Title
Ella
Another summer had come, and Ava did not think that her best friends Makayla or Bella where ready for this one. Their last summer camp was a rundown camp with tiny water usage and no water activities. And the only downside to Camp Sakaine was that they stayed one more day over. Makayla was not one for long stays overnight and had never really been prepared. Makayla was a tall girl with green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. Bella on the other hand was a short athletic girl with light blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Bella was, actually maybe the most prepared for staying over. Ava or Makayla had only seen her crying during softball and that was it. Bella was the most competitive, even as Ava watched them play slap jack Bella was almost screaming the rules to Makayla. Which made everyone in the van turn to look at their row, and Ava was the only one to notice it. The girls playing bop it stopped playing and the boys in the back stopped saying jokes. Even the girls playing candy on a stick stopped on the line, "Candy on a stick it makes me sick makes my tummy go 2, 4, 6."
Ava had to take matters into her own hands, as usual and said, "Bella isn't the objective just to slap the jack? It's not that complicated."
Bella turned to her like she was ready to squeeze her head off but turned back and stopped yelling as she figured out what was going on. Makayla, on the other hand, did not notice and before she could counter with another yell the van driver turned on a corner that had Sakaine written on the little green sign. Ava put her face against the window and nudged Makayla over. Bella looked over too and suddenly the window was the most crowded seat.
"Woah," all the girls said in unison as two riders on horses waved them to go in. Trees upon trees made it impossible to see anything. Until they parked on a little gravel road. It was night, and the stars littered the sky.
"I hope they have an archery range," Ava told her best friends.
"I don't. Archery is boring," Bella decided. Ava shrugged, Bella didn't really like that side of camp, yet she wasn't a wimp like some girls she knew. As they got out of the van a tall boy councilor greeted them at the front. His hair was wavey and blonde and had just a tiny bit of stubble on the sides. He was wearing a councilor bandana that was a barrage of different colors and was tied around his neck.
"Alright gather around so I can give you your cabins. Umm, the three boys right there will go to Whitepine. The girls in the front will go to Cherry, the girls in the back will be Birch. And finally, you three will go to Butternut," He looked ready to move on but, Butternut?
"Excuse me but, butter what?" Bella said behind her.
"BUTTERNUTT!" the councilor confirmed. Ava shook her head and turned to leave but the councilor wasn't finished, "Now I can separate you into teams. You are all red for the game Wells Fargo." Ava knew the game, two teams would try to put as many coins in the bucket as possible, but they could steal the coins from the other person if they were on their base grounds, "The boundaries will be the black road that streaks down the middle of camp." Then he held out his hands to reveal a little bottle of red paint.
"Hold out your hands," He ordered as he spilled a little into everyone's hands, "You have to put red paint on you to mark your team." Ava felt the cool liquid in her hands and dipped two fingers in. She put two stripes down each cheek, two streaks starting at her bottom lip and ending at the end of her shirt collar. Then she made a two lined cross on her forehead.
"Ava! You're going full warrior mode!" Makayla laughed as she only put two stripes on her cheeks. Bella had the same and Makayla had obviously copied her. Ava wasn't surprised, Makayla had always done the same things as Bella. They played the same sports, both played the clarinet in band, and hated the same foods. Ava on the other hand only played softball, wasn't picky about foods, and played the cello in orchestra where she had made some pretty good friends. Makayla had copied her for a while too, claiming when they were both six that mac and cheese was her favorite food. Really it was probably cheeseburgers, but Ava never mentioned it. Even when they were playing, at Bella's house they were girly and did make-overs on each other. But when they were at Ava's house, they usually were adventurous and explored the forests. But most of the girls in her class copied Bella, so no one was surprised when Makayla did too.
"Guys we should try to sneak through the forest, see if we have a chance to sneak past them," Ava suggested.
"Yeah!" Makayla agreed. Bella nodded and then they started to go through the trees.
"Smurf!" A couple of reds shouted behind them as a counselor with dark skin and hair started to run toward them. He had died his whole body with the blue paint.
"It's the leader!" A few campers shouted. Ava tied her dirty blonde hair in a ponytail and started to regret wearing her favorite strap sandal, but she decided to run at him anyway. The councilor acted scared but dodged her right in time for Makayla to tag him as he zig-zagged away. The councilor looked defeated as he turned back to his base.
"Ready for the plan now?" Ava asked.
"Sure," Bella nodded. They saw the road ahead of them and raced to get to the other side without being noticed. The forest was beautiful, as beautiful as the pictures they had seen on their camp website. Moss covered the trees and weeds covered the floor like a carpet. They started to tread up the hill and Ava saw a face of a Smurf, but the boy didn't see them. He had three huge stripes on each of his cheeks.
"Keep your head down," Ava whispered. Bella and Makayla nodded and started to become very interested in their feet. The boy started to run on the opposite hill and Ava lifted her chin, "He's gone."
"We are so getting poison ivy from this," Makayla said behind them as she picked up her tennis shoes.
"We might even get poison oak, and I think I spotted some hemlock up that ridge," Ava informed.
"What's poison oak? And what is hemlock?" Makayla asked.
"Poison oak is a very painful plant that burns, and hemlock is a little white flower that is deathly poisonous," Ava told them.
"I see you know your plants, most of them anyway," a silky voice carried from behind them.
Ava turned but didn't see anyone, so she asked quite harshly, "Who are you?"
"Someone that holds power, and if I were you, I would watch where you tread," The voice spoke again.
"Show yourself!" Ava shouted to the trees.
"I would, but I would hate to ruin the surprise," It replied.
"What surprise?" Ava asked yelling into the night. No answer. But she soon knew. Wolves howled in the distance and Ava wished more than ever that this camp had an archery range.
Colette
As though taunting the girls, the stranger remained silent for a long, uncomfortable moment. The wolves continued to howl in the distance. The girls couldn't move, and they didn't talk. They stained their eyes to see anything moving in the dark tree filled landscape. The moss on the ground made it impossible to hear any movement.
Without warning, a twig snapped. A muddy net sprung up around Ava and Bella sinching closed in a small knot about them. The girls screamed and began searching for a weakness in the netting. Makayla looked petrified in the moonlight. She was still free of the net, but somehow wished she was with her friends inside.
Ava directed Makayla to begin looking for a way to cut the net away. At least they weren't hanging from the tree like she'd seen in movies. They were just horribly stuck. The net was everywhere! Ava and Bella tried to run or walk or even just crawl, then fell to the ground in frustration. Makayla started rolling them on the ground hoping the net would rip or the rope would loosen. Instead, she just angered her friends by covering them in mud.
"Stop! Just stop!" Bella screamed. Makayla stood up and put her hands on her head. Ava laid on her back and surrendered to just being mud covered. Bella was on her knees catching her breath when the silky voice suddenly laughed eerily. The girls froze. They still couldn't see anyone in the thick trees, but they knew someone was there. This someone was just sort of playing with them and that made Bella even madder.
"Show yourself! This trap is the oldest trick in the book, and the rules say that you now need to release us! You can't hinder us from the game using traps of any kind for more than 5 minutes!"
"Rules?' the smooth voice repeated. "Who's playing by the rules?' And with that, the stranger laughed again. A shadow could be seen running through the trees toward the pond at the back of the camp.
"Makayla! Chase after him or her or whatever!" Bella ordered her friend. But Makayla, the girl who was used to following and lacked the courage to do almost anything on her own, stayed frozen in the trees. She stared at her friends, muddy and lying in the weeds. She was trying desperately not to cry. She knew Bella would yell at her to grow up and Ava would remind her that it wasn't helping matters. Why was she the one who was free? Ava would've have creatively figured out how to free them and Bella would've chased down the stranger who abandoned them by now. But Makayla just stood there. Blinking hard and thinking less.
Every movement that Ava or Bella made seemed to tangle the net even more. Bella just couldn't stand it any longer. "I have to rip through this net! It cannot be that strong. Ava, put your foot in this loop and stretch as far as you can. I'll try to stand up. Maybe that will break it." The valiant effort only produced a muddy splash as Bella tripped into a soggy puddle.
