as his sorry face, there was no going back now.

“Vӕri! Who was that?” The sound of her name and the soft crunch of snow caused her to look up and at the figure.

Vӕri sighed and walked passed them with out a second glance. “Who do you think?” She said bitterly. There was a sigh and something brushed her side. She flinched and looked away into the forest.

“Vӕ, don’t be like this,” He said softly his hot breath on her face. Her ear twitched in annoyance and she pulled away again. Vӕri was not in the mood to do this. She was rather done with this ridiculous idea. All she wanted was some space.

“Oh come on Vӕ!” He said following her. His white side brushing up against her for the second time
Vӕri spun around to face him her chocolate eyes narrow and her ears went back pinning against her skull. “Just stop it! My name is Vӕri, not Vӕ, and I’d like to keep my name the way it is thank you very much! And you know I don’t like you! How do I get it into your thick skull to back off or do I physically have to show you!” Her lips pulled back as she snarled showing her sharp fangs.

He opened his mouth to speak but another, sweeter voice spoke in his place. “What is going on hear? Why are you at each other’s throats?” Vӕri looked up to see a pretty light tan female standing looking over both of them. Vӕri rolled her brown eyes and slipped past her mumbling under her breath. She could feel the other wolves’ stairs as she slipped into some of the dense scrub but she ignored them both.

VÓ•ri moved through the tunnel of shrubbery until it opened up into a clearing. On the far end some rocks piled atop of one another created a large den. A group of figures stood by the entrance conversing about something or other.

“Vӕri?” he called, causing the already angry wolf to stop and glance over. “We need to ask you something.”

She took a deep breath and made her way over to the group. “Yes?” She asked with a pleasant expression on, though she didn’t feel pleasant at all. “What may I do for you?”

“We were just wondering when he was to come and take the pup. And who would escort them there?” Another one spoke up. He was sitting down and his brown tail was nicely folded over his paws.

“Oh, I haven’t figured out all the details but I was thinking that-” She was cut off by a howl and some one racing into the clearing. She spun around her fur raised and her brown eyes narrowed, she was ready to fight.

But it wasn’t anyone she thought it would be. It was merely a small, light brown male. He was just out side of the bramble entrance trying to catch his breath. Vӕri left the group and walked up to him.

“Yes? What is it?” Vӕri asked calmly looking down at the wheezing wolf. He looked up at Vӕri and stood up straighter.

“My apologies ma’am.” He said taking deep breaths as he tried to get more air. “But he’s here.” Vӕri’s eyes widened. He was here and so soon? She stood there a few seconds trying to figure it all out when it hit her. Vӕri shook her head, this wasn’t suppose to happen, she hadn’t planned at all there was so much to do!

Now as she looked over the camp it was a mess, the scrap pile was more like a scrap area, wolves lay scattered around, and branches from the trees around the clearing and fallen in. She had opened her mouth to bark direction to get the clearing in better condition but before she could even get a word out she head a rustling from the entrance. “He’s here!” She barked quickly. She felt all the eyes on her and many quickly stood to attention.

She moved to the entrance and stood tall, waiting for the wolf to come through the brush. She recognized him immediately from their first meeting before the battle. He was a larger wolf, but he still seemed to look thinner and weaker. His dark gray fur was dotted with lighter patches gray. Scares dotted his sides and legs as marks of the past. But his amber eyes were still bright despite the wrinkles of age on his face. He moved with fluid motions that you would only see in the youngest wolves, not animals his age.

“Sir,” She said with a smile and dip of her head. She slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze. “It’s great to see you again, Ithgar,”

“And you to Vӕri. Still young as always.” Vӕri smiled at his compliment and dipped her head again. Ithgar looked around the clearing once more. The other wolves rose to their paws and dipped their heads. He smiled at them before his gaze turned back to Vӕri.

“How have you fared?” He asked as he started to walk to the back cave. Vӕri quickly picked up on what he was doing and she spun around to pad along besides him.

“Oh, I’m doing great. We’ve had a few run in with them but I believe we are mostly safe.” Her voice was a bit shaky as she remembered Nazn’s show just earlier that day. Just thinking about how close he was sent chills down her spin and made the fur on her neck stand up straighter.

“Vӕri, you must relax.” Ithgar said as they walked into the cave hidden among the rocks. “You cannot expect to be able to lead a pack, never the less a loose group of wolves, in the state you are. Nazn still loves you, he will do nothing to hurt you.”

“Yes but it’s not me that I need to focuse on a worry about. It’s my pack and the danger he might bring. He doesn’t think of others. He’s to… to obsessive.” she said hastily she wanted to change the subject. Her love life was not the issue at hand.

“I know but when have you returned his love? Have you even tolled him your true feelings?” Ithgar sat down on the cave floor and gave Vӕri a look, one of a fatherly figure.

Vӕri looked away as she sat. “I once returned his love. You know that but, e-ever since then I… I just cant! You of all wolves should understand.” She said looking up to meet he gaze once more. All Ithgar did was nod.

“I know.” He said softly his thick tail falling over his white paws. He sat up straighter, “Let us forget about Nazn, we have more important business.” Vӕri couldn’t be happier to agree, she would love to just forget about him for a bit. “Well, the pup. When do you want me to take her? And,” He looked around for a bit. It was hard to see in the dim light but they could still just make out the shapes of the rocks in the darkness. “Where is she being hidden?”

A slick smile crossed Vӕri’s muzzle. “Please,” She said rising back to all fours. “Come with me.” Ithgar nodded and stood after her ready to follow obediently. Vӕri moved through the passageway that seemed to wind down deeper and deeper into the earth.

“How did you find this,” Ithgar asked looking around the dim tunnel. He seemed fascinated with the ever-going passage. His eyes glanced over everything as they pushed onwards going deeper into the earth and into the caves.

“We found it some time again. I believe it was built by the Over-walkers before they left the valley.” Ithgar nodded again but fell silent.

The two continued down the perfectly shaped halls in silence. At one of the off tunnels VÓ•ri made a sharp turn to the left. Ithgar followed with out a compliant. She moved into the darkening tunnel as it started to curve up. Finally after seeming like forever and after climbing what appeared to be to the top of large hill they reached a passage blocked by a bolder.

Before Ithgar could question or comment on anything Vӕri raised her tail to silence him. She moved around the bolder, to where a little space between in the wall was. She ducked her head and slipped into the crack. Vӕri stepped aside and looked over her shoulder as Ithgar slipped in. A smile had found its way onto his muzzle and Vӕri couldn’t help be a bit pleased.

