Animal Kingdom - War of The Woods

Chapter 4: No Right

"Ugh, why are you back here?" The first guard shifted his paws forward, ready to attack. They both carried a stench of rotten fish. The second guard stood firm, eyeing Azur with as much disgust as was possible. Why do they hate me? he thought as he tried to think of what to say.

"Hey, um, guys, wassup?" Azur was never really good at thinking on the spot, or trying to sound cool.

"Just hurry up and get inside"

The second guard sneered"Yeh, and don't make us change our minds"

Azur rushed inside without a second glance. He always wondered why humans had built gates around a place to teach people, wouldn't it be better to teach them with outer world experiences? Smells of more rotten fish were all over the place. The old walls were crumbling, and the things Subor told him about, such as tables, pencils, chalkboards and chairs had all been removed. The paint on the walls was greatly peeling. Wolves had done a good job with the place, unlike Subor's and Azur's place this building actually had an intact roof. Not to mention that the door was still on it's hinges. The wolves of this pack had massed in what Subor called the hall. Expecting that Lutani would be in there Azur joined the crowd.

The whole crowd was in a fight with Arzelias, their one and only alpha. They were talking about some war that might be coming, this caught Azur's attention.

One of the smaller bony wolves scowled"THE WAR WILL COME AND WE NEED TO BE PREPARED"

Arzelias scowled back, she wore a gleaming helmet with a just as shiny metal back plate. "THE OWLS HAVE MADE NO MASSIVE THREAT TO US YET! QUAZIR AGREES THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO ACT UPON THE TWO SMALL ATTACKS!"

Azur's left eye twitched, he new all about that 'small' murder. How could they call it'small'? How could they pass the matter so easily? What's so small about murder? What is wrong with them? Azur felt anger grow furiously in his voice, he couldn't hold back.

"THOSE TWO MURDERS WERE MY OWN SIBLINGS! THAT MURDER RUINED MY LIFE!" All eyes had fallen upon Azur, some with disgust and others with worry. Azur suddenly felt very anxious, sweat weaving through his fur.  

"Your that kid from Lyracus' army?" Arzelias wasn't being at all threatening, but Azur still felt her intense silver eyes upon him.

Azur lowered his head and spoke in a suddenly quite voice "yes"

"You come to my pack without warning and then you yell at me, the alpha of the pack?"

"He was just a little bit shaken by what you said, no need to roast 'im" Lutani emerged from the carpet of grey fur, her black fur flowed with her movements. Her piercing yellow eyes stared strait into the silver. She was a good friend, but bravery often got the better of her. She never knew when to hold back.

Arzelias clearly was holding back a snarl, her grey fur bristled to a point"Do you wish to be accused of copying his actions and suffer punishment as well?"

Lutani stood firm, her stubborn courage had arrived "If that's what it takes then that'll be what i'll do. His own siblings where killed by owls, how are you not understanding the issue? How would you like it if Quazir, your own brother, was murdered?"

Arzelias released an intimidating snarl and growled back at Lutani "IS THAT A THREAT? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COME UP HERE AND PROTEST ON THE SIDE OF ANOTHER PACK MEMBER!"

Lutani put on a innocent face and continued "That was no threat, and what does it matter if i'm on his side this once, most gray wolf packs are in the same army."

Arzelias' snarl became more aggressive with each second. "LEAVE MY PRESENCE BEFORE YOU ARE CHUCKED TO THE OMEGA'S!" With one last penetrating stare Lutani gave in and left, signalling for Azur to follow.

She spoke immediately once they left "You ok, Azur?"

Azur looked up into her glossy yellow eyes and replied "Yeh, I guess, don't worry about it." Azur continued to stare into those yellow eyes and said "What about you? You cannot just keep arguing with the pack members, you are going to get yourself kicked."

Lutani broke into laughter, it was something between a yip and a howl "You honestly think that they would kick me when I have saved their tails six or seven times?" 

Azur considered the question and then decided to let the matter rest, but there was still a question burning inside of him.

"Lutani, what was that war they were talking about?"

Lutani looked shocked, but alas she spoke "Well, The others seemed to think that those owls that - uh - killed your siblings where warning us about what they plan to do next. You know how much power they have Azur, don't get any stupid ideas about goin' after them."

Azur shot her a disapproving look "Why would I do something stupid? I'm not an incompetent fool" Azur stopped to let what he said seep in, then he continued "and do you know any more about this so called war?"

She didn't reply. How could she reply without revealing anything? She must keep her self calm and content.

"Lutani?" Azur blocked her from moving forward and stared her dead in the eye. She shifted uncomfortably where she stood, still keeping silent.

"Lutani please, I have the right to know more, I'll be joining hunts soon"

"I'm not telling you anything, I'm sorry Azur but this is were I draw the line. Stop bugging me 'bout it" With these words the two continued down the corridor, leaving muddy paw marks as their tracks.