Murder in the Flames

Chapter Fifteen- The Trial

Everyone was dumbstruck when Pumpkin and Dasher returned limping with Oz. Nobody could wrap their head around it at first, but the evidence was clear. Dasher lay next to Pumpkin, panting, barking in gratitude as Lucy and Cookie brought them each their own rabbit.

"You're heroes!" Lucy barked. "You caught the murderer!"

"Thanks, but it was all Pumpkin. I'd be dead if she hadn't shown up," Dasher barked, wincing at his stinging wounds. After this is over, I'm going to take a long nap. I need some time to heal. Dasher glanced at his flanks. Looks like I'll have a few battle scars!

"Not true at all!" Pumpkin yapped, licking his nose. "You're the one who figured out it was Oz!"

"Stop arguing!" Lucy laughed. Dasher glanced over at Oz, who was lying down in the dirt. He was surrounded by a snarling Jessica, Boots, Trip, and Sunny. Flash, Streak, and Sam went off to tell Sword.

"Dasher! Pumpkin!" yelped Mikee and Sadie, bouncing over to them.

"You saved the day! You saved the day!" the little white Pomeranian howled.

"Do you need us to get anything for you? Some wet moss? Bones?" Mikee asked.

"Thank you, but we just had rabbit, we're fine!" Pumpkin barked. She looked down at the pile of bones by her paws, and nudged it over to the two little dogs. "There's some meat left, if you'd like to have it," she offered. The two dogs barked happily, devouring the scraps. There was a loud howl, causing every dog to look towards the sound.

Dasher was not surprised by what he saw, and quickly stood up. Sword was stalking angrily into the clearing, followed by Flash, Streak, Sam, and the rest of Sword's pack. Even Fairy. Dasher caught her eye, and nodded. She nodded back. The dogs guarding Oz quickly stepped back. Sword snarled, and Oz whimpered, crouching down. The collie had once been so proud, but now he was cowering like a pup about to be scolded by their mother.

"So," Sword snarled. "You are the one who killed my brother. Can't say I'm that surprised, you always were a little proud," he spat, voice drenched in venom. Dasher even felt a little afraid. The Wolfdog's controlled anger was even scarier then his crazy angry. "I debated what to do with you on my way here," Sword growled, then stepped back with a sigh. Dasher pricked his ears, curious.

"I realize now that killing you on the spot would make me no better than you. And I admit that my grief has caused problems for both our packs. So, I think it would be unfair for just me to decide what to do with you. I think we will hold a trial. Flash, what do you think?" Sword asked, addressing the other Alpha politely, first time Dasher had ever seen him do it.

"I agree," Flash rumbled, dipping his head. Flash and Sword muttered together for a few minutes, then barked out some instructions. When they finished, Flash and Sword sat together, facing Oz. The rest of the dogs circled around them, penning Oz in. The tricolored collie glanced around nervously.

"Oz," Sword boomed. "Has been accused of murdering Trickster, my brother. Then, he was accused of trying to then kill Dasher and Pumpkin. Oz, how do you plead?" Oz ducked his head.

"Guilty," he whined.

"At least he's honest," Peanut Butter muttered.

"So you have killed my brother, Trickster. What were your motives?" Sword asked. Oz perked up, surprised.

"It's a long story," Oz barked. "But I'll make it short, if you'll listen."

"That's what I just asked," Sword growled. "So spill it."

"I killed Trickster out of revenge. Although he didn't remember me, I remembered him. He killed my mother and father while trying to kill their sheep," Oz barked. Sword raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know that Trickster did this. This is news to me, but that is not the point," Sword barked. He looked troubled now, but continued strongly. "However, murdering him was not a good response to this. Would your mother and father dog be proud? I don't think so, because they sounded like dogs of honor," Sword growled. Oz pinned his ears back.

"We will now decide upon your punishment," Flash barked. "We are open to suggestions." Immediately, dogs began barking.

"One at a time! One at a time!" Sword howled. "Bone, you were first. What do you suggest?"

"We kill him. Blood for blood," he snarled. Dogs responded with strong barks of opposition, but a few supported Bone.

"The majority has spoken, you will not be killed," Sword boomed. Oz blinked, relief showing in his brown eyes.

"I have a suggestion," Derek barked. Oh please, not him. Why does he get a say? Derek paused dramatically, making sure every dog was listening. "We could wound him, give him a scar that will show everyone he's a murderous traitor." Dogs began nodding and muttering.

"Thank you for that suggestion, Derek," Flash barked. "We will vote. Dogs, please sit if you'd like Oz to be scarred, please remain standing if you don't think he should be." Dasher remained standing, so did Pumpkin and Lucy.

"There's been enough bloodshed already," Pumpkin murmured. Dasher agreed. As Flash and Sword counted, Dasher surveyed his surrounding. The dogs looked pretty evenly matched. Bone spat something at his sister, who was standing, but otherwise the dogs were silent.

"We have counted," Sword finally boomed, making every dog jump. "Oz will not be scarred." He seemed a little disappointed as he barked this. Dasher let out a breath of relief, but some dogs barked in protest.

"I have a suggestion," Lucy barked. Dasher looked at her in surprise. "I think Oz should be exiled, never to return." Flash and Sword looked like they approved of this, though Sword still looked disappointed that he wouldn't be able to bite Oz.

"Thank you for your suggestion, Lucy," Flash rumbled. "Please sit if you think Oz should be exiled, please stand if you think Oz should suffer a different fate." Dasher sat down, as did many of the dogs. It was obvious that Oz was going to be exiled, so Flash and Sword didn't count.

"The majority of the vote states that Oz will be exiled!" Sword howled. Sword sprang forward, grabbing Oz roughly by the scruff. Dogs barked and yelped, jumping up and down and all about. "Whoever wants to come with me, let's go! Oz will never set a filthy paw in our territory ever again!"

"Come on," Pumpkin barked. Dasher followed her, as the dogs barked and prodded the collie forward. They stopped at the edge of their territory, howling at Oz until he was out of sight. When the treacherous collie was gone, a sense of relief washed over Dasher, and he closed his eyes blissfully.

He felt a wet tongue on his cheek, and he opened his eyes to see Pumpkin. "We did it, Dasher! We found the murderer, and now we can finally live peacefully!"

"Dasher," barked Flash. Dasher looked over as the German shepherd lab padded over. "You have successfully fulfilled your end of the deal. You may leave now, or, we'd be happy to have you in our pack," he rumbled.

Dasher opened his mouth, panting, tongue lolling and tail wagging happily. "I'd love to be part of this pack, Alpha, if you'll have me." Flash nodded. Yelping happily, Lucy and Pumpkin tackled him, covering him in licks. Dasher growled playfully. The sting of his wounds because of these actions was nothing compared to the warm feeling in his heart. This is where I'm meant to be- I'm sure of it now. These dogs are my family, no matter how annoying some of them are, and I'll never leave them, no matter what. 

The end! But stayed tuned for the epilogue and an alternative ending.