"Makayla," said Ava with a calm voice after the wrestling match with Bella had ended, "you are our only hope. You have to go back to get help for us. Anyone you find. I don't care if it's a Smurf. Or if you can't find anyone, just bring back a knife or some scissors from camp. Anything to cut the net or loosen the rope."
Makayla looked into the dark forest. Trees. Just trees and no lights. Why didn't they think to grab a flashlight? Ava should've thought of that. She was always thinking ahead. She was always prepared. And now, she was stuck, in the net, and couldn't help Makayla at all. She looked down at her friends. Their normally perfect ponytails were dripping with sweat and accented with moss. Their carefully chosen camp clothes were smeared with mud and... was that blood? Was Bella bleeding? Maybe it was just red paint.
"I can't do this" Makayla whimpered. "I was just following you. I wasn't paying attention. I don't know where to go. I don't want to run into wolves or snakes or other creatures." And with that, she couldn't stop the tears any longer.
Bella sighed loudly with exasperation. Ava gave her a look that said that wasn't helping and she settled back into the moss with a thump.
"Makayla, do you see those four stars in the sky that look like a big square? There are three stars trailing behind them. They call that the big dipper because it kinda looks like a big ladle." Ava's brothers were always teaching her about surviving in nature. Stars could help during the night. "Draw a straight line between the two stars at the end of the dipper. Keep going beyond them and you run into a bright star that's kinda on its own. That's the north star. Follow that. Anytime you find a little clearing in the trees, look up and make sure you're still heading north. We left camp and walked south so heading north should help you find the camp or at least the main road where I'm sure you'll find someone."
Makayla looked up and recognized the big dipper. Luckily, if you can look at like that, it was dark in the forest, so it was actually easy to see. This encouraged her! "I can do this! I'm sure I can! I'll be back soon with some kind of help!" Then she took a big breath of courage and looked over her shoulder at her two besties "Don't go anywhere" she joked. And she was off.
"Don't go anywhere? Oh, that makes me so mad!" Bella hissed.
'What should make us more concerned is that even if we just sit here, how will Makayla find us again when she finally gets help?"
Bella and Ava looked at each other with wide eyes, fearing their stay on the forest floor wrapped together in the net could be much longer than they ever thought. In the distance another wolf howled.
Ella
They waited. Ava looked around and saw nothing. Makayla wasn't back yet. Bella jostled the net but eventually gave up.
"How long is this gonna take?" Bella asked annoyed. Ava wasn't about to grace that question with an answer, so she stayed silent. She had faith in Makayla, she had proved herself once or twice. Her mind flashed to the time that she had held a crying Bella on her shoulder when they found out that they weren't going to be in the same classes next year at the end of third grade. Ava had never got after school cries. She was always glad to be done with school and not think about it again. Except for fourth grade. She had cried then. That was when she had the best teacher ever. Mrs. P. She was awesome and had even helped her find one of her favorite book series. There was another time Makayla had proven herself even more. The times she had calmed down Bella after she had messed up in a sport. Ava never really got that one either. She didn't really see the big deal in sports. She played them of course, but never really committed to them. She did them for fun and for hanging out with friends, but nothing else serious like Bella and Makayla did. She never really got it she guessed, Ava never really understood Bella or Makayla and their competitiveness. She was more into reading and writing herself. She also loved drawing, a thing Bella nor Makayla really got the hang of. But Bella was at least good at crafts. Makayla on the other hand, well Ava just said that Makayla just never really practiced.
Ava looked around again and shivered, the evening air was cold on her skin. Ava picked up a small twig and started to scrap the mud off the inside of her nails. She had done it since she was little, though most of the time the twig was a pencil, and she was in class. Bella just sat back on the tree and looked at the stars. Then Ava noticed that if the wolves came, they had nothing to defend themselves with. She looked around for something, anything, a log, a long weed to whip them with. But the stranger had been smart. The clearing had nothing except a weed carpet and a few trees. In the distance another wolf bellowed. But it wasn't in the distance. No, it was close, closer than she thought it was. She looked around and turned the net, earning her another grunt from Bella as she fell in the mud again. Drip, drip, drip. She looked up and saw a few droplets of rain, as if this situation could get any worse. Now in the drips there was another sound, she thought it was only the rain falling on the leaves. But it sounded like footsteps, light, stealthy footsteps. Then she saw them, two yellow pairs of eyes in the darkness. Slits cut the middle of them like snake eyes.
Two pale white wolves with black stripes running down their faces jumped onto their net. Bella screamed but Ava noticed that the wolves were only going for the net, not them.
"Hold on," the first wolf ordered in an airy female voice. Ava caught her breath.
"What is it this time Moth?" The second wolf replied growling.
"Well Tussock, don't you think that Daurian would want their little friend captured too?" Moth answered.
"I'll get Floyen on it. Floyen!" Tussock shouted. A brown wolf with two black stripes on the sides of his chest appeared.
"What is it?" Floyen asked.
"Go track down the other one of the three, she left about fifteen minutes ago," Tussock explained. Had it only been that long? And since when did wolves talk? She looked at Bella, but she was petrified. She didn't move, didn't talk, just sat there rocking back in forth as the wolves Ava assumed were brother and sister dragged them along. None of the wolves sounded like the first voice they'd heard, and Ava wondered who it was. She didn't dare ask them; the wolves had gleaming white teeth that snapped some of the net. But she was soon proven wrong.
"Hey!" A voice whispered. Ava looked around, "Down here." Ava looked down and saw a little red fox pacing with them.
"Who are you?" Ava whispered back.
"Name's Sumac. And you must be the new members," Sumac smiled.
"My name's Ava. And this is Bella. Why are we here Sumac?" she answered the fox.
"Oh, don't worry, you'll leave as soon as the war is over. But I've heard that you have a friend that is a bit of a pickle to catch. But when you get to the Tree you will understand why you're here. You see--"
"Sumac! What did I tell you about talking to them?" Moth hissed. Sumac looked down and whimpered. Then Ava heard the sound of yelling, and she looked over to see Makayla in a net by herself with Floyen dragging it behind him. Floyen looked irritated as his pinned ears, twitching eyes, and set jaw showed his feelings. Moth and Tussock didn't look to be annoyed as much, and Sumac looked like he didn't even belong among the powerful wolves with his cheerful smile. Ava wondered why he was even among the wolves. A brown fox ran toward the wolves and Moth looked startled but kept going. The fox looked surprised and didn't look like she was to be messed with. A scar ran from the middle of her ear to the end of her jaw. It gave her the look that said, "Stay back, I might look small but I've been in a few fights." And as she noticed Scout's she found another scar on Moth. one that cupped her ear in a half circle in the back. Tussock had a nick in his left ear and Ava wondered why the only scars she'd seen were on their ears. She looked for one on Floyen and Sumac and found that Floyen's right ear was cut in half but only very thinly. Sumac even had two small nicks built on his left ear.
"Daurian isn't happy that you haven't arrived yet. Also, the rest of the camp is still playing the game so we should move quickly," The brown fox announced.
"Thank you, Scout. How is Daurian?" Moth asked.
"He's holding up. But I would hurry if you want to keep it that way," Scout answered and then fled. Bella looked at Ava and Ava looked down, she didn't want to try to guess. Daurian sounded like the alpha, but it could always be someone else. Maybe Daurian was just their friend that was in charge of their squad. She didn't know. Bella looked over at Makayla and eventually Makayla looked back. Her eyes were full of fear, but Ava noticed that she had a knife in hand. She had found something. Ava shook her head, but Makayla looked at Ava and then the knife. Tussock noticed their eye contact and nodded to Floyen who looked back at his captive. His eyes hardened and he dropped the net. He turned around and swatted his paw across Makayla's hand making her drop the knife. She looked at her hand as Floyen started to drag her again. It was barely bleeding with just four little scrapes across the top, but her eyes started to well as she saw some of the blood. Bella winced next to her, and she looked toward her leg, a few thorns had pierced her side. That's why she was quiet. Bella often tried to hide her feelings, especially pain. She looked around and let out a yell to alert the wolves. Tussock and Moth's ears quivered and they turned infuriated.
