Post by TheRuddyRaku! on Oct 26, 2009 13:26:49 GMT -6
Comment please!! <3
26-oct, Prologue & first chapter complete.
27-oct, Chapter two complete!
28-oct. Chapter Three (Half finished)
31-oct, Chapter three fully finished.
Prologue -Welcome home
A miniscule wind accompanied the pines of Asthera, the sun glimmered sheathed behind large flocks of cloud as modest drizzle descended from the heavens, landing obsolete against the snow of the Kal Kathak mountains. Tannon gazed on with a sigh, watching from the frozen peak with awe, and boredom simultaneously.
His long black ears were caressed by rainy wind, as rain flecked his coat. He would’ve been wet, However Astheric wolves had adapted to their climate. Their body heat reached untold levels almost at melting point, which was kept high due to their thick fur.
“Well, being on guard duty isn’t so bad.” Tannon daydreamed, wondering what the Kal Borrugh packs would be up to right now. Probably either plotting against Kal Kathak, or going on the hunt. Only one bugged him so. He shuddered thinking of the effects of ‘The Decade war.” They had been fighting for almost twenty years now. The term ‘Decade’ had merely stuck; no wolf had been bothered to change it. Well, why should they? War’s come and went in Asthera, it was everyday life. So why should just one be so special?
“Hummph” Tannon gave his jet fur another shake from the rain. It mattered little if he was wet or not, he’d still be warm. He just hated the thought of getting wet. He always fancied himself an attractive wolf, even if some she-wolves thought otherwise.
He used to be an all out mating whore, but now he had settled down. Oh his youth had indeed been entertaining. He wouldn’t be surprised if half the cubs in Kal Kathak were his. Still, he was happy with his new mate. Heth was a beautiful wolf, one which had taken much wooing to persuade. It had all been worth it though. They had sired a single cub, Kael they named him, after Tannon’s Father.
Tannon continued to stare from the peaks of Kal Kathak, toward the lands of Kal Borrugh, Thinking up ways to kill time before the crescent moon showed itself, indicating his watch was over. He thought fondly of Heth and Kael, a smile on his weathered muzzle. He stayed almost semi-dreaming as he continued to stare. After half an hour, something showed itself. A wolf pacing, about four hundred yards from Tannon, across the icy rubble.
Tannon flinched, watching the figure plod for several seconds before regaining his composure. “Wolf, you are trespassing on Kathak territory. What say you?!” Within seconds a howl came in reply, Harsh and rocky. “It is I Lokai, you blithering fool! I come with news of Kal Borrugh, and the Decade war!”
Tannon smiled, Lokai had indeed been fast on his travels, and he had taken several days and nights to run there and back. Astheric demon wolves were indeed tireless, that was more fact than anything, But Lokai had indeed been speedy. A trait which had served him well these years, and put him in favour for the position of pack messenger. “You may pass Lokai! Be well.”
With a grin Tannon stared to the skies, about twenty minutes before he could howl for the next watch-wolf to take over. He just wanted to run back, to his large burrow in the wolven city, and see how Heth and Kael were doing. While he sat there, counting down the minutes, he pondered hunting a meal for the three of them, but decided against it.
Mountain deer would be a special treat, but that sort of thing was best left to the Kathak hunting parties.
The moon flickered into sight, barely. So eager was Tannon to return home that he let rip a loud powerful howl, informing the next watch-wolf to take his position. With a swift turn he hopped down from the rock and began a skipping trot back to the mountain of Kath’un his home. To wolven standards, it was a city. ‘Rare’, thought Tannon for what be the hundredth time, ‘to see a pack so large.’ He grinned and hobbled up the slope, before the mountain unfurled around him. A large bowl-like crater opened up outside the mountain entrance, a valley made of rock and earth. A feat of Kathak and its unique way of construction. Sorcery had gouged out the crater, scooping it out from the peak. An incredible task, even for the power of Kathak’s sorcerers.
You see, mere centuries earlier the pack had moved from its homeland, for no known reason. They had scoured the wilds for a natural fortress. Their Alpha had literally demanded it, rather hastily Tannon thought. The entire pack had moved outwards, scouring the land for such a place, before their sights had rested upon Kath’un. Thousands of Kal Kathak’s sorcerers attended to play a part, and thousands more wolves watched in awe. The entire mountain shuddered as the ritual began, Howls and growls in chant as the thousands of wolves watched in silence and amazement. The peak was cut clean off and lifted into the air, before being placed next to the mountain, dwarfed by the actual thing, but looking mountain-like, nevertheless.
Then a further thousand architects chiselled into the now detached peak, hollowing it out, and making corridors and gigantic halls in reverence to such a feat.
Placing the spare rock in large neat stacks next to the base of the mountain.
The sorcerers continued to help and bored a large cylindrical shape clean out of the mountain, making it similar now to a bucket. The large stone was placed favourable next to the peak, which was on the foot of the mountain and hewn also. But instead of hollowed out like the peak, it was made into more blocks of rock, for building purposes inside the mountain.
It took four years to build the construction, Not long if you consider the size of the mountain, and such a mamothic task. The equivalent would be building a small city in that time, For those four years, sorcerer, architect and labourer worked paw and tooth to create this flawless fortress. Chiselling favourable sorceries upon each block of rock, hauling them up the mountainous peak upon the backs of the burly Astheric wolves, as architects strategically placed the stone, Not only to support the weight of such a structure, but to make the mountain fortress battle hardy and tenacious.
The structure built inside the mountain resembles a tower, Full of ornate pillars and archways, the structure literally a mile in width, supported by enchanted rock and pillars. Every crack was heated up to the point of melting, Welding the rock together, as solid as the mountain itself. It is only then, when the inside of the fortress was built to perfection was the hollowed out peak lifted by more sorcery, and placed back atop of the decapitated mountain. Making it look more natural, save for windows, drainage, and the occasional balcony.
Tannon grinned, for such a feat was deemed impossible, nothing more than a fairy tale. A myth. Magic was possible, it was natural to the wolves, But on that scale. No, it was unbelievable, impossible. Tannon grinned as he paced into the city of Kath’un toward his rocky burrow, built in the interior of the mountain. His thoughts had distracted him all this way. He was now just happy to be home, welcomed by a warm fire, his family, and the feel of animal skins across the floor beneath his paws.
Chapter one – Grim Tidings
Tannon looked around his cosy home, spotting Heth he grinned. It appeared she was suckling Kael. The hungry little thing just couldn’t get enough, He was proud of Kael; at just under a month old the little tyke was only a foot tall, Still pretty big for a youngster. He had a nippy little personality, unusual for his family, but at least he had inherited Tannon’s good looks. His fur was jet, matching Tannon’s, and he had inherited a pair of shining grey eyes from Heth.
His warm smile was cut short as his mate looked at him, a rather grim glance. She couldn’t keep eye contact, which was unusual for her. Within moment she spoke, her voice slightly tearful. “Tannon…”. He looked at her with curiosity. “Yes Heth?”
Her voice was slightly shaky as she looked upon his paws, still unable to look him in the eye. “Fesh has called every male into the great hall.” Tannon’s brow furrowed, Fesh was the alpha of Kath’un. “Really?” His vice was slightly shaky now, wondering what on earth he would be summoned along with the rest of the pack’s males. This was indeed a lot. Just short of seven hundred to be exact. “What could possibly…” Hath cut him short. “Dear, its urgent. That’s all I know, just go.”
Tannon gave a heaving sigh, he had planned to spend the night with his family, But apparently Fesh had thought otherwise. The black wolf paced out of his home, wandering Kath’un. He stepped past wolfish homes, lit by brackets of magi flame, which burned dimly in the mountain halls. He walked past few other wolves on his way; it would seem many were already in the great hall. What could possibly be so important, Tannon huffed as he trotted down a wide corridor. Maybe there was some sort of crisis, evidently Heth thought the same way, her reaction to seeing him justified. He continued up a spiral staircase, walking up the trek of spiral stairways into the main peak of the mountain. Eventually he reached the great hall. Tannon had been here very few times, and the sight of the behemothical space still inspired awe in his chest. His eye lingered, across the floor where hundreds of wolves sat, conversing rumours and idea’s about what was happening. Funny, how urgent matters had caused demon wolf and wolf alike to concuss rumours in a matter of hours.
He caught sight of Lokai, sat at the front of the hall, his head hunched low, full of unconfidence at being in front of the pack members. The sight of which recalled a recent memory in his brain, the meeting of the wolf less than half an hour earlier.
In his head the scene played, what were his words now? Something to do with news of the Kal Borrugh pack. Ideas clicked into his head repeatedly, each more ludicrous than the last as wolves jostled and joked around him in their harsh tongue.
Tannon felt isolated now, he couldn’t see any of his friends in this crowd of males, they were probably having a laugh on the other side of the hall, drinking alcohol from the silver bowls Kath’un boasted. The crowd seemed to get more edgy and impatient as they waited, some not caring and brawling for sport, as was the Astheric way, and others sat tight lipped gazing at the plinth of rock at the front of the hall, covered in animal skins where Fesh would sit. If he were here.
Moment seemed to pass as hours as Tannon gazed at the plinth, half bored, half weary at the tidings to come. As though in response to the wolfs change in attitude Fesh paced in at the front of the hall. His burly and proud figure seemed weathered now, his eyes sullen in their sockets, of a wise wolf that had seen too much in his time. In many other packs their leaders would constantly be challenged. However such a manner lead into exile in Kath’un simply put the wolf pack was so large, that if their leader did get challenged, the challenges would come in their hundreds constantly, and pack leaders probably wouldn’t last a day.
At Fesh’s entrance many of the wolves quietened, fixing their attention toward the front of the hall, sitting in a saluted respect for their leader. Fesh had sat also now, upon his plinth of rock, Gazing across the hall in silence as he planned his next words wisely. The hall was quiet now, only the sound of wolves breathing rang in the air, as Fesh remained to gaze upon each wolf in turn, contemplating his news. Lokai sat to his right, gazing at Fesh with awe. Fesh was indeed an awe inspiring sight, Large and burly, thick with hair. A battle hardened and proven natural leader, Flanked by several veteran wolves, His bodyguard.
With a lick of his lips and an intake of breath, he began speaking, His voice calling out to every individual in the room as a whole. His tone was thick and guttural, as harsh as the cold peaks they lived upon. If any wolf represented Kath’un physically in body, It would be him. “My brothers, My pack, I have summoned you here, as tonight is grim. Kal Borrugh has declared war on Kath’un.” Fesh paused, it would be pointless to talk now, since every wolf in the hall would be screaming in outrage. And they did. For a split few seconds an inaudible blast of sound echoed across the space, screams and roars of swearing, filth and curses before settling down within seconds for Fesh to speak once more.
“Their freakish pack, has encroached on the boarder of our territory, and is currently waiting upon signal to start their advance upon the slopes of Kath’un. Lokai informs me of this declaration of war, as he delivers it personally from their leader himself. The Decade war has indeed been Under-exaggerated as it has mainly been skirmishes between us and our once called brethren, However not once has Kath’un been under siege. Not once have the godforsaken wolves of Kal Borrugh set paw upon our city in three hundred years since its making.” Fesh’s words seemed powerful and deep, the contrast of his ill health in old age as he continued to speak words of history and wisdom.
