the path he used to come here. A crazed rival pack leader, the ridiculous reason for attacking, and the story of a broken pack… Kirdo has much to hear.

Siria watched him depart, awed by his speed and agility, it was until two minutes later that the wolves who howled reach her. “Anything new?” asked the leading wolf, a light grey wolf called Semas, a strong fighter with a nasty scar down his back.

“Nothing,” Siria lied. Fortunately, no one could smell Shadowfang, if not, her lie was going to become more than obvious. “Kilza went for a hunt and haven’t come back, nothing more.” 

“About the enemy wolves? Any sighting of them?” asked Semas. 

“No, there was a blizzard and we couldn’t see too well, but we did not pick up their scent either, so no. They appear to be closer to the sea than we have expected.”

“So are we still blind to them?”

“Should be. They wouldn’t have expected us.”

Semas licked his muzzle, a savage grin appeared on his face, “Then we will put our order into action.” The two wolves behind him nodded in agreement. 

“Wait, wait, wait.” said Siria, “What order have you got from the leader?”

“The alpha said, ‘if all of us march into their territory might cause unexpected casualties, then a small group of elite fighters would be a better choice.’” Said Semas, he emphasized the word ‘elite’, to indicate the word meant them, or him only.

“So the three of you are going into their lair. Catch them and kill them in surprise. And return to the pack full of glory.” Siria concluded.

“Precisely!” beamed Semas as he and his gang trotted towards the west, where Shadowfang and the remnants of him pack would be. Siria watched as they disappeared into the woods.

This is wrong, this is so wrong. But what can I do, he’s my leader, my alpha, I have to obey his orders… or have I…?

 

Chapter Six: Double Actions

This must me the worst day I ever have ever since the epidemic. Balto thought with a very grim expression.

A moment ago, he had just finished ‘lecturing’ his brother with the tricks and traps hunter would use to catch preys, he did not even know if his brother was listening; Kirdo’s face was ever-cheerful during the whole part, even when Balto and Jenna described some of the most bloody traps.

Kirdo had excused himself and went back to the forest to warn his friends about the hunters. As soon as he entered the forest, the hunters emerged from their lodge with all their hunting equipments, mostly traps.

Luckily, they only unleashed one of their hunting hounds, apparently they were not going to hunt this time, just set the traps. Still, it might prove a great danger to Kirdo and his pack mates. Should I warn him? Balto asked himself, going into the forest would be dangerous now, even if the hunters might not be on the hunting mood today. He shared his doubt with Jenna.

“Are you sure you want to go in? Is it a necessary risk to take?” asked Jenna, she looked so worried.

“I can’t decide, that’s why I’m asking you,” Balto said, he looked thoughtful, “The hunters aren’t going to hunt today, they are just building up the traps and dig the pits. Still, there’s no telling what they would do if they spot a wolf right on.”

Before Jenna could reply, Kaltag chipped in, he had left the discussion ring and joined them, and with him were Nikki and star. “Hey Balto! The talk is all about your brother, and you keep your silence for so long? What troubles you?”

Balto and Jenna related the conversation they had with Kirdo and then what they saw with the hunters to the trio. “I’m thinking if I should go after him or not.” Finished Balto.

“Well…” Kaltag said thoughtfully, “I don’t think your brother would be in serious danger, if the hunters are just going into the forest to set traps, they won’t be ready to use their guns, more probably they don’t even bring one with them.”

“Yeah,” Nikki agreed, “Instead of that, we should pay those hunting dogs there a visit. See if we can persuade them not to hunt down your bro out there.” Star nodded vigorously at this suggestion.

“But this may backfire!” Jenna protested, “It’ll reveal their locations to the hunters and tell them they wolