Wolf Saga: The Legacy

Chapter 4

      Frostfeather leapt, snarling, at the shadowy attacker, lips curled over her teeth protectively and her claws turned inward. The attacker spun and lunged for her flank, but she dodged and sent a blow at its haunches. The attacker yelped as her paw made contact; but just as fast, it whirled, kicking up clods of dust. Frostfeather gagged, and the wolf stepped forward to gently touch its muzzle to her neck.

"I win," Blizzardstar woofed, panting. "Good fight, though you need to guard your neck more." Frostfeather licked his muzzle, a sign of showing that all was forgiven, and barked a laugh.

"How do you do that quick spin and bite attack?" she asked, tongue lolling and eyes shining. "One moment, you were down, then the next you won!"

"It's all about the timing," the grey-brown wolf explained. "I dropped and yelped to make you think that I was submitting, then I dig my claws in and spins to bring up the dust. While you were still recovering, it was easy!"

"Let's get back to camp, and collect that prey haul we got," Frostfeather suggested, Blizzardstar nodding in agreement. Her leader had asked her to prepare, now that she had to train to someday become the queen of Arcandia. So far, Frostfeather had bested the entire Trial, and was close to receiving her letter that would deem her a member of the Fleet Squad or not. Blizzardstar, with the help of the senior warriors, had pushed her as hard as he could, doing battle training, taking her out on several patrols a day, and frequently introducing new techniques that tested Frostfeather's raw Soul ability.

"The Soul is your best weapon against the supernatural, as the other side can control strange curses and such that cannot be bested by claws and fangs alone," Blizzardstar had explained. "If they indeed caused the destruction of the Forgotten Palace, then there must be a great amount of talents and ability relating to the Soul that we do not know about."

Picking up their hawk, Frostfeather unfolded her wings slightly, and let Blizzardstar heave it onto her back. "You've got it?" he asked, and she nodded. Padding back to camp, the two wolves deposited it on the growing pile of prey in the center of the camp, where the bird still struggled faintly.

"It's time for the pups' first Bite ceremony!" announced Windheart eagerly as Frostfeather observed the growing crowd. "You know, Blizzardstar and Pheasantwing's little ones that were born last moon? Frostfeather licked Windheart's nose in greeting, and together they padded over to Moonrock, where Blizzardstar and Pheasantwing were sitting proudly.

"Let all wolves gather to Moonrock!" Blizzardstar called, and the entire pack gathered around the four small pups who sat at the base of Moonrock. "It is our duty to introduce ceremonies to young pups at a certain age, so that they understand the important rituals of life. Now, it is Pheasantwing's turn to make her pups a true member of the pack, and let them receive their first Bite of the succulent prey that my deputy caught for their ceremony." Frostfeather dipped her head in embarrassment as Blizzardstar's gaze caught her eye, and then turned to retrieve the hawk. She gripped it softly in her jaws, not allowing her fangs to pierce the feathers. The bird flapped its wings slightly, yet Frostfeather kept a strong grip on it and deposited it at the feet of Pheasantwing's pups, who gazed wide-eyed at the hawk.

"It's enormous!" squeaked one, finally breaking the silence. "Do we get to eat it all?"

"No, silly," chided another, poking the first's nose gently with her paw among the laughter of the pack. "We're going to finish it off! Like Blizzardstar!"

"I can see you know how it works already," Pheasantwing teased. "You're correct, Stormkit, but we must do it in an orderly fashion, as wolf tradition demands. Now line up behind the hawk- that's right, behind the wings, and give yourself a nice position to bite." The pups did as she asked, positioning themselves correctly under her guidance, and with a single nod, they bared the fangs and bit simultaneously.

"Quick, painless, and perfect," declared Blizzardstar, unable to disguise the pride in his stance and his voice. "I now deem you a true member of the pack, and may your days be filled with swift running, successful hunts, and longevity." The pack cheered, chanting the names of the pups, who bounced around the hawk happily. Frostfeather smiled slightly as she watched Blizzardstar bend down to lick a pup that had fallen over in excitement. She squinted as Blizzardstar's gaze suddenly became worried, and he licked more frantically. Pheasantwing gasped as she saw the other pups totter slightly, then fall over.

"My pups!" she shrieked over the crowd, and every wolf became silent. "Get Kestrelwing," added Blizzardstar grimly, pausing for a heartbeat. Panic erupted within the camp, and Frostfeather let out a volley of loud barks.

"Quiet!" she shouted. "Let Kestrelwing examine the pups in peace." Frostfeather bounded forward, and grasped the hawk firmly and tugged it away from the pups to the clearing. Windheart padded forward, and gingerly sniffed the area the pups bit, then recoiled at once.

"Poison!" the silver-grey wolf gasped. "Loads of it... This prey has been absolutely stuffed with it! We've got to get it out of camp before the stench poisons us all!" Pheasantwing let out a keening howl, nosing her pups anxiously. Blizzardstar pressed comfortingly against his mate, then glared in the direction of the woods.

"Scout the area," he growled. "Leave no stone untouched, for a coward has dared to poison innocent pups to get their way. Rockfall, Snowleaf, Whitefoot, and Sealpelt, split up and scour the territory. Go!" Kestrelwing suddenly jerked her head up from her kneeling position beside the pups and dashed into her den, emerging with a dripping piece of bark.

"Hold them steady," she ordered. "Place your paws on their flank and head, so I can dribble this in." Pheasantwing did as she was told, her eyes roving over the pups' unmoving bodies. Kestrelwing administered the medicine, and the pups lay still, then jerked up, retching violently. The medicine wolf calmly slid a leaf under them, and stroked their backs smoothly with one paw. Frostfeather released her breath that she had been holding in relief, and motioned for Windheart and Iceleaf to help push the body of the hawk out.

"Wait," Windheart growled. "Look at the eagle's left talon!" They craned to look, and discovered that one claw had been tattooed pure black, and honed jaggedly.

"Was it mean to attack us?" Iceleaf snarled, but Windheart shook her head. "It's a sign. Someone is a traitor!"