Blood of Ice

[Monkey Monk]

OOC: Ok I am currently in the process of rewriting this story so it is going to take maybe a year to get the whole thing up here. But here's the prolouge and whatever else I have written up for you. ;D

Prolouge

In the snowy reaches of a vast chain of mountains dwells something abnormal. Something mankind has overlooked. Wolves. Yet humanity is unaware of something in these wolves. Something very important. Wolves here are not too different from man. In fact, they beings might just be better.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter One
The Assignment

The day was a clear one. The North Mountains seemed to shine in the light. The permanent snow that encased the monolithic peaks glittered peacefully. Yet beneath the tranquility the mountains teemed with activity.
There could be seen an odd sight to any who were not educated in it's foundation. Ten powerful, strong wolves could be seen. All of them bore the same mark on ther front-right leg. The mark was a serpeant curled around a sinister dagger. What was perhaps even stranger about these wolves was that they spoke.
These were the Elite as the rest of society named them, but their comrades called them the Elementals. Their mark was highly feared as was their might. Some though to look into the eyes of one of these Elites would make one drop dead. Legends told that the Elementals were bron killers, each one granted the control over a certain element. What the legends did not tell was that the all mighty Elite were not so all mighty. They were slaves as were the regular soldiers in this massive army. Yet what made these commandos different from the rest were their innate abilities.
The different colored pelts of the wolves moved in a slight breeze. Nine were in a circle that surrounded the tenth. Those nine each controlled a different element that had been passed to them. All of them were the mastes in their arts. Those nine elements had been passed for ages in blood. Meaning if the owner was killed his murderer got his power. Fire, nature, stone, waterr, thunder, vampirism, demonism, angelism, and mystism. Those nine Elementals loyally followed a tenth. The lone white wolven in the center of the circle.
His element was ice. Leadership was he because of his superior strength and control. That brilliant white pelt of his was tinted with the faintest of blue. Eyes of the same brilliance glared around fiercely, masking the feeling and thoughts he contained. Pearly white fangs peeked from beneath black lips. Steam rose from his nostrils into the frigid air. This was Icewolf Coldgust.
With a forlorn grin the male wolf spoke to his followers.
"My fellow Elementals. Welcome back from your vacations. The gods have truly blessed us by ensuring all of us survived to continue our lives in servitude to the great North Mountain Wolf Army."
Suddenly a deep voice spoke from a black pelted male. The light gleamed off his metalic claws.
"Cut the shit Icey. We already made sure there weren't any guards around. Besides, we might as well speak our minds and take the punishment."
Murmurs of agreement from the others caused the leader to sigh.
"Well if you all feel that way you're not going to like our assignment. Due to the loss of soldiers in the last war our leaders have ordered us to recruit some new ones."
"You mean kidnap some pups."
There was silence. A normal leader would punish a follower for such insolence. Yet instead Icewolf lowered his head and spoke somberly.
"Sadly Eagle you are right. I know none of us enjoy this. Yet we must do as told."
Many of the Elementals could recall their own 'recruitment' into this army of wolves. The most recent addition to the group was Savage. The gray furred wolf had been trained to search and destroy. His peculiar fur pattern allowed him to blend in with most common rock patterns. Savage was an expert tracker and assasin.
Quickly he rose and spoke in his chilling voice.
"We should be a little more subtle. You know, sneak in and out."
"That won't work Savage. We should just kill like we always do." Retorted Tagger.
"No Tag. Savage's idea is more humane. I like it."
"Ah shut up Falchion! We ain't humans. We kill humans!" Those words came from a lithe looking Elite named Raven.
Icewolf watched with growing annoyance as he troops argued amond themselves. With a startling snarl he quickly silenced the others. As not to wast time, the leader spoke.
"There is a huge family nearby. They have guards but they will have been drugged by our insider. There are many whelps. You all know the routine. At night we attack!"

