this.”

          Melody sighed. “Dash, I can’t… they said that if I went back on them that they would kill my family.”

          Dash sighed. “…then we have to make sure that none of them escape, don’t we?”

          Melody shook her head. “Dash, you don’t understand these wolves… they’re killers. They’ll do it. I can’t put my family at risk.”

          Dash smiled. “Melody, I can protect you. We have all the Defense Force at our disposal. None of them will harm you, I promise.”

          Melody sighed and thought about it for a moment. “…alright, I’ll help you.” She said. “…but if I do… you’ll not tell anyone else about this?”

          Dash nodded. “…that’s right. Help me and you’ll have proven yourself to me once more.”

          Melody sighed. “…you better be right about this Dash.” She said.

          Dash was tired.

          He hadn’t slept well the night before. In all of his time with the Talbourne he’d never lied to Aleu before… not like he was about to do now.

          He glanced behind him to see Melody following close behind. He could only hope that she could maintain her composure throughout the incident.

          He stopped walking and let her catch up. “Listen Melody, remember what we talked about.” He said. “Don’t let anything slip that you couldn’t know without being the one talking to them. Aleu will be suspicious when we tell her this. It’s already suspicious that you’d be out of the cave that late at night… but if I vouch for you she should believe me. It is imperative that she doesn’t find out what really happened. If Aleu finds out what I know I won’t be able to save you, and I’ll be in for it as well.”

          Melody nodded.

          “Alright then, here we go.” He said.

          Dash walked across the Main Chamber to Aleu’s side.

          “Hey Dash.” She said. “How are you?”

          Dash smiled. “I’m alright.” He said. “What’s the status of the Defense Force?”

          Aleu looked confused. “Everyone is accounted for and ready, why, something up?”

          Dash nodded. “I’m going to need them all ready to go by this afternoon.”

          “Well, fourth unit just got off duty, they were on patrol all day yesterday, and Timbre has already pulled three days in a row.”

          Dash nodded. “I know, and I’m sorry to have to do it to them, but we need all of them.”

          Aleu nodded back. “Alright Dash, what’s up?”

          “I sent Melody out to scout around last night, see if she could find any trace of the wolves that have been attacking us.”

          A look of confusion crossed Aleu’s face again. “…Melody?” She asked. “She’s not on the Defense Force. That could have been detailed to Fourth Unit’s patrol.”

          Dash nodded. “I know, but I didn’t want a military presence. I would have had Timbre go, but he was leading the patrol, and I figured you’d be busy taking over the Force, so I sent her.”

          Aleu nodded. “Next time it’d be a good idea if you at least let me know there was an op planned. If she’d gotten in trouble she would’ve just been stuck out there.”

          Dash nodded. “I know, and she understood the risks… but she overheard something I think you need to hear.”

          Melody stepped forward. “They want to take over the Clan.” She said.

          Aleu nodded. “Well I figured that much. They wouldn’t attack us otherwise.”

          Melody nodded. “..but they don’t have much in the way of manpower, so they intend to do it by assassinating Dash.”

          Aleu gasped. “Well then we have to do something! Did they say when?”

          Dash nodded. “When I leave the cave today to go with Melody.”

          Aleu looked at Dash, then back to Melody. “Oh…. Okay, so how did they know you were leaving?”

          Dash nearly held his breath. This was the crucial piece of information Aleu had to buy completely. If there was any doubt…”

          “I overheard them talking.” Melody said. “Seems one of them snuck into the cave and has been blending with us, listening to plans and such.”

          Aleu frowned. “Well, that would explain how they were able to hit the patrols so easily…”

          Dash nodded.

          Aleu looked at Melody and then back to Dash, but remained silent. “Alright, what do you want to do?” She asked.

          “I want the Defense Force standing by at our meeting place. We’ll go out as if nothing has happened, then when they ambush us…”

          “…we ambush them.” Aleu said. “…and with far greater numbers.”

          Dash nodded. “…exactly.”

          Aleu remained silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll put the teams on alert.”

          Dash nodded. “Good, I’m leaving the strategy of the attack up to you. If we’re careful we can solve this entire problem right here.”

          Aleu nodded. “Don’t worry Dash. You and Melody will be safe. You have my word.”

          Dash nodded. “We’re leaving in the afternoon, so as soon as you can figure out the strategy and pass it down to the Lieutenants they should probably get out there.”

          Aleu nodded. “It’ll be done.” She said.

          Dash nodded. “Great, see you then.”

          Aleu nodded. “Take care Dash.”

          Dash smiled. “…likewise.” He said.

          Aleu turned and ran off to tell the Lieutenant’s of this new development.

          Melody waited till she had gone and turned to her brother. “Do you think she bought it?”

          Dash sighed. “I don’t know… I hope so.”

          Then he and Melody turned around and left the Main Chamber.

Chapter 6:

          Later that day Dash met Melody in the Main Chamber. “Are you ready?” He asked.

          Melody nodded.

          “Look,” Dash said. “I know you’ve never been much of a fighter… just run when they jump out at me. I’ve got three units to watch my back plus the fourth in reserve toward the rear. I’ll be fine.”

          Melody nodded. “Thank you Dash.” She said. She sighed. “I’m so sorry about all of this. I just… I didn’t know what to do.”

          Dash