“You certainly thought of everything Vӕri dear.” He said with a chuckle looking around the damp cave they had found their way into. The sound of water echoed through the cavern as it dripped from the ceiling. Over all this part of the network of caves and passages would be almost dark. But small cracks and holes in the ceiling provided a nice draft and bright light from the out side world. These random spots of light sparkled all over the floor of the cave, making the stone walls look as if they were made of gems.

VÓ•ri padded into the middle of the cave and let the light warm her up for a few seconds. She sighed and continued on. The soft padding of paws tolled her Ifgar was right behind.

“Just a quick question,” Ithgar said quickening the pace so he was walking in step with her. “I thought this was a dead end. Where are we going?”

A small smirk played out on Vӕri’s muzzle. “You only want to think it is a dead end now come along. She said. The pair hustled on ward to the far reaches of the large cavern.

“She’s here.” Vӕri said softly. Ithgar stopped short and narrowed his eyes in the semi-dark cave. Something stirred in the shadows and sure enough just as she had said a small yip came from farther on.

VÓ•ri moved forward slowly and picked up the small animal by its scruff. The pup was small, even for her age, and her cinnamon brown fur was damp and matted. VÓ•ri let out a breath of air and set the pup down in front of Ithgar.

“Here she is. We messed up her fur earlier so it would be harder to tell her from a plant.” she looked down on the small animal, sadness clearly shown on her face.

“I really do wish I could raise her my self.” Vӕri said, her voice just barely audible. “But this is for the best…” Her head snapped up as paw steps echoed from the hall. Vӕri jumped in front of Ithgar who had picked up the pup by scruff.

“Who’s there?” Vӕri growled her ears back against her head and tail up. The she-wolf was ready to fight if needed.

“Vӕri it’s me!” The small messenger was huffing again and Vӕri was quickly able to scent blood. Vӕri relaxed by her legs were still stiff and worry piled up in the pit of her stomach. Why did the scent of blood carry with the messenger?

“What is it?”

“Th-their here...Nazn and him. They are attacking and looking for the pup!” the messenger coughed and Vӕri rushed to his side. And looked up at Ithgar.

“Go out the back way with the pup. I’ll lead you there and then you run. Do not look back and do not come back to help. For even I do not know what’s to come.” She padded quickly past the male with the pup and moved through the darkness.

She could tell the male was following by the soft patter of foot sets and the occasional squeak. Near the far end of the cave a bit of light streak in from some out side force. VÓ•ri pounded against a rock forcing it to move just enough for Ithgar to slide through.

She gave the pair one last looked and sighed. “Remember just run and don’t look back. I would recommend traveling none stop until you reach the end of tree on the mountain slope. What ever you do don’t come back to see what happened, if any of us survive we will send word to you some how. But it you hear nothing after four moon rises then forget we ever existed.”

She looked to the pup and sighed, she licked the little thing on the head and smiled. “Hopefully I will get to see you when your eyes are open,” She whispered. She looked to Ithgar and dipped her head. “Now I must go, and you must run.”

The male who had remained quiet for quite some time now finally spoke, “You’re a good wolf Vӕri. May the Great Ancestors look out for you and your pack.” He said before turning and slipping through the rock.

Vӕri watched him race into the woods and shook her head. “If there were any Great Ancestors we wouldn’t be in the position...” She whispered. Her eyes widened when she remembered what had come to the messenger. Vӕri turned and raced back through the semi-light cave. She could see his shape on the floor as she neared.

“How are you?” She asked hurriedly. The wolf got up and just nodded. He looked tired and the scent of blood was strong but she knew what she had to do. She smiled and nodded once before racing past him and towards the main set of tunnels.

The pair moved swiftly though the passageways. It had taken VÓ•ri a while to learn the ways of the tunnel but now she could move through them with her eyes closed. As the cave system started to slow upwards she could see the light poring in from the entrance. Large shapes were moving swiftly and soon she met with a few wolves at the front of the cave.

A smirk cross Vӕri’s face, “It’s good to see you all again.” She said with a small laugh. Her legs tensed as she readied to spring. It had been a while since the female actually fought, but she was ready, or as ready as she would get.

A large black wolf stood in front of her. His golden eyes glowed with a familiar gleam that VÓ•ri could easily pick out. It was a lust for blood.

“It’s good to see you too Vӕri.” He spoke. She would never admit it but that voice brought shivers down her spine. “But sadly we have no time to talk. Business calls.”

Vӕri frowned slightly. “Sadly that meeting was scheduled by me. So you won’t be going any where...” Her frown slid into a smirk and in a quick movement her back legs had pushed her off the ground and she lunged towards him.

[SkieNight]

Emerald eyes peered from behind the brush. They narrowed, focusing in on their target and slowly slunk forward, one paw at a time. The midday sun peeked through the trees giving the summer forest a bright, cheery look. A small stream babbled off to the side covering any soft sounds that the hunter made.

Leaning back the slick figure tensed. In a quick movement they pushed off the ground and through the greenery. Their paws beat against the ground as they chased their target and with one quick lunge forward they had their pray locked between white teeth, their canines sinking into the soft flesh.

“Well Uncle! How did I do?” The cinnamon she-wolf asked looking back towards the brush from which she had come. A small rabbit hung from her jaw, a lucky catch. An older wolf moved out from the undergrowth, his pelt that was once a great gray color, like the clouds before storm, was now lightened from age.

He moved slowly and smoothly. Looking over her with a small smile on his face before speaking. “You did a great job,” he started sitting down in front of her. “But you’re much to loud.” He looked at her plainly as she set down her fresh kill.

“What do you mean?” She asked with an offended look in her eyes. She thought she had done really well. No, brilliantly! But apparently that wasn’t good enough for him, it never was. She didn’t ever remember a time when she had fully pleased him and he could make no critiques.

He let out a small sigh then started on with what was sure to be a long speech. “Well, for one thing you never look at where you step. You’re just lucky its early summer so there are no leaves are on the ground, and the river covered any noise you made. Secondly you are never close enough from the ground. If it where a deer, the animal would have been able to see you ears sticking out from the top of the brush! Also you never take time to calculate out your movements. If that rabbit wasn't so bloody old--”

She nodded every now and then to look like she was listening. But she let her mind wander as he continued on with some baffling none sense. One ear twitched ever so slightly listening to the sounds of the forest, the faint hum of the bees that flew among the trees trying to keep their distance from the pair of wolves, the flutter of wings and the tweets of the birds. The babbling of the stream as it jabbered on, gilding through the forest. She never remembered a time when the forest was so peaceful so quiet, so gentle.

