Dawn creeped into the forest the sun just rising giving warmth to the land that lay below it, the birds singed their songs and the trees rustled with the grass. The mountains stood still looking mighty as ever in the sun`s rays. A large clearing with dens and a hill was greeted by the warmth.
A wolf sat at the entrance of the hill in the middle of the surrounding dens. looking at the sunrise then at the dens below, the dens were silent but a few other wolves patrolled the area, wearing their armor. The wolf Yawned, shaking his glistening white fur, he blinked his brown eyes showing a small spark, his black tipped ear flicked, enjoying the warmth.
"Charlie?" a voice called from within the den, Charlie got up and stretched his muscles with old scars from battles even he could not remember. He walked back into the cave shaking his head once more "yes my love" he asked a she wolf sat looking at him. "you know you won`t get anything done if you just sit there" she said in a calm and friendly tone, Charlie nodded " the parade is only 17 years away there is no need for me to plan it" Charlie said, he got up and walked to the entrance and sat again looking at the dens below as more wolves walked out. It wasn't long before his mate joined "don't you dare think you can just walk and enjoy the sun by yourself" she said teasingly Charlie laughed" I wouldn't dare Chelsea love" he said back, he licked her.
A wolf walked to Charlie wearing armor that had a crest on the helm " hello father" the wolf said, Charlie nodded his head "morning" Charlie said "any trouble Dagger" he asked, Dagger nodded "a fight happened last night between Redgy and Bax, one of our patrols found another scent that was related to the last one from last week, oh and crow is on his way here apparently" Dagger said in a formal tone, Charlie growled i would like to know who keeps coming into our territory the other clans are also getting the same sent...this troubles me and other leaders" Charlie said, he started to walk down hill and beckoned Dagger to follow.
They walked along the packs territory in silence, Dagger kept sniffing the air while Charlie marked the trees. they came to a couple of boulders, they decided to rest there, Charlie fell fast asleep while Dagger yawned under the warmth of the sun it was a quiet day, as usual. Charlie woke up and then they carried on their way, at about sun high they reached their final destination. "looks like Sharpfang and Ferdail started early" Dagger said, he was tired and hungry, all he wanted was to eat then sleep but as the delta of the clan he could not sleep he had responsibilities to handle, Charlie stopped and sniffed the air, he turned and stood at the border Dagger walked slowly to Charlies side "what`s wrong?" Dagger asked, Charlie nodded forward "Its Crow" Charlie said, he crouched low stalking forward, Dagger followed in pursuit, they stalked towards a bush Dagger could hear the wolves up ahead chattering away but he couldn`t quit make it out. Charlie sprang forward landing on top of a wolf that was as black as the night sky.
Dagger was confused he sprang forward and landed square on his feet looking for a challenger but none came except all the wolves were barking and laughing in excitement as Charlie got off a furious wolf. Charlie barked in a friendly way but the black wolf growled but then they both started laughing. "Aye Charlie ya` playin' dat way again eh?" The wolf asked then Dagger started to understand His father and Alpha Crow were very close friends 'so this must be Crow' Dagger thought he had only seen Crows Betas that usually have Messages or reports.
"ill never forget da day you went runnin` from me father cuz you accidently vomitted on his armor" Crow laughed as well did Charlie. they were on their way back to the dens, Dagger didn`t speak much on the way except with a female wolf called Shera who was Crows pup they talked mostly about the land and each other Dagger noticed that Crow looked back for a 6th time, he was starting to wonder if Crow doesn`t like him.
They reached the den by noon, a pup only 12 months old ran up to Dagger wagging her tail "Dagger! You`re back!" she barked, Dagger was bowled over by the pup, he rolled over as she got off him, he shook his fur from the dust Chelsea came outside the den and nipped the pup, the pup whined and bent low "what have i told you about running around like that Lunis!" Chelsea growled but low, the pup sat up "not to " she said Chelsea nodded and then licked the pups ear.
By about moonrise Charlie invited crow over for Dinner, eight deer were dragged onto the stone, with pheasant birds dropped on each side, Charlie and crow took 2 Pheasants and sat on top of a short stone hill royal wolf guards followed them and stood out of hearing range. Charlie was looking at all the wolves below "so what is it that you would like to discuss?" Charlie asked, Crow scratched his ear. "well, I'm here to ask you if you have heard anything of or from the clans Hong, Liloco and Randei?" Crow asked, Charlie nodded he didnt hear anything about those 3 clans for a month now "why?" he asked Crow looked down in disappointment i havent heard anything from the southern cost clans besides Foxo, they said that there was smoke in Randeis side of the border and that their patrols have spotted some of the wolves looking skinny, tired and full of battle wounds" Crow said.
Charlie thought for a moment, "I'm looking for more warriors to fight for the clan ever since the unknown scent showed up...maybe when I've trained a couple hundred more then maybe i can send an expedition to the south to see what's happening" Charlie said, he sat up, Crows ears perked up. "I can send some of my warriors to join your expedition, Crow said lifting his head with pride, Charlie nodded.
Crow and Charlie walked down to the others that were mingling and talking about rumor's. As soon as they saw the two alphas the warriors and other wolves said their goodbyes and the Tridal wolves left to go to the visitors den. Charlie went to his den Chelsea was busy telling Their pup Lunis a story, Charlie laid down in the soft large leaves and moss, he was tired and his eyes were drooping, Chelsea walked in and licked Charlies ear " A long day?" she asked, Charlie nodded "Not really, just tired I guess" fell deep in sleep.