“Not once, since the Alpha of three hundred years ago even contemplated this stronghold, city, and home.” His words seemed to make the chest of every wolf in the hall puff out in pride, Tannon seemed almost surprised that his did too, however he kept quiet, his ears straining to hear from the back of the crowd.
“Not once. So, now those filthy rats DARE to defy our tradition.” His voice bellowed with particular emphasis, as though he took it as a personal insult. “And so, I have accepted their declaration of war, on our behalf. Why you ask? Put simply, I do not wish to see my wolves slaughtered, our brides raped, and our children murdered.”
His face seemed to smile darkly as he pondered his next words; clearly he had been saving the best for last. “My brothers, I call you all to paws on behalf of me, your families, and yourselves. I call you to arms not only on behalf of Kath’un, But on behalf of Kal Kathak itself. And I call you to arms for one last reason.” His voice bellowed these last words in rage, and pride, brimmed with a dash of high confidence. “In THREE HUNDRED YEARS, this mountain hasn’t seen warfare, despite being a stronghold for the pack of Kal Kathak. So I say we christen it. Yes, christen it I shall say, we shall bathe this beautiful rock in the blood of Kal Borrugh, and give it an apt war to remember. A war which will stay in the hearts and minds of us and those wretches for centuries. A bloody war which shall make the spirits of our ancestors stir with envy, And the next generations of our pack to stir with pride!”
Fesh’s voice seemed to quieten down to a whisper, however, such was the silence of the hall, and many wolves heard his utter of words. His voice was tame and calm, full of silk and arrogance, “And your opinion my brothers?” The silence was swiftly broken by roars and screams of delight, not one wolf said against it, even the nervous Tannon. Such was Fesh’s skill with language, He had inspired every male wolf in Kath’un.
Tannon paced back to his home, he was full of worry and excitement. His eyes were a-glimmer with thrill, and the rush of the moment. Fesh’s speech had really filled him with pride and confidence. He stopped just outside the hallway entrance, as waves of wolves trotted past him jeering and shouting with excitement. Tannon was a nay-sayer, he was a nervously timid wolf, Why would he get such feelings from words alone? Why has Fesh given such an awe inspiring speech? It was not usual for the alpha of Kal Kathak to do so, he was a quiet and cunning wolf himself. Something strange must be going on to inspire such confidence in the weary sly old wolf.
His thought stopped there, as a large burly paw slammed into his midriff with a shout. “Tannon! Ye’ sly ol’ bugger! Fancy a drink?!” Tannon looked up to see the face of Karkassy looming down upon him, Bright eyes framed by a thick mane of fur.
“Hello Karkassy.” His voice was quiet and nervous, but before he had time to speak further Karkassy had shoved him into the crowd. “Como’ ye’ wee lil bugger! Le’s get you some drink!” The old beast chuckled loudly, a large confident inspired laugh which Tannon wished he had.
The built canine lead Tannon into a small shady part of the mountain, similar to his, but it seemed darker, more gloomy. He watched Karkassy walk into a nearby arch and followed him in, admittedly abit cautious, but if it was good enough for his old friend, it was good enough for him. Karkassy sat on a particular fur in the corner, (the other patrons had separate furs to dine on) and gave a loud whooping noise followed by a shout. “Oi fella, Couple o’ drinks!” Tannon sat with Karkassy, looking up at the wolf with a look of shock. He was abit rude, being big he always got his way. Who was he to question it though? If he was built like that, he would act the same way.
Karkassy met Tannon’s stare with a glance of his own fiery yellow eyes.
“So, been up to much?” He gave a snort of laughter and continued. “You still don’t sit on that rock all day do you? Waiting to get rained on and reporting every insect that flies over the border!” He gave a snort of laughter. Tannon knew he was only joking, and he didn’t mean any of it, but still. He had just highlighted the perks of his job, and even they were boring as hell. Tannon gave a swift reply. “Not much has changed, I don’t know, are you still preying on little bunnies and cats for the hold’s stock?” It was Tannon’s turn to laugh as Karkassy looked at him with a glare.
“No really, How’s the little bugger and the bitch?” Tannon looked at Karkassy appalled as he gasped slightly ready to start yelling at his comrade. “Whoa there lil’ guard dog, I forgot for a second you didn’t like to call she-wolves bitches. I’m sorry.”
Tannon was about to shout before he was interrupted by a pair of ale filled bowls placed at their paws by a she-wolf, and he decided to start drinking straight away instead. Karkassy decided on the other hand to start talking to the femme.
“Nice tail, Mind if I have a bite?” The simple question startled the waitress and she regained composure. “Oh a hunter eh? Maybe you’d like to track me sometime.” She gave him a wink and walked off, snorting with laughter to herself.
Tannon ceased drinking and looked up at his friend. “You really need to sort out your way of wooing. I’m surprised she didn’t bite you.” “She can bite me any day of the moon cycle.” “You wish.” Tannon loved banter with Karkassy, it was almost a sport for the pair of wolves.
“No really though Kark, been up to much?” “Well, this one wolfette” “I see where this is going.” Tannon grinned, the alcohol taking effect. “Anyway she did this one thing with her tongue.” “Stop right there you sick fu-““No bro, you have to hear this, I mean your with Heth right? I bet since having the cub your [grrr] life sucks.” “It’s fine!” “DENIAL!” Karkassy shrieked in a comical manner and mimed slapping Tannon with an energetic paw.
Luckily Tannon’s bowl was empty as he recoiled from the motionand knocked it over, thinking it was an actual hit. “Whey, I was joking. You really are a wimp.” “Explains why the femmes like me and not you.” He grinned at Karkassy nodding over to a rug, where a drunken she-wolf lay staring at Tannon with half open eyes. “She’s looking at me!” Karkassy snorted. Tannon knew from his whorish days that the femme was looking at him, but he wanted to put his friend to shame for a giggle or two. “Yea, your right, she’s staring at you. You should go try her out, she’s your type.” Karkassy huffed with pride. “What, smart [grrr]y and strong?” Tannon Grinned, trying to fight back laughter. “No, I simply mean she’s too drunk to run away.” He snorted watching the wolf’s face fall.
“Fine, ill show you she likes me.” Karkassy trotted over to the wolfette with confidence in his step, and spoke to the she-wolf. Tannon couldn’t hear his words well, being too drunk to care, and the distance of course. Although he knew exactly what was happening, the she wolf replied to Karkassy with a grin, and nodded to Tannon, before the burly wolf walked back downcast and rejected.
“Told you.” “Shut up!” He stirred going red under his fur. Tannon bought Karkassy another bowl, and walked away with a swagger in his step, confidence inspired by the beverages. Karkassy would stay behind as he always did, to try and hit on anything femme with a tail in the bar, so it troubled Tannon not. As he walked he considered the Decade war. Kal Kathak would tear Kal Borrugh to shreds, after all, his pack did expertise in sorcery and magi arts. Nothing up their sleeve could take this pack down!
Chapter Two-A Call To Paws
Tannon gave a quiet yawn as he awoke; He wasn’t sure what time it was, as one wouldn’t know if they dwelled deep in the heart of Kath’un. The black wolf yawned once more and stretched, opening his eyes to see the face of his mate Heth facing him. Not for the first time on waking up he thought about her, and how lucky he was to have a mate as beautiful as her. How a wolf like him got her was a mystery, but oh well, he was grateful. He looked down and saw that Kael had nestled in-between them, He gave a second smile. In his head he was the luckiest male in the mountain.
It was only then that he realised the night before. The declaration of the ending of the Decade war. The battle between Kal Kathak and Kal Borrugh. The pack army literally sat on his doorstep. Dread and worry filled his chest as he thought about the battle that lay in store, at any time they could attempt an invasion of his home.
Tannon sat up, wiping the cold sweat from his brow with a shaky paw, looking at the pair still asleep on the animal fur’s. His eyes full of pride, worry, happiness, and woe, even a flicker of anger that the packs would threaten his family so. He gave both the sleeping wolves an affectionate lick, even asleep he would show them his love. He stood now, and turned pacing out. Halfway he stopped, glancing back, before wiping the tears from his eyes with a shaken paw.
He stood frozen. What if he never came back? He had the full intent of coming back. He would not abandon his family so. He wouldn’t dream of it. He would fight to the bitter end to be with them, through carnage, and hell itself if the case may be.
He looked at his now wet paw, and gave a sniff. His gaze shifting from the sleeping pair for the first time in minutes, He paced toward an extinguished torch bracket, and slid his paw into the enchanted metal. The pads on his paw stained with soot, blackened further by the ash which had adhered to his paw from the wetness of his tears.
Tannon then looked at the light grey wall, giving another final sniff, and made a paw-print upon the wall with the tear soaked ash. The disgruntled wolf paced deeper into the city, Not to be seen for the rest of the day.
The message in this gesture on the wall was clear…
Karkassy gave a yawn of boredom, his thick fur hanging low on his bones. Once again he had spent the entire night wooing the wolves. He reflected the situation without fondness; once again he had become unsuccessful. “Godamnit, I hate femme’s there so picky.” He gave a loud snort and continued his pace, it was sunrise outside of the mountain, he knew so because he had heard the gatekeepers howl of awakening. A tradition of waking up the wolves in a chorus of howls in order to wake the pack up as one. It appeared this was their only form of timekeeping inside Kath’un, crude an effective nevertheless but it did the job.
The bitter sleepless brute paced the halls, the idea of war rich in his mind; he couldn’t sleep for the excitement proved too much for him. He killed and fought on a daily basis, being a hunter meat was always in high demand, and he and a few select other wolves would scour the wilderness for deer and elk. A process he was indeed fond of doing, But battle, Oh this was something different. He could pit his skills against another wolf. Paw to paw, eye to eye, and see how well he fared. Maybe he could use his fire breathing magic in combat. Probably, he pondered.
He continued walking, to no place in particular passing the occasional wolf and giving him an acknowledging nod, maybe exchanging in conversation about the night before, and what they had planned for such ‘Enemies’. One scheme always cropped up, seemingly from the wolves with cunning and experience. The idea of causing an avalanche outside of the mountain to thin the numbers of the opposing pack. A good idea Karkassy thought, butt each time it cropped up, he would shun the wolf for dishonour.
He gave a bitter grunt and continued, walking into the depths of the mountain toward the combat halls. He didn’t want to train, he was too tired, but he could have some interesting conversations with those fighting in the duelling pits and the veterans of war, who taught them such techniques as dodging. He stepped into the archway of the hall, staring around the duelling pits for any familiar faces. Several wolves he knew. There was Kethik, beating into Sheuw in the closest duelling pit to him. He was dodging the wolfs attacks, and for each one dodged he would return several playful hits of his own, and jeer at Sheuw loudly. “Comon slowwei Sheuw! Put some nuts into it! You couldn’t hit a barn door at two paces!” this only angered Sheuw as he continued trying to hit the skilfully speedy wolf.
Another face hit home with recognition. It was Tannon, growling furiously in a duelling pit, and going berserk on a veteran wolf Karkassy didn’t know the name of.
By far Tannon was the least expected wolf to be seen in the training halls. He always seemed more of the nervous scholar type of wolf. His fighting style clearly showed otherwise. He was snarling and leaping circles around the veteran slamming paw after paw into him with redoubled fury, before slamming his weight into the vet forcefully and knocking him over. The wolf lay on his back for mere moments before Tannon stood upon him, snarling with his jaw close to the veteran’s neck.