But as Moth was about to speak, she heard panting. A huge black wolf ran out of the bushes and came to Bella's side. He didn't have a nick in his ears, and for some reason that scared her. That meant that he had only been in a few fights, or was just so good that he didn't have even a scar. He did however have painted red ears, and two silver stripes on each side of his neck.
"I need some help here. One of them is injured, Sakai isn't gonna be happy about this," The black wolf ordered.
"Daurian. I didn't think you would make it, and since when did you care about what Sakai thinks?" Moth joked.
"I've been here the whole time, and this time, it's different. You of all wolves should know that," Daurian said coldly. Before Daurian could do anything else another howl sounded, cold and high. Fear filled Daurian's eyes. He mouthed words and Moth looked at him with a scared stare.
"I'll defend us, you guys go, and don't let them from those nets until you reach the Tree. Also, um, well, Moth, you know the drill. About the pond and all," Daurian decided with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"I'll go with you!" Sumac came to his side and grinned.
Daurian smiled, "Not this time Sumac. Some day." Sumac looked disappointed and sat down in the muddy grass. A little mud leaked on his bright orange tail and Daurian looked helpless for once as he gave a weak smile. Sumac meanwhile, had become very interested in his paws. Daurian padded over to him and bent down, "I'll come back, like I always do. When have I ever let you down?" When Sumac didn't respond Daurian lifted his head with his chin and that finally made Sumac grin. And with that Daurian ran into the forest to face the howls with a new bounce in his step that hadn't been there before.
Colette
"Now this is strange," thought Ava. "I'm almost sad and a little bit disappointed that Daurian left. Would we actually be safer with the big wolf around?" Ava tried her best to gather her thoughts and assess the situation during the short break from being dragged through the forest: "4 talking wolves. 2 talking foxes. Someone or something named Sakai that they want to make happy. Taking us to a Tree. Across or maybe around pond. Makayla found a knife, but then she lost it. And all of this happened in just FIFTEEN MINUTES?!" A cool breeze whispered through the tops of the trees. She looked up to see the stars trying to peek through the scattered rain clouds. "Maybe this is a dream." Ava pinched herself. Yow! And that was a thorn! She was awake.
Sumac sat quietly while he stared out into the forest. "He'll come back. He always does." Sumac kept repeating under his breath trying to reassure himself that his friend would return. The wolves were in a small circle with Scout drawing with their paws on the ground in attempt to make a plan. Ava couldn't make out any words, but they looked like they all had different ideas of how to proceed.
Bella and Makayla just sat on the ground focused only on finding relief from their scrapes and thorn wounds. "I am getting dirt all over in these scrapes. It's going to get infected!" Makayla whined.
"I do not intend to be in these nets for much longer. When we are free, we will figure out how to get those clean. We'll even find our way back to camp and get help from the camp nurse. But for now, we need to stay focused on getting out of these nets and away from these wolves." Ava did her best to encourage her friends. Truthfully, Ava could have used a little bit of encouragement herself.
Bella just moaned and fell back in a puddle taking Ava with her. "It's hard to think about anything else when your entire body is aching!" Bella hissed.
A long shrill howl broke the night air. Moth and Scout looked into the trees with troubled yellow eyes. Tussock used his paw to try and wipe out the plans from the dirt just in case anyone came along and could decipher them. Floyen quickly walked to Makayla's net and grabbed the ropes with his teeth. The sight of a striped brown wolf coming at her with teeth bared made Makayla cry out in fear. Floyen ignored the outburst and began pulling his captive across the rough forest floor. Makayla laid back on the ground a cried softly as she passed by Ava and Bella.
Tussock grabbed the ropes of the net that entangled Ava and Bella. He was not gentle. With a big lunge, he began to pull the girls in the same direction that Floyen was taking Makayla. Scout took to the shadows as if she were on watch. "At least they agreed on something and we're all going together." Ava noted.
"I don't understand," Sumac began as he fell in step with Moth. "What's different this time and why does Daurian have to defend us? We're still in the Lupine Woods, right? This is our territory. Sakai set the trap and the girls fell into it. Even though one escaped, we now have her and the plan is on schedule."
Moth didn't even look down at Sumac. She talked with no emotion and looked straight ahead. "Three days ago, there was a dark moon. A black moon. It happens only once every 100 years. We thought we were prepared. The night sky was so dark without any moon light. Even the stars disappeared for a few minutes. It was so odd. So eerie. Daurian and I were on the guard shift for the northern border. As the sun just started to hint at morning, we were patrolling the paddock. We noticed paw prints in the mud. They looked like wolves but they were different. Instead of 4 claws, it looked like there were 5. Maybe it was just a smear in the mud. But we take no chances. Our pack is on high alert. It wasn't the most ideal time to be setting traps for the campers. Now we have to get them back to the tree and wait for the new plan."
"Wait, are you saying those, those things are real? I thought they were just stories that you'd tell us at camp." Sumac trembled and Moth didn't answer or break stride.
Bella and Ava heard the whole thing. They looked at each other with wide eyes. What were "Those things"? If they are a danger to wolves, what would they do with humans? Do the other campers know? Suddenly the idea of getting to the safety of the Tree was very appealing, net or no net.
Scout silently materialized from the shadows. She gave a quick look and head nod to the others. The wolves made no noise but together the entourage changed direction and took a small path into the woods. It was barely wide enough for the net carrying two girls. Ava and Bella found it easiest to hold onto each other and try to get between trees rather than rubbed up against them. Ava and Bella strained ahead to see if there was any indication of a massive tree or maybe just a sinister looking tree. Something to give them hope that this miserable trek would soon be over. The path soon opened up to a clearing. In the distance, the moon reflected on a still cold pond.
"Well, we made it to the pond. We have to be going the right way." Ava barely mouthed the words to Bella. The girls watched as the wolves kept trudging toward the edge of the pond. The wolves still spoke no words. Their eyes darted around wildly as if looking for anything out of place. Scout ran up ahead and suddenly held one paw high in the air. The group abruptly stopped and froze. They were completely exposed in the clearing. Makayla groaned and rolled to her side. The motion and noise were met with a little kick from Floyen. And then an intense look that told her to remain silent. There was nowhere to hide or disappear. The wolves crouched in the grass but it was not enough to hide their massive bodies. Scout kept her hand up and watched the water. In the distance, a tiny splash was heard. If they had not stopped, they never would've heard it. Scout seemed to know that and was listening for it. Moth and Tussock exchanged knowing looks and began slowly creeping in the opposite direction of the splash. There was a little group of trees just a few yards away. The wolves intended to get there as quickly and yet as quietly as possible.
The girls didn't know if it would help them or hurt them to make noise and expose the group to whatever was making the splash. Would that thing rescue them? Or make things worse? For some reason, the girls decided to keep quiet and keep their wolf captors from being found.
The small grove of trees was much bigger and denser than it appeared. There was no clear path for a net to be dragged through. It wasn't so much that the wolves wanted to be kind to the girls, but rather they wanted to make it easier and quicker on themselves as they tried to put distance between them and the splash. The only remotely clear path was along the edge of a cliff that overlooked the pond. Continuing in silence, the group shuffled along the ridge. It's difficult to be both stealthy and hurried. As Tussock pulled the net with ava and Bella along, Bella felt the ground give way under her. She couldn't help but scream out and grab for Ava. The girls found themselves falling over the cliff while tussock fought to hold on with his teeth. Moth ran over and tried to grab the net but they lost their grip and the girls tumbled over the edge.
Ella
Ava screamed a high-pitched scream that clearly made the heads of the wolves above them hurt. Not even wolves could save them, not the creatures. No one. She looked under them as the net tangled around them. She thought her eyes deceived her but there it was. Water. Cool and black with the shine of the moon cascading over it. But they wouldn't make it to the water. A ledge hung off the cliff and it was coming faster and faster. But she heard running, and rocks were flying off the cliff above them. She looked up and saw Floyen climbing down the cliff like a normal climber. Floyen was below them. But Floyen couldn't possibly catch them, he didn't even have hands. Ava let out another scream.