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 2
The Attack

Not far away, at the base of the mountain, a family of wolves laid within their large cave-like den. Two lazy guards leaned against the mouth of the cave as others went about busily.
A deep pool resided in the center of the home in which pups could swim and play and others could drink from the crystal waters. Worn down places in the rock were scattered about, obviously where the creatures slept at night. The entire place was warm and homely.
The females tended to the young and the males strode in and out of the den, tending to chores and duties for the family. Soon everyone came in however, except for the guards of course. The old huddled in their groups, spinning elaborate tales to one another of times long gone and adventures well forgotten by all except for them. All about, the creatures in the home were sleepy and tired. So tired that no one noticed the pools of blood gathering beneath the guards. The attack had begun.
The peacefulness was soon lost into the battle as the Elite struck. The first wave consisted of two black wolves who tore through the untrained males and old ones ruthlessly. Blood spattered the walls and coated the floors. As soon as the males and elders were dead, two more creature's leaped into the den and mercilessly slaughtered the females. Their work was done quickly so as to avoid hearing their pleads to live. A golden furred Elite snuck past the masacre and approached the whimpering pups. He gave them a small smile and quickly led them from their home.
When all was said and done, a large white mascu strode into the slaughter house. He looked at the bodies with sorrow and distaste. Slowly one of the first wave approached the white mascu. He bowed his head and spoke lowly. "It...It is done Icewolf."
A female who lay gasping for breath watched in fear as Icewolf walked in. When his voice was spoke, she felt anger boil up within her. He had killed her family and stolen her children! Yet her anger could not last, it drained her too much. Fury turned to exhaustion and the worlds swirled away to blackness.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 3
The Vow

The deer raised it's head, ears twitching. Something had moved nearby. As the skittish creature prepared to flee, a blur of fur shot out from the bushes. Fangs and claws dug into the beast's neck and tore at the vital blood vein. With a sound of protest, the prey fell to the ground, the victor standing over it's body.
The predator was a mascu who's pelt was of a shadowy gray. His eyes were a golden brown that sparkled with joy at having found food for his mate and children. Quickly he tore large hunks of warm meat from the carcass with his pearly fangs and began to trot back home. He did not notices the shadows that flew overhead in the night sky.
Slowly the mascu drew closer to the place which the Elite had just raided, yet that fact was unknown to him for the moment. Suddenly the scent of wolf blood flooded his senses. The mascu dropped his prized meat and tore off to his home. He came to a halt at the entrance. The guards, who were his brothers, lay on the ground with their throats slit. Slowly he treaded into the cave. His eyes flooded with tears at what he saw.
Blood covered the walls and floor. The area was scattered with the bodies of his relatives. And yet he did not see the bodies of any pups, why? Before he had much chance to ponder this, a voice grew his attention. A female was lieing on the stone floor, her life draining away. He ran over to the femme, his mate. She coughed out a wave of blood and looked at her lover with foggy eyes. "The serpant! ....The White Devil!....Shanto!...Where are you?!....they...they took the children....ICEWOLF!"
The mascu, who it seemed was named Shanto, watched as his mate died. Her last words burned brightly in his mind like hot coals. He rose his head and spoke out to no one but the dead. "I Shanto...vow on my mate's soul...that I will kill this Icewolf from the inside out...just like he has killed me..." Softly he pressed his head to her neck and sobbed uncontrollably in sorrow.
Shanto's sorrow was so great that he did not notice a lithe creature slink towards him through the shadows. Slowly the grieving mascu looked over to the pool in the center of the den. He saw the glint of gold behind him in the reflection. With a roar of rage he spun around and snapped out. A black mascu leaped back chuckling darkly at the simple wolf. Shanto growled and spoke angrily.
"Icewolf! You killed my family you bastard! Now tell me where you took my pups!"
"First of all you fool, I am not Icewolf. I am Raven. And secondly, no. I think I'd rather kill you."
Raven leaped forth at Shanto, fangs and claws bared out. He felt no need to use his element on this simple being. Yet his over confidence would be the death of him. Shanto fell to the ground and snapped up at the mascu's exposed neck. It was a trick he used on charging prey. Slowly Raven backed up, watching as his life force fell onto the ground.
"H-how can this be?! I am Elite! I can not die!"
Shanto slowly walked to the dieing wolf. His eyes were cold with anger and hatred. Roughly he stuck out and snapped his opponent's neck. The black male fell to the ground, a lifeless carcass.
"Too ba-"
Shanto's gloating was cut off a what seemed to be pure darkness rose from Raven's body. The dark mist crawled over Shanto before sinking into his flesh painfully. The mascu screamed out in utter shock of pain as he felt his body slowly changing.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 4
Revelations