“Yield!” He snarled loudly, completely out of character right now.“I yield Tannon.” He stepped off the wolf before looking up at Karkassy with a grin.He addressed the gob smacked wolf abruptly. “Yea Karkassy?” “Whoa, nothing. That didn’t seem like you fighting.” “Why?” “Nothing it just seemed out of character.” “I choose not to fight, it doesn’t mean I can’t. And the vets have been helping me with my technique.” “Fair enough, why are you here?” “We’re on the dawn of war. One has to be prepared.” “Fair enough Tan. But seriously, Whoa. Nice fighting.”
“Thanks, why are you here Kark?” “Nothing to do. I think I may address Fesh soon. It’s unheard of, but I have harvested a few ideas from wolves here and there, he may be interested to hear me out.” “Fair enough. He’s probably in his Plinth-room talking to his counsel.” “I’m already on my way, Coming?” “No, I have learning to do.”
Karkassy looked at Tannon with disappointment but gave encouragement. “Good luck.” “Thanks Karkassy, I may need it in the future.” He gave Tannon a wink and moved on with a yawn, heading to the great hall. Tannon was acting strange lately. More husky and determined. Fair enough to the skinny little thing, but still, at least he was trying, that was good to see. His thoughts had continued up a flight of stairs as he reached the throne room, guarded by wolves in ceremonial armour. Kal Kathak wolves didn’t need the stuff, but at least they were being traditional.
“Who goes there?” “It is I, Karkassy son of Thor.” The guards remained focussed on him, checking if he was lying or not, Karkassy flinched as he felt sorcery at work here, checking if he was genuine. The first guard looked at him with a crude sneer and grunted. “Fesh be in a meetin’ now.” “I don’t mind waiting,” Karkassy snapped at the wolfs sneer, adding a sarcastic grin of his own. “Of course, ideas and tactics for war are always second to meetings.” The guard looked at him with urgency and mumbled in a disgruntled way. “Get in then, whelp.” He escorted Karkassy into the plinth room, where Fesh sat, looking a the pair with a faint flicker of unexpectance
“Alpha Fesh, I present to you, Karkassy son of Thor. He brings ideas of tactics regarding the Decade war.” Fesh looked immediately at Karkassy with a sneer. “You don’t look like the tactical type.” Karkassy gave a bowlike inclination of his head and spoke. “Alpha Fesh, I have spent time conversing with wolves in the city about the battle to err, come. Many have bright ideas they wish to share with you.” Fesh looked down at Karkassy with a grin. “Smart for a hunter. Good.” Karkassy bristled at the comment with a smile as he carried on. “You may speak.”
“My liege, Many wolves speak of creating an avalanche when Kal Borrugh draws near. Thinning their numbers for our benefit. Some wolves speak of funnelling them through the bottlenecks of the mountain corridor, and others talk of making a tactical retreat into the mountain from the field of battle. Sending them in, where we can split them up and pick them off in familiar terrain. A personal favourite of mine, is using the hunting parties to scout their numbers, and cause distress to the wolves early on in the battle, as they march toward Kath’un.”
Fesh grinned at Karkassy. “I am proud of the ingenuity of our pack. It appears some are more imaginative than I!” Many of the guards gave a jeer of laughter before quietening down once more. “I thank you for such ideas. Some are indeed great. I will take great pride in putting them into practise.” “Thank you Alpha Fesh.” He bowed about to take his leave when Fesh’s voice grinned. “Karkassy. I wish for you to bring your entire hunting clan into this hall, within half an hour. This is regards to your hunting plan. We shall indeed prey upon Kal Borrugh.” Karkassy gave a grin and turned tail, running out of the hall, searching for his clans meeting place.
Chapter Three- The Hunt And The Wise
Karkassy looked around the chamber of the hunting clan of Kath’un. His burly eyes glanced around at the six wolves in front of him as his eyes scanned each one for weakness. “I am not usually one for power; But Fesh himself has appointed me leader in this cunning plan. I need your assistance, yada yada yada. So let’s just get this over with.” He turned and began pacing to the exit of the room, into the mountain corridors. “You understand we are to cause chaos in amongst the ranks of Kal Borrugh, and slip away unseen. Preferably picking them off bit by bit. I understand we are not assassins but we are the closest Kal Kathak has.”
The seven hunters trotted through the mountain, all of them puffed up with pride. This was their first encounter with the enemy, and they’d make Kal Borrugh rue the day they even knew of Kath’un. Karkassy looked at his other six, and grunted. “This is a hunt, and we shall treat it as such. What I mean is not a sound. Our prey is not to hear us while we stalk them.” The seven burst into a silent gallop, the second Kath’un’s corridors turned to mountainside and they had passed the initial watchwolves, now out in the open. Each wolf stealthily following the lead of Karkassy racing down the side of the mountain, their fur surging with the cold morning air. Their paws remained steady, sending snow to a blur as it flew from the speed of their prance.
They hopped from rock to rock with an eerie silence, communicating with head gestures and the twitch of their tails. Within no time they had reached the bottom of the mountain, heading in the direction of their victims. Karkassy looked at the nearest of the six, Reth, a proven hunter, with unmatched skill in comparison to a normal wolf. He had only a slight ounce of magic in comparison to the average wolf Kathak, however, it was his eyes that made him notorious. The perfect scout. Within minutes he gave a quiet snort, the signal that he had seen something up ahead.
The formation of hunters immediately slowed their pace, hopping from rock’s and shadows for cover, keeping their chances of being seen to a minimum.
They stalked in broad daylight, making it easier for them to see their prey, however easier for them to be spotted though; Karkassy gave a curse in his head, why hadn’t they been dispatched at night? At a guess he estimated this was a mission of urgency, of importance, and most of all, speed. The first of the Kal Borrugh wolves reached his sights as he slunk to the floor, the flakes of snow that had fell in his and his pack mates fur had indeed changed them white, each slunk to the ground in response to Karkassy, disguising them as a formation of snow covered rock.
Karkassy half-closed his eyes, the glare of the sun could reflect and give him away. Each wolf shuffled forward in a crawl, engaging at a pace across the floor, inch by inch. He kept tense, making as little movement as possible, the merest motion of a head turn could give them away at any second. His crawl faltered. The wolves freezing in place, aiding to their concealment in the shadow of a felled pine tree.
This was tactical, and unintentional. Karkassy looked on the scene folding out around him with awe and caution.
Around a thousand Kal Borrugh wolves were littered in the snow, talking to one another in their crude tongue. Yes it was his language, but their accent was rather guttural. The grumbles of Kal Kathak looked almost civilised in comparison. Karkassy lay there, taking in the scene, his eyes still squinting at the atmosphere. His tail made a single swishing motion before hitting the floor with a muffled thud. Another hunting gesture he used. In lemans terms he had just told them to remain silent and still. The seven rocks lay under the fallen pine for cover, as they listened to their conversing.
Two of the enemy were in conversation, talking about their everyday life, they were rather loud, almost annoying. “Yea, my kids great, she don’t know when to shut up though!” Karkassy ignored the banter and focussed on the task at hand, looking for anything of importance. He saw they had made igloos out of the snow to conceal themselves in the forest, and shelter themselves from the gales of Kal Kathak’s wind.
He noted this in his mind, looking for anything of strategic importance.
Many of the wolves wore some form of armour, each plate was skilfully adorned in red or gold, they didn’t look particularly manuverable but it would still be hard to kill such heavily armoured opponents. Karkassy’s maw opened slightly in awe, as he gazed at each one in turn. “Blessed bloody Kath’un. Killing these would be rather honourable indeed. The fourth of the six replied, He went by the name of Huff. “Indeed Kark.” They kept in silence as the two wolves ahead of them remained in conversation. “Aye, so yer’ a messenger? Get much respect for that bad job?” “No, not really. ‘tis a shame. Messengers be of high importance roun’ ere!” Karkassy gazed on, trying to take in more of the scene. The banter of this pair was annoying now, borderline distracting even.
Karkassy’s brow furrowed, he was finding this situation rather annoying. Before he had a chance to so much as think another thought, a senior looking canine had walked out toward the pair from the nearest igloo. “Mind if I had a word, about the advance?” Karkassy’s ears strained. He could smell from upwind the seniors scent. He was genuine. He wished the initial wolf wasn’t so talkative. He kept butting in and interrupting the senior mid-sentence. As if he was more interested about his kids. Karkassy couldn’t give a damn about the wolf. On first impressions he was annoying. Even in his standard armour.
Karkassy nearly gave a cry of relief when he said he would depart to “Take a dump”. Simply put, he was distracting him and the other wolves from finding out information, on this wretched pack. Karkassy looked on as an idea formed in his mind. The wolf was several metres from the seven snow mounds when Karkassy’s tail thumped twice. The signal to stay put, Simultaneously he had attracted the wolf’s attention. He was upwind, their location had seen to them being unable to scent them out. However the gales barely altered wolf hearing. And thus the wolf looked sharply in Karkassy’s direction, staring for a few moments before pacing over to the mound of snow that had blown over him,Karkassy praised Asthera that he was near invisible in this snow. But the stupid canine gave it a sniff, and cocked his leg over it!
Karkassy’s lip curled in disgust as the wolf urinated on him. On the bright side, this wolf was either stupid or just ignorant. He had paced behind the fallen tree to sniff Karkassy. As he urinated Karkassy’s eyes narrowed. The pack wouldn’t forget this. He would be the laughing stock of the bloody mountain. He grit his teeth and sat through it, ignoring the fact that his left leg was beginning to get warm. He grinned silently as his front ears shot forward, taking an aggressive stance. He knew the eyes of his hunting party were on him, and so they would get the message in moments.
‘Attack.’ The snow mound to his right erupted silently as he recognised the figure of Grunger leaping in midair his maw fixing around the neck of the armoured wolf and twisting with a near silent crack.
His prey gave a loud groan as air escaped his lungs, sounding like a loud grumble of pain. His body fell to the floor quietly as the senior wolf and the other were still conversing. Their ears perked up to attention. “Seth, are you ok?!” Karkassy’s eyes widened, they could pace over here to check if he was all right. He was invisible, along with his pack mates behind this tree. As Grunger buried himself in the earth once more, he looked to Karkassy in shock. His look read two urgent words. “Do something.” “Seth, what’s up?!” Karkassy’s maw opened in shock, unable to think as he uttered the first thing into his head. “Hell no’r! ‘ow can ye; think I’m ok! I’m bloody constipated!”
He gave a sigh as the pair continued talking, Giving a mocking laugh at the wolf as Karkassy continued to groan, as if straining to defecate, Buying them time.
He shunned a glance at Grunger and then the wolf, following the gesture with a nod of his head toward Kath’un. ‘Go, take the body, Fesh needs to see this.’ Grunger gave a quiet mumble then heaved the paralysed wolf onto his back, running silently with the burden of this wolf, and the armour slung over his shoulders. The remaining six continued to watch the pair of wolves conversing, Taking in as much conversation as they could. Putting their memory to the test.
For several minutes Karkassy lay in the snow, his ears alert to any noise around them as he concentrated on the conversation at hand. He learned the invasion was in two days time, that they would be sending Paladins, whatever they were.
The biggest threat at hand however was the missing wolf. He was clearly a wolf of high ranking judging by his armour, His disappearance would be noticed. He had fur of the same colour of Karkassy. He gave a grin as a brutal idea concocted in his mind.
Tannon grinned, he had trained almost to the point of exhaustion, and sat at the side of the training pit, watching, observing for anything he could learn to use in the upcoming battle. His mind was still worrying about the battle; the wolf got up and padded along the mountain, thinking of his loved ones, Kael and Heth. He vowed never to return to them until the battle was won. He would do this for them, as scared as he may be, he gained fervour and determination from the thought of returning a hero, to fight for not himself or his pack, but to keep his loved ones safe.
He sought advice, finding nothing in the words of the experienced wolves. It had been so long since Kal Kathak had had a war, that even the elders hadn’t experienced battle. He sought reassurance and skill; to self perfect his every attribute so that he could make his family proud. He ventured into the deeper part of the mountain, unused except for the occasional scholar walking past. Tannon sought the knowledge of heroes and tactics employed centuries ago by his ancestors. He did so because he had heard rumours of the Kal Borrugh advance, skilled warriors in plate.
Revered and feared alike.
Tannons natural fear of combat had made him seek perfection; He did not intend to die this early. At just fifteen his black fur deserved a longer life, His mind pleaded nervously for any form of guidance. A trait he was not proud of, he hated mockery from the over confident wolves. He was too wary in personality to be so bold. In comparison to the other wolves his sorcery was weak. Kal Kathak’s sorcery was indeed weak, in comparison to the feats of its old magi; modern day sorcery remained either forgotten or diminishing.
His paws steered him to the Enclave of Heroism. A section of the mountain where wolves of aeons passed were depicted in statues and tapestries, where books littered of praise of Kathak’s old warriors. Long forgotten battles showed on tapestries wolves fighting one another, the artisan work making it seem the wolves were still fighting, a trick of the light. Whispers seemed to fill the air, from no-one in particular. The sound of hushed talking miniscule to the ear. Whenever he looked at the direction of the voice he would find none there. “Strange”, Tannon muttered.
He sat admiring a statue of a large looking wolf, his eyes a-scowl as his maw strained open in a deathly snarl. Plated armour adorned his flanks and paws, in a traditional black carapace. His helm was grafted perfectly to his head, sparing not an inch of access even his jaws were plated. His ears were tucked away, hidden inside large metal plates, protecting his entire head from blows, whereas the jaw on the helm was hinged, allowing the manuverability to bite and rip enemies. The statue struck an imposing figure, rough fur emphasised by his broad masculine shoulders. His eyes leered powerfully beneath his helm, The stonemason was indeed skilled, From the ancient text of centuries passed, he had captured the rough aggressive attitude of the hero perfectly. Tannon walked on from the statue in awe, pausing at the next.
His eyes looked upon the face of a slender femme, her body curvy and beautiful, her fur sleek and well kept. Fixed to her right paw was a blade of sorts, sleek and jagged. It was a cruel shard of metal, glimmering in the candlelight fixed to the statue of the she-wolf. Tannon felt a surge of lust for the long dead wolf. Followed by guilt as he thought of Heth. The stonemason had indeed captured her attitude and looks perfectly. Tannon averted his gaze and walked on down the alcove of statues, each one catching his eye. The stone looked almost real. This place was awe inspiring and uneasy, magic seeming to flow from every shadow and corner, however nothing seemed to be there when Tannon looked after catching a glimpse out of the corner of his weary eyes.
Tannon gazed upon another statue, of an older, wiser looking wolf. The era of stonework was beyond him, clearly the statues had been moved and put in the alcove from the last pack habitat, and the stone was older and different from anything found in Kath’un. The marble rock glimmered in the light of a sorcerous torch bracket, flickering against the attention to detail in the wolven stone fur. This hero was different. The other statues had shown wolves and wolfette’s in thick armour, or none at all. This figure wore a hooded cloak over his armour; he had no helm, only a hood casting shadows over its lifelike eyes. The armour was similar to the rest, however where they had held symbols of rock, fire and ice, this armour was emblazoned with intricate vines and leaves. The hooded face of the wolf exuded wisdom in its features, combined with the Astheric trait of his upper fangs elongating. (They grew with age amongst the wolves of Kal Kathak.) His fangs were extremely long, even for an elder, protruding from under his hood like a pair of white marble sabres.
Tannon looked with awe upon the wolf, for it looked similar to him in physique. The intricate plates of his armour overlapped perfectly, complementing the hooded cape the wolf wore. The material of the cape was thin; the stonemason had captured the wolf’s pose with skill, the cloth seeming to be mid-ripple in the breeze.
His eyes looked down to the book at the wolf’s feet, a description of the hero in question. “Theushar be’th a wolf with cunning, His eyes seem’th to be piercing with energy, He indeed be sorcerous and sly, his wit only outmatched by his elegance on the battlefield. Thine write thee passage on thy year 346.” Tannon Gawked at the statue, looking up as his paw rested on the page. This wolf had been dead for well over fifteen hundred years. His eyes skimmed the book once more.
“Theushar, the eldeth be indeed wise, the strategium of thy hath won many battles. Wheras his leadership has won them all.” Tannon gawked at the book once more. So this wolf had never lost a battle.”Wow”. He continued reading, “He deemeth himself young with magic, Eternal youth of sorts keeping him alive and living forth Eight centuries before being felled by a Kitsume, for a powerful Magi be he. Wolves and Dakkan alike have fled at the shine of his paw, fearful of the sorcery he hath in store.” Tannon grinned; He would give much to have this sort of power, although he shunned himself for being so ambitious in greed.
His eyes shone as he looked up into the face of the elder wolf, his face seemed not a day over twelve, his fur pockmarked with the occasional scar, yet the big giveaway was ultimately his overlarge canines, indicating his age in length.
Tannon stared at the figure and uttered a single sentence, his eyes fixed upon the statues. “If only I could follow life as you did, although that ambition may be the end of me.”
A faint voice echoed around the room, catching Tannon’s ear briefly. “So you seek power, young one? And what may I ask, is your motive and intent to use it.”
Theushar’s eyes glimmered darkly gazing at Tannon with curiousity. The wolf leapt back in fear, staring back at the unmoving statue. “No, that was nothing.” He reminded himself, regaining his composure and checking around the room for any pranksters in the shadows. “It was something little one, It was I Theushar, And it is rude to be ignorant when addressed a question.” Tannon’s mouth went dry as he looked upon the statue, some sort of sorcery was at work here. Making the spirit communicate with him. “I err; intend to protect my family from the threat of Kal Borrugh.”
He wished his words hadn’t came out so stupidly, when the statues eyes fixed on his. “A decent enough reason. I sense you are pure of intention, However, you do seem somewhat… surprised by me.” “I am sir, I’ve never seen a talking statue.” “Ignorance is bliss young one. For you need not know of the boredom I face whilst stuck in this statue, Forever binded to this rock as a Dakkan, for my mortal body Hath failed me.” Tannon remained speechless as the wolf continued to speak. “I sense you are in danger young one, an aura of fright and death accompany you as a thrall may accompany a Magi to war. You will indeed die in your condition.”
His eyes widened at the statues words, he didn’t want to believe this yet the statue as plain as day, was addressing him. “However, few wolves boast combat expertise with determination and cunning. You are indeed the breed of a hero. Do not let my words inspire arrogance little one, as of yet you are not even a warrior. However, I see you have been training your body hard, Yet I see no strain on your mind or spirit. Do you wish to live when confronted by your enemies? A wolf must be strong of mind and heart if he’s to claim victory.” “I… err, I wish to claim victory elder, as anything less may result in the death of my beloved family.” The statues lips seemed to twitch briefly in an attempt to smile. “My spirit wears thin in this corrupt cocoon, However, I wish to help you. Study my book closely and learn my Magic’s for they are helpful. It would also please me oh so, if you used them. I fear Magi of the old magic’s are long gone. I fear its extinction, In using it, you would do me a favour little one. Please, take my tome and learn, come back when you have scoured every page a thousand fold.”
Tannon smiled with gratitude at the elder wolf for his aid. “Thankyou sire, I shall return your tome within the day!” His jaws clamped around the book at the statue’s feet and tore it delicately from its grip, before running into a silent alcove behind the Enclave of Heroes, to study the magic in solitude.
***
Karkassy looked onwards at the camp. His eyes fixxed at the many huts and hastily constructed shelters as the occasional scout would roam via firelight. The moon had bathed the darkened snow in white, allthough, the Darkness was still strong enough to require campfires. HA! the piteous wolves hadnt even constructed the fires proporly. They lacked in light and heat, just a watse of matchwood. Allthough the fires dotted around the Kal'Borrugh camp were faded and dull, the light still may have reflected from his pupils, and so Karkassy, like many of his pack had a narrow eyed gaze. Staring onwards.
He had asked of his hunting pack to scatter, circleing the many camps of the enemy wolves, telling them al to count to three hundred before they attacked. They had all been Very well equipped for the mission at paw, and each of them Bore tight fitting black leather. The garments were simple, they clung to the body allowing movement, but offering a slight amount of protection. Tooth and claw would find it hard to gain purchase on the garments, wheras their matte black colour would help them blend in the darkness.
Karkassy ground his teeth, Noticing the small mouthpeice he had in place since he had put it in. The device was simple. A metalic row of serrated teeth which would fit across his own, the iron teeth in the dentures were each capped with a sorcerous metal, burning all they came into contact with, Making chewwing through armour a simple task. To his forepaws a simple blade was strapped, making his swiped more effective.
For the first time in nearly three hundred years, Kal Kathak Had Asassins.
"Two hundred and ninety nine... Three hundred."
Karkassy Darted from the clearing keeping low to the ground, Weaving between tree's silently yet without grace. His tall lumbering form sniffing across the floor. He approached the first hut, Hiding out of view from the rest of the camp, Karkassy raised a paw, digging the blade into the back of the tent and sliding downwards. Leaping inside and staring around.
Two soldiers lay inside their beds, One fast asleep, as another sat up to look at him, glassy eyed. Karkassy hesitated as he saw the wolf arch back with an intake of breath, about to howl a warning. His maw fixxed around his throat, and bit deeply, feeling barely any resistence as the enchanted jaws in his mouth did their work, tearing out the wolfs throat. He fell to the floor, unable to make a sound. His paw mounted blade saw more work as it dug into the eye of the sleeping wolf, into his brain. The canine wouldnt have a chance to wake up, A merciful death.
His nose stuck out from the tent, sniffing heavily, Nothing. The firelight flickered against his nose suspiciously, as another guard began aproaching his tent.
Karkassy sat in wait, Taking a gamble as he watched the wolf pace toward him, the thin fabric being the only thing seperating him from the guard. The campfire behind the wolf was an unexpected advantage as Karkassy sat in wait, he could see the shadow looming over the thin fabric, getting closer. Stooping down to life up the tent flap with his nose.
Karkassy didnt hesitate this time, He dived through the fabric, plunging his blades into the wolf's neck, Grasping onto his throat with his maw, and then using his back legs to propel them both back inside the tent, all in a matter of moments. It hadnt even been thirty seconds, and already three wolves lay dead, their crimson spewing across the tent floor. So far it was good, Not one soldier alive was aware of them, and there must have been several hundred in this camp alone!
26-oct, Prologue & first chapter complete.
27-oct, Chapter two complete!
28-oct. Chapter Three (Half finished)
31-oct, Chapter three fully finished.
Prologue -Welcome home
A miniscule wind accompanied the pines of Asthera, the sun glimmered sheathed behind large flocks of cloud as modest drizzle descended from the heavens, landing obsolete against the snow of the Kal Kathak mountains. Tannon gazed on with a sigh, watching from the frozen peak with awe, and boredom simultaneously.
His long black ears were caressed by rainy wind, as rain flecked his coat. He would’ve been wet, However Astheric wolves had adapted to their climate. Their body heat reached untold levels almost at melting point, which was kept high due to their thick fur.
“Well, being on guard duty isn’t so bad.” Tannon daydreamed, wondering what the Kal Borrugh packs would be up to right now. Probably either plotting against Kal Kathak, or going on the hunt. Only one bugged him so. He shuddered thinking of the effects of ‘The Decade war.” They had been fighting for almost twenty years now. The term ‘Decade’ had merely stuck; no wolf had been bothered to change it. Well, why should they? War’s come and went in Asthera, it was everyday life. So why should just one be so special?
“Hummph” Tannon gave his jet fur another shake from the rain. It mattered little if he was wet or not, he’d still be warm. He just hated the thought of getting wet. He always fancied himself an attractive wolf, even if some she-wolves thought otherwise.
He used to be an all out mating whore, but now he had settled down. Oh his youth had indeed been entertaining. He wouldn’t be surprised if half the cubs in Kal Kathak were his. Still, he was happy with his new mate. Heth was a beautiful wolf, one which had taken much wooing to persuade. It had all been worth it though. They had sired a single cub, Kael they named him, after Tannon’s Father.
Tannon continued to stare from the peaks of Kal Kathak, toward the lands of Kal Borrugh, Thinking up ways to kill time before the crescent moon showed itself, indicating his watch was over. He thought fondly of Heth and Kael, a smile on his weathered muzzle. He stayed almost semi-dreaming as he continued to stare. After half an hour, something showed itself. A wolf pacing, about four hundred yards from Tannon, across the icy rubble.
Tannon flinched, watching the figure plod for several seconds before regaining his composure. “Wolf, you are trespassing on Kathak territory. What say you?!” Within seconds a howl came in reply, Harsh and rocky. “It is I Lokai, you blithering fool! I come with news of Kal Borrugh, and the Decade war!”
Tannon smiled, Lokai had indeed been fast on his travels, and he had taken several days and nights to run there and back. Astheric demon wolves were indeed tireless, that was more fact than anything, But Lokai had indeed been speedy. A trait which had served him well these years, and put him in favour for the position of pack messenger. “You may pass Lokai! Be well.”
With a grin Tannon stared to the skies, about twenty minutes before he could howl for the next watch-wolf to take over. He just wanted to run back, to his large burrow in the wolven city, and see how Heth and Kael were doing. While he sat there, counting down the minutes, he pondered hunting a meal for the three of them, but decided against it.
Mountain deer would be a special treat, but that sort of thing was best left to the Kathak hunting parties.
The moon flickered into sight, barely. So eager was Tannon to return home that he let rip a loud powerful howl, informing the next watch-wolf to take his position. With a swift turn he hopped down from the rock and began a skipping trot back to the mountain of Kath’un his home. To wolven standards, it was a city. ‘Rare’, thought Tannon for what be the hundredth time, ‘to see a pack so large.’ He grinned and hobbled up the slope, before the mountain unfurled around him. A large bowl-like crater opened up outside the mountain entrance, a valley made of rock and earth. A feat of Kathak and its unique way of construction. Sorcery had gouged out the crater, scooping it out from the peak. An incredible task, even for the power of Kathak’s sorcerers.
You see, mere centuries earlier the pack had moved from its homeland, for no known reason. They had scoured the wilds for a natural fortress. Their Alpha had literally demanded it, rather hastily Tannon thought. The entire pack had moved outwards, scouring the land for such a place, before their sights had rested upon Kath’un. Thousands of Kal Kathak’s sorcerers attended to play a part, and thousands more wolves watched in awe. The entire mountain shuddered as the ritual began, Howls and growls in chant as the thousands of wolves watched in silence and amazement. The peak was cut clean off and lifted into the air, before being placed next to the mountain, dwarfed by the actual thing, but looking mountain-like, nevertheless.
Then a further thousand architects chiselled into the now detached peak, hollowing it out, and making corridors and gigantic halls in reverence to such a feat.
Placing the spare rock in large neat stacks next to the base of the mountain.
The sorcerers continued to help and bored a large cylindrical shape clean out of the mountain, making it similar now to a bucket. The large stone was placed favourable next to the peak, which was on the foot of the mountain and hewn also. But instead of hollowed out like the peak, it was made into more blocks of rock, for building purposes inside the mountain.
It took four years to build the construction, Not long if you consider the size of the mountain, and such a mamothic task. The equivalent would be building a small city in that time, For those four years, sorcerer, architect and labourer worked paw and tooth to create this flawless fortress. Chiselling favourable sorceries upon each block of rock, hauling them up the mountainous peak upon the backs of the burly Astheric wolves, as architects strategically placed the stone, Not only to support the weight of such a structure, but to make the mountain fortress battle hardy and tenacious.
The structure built inside the mountain resembles a tower, Full of ornate pillars and archways, the structure literally a mile in width, supported by enchanted rock and pillars. Every crack was heated up to the point of melting, Welding the rock together, as solid as the mountain itself. It is only then, when the inside of the fortress was built to perfection was the hollowed out peak lifted by more sorcery, and placed back atop of the decapitated mountain. Making it look more natural, save for windows, drainage, and the occasional balcony.
Tannon grinned, for such a feat was deemed impossible, nothing more than a fairy tale. A myth. Magic was possible, it was natural to the wolves, But on that scale. No, it was unbelievable, impossible. Tannon grinned as he paced into the city of Kath’un toward his rocky burrow, built in the interior of the mountain. His thoughts had distracted him all this way. He was now just happy to be home, welcomed by a warm fire, his family, and the feel of animal skins across the floor beneath his paws.
Chapter one – Grim Tidings
Tannon looked around his cosy home, spotting Heth he grinned. It appeared she was suckling Kael. The hungry little thing just couldn’t get enough, He was proud of Kael; at just under a month old the little tyke was only a foot tall, Still pretty big for a youngster. He had a nippy little personality, unusual for his family, but at least he had inherited Tannon’s good looks. His fur was jet, matching Tannon’s, and he had inherited a pair of shining grey eyes from Heth.
His warm smile was cut short as his mate looked at him, a rather grim glance. She couldn’t keep eye contact, which was unusual for her. Within moment she spoke, her voice slightly tearful. “Tannon…”. He looked at her with curiosity. “Yes Heth?”
Her voice was slightly shaky as she looked upon his paws, still unable to look him in the eye. “Fesh has called every male into the great hall.” Tannon’s brow furrowed, Fesh was the alpha of Kath’un. “Really?” His vice was slightly shaky now, wondering what on earth he would be summoned along with the rest of the pack’s males. This was indeed a lot. Just short of seven hundred to be exact. “What could possibly…” Hath cut him short. “Dear, its urgent. That’s all I know, just go.”
Tannon gave a heaving sigh, he had planned to spend the night with his family, But apparently Fesh had thought otherwise. The black wolf paced out of his home, wandering Kath’un. He stepped past wolfish homes, lit by brackets of magi flame, which burned dimly in the mountain halls. He walked past few other wolves on his way; it would seem many were already in the great hall. What could possibly be so important, Tannon huffed as he trotted down a wide corridor. Maybe there was some sort of crisis, evidently Heth thought the same way, her reaction to seeing him justified. He continued up a spiral staircase, walking up the trek of spiral stairways into the main peak of the mountain. Eventually he reached the great hall. Tannon had been here very few times, and the sight of the behemothical space still inspired awe in his chest. His eye lingered, across the floor where hundreds of wolves sat, conversing rumours and idea’s about what was happening. Funny, how urgent matters had caused demon wolf and wolf alike to concuss rumours in a matter of hours.
He caught sight of Lokai, sat at the front of the hall, his head hunched low, full of unconfidence at being in front of the pack members. The sight of which recalled a recent memory in his brain, the meeting of the wolf less than half an hour earlier.
In his head the scene played, what were his words now? Something to do with news of the Kal Borrugh pack. Ideas clicked into his head repeatedly, each more ludicrous than the last as wolves jostled and joked around him in their harsh tongue.
Tannon felt isolated now, he couldn’t see any of his friends in this crowd of males, they were probably having a laugh on the other side of the hall, drinking alcohol from the silver bowls Kath’un boasted. The crowd seemed to get more edgy and impatient as they waited, some not caring and brawling for sport, as was the Astheric way, and others sat tight lipped gazing at the plinth of rock at the front of the hall, covered in animal skins where Fesh would sit. If he were here.
Moment seemed to pass as hours as Tannon gazed at the plinth, half bored, half weary at the tidings to come. As though in response to the wolfs change in attitude Fesh paced in at the front of the hall. His burly and proud figure seemed weathered now, his eyes sullen in their sockets, of a wise wolf that had seen too much in his time. In many other packs their leaders would constantly be challenged. However such a manner lead into exile in Kath’un simply put the wolf pack was so large, that if their leader did get challenged, the challenges would come in their hundreds constantly, and pack leaders probably wouldn’t last a day.
At Fesh’s entrance many of the wolves quietened, fixing their attention toward the front of the hall, sitting in a saluted respect for their leader. Fesh had sat also now, upon his plinth of rock, Gazing across the hall in silence as he planned his next words wisely. The hall was quiet now, only the sound of wolves breathing rang in the air, as Fesh remained to gaze upon each wolf in turn, contemplating his news. Lokai sat to his right, gazing at Fesh with awe. Fesh was indeed an awe inspiring sight, Large and burly, thick with hair. A battle hardened and proven natural leader, Flanked by several veteran wolves, His bodyguard.
With a lick of his lips and an intake of breath, he began speaking, His voice calling out to every individual in the room as a whole. His tone was thick and guttural, as harsh as the cold peaks they lived upon. If any wolf represented Kath’un physically in body, It would be him. “My brothers, My pack, I have summoned you here, as tonight is grim. Kal Borrugh has declared war on Kath’un.” Fesh paused, it would be pointless to talk now, since every wolf in the hall would be screaming in outrage. And they did. For a split few seconds an inaudible blast of sound echoed across the space, screams and roars of swearing, filth and curses before settling down within seconds for Fesh to speak once more.
“Their freakish pack, has encroached on the boarder of our territory, and is currently waiting upon signal to start their advance upon the slopes of Kath’un. Lokai informs me of this declaration of war, as he delivers it personally from their leader himself. The Decade war has indeed been Under-exaggerated as it has mainly been skirmishes between us and our once called brethren, However not once has Kath’un been under siege. Not once have the godforsaken wolves of Kal Borrugh set paw upon our city in three hundred years since its making.” Fesh’s words seemed powerful and deep, the contrast of his ill health in old age as he continued to speak words of history and wisdom.
