Wolf
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Post by Wolf on Aug 28, 2005 15:00:37 GMT -5
Okay I'm posting this here because I don't know what category to put this in.....
This is the first chapter in sections of a book I'm writing:
A Journey _____________________
The dense woodland was still. Holding it's breath and waiting. Waiting for the upcoming onslaught that was to change history itself forever.
Wolves stood in a band of fifty staring out into the distance. Looking on at the black mass led by a grizzled wolf by the name of Rueben. He was hated and feared throughout the land killing and gaining power. Rueben chuckled to himself and almost couldn't believe that this pathetic bunch of ' Lone Wolves ' as they called themselves would even dare to face him. How could they be LONE wolves when they were standing in a pack together, he thought viciously. Though he was amused watching them gaze in terror at him and how they shifted nervously in their ranks. How he would love to see them begging for mercy at his feet choking and whining piteously, but then being put to their death with no hope at all of victory. If only it were that simple he thought. But no ...... they had to die noble and without begging at all. Well he'd show them the true meaning of fear. " Lord Rueben," There was no answer, " Um Lord." Rueben remained still. The young wolf looked nervously at Rueben, for he knew what had happened to the others when they had interrupted him. The Wolf shuddered as he remembered the lifeless eyes of his fellow comrades stare up at him from the ground, blood staining their fur. Rueben snapped out of his sick dream and glared viciously at the wolf which was now staring ahead obviously thinking of something else. " Well Snarl what do you want, " Rueben growled dangerously between his unnaturally sharp teeth. Snarl suddenely bowed his head low fearfully before him and started to speak his voice breaking, " My Lord," Snarl started, " The troops are preparing for the upcoming battle as you commanded and I have had word that more packs would like to join your allegiance. " He lifted his eyes to his lords face and saw the pleasure spreading across it. Rueben then turned to face his great army of warriors his own, the Kebel and his black eyes glittered with malice. " We move at dawn," he growled to Snarl and with that Snarl was gone spreading word of the attack. Rueben turned to look out across the open grassland as the wind made it ripple gently to and fro. Making Rueben's scarred grey coat tug this way and that which deeply annoyed him. For he absolutely despised the elements and when he had got his paws on the marked wolf he would make sure the world was his own black swirling fog that sucked the life out of everything. Then Rueben raised his head with a triumphant howl. ______________________________________
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Wolf
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Post by Wolf on Aug 28, 2005 15:01:06 GMT -5
______________________________________ The fifty Lone Wolves stood watching the enemy as they formed a plan of attack. Some shuddered as they heard Rueben's spine chilling unnatural howl. They began to whisper about the legend where with the marked wolf the world would be plunged into eternal darkness and death itself would rule. One wolf called Free Fall started to speak aloud,rousing them from fear of the legend, raising the wolves spirits a little, as they looked at the thousands of Kebel that would be their death. But even though they knew it was hopeless there still flickered a chance of survival and enough time for free remaining packs to live. As night fell across the grassland they were on, the wolves slept fitfully trying to gather as much strength as they could for their last chance at freedom. Airtth captain of the Lone Wolves stood silently under the stars watching the Kebel and silently praying for the courage needed to charge into battle knowing that it would be impossible to defeat an army that size. He gazed sadly around at his comrades feeling the despair and grief in the stillness of the air. His pained thoughts returned slowly to his home and pack but mostly to his mate Merrin. He wondered how she was doing and whether she'd had her cubs yet. Airtth smiled bitterly knowing he might never get to see his cubs or watch them grow or even swell with pride at being a father. But no he had, had it all taken away from him by this threat and if he did not slow this army down then Merrin too, would lay dead an innocent as many others did who refused Rueben's commandment. He suddenly wished he had told her where they were going so she would be prepared to tell their children where he was. A howl rose into the night filled with anger, despair and grief. Airtth howled for all he was worth unleashing his emotions upon the Kebel showing them he was not afraid and was ready to die fighting. One by one the Lone Wolves began to howl sharing the pain and loss of loved ones together. But a new courage was rising in their hearts and they were unafraid. Unafraid of what the morning held instore for them and even unafraid to die. They howled in unison sending mournful but angry howls to the Kebel, some of which whispered in terror to one another. Word of this was sent to Rueben who had heard the howls too and he cut swiftly through the ranks talking harshly about the weakness of fear and what was done by himself to stop it.