“Where you even listening to me!” Her uncle’s growl made her snap from her daydreams. She shook her head quickly then sighed, realizing what she had done. He let out a huff of breath and closed his amber eyes shaking his head ever so slightly.

Her ears went back to meet her skull and her head lowered so she was just looking at her white paws instead of his disappointed gaze. Something rubbed against her side and she looked up to see his tail wrapping around his paws.

“It’s fine Kaɲɲa, I understand.” He said looking past her and into the forest. Kaɲɲa looked back over her shoulder expecting to see something behind her. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The trees, the river and the birds all remained the same. She looked back at him wondering what he could be looking at what he had meant when he said he ‘understood’. He never seemed to understand, but he always knew what to say at the right moment.

A smile crept onto his face as he looked back to her. The look of confusion on her face must have been amusing in some way. “You see, I was just like you when I was your age.”

Kaɲɲa tilted her head ever so slightly. “You where?” She asked puzzled. She had expected her uncle to be the exact opposite, reserved and patient even when he was a pup.

As if he could read her mind he shook his head and said, “Yes, I was. Patience is a virtue that one must learn over time.” He stood up and Kaɲɲa followed by example picking up her rabbit. “You see I learned the same way you did. I did have a teacher but the best way to learn in through mistakes. Now come, lets see if we can get lucky and catch some fish.”

As he started off Kaɲɲa followed a few lengths behind him. She sighed her eyes lids falling until her emerald orbs were merely slits. She listened again to the sounds of the forest. She could hear the stream near by and heard rustling next to her. There was some muttering sounds, must have been Uncle talking and then there was a splash. Kaɲɲa sat up and looked around, she was sitting in the middle of the small stream. The waves were up to her chest as she sat in the water.Her Uncle laughed as she got out and shook her self off. Kaɲɲa frowned and sat next to him, with the damp rabbit still hanging from her jaw.

“Now Kaɲɲa, we all ready learned this. That is not how you catch fish.” he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “And that’s why you don’t walk with your eyes close.” Kaɲɲa huffed the water still slowly dripping down to the tips of her fur. She should probably pay attention this time.

She set her damp pray down next to her and turned her gaze back over to him. “Uncle Ithgar.” she said with a sigh. “Where did you learn to hunt?”

The older wolf let out a sigh and shook his head. “You never ask enough questions do you?” He laughed Kaɲɲa continued to watch him with an expecting look as she waited for her answer.

He shook his head again and cleared his raspy throat before speaking. “I tolled you before,” he started his tail once again folding over his paws. “That I had a teacher when I was your age.”

“You did?” Kaɲɲa blurted out, forgetting that he had informed her of this earlier. “What was he like Uncle? Was he as wise and old as you?”

Ithgar chuckled at the young wolf in front of him, “No she was much younger then I but she as good of a teacher. She was vary patient and kind, but she was vary strict and if I misbehaved I’d have to sit guard for one night.”

Kaɲɲa sighed; she loved to hear her Uncle tell stories of when he was young and lived with many wolves, what he called a clan or pack. All his adventures sounded so fun, so real. She could see her Uncle sitting there laughing with many other wolves in a large clearing under the stars. Sighing she stretched out, lying on her white underbelly so she could be more comfortable as she listened to him speak.

“Well, one day,” he said looking at the sky as he tired to remember al the details from that day. “When I was just a bit older then you I was to go on my first Jaɠa. I was just going to watch at that time, I wasn’t aloud to help. So as we waited on the edge of forest for the elk to come I decided to-”

“Oh, are you telling that old tale of when you went out on that first hunt?” A familiar voice called. Kaɲɲa’s eyes widened as she jumped up to all fours and spun around. Just as she expected a young, healthy looking wolf stood just out of the undergrowth. Her long legs and slim body gave her a tall appearance and her lean ears topped her head.

“Aunt Vӕri!” Kaɲɲa cried happily racing towards the she-wolf. The russet canine looked down at the pup and licked the top of her head.

“Kaɲɲa,” Vӕri said with a fake frown. “Is this old, sorry wolf boring you to death with stories of his youth?” The older she-wolf looked up her amber eyes locking with the males. “It’s good to see you Ithgar.” She said with a crooked smile.

Kaɲɲa laughed throwing her head back a little her emerald eyes shinning. Vӕri smiled and walked over to Ithgar dipping her head quickly before turning her attention back to Kaɲɲa. As she turned Ithgar couldn’t help but notice a bare scar running from her lower neck down her shoulder.

“Uncle Ithgar wouldn’t bore me to death,” Kaɲɲa said sitting in front of Ithgar and Vӕri. She looked between the two and her eyes grew bigger and wider as she thought of something. “Vӕri?” The pup asked. “Will you tell me a story?”

The older she-wolf looked to Ithgar to see if she was aloud. He merely nodded once and she turned her attention to the pup at her paws. “What story do you want me to tell you?”

Kaɲɲa studied the older wolf and her eyes seemed to hover to the long time scar that crossed from between Vӕri’s brown eyes, down her muzzle and cut sharply to end in the middle of her cheek. “Where did you get that?” Kaɲɲa asked nudging her muzzle to the scare along Vӕri’s face.

Vӕri smiled and hunkered down, “Might as well make your self comfortable it’s a long story.” Kaɲɲa stretched out lying out on her stomach her paw crossed and he head resting on them so her eyes were still looking up at Vӕri.

“Well...” Vӕri said trying to figure out how to start. “A long time ago, before you where born I was the leader of a small band of wolves.”

“A clan?” Kaɲɲa piped in, as she always did when story’s started. Vӕri nodded the grin on her muzzle never fading.

“You could say so. So I was the leader of a small clan of wolves. That winter was a particularly hard one. The elk where long gone and the deer had either died out of left with the elk, we where half starved and weak as a coyote. The threat of another clan attacking us at the time was great, and to add to the troubles there was a terrible case of the Black Lung, that reeked havoc through the pack.”

“I thought it was the rash that year?” Ithgar spoke after Vӕri. Vӕri just chuckled and shook her head.
“No no, Ithgar, that was two summers before that winter.” The male huffed but said nothing indicating with a flick of his tail for her to go one with her talk. “Well, we were weak and tired that winter but we still had the royal family to protect.”

“I thought you didn’t like the royal family!” Kaɲɲa said matter-of-factly. “You said you hated working for them and that they where as bright as a flock of pigeons.” Ithgar turned away from the two trying to stifle his chuckles.

Vӕri let out a snort and tired not to smile at the pup. “Yes, yes that was before the current line of blue-bloods. However, the family was quite fond of me and I of them. They were the ones to appoint me to the head position that I still hold today. Anyway, that winter as we where guarding the princess and her family and short howl erupted from the woods.