“Not once, since the Alpha of three hundred years ago even contemplated this stronghold, city, and home.” His words seemed to make the chest of every wolf in the hall puff out in pride, Tannon seemed almost surprised that his did too, however he kept quiet, his ears straining to hear from the back of the crowd.
“Not once. So, now those filthy rats DARE to defy our tradition.” His voice bellowed with particular emphasis, as though he took it as a personal insult. “And so, I have accepted their declaration of war, on our behalf. Why you ask? Put simply, I do not wish to see my wolves slaughtered, our brides raped, and our children murdered.”
His face seemed to smile darkly as he pondered his next words; clearly he had been saving the best for last. “My brothers, I call you all to paws on behalf of me, your families, and yourselves. I call you to arms not only on behalf of Kath’un, But on behalf of Kal Kathak itself. And I call you to arms for one last reason.” His voice bellowed these last words in rage, and pride, brimmed with a dash of high confidence. “In THREE HUNDRED YEARS, this mountain hasn’t seen warfare, despite being a stronghold for the pack of Kal Kathak. So I say we christen it. Yes, christen it I shall say, we shall bathe this beautiful rock in the blood of Kal Borrugh, and give it an apt war to remember. A war which will stay in the hearts and minds of us and those wretches for centuries. A bloody war which shall make the spirits of our ancestors stir with envy, And the next generations of our pack to stir with pride!”
Fesh’s voice seemed to quieten down to a whisper, however, such was the silence of the hall, and many wolves heard his utter of words. His voice was tame and calm, full of silk and arrogance, “And your opinion my brothers?” The silence was swiftly broken by roars and screams of delight, not one wolf said against it, even the nervous Tannon. Such was Fesh’s skill with language, He had inspired every male wolf in Kath’un.
Tannon paced back to his home, he was full of worry and excitement. His eyes were a-glimmer with thrill, and the rush of the moment. Fesh’s speech had really filled him with pride and confidence. He stopped just outside the hallway entrance, as waves of wolves trotted past him jeering and shouting with excitement. Tannon was a nay-sayer, he was a nervously timid wolf, Why would he get such feelings from words alone? Why has Fesh given such an awe inspiring speech? It was not usual for the alpha of Kal Kathak to do so, he was a quiet and cunning wolf himself. Something strange must be going on to inspire such confidence in the weary sly old wolf.
His thought stopped there, as a large burly paw slammed into his midriff with a shout. “Tannon! Ye’ sly ol’ bugger! Fancy a drink?!” Tannon looked up to see the face of Karkassy looming down upon him, Bright eyes framed by a thick mane of fur.
“Hello Karkassy.” His voice was quiet and nervous, but before he had time to speak further Karkassy had shoved him into the crowd. “Como’ ye’ wee lil bugger! Le’s get you some drink!” The old beast chuckled loudly, a large confident inspired laugh which Tannon wished he had.
The built canine lead Tannon into a small shady part of the mountain, similar to his, but it seemed darker, more gloomy. He watched Karkassy walk into a nearby arch and followed him in, admittedly abit cautious, but if it was good enough for his old friend, it was good enough for him. Karkassy sat on a particular fur in the corner, (the other patrons had separate furs to dine on) and gave a loud whooping noise followed by a shout. “Oi fella, Couple o’ drinks!” Tannon sat with Karkassy, looking up at the wolf with a look of shock. He was abit rude, being big he always got his way. Who was he to question it though? If he was built like that, he would act the same way.
Karkassy met Tannon’s stare with a glance of his own fiery yellow eyes.
“So, been up to much?” He gave a snort of laughter and continued. “You still don’t sit on that rock all day do you? Waiting to get rained on and reporting every insect that flies over the border!” He gave a snort of laughter. Tannon knew he was only joking, and he didn’t mean any of it, but still. He had just highlighted the perks of his job, and even they were boring as hell. Tannon gave a swift reply. “Not much has changed, I don’t know, are you still preying on little bunnies and cats for the hold’s stock?” It was Tannon’s turn to laugh as Karkassy looked at him with a glare.
“No really, How’s the little bugger and the bitch?” Tannon looked at Karkassy appalled as he gasped slightly ready to start yelling at his comrade. “Whoa there lil’ guard dog, I forgot for a second you didn’t like to call she-wolves bitches. I’m sorry.”
Tannon was about to shout before he was interrupted by a pair of ale filled bowls placed at their paws by a she-wolf, and he decided to start drinking straight away instead. Karkassy decided on the other hand to start talking to the femme.
“Nice tail, Mind if I have a bite?” The simple question startled the waitress and she regained composure. “Oh a hunter eh? Maybe you’d like to track me sometime.” She gave him a wink and walked off, snorting with laughter to herself.
Tannon ceased drinking and looked up at his friend. “You really need to sort out your way of wooing. I’m surprised she didn’t bite you.” “She can bite me any day of the moon cycle.” “You wish.” Tannon loved banter with Karkassy, it was almost a sport for the pair of wolves.
“No really though Kark, been up to much?” “Well, this one wolfette” “I see where this is going.” Tannon grinned, the alcohol taking effect. “Anyway she did this one thing with her tongue.” “Stop right there you sick fu-““No bro, you have to hear this, I mean your with Heth right? I bet since having the cub your [grrr] life sucks.” “It’s fine!” “DENIAL!” Karkassy shrieked in a comical manner and mimed slapping Tannon with an energetic paw.
Luckily Tannon’s bowl was empty as he recoiled from the motionand knocked it over, thinking it was an actual hit. “Whey, I was joking. You really are a wimp.” “Explains why the femmes like me and not you.” He grinned at Karkassy nodding over to a rug, where a drunken she-wolf lay staring at Tannon with half open eyes. “She’s looking at me!” Karkassy snorted. Tannon knew from his whorish days that the femme was looking at him, but he wanted to put his friend to shame for a giggle or two. “Yea, your right, she’s staring at you. You should go try her out, she’s your type.” Karkassy huffed with pride. “What, smart [grrr]y and strong?” Tannon Grinned, trying to fight back laughter. “No, I simply mean she’s too drunk to run away.” He snorted watching the wolf’s face fall.
“Fine, ill show you she likes me.” Karkassy trotted over to the wolfette with confidence in his step, and spoke to the she-wolf. Tannon couldn’t hear his words well, being too drunk to care, and the distance of course. Although he knew exactly what was happening, the she wolf replied to Karkassy with a grin, and nodded to Tannon, before the burly wolf walked back downcast and rejected.
“Told you.” “Shut up!” He stirred going red under his fur. Tannon bought Karkassy another bowl, and walked away with a swagger in his step, confidence inspired by the beverages. Karkassy would stay behind as he always did, to try and hit on anything femme with a tail in the bar, so it troubled Tannon not. As he walked he considered the Decade war. Kal Kathak would tear Kal Borrugh to shreds, after all, his pack did expertise in sorcery and magi arts. Nothing up their sleeve could take this pack down!
Chapter Two-A Call To Paws
Tannon gave a quiet yawn as he awoke; He wasn’t sure what time it was, as one wouldn’t know if they dwelled deep in the heart of Kath’un. The black wolf yawned once more and stretched, opening his eyes to see the face of his mate Heth facing him. Not for the first time on waking up he thought about her, and how lucky he was to have a mate as beautiful as her. How a wolf like him got her was a mystery, but oh well, he was grateful. He looked down and saw that Kael had nestled in-between them, He gave a second smile. In his head he was the luckiest male in the mountain.
It was only then that he realised the night before. The declaration of the ending of the Decade war. The battle between Kal Kathak and Kal Borrugh. The pack army literally sat on his doorstep. Dread and worry filled his chest as he thought about the battle that lay in store, at any time they could attempt an invasion of his home.
Tannon sat up, wiping the cold sweat from his brow with a shaky paw, looking at the pair still asleep on the animal fur’s. His eyes full of pride, worry, happiness, and woe, even a flicker of anger that the packs would threaten his family so. He gave both the sleeping wolves an affectionate lick, even asleep he would show them his love. He stood now, and turned pacing out. Halfway he stopped, glancing back, before wiping the tears from his eyes with a shaken paw.
He stood frozen. What if he never came back? He had the full intent of coming back. He would not abandon his family so. He wouldn’t dream of it. He would fight to the bitter end to be with them, through carnage, and hell itself if the case may be.
He looked at his now wet paw, and gave a sniff. His gaze shifting from the sleeping pair for the first time in minutes, He paced toward an extinguished torch bracket, and slid his paw into the enchanted metal. The pads on his paw stained with soot, blackened further by the ash which had adhered to his paw from the wetness of his tears.
Tannon then looked at the light grey wall, giving another final sniff, and made a paw-print upon the wall with the tear soaked ash. The disgruntled wolf paced deeper into the city, Not to be seen for the rest of the day.
The message in this gesture on the wall was clear…
…“I love you.”
*~*~*
*~*~*
Karkassy gave a yawn of boredom, his thick fur hanging low on his bones. Once again he had spent the entire night wooing the wolves. He reflected the situation without fondness; once again he had become unsuccessful. “Godamnit, I hate femme’s there so picky.” He gave a loud snort and continued his pace, it was sunrise outside of the mountain, he knew so because he had heard the gatekeepers howl of awakening. A tradition of waking up the wolves in a chorus of howls in order to wake the pack up as one. It appeared this was their only form of timekeeping inside Kath’un, crude an effective nevertheless but it did the job.
The bitter sleepless brute paced the halls, the idea of war rich in his mind; he couldn’t sleep for the excitement proved too much for him. He killed and fought on a daily basis, being a hunter meat was always in high demand, and he and a few select other wolves would scour the wilderness for deer and elk. A process he was indeed fond of doing, But battle, Oh this was something different. He could pit his skills against another wolf. Paw to paw, eye to eye, and see how well he fared. Maybe he could use his fire breathing magic in combat. Probably, he pondered.
He continued walking, to no place in particular passing the occasional wolf and giving him an acknowledging nod, maybe exchanging in conversation about the night before, and what they had planned for such ‘Enemies’. One scheme always cropped up, seemingly from the wolves with cunning and experience. The idea of causing an avalanche outside of the mountain to thin the numbers of the opposing pack. A good idea Karkassy thought, butt each time it cropped up, he would shun the wolf for dishonour.
He gave a bitter grunt and continued, walking into the depths of the mountain toward the combat halls. He didn’t want to train, he was too tired, but he could have some interesting conversations with those fighting in the duelling pits and the veterans of war, who taught them such techniques as dodging. He stepped into the archway of the hall, staring around the duelling pits for any familiar faces. Several wolves he knew. There was Kethik, beating into Sheuw in the closest duelling pit to him. He was dodging the wolfs attacks, and for each one dodged he would return several playful hits of his own, and jeer at Sheuw loudly. “Comon slowwei Sheuw! Put some nuts into it! You couldn’t hit a barn door at two paces!” this only angered Sheuw as he continued trying to hit the skilfully speedy wolf.
Another face hit home with recognition. It was Tannon, growling furiously in a duelling pit, and going berserk on a veteran wolf Karkassy didn’t know the name of.
By far Tannon was the least expected wolf to be seen in the training halls. He always seemed more of the nervous scholar type of wolf. His fighting style clearly showed otherwise. He was snarling and leaping circles around the veteran slamming paw after paw into him with redoubled fury, before slamming his weight into the vet forcefully and knocking him over. The wolf lay on his back for mere moments before Tannon stood upon him, snarling with his jaw close to the veteran’s neck.