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Wolf
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Post by Wolf on Aug 28, 2005 15:01:29 GMT -5
_____________________________________ Dawn came and with it a darkening thundercloud that rumbled and spread itself across the sky. The Kebel grumbled and some swayed gently to and fro with tiredness from the Lone Wolves howling most of the night. As soon as they saw Rueben approach though they quickly stood to attention and bowed their heads low.He looked at them slowly before walking among the rest of the Kebel inspecting and making sure their were no wolves that lacked discipline. They stood in their thousands, eyes trained on their Lord Rueben as he roared, " You have freedom, but the lone wolf scum are demolishing that and they have come to take it. " His lies spread through the Kebel ranks like wild fire ensnaring them. " No mercy shall be given to any wolf who disobeys me! " Then he howled and started to walk along the ranks again. This time though he barked a couple of times and about twenty wolves came to his side including Snarl. " Let the true alleigence commence," he snarled to the group. They then faced the Kebel and began to walk forward. Airtth stood with Free Fall looking on at the Kebel as he heard a few cry out. " Free Fall what can they be doing so close to battle? " He asked. " I do not know my friend, but I can smell battle in the air. It is near," Free Fall turned to face his companion, before shaking his white head sadly. Airtth turned to face the last remaining Lone Wolves and a great triumph rose inside him coursing though his blood and giving him new strength. They were the last hope alive and they were not about to run from battle. Airtth strode along the ranks, " We may die in battle but our spirits shall live on stronger than anything they can do to us. For we are the lone Wolves and are sworn to fight and protect the pack. We shall let it be known to the Kebel that we are not pathetic or weaklings and that we are stronger together than Rueben's army can ever be. So Lone Wolves let us fight for freedom and go down fighting! " A great cheer arose from the lone wolves and they followed Airtth into battle their spirits full of honour as they started loping then broke into a fast run racing closer and closer to the Kebel. Rueben turned around and saw the wolves coming, his eyes widened then narrowed as he growled to the Kebel of whom now each had a livid scar across their cheek as a mark of allegiance. He roared furiously at the wolves and sent twenty of his own in to warm them up. Among the seventy were those who had whispered fearfully the night before and those who had cried out loudly during the mark of alliegence to him. Rueben remembered them well not caring about their deaths but smiling about how the pack would be all the more stronger once they were rid of. The wolves clashed together biting, clawing and gouging each other. Breaking bones and snapping ribs. Airtth tore at a wolf's throat, before lashing out at another. Suddenly a wolf jumped at him from the side knocking him to the ground heavily. Airtth turned and slashed out at the wolfs face as it sliced his shoulder open leaving a gaping wound. He got to his feet quickly smashing a wolves jaw and swung sideways dodging a young Kebel as it fell dead. Airtth ran to Free Fall's aid as a Kebel struck him to the ground.He headbutted a wolf who tried to gouge his stomach and brought his claws and teeth swiftly down, disembowling it. Rueben watched intentively, studying the battle and watching the Lone Wolves as they fought his army bravely dodging, attacking and jumping to avoid injuries. He then turned and looked at Snarl who stood near him. " Snarl, pull the Kebel back, I wish to toy with the Lone Wolves, " Rueben said cruelly. Snarl barked sharply to the fighting Kebel who were now losing dramatically and they fled yelping back up the hill to Rueben. He then roared at the Lone Wolves, " Give in or die, " He smiled flashing his sharp teeth not expecting an answer, but a white wolf stepped up and defiantly looked him in the eye before growling," We would rather die than come into service of you Rueben," Rueben glared viciously at him before having a gleeful look in his eyes. " Oh what a shame wa scawy white wolf has chosen death," he growled in a mock baby voice before continuing dangerously," Pity that lovely white coat you sport will soon be covered in your blood though, " Suddenly Rueben twitched violently and his eyes became clouded over for a moment he let out a strangled whimper before growling desperately, " No get out not