"Stop whining!" She heard Floyen say. His rude calmness helped sooth her nerves for some, weird reason. She saw Floyen stretch out his paws and she almost screamed again. She heard a growl above them, and she turned to see Tussock reaching his jaws around the ropes. Floyen pushed them up with his paws and Tussock's burden was eased. They were going up. Floyen let go about halfway through, and then Moth helped her brother, or who Ava assumed was her brother, pull them the rest of the way. Moth and Tussock pulled them the rest of the way and when they saw the cliff edge Floyen was already up the cliff. How, she had no idea. Ava realized that she was now grateful for the net. If they hadn't have had the net they would've probably died.
"What were you thinking! Losing the most important part of the plan? Our mother died trying to protect that plan. And this is how you repay her?" Moth fumed.
"Is that what this is about? Why you've been constantly on my case since that day?" Tussock asked angerly.
"What else do you think this is about? Did you think that the Epicyon wasn't real either? I know that if I was there, she would still be alive," Moth veered.
"I was ten. You were fourteen. What did you want me to do? Fight them? And why did you want me to keep the Epicyon quiet?" Tussock countered.
"I didn't want wolves to think you were nuts. And I wasn't about to waste my time on educating a selfish prince. You could've warned her. You could've run and got help," Moth growled. Tussock didn't respond to that. But it did give the girls new information. Moth and Tussock were the prince and princess of the Tree. It made Ava almost feel sorry for the wolves, in an interesting form of pity that even Ava herself didn't understand.
Floyen broke the silence with an exasperated question, "Wait. Your mother was killed by Epicyons?"
"Sadly, yes." Moth answered with a bit of bitterness in her voice as she glared at Tussock.
"What's an Epicyon?" Sumac asked, lighting up the conversation a little with his cheerful yet curious voice.
"An Epicyon is a type of wolf actually. With five claws and 8 feet long. It is said to weigh two hundred and fifty pounds. It is as tall as two feet in shoulder height. It has the normal pelts of wolves but in legends they paint themselves red and blue. Usually on the ears," Tussock explained.
"That sounds like the scary monsters they told me and my friends about. But in their stories, they're called the Nightstalkers," Sumac thought out loud.
Floyen nodded, "That's what their pack is called." Sumac looked down at his paws and Bella felt as if she should help the young fox.
"I bet Daurian will keep them away," She decided to say. Sumac lit up at that and Moth, for the first time she'd known her, smiled.
"I admire you trying to help Bella, but why would you? I thought that all humans were just the same old stupid, selfish things that they are," Moth wondered.
"We're not all that bad, I thought that wolves were just the same old, scary, evil things that I'm sure some of you are. But not all of you are that way clearly." Bella answered as she bent down and scratched Sumac behind the ears. Moth smiled again and for a moment, Ava saw the princess inside the wolf. She was actually beautiful as far as wolves went. She was fair and her light gray fur wisped around her snout. Tussock on the other hand, she didn't see the prince. He slouched, or what Ava assumed was slouching, and he had messy, knotted fur. He could be handsome, Ava could see, but he didn't look like he cared. His fangs were yellowed and crooked, and his snout was most of the time running from the cold. Floyen on the other hand, looked like he cared about his appearance but not for himself. Even now she could see him swallowing and standing as straight as possible to try and match Moth's perfect stance. She supposed that wolves could have crushes, but it was odd to see it now. The wolves they were with seemed about twenty, and in her opinion, twenty was a little old to have crushes. But maybe not, she wouldn't know, not yet anyway. Moth decided to keep dragging them along and Tussock started to pull too, reluctantly. Floyen quickly grabbed Makayla's and followed Moth happily. Ava decided that it would be a while till they got there and decided to get a little bit of sleep as she probably wouldn't get any tonight. After a while she felt Sumac nudge her side and she opened her eyes.
She now knew why they called it the Tree. It was a giant oak and grew up wide with thick branches that roped around the clearing. The roots tore up the ground and made divots big enough to house a family of wolves. The roots looped and made big arches. About twenty foxes hopped down from the tree branches when they saw the foreigners coming. She saw that all the foxes lived within the branches and the wolves lived in the roots' tunnels.
"Medic! One of the three is hurt!" Tussock shouted. A fox that was pure snowflake white ran up to them with concern painted on her face.
"Thank you, Tussock, I will take it from here. Sable!" The white fox shouted. A little black fox ran up behind her and she smiled, "Have you meant my new apprentice?"
"Sable! You are a medic apprentice now? Silene I must say you chose a fine young fox," Moth answered.
"Thank you, princess. That means the world coming from you. Now, what are we looking at?" Silene asked.
"Just some thorns in that one's side. nothing major." Moth answered.
"Aww, I thought it was something serious," Sable whined.
"You best hope I don't give you all the jobs including the elders! Thought it was something serious, I say, are you wanting people to show up with serious wounds?" Silene barked. Sable crouched down looking defeated. "Now, let's bring you into my tunnel and then we'll get that wound fixed quick. And I'll have a look at all of you. I know about those wounds you were trying to hide Floyen. Just because Moth is standing there doesn't mean you have to hide your wounds. And no nets thanks. If they know what's good for them, they'll follow me," Silene finished. Floyen suddenly got very shy and glanced at Moth who just giggled. Ava was sure he was blushing under the fur. As the wolves tore apart their nets Ava began to stand. She wobbled and realized she had net-leg, and apparently that was a thing. She had heard of sea-leg and had even had it herself, but net-leg was apparently when you are used to getting drug.
Makayla started to run but Floyen quickly pinned her to the ground without much effort. Makayla squirmed but Ava gave her a look that said, "what would your plan possibly be if you got away?" Makayla started to stop, and Floyen let her up. It felt strange walking with wolves, like they were walking with dogs, but the dogs were at her stomach when they walked. She felt like she could just straddle one and ride it out of this forest. It felt creepy, like they were at the zoo, but they were in the enclosure. It was like that one time when she was in second grade and a black wolf looked at her through the glass, the wolf looked her straight in the eye and it felt like he was trying to communicate with her. Its tongue was sticking out of his mouth like her dog's tongue did when she wanted to play. It looked like it had smiled at her with his massive fangs. The classroom helper had just said it was trying to eat her, but now that she knew wolves could talk, she wasn't so sure. They started to walk toward the tunnels when a rustle in the bushes sounded. Ava turned to the bushes afraid of what she might see.
Daurian ran onto the ground with a wild look in his eyes. He had clearly been running; his breath was ragged. Ava saw that on his side there was a red wound that had five claw marks. She knew what he was about to say but that didn't make it any easier to hear.
"What is it Daurian? Speak! Anything!" Moth came to his side. "Epicyons!" He managed to say, "Run. Leave. Quick. Coming!" A pool of fear filled Moth's eyes. A shrill howl rang in the distance.
Colette
Deep inside the Tree, a horn sounded. More like a bugle but just a deep low sound. Like a warning. The news of the Epicyons had spread quickly once Daurian had arrived. There was no time to hear the tales of heroism or valor just yet. The wolves and foxes set into motion a well-prepared plan to protect the Tree and those who called it home. Many hidden entrances were opened in the ground near the tree. The girls watched in amazement as forest animals, old and young, big and small began running toward the Tree from the forest. They swiftly dove into the hidden tunnels while gate keepers barked commands of hurry.
With a rather rude bark, Moth snapped the girls out of their stupor and into reality. "Unless you want to meet an Epicyon face to face, you'd better get moving! Follow Floyen! NOW!"