Back in the snow reaches of the wolf army's mountain, the remaining Elementals were grouped in their area. They sat in a circle, but there was a gap. It was the spot in which Raven sat. In the center of the circle sat the pups which had just been 'recruited'. The many young wolfs whimpered at the sight of the many fearsome Elite. Yet they all cuddled close to the one who had taken them from the den. The Elite was Hawk. His fur seemed to be made of pure gold as was the same with his eyes. The element he possessed was that of angelic nature. Not only was he the care-taker of the pups, but he also was the one who seemed to keep the peace within their group.
The Elite were all close brothers. No matter their differences, they considered each other family. So when they lost Raven, the lost a brother.
Icewolf looked over the Elementals. Raven had been gone too long. As much as he hated to admit it, they had to consider their friend dead. It was part of the law they resided under. As if to change the subject that plagued everyone's minds, Hawk spoke.
"We should take the male pups to the Commander. Then once we're off duty, we can bring the girls to the settlement and let them find families."
As hinted before, the Elite were part of a vast army of creatures. This army was called the N.M.W.A, or North Mountains Wolf Army. It consisted of all male wolfs. Yet at the western side of the mountain, there was a huge plateau system on which the soldier's families lived. At night the warriors could return home to their mates and even their own children. The plateaus were all proper family enviroments.
The male children of warriors would of course grow up to fight along side their fathers. At a certain age they were put through a test before what training was selected for them. This was to determine whether one of the rare Elementals had been born. The female children were always allowed to stay and find mates of their own, with their parents' permission of course. The higher of plateaus is where the families of higher ranked warriors lived. Some of these dens belonged to the Elite.
"Good idea Hawk. Let's go now, it's almost dawn which means we should be off soon."
Slowly the Elite rose and waited as Hawk herded the pups into the middle of the group. Some of the regular soldiers only knew killing. If one of the precious children got loose near them, they might get hurt or killed. So the Elementals did not let any of them wander about as they began their trek towards the peak.



At the base of the slope, a curious looking wolf approached the gap in the tall spires of stone. Two guards stopped him and spoke.
"State your name and business."
The shadowy pelt of the mascu was coated with ashes. The heavy scent of burned flesh lingered around him.
"I am Shanto of Shadows. I heard your army is in search of a new Elite."
"How did you know that?"
"Never you mind."
The guards looked over Shanto silently for a moment. Yet after several moments they nodded and let Shanto take his leave up the mountain.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 5
Family Ties

As the great sun rose up above the mountains, shining the first rays of light upon the snowy lands, the Elite treaded through the mist covered lands. Only a few were left in the group, the other's having gone to their homes.
"Icewolf, how's Snowfang doing?"
"He's growing strong."
"I bet he's always in trouble just like his old man."
"Hey Ice, is WinterRose tired of your white arse yet?"
"Just try it Tagger and you're dead."
The converstation went on as they ventured. Every so often another of the Elite would say his goodbyes and head off to his home untill Icewolf was all alone. As he approached his home, he heard an unfamiliar voice. Silently the warrior tensed up and began to creap toward the entrance to his den. The warrior peered around the edge of the cave. What he saw was his mate talking to a mascu. The stranger's fur was colored like shadows that oddly had ashes strewn throughout it. Icewolf's son Snowfang was playing with a mouse he had caught. The pup was alot like his father, but he had a bit of black in his fur like his mother. Cooly Icewolf padded into her home. His tone of voice was cold and stern.
"Who are you?"
Everyone's heads turned to Icewolf. The wolf turned to face the white warrior and bowed his head before speaking.
"I am Shanto, the new Elite. The commander told me that you were the leader so I thought I'd come meet you."
"New Elite?"
"Yes."
"How do you know we need a new member?"
"Word travels."
Icewolf decided not to reply. Instead he simply stood there for a while in silence. The air in the cave was tense, thus Icewolf's family was quiet. Suddenly the tenseness was broken when Shanto spoke.
"Well I must be going. I will see you later Icewolf."
As the mascu left, he glared at Icewolf before disapearing into the shadows. Icewolf stood staring at the entrance untill Snowfang ran to him and pounced at his paws.
"Hey dad did you kill anyone this week? How long untill you have to go back. Can I go with you this time?"
"Now Snowfang, don't pester your father or it's off to bed."
"But Maaaaa!"
"WinterRose you wouldn't.."
"Don't make me send you too! You may be a big warrior but I still am the leader of this household."
Icewolf smiled at his lover who inturn returned the favor. They gazed at each other lovingly before Snowfang again broke the silence.
"Hey dad! Can we go to Taggerung's tomorrow and do that training you two promised me?"
"Sure."
"Icewolf..."
"He's a big pup Winter, he can stand a little training."
"Fine then it's off to bed for you Snowfang."
"Awwww"
"Good night Snowfang."
"You too Icewolf Coldgust."
"What?"
"Now!"
Icewolf and his son ran in mock fear before quickly feigning sleep on the family bed. Snowfang curled up beneath his father's tail and quickly fell asleep. With a soft smile, WinterRose walked over to the two and gave an affectionate lick to Icewolf's maw before curling up beside him and falling asleep.
As the family slept peacefully, a shadowy figure snuck into their home. Golden brown eyes looked at the family as the figure creaped forth. As pearly fangs were exposed into the air, a twig snapped not far off. Quickly the figure fled from the den.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 6
And Oath in Blood