“All of us where at least half starved and some where convinced that a bear had awoken at the wrong time and that soon the beast would lumber off back to sleep. Well it wasn’t the animal that wanted to kill the princess and possibly the rest of them was no other then the great Haкaram. He and his followers flooded us; we were out numbed two to one. I remember looking over at my friend Epha, both of us where mortified but we had to do what ever we could to protect the princess.”

“Was my mother with you? You said she was part of the guard pack as well?” Kaɲɲa asked with a small sliver of hope. Vӕri let out a small breath and shook her head. “I’m sorry she wasn’t. She was off doing something else that was very important.” Vӕri’s face remained neutral but her eyes gave away the smallest bit of pity.

“Going back to the battle, there we where out numbered by two to one. We fought bravely and I’m sad to say that was the battle where my friend Epha passed. She saved my life and with that I am extremely grateful.” Vӕri’s brown eyes slid shut for a second as though she where offering her late friend a small prayer. When her eyes opened she continued.

“We where all getting tired and finally out of the shadows came Haкaram. He was huge, at least twice as big as the average wolf. His coat is as black as the night letting him vanish into darkness. The only color on his pelt is gold, the color of his eyes. I bounded up to him. He was at least twice my size. I careened by neck back to I could meet his hard gaze. After exchanging petty talk I lunged for him.

“We went down in a fury of fur and I remember clawing and scratching at him. He raked his large paw down my face and that’s how this accrued.” Her tail flicked up, pointing to the scar on her face. “I remember scratching at his face and then he just fled.” She turned to Ithgar as she continued. “I do believe I was the one who caused him to be blind."

Ithgar chuckled and nodded, “Yes, that eye is now permanently closed. And I am sure it’s because of you.” He stood off shaking his silver pelt. “That was a great story. Too bad we didn’t have time to fish, but we have plenty of pray at our den. Please, Vӕri, come join us in our den and share in our fresh kill.”

Vӕri dipped her head and said more formally. “Thank you for sharing all that you have with me.” She stood as well and looked at Kaɲɲa who was practically hoping in place. “Let’s go Kaɲɲa.” She said with a smile starting off into the woods.

Kaɲɲa nodded and bounded a head, leading the two older wolves to the den. When Ithgar knew she was out of hearing range he leaned into Vӕri more.

“You should watch what you say,” Ithgar said quietly looking up to make sure Kaɲɲa didn’t come running back. “I know you want her to know about where she comes from and the path she must take, but-”

“She should know!” Vӕri said in a sharp whisper keeping her eyes a head of her as she walked. “You might be in charge of raising her but I was the one instructed on protecting her. I believe she should know before hand so that we don’t loose her trust later.”

“No!” Ithgar said glaring over at Vӕri and stopping. Vӕri, had forgotten that they had been walking. “Vӕri, you are a wise and good wolf but as your elder my judgment surpasses yours. I will tell her when I think she is ready.”

Vӕri grumbled something under her breath and started walking again. “Well I hope you right. And for her sake I hope you do choose the right time!”

[Distortionist]

Ooh, I like this story <3

[SkieNight]

Ooh, I like this story <3

Thank you, it really means a lot.

[SkieNight]

Kaɲɲa pulled to a halt in front of the cave that Ithgar and she called home. She spun around expecting to see the two adults at her tail but there was no one. The bushes stayed perfectly sill and she let out a long breath. She sat down in front of the cave her tail beating against the earth impatiently.

“What’s taking them so long!” she muttered rising back to her paws in a matter of seconds. She slowly paced back and forth like she did often when she was bored and there was nothing to do. Her ear’s perked and she heard the bushes rattle. Her head snapped up and her emerald green eye stayed on the brush waiting for even the slightest signs of her aunt and Ithgar.

When neither Ithgar nor Vӕri appeared Kaɲɲa frowned slightly and went back to pacing absent-mindedly. After a few more minutes she huffed sliding onto her light colored stomach. From there she rolled onto her back her green eyes watching the sky go by.

She knew they would be there soon, and that she had nothing to worry about. As the clouds slowly passed over her head she spotted a little rabbit among the white fluff. It was just like the one she had caught earlier. She realized she had forgot it. I hope Ithgar brought it. She thought

She sighed and continued to watch the sky change slowly as it passed high over her head. “I wonder why it’s that shade of blue?” she muttered. “And where the clouds come from. I be Aunt Vӕri would know!”


“You bet I would know what?” A calm voice asked. Kaɲɲa rolled back onto her side and sprang up onto her paws. To her surprise both her aunt and Ithgar were sitting calmly in front of the cave. She hadn’t even heard them walk into the clearing.

She shook her head and marched up to both of them. “Ok where have you two been?” she demanded with a slight frown.

“I think we should tell her.” Vӕri said just loud enough for Kaɲɲa to hear. “You don’t know what tricks she has in mind.”

Ithgar sighed, shaking his head in defeat. “Fine,” he pushed forward the small-old- rabbit that Kaɲɲa had managed to catch earlier. “We had to go back, someone forgot her dinner.”

“Thank you Uncle Ithgar.” Kaɲɲa said sweetly picking up the rabbit and placing it where the rest of the fresh kill went. She padded back out in front of the den where Vӕri and Ithgar were talking in hushed voices. She sat in front of them and looked at them expectantly.

“Yes darling?” Vӕri said looking up from the conversation.

“Let’s play!” Kaɲɲa said sliding her front paws forward and wagging her butt and tail in the air. “Come on!” she hopped up lightly hitting Vӕri before bounding away towards the forest.

She stopped and looked over her shoulder to see Ithgar shaking his head. Vӕri gave her and soft smiled before speaking, “I’m sorry Kaɲɲa, your Uncle and I have a lot of discussing to do. I’ll only be staying with you for a few sun ups and we need all the time we can.” Ithgar shot Vӕri a dangerous look as if warning her to speak any more.

Kaɲɲa sighed and walked back to them sitting in front of the two older wolves once again. Vӕri shifted her gaze from Kaɲɲa back to Ithgar before her old uncle spoke. “Kaɲɲa why don’t you go off and play a bit your self for a bit? I’m sure Aunt Vӕri is awfully tired from the long journey. I promise She’ll play with you tomorrow.” Vӕri gave Ithgar a small glance before nodded and smiling sweetly at the pup. But there was still something behind her eyes that Kaɲɲa just didn’t understand.