Bella was already gone. Silene and Sable had quickly escorted her down the medic tunnel just as Daurian had arrived. It was hard to be separated but Ava and Makayla had grown to trust the wolves and knew Bella would be protected and cared for. Floyen led the girls to a tunnel right below the largest root of the Tree. Two large wolves had emerged to stand guard as others disappeared into safety. There was no way to see into the tunnel. The darkness hid where it led or what was inside. Floyen confidently dove into the tunnel and the girls followed. It was a long dirt slide which seemed to last a few minutes. Ava realized the deeper the tunnel, the safer they were and was able to keep her fear under control. Makayla started screaming as the slide continued. She had always dealt with a little bit of claustrophobia and tunnels were not her favorite place to be. Just as Makayla began to wonder if she would make it, the tunnel emptied into a large open space with lamps burning and many other wolves and foxes organizing groups of 10 and 20.
The sight of humans in their midst stopped the wolves and foxes. They stared at the pale, furless creatures. Moth stepped in front with regality and began to talk, "Many of you have never seen a human before. I get that. I have personally brought them here to protect them. They are kindhearted and helpful. You don't have to be afraid. Welcome them and we may discover we can help each other. Our enemy is not each other. It is the Epicyons. The Nightstalkers. We are safe in here, but we do not know how long we must remain hidden. I'm asking you all to trust me."
Floyen stepped up next to Moth as if to give her words validity. Tussock hung back in the shadow allowing his sister to take the lead. Of course he believed her, but he didn't know what he should be doing. He would wait with the others until told.
The leaders of the groups of animals stepped forward to face Moth. They looked at her with strong eyes and jaws set. The story behind Moth and Tussock was not completely clear to Ava, but she wondered if there might have been some sort of mutiny among the pack at some point. Maybe something that Moth was trying to overcome. Were humans the important part of the plan or more specifically, were Ava, Bella and Makayla the important part of the plan?
Far too long passed before one of the larger wolves looked at his companions and nodded. Then with a snap, he saluted Moth. That triggered a flurry of salutes from the other wolf leaders and a call to attention from the other animals. Moth noticeably sighed with relief. They trusted her.
A clatter of metal skidded to a stop at the bottom of the tunnel. Two large wolves and the biggest fox Ava had ever seen stood to their feet. Maddox stood upright and gave his report. "Daurian was able to bring us warning in time to get to safety. All Tree dwellers are safely in tunnels, and the hidden entrances have been secured. The Guardians of the Tree are in place: Wolves patrol the forest, the Foxmen are positioned in trees with arrows drawn, Eagalian circle the sky with watchful eyes and sharpened talons. The Guardians have trained for this, and we must leave the protection of the Tree in their capable care."
"Thank you. We are in good hands. Now assemble yourselves into groups of 20. We need to get to the Assembly Hall to make account for the others. Follow your leaders closely and remain silent. Some tunnels go near the surface. We don't need the Nightstalkers to hear us and start digging into our tunnels." Moth gave orders with confidence. The leaders quickly settled back into establishing groups to exit the large room through a small doorway near the rear.
"Tussock. Floyan. Sumac. We will stay together with the humans. We will see this through to the end." Moth looked at her little group. "To the end?" Makayla whispered. "How does this end? Ava, I don't think I can go through any more tunnels. I can barely stand to think about being in this crowded room underground!" And with that, she started to cry.
Ava grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed it. "I don't know the plan, but for some reason, I trust them. They will keep us safe. We are somehow important to them. They know this Tree better than we do, that's for sure. They know the tunnel system. I'm guessing these tunnels will reunite us with Bella who will be much happier because they were going to get those thorns out of her side. And when the danger is past, we will come out again into the bright sunlight and feel the cool breeze and head back to the camp with the best story of our lives!" Makayla offered just a slight smile.
"Can you believe it was just a couple of hours ago that we were at the camp finishing dinner, starting the game and painting our faces? It seems like a lifetime ago." Makayla slumped down on the cold floor and grabbed her knees. "I would do anything to just stay here with you. We can just wait for Bella right here. They can bring her to us. We'll be safe here. We don't have to go into the dark tunnel."
Sumac reached out a small furry paw and placed it on Makayla's arm. "I wish I could stay with you. But we can't. The only way out of this room is through the tunnel. We can't climb up the slide. It's too steep and long. It was built to crumble if claws that are digging or climbing penetrate it. The tunnels are dark, yes, but I will be with you every step. Rest assured they lead to wide open spaces with lamps and friends waiting."
Makayla tried to be brave and confident, but Ava knew her friend. She didn't know if Makayla could keep quite if the fear overcame her.
Ava was suddenly aware that all the other groups had entered the tunnel. Tussock was given the job of timing the groups. Each group had to have forty-five seconds between them and the following group so they wouldn't make as much noise or run into each other.
"Remember. The humans cannot see in the dark. Stay near them." And with that the last group entered the tunnel.
The darkness was stifling! There was really no way to see your hand in front of your face. Ava was glad to be smaller than the wolves so the tunnel was big enough for her to walk upright in. But that still didn't help with the darkness. It honestly felt thick. Amazingly like it was hard to walk through. Almost like mud. Or maybe that was mud. The squish and slosh of the muddy path made it to Ava's ears just about the time she heard Makayla try to muffle a cry. Ava quickly reached her hand back and found Makayla's hand. She just had to be strong and not make a sound! Sumac was in front of the girls. He could sense the panic and found Ava's other hand. In it, he placed his soft tail. She could hold on and be assured they were still together.
Twists and turns, small little hills, a few trips and slides. The tunnels seemed to go on for miles. Makayla forced her mind to remember that this would lead to Bella and eventually outside with sunshine and fresh air. She smiled a little bit realizing that even though these animals were able to talk and think like humans, they still smelled like wet stale fur, and was that sound...oh great. The girls dropped hands to cover their noses while trying not to laugh.
The tunnel turned a corner and began a long gradual descent. They noticed a faint glow and that they could make out the silhouettes of the wolves as they continued walking. Ava squeezed Makayla's hand to tell her they were almost there! The light grew brighter before they heard any sound. At first it was just a low rumble. Then they could make out a few words. The tunnel widened and burst into a great room with lamps and 100s of animals gathered in groups. Makayla gave Ava a congratulatory hug and wondered if they still had to be silent.
A shrill cry from across the room told them they were safe to make noise as Bella ran to embrace her friends. "I was getting so worried! You're the last to arrive. It's so good to see you." She hugged them again.
"Bella! Are you feeling better? How long have you been here? Do you have any idea what happens next?" The questions just flooded out of the girls' mouths. Moth smiled like a mother listening to giggling children. She allowed the girls to reunite and share stories. Many seemed to be doing the same in the giant room. Sumac joined a few other foxes and talked about their friends who were Foxmen. Small wolves seemed to get even braver with each telling of their stories. The room seemed relaxed and safe.
Suddenly. Maddox, the gate keeper, lifted his muzzle in the air and drew in a deep breath. He ran to one of the tunnel entrances and looked in. A small tendril of barely perceptible white fog drifted into the room from the top of the tunnel. "Smoke!"
Ella
Ava heard Moth growl and then turn to Daurian as if to say, move, or do something! Then Ava understood why, there in the center of the gathered wolves and foxes was a wolf that was pure gray and nothing else. He had black charcoal rapping around his face and neck. And to top off the totally scary, "don't come by me," vibe, he had a crown made of vines that were dipped in gold around his head. Amethysts, rubies, and emeralds found their way into the intertwining branches. "Sakai," Bella breathed from behind her.
"We are not doing anything till you tell me how you found us, Daurian," Sakai spit on the ground at the last word. Ava looked at the black wolf and he almost looked confident. His head was held defiantly, and his jaw was clenched together as if it was going to break at any moment.
"Just because you are mad because the little, should we call it a plan, didn't go well, I have all the right to help the animals at the Tree," Daurian looked like he was joking.
"This is no time for your elaborate pranks. Answer my question," Sakai's blood boiled.
Daurian smiled, actually smiled, he smiled that smirk that the some of the teacher's kids did in school when they knew their teacher couldn't do anything to them. As if to mock the alpha some more he turned to Floyen and said simply, "Was anyone else in those tunnels my dearest friend Floyen?"
"Yes si--" Floyen caught himself, "I believe some of the foxes didn't trail out."