The next day Icewolf and his son set off for the home of Taggerung. There, Snowfang would begin his training. Taggerung was more than willing to help. As the young pup tried his best to lift a boulder that was three times larger than his father, the two Elite conversed.
"I don't trust Shanto."
"Why should you? He's obviously enacted a Blood Oath."
"Why do you say that?"
"The ashes in his fur, are those of another wolf. It is one of the steps in the blood oath."
"What creeps me out was he was in my home talking to WinterRose and Snowfang."
"Well we'll see in a little while I guess."
The two warriors sat and watched as Snowfang did everything his young mind could think of to try and move the boulder as instructed. Finally Icewolf rose and walked over. He put a little pressure on a spot in the rock and the round rock moved in the grove it was set into.
"Son, always look at things from every angle. Some times the simplest of things seem hard."
Taggerung chuckled and walked over. His metallic claws gleamed in the light. When the warrior had been a pup, he had been captured by humans. They had changed him somehow and made his claws extendable daggers of sorts. Every month, the mascu would shed these claws and grow new ones. Snowfang marvelled at these claws. They shone brightly atop the snow. Yet when he looked up and found his gaze met with Taggerung's, the pup ran to hide behind his father. Icewolf chuckled and looked to his friend.
"Well we'll have to continue this later Tagger."
"Ok then. See you later Ice, Snow."
With that the great white wolf padded off with his son. The warrior's mind still spun in an attempt to figure out why Shanto would enact such a thing as a Blood Oath.



In a new den on the settlement, Shanto was performing some sort of ritual. He pressed his claw into his chest to let a spurt of blood fall onto the ground. Such was the way of the Blood Oath. Every night that the revenge was not found, the one who pledged the Blood Oath had to shed blood for the one he had lost. Time was running out before the Blood Oath's power would be gone. Shanto needed to hurry.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 7
Rebellion

Time flew by quickly and soon it was time for the Elite to return to their duties. The day Icewolf was leaving, WinterRose gave him a gift. It was a sidebag to fit a wolf. The warrior was greatly happy at the gift and expressed it so.
"Thankyou Winter, it's great!"
The female smiled softly and spoke.
"Look inside."
"......Wow!"
Wow indeed. Inside was a golden disk. On it was the mark of the Elite. They dagger was silver, the viper jade, and two rubies for the serpant's eyes.
"It was owned by the first Elemental leader. Now it is owned by the greatest."
"How did you find it?"
"I didn't, my father left it to me before he died."
There was a pause of silence."
"Thankyou Winter. I'll cherish it forever."
No longer was their time for talking. A howl sounded somewhere nearby, beckoning the Elite. Icewolf nuzzled WinterRose and ruffled Snowfang's fur before dashing from his home. In a few moments the Elite were gathered at their usual clearing. All were tense for their orders, even Shanto. Icewolf took up his position and spoke.
"Elite, as you know, we have lost and gained. There is no time for greetings though. We are to attack another pack..."
He paused for a moment. He thought about what WinterRose had said about him being the greatest leader of the Elie. The thought caused him to smile slightly before he spoke proudly.
"Instead we will attack a human complex that has been killing our brethrin. What's more, is from this day on, we will not call ourselves Elite. Such a name is vile and disgusting. From this moment forth we abandon that name. We shall be called..."
There was a silence as Icewolf was obviously speaking. Suddenly Hawk rose to all fours and spoke out.
"The Defenders!"
The other's looked at the golden wolf as if he was crazy. Yet after several moments, two of the others rose.
"Aye! The Defenders!"
It was not long untill all but Shanto and Icewolf were shouting out the group's new name. Shanto was caught off guard. Icewolf and the other's were disobeying a direct order! The commander had to hear about this. Slowly the mascu stepped into the shadows before disapearing all together. As the mascu ran towards the peak, the newly named Defenders took to flight.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 8
Goodbye, My love

