Struck

New Apprentice

Chapter Two

Corinth paced back and forth, growling under his breath as he contemplated his decision. Wraith sat before him, in the same cavern the meeting took place. Next to her sat the other four of the six: Naleith, Zaith, Kelith, and Mirth. Every so often, he turned and looked at the five of them, scowling. Finally, he began to calm down, forcing himself to sit on the stone floor, facing the other wolves. He heaved out an annoyed breath.

"She heard someone changing?" he questioned Wraith.

"Yes, she stretched out her senses when she was supposed to be searching for nearby prey. She is being punished accordingly."

Naleith snorted to herself. She believed any disobedient apprentice should be punished much more severely. Wraith disagreed, especially this time, when it might gain them a new member. "We could do with a new wolf," Mirth mused. "Xavier is well enough along that he need not be an apprentice any longer." Kelith smiled to herself, proud of her apprentice. "But it also means another mouth to feed, and an untrained apprentice who will be practically nothing but dead weight to drag through the winter."

Corinth nodded, taking in all their opinions as they continued to argue over whether it is or isn't a good idea to take in this new wolf. After a while, he signaled with his tail that they calm down. His decision was made. "We'll take in this new wolf. We have plenty of time to train, and an excess of skills to supplement the lack of those in the new apprentice." They all nodded, required to agree no matter what their opinion of that particular subject is. "Wraith, you will lead the patrol to find this new wolf. You may take two other wolves, your choice. I want you back here in four days. You know what must be done."

She dipped her head, grateful that he had chosen her to go. She was the gentlest when welcoming new wolves, and Corinth had found that easing them into the idea of the pack worked better than anything. Once they were dismissed, Wraith wandered to the cavern in which the fully trained wolves slept and spent their time. Once there, she scanned the possible wolves she could take. She would leave Tyriel in the care of Kelith, since Xavier was ready to be promoted from apprenticeship, and Kelith was like a sister. They had always been close since they joined Corinth to begin forming the pack, four years before.

Finally, she made a choice. "Trajek, Halia, can you meet me in the entrance cave please?" Then she turned, and feeling lazy, sprinted out of the cavern and up to the cave. A few minutes later, the two wolves she had invited had joined her. "What is it, Wraith?" asked Halia, a wolf with brown fur the color of chocolate. Quickly, she explained their mission, putting a smile on their faces. Both were young, members of only under a year. "We're honored you invited us," Trajek had told her later, before they reached the town this new wolf resided in.

As soon as they had made the decision to join the mission, the trio left, racing swiftly through the sun drenched forest. When they reached the edge of the town, it was just after noon. "Let's spend the rest of the day hunting and relaxing," Wraith declared, picking a shady spot under a willow tree to settle. "We'll approach the wolf tonight around midnight." They nodded in agreement, then set off in different directions.

Wraith padded a ways into the forest, far enough that there shouldn't be people around so she could hunt without being disturbed. She sniffed at the air, listening carefully for the sounds of little animals scurrying around. After a few moments, she spotted a squirrel lounging in the warmth of the sunlight. She crouched down, stalking up behind it with careful paw steps, until she was finally just feet from it. She reached forward, pinning it to the ground with a paw before giving it a killing bite.

She picked up her fat squirrel, carrying it back to the pair of wolves waiting for her, feasting on a pair of sparrows. She dropped it in front of them, nosing it closer. Trajek looked up at her, his sandy pelt rippling as he moved. "Aren't you going to eat?" he inquired, eyeing the dead creature. "I fed last night, so I'm set for a few days or so." Halia looked at her, eyes clouded. "If you're sure..." she trailed off. Wraith nodded affirmatively, saying, "It's yours to share."

Then she circled a spot beneath the willow, settling in amongst the roots. Then she looked up at the pair, her jaws stretching wide in an exhausted yawn. "Wake me up a few hours after dusk," she half asked, half ordered, receiving a nod from Trajek as she laid her head on her paws. Then she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

~

The next thing she knew, Halia was shaking her shoulder. Her eyes opened, and she wiped away the sleep with a paw. Around her, she melded into the shadows. A crescent moon shone bleakly over their heads as they padded into the sleepy town. Wraith began to explain her plan to her companions. "I'll be in my human form, but it doesn't matter whether you two join me or not. We're just going to talk to the new wolf and extend the offer to join the pack." Trajek sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. "Meaning, we'll be there a while?" Wraith laughed at his annoyance, nodding her head. "Sorry to disappoint." Halia smirked, looking at Wraith as the walked. "I'll join you as a human, but I'll keep my name, if you agree, Wraith?"

Wraith nodded again, biting her lip as she thought about being human once again, if only forma short time. "Then I'll stay wolf, in case you need a fighter." announced Trajek. They stopped beside a dark tree, the two girls standing on their hind legs as they changed. All of a sudden, before Trajek's eyes, the the two wolves were gone. In their place stood two humans, not that it seemed much different to him. Wraith was short, only about 5'4", with long wavy black hair. Her eyes were a magnificent sea green, per usual. Halia was just an inch taller than she, with cropped hair the same color as her fur; her eyes were a stormy blue.

Trajek looked at them, awestruck. It had been so long since he had seen any humans. Then he shook himself, following Wraith as she led the way to a house on an empty street. In the dark, The house looked like it would be haunted. No lights were on inside, and Halia shivered in the cold wind she just noticed since changing forms.

"Creepy," Halia muttered, looking at it. Behind them, Trajek growled quietly as Wraith led the way to the door. She knocked politely, but the door swung right open. Halia looked at her unsteadily.

"Stay back a few paces, Trajek. Don't want to scare them," murmured Wraith in a soft voice.

Wraith took cautious steps as she went further into the house, taking a single turn into the living room. There! In the corner was a girl of about sixteen, hugging her knees tightly to her chest and crying quietly. Frowning, Wraith stood over her and laid a gentle hand on her should. Jumping away from the touch, the girl turned her head up to look at Wraith, her eyes filled to the brim with fear.

"W-who are y-you?" she stuttered nervously, glancing over at Halia before looking back at Wraith.

"I am Isabella, and this is my friend Halia. We are here to help you."

The girl whimpered, burying her head in her hands. "You know what I am?" she cried as she tried to hide from the world. Wraith smiled lightly, even though the girl couldn't see her.

"Yes, I do. We are also such creatures, and are here to offer you a chance to join our pack."

This caught the girls attention, and she raised her head slowly, eyes widening. "Pack? So it's not a dream?"

"I'm afraid not, dear." Halia said gently. "Now what is your name?"

"I'm Kayli..." her voice trailed off uncertainly. "This pack... Will it help me?"

"Of course! We are all friends, and we can teach you how to be wolf like us." gushed Halia, indicating Trajek who stood just behind them. Kauli shrunk against the wall again for but a moment, then returned to her former position and gazed at the two girls, who looked at her encouragingly.

"I'd very much like that, thank you."