Dolore Pacem

Chapter One

This is a time when the lives of five Canora depended on the ability to escape the fighting rinks that they were caged in. Selten, Barghest, Enebriel, Montana, and Cruor were being held captive by humans. The need to escape the fighting rinks became imperative as ever when Selten, a female, became pregnant. The conception of the idea of "Dolore Pacem" had not yet begun, but it can be seen in the strength of one.

The rancid stench of blood and the metallic taste of metal lingered against the bleak, wooden boxes haphazardly situated in the corner. The wood was cracking, rotting from the constant stress of brutes pummeling it. The dirt floor was flooded with lakes of crimson, drowning creatures in their sorrow. The room rang with whimpers of pain and fear along with snarls of rage and challenge.

Canines, various in shapes and sizes, were packed into a small holding room. Just outside was a fight rink littered with the smell of sweat and alcohol where the roars and rallied cries of humans boomed. Many of the domestic dogs huddled into the back of their cages, curling around themselves for warmth and comfort. A few wolves were stalking, pacing inside their small cages with angry fangs snapping.

In the very corner were Canora, a genetically altered wolf with strong, angular back legs, increased agility, and menacing statute. Their horns and scales gleamed under the dim lights flickering above them. Three adults were sitting close to the bars of their cages, flicking their tongues in quick conversation with one another. In another cage was a young Canora and pup, entangled with one another to ward off the fear and hunger.

A mated pair, Selten and Barghest, argued quickly. Their pace was rushed, forced as the screams and cheers of the humans outside erupted in chaos. They knew that one competitor had won at their enemy's demise. Barghest, a black male Canora littered with dark horns and accented with tapered, bright green scales, lashed his tail desperately. He pleaded with Selten, gritting his fangs.

"Selten, something is different about this fight. The humans were sloppy this time. They left Montana and Cruor's cage open. They can free us."

Selten shook her head disapprovingly, sadly. She glanced over at the adolescent Montana and the pup, Cruor, with a longing gaze. Montana was young yet with her dark brown body just recently sporting fully grown horns and an extra pair of front legs. Cruor was only a small red pup without horns or scales, where soft green accents in his fur gave hint to his growing. Selten remained strong and firm to her mate, extending her neck and tail in resolution.

"The human guarding the opening to the rink will see Montana move regardless of the color of her fur. We cannot risk the lives of children to free us, Barghest." Selten stated.

Selten at her full height and prowess was magnificent. Her dusty pink overcoat and white underbelly were layered with soft red swirls that were elegant and enticing. She was powerful with many large, tapered horns and scales that ran down her legs in a cadence of gray and baby blue. Although what was most impressive was her large belly plump with pups and a promise of life.

"Selten, we'll be endangering freshly born pups if we don't ask them to try. I realize that I'm biased, but the last pups born in this place were thrown to their prized fighters as dessert. Selten, we were lucky Cruor was spared because of their obsession with us. But their interest is fading, quickly," Barghest forced the words from his mouth fast and hard, his body rigid with near-frantic pressure.

Selten glanced over to the third adult Canora, Enebriel. He was massive, brutish, and dark with a dabbled coat that resembled burning coals. His two tails and large horns were thick, inviting fear, along with the four sets of eyes which gazes flicked back and forth beneath Selten and the pups.

"They are your siblings, Enebriel. It is your decision and not my place, but I do not want to put them in danger. Spare them." Selten urged.

Enebriel tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. His forehead wrinkled in conflict as he stared at his siblings huddling for warmth. Montana wrapped her tail around Cruor, shrinking away from the argument ripping through her emotions unforgivingly. Enebriel opened his mouth, letting soft words fall over his lips. Although menacing and daunting from his stature, Enebriel was soft and silken in his heart.