It was rare for Kaɲɲa to not trust her Aunt fully. Vӕri was the closet thing she had to a mother but still, she couldn’t help but feel both of the adults where hiding something from her. Shrugging it of with a nod Kaɲɲa bounded off into the woods once more.

She slowed down and walked along the edge of the tree’s peaking out every now and then. The mountains’ slopes where her and her Uncle called home where on the far edge of the valley, their cave lay hidden among the rocks and stones of the towering ridges. Even though Kaɲɲa believed they where high up on the slopes the peeks still loomed over them scraping against the sky. The highest peek, known by many and fang ledge, was hidden among the clouds.

Kaɲɲa had always loved the mountains; there was so much to explore and she never got bored. Though, she had always wished for another pup her age, the only wolves she knew where her Uncle Ithgar, Aunt Vӕri, and some of Vӕri’s pack mates. Kaɲɲa often found herself wandering the mountainside until sun fall. When she sky started getting darker and she turned back to go home.

This was one of those times, when her Aunt and uncle wanted alone time to talk about the ‘King of the Valley’ or other none sense Kaɲɲa didn’t even try to understand. She never understood what Ithgar or Vӕri talked about. It was always about the royal family and the misfortunes of the little clans that hid in the deep oak forests of the valley.

Kaɲɲa slid to a stop. She had some how found her way into a clearing, the clearing. In the middle of the open space was a pile of rocks that had built up over time. From what Kaɲɲa had guessed was various rockslides. Kaɲɲa padded up to the rock piles and sized it up. It didn’t seem that hard to climb. Slowly she made her way up the rocks. It wasn’t hard; there were plenty of ledges that held a pup he size.

Finally she reached the top. She scampered up onto the tallest rock she could reach and looked out over the forest. The rock pile was higher then se thought, and she could see right over them and down the mountain slope. She let out a sigh as she looked down the slope of the mountain to the seemingly endless valley below.

She had always wished that she could go there and see what it was like to be hidden among the peaks. Meet other wolves, and maybe even stumble across the royal family. She let out another breath of air and she sprawled out on the rock letting her mind float from dreams of meeting to princess to dreams of becoming one.

A snap of a twig brought Kaɲɲa out of her mind and back down into the forest. She glanced around to see if her Uncle or Vӕri had come but she couldn’t see either of them. She slipped off the bolder and crouched behind it peering out, pass the rock’s side.

On the ground below she saw a flash of a dark gray coat. She glanced around and spotted a crack between two of the rocks. Mind racing she stumbled around and pushed herself in the crack. Her heart hammered, Ithgar had always said they where the only two living hear. That’s why they lived hear anyways wasn’t it? Cause Ithgar didn’t like other wolves? At least that’s what she always thought.

She could feel her heart pounding against her chest. What if they hear it! She thought. What if they hear my heart and breathing. She shook a little at the thought then shook her head clear of the idea. Clamping her eyes shut she took deep breaths. No one would find her in this spot, she could just fit in the crack; she was safe.

“What’re ya doin’ in there?” a young voice asked. Kaɲɲa slid open one eye at a time and looked towards the narrow entrance, there stood and dark gray pup about her age. His charcoal gray eyes studied her as she huddled in the crack.

“Well, what’re ya doin’ in there? I’m not gonna hurt ya.” Kaɲɲa slowly inched her way out of the crack her ears pinned against her head and her tail tucked under her stomach.

“W-Who are you?” Kaɲɲa asked the pup in front of her. Her emerald eyes met his charcoal ones and he smiled.

“I’m Fliɲt. Who’er you?” the pup asked forward leaning in so is nose was inches from Kaɲɲa’s.

Kaɲɲa stumbled back, away from him and studied him. Fliɲt cocked his head to the side as if to wonder what she was doing or thinking. “I’m Kaɲɲa.” she said after a while. He looked friendly enough and besides, she hadn’t met any other wolf her age.

Fliɲt smiled showing his small but pointed teeth. “Nice to meet ya Kaɲɲa!” Kaɲɲa dipped her head to agree. A crooked smile crossed his face and he bounded forward lightly hitting Kaɲɲa with one white paw. He pulled away and raced down rocks. “Bet’ya can’t get me!” he called over his shoulder.

Kaɲɲa couldn’t help but smile at that, she pushed her self up onto all fours and raced after him scrambling down the rocks. She watched his movements; he was a natural at climbing the rocks. He jumped from one to the other with ease. Kaɲɲa slowed for a few seconds to copy what he was doing. She moved to the top of one rock and pushed off hoping to land on the next.

She let out a breath of air as she made it to the first boulder, then the next and the next. Soon she too was flying from rock to rock after Fliɲt who was about two wolf lengths a head of her.

Fliɲt made it to the base of the rock pile first and halted waiting for Kaɲɲa. Kaɲɲa slid to a stop next to him panting. Jumping from rock to rock was a lot of work. She sat down and Fliɲt did too. She couldn’t help but notice the stupid grin that was still on his muzzle.

“Guess, I won hu?” he said with a smug look, his smile growing and fang’s showing. Kaɲɲa just nodded still trying to catch her breath.

“Guess you did,” she said once she was able to breath normally and her heart rate slowed. She suddenly realized something, if Fliɲt was so good at bounding down these rocks it must have been that he had been there before. But Kaɲɲa had been going there for a while, why was it that she hadn't seen him there before.

“When did you find this place?” she said flicking her tail to the pile of rocks.

Fliɲt paused as if trying to count back or think back. “Um... uh, I think that I found it about three or four full moons ago.”

“Oh....” Kaɲɲa said thinking to when she had found the clearing. “I stumbled upon it about a quarter moon ago. I’ve been coming hear when ever I get the chance, which I guess isn’t very often cause I haven’t run into you before.”

“I’m only able to come every other day. So I think that’s why,” he said. Kaɲɲa just nodded and looked around. “Watch’ya wanna do now?” Fliɲt asked. She shrugged shaking her head.

“I don’t know many games for two pups.” She said looking at her paws.

“Oh that’s ok!” He said his smile still plastered to his face. Kaɲɲa smiled tentatively. “I know plenty of games. I’ll teach ‘em to ya!”

“Really?” Kaɲɲa’s ear perked up and her tail wagged ever so slightly. “You’d do that?”

“Uh-hu!” Fliɲt said with a large nodded standing on all four paws. Kaɲɲa followed by example and stood. “Now for our first game where gonna play explorers! How dose that sound?”

“It sounds great.” she barked. “So were gonna be like the explorers who first found the valley!”

“Yup, come on, I’ll lead the way!” He said taking off into the woods. Kaɲɲa huffed and raced after him as fast her small paws could take her. As they raced through the forest, Kaɲɲa continued to follow, though at times she could only see a dark gray tail whipping through the think undergrowth. Sometimes she couldn’t see anything and she just had to followed the sound as he crashed through the brush.