yet, I'm just starting, begone demon, " All at once as quick as it had come the thing was gone and Rueben's eyes cleared as he stood panting before the two packs. He raised his head and through a mouth that was not his own he roared," You Free wolves shall have your day and when it comes you shall enter my realm of death and be for ever more plagued by the Werewolves who seek to eat your souls. I place a curse on your packs that one by one you shall die," Rueben tried to shut his jaws but they kept moving in time with his Lord's voice, " Rueben I can feel you trying to block me and for that you must be punished so the one thing worth any pride to you shall be scarred like the rest of your pitiful body," A crazy growl trembled across the ground pounding in the wolves ears, they whimpered and ran blindly towards each other, they clashed again in a desperate fury raking down anything in their way whether it was their own pack or not in an attempt to make the amplified sound stop. The battle raged on until the laughter stopped and the wolves realized what they were doing they managed to attack more clearly and tore at their opponents throats. Airtth ran in a fury striking down Kebel here and there trying in a desperate bid to get to Free Fall who was surround by six of the Kebel attacking from all sides. Free Fall growled trying to jump clear of the group but they clawed him to the ground. The wolves bit down hard cutting Free Fall's growl off. Deciding the job was done the Kebel ran off to fight more of the Lone Wolves. Airtth ran to Free Fall's side and looked down sadly, " Tell Fern I love her Air-, " Free Fall suddenly started coughing violently and his body grew limp. Airtth growled softly before holding up his proud head, " May Fell be with you friend," He growled softly, before dodging just in time as a Kebel hurtled past him. " Pull them back Snarl I did not give orders for them to fight again, " Rueben growled menacingly to Snarl who stood shaking uncertain of what to make of his Lord's performance. He suddenly bounded down towards the battlefield as Rueben threw himself forwards in a frenzy, howling in pain. The Kebel turned towards him as they picked up a dreaded scent, their nostrils flared in fear for Rueben's tail was engulfed in flames. He darted around trying to make it stop then roarded in fury, turned to the heat and started to tear out chunks of grey fur that the fire was starting to lick up hungrily. The surviving Kebel following Snarl back up to the grassy verge, but skidded to a halt as they saw Rueben desperately trying to cool his burning tail. One of the Kebel by the name of Kane roared and threw himself at Rueben finally seeing his chance to claim leadership of the great pack. Rueben saw him coming, forgot the pain of his flaming tail and lunged at the opposing wolf. Kane jumped high in the air, pointing his muzzle down teeth bared and claws spread he landed just short of Rueben who grabbed Kane's throat in his foaming jaws and tossed him easily amongst the kebel. " Finish him, " Rueben spat venemously as the Kebel advanced upon Kane who lay dazed and defencless upon the ground. The Lone Wolves stood breathing heavily, some wounded while others lay dead upon the ground. Airtth was among those standing, he was next to Free Fall who was panting heavily on the grass his eyes growing dim, his white fur staining with blood that spread from a fatal wound in his side. As the last of his life ebbed away Airtth looked down upon his old friend and tears brimmed in his hazel eyes that now bore so much pain. But he could not shed tears for Freefall for no matter how much grief was to be bestowed upon him,... the greatest torment of all.....a wolf cannot cry. His howl mournfully rose for his dead friend before he looked up hazel eyes sparked with anger at Rueben who looked cooly down upon the bloody battlefield. For a moment their eyes locked on to each other. Rueben grinned evily then turned to Snarl," Bring that grey wolf to me, " Snarl turned and looked at the wolf he meant. " Oh and Snarl, " Rueben added, Snarl faced him, " Take six guards with you.." Snarl looked at him curiously, before Rueben added," For safety measures of course!.... Considering we wouldn't want the untrustworthy kebel to die now would we.. he.. he! " Snarl grinned as he realized what Rueben meant, before heading down the hill, six of the wolves who had survived the first strike of battle at his heels. Airtth saw the seven wolves coming towards them. The Lone Wolves closed together as a group facing the enemy and waiting for their remaining captain's command to attack. But Airtth's