Charlie watched as The Tridal wolves left the dens, he already said bye to crow. Charlie sighed and he walked back into the den Dagger was sitting at the entrance patiently waiting "Morning my dear Delta " Charlie said, Dagger bent his head down in respect "we have interesting news" Dagger said, Charlie sat in front of Dagger. Daggers fur was ruffled all over "For wolf gods sake what happened to you!" Chelsea yelped in surprise, Dagger had a wound on his shoulder, Charlie kept silent as Chelsea disappeared in the den, "a group of wolves jumped us" Dagger said, Charlie didn't move "Do you know who?" He asked carefully.
Chelsea trotted back out the den this time with another wolf that had a leaf with spiderweb and moss inside Dagger winced as the medi wolf dabbed the moss "No but they had the same scent as the intruders" Dagger said in a forced tone, Charlie got up and left, he had no choice. "tell all the patrols to stay alert" Charlie ordered.
Dagger walked from the Alpha dens, he walked past other dens and wolves and a couple of pups that played under the watch of a she wolf and guard. He came to a halt to scratch behind his ear and carried on, he was heading to Ironpacks Territory that supplies most of the iron armor and weapons for the clan. the borders are a few kilometers from the main dens, it was a massive hill that had a huge mouth that was the entrance two guards stood at the entrance they glanced at Dagger but made no attempt to question him. Inside mage wolves and semi wolves were forging armor and claws, Dagger went to a massive muscular wolf " Beta Metal fur how do you do?" Dagger asked, the wolf turned "Delta Dagger, always good to see you, I'm doing fine, the new armor set is almost ready" Beta Metalfur said, he`s fur was almost the same color as metal his eyes had a glint like flint in the caves mouth.
Dagger followed Metal fur into a cave mouth where the iron was smelted. they went down a couple stone steps into a room that had some old and new armor Dagger could only smell damp air, looked at some old weapons like the small sword, it was one of the heaviest of all weapons but assassin wolves know how to wield these ancient weapons, Metalfur walked up to a wall with armor, he whispered a small spell and the armor immediately floated in the air and attached itself to Metalfur's torso, Metal fur set his head into a hollow rock and a helmet attached itself.
The armor was a perfect way to protect wolves from Metal claws and teeth but could not protect all the parts of the wolfs body like the throat, belly, muzzle, legs, tail and ears. Dagger walked forward, impressed. "not bad it covers most of the head now" Dagger said , the armor this time protected the muzzle it in fact covered most of Metalfurs head, it also protected the chest with strong and flexible leather "Its light, but the helm is still easy to slice though with the right amount of force, you can still see around through the sockets the leather wont block a power hit but will hold against some impact and we did manage to make a pouch holder on the side here" Metalfur said and pointed to the two hooks on the side of the armor "good work, I like it, how many more can you make?" Dagger asked, Metalfur sighed we've made 100 in about a year but if we can receive more resources at once well be able to make 500 or more in a year" Metalfur said.
Dagger walked upstairs with Metalfur " Ill try and get the omega miners to mine more iron, maybe that will help" Dagger said hopefully. Metalfur nodded in agreement and satisfaction. They walked back up to the entrance and both nodded their goodbye's before Dagger turned around.
Dagger walked away from the Ironpacks Territory and headed back to his own, he wished that he could sleep but his days were always long and busy, he had the responsibility to help the alpha of the clan to keep order in the clan and it is hard since there was over 69 packs in the clan. Each pack had their own alphas that were known as Betas to the clan. Dagger made it to the borders and was surprised to see two wolves patrolling the one wolf was small but looked fierce with his muscular legs and black coat the other wolf had a rusty brown color and didn't look threatening at all. "Delta Dagger" the brown wolf said, Dagger nodded "Ferdail, Sharpfang" he greeted back, Dagger sat down "Any reports?" He asked Ferdail laid down and started licking himself "not much" Sharpfang answered, they all then sat down as they started cleaning their armor.
After a few more moments after cleaning they all got up "ok well its about time we head back" Dagger said, they patroled the borders in silence. Dagger stopped and sniffed the air for any intruders but instead smelled, 'dog?' Dagger was worried and confused dogs were more to the south , so what was a dog doing here. Dagger caught something else 'wolf' Dagger could smell atleast two wolves but couldnt make out what clan it was. He signalled silverfang to stalk in the brush and Ferdail to tag along with Dagger, they walked for a few minutes it wasnt long before they could smell fresh blood Dagger started to run as the blood scent grew stronger, a few bushes up ahead made him stop he crouched before leaping over, there was a dog laying dead on the ground before him, cuts all over his legs and a slit in the dpgs neck was easily noticeable, 'this is a assassins handiwork' Dagger sniffed the air hoping to track down the assassin but became empty pawed.
But suddenly there was a rustle behind him and a whooshing sound came right next to Daggers ear, dropping down Dagger rolled sideways only to be jumped on. Dagger kicked out and the weight flew off him. Ferdail jumped out and stood on Daggers left side snarling the attacker wasted no time and sprung forward. Dagger noticed a glint and shoved Ferdail aside and ducked as the short sword went by above him. Before Dagger could make a move a loud bark came from the trees. "That's enough Redfur!" The bark came. A wolf with red coloured fur jumped down and pinned the attacker down. Dagger sniffed the wolf and felt confused "Redtail??" He asked. The wolf looked up "Yeah?" He asked. Dagger shook his head and looked at the wolf who was pinned "Oh that must be Redfur." Dagger asked. Redtail nodded "Indeed he is." He said with a growl.