Emortuus: War Sparks

Chapter 1

The day my father left me, I remember like it was yesterday.
I was in the market square with him, for I turned seven that day. I didn't get out much because of the ongoing war between the light and dark wolves. Even though my father, Blackice, was a dark wolf (with some fire wolf mixed in), he became loyal to the light wolves after marrying my mother, Clearal. However, Diamond, Clearal's mother and queen of the light wolves, did not approve of the marriage, but nevertheless allowed Blackice to lead the attacks against the dark wolves because he was a genius when it came to warfare.
I know what you are thinking... if my mother was a light wolf and my father was a dark wolf, what would that make me? Well that would make me the first ever royal grey wolf. That explains why everyone was staring at me just as much as I was staring at them; and why my parents were so protective.
Our tradition was that every year, my father would take me into town and I would pick one item as a present for my birthday. As my father led me through the town, I looked around curiously at all of the stands and shops that lined the dirt road. It was very peaceful. Everyone was about their normal business. Conversations could be heard as well as joyous laughter. I ran from one stand to another, searching for something special.
"How about a helmet, like yours?" I gestured towards the blacksmith. I had always wanted a helmet to wear as proudly as my father wore his.
He laughed, "You cannot wear armor until you pass your combat assessment. Remember?" I gave him a disappointed look. Then I smelled warm, fresh baked bread and trotted over to the bakery.
"Can I get a pastry?" I glanced at him eagerly.
"Not before dinner. Besides, you still have a birthday cake tonight." I drooled at the thought of my birthday cake.
Feeling defeated, I walked down the beaten path then something caught my eye. It was a small little toy. It appeared to be a light wolf soldier with a helmet like my fathers. Its white cloth fur was soft and its blue eyes sparkled.
"How about this?"
My father picked up the doll with his telekinesis and looked it over. Then he nodded and trotted over to the merchant wolf and paid for it.
"There you are." He gave it to me.
"Thank you." Since I had not learned magic yet, I grabbed the toy with my mouth.
We walked out of the shop and headed for the palace. It was a long walk from the town to the castle, but I don't mind. As I walked by my father's side, we heard a terrible, ear-splitting scream.
"DARK WOLVES!"
I turned around to see ten dark wolves in shining battle armor standing in a line on top of the hill just outside of the village. The first wolf shouted a command and ten more wolves appeared. Then ten more. We stared in horror at the multiplying army of dark wolves. My father whispered to me without moving a muscle.
"Run."
I gazed up at him in shock. Father shoved me to the side as an arrow landed right where I had been standing.
"GO!" He shouted.
Just then, a dark wolf pounced on me, snapping at my throat. He was black and red with green mist pouring out of his eyes and mouth. My father saved me once again, throwing the wolf off of me and chasing him away. My mind went blank as I turned tail and ran as fast as my paws would carry me. As I ran, I turned around and saw my father unsheathe his sword and disappear into the giant black mob bounding down the hill. He was gone.
Just then, I spotted my mother frantically racing towards me.
"We have to go, NOW!"
"But, Dad!" I protested.
My mother dragged me by the scruff to the village gate where Windtail was waiting.
"Where is Goldtail?" My mother asked her uncle.
Goldtail is Clearal's father and Windtail's younger brother.
Windtail replied gravely. "He has joined the battle."
Her tail drooped as she led me into the escape Pawd and looked out of the window; longing for her father and husband to come with us to safety. I looked out the window as well, watching all of the chaos down below. All of townspeople were screaming. Some fleeing in a flurried panic, some grabbing weapons from the blacksmith shop and fighting. I feared that I would never see my father or grandfather again. I feared more for my mother, for she depended on Blackice and loved him dearly. As I watched I noticed that we passed the palace.
"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.
Clearal obviously wasn't in the mood to answer questions, so Windtail stepped in.
"We are traveling to Securita. It is not safe here in Tennicent."
Since Windtail ruled Securita, I assumed that we would be staying in his castle. Tennicent and Securita were originally the same country, but when Goldtail was born after Windtail, their father decided to split the land between the two brothers. While Goldtail allowed Tennicent to expand and modernize, Windtail appreciated the ancient properties of Securita and hasn't changed the palace since his father ruled. I couldn't wait to explore the castle. I had been there before but I was too young to go around on my own.
Finally I spotted the legendary palace. It was HUGE! There were six stone towers, and a garden on the side. Blue and gold flags were draped over the doors and windows since those are Securita's official colors. We landed in the front and we were led into a giant hall. It smelled of must, and it was very quiet. My mother still looked a bit discombobulated, so Windtail's maid offered to take her to the guest room.
"Good idea and I'll give this little guy a tour."
I was not excited about this suggestion but I was taken on a tour anyway. You see, Windtail likes to hear himself talk. So while he babbled on about architecture and history and stuff like that, I wished I was the one fighting in the battle.
After we went around the castle for what seemed like forever, we came to the training facility. There were two rooms, the room we were in, which was an observing room, and the room where the training equipment was. They were separated by a glass window. There were five wolves currently training in the other room. They all looked about fifteen or sixteen, except for one. He was quite small but seemed to be keeping up with the others. Another strange difference was that he was a sand wolf. Typically, sand wolves are allied with the dark wolves, when all of the others were ice, wind, etc. (Which were allies of the light wolves.) By the distinct black markings on his fur, I could tell he was very powerful as well.
"That is my youngest student." Windtail startled me. He signaled to the small sand wolf, and he came out of the training room.
"Hi!" He ran up to me smiling.
"This is my niece, Clearal's son." He introduced me. Before I could say hi, he started talking.
"Hi! I'm Pirajypt! Wow, I've never met someone my age before! Are we related? I guess not, I'm adopted. Are you adopted? Probably not. Hey, wait! You're grey! Are you a wind wolf?..."
I interrupted him, "Whoa! Slow down! Let me process what you are saying!" I quickly closed my jaws realizing I shouted. Pirajypt was silent.
"Well, um..." Windtail mumbled uncomfortably. "I'll leave you two alone, and uh...Pirajypt will lead you to the dining room when you are ready to eat."
He trotted out of the room and I looked at Pirajypt. He looked like he was about to explode.
"Yes, Pirajypt?" I half-heartedly asked. He took a deep breath and I braced myself for the longest one-way conversation ever.
"Can we be friends?" He asked quietly. For the first time, I felt sorry for his loneliness. I nodded and he Pirajypt jumped up and hugged me.........and kept hugging me...."Ok, that's enough." I said as Pirajypt let go.
"Hey, want me to show you around the castle?"
"NO!" I shouted again. "I mean, Windtail already gave me a tour." I smiled sheepishly. "Why don't we go eat?" I suggested. I was ready to escape the awkwardness I had gotten myself into.
"Ok!" And he led me to the dining room.