"Well then, Tussock, Maddox, and Floyen should get them out while Sable and Silene wait by the entrance. Also, Moth and I, our best fire breakers, need I remind you, should start more fires once the foxes get out, so the Epicyons don't find us. Some of our best diggers should start digging as fast as they can. The wolves here should say low to the ground and protect the humans. Then we should look for more territory in the woods as a makeshift shelter while some of our best fighters try to take back the Tree. Sound good? Of course, it does it's my plan! Now, break!" Oddly enough the wolves and foxes that he called actually started to do their jobs. Sakai looked like he was going to blow a top as Floyen, Tussock, and Maddox actually went into the flames.
"You do not boss the prince and princess around! You have no power here, you are nothing but a rouge!" Sakai shouted in Daurian's face, but Daurian didn't flinch. Didn't even make his ears or fur move. His eyes didn't even blink.
And he smiled again, "I merely threw in a suggestion, I did nothing of the sorts. Ava, would you kindly tell this, king, if that's what you want to call him, that I did nothing wrong?" Ava froze and tried to gulp down her fear as Daurian gently gripped her shoulder and half dragged her to the king.
"I-I, um, yeah. Daurian did nothing wrong. He just asked Tussock and Moth to do stuff; can I go now?" She whispered the last part to Daurian, and he nodded.
"Thank you. See? Even a dumbfounded human can tell, no offense. It's not your fault that wolves are smart," Sakai rolled his baby blue eyes at that last comment but Daurian said it so confidently. Ava nodded not sure what to say. Bella smirked at her, and she threw her best glare, half smile towards her. Tussock emerged before anything else could be said. He was coughing and gently put a white fox on the ground. Silene rushed over and she felt the fox's pulse. She nodded and started to try and revive the fox. Maddox came next with a baby fox, it was crimson red, whisps of dark ash spread in its fur. Makayla searched the flames for Floyen but saw nothing. Her heart pounded. In the few hours that she'd known him he'd been a good friend. He'd saved them from the cliff and dragged her net. Daurian searched the ashes too but saw nothing.
His eyes widened and he said in fear, "Sweet fox tails. Floyen!"
Floyen wheezed but he wouldn't give up. He could hear the cry of a young wolf pup, and he would not leave. No matter how much his lungs and paws burned from the heat. He coughed again. His eyes were clouded, and they started to burn with tears.
"Where are you?" Floyen tried but his voice was weak. The same whimper he'd been hearing sounded again, high pitched and piercing. He saw the pup now or not really saw it but could hear where it was. It was in the nursery, caved in by some fallen roots that had blocked the entrance. The pup was sitting inside.
"I'll get you out of there! Don't worry!" Floyen shouted through the flames. He pushed his weight against the roots, but they didn't budge. He tried again and this time he heard someone grunting with him. Daurian pushed with him.
Daurian smiled at him, "You didn't think I'd let you do this alone, did you?" Floyen just smiled, he didn't have the strength to thank him.
"Brother, in bond not in blood. The wolf does not thrive without the pack and without the wolf the pack is nothing," Daurian started to say when Floyen joined as they pushed together, "The wolf doesn't have strength without his brothers and sisters! A fox may know of the same bond, but without the fox's clan, the fox is nothing! And without each other, clan and pack, the tribe is nothing!" The roots started to fall, and the branches toppled. The wolf pup ran towards them, and Daurian picked the pup up and started to run to the tunnel but kept Floyen in the front. They ran through the fire and embers. Floyen saw the heavenly blue sky at the end and sprinted toward the end. Daurian was close behind him. Floyen screamed as his lungs burned for the finale step. He toppled into the clearing and Daurian jumped over him and gave the pup to Silene. The pup was brown and black at the same time. Like a tiger eye rock. Her eyes shined golden and her black and brown fur was littered with ashes. As Daurian smiled at his latest victory, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. A scream that came from one of the humans sounded as he fell to the hard ground. Then everything went black.
When he woke, he was in a cell. Or a wolven cell. The bars were made out of metal and had clay walls. He looked around him and saw the three humans in the corner shivering. Without much fur that must be hard to keep warm he thought. Floyen was right next to him still out cold.
"Wha, what happened?" He managed to say.
"Basically, you got hit in the head with a rock, courtesy of this one guy named, Ava, do you remember what his name was?" Bella asked as Ava sat in the corner shivering, "I think it was like, Culex maybe?" Ava responded. "Oh yeah, anyway, then they grabbed us and took us to this pond where they made us swim underwater and then we went up and we ended up in this clay room. Then they took us to this cell. Moth wasn't very happy though, and neither was Tussock. Sumac started complaining so much that they took him in here too," Bella explained. Daurian heard the faint tune of singing.
"Oh, the prison walls hold us but at least the apples are free! Along with the elk and moose, they're for me. How they found them I don't have a clue. Oh, the food isn't that great, and the mats smell like poo! Don't you know we just stood up to the king?! He really is a pill. I don't like him, and I know you never will!"
"Sumac?" Daurian asked surprised as he heard the small voice among the deep ones.
"Yep, the prisoners have been teaching them to him all day," Makayla clarified. Daurian couldn't help but enjoy the lyrics as the song started again. The apples were free, and the mats did smell like poo now that he thought about it. The king was a pill and most animals in the pack never did grow to like him.
Then a different sound rang though the halls of cells, Bang! Bang! Bang!
"That should do it!" They heard Moth's voice say. Then the slow creek of a cell door being opened and the cheer of freed prisoners rang.
"What about us?" He heard Floyen shout from beside him. The brown wolf suddenly rose to his feet and looked through the bars to see Moth.
"Working on it!" Moth came over with Tussock and together they shoved the cells down with two clubs. Sumac towards Daurian and threw his paws around his legs. Daurian smiled and hugged him back.
"Alright now go!" Silene hobbled toward them with Sable not far from her heals.
"I'm going with you!" Sable shouted excited, "I thought your team might use the medical experience."
"You got that right, now, Silene's right. We should go," Daurian said quickly.
"Come on, I don't have much time. My father gave us twenty minutes. He thinks I'm interrogating you guys," Moth urged.
Scout emerged from the shadows and smiled wickedly, "That's right you fur balls. I thought some spying might be good as well." Daurian smiled and continued to walk towards the door. A few prisoners looked longingly at them and Daurian could tell that some of them had simply just followed the prince and princess and had ended up here. He even knew some of them as his friends, so he grabbed the club from Moth and started swinging to bring them out of the third cell. He looked down the hall, but the rest of the cells were empty. Only when a wolf or fox really betrayed the tribe, were they stuck in here. But these wolves had just followed them into the cell, they hadn't done anything wrong really. The cell broke open and the wolves and foxes cheered as they leaped out.
"I know a place. Come on," Daurian ran towards the door and the others followed him as he continued, "From now on we are not of the tribe, but we are our own tribe. And we will be called the Night Hunters!"
Colette
Wolves, foxes and humans. A unique pack for sure. But a pack they were. Ava smiled as she looked around. She trusted them. They rescued her and her friends from multiple dangers. She couldn't help but wonder why. They could've left her dangling over a cliff or stuck outside the tree when the Epicyons were closing in or even just huddled in the corner of the cold dungeon. But somehow, they needed the humans or wanted them or something. It was a little bit unclear.
The humans were not as quick and nimble as the wolves and foxes as they sprinted through the dark forest. Bella tripped over a tree root and cried out as her hands hit the dirt. Daurian paused only a moment to give Tussock a knowing look. Without missing a stride, Tussock grabbed Bella by the collar and flipped her onto his back. Bella grabbed the thick fur right behind his neck and tucked her head down to keep from hitting her face on branches as they zipped by. Ava and Makayla were doing their best trying to keep up. Moth and Floyen followed behind them to make sure no one was left behind. The adrenaline of the moment kept pulsing through their veins. They ran as fast as their human legs could go, but they had not had much time to dry since the pond swim. Their soggy shoes were heavy and squished like wet towels. Not so stealthy with the constant splat with every step, as if someone was having a food fight in the forest. Makayla started to slow her pace and grabbed her knees as she tried to breathe. Just before Floyan ran her over, he also grabbed her by the collar and flipped her onto his back and the two took off like they had just hit a bee's nest. Moth and Ava exchanged a glance and nod. Ava used a maneuver she learned in horse riding to pace next to Moth and throw her leg over the wolf as she ran by. Hanging onto the scruff of a wolf's neck was much more challenging than horse reins. Ava decided it was much safer to lay on Moth's back and put both arms around her neck as they sprinted to catch up with the rest of the pack.
