Dasher turned in alarm to face four snarling dogs. It was Dodger, Sleet, Hail, and Tibetan. Dasher gulped. "Did Sleet and Hail get bigger?" he whimpered to Lucy. The lab nodded.
"Probably- they're one of the younger dogs, still growing. Sword only kept them around because he knows how powerful they will become." Oh, that's just great.
Dodger stepped forward, and Dasher could see the unstable gleam in his eyes. Drool dripped from his jaws and he snarled. "What are you doing on our territory?" he snarled. "Sneaky foxes, thought we wouldn't catch you?" Pumpkin stepped up.
"We were just leaving, Dodger. We needed to retrieve a lost pup." Pip whimpered. Lucy circled the dogs together as Pumpkin talked.
"On my signal, run," she whispered fiercely.
"If he was on our territory, that means he would have been our responsibility," Tibetan pointed out, tossing his head arrogantly. That poodle just can't get enough of himself.
"Nobody asked you," Dodger snapped, flicking drool everywhere. Tibetan let out a whine, then cleared his throat as he tried to cover it up. The golden retriever turned back towards Pumpkin. "We don't tolerate intruders, Pumpkin. Especially not murderers." Lucy flicked her ear just as Dodger howled, "Attack!" Dasher didn't need to see the signal twice. He ran, paws pounding the earth. He only looked back once to make sure Pumpkin was following. Dodger was relentless, but eventually the patrol lost him and his dogs.
"That was a close one," Lucy whined.
"Yeah, too close," Cookie growled, placing down Pip. He had been the one to carry the pup. "I think they snapped off some of my tail fur."
"My legs feel like they're going to fall off!" Popper complained.
"Well, we're not at camp yet," Pumpkin panted. "Streak, go run ahead and warn Flash please. Tell him to send out another patrol." The greyhound nodded, and dashed away.
More slowly, they made their way back to camp. They met Boots on guard. "You're lucky you didn't have to fight them," he woofed. "Dodger is cruel." I can believe that for sure.
The moment they stepped into camp, they were swarmed by the other dogs asking what happened.
"Who was there?"
"Is anyone hurt?"
"How far into their territory did you go?"
"Look at the cute puppy!"
"Great, another mouth to feed!"
"As if this isn't bad enough! Now Sword has another reason to attack us!"
"Silence!" Flash howled. The dogs quickly quieted, backing down submissively. "For now, we will address the immediate situation. Streak, can you take-"
"Pip," Dasher barked. Flash turned his eyes on him, making Dasher feel suddenly shy and he looked at his paws. "His name is Pip." Flash nodded.
"Take Pip to be with Lincoln. I will lead a patrol myself to the border to see if Sword will strike. But first I must speak with Pumpkin, the patrol leader. Once I leave Trip will be in charge, and if it's safe when I return, a hunting patrol will go out. Everyone be on high alert," he finished. The Alpha nodded to Pumpkin, and she followed him towards his den. Before he had a chance to overthink it and back down, Dasher ran towards Flash.
"Flash! I mean, er, Alpha! I need to talk to you!" he barked. Flash sighed.
"Talk to Frost or Trip, please. Can't you see I'm busy?" Dasher glanced at Pumpkin, and she tipped her head to one side, curious.
"I know," Dasher whined. "But this is important. I need to go to the place of Trickster's death." Flash pricked his ears.
"Now? Do you know how dangerous that is? It's on Sword's territory!"
"I know that. But I think we both know that we need to figure out the murderer soon. We can't delay any longer!" Dasher rest his pleading eyes on the German shepherd lab.
"Oh, alright," Flash finally growled, digging his claws into the ground. "You may leave after I get back." Then he turned away without another word. Dasher stepped away, head reeling. Standing up to Pumpkin is one thing. Going into Sword's territory is another. I don't think I'm going to reach that level of braveness anytime soon.
Dasher shook is head with a growl. But the sooner I find out who murdered Trickster, the sooner I can return to my peaceful life as a lone dog. The Dalmatian ran a tongue over his teeth. But is that what I really want?
Sorry for the short chapter! There will only be a few chapters after this, the book will come to a close at either chapter twelve or fourteen.
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Murder in the Flames
Narrativa generaleA Dog Was Murdered In Cold Blood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ During a fire that raged through most of the city, a Wolfdog named Sword's brother was murdered. His death was covered up by the fire, but his murder was discovered anyway. Sword, leader of a pack...
