Redstorm's Shadow

Chapter One

"Wolves of the Black Forest," hissed Brackenclaw. "We are at war." The young wolf leader paced the Tall Rock in frustration. Harsh overhead light painted him in the dark shadows, making his fox-coloured fur turn into a brand of fire. Below him, in the colder parts of the shade, the warriors from Thorn Pack, Frost Pack and Fire Pack watched intently as the leader lashed his tail in fury. Above the dark ginger wolf, a proud circle of vines rose up to create the ceiling of the Wolf Court, supported by the roots of the Black Forest. Below the Tall Rock, the great chamber of the Court was filled with warriors. At the front of the clamour stood his greatest supporters, Frostpelt and his dog pack from the Half Woods, and the wolves from Scar Pack. Judging by their stiff posture and the small twitch of their bushy tails, the Black Forest wolves were listening. The newer wolves, the ones that had only just joined a few months ago, silently watched slack-jawed at Brackenclaw. After nearly a century of keeping to themselves, all the wolves within the Court wouldn't have taken the sight of a new leader well, but they were willing to listen to anyone who could save the Black Forest clan. "Fifty centuries ago, the Silver Wolf rewrote the laws of Wolf Tongue," Brackenclaw continued. "With her cunning, she forced the clans to separate, instead of being whole. Our ancestors almost went extinct fighting each other then, and now that the Silver Wolf has mustered her armies again, she will turn the Black Forest into a lifeless hell, forever." As the Scar Pack leader finished that sentence, the dogs that had followed Brackenclaw to the Wolf Court watched silently for the clan's reaction. This wolf pack had not seen the Silver Wolf's power, and as such was shaken from this turn of events. The dogs from the west side of the Black Forest wore expressions of self-pity on their muzzles. "This is a time for strategy," Brackenclaw explained. "The Silver Wolf has sworn revenge on the clans ever since she learned of our existence, and has decided to conquer you all...or destroy you." He gravely looked at each of his warriors and dipped his broad head solemnly, his amber eyes glittering with concern. This last bit was only half true. None of the wolves could know about the Silver Wolf's connection to them, or that she used to belong to the Realm of Light, the spirits of their warrior ancestors that wrote the laws of Wolf Tongue. And if they knew her plot was to stop the wolves from joining again, some would be tempted to side with her army. There were very few warriors that loathed the other packs, even in these times of peace. "Scar Pack is here to help you in any way we can," Brackenclaw added. "Like the new dog pack from the border of the Half Woods, who have sacrificed much to reason with your army, we are ready." The ginger wolf nodded toward them. In the pause that followed, the Packs from the different sides of the Forest looked impressed. Even Patchsky of Thorn Pack, the most arrogant wolf Brackenclaw had ever seen, had to resist the urge to caterwaul their victory. "It's easy to waste your time telling us about battle," a scathing voice hissed in the shadows. The wolves parted to let Knifestorm, a black apprentice from Fire Pack, shoulder her way through the crowded Wolf Court. "But what about the rest of us? Maybe some of the warriors have better things to worry about than a war!" "You are already involved," Brackenclaw snarled. "Whether you wish it or not, all of you will do your part in the battle. Soon the Black Forest will be overrun by our ancient enemies, and there will be no protecting it…" "And whose fault would that be?" sneered Knifestorm. "We wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn't been busy dragging us out here. Let your noble warriors fight with you, not us!" Her argument brought several hisses of assent from her allies. Knifestorm spat the word "warriors" like a taunt. Dapplewhisker, a senior warrior and number one in Scar Pack, rounded on her with his back arched and ears flattened, ready for a fight. "How dare you!" the gray warrior yowled. "Brackenclaw's done more for your army than anyone! For years he's protected you and hunted for you, and you repay him like this? You would die without his present leadership." Dapplewhisker was the eldest warrior in the whole clan, but he spoke with such clarity and emotion that he looked as fierce as his leader himself. "Real wolves love battle," Patchsky added with a glare at Knifestorm. "Brackenclaw is just giving you a chance to prove your loyalty for this cause." Knifestorm glowered at the young warrior. "Are you accusing me of disloyalty?" she hissed. "No warrior has ever said that to my face and gotten away with it. If I was leader of the Black Forest, I'd show you a thing or two." "If only you knew a thing or two," Dapplewhisker spat back. Brackenclaw took this as an opportunity to speak. "Enough! There will be no shedding blood right now, Dapplewhisker. Not while we have sworn peace under the full moon." He watched as the gray wolf dipped his head respectfully at his leader's frosty gaze, but still kept his aqua eyes on Knifestorm. Knifestorm hissed at Brackenclaw, but before the half-breed could continue, a timid voice at the back of the Wolf Court spoke up. "But what if some of us are not battle ready, or have no experience with war?" Brackenclaw found the small tortoiseshell wolf within mere seconds. He beamed at her. "It takes more than strength to win a battle, Whitecloud. We will need everybody's help to win this fight – healers to treat the sick and a few brave warriors that will stay behind to guard the clan." He twitched his whiskers at Whitecloud, who returned a shy smile. "That's sweet," Knifestorm scoffed dryly. "But if the Silver Wolf controls all the other clans, then she's already won." "If my warriors thought that," Brackenclaw hissed, "then we would not have called this meeting. The Black Forest provides excellent shelter for all of you. Once our word is spread throughout the Forest, it won't be long before the clan is full of powerful warriors from every pack." Knifestorm looked sceptical, but made no further argument. The wolves around her all clamoured with excitement until Brackenclaw twitched his whiskers for silence. "I have sent three of the strongest warriors to defend the Forest," he explained, looking down at the packs. "I will lead Frostpelt's dog army and Dapplewhisker his warriors from the Northern Territory. Patchsky, you are ready for your first patrol, so you can lead the wolf clans." Brackenclaw waited until the general clamour had died down before he continued. "At all costs, these commanders shall work together," he caterwauled. "I have ensured my council that the Forest will be protected even at the cost of my warrior's lives." He cast a dirty look at Knifestorm before adding: "The Silver Wolf could attack at any moment. We must be united if we are to survive. I ask you to trust each other and let go of your fears. If we don't have this trust, then even the powers of the four clans combined will not be enough to stop us from falling under the Silver Wolf's command. Scar Pack is very proud to lead you, and will help you in any way possible." The great wolf paused to let that sink in, and then added, "You may leave now." The wolves of the Black Forest raced toward the Twin Oaks, their pelts snagging on thorns as they slipped through the undergrowth.