“Yield!” He snarled loudly, completely out of character right now.“I yield Tannon.” He stepped off the wolf before looking up at Karkassy with a grin.He addressed the gob smacked wolf abruptly. “Yea Karkassy?” “Whoa, nothing. That didn’t seem like you fighting.” “Why?” “Nothing it just seemed out of character.” “I choose not to fight, it doesn’t mean I can’t. And the vets have been helping me with my technique.” “Fair enough, why are you here?” “We’re on the dawn of war. One has to be prepared.” “Fair enough Tan. But seriously, Whoa. Nice fighting.”
“Thanks, why are you here Kark?” “Nothing to do. I think I may address Fesh soon. It’s unheard of, but I have harvested a few ideas from wolves here and there, he may be interested to hear me out.” “Fair enough. He’s probably in his Plinth-room talking to his counsel.” “I’m already on my way, Coming?” “No, I have learning to do.”
Karkassy looked at Tannon with disappointment but gave encouragement. “Good luck.” “Thanks Karkassy, I may need it in the future.” He gave Tannon a wink and moved on with a yawn, heading to the great hall. Tannon was acting strange lately. More husky and determined. Fair enough to the skinny little thing, but still, at least he was trying, that was good to see. His thoughts had continued up a flight of stairs as he reached the throne room, guarded by wolves in ceremonial armour. Kal Kathak wolves didn’t need the stuff, but at least they were being traditional.
“Who goes there?” “It is I, Karkassy son of Thor.” The guards remained focussed on him, checking if he was lying or not, Karkassy flinched as he felt sorcery at work here, checking if he was genuine. The first guard looked at him with a crude sneer and grunted. “Fesh be in a meetin’ now.” “I don’t mind waiting,” Karkassy snapped at the wolfs sneer, adding a sarcastic grin of his own. “Of course, ideas and tactics for war are always second to meetings.” The guard looked at him with urgency and mumbled in a disgruntled way. “Get in then, whelp.” He escorted Karkassy into the plinth room, where Fesh sat, looking a the pair with a faint flicker of unexpectance
“Alpha Fesh, I present to you, Karkassy son of Thor. He brings ideas of tactics regarding the Decade war.” Fesh looked immediately at Karkassy with a sneer. “You don’t look like the tactical type.” Karkassy gave a bowlike inclination of his head and spoke. “Alpha Fesh, I have spent time conversing with wolves in the city about the battle to err, come. Many have bright ideas they wish to share with you.” Fesh looked down at Karkassy with a grin. “Smart for a hunter. Good.” Karkassy bristled at the comment with a smile as he carried on. “You may speak.”
“My liege, Many wolves speak of creating an avalanche when Kal Borrugh draws near. Thinning their numbers for our benefit. Some wolves speak of funnelling them through the bottlenecks of the mountain corridor, and others talk of making a tactical retreat into the mountain from the field of battle. Sending them in, where we can split them up and pick them off in familiar terrain. A personal favourite of mine, is using the hunting parties to scout their numbers, and cause distress to the wolves early on in the battle, as they march toward Kath’un.”
Fesh grinned at Karkassy. “I am proud of the ingenuity of our pack. It appears some are more imaginative than I!” Many of the guards gave a jeer of laughter before quietening down once more. “I thank you for such ideas. Some are indeed great. I will take great pride in putting them into practise.” “Thank you Alpha Fesh.” He bowed about to take his leave when Fesh’s voice grinned. “Karkassy. I wish for you to bring your entire hunting clan into this hall, within half an hour. This is regards to your hunting plan. We shall indeed prey upon Kal Borrugh.” Karkassy gave a grin and turned tail, running out of the hall, searching for his clans meeting place.
Chapter Three- The Hunt And The Wise
Karkassy looked around the chamber of the hunting clan of Kath’un. His burly eyes glanced around at the six wolves in front of him as his eyes scanned each one for weakness. “I am not usually one for power; But Fesh himself has appointed me leader in this cunning plan. I need your assistance, yada yada yada. So let’s just get this over with.” He turned and began pacing to the exit of the room, into the mountain corridors. “You understand we are to cause chaos in amongst the ranks of Kal Borrugh, and slip away unseen. Preferably picking them off bit by bit. I understand we are not assassins but we are the closest Kal Kathak has.”
The seven hunters trotted through the mountain, all of them puffed up with pride. This was their first encounter with the enemy, and they’d make Kal Borrugh rue the day they even knew of Kath’un. Karkassy looked at his other six, and grunted. “This is a hunt, and we shall treat it as such. What I mean is not a sound. Our prey is not to hear us while we stalk them.” The seven burst into a silent gallop, the second Kath’un’s corridors turned to mountainside and they had passed the initial watchwolves, now out in the open. Each wolf stealthily following the lead of Karkassy racing down the side of the mountain, their fur surging with the cold morning air. Their paws remained steady, sending snow to a blur as it flew from the speed of their prance.
They hopped from rock to rock with an eerie silence, communicating with head gestures and the twitch of their tails. Within no time they had reached the bottom of the mountain, heading in the direction of their victims. Karkassy looked at the nearest of the six, Reth, a proven hunter, with unmatched skill in comparison to a normal wolf. He had only a slight ounce of magic in comparison to the average wolf Kathak, however, it was his eyes that made him notorious. The perfect scout. Within minutes he gave a quiet snort, the signal that he had seen something up ahead.
The formation of hunters immediately slowed their pace, hopping from rock’s and shadows for cover, keeping their chances of being seen to a minimum.
They stalked in broad daylight, making it easier for them to see their prey, however easier for them to be spotted though; Karkassy gave a curse in his head, why hadn’t they been dispatched at night? At a guess he estimated this was a mission of urgency, of importance, and most of all, speed. The first of the Kal Borrugh wolves reached his sights as he slunk to the floor, the flakes of snow that had fell in his and his pack mates fur had indeed changed them white, each slunk to the ground in response to Karkassy, disguising them as a formation of snow covered rock.
Karkassy half-closed his eyes, the glare of the sun could reflect and give him away. Each wolf shuffled forward in a crawl, engaging at a pace across the floor, inch by inch. He kept tense, making as little movement as possible, the merest motion of a head turn could give them away at any second. His crawl faltered. The wolves freezing in place, aiding to their concealment in the shadow of a felled pine tree.
This was tactical, and unintentional. Karkassy looked on the scene folding out around him with awe and caution.
Around a thousand Kal Borrugh wolves were littered in the snow, talking to one another in their crude tongue. Yes it was his language, but their accent was rather guttural. The grumbles of Kal Kathak looked almost civilised in comparison. Karkassy lay there, taking in the scene, his eyes still squinting at the atmosphere. His tail made a single swishing motion before hitting the floor with a muffled thud. Another hunting gesture he used. In lemans terms he had just told them to remain silent and still. The seven rocks lay under the fallen pine for cover, as they listened to their conversing.
Two of the enemy were in conversation, talking about their everyday life, they were rather loud, almost annoying. “Yea, my kids great, she don’t know when to shut up though!” Karkassy ignored the banter and focussed on the task at hand, looking for anything of importance. He saw they had made igloos out of the snow to conceal themselves in the forest, and shelter themselves from the gales of Kal Kathak’s wind.
He noted this in his mind, looking for anything of strategic importance.
Many of the wolves wore some form of armour, each plate was skilfully adorned in red or gold, they didn’t look particularly manuverable but it would still be hard to kill such heavily armoured opponents. Karkassy’s maw opened slightly in awe, as he gazed at each one in turn. “Blessed bloody Kath’un. Killing these would be rather honourable indeed. The fourth of the six replied, He went by the name of Huff. “Indeed Kark.” They kept in silence as the two wolves ahead of them remained in conversation. “Aye, so yer’ a messenger? Get much respect for that bad job?” “No, not really. ‘tis a shame. Messengers be of high importance roun’ ere!” Karkassy gazed on, trying to take in more of the scene. The banter of this pair was annoying now, borderline distracting even.
Karkassy’s brow furrowed, he was finding this situation rather annoying. Before he had a chance to so much as think another thought, a senior looking canine had walked out toward the pair from the nearest igloo. “Mind if I had a word, about the advance?” Karkassy’s ears strained. He could smell from upwind the seniors scent. He was genuine. He wished the initial wolf wasn’t so talkative. He kept butting in and interrupting the senior mid-sentence. As if he was more interested about his kids. Karkassy couldn’t give a damn about the wolf. On first impressions he was annoying. Even in his standard armour.
Karkassy nearly gave a cry of relief when he said he would depart to “Take a dump”. Simply put, he was distracting him and the other wolves from finding out information, on this wretched pack. Karkassy looked on as an idea formed in his mind. The wolf was several metres from the seven snow mounds when Karkassy’s tail thumped twice. The signal to stay put, Simultaneously he had attracted the wolf’s attention. He was upwind, their location had seen to them being unable to scent them out. However the gales barely altered wolf hearing. And thus the wolf looked sharply in Karkassy’s direction, staring for a few moments before pacing over to the mound of snow that had blown over him,Karkassy praised Asthera that he was near invisible in this snow. But the stupid canine gave it a sniff, and cocked his leg over it!
Karkassy’s lip curled in disgust as the wolf urinated on him. On the bright side, this wolf was either stupid or just ignorant. He had paced behind the fallen tree to sniff Karkassy. As he urinated Karkassy’s eyes narrowed. The pack wouldn’t forget this. He would be the laughing stock of the bloody mountain. He grit his teeth and sat through it, ignoring the fact that his left leg was beginning to get warm. He grinned silently as his front ears shot forward, taking an aggressive stance. He knew the eyes of his hunting party were on him, and so they would get the message in moments.
‘Attack.’ The snow mound to his right erupted silently as he recognised the figure of Grunger leaping in midair his maw fixing around the neck of the armoured wolf and twisting with a near silent crack.
His prey gave a loud groan as air escaped his lungs, sounding like a loud grumble of pain. His body fell to the floor quietly as the senior wolf and the other were still conversing. Their ears perked up to attention. “Seth, are you ok?!” Karkassy’s eyes widened, they could pace over here to check if he was all right. He was invisible, along with his pack mates behind this tree. As Grunger buried himself in the earth once more, he looked to Karkassy in shock. His look read two urgent words. “Do something.” “Seth, what’s up?!” Karkassy’s maw opened in shock, unable to think as he uttered the first thing into his head. “Hell no’r! ‘ow can ye; think I’m ok! I’m bloody constipated!”
He gave a sigh as the pair continued talking, Giving a mocking laugh at the wolf as Karkassy continued to groan, as if straining to defecate, Buying them time.
He shunned a glance at Grunger and then the wolf, following the gesture with a nod of his head toward Kath’un. ‘Go, take the body, Fesh needs to see this.’ Grunger gave a quiet mumble then heaved the paralysed wolf onto his back, running silently with the burden of this wolf, and the armour slung over his shoulders. The remaining six continued to watch the pair of wolves conversing, Taking in as much conversation as they could. Putting their memory to the test.
For several minutes Karkassy lay in the snow, his ears alert to any noise around them as he concentrated on the conversation at hand. He learned the invasion was in two days time, that they would be sending Paladins, whatever they were.