It wasn't long before the pack turned a sharp corner and came to halt. The path continued but it narrowed and began a steep incline. The wolves' eyes flashed yellow as they looked toward the moon and began to climb single file. Surely it would be easier for the wolves if they had not been carrying the humans on their backs. Ava tried to dismount but Moth pulled her hand back onto her neck. "It will be much quicker if you stay with me. Trust me. By now my father has learned of your escape, " with a slight pause she whispered, "and of our betrayal." She looked momentarily sad as she said those words. "I'm sure he has his scouts looking for us. They won't be far behind. Every second counts." Ava agreed and held on tighter as they continued to climb.
The moon seemed to grow bigger and brighter with each step they took toward the mountain top. Daurian led the way with confidence. "We're here!" he said breathlessly.
The dense trees opened to a moonlit clearing. An old barn was silhouetted in the night sky. It looked abandoned with no doors to welcome them. Just a tiny window near the peak of the roof. Bella dismounted Tussock and thanked him for the help. Then she stood motionless and took in the view. Ava and Makayla joined her. "It's breathtaking. I feel like I can see for miles up here!" Bella exclaimed. "Yeah, there's a little lake down there. You can see the moon's reflection. It almost seems like it's dancing with the slight waves in the water." Makayla observed. "Is that a campfire?" Ava noticed the flicker of orange so tiny by the lake. At first the girls weren't sure if it was there or just their eyes playing tricks on them. "It is a campfire!" Bella confirmed as she took a few steps toward the edge of the clearing, "I think I recognize that lake! Look, there's the boat house! And the floating dock!" Makayla almost knocked Bella over as she ran up to get a better view from where Bella was standing. "Wait. If that's the boat house and lake, then that means..." "That's Camp Sakaine!" Bella interrupted.
Daurian joined the girls. "You're right. Not many know of this abandoned farm. We haven't even alerted the tribe. It's where a couple of us can keep an eye on what's really going on without having to report to anyone. And it's a good thing. It's how we learned about Sakai's plan and the deception he was planning against the tribe."
The girls looked at the camp with a longing to be back with their friends, laughing around the fire. Maybe they were roasting smores. Ava's stomach groaned. It was the first time she realized how hungry she was. The hill going down to the camp was steeper than the trail and covered in thorny brush. There was no way the girls could climb down and find their way to camp. They were too far away to see any campers or counselors, but they could see tiny little lights, light fireflies in the trees begin to shine. "Those must be the cabin lights. They are probably starting to head to the bunks." Bella said dreamily. "We'll get back there soon." Ava put her arm around her friend and watched more lights begin to twinkle in the trees.
The girls turned back to face the barn. There were two big doors with a large beam across them on the side facing the camp. And above the doors was a larger window that stuck out a little bit from the roof. Suddenly, Makayla jumped and grabbed Bella's arm. "Did you see that?!" She pointed at the window. Bella and Ava stared at the looming barn shadow. Movement. Something just hid out of sight when they looked up. "There it is again!" Ava pointed and directed Daurian's eyes toward the window. Daurian just smiled a knowing smile and rolled his eyes. "So, he's here. I wasn't sure when he'd return."
The Night Hunters followed Daurian to the far side of the barn. Two more big barn doors were located on this side opposite of the front doors. These were also blocked by a large wooden beam. Next to the doors, Daurian slid two loose boards to the side. "Follow me." He looked back at his pack. There were more wolves and foxes than he'd remembered when they left, but he was sure there was enough room for all of them inside.
One by one they crawled through the hole in the wall. Without the moonlight, it was nearly impossible for the humans to see anything inside the big building. Makayla grabbed Floyen's back as he came through the hole. He knew he had to guide her. Ava and Bella froze. They didn't want to accidentally trip or run into a wall.
"Kreiger." Daurian's deep voice echoed through the barn. "Kreiger, it's Daurian."
The creak of old board gave away Kreiger's location. He was slowly moving somewhere above them. Then next to them. The rhythmic creaks made Ava think that he must be slowly moving down some steps somewhere. Slowly a small dim light began to shine in the room. A large black wolf with a gray muzzle and glowing gold eyes began walking toward them. The closer he came, the larger he grew. He carried a very small torch so as not to have the light noticeable through the windows. His stature towered over Daurian and the other wolves!
"Daurian?" Kreiger asked as he held the torch above the group. "It's been a while. I didn't expect you to be here tonight or to bring so many with you." The old wolf eyed the pack suspiciously. Ava, Makayla and Bella tried to hide in the shadow so Kreiger wouldn't notice them among the animals.
"Old Friend!" Daurian stepped forward and was met with a hearty embrace from the old wolf. "It is I who am surprised to see you here tonight. I thought your journey would take much longer."
"I didn't go far before I learned I was being followed. I spent a few days backtracking and evading. And finally made my way to back to the safe house when I was sure I no longer had a shadow." Ava liked the Old Wolf. She could tell he was seasoned warrior, but he had a gentleness about him that suggested he'd seen enough to be valiant and compassionate. He slowly paced in front of the pack like a general looking over his troops. He stopped and studied the eyes of each individual as if looking into their soul for genuine goodness. He had two white stripes on his front right leg. One ear looked like it had been bitten at some point, and his lip seemed to be scarred into a permanent snarl. He stopped and acknowledged Moth and Tussock with almost a regality. Then he looked past them and deep into the shadow. Makayla gulped and Bella stumbled into Floyen. It was then that Ava looked down and realized that the old wolf had 5 claws.
Ella
"Epic, yon," Makayla stuttered. Kreiger looked at her like he wanted her to finish but when she didn't, he turned back to Daurian and Daurian just shrugged.
"Oh, wait, I know what's happening here," He wiggled his fifth claw, "This old thing. Yeah, I get that a lot. Epicyons, well, they are just wolves like your friends here."
Daurian grinned at her and Makayla felt terrified. Ava and Bella shared a terrified glance and Kreiger laughed a laugh like Ava's grandpa. And then that's what she saw in him, the same little twinkle in his eyes. And the shrugging smile. Of course he wasn't her actual grandpa, but he felt like him.
"So, these are the promised ones. The ones that are destined to save the future, I got to say, I feel like some of your siblings can do better," Kreiger scolded. Daurian looked at him annoyed and Kreiger just looked back at him like he was suspecting a fight with a puppy. Kreiger just let out a laugh and Daurian looked ready to punch him. Bella just stood there, not wanting to look down again.
"Siblings? Destiny? And what's this about that plan you were talking about?" Bella asked.
"I suppose I owe you a little explanation," Daurian cringed.
Moth scoffed, "You think? Well Daurian I know you can sink, but I didn't know you could this low." All of their little party nodded with her.
"Easy little miss, Daurian will explain, won't you?" Kreiger pressed. Moth looked at Daurian expectantly. Daurian fumbled with his claws in his paws. Daurian swallowed and then cleared his throat. Moth didn't stop looking at him and he just became very interested in his paws. Sumac shook his head and Daurian looked at him briefly but didn't quite look him in the eye. Floyen and Tussock let out an agonizingly slow snarl slash growl. Ava just looked at him disappointed, she had liked him, she thought he was actually a good wolf. He saved people, saved them, multiple times, and now, she knew it was fake. All the time he'd supposedly saved them from "Epicyons" was a lie. He was their friend. Or at least one of them.
