Wolf Saga: The Secret

Chapter 8

"She's dead... wasn't she?" came Rainshadow's hesitant voice. "She was stabbed by that fang, in the heart." Blizzardstar evaluated the pup grimly, who was shivering in confusion.

"The fang, where is it now?" Windheart asked. "What did Blizzardstar- er, Swanpelt, do with it?"

"It's gone," Blizzardstar replied softly. "I- she- took it back to the Dark Pack, but after Frostfeather's burst of magic, it was destroyed- disintegrated, most likely, but we can't be sure." Kestrelwing stumbled toward Frozenpup, and sniffed her pelt. The pup obediently lay down, letting him feel her flank.

"She's breathing, and seems to be in perfect health," Kestrelwing reported. "I thought she was dead too..." He broke off, and suddenly hurried into his den, emerging later with a mouthful of dripping moss and a bundle of herbs. He squeezed the water onto Frozenpup, and the dirt washed away after some vigorous rubbing.

"W-where is the puncture wound?" Rainshadow asked again. "Check her chest, that's where she was stabbed." Kestrelwing turned the pup over, and gently stroked one paw over her chest. He shook his head, indicating that the fur and flesh were completely healed. Frostfeather stepped forward, and gently breathed a fine cloud of sparkling mist over the pup, somehow, she knew that this would tell them. A fine white mark appeared on the pup's chest, shaped in the image of the dreaded eagle's claw.

"Healing powers... I forgot," Blizzardstar whispered. "The royal family of Sirapis had a rather remarkable talent of healing wolves in one major blast of magic, though it took deep concentration and a large amount of talent to pull it off." Frostfeather dipped her head in embarrassment, and noticed Lichenflower out of the corner of her eye, gazing fixatedly at her, pride gleaming in her gaze. However, as soon as Frostfeather noticed the look, it was gone, replaced by her usually vacant stare.

"Frozenpup, are you ok?" whispered Owlheart, hope gleaming in her gaze. "Kestrelwing, will she be all right? I thought for sure she was dead... but with strange forces at work, I just don't know anymore!" Frostfeather felt a stab of pity for the resilient queen, coping with her longing while still holding on to reasoning. Kestrelwing nodded, and Owlheart stumbled forward, touching noses with the pup. Frostfeather let out a sigh of gratitude at the queen's faith, for it was herself that had healed her pup. Something felt wrong, though, something that would disturb the joyous moment... Frostfeather called upon her power hesitantly, and then she felt a rush of panic as Frozenpup trundled over to the entrance, barking happily as she dashed around Owlheart, who was gazing at the young pup fondly. Frozenpup paused at the entrance to the camp, taking a break, then a heavy paw thumped into her back. Suddenly, several things happened at once; every wolf fell to the ground, spasming in agony, and the camp was instantly shrouded in darkness. A dark whirlwind glided soundlessly into the clearing, and as soon as it touched the ground. A white pelt gleamed out of the darkness, and black wings unfurled from its back. Frostfeather shook off the shaking that seemed to control her whole body, and peeled her lips back in a snarl- it was Swanpelt.