Shanto could get no hearing with the commander. For an hour he had waited only to be rejected. The mascu's fury boiled. Aimlessly he began to walk around the terrain. He soon found himself outside the training area. Forlornly he looked into the clearing and saw something that made his anger rise even more. He saw his son being trained. His own spawn! Working for the very wolfs who had killed his family! With a grunt of anger, Shanto took off. Time time was ripe. In a matter of moments he was slinking into Icewolf's wolf, a look of pure blood lust upon his face.



The rest of the Defenders sulked back into the territory. Eagle, one of their brothers, was not with them. By now his body would be burned by the fires of the building they had left. The group went to the home of Icewolf where they intended to mourn. Yet as they drew near, Icewolf paused and lifted his head. After several moments of silence, Thor spoke the question on everyone's mind.
"What's wrong."
"It's quiet..."
"So?"
"So Snowfang is always loud."
With that Icewolf tore off into a run. The other followed close behind and watched as a shadowy figure ran out of the den, blood trailing behind him. Icewolf did not care though. He ran into the den and it was not long untill his cries of agony filled the air.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 9
The Chase

Inside his home, Icewolf cried in sorrow. He hovered over the lifeless forms of his mate and son. Blood covered his pure white pelt as his tears fell onto the corpses of the only things he loved. Yet his sorrow soon turned to anger. That anger soon boiled into hatred. And the stew of hatred simmered into determination. Quickly he searched around his home untill he found a single flake of ash on the ground. With a growl he ran out of his home.
Before any of the other's could stop him, Icewolf was running after the shadowy figure that had left moments before. It was not long before he was right behind Shanto. The shadowy mascu ran like a madman. Yet the tree line suddenly parted and he skidded to a halt, stopping at the edge of the cliff. Those golden brown eyes of his looked over the edge to the sharp rocks below. Slowly he turned around to run in a different direction but was face to face with a furious Icewolf. The white wolf snarled angrilly as the other Defenders began to form a semi-circle to prevent Shanto from escaping.
Icewolf again snarled as the clouds poured forth a heavy rain of snow. The great white wolf spoke maliciously.
"You killed my family!"
"You killed mine!"
"I was under orders!"
"I was under oath!"
Icewolf shook with rage. With a loud roar of anguish he leaped at Shanto and the battle for vengeance began.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 10
Battle of Titans

The battle started off fiercely. Icewolf leaped at Shanto, slashing and biting. As the snow fell, the ash furred wolf snapped at Icewolf. The latter withdrew from the assualt with a bleeding ear while Shanto had a gash on his back. Quickly Icewolf recovered, Shanto launched an attack of his own. He bit left and right, trying to get to his opponent's neck. All the while he pushed the combat away from the cliff. Icewolf roared in pure anger. With all of his might, he summoned his element. His blue eyes glowed as a wind picked up. Hail began to swirl around Shanto, cutting at his flesh. The shadowy mascu roared in anger, his element unable to be conjured in the evening light. Icewolf battle rage grew and his heavy paws became encased in ice. Ferociously he sliced at Shanto. The sharp claws easily tore through flesh until Shanto was on the edge of the cliff, panting heavily. Icewolf glared at the other darkly.
"This is for my family."
With that he leaped forth. There was an eerie silence as Shanto was pushed towards the edge. In a desperate attempt to save his life, the mascu gripped Icewolf's leg. Instead, his claws cut clear down to the bone and dragged from the golden mark down. Icewolf roared in pain and jerked from Shanto's grasp. After a moment of waiting, the satisfying sound of bones crunching rang in the Defender's ears. Slowly Icewolf peered over the edge to see Shanto impaled through the chest. Yet after several moments his body became covered in a dark mist.