The forest became less dense. Kaɲɲa looked up and saw a shape a head of her. The next second she found herself sprawled on the forest floor her head aching and her legs sore.

“Can ya stop next time?” Fliɲt said shaking him self off, she must have run into him when she wasn’t paying attention.

“Sorry-” she mumbled glancing around. The trees lay scattered around and she noticed the ground was rockier with less greenery and underbrush. The terrain was also sliding upwards ever so slightly. Kaɲɲa’s green eyes widened as she realized what was going on. “W-we’re on the mountain side!”

“Yeah! Where else do ya think where gonna explore.” Fliɲt said his head cocking side ways and once again his cheeky grin sliding over his muzzle.

Kaɲɲa shook her head with a small sigh. “No…no! My Uncle doesn't want me to come up hear he says… he said it’s-”

“Aww come on, there’s nothin’ up here. I come up hear all the time and I’m still alive.” He pranced in place as if to prove his point. “Besides, if somethin’ does come I’ll protect us!”

Kaɲɲa let out a nervous breath of air and nodded. “Ok.” she said reluctantly. She couldn’t help but feel that something was going to happen. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she shook out her pelt she turned her full attention to Fliɲt. “Ok so how do we play Explorers?”

“Well, I’ll be the lead explorer so you’ll be my assistant just so you can get he general idea ok?” Kaɲɲa nodded, her tail wagging back and forth, mabe this could be fu?

“Ok Assistant Kaɲɲa let us begin. We’re lookin’ for a pass into the valley!”

Kaɲɲa nodded and stood up straighter. “Yes sir!” She said as they took off following the edge of the slope. The game continued like this for a while. Fliɲt would tell her what to do and Kaɲɲa would perform it. They even pretended they ran into a mountain lion and had to fight it to get into the pass.

When to two stopped they found them selves rather far up the slope and rather tired. Kaɲɲa slid to a seated possition by a small rock. Her breath came in small gasps, she was getting tired and the altitude wasn’t helping. “Ca-can we rest, sir?” She asked trying to catch her breath.

“Y-yes we can A-Assistant Kaɲɲa.” Fliɲt seemed to be just as tired and out of breath. He plopped down next to her and the two pups lay there for a while trying to gather more energy for the hike back down.

Kaɲɲa looked at the sky and noticed the sun was sliding down behind the far side of the valley. She sighed; standing sup lowly looking down at Fliɲt who still lay sprawled on the ground.

“Come on,” she said reluctantly poking at him with one of her paws. “We have to get going, it’s getting dark and I know my Uncle wants me to be home before it gets dark.”

Fliɲt rose to his paws reluctantly but nodded. “Yeah, I’d like to get home soon too.” he said shaking his now dull gray coat out. Kaɲɲa was about to lead they way back down the slope when she heard a deep, guttural growl.

She spun around her emerald eyes darting over the rocks. In the fading light she could just make out a figure atop a boulder, looking down on them. Fliɲt saw if too for he backed up looking up at it.

“Where are you two planning on going?” A growl echoed over the rocks causing both pups to shake.
“K-Kaɲɲa what i-is that?” Fliɲt whimpered his tail tucked tightly under his gray underbelly. He moved so he was pressed up against Kaɲɲa, she could feel his heart racing just like her own.

Kaɲɲa shook her head, as the animal moved closer she could see a thin, round face with two small ears atop it’s head. A long tail followed from behind the creature and long legs where attached to a slim body. “Fliɲt,” she said her voice barely a whisper, “I- I think th-that’s a mountain lion.”

[SkieNight]

His bones ached from running so fast. The air he tried to take in seemed to not reach his lungs. He took in deep breaths as some paw steps sounded near him. Lifting his head he spotted her lean figure coming towards him, keeping a quick time that he wished he could still keep up. But as proven earlier even running for just a little while made him out of breath.

“What’s the news Vӕri?” he asked standing up taller as his the air came back to him. The russet she-wolf shook her head her brown eyes closed. The dark scar that ran down her face was like a dark shadow under the light of the rising moon.

“I can’t find her Ithgar.” Vӕri’s voice cracked, her breath was ragged and her legs shaking. “I-I can’t find her. If-if anything happens to her…. I’m to blame... I... I...” Her voice was shaky and weak, her head hung loosely on her neck but her brown eyes now glanced back and forth as if the little tan wolf would just appear.

“Vӕri,” Ithgar said calmly -well as calmly as he could- as he walked up to her, “She’ll be fine. It’s my fault too, we should have started looking for her earlier.” He glanced up at the gray sky.

The sun was just starting to head behind the far side of the valley. “We still have time, it’s just sun down now so-”
“Ithgar! You weren’t the one who made a blood promise to protect her! Why if she’s gone-- I’ll- I’ll-” Vӕri was frantic she closed her eyes taking a few deep breaths trying to calm her self down.

“Vӕri.” Ithgar said sternly, like he was talking to a pup. “One thing at a time. I may be old but my sense of smell hasn’t vanished, we’ll just sniff her out. Her scent would still be strong, even if she left earlier in the day.”

Deciding it was better not to speak Vӕri just nodded and with that the pair was off. They made their way into the clearing that Vӕri had just checked. “She’s not up in the rocks or in the surrounding forest. “ the she-wolf muttered to her self. “Though, I thought I smelled something-”

“Vӕri! It’s here!’ Vӕri snapped out of her thought and rushed over to where the older wolf was sniffing about. Sure enough there was the strong scent of the small pup and something or someone else.

Vӕri’s eyes widened as she took another deep breath of the smell. It was a younger wolf but she couldn’t tell how old. Her head snapped up and her eyes looked to Ithgar who seemed to be studying the odd scent too. “I though you said you two where the only wolves that lived in the area.” she hissed and they started off into the forest.

“I said that I knew we where the only wolves living in the area. But that doesn't mean others can’t wander in. They must just be a traveler,” he said calmly as they moved through the thinning under growth.

“You better hope they are!” Vӕri growled her ears moving back to pin against her head. They continued through the forest in silence, there was nothing to talk about, only thing to concentrate on. The sun had almost vanished compliantly behind the tall mountains.

Ithgar decided it would be better not to bring that up with Vӕri, he didn’t want her to get any more stressed then she all ready was. Besides she probably already noticed and just didn’t mention anything. The two adult wolves moved through the forest and stopped when they reached the edge of the mountain slope. Ithgar huffed and shook his head. So she did go up here, he realized with a frown. She broke my one rule. He sighed and started up the slope Vӕri not far behind.