The biggest threat at hand however was the missing wolf. He was clearly a wolf of high ranking judging by his armour, His disappearance would be noticed. He had fur of the same colour of Karkassy. He gave a grin as a brutal idea concocted in his mind.
*~*~*
Tannon grinned, he had trained almost to the point of exhaustion, and sat at the side of the training pit, watching, observing for anything he could learn to use in the upcoming battle. His mind was still worrying about the battle; the wolf got up and padded along the mountain, thinking of his loved ones, Kael and Heth. He vowed never to return to them until the battle was won. He would do this for them, as scared as he may be, he gained fervour and determination from the thought of returning a hero, to fight for not himself or his pack, but to keep his loved ones safe.
He sought advice, finding nothing in the words of the experienced wolves. It had been so long since Kal Kathak had had a war, that even the elders hadn’t experienced battle. He sought reassurance and skill; to self perfect his every attribute so that he could make his family proud. He ventured into the deeper part of the mountain, unused except for the occasional scholar walking past. Tannon sought the knowledge of heroes and tactics employed centuries ago by his ancestors. He did so because he had heard rumours of the Kal Borrugh advance, skilled warriors in plate.
Revered and feared alike.
Tannons natural fear of combat had made him seek perfection; He did not intend to die this early. At just fifteen his black fur deserved a longer life, His mind pleaded nervously for any form of guidance. A trait he was not proud of, he hated mockery from the over confident wolves. He was too wary in personality to be so bold. In comparison to the other wolves his sorcery was weak. Kal Kathak’s sorcery was indeed weak, in comparison to the feats of its old magi; modern day sorcery remained either forgotten or diminishing.
His paws steered him to the Enclave of Heroism. A section of the mountain where wolves of aeons passed were depicted in statues and tapestries, where books littered of praise of Kathak’s old warriors. Long forgotten battles showed on tapestries wolves fighting one another, the artisan work making it seem the wolves were still fighting, a trick of the light. Whispers seemed to fill the air, from no-one in particular. The sound of hushed talking miniscule to the ear. Whenever he looked at the direction of the voice he would find none there. “Strange”, Tannon muttered.
He sat admiring a statue of a large looking wolf, his eyes a-scowl as his maw strained open in a deathly snarl. Plated armour adorned his flanks and paws, in a traditional black carapace. His helm was grafted perfectly to his head, sparing not an inch of access even his jaws were plated. His ears were tucked away, hidden inside large metal plates, protecting his entire head from blows, whereas the jaw on the helm was hinged, allowing the manuverability to bite and rip enemies. The statue struck an imposing figure, rough fur emphasised by his broad masculine shoulders. His eyes leered powerfully beneath his helm, The stonemason was indeed skilled, From the ancient text of centuries passed, he had captured the rough aggressive attitude of the hero perfectly. Tannon walked on from the statue in awe, pausing at the next.
His eyes looked upon the face of a slender femme, her body curvy and beautiful, her fur sleek and well kept. Fixed to her right paw was a blade of sorts, sleek and jagged. It was a cruel shard of metal, glimmering in the candlelight fixed to the statue of the she-wolf. Tannon felt a surge of lust for the long dead wolf. Followed by guilt as he thought of Heth. The stonemason had indeed captured her attitude and looks perfectly. Tannon averted his gaze and walked on down the alcove of statues, each one catching his eye. The stone looked almost real. This place was awe inspiring and uneasy, magic seeming to flow from every shadow and corner, however nothing seemed to be there when Tannon looked after catching a glimpse out of the corner of his weary eyes.
Tannon gazed upon another statue, of an older, wiser looking wolf. The era of stonework was beyond him, clearly the statues had been moved and put in the alcove from the last pack habitat, and the stone was older and different from anything found in Kath’un. The marble rock glimmered in the light of a sorcerous torch bracket, flickering against the attention to detail in the wolven stone fur. This hero was different. The other statues had shown wolves and wolfette’s in thick armour, or none at all. This figure wore a hooded cloak over his armour; he had no helm, only a hood casting shadows over its lifelike eyes. The armour was similar to the rest, however where they had held symbols of rock, fire and ice, this armour was emblazoned with intricate vines and leaves. The hooded face of the wolf exuded wisdom in its features, combined with the Astheric trait of his upper fangs elongating. (They grew with age amongst the wolves of Kal Kathak.) His fangs were extremely long, even for an elder, protruding from under his hood like a pair of white marble sabres.
Tannon looked with awe upon the wolf, for it looked similar to him in physique. The intricate plates of his armour overlapped perfectly, complementing the hooded cape the wolf wore. The material of the cape was thin; the stonemason had captured the wolf’s pose with skill, the cloth seeming to be mid-ripple in the breeze.
His eyes looked down to the book at the wolf’s feet, a description of the hero in question. “Theushar be’th a wolf with cunning, His eyes seem’th to be piercing with energy, He indeed be sorcerous and sly, his wit only outmatched by his elegance on the battlefield. Thine write thee passage on thy year 346.” Tannon Gawked at the statue, looking up as his paw rested on the page. This wolf had been dead for well over fifteen hundred years. His eyes skimmed the book once more.
“Theushar, the eldeth be indeed wise, the strategium of thy hath won many battles. Wheras his leadership has won them all.” Tannon gawked at the book once more. So this wolf had never lost a battle.”Wow”. He continued reading, “He deemeth himself young with magic, Eternal youth of sorts keeping him alive and living forth Eight centuries before being felled by a Kitsume, for a powerful Magi be he. Wolves and Dakkan alike have fled at the shine of his paw, fearful of the sorcery he hath in store.” Tannon grinned; He would give much to have this sort of power, although he shunned himself for being so ambitious in greed.
His eyes shone as he looked up into the face of the elder wolf, his face seemed not a day over twelve, his fur pockmarked with the occasional scar, yet the big giveaway was ultimately his overlarge canines, indicating his age in length.
Tannon stared at the figure and uttered a single sentence, his eyes fixed upon the statues. “If only I could follow life as you did, although that ambition may be the end of me.”
A faint voice echoed around the room, catching Tannon’s ear briefly. “So you seek power, young one? And what may I ask, is your motive and intent to use it.”
Theushar’s eyes glimmered darkly gazing at Tannon with curiousity. The wolf leapt back in fear, staring back at the unmoving statue. “No, that was nothing.” He reminded himself, regaining his composure and checking around the room for any pranksters in the shadows. “It was something little one, It was I Theushar, And it is rude to be ignorant when addressed a question.” Tannon’s mouth went dry as he looked upon the statue, some sort of sorcery was at work here. Making the spirit communicate with him. “I err; intend to protect my family from the threat of Kal Borrugh.”
He wished his words hadn’t came out so stupidly, when the statues eyes fixed on his. “A decent enough reason. I sense you are pure of intention, However, you do seem somewhat… surprised by me.” “I am sir, I’ve never seen a talking statue.” “Ignorance is bliss young one. For you need not know of the boredom I face whilst stuck in this statue, Forever binded to this rock as a Dakkan, for my mortal body Hath failed me.” Tannon remained speechless as the wolf continued to speak. “I sense you are in danger young one, an aura of fright and death accompany you as a thrall may accompany a Magi to war. You will indeed die in your condition.”
His eyes widened at the statues words, he didn’t want to believe this yet the statue as plain as day, was addressing him. “However, few wolves boast combat expertise with determination and cunning. You are indeed the breed of a hero. Do not let my words inspire arrogance little one, as of yet you are not even a warrior. However, I see you have been training your body hard, Yet I see no strain on your mind or spirit. Do you wish to live when confronted by your enemies? A wolf must be strong of mind and heart if he’s to claim victory.” “I… err, I wish to claim victory elder, as anything less may result in the death of my beloved family.” The statues lips seemed to twitch briefly in an attempt to smile. “My spirit wears thin in this corrupt cocoon, However, I wish to help you. Study my book closely and learn my Magic’s for they are helpful. It would also please me oh so, if you used them. I fear Magi of the old magic’s are long gone. I fear its extinction, In using it, you would do me a favour little one. Please, take my tome and learn, come back when you have scoured every page a thousand fold.”
Tannon smiled with gratitude at the elder wolf for his aid. “Thankyou sire, I shall return your tome within the day!” His jaws clamped around the book at the statue’s feet and tore it delicately from its grip, before running into a silent alcove behind the Enclave of Heroes, to study the magic in solitude.
***
***
Karkassy looked onwards at the camp. His eyes fixxed at the many huts and hastily constructed shelters as the occasional scout would roam via firelight. The moon had bathed the darkened snow in white, allthough, the Darkness was still strong enough to require campfires. HA! the piteous wolves hadnt even constructed the fires proporly. They lacked in light and heat, just a watse of matchwood. Allthough the fires dotted around the Kal'Borrugh camp were faded and dull, the light still may have reflected from his pupils, and so Karkassy, like many of his pack had a narrow eyed gaze. Staring onwards.
He had asked of his hunting pack to scatter, circleing the many camps of the enemy wolves, telling them al to count to three hundred before they attacked. They had all been Very well equipped for the mission at paw, and each of them Bore tight fitting black leather. The garments were simple, they clung to the body allowing movement, but offering a slight amount of protection. Tooth and claw would find it hard to gain purchase on the garments, wheras their matte black colour would help them blend in the darkness.
Karkassy ground his teeth, Noticing the small mouthpeice he had in place since he had put it in. The device was simple. A metalic row of serrated teeth which would fit across his own, the iron teeth in the dentures were each capped with a sorcerous metal, burning all they came into contact with, Making chewwing through armour a simple task. To his forepaws a simple blade was strapped, making his swiped more effective.
For the first time in nearly three hundred years, Kal Kathak Had Asassins.
"Two hundred and ninety nine... Three hundred."
Karkassy Darted from the clearing keeping low to the ground, Weaving between tree's silently yet without grace. His tall lumbering form sniffing across the floor. He approached the first hut, Hiding out of view from the rest of the camp, Karkassy raised a paw, digging the blade into the back of the tent and sliding downwards. Leaping inside and staring around.
Two soldiers lay inside their beds, One fast asleep, as another sat up to look at him, glassy eyed. Karkassy hesitated as he saw the wolf arch back with an intake of breath, about to howl a warning. His maw fixxed around his throat, and bit deeply, feeling barely any resistence as the enchanted jaws in his mouth did their work, tearing out the wolfs throat. He fell to the floor, unable to make a sound. His paw mounted blade saw more work as it dug into the eye of the sleeping wolf, into his brain. The canine wouldnt have a chance to wake up, A merciful death.
His nose stuck out from the tent, sniffing heavily, Nothing. The firelight flickered against his nose suspiciously, as another guard began aproaching his tent.
Karkassy sat in wait, Taking a gamble as he watched the wolf pace toward him, the thin fabric being the only thing seperating him from the guard. The campfire behind the wolf was an unexpected advantage as Karkassy sat in wait, he could see the shadow looming over the thin fabric, getting closer. Stooping down to life up the tent flap with his nose.
Karkassy didnt hesitate this time, He dived through the fabric, plunging his blades into the wolf's neck, Grasping onto his throat with his maw, and then using his back legs to propel them both back inside the tent, all in a matter of moments. It hadnt even been thirty seconds, and already three wolves lay dead, their crimson spewing across the tent floor. So far it was good, Not one soldier alive was aware of them, and there must have been several hundred in this camp alone!