"Well, you see, Um.... Let me start over. You see I am I rouge, that's all I will ever be. But it was not always that way. My mother was a normal wolf, but she was a rouge. My father was an Epicyon, he brought her to his tribe. Me, my sister, and my brothers, were raised at their camp. One day, when I was, I think twenty-two I decided to leave. I checked with the tribe, they said yes, it was ok for me to go, and my brother, Sterkere went with me. On the second day, I told him to turn back, I forced him. We fought, but I won. He left. So, I was left to brave the storm by myself. Moth found me. Tried to convince her father to let me stay, and he finally agreed. I was half dead when I finally was saved by Silene. Then Sakai offered me a deal, he said that if I could share the information of the Epicyons with him and was his inside wolf, he would let me stay. I said yes, maybe thought I could go home. So, when the storm cleared, I ran. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me back to my tribe. I told my tribe about the pack of timber wolves. Then the alpha declared war. Sakai, he never forgave me. And my tribe, they trusted me. They said I had potential. It made me feel important. My sister was the only one who noticed. Ren has been my best friend from the start. She said that I would lose. She said I couldn't keep running forever. I believed her, as I should. So, I went to Moth. She introduced me to Floyen and Tussock. I had my pack. My friends. I was safe. Then I met a little orphaned fox. He had been separated from his clan. I saw myself; I saw his pain. I didn't want him to suffer like I had. So, I brought him with me to Moth. Moth took him in and set him barely a walking distance from the camp and told him to wait. Silene found him and took him in as her own. That fox's name was Sumac. And Sakai doesn't have control of what the medic does, part of the foxes' agreement," Daurian explained. Sumac looked up and smiled at him as Daurian smirked back. Moth looked downright furious.
The group stayed silent. Ava still wondered about his ears, why were they dyed red? Kreiger didn't have them dyed. So, Ava asked, "When did you meet Kreiger, and why are your ears the way they are?"
"Boy, someone has questions, but I will answer them. Kreiger was my dad's friend. He was my mentor; he actually taught me how to fight. Also, red ears are the sign for traitor in the timber wolf tribe. Sakai gave me them; it can't be washed out. Thankfully, my actual tribe told me it reminded them of strength. Of resilience against evil," Daurian answered.
"My pack isn't evil, they are scared, and they don't know the truth," Moth argued.
"That might be, but at the end of the day, aren't we all scared and don't know the actual truth?" Kreiger replied calmly. Moth didn't have anything to say to that, but she growled anyway. Ava thought that she could forgive Daurian, for all the stuff he'd just admitted. She could tell he wasn't proud of some of the things he'd done, but he'd admitted it anyway. That meant something to her, she could forgive him for that. Bella looked at Floyen and Tussock. The pair hadn't said anything, they just looked at him like they understood but there was something else in their eyes too, boredom. As her time as a pitcher taught her, she needed to learn to read people. That's why she always knew where to hit it; some people were scared of getting hit so that's where she would put it. Right next to them.
So, then she noticed something. And she had to say it, "You knew!" Moth looked at Floyen accusingly and Tussock just looked at his paws.
Floyen finally spoke, "Ok, so maybe we did. But... brothers tell each other everything." Tussock nodded.
Moth's glare was enough to make Tussock speak up just a little, "It was, just a little game of truth or dare and Daurian really didn't want to lick one of those rotting birds. So, I said tell us where you came from." Daurian just nervously smiled in agreement and Kreiger looked about ready to run out of the barn as fast as his strong legs could carry him. A howl sounded outside, and everyone was saved the cringe from the conversation before. Makayla looked about ready to scream, and Ava covered her mouth. Daurian nodded to her to agree to her decision. Makayla was furious and ripped the hand from her mouth. Ava looked at her angerly, and she just gave her a smug smile in return. Bella rolled her eyes at the two but was still as scared as Makayla. Ava looked at Sumac who looked terrified, and she picked him up and have him a squeeze. He looked at her gratefully and Bella did the same to Sable. Moth got into a fighting stance and bared her teeth.
Kreiger looked at the doorway for a moment and then ordered, "Come on, I've got some weapons in the back. Some of the camper supplies." They walked back and saw about twenty bows and a quiver attached to each one, ten fencing swords and a few actual broadswords for councilor demonstrations.
"Ohh. It's been a while since I've had one of these! Oh, these are awesome!" Daurian grinned as he took a sword from the wall and gave it a couple of swings.
Moth took a bow and swung a quiver over her shoulder, "Come on Daurian, there's another time for you to play with your blade." Daurian glared at her with a smile on lips. Floyen took the bow next to Moth and tested the bow's drawback. Tussock took the other blade and Kreiger took one of the bigger bows to fit his size. Daurian looked at Sumac, Sable, and the girls with his lips pressed to one side of his face like he was trying to solve a problem. Ava looked at him in anticipation, and he smiled.
"You know how to shoot a bow right?" Daurian asked the group.
"Of, course I do!" Sumac and Sable said together somewhat offended.
Daurian looked annoyed, "Of course you do! I was talking to the three humans!"
"I do. Not well but I know the basics. I don't know about Bella and Makayla though," Ava replied stepping forward.
"I kind of do, but not well," Bella chimed in. Makayla shook her head and looked down.
"I know. I'll find you three knives. It'll only take a breath of time. Just a second Kreiger, you think you could make a distraction?"
"Of course, I can. when am I not ready to freak a few campers out?" Kreiger laughed. He sprinted out the camp howling and sprinting toward cabins with their lights still on. Some girls inside screamed, "The stories about the wolf that comes if you stay up too late are true!" Bella looked out the barn door and saw BUTTERNUTT carved on the door. That's where they should be right now, but instead they were with wolves and foxes that talked and had become their friends. And they were running from prehistoric wolves that should be mean, but so far, they seemed a little nice. They should've been playing MASH and eating s'mores. Daurian sprinted out after Kreiger and snuck behind the cabin. A little chest at the back cabin door was what Daurian aimed for. He opened the chest with his broadsword and pulled out three long knives. He ran back and gave them the knives. Kreiger was back not long after, but he brought company. Five wolves as big as Kreiger and some bigger came with him. Five came after them and they were all in rows, like a military formation. One came behind them, one that was big and black, with white patches all over him.
Daurian bowed, "Sir Knurren. I present you, the Night Hunters Initiative!"
Knurren smiled, "I knew I could always count on you Daurian. You have always been such a loyal subject." Moth growled as a tawny Epicyon tried to escort her out of the barn. A black wolf that looked like Daurian, but with tawny ears and belly grabbed Floyen and Floyen started to get in a fighting position. The wolf elbowed him in the ribs to make him fall and cough before leading him out as well. Tussock looked at a white wolf with a scar on his cheek with his jaw clenched. The white wolf shrugged and grabbed his scruff by his teeth with the help of another black wolf. Sable cowered in fear when Sumac stepped in front of him with his little teeth sticking out. A brown wolf with a scar on his back grabbed both of them in his mouth. Sable blended into his fur, and he went limp as Sumac struggled. The other five went in and pushed Ava, Bella, and Makayla out the door.
Ava looked to the side of her eye and saw Daurian smile as he embraced the tawny wolf escorting Moth and smiled, "Ren! I haven't seen you in a while." The tawny wolf said something else she didn't hear. One of the black wolves and the black and tawny wolf walked over to them and they smiled and Daurian. They engaged in a long conversation and Ava realized that those were his siblings that he was talking about just a few minutes ago. And a little bit of happiness came into her mind. But she pushed it away immediately as Moth was dragged next to a tree and tied to Tussock so they wouldn't get away. She could see that the ropes hurt as the brown wolf snugged up the rope. Sumac and Sable were tied in the same attire and Floyen's legs were tied together so he had to hop. But only one word came to her head, Lies. He lied to them. He didn't come up with the Night Hunters name for them, he didn't stock them with weapons for them, he lied. All he had told them, were lies. But then another thought came into her mind. She could still see the bloody wound at Daurian's side. The blood had dried and had made Daurian's fur all sticky and gross looking. That wound had five claw marks. And She doubted that Daurian had willingly gotten sliced by one of his kin. So, this was the question that eventually formed. If Daurian was friends with the Epicyons, then who had given him that wound?
Create Your Own Website With Webador