The two scents ran all over the mountainside never leaving on another’s side. Ithgar looked over his shoulder to see how Vӕri was faring. The female was tense. She sniffed the ground every other step as if to make sure they where on the right path.

Ithgar stopped and scented the air. The wind was slowly flowing down the slope bringing any and all scents right to his nose. “Vӕri,” he said slowly scenting the air once more just to make sure. “I think, now I don’t know for sure but I think there’s-”

His words where cut short by a yowl that rang over the slope of the mountain. Vӕri’s eyes grew big. “Mountain lion” She whispered, her voice was starting to give out on her. It was shaky and seemed to crack with fear. “I bet Kaɲɲa is up there!” And with that the slim she-wolf bounded forward heading up the rocky slopes.

Ithgar let out a breath and started up the mountain as fast as he dared. He wouldn’t run, that would most certainly kill him, but he moved more swiftly then he would at any other time. He kept his amber eyes on the path a head of him as to not fall. One food in front of the other, that’s all it was.

When he reached the large ledge where the lion was, Vӕri was all ready in front of the beast. Her tall ears stood were pinned against the back of her head and her tail was lifted. Ithgar looked behind Vӕri to a small rock, huddled behind it he saw two shapes, one he recognized as Kaɲɲa. His chest loosened to see her safe and sound. But the second pup, curled up just behind Kaɲɲa, was unrecognizable.

Shaking his mind free he made his way over to the rock, as Vӕri was busy distracting the cat. Kaɲɲa peeked out from behind the rock. When she spotted Ithgar her emerald eyes widened and she jumped up, racing around the rock and towards him. When she reached him the small pup bounded into his chest. “I’m sorry I won’t wander off again!” she cried.

Ithgar’s mouth was firm and his jaw was set. Still he licked the top of her head. “It is fine my dear. As long as you are safe it is ok.” He glanced up to see the other little pup standing just a bit away from him. The small gray thing seemed rather shy, and quite scared; he just stood still, shaking in place. But with all that was going on at the moment Ithgar couldn’t blame him. “Hello there, son. What are you doing out here on your own?”

Kaɲɲa pulled away her eyes still glistening with fresh tears. “Oh that’s Fliɲt. I met him today when I was by the rock pile.” she said with a small, timid smile. She looked over her shoulder at the stormy gray pup. “Come on, this is my Uncle Ithgar. He won’t hurt you, I promise.” Her smile grew slightly and the corners of her mouth lifted, pushing the tears away.

Reluctantly Fliɲt moved forward until he was standing slightly behind Kaɲɲa, peeking over her. “Uhh... it’s a... nice to meet you, sir.” One of his paws skimmed the rocks slightly, and his gray eyes seemed very focused on the ground.

Ithgar chuckled and shook his head. “No need for formality.” He said with a smile bending his head so he was level with Fliɲt’s head. “Just call me Uncle Ithgar. It’s a pleaser to meet you. I’m glad my kin, was able to meet another pup her age.”

“No, you should be glad that your all not dead! And that I was able to chase off that mouse brained cat!” A growl sounded from the side as Vӕri padded over to the group. Her brown eyes seemed even darker, and there was a hint of red on her paws. I was worried this would happen. The though crossed Ithgar’s mind but left when his eyes snapped back to the pups in front of him.

Fliɲt took a step back his tail sliding under him and his ears falling. “I-I’m sorry ma’am. I’ll leave now if ya want?” Vӕri’s eyes narrowed as she stepped forward her tail still raised and lips curled back.

Before she could do anything though, Itgar slid between the two. His amber eyes blinked calmly as he looked from the pup to Vӕri. The female just stood there glaring at the older male in front of her. Ithgar sat between the two and his gaze returned to Fliɲt. “Listen, she’s just a bit on the jumpy side.” he said indicating to Vӕri who had pulled away from the two and sat next to Kaɲɲa. “Now, Fliɲt, where exactly do you live? It’s getting dark and I don’t want a pup out alone this late.”

Fliɲt looked about turning away from the group. “Umm, I live right over that mountain, sir!” He said stopping to face a large hill that lay past where he and Kaɲɲa had just met. “I can easily go home from here. Besides if I’m gone any longer my sister will worry.”

Ithgar looked at the mountain and then at the now ink-blue sky. The old male shook his head. “No, that’s much too far for a pup to go in one night. You’ll come back to our den to rest up and I’ll take you home tomorrow.” Reluctantly Fliɲt nodded figuring that protest would do nothing but annoy everyone.

Now that everything had cleared up Ithgar stood and looked to Vӕri and Kaɲɲa. The two stood up, and the three other wolves followed Ithgar down the mountainside. Vӕri pulled ahead of Kaɲɲa and padded along by Ithgar’s side. The two wolves walked like that, side to side whispering to themselves.

Kaɲɲa stayed back with Fliɲt who was silent and concentrating on where his paws would go. After a while of straining her ears to hear what the other two where whispering about Kaɲɲa let out a small huff and gave up. She looked over at Fliɲt hoping the two of them could chat for a bit. But the young male seemed to be off in his own world.

Kaɲɲa let out a small sighed and her gaze fall to the slope in front of her. The way down was less fun then the way up. There where no games, no laughing, no talking, just silence except for the soft sounds of Ithgar and Vӕri. Once they reached the place where the slope and trees meat Kaɲɲa decided she was done with the silence.

The sun had been long gone and now only the very edges of the sky were light. The rest of the surface was large surface was a dark blue, like the rivers after the snowmelt. The inky shell was dotted with silver lights, light little lakes and rivers scattered over a dark and mysterious forest. However, the view of such things were being obscured by the trees, which meant that the group was almost into the forest.

Kaɲɲa was about to open her mouth to speak when Fliɲt spoke up first. “What’re those little dots in the sky? I asked my sister but she never tolled me.”

“Well,” Kaɲɲa said trying to remember the old legend that her Uncle had tolled her, “My Uncle always said that those silver dots are the souls of every good wolf that left the valley. He said they reside up in the sky to watch over us and that each one of those lights is there to protect us from different things.”

“Oh.” Fliɲt said as he stared up past the trees and into the patches sky that was still visible. There was a silence as the two pups walked along staring up at the souls that sprinkled over the sky. Finally after minuets of walking and looking up their necks started to hurt. The pups moved their gazes forward.

Now that Fliɲt had openly talked to her she felt batter about what she was going to say. Kaɲɲa took a deep breath and began, “I’m really sorry Fliɲt for getting you in trouble.” Her head dropped a little and she let her gaze fall to her paws as she listened for him to speak. When there was a moment of silence she lifted her head to glance at the other pup. “So, are you made at me?” She spoke softly and her eyes glistened with water that would soon spill.

A large grin was plastered on Fliɲt’s face. “Of course not! Why’d I be mad to you? This was the most fun I’d ever had in one afternoon!”

Kaɲɲa smiled and let out a breath of air she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Oh that’s good I was worried you wouldn’t like me since we ran into a mountain lion.”

He just laughed, “Come on that whole mountain lion thing was fun.” he said as they continued on following Ithgar and Vӕri.

“Fun? You where shaking like crazy and hiding behind me!” Kaɲɲa laughed, “Your face was priceless!” she giggled trying not to run out of breath.

“I was not scared!” Fliɲt protested, “I- I just wanted to see how you would react!” He held his head high as he said that. Kaɲɲa gave up and just shook her head.

“Where here.” A voice snapped both pups back to reality. They had moved partly down the ridge and where near the thing part of the forest where a large cavern opened up, the one that made up Kaɲɲa and Ithgar’s den. “Please Fliɲt, come rest in our den and join us by our fresh kill.”

Fliɲt smiled and nodded before walking into the den, Kaɲɲa fallowed close behind. It took her eyes a few extra seconds to get use to the darkness of the cave. Even so she could just make out the out lines of the moss beds and the pile of fresh kill that both she and Ithgar had caught.

“It’s a good thing we have extras.” Ithgar said taking a large bird that he had caught earlier that day. Kaɲɲa took the small rabbit she had killed that mourning and sat down in her nest.

“But Ithgar,” Vӕri said talking the other bird, and sitting in the last nest available. “The pup doesn’t have a nest.”

“Fliɲt can stay with me.” Kaɲɲa said with a smile. Moving to one side of the moss bed so that her friend could have some room to sleep. Fliɲt nodded passing by the fresh kill, he stopped and looked to Ithgar who nodded. The storm gray pup took a mouse and sat down next to Kaɲɲa.

The wolves ate in peace, Ithgar and Vӕri asked questions about how they met and where and why they had gone off. Kaɲɲa and Fliɲt answered their questions as best as they could, leaving out small details here and there that they knew wouldn’t make a difference.

“So you both agree never to go over there again?” Ithgar concluded his lecture with the question. The pups looked at one another then nodded in unison. “Good.” he said tossing the rest of the bird into another pile of kill that needed to go. Kaɲɲa had finished her rabbit long ago and curled up in a tight ball so that Fliɲt had room on the moss as well.

After he curled up next to her she then asked, “Uncle, can you tell us the story of the souls that are up in the sky?” Ithgar smiled and nodded looking to Vӕri. The female was all ready curled up her tail over her nose and her brown eyes shut closed. The soft hum of breathing came from the female, hinting that she was asleep.

As Ithgar cleared his throat and ran through the story in his head. Giving Kaɲɲa time to curl up closer to her friend. When the two pups where ready he began. “Well, long ago, when the valley was first found and before ‘royal blood’ had any meaning, the wolves lay scattered in small clans or packs.

“Each pack had a different set of laws to guide them. The packs could never see eye to eye for none of them believed in the other’s laws. This caused pointless bloodshed for many years and many innocent souls where lost. One wolf known as Lioɲɲa was tired of this useless fighting. She believed that the packs should live together as one. So she and her group of followers went from pack to pack discussing what should be done.

“Many of the packs agreed with her that the fighting was pointless and they where only doing it to protect themselves. And so with that her group of peace wolves, as they are called, grew. Overtime, many packs joined her, until almost all the valley was following Lioɲɲa. There was only one more pack to talk to, the largest of them all, and that was the day it all went wrong.

“The pack that she and her original six members went to was a dark, and power hungry pack. They felt threatened by the she-wolf, so they made a plan. When the seven wolves arrived at the pack they where ambushed and all but Lioɲɲa where killed. She made it out of the fight alive, but not unharmed. When she found the shelter of a cave to hid in she saw a white light at the end of the tunnel.

“Thinking that it was another opening she walked towards it but to her amazement it was a dead end. The white light wasn’t the sky at all, but a wolf, a wolf that had once been Lioɲɲa’s best friend. The wolf had been killed in the battle only moments before. Lioɲɲa was shocked and fell down at her friends paws crying, ‘Oh Illia! Oh Illia! Please guide me! You all are dead, what am I to do?’

“The silvery wolf looked down on Lioɲɲa and said, ‘rest of the clan and I are with you Lioɲɲa, do not fear. We will watch over you and guide you. For as your ancestors watch over, you so do we. All who those who pass, good or bad, will rise up into the skies and glow with the power of our souls. For now matter how dark one is, the lights will guide you forever.’ and so with that Illia vanished leaving Lioɲɲa alone once again, but this time Lioɲɲa knew she was not truly alone.

“By this time, the enemy wolves had found the cave she was hiding in and were ready to kill her. But when they tried to attack and line of silvery wolves stood in front of her, blocking all attacks. After that many of the wolves that saw this believed that it was a miracle and sign. They bowed down to Lioɲɲa, believing that she was a possessor of The Power. Many joined her that day to fight for peace, and the others who didn’t perished.

“After that, it is said that the shy filled with the dancing and twirling of souls, and that all the dead filled the skies that night to watch Lioɲɲa get blessed. And so our ancestors, and all who fall, will rise up into the night sky and watch over us.” Ithgar smiled at the pups as she story finished. Both of the pups had their eyes closed and were breathing calmly. He smiled, happy his story had put them to sleep and curled up.

One of Kaɲɲa’s emerald eyes slowly slid open and she glanced at the other pup next to her. “Fliɲt?” she said quietly, “Are you awake?” The other pup nodded and lifted his head from his paws, both charcoal eyes open.

“Yeah Kaɲɲa what is it?” He whispered looking around to make sure neither of the adults stirred. When both Ithgar and Vӕri where still Kaɲɲa continued.

“You know how that mountain lion was like ‘You shall not go through the pass. I will kill you!’ and all that stuff.” the other pup shuddered at the remembrance of the large cat growling at them but nodded.

“Well,” Kaɲɲa continued on. “When we were hiding behind the rock I saw it.”

“What do you mean saw it?” Fliɲt asked leaning in so they didn’t have to talk any louder. “We both know the pass doesn’t exists.”

“That’s the thing,” Kaɲɲa said her voice was eager and it was hard to only speak in a whisper. “I saw it, there was a crack in the rock. There is a pass! It’s the pass out of the valley.”