command did not come as he held his ground waiting to hear what they had to say. The wolves reached them and their leader started to speak. " Lord Rueben wishes to speak with you, " Snarl said coldly his gaze fixed on Airtth. " He is no ' Lord ' and as for his means to speak with me, I would rather die, " Airtth replied his icy tone equally matching Snarl's. " We thought you might say that, " Snarl said slyly and nodded his head towards his guards. They came forward and surrounded Airtth. He launched himself at the unlucky Kebel soldier who came crashing down his ear bloody, as he writhed uncontrollably on the ground blood dribbling out of his mouth adding to the already carnaged, blood stained grass, the other Kebel gaping at him. Snarl quickly shut his open jaws and tried to put an uninterested look on his face but it ended up in a weird twisted half sleepy, half grimace look which resulted in a few deep, throaty growls from The Lone wolves. Snarl quickly hardened his stare again and glared at Airtth who held his gaze forcing him to turn away in submission. Suddenly Airtth had a plan that might have survival involved, he turned to his comrades and threw his head sideways in a gesture. The Lone Wolves nodded and stood solemnly. Snarl looked suspiciously from Airtth to the rest of the wolves but before he could work it out Airtth gave an almighty leap and cleared the group of Kebel pretending to escape but just making sure they could catch up with him. Snarl darted in front of him and the Kebel flanked him as they continued up the hill towards Rueben. Rueben watched the wolf being led to him between his guards and laughed inwardly. Everything was going according to plan apart from the fact that the Lone Wolves were still alive. But he could still delay his plans a little, to toy with these opponents. Just as Rueben was about to walk forward and claim his prize Airtth bit down hard on the kebel in front of him. It shrieked and jumped sideways giving him a clear shot at Rueben. Rueben stopped surprised but he suddenly leapt forward blocking Airtth's escape and faced him. " So ' Airtth Captain of the Lone Wolves ' we meet at last, " Rueben snarled, " You could have accepted me as your Lord and hung your head in defeat, but you have clearly shown that you are going to resist. " " Rueben stop your trickery! " Airtth spat furiously. " You have spread lies across the land of promised freedom and the right to live, but you have killed many innocent creatures and that to me is taking the right away from them. Are they different just because of body shape or intelligence... Tell me! " A few murmers came from the Kebel, nodding their heads in agreement. Rueben saw this and with a roar he struck Airtth to the ground then turned and shouted to the Kebel, " He lies! It was the traitors who did it, The Lone Wolves, they poison the packs with lies that is why they must die, " Airtth got painfully to his feet his left eye seeing dull shapes and then finally nothing. Snarl turned around to see the wolf standing there with four deep scratches across his face. One across his eye that was now just a bloody mess the others along his muzzle and cheek. Snarl yelped and Rueben turned around puzzled at how the wolf was still alive after delivering the death blow to him. Airtth stood shaking as pain errupted in his head but he held his ground lifted his head high and growled proudly, " You shall have your day Rueben when Fell strikes you through the Legend you and all who serve you shall fall and we shall be free once more, " He finished and bore deep into Rueben's eyes. Though Airtth could not see through his blindness in one eye, Snarl's claws came soundly down upon his head. His whole body jolted as he hit the ground again." Good bye Merrin, " he growled softly. His vision swam before his unbloodied eye and he could vaguely hear Rueben talking, but it didn't make any sense. " Kill him, " Rueben sneered then watched as a group of Kebel came forward and started to tear Airtth apart barking and jeering. " Lord they're escaping, " a Kebel shouted looking to where the Lone Wolves were now running. Rueben looked surprised but came back into command and roared to Snarl, " Take fifty West and head them off at the ridge...make sure no wolf lives. " Rueben turned and smiled showing his teeth and rethinking the battle again. This was a glorious day for the Kebel. A new age of wolves strong and fearing no one. He sighed as he thought about all the females that would be his now that the Lone Wolves had 'gone'. Though his stump of a tail was blistered and pained him greatly he wouldn't let that stop him.