A minute later, Dapplewhisker was back in the Wolf Court with Frostpelt and Brackenclaw. The wolf leader was lying on the tangle of vines that wove around the threshold, Frostpelt sitting regally at his side. "Her attitude towards the wolf custom," the white warrior hissed. "You should have said something to defend us, Brackenclaw!" Frostpelt was pacing now, his tail thrashing wildly. "I know I am not a pure wolf, but…" "Knifestorm's sourness to the custom is the least of our worry," Brackenclaw spat. "What we need now is to determine our next move. Once we have sent out our best warriors to defend the area and get more allies, what then?" "Frostpelt's dog pack is the best weapon we have against her. If we can send out our fastest wolves into the valley, we will get more forces quickly," Dapplewhisker mused. "That is all well," Brackenclaw agreed. "But we'll need to move our current position very carefully. The Silver Wolf has her lieutenants in every corner of the Forest." "Any of my warriors are capable," growled Frostpelt. "If you give me more time, I can find you the best to protect the Forest." "This is too deep a matter to be settled like this," Brackenclaw said. "As your leader, the final decision about how to assemble this dog pack of yours, and the Pack warriors, should be mine." His eyes finally settled to Dapplewhisker. "Will you allow me to keep this burden?" he asked. After a brief pause, the gray warrior nodded. Satisfied, Brackenclaw squared his powerful shoulders, resolute, and fixed his two fellow wolves with a sad smile. Finally, when the warrior had settled again, he added, "This battle is between the Silver Wolf and me. I ask you to not interfere. Whichever clan wins gets control of all the Black Forest and its centre of power, so do not fail me." "Of course, Brackenclaw," Dapplewhisker promised. Frostpelt nodded his token of duty, and the wolves were released. "We've all been talking about the Forest," Frostpelt said to Dapplewhisker as they padded back to their camp. "And how it can protect us, but your warriors were not exactly pleased when they found they had to fight. Are they afraid of the Silver Wolf?" "My warriors are not cowards," the gray warrior said simply. "But they are afraid of change, and how it will affect them. You've seen how Knifestorm was so against the battle. Her followers might be tempted to side with the enemy." Frostpelt blinked knowingly. "The Silver Wolf will not come after the Forest, as your clan believes, but after your leader. She believes that he is the ultimate threat, Dapplewhisker. This is why Knifestorm is acting the way she is. She is brave; she thinks that a lone wolf can stop this terrible threat, but she is wrong." He paused to look unblinking at a rare full moon in the jet-black sky. "My people are sworn to peace, not war. To journey to the moorland and rally as many wolves as your packs can is not foretold. It will only seal their fate by exposing them to the Silver Wolf's ambitions." "How do you know all this?" Dapplewhisker demanded. Frostpelt turned to him. "The stars told me. And they say that not pursuing the clan's allies will bring them closer to violence with us, if not the Silver Wolf herself. Naturally, she will show herself on the night when the sky is clearest. To fight us for the Forest…" The white wolf shook his head solemnly. Dapplewhisker continued with his companion in thought. He knew he should be relieved, but with the evil Silver Wolf plotting the Forest's end and the deaths of all the wolves that had ever done her wrong, it was hard to imagine happiness. "I hope you are right," the gray wolf sighed.