As the snow fell, a group of soldiers approached the Defenders. Everyone but Icewolf posed for battle. Yet the injured mascu looked down sorrowfully and shook his head.
"Brothers...do not fight them. Let them take me."
"Acually Coldgust, we have orders to take you all to the pit."
Peacefully the group of warrior let themselves be led to a deep pit in the ground. They were roughly shoved in before a slab of rock covered all hopes of escaping.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 11
The Escape

In the depths of the pit, Zues did his best to tend to Icewolf's wounds. Once his gashes had been covered, the leader of the group rose to his feet. He looked about in the dim light to see his brothers with depressed expressions on their face. After thinking, Icewolf broke the silence.
"Look are you. Your snouts in the mud. Well cheer up. We're not part of NMWA anymore. We're not slaves. Not Elite or Elements. Yet I do know what we are. We are friends. Friends free to do what they want. It's my fault that we're in this mess. Can you forgive me my friends, my brothers?"
There was silence that did not last long. One by one the other's spoke up.
"I forgive you"
"So do I"
"Me too"
"To live is to forget"
"I can't be mad at you. I would have done the same."
"You saved my life once. I can't forget that."
Icewolf smiled. He stood tall and spoke proudly.
"We entered this pit slaves who everyone thought to be Elite. We will leave it something else. We will defend those we once caused harm to. We will leave as the Defenders. Not let's get the hell out of here!"
All the other males yelled in agreement. Their voices rang through the rock. The guards posted at the pit looking at each other fearfully before tearing off in different directions. Suddenly the rock broke in a burst of light, fur, and power. The Defenders flooded from the pit and instantly began to run from the mountain. They did not make it far however before it seemed as if they were met with the entire wolf army.
The Defenders began to battle through the sea of enemies. Taggerung tore through the foes with precision and brutality. Falchion fought almost mechanicly, killing one foe before moving onto the next. The brothers Thor and Zues fought side by side at the back of the group, killing those who dared to attack from the rear. Savage soon found his way to Falchion and they two friends fought wildly. Meanwhile, the group was headed by Hawk and Icewolf. Viciously the two were torn at and doubly returned the favors. Deathblood was a loner in the fight. He was off to the side, killing with surprising barbaricness in his attacks. Whenever he killed a particularly high ranked foe, he would tear a fang from their maw before continuing on.
The fight drew nearer and nearer to the pillars of stone that acted as a fence around the territory. The Defender's pushed through and killed the last ones. Thor and Zues fought as Icewolf and Hawk tried to push the boulder that would seal off the escape. But something was wrong, the rock would not move. Icewolf looked at the twin brother's.
"It's stuck!"
"Then go!"
"What?!"
"GO!"
Icewolf looked at Zues who instead killed a foe who tried to get pass him and Thor. With a sorrowful nod, the white mascu grabbed Hawk by the nape and began to drag him off. Hawk watched as his two friends fought to protect their escape.
"No! Let me go! LET ME GO HELP THEM! ICEWOLF! LET ME GO!"
But Icewolf did not let the golden wolf go. Once the Defenders were a fair distance away they watched two dots fight a sea of wolfs. Yet soon the masses overcame Thor and Zues. Hawk's cries of agony filled the air as the twin brothers died side by side. Quickly the remaining Defenders turned and fled into the vast southern fields.

[Monkey Monk]

Chapter 12
A New Life

The retreat of the Defenders was a success. They got away safely. Icewolf looked over the others when they stopped for the night. The clear night sky hung over the plains, the stars blinking merrily. Far off the mascu could see a mysterious forest. He remembered this to be the place of the pack where they had been ordered to attack. There had to have been a reason. Slowly he looked back to his friends.
"Defenders. We have a duty. The place that the NMWA wanted to attack must be defended. Tomorrow we will begin the journey there. Hopefully, our evil deeds will have not reached their ears. Hopefully we can build ourselves new lives...ne-new families...."
The other's nodded and silently went about making their camp for the night. When all was said and done, and they had fed upon a thin deer, the Defenders each found a spot to rest. Icewolf offered to take first watch. Silently the white mascu looked up to the sky. And for a moment, he could have sworn he had seen the faces of WinterRose and Snowfang in the stars, smiling down at him lovingly...

The End