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Wolf
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Post by Wolf on Aug 28, 2005 15:01:57 GMT -5
__________________________________________ Merrin licked her son thouroughly before laying down tiredly on the grass outside the den. She gazed down at him as she had done the last eight suns and noticed again how much like Airtth he was. With the same big ears laid back on his head as he slept and unnaturally proud, bushy tail. Even though his eyes were not open yet she doubted that they wouldn't be Airtth's colour, a warm hazel. Her thoughts suddenly drifted to an image of him standing proudly over her and speaking in his warm accent. Tears appeared in Merrin's eyes as she wondered where he was. Fern and Filee were staring into the sky wondering the same thing too, for their brothers Free Fall and Bralin were missing. Merrin thought back to the time when she had last seen him. Which would have been with the Lone Wolves talking about something serious a grave look on their faces. She had been worried at first but Airtth reassured her things were fine, just a disturbance. But now that she thought about it there was a sort of desparate, faraway look in his eyes the odd time she looked into them before facing the ground in submission. as if he knew something terrible was going to happen. Blaze... that was what she was going to call him. The name Airtth had chosen. She nuzzled blaze gently and sighed. Where was he? She loved and relied on him for food so her milk would be rich for her cubs. Merrin looked around at all the other females, Brushtail, Filee, Fern, Kaila and Fir, who lay around the bank near the tiny trickling stream that ran through the shaded clearing they were harbouring in. But she had only had Blaze and herself to look after but now without a male leader they would have to pull together as a family. Blaze was special though and she knew it, his fine features and the strange mark on him. It was a white patch of fur on his cheek that was split in to four lines one going across his left eye. the others ran down his muzzle and across his cheek. Maybe it would go away she thought looking down at him as he slept peacefully, unaware of what was going on beyond his mother's side. Merrin looked up as she heard shouts from the other females around her. A wolf was running at full speed towards them through the trees. As it came closer she noticed deep scratches down his back, and for a moment thought it was Airtth and growled to him. But he ran straight over to Filee as they whined and rubbed together affectionately. Merrin could see the loving look on Bralin's face and gazed down sadly a hint of jealeously threatening to engulf her but she roughly pushed it aside. Instead she looked at Blaze who snuffled around blindly oblivious to everything around him. The she-wolves sat in a semi-circle listening in horror to Bralin as he retold the battle quickly and Airtth's sacrifice for the Lone Wolves and the ambush at the valley. But then his face became serious and he told them about Rueben's progress through the land," Listen to me everyone you have to leave now, Rueben is only two suns away from here, " he paused looking around and suddenly gasped as his eyes laid rest on Blaze. " The legend, " he growled disbelievingly. The other she-wolves gasped and looked first at Merrin then to Blaze who suddenly got up and though still blind, stood on his wobbly legs, yawned and sniffed around the grass. Blaze then cocked his ears forward and to Merrin's surprise he pounced in the grass. She quickly trotted over to him and realized that a big, black beetle was trapped under his paws. Kaila ran to see what was wrong and looked fearfully at Blaze who still held the wriggling beetle under his paws. " Then it is true, he is the marked wolf, we are cursed, " Kaila growled to the other she-wolves who recoiled in horror as if Blaze were Rueben. Merrin quickly retorted, " That is enough I shall not have you prejudice Airtth's son, even though he is... gone I shall make sure his ears are never to hear such things. " She bore into Kaila's eyes and rose to her full height. Kaila tried to hold her gaze but failing to do so looked away, flattened her ears against her skull and stuck her tongue out as a sign of giving in. Satisfied Merrin glared around the rest of the pack who shrank back into the shadows whining. She growled angrily and grabbed Blaze by the scruff of the neck and trotted back to the den where she made her way inside not caring about the looks she got. For she was the Alpha female after all and was not going to let lower pack members make her be afraid of her only son. She lay there for a few minutes apalled at the reaction they had given when Blaze had caught the beetle. I mean any cub can catch an insect couldn't they, she thought. but deep in her mind she doubted that a blindcub could do what blaze had just done.Merrin thought of Airtth sadly and tears appeared in her amber eyes, how she missed him already and he never even got to see his son. She let a mournful howl escape through her jaws it echoed off the inside of the den and drifted outside where the she- wolves sat making a plan. They suddenly were ashamed of themselves for their brothers and friends had also been killed in the battle as well. clover lifted her head and joined in. Slowly one by one all the wolves joined the howl including Bralin who had lost many of his friends to Rueben. " Okay now we have even more reason to hide," Bralin growled nervously, " We need to thi---" A great howl arose over the lands bringing terror to all animals who heard it. The howl rose and fell steadily ending with a great roar that shook the trees. " Quick, everyone he's on the move again," Bralin growled hurriedly. Merrin was sat next to Filee after they apologised and she sat dumbfounded about what this legend was. Bralin continued, " go into the mountains and hide in the West Land Cave. My brother koban lives near there, seek safety in my name. I shall meet you there in seven suns time, within which I shall hopefully lead Rueben off your trail to the East." He suddenly got up and bounded back through the trees, " good luck, " he called before they lost sight of him. The she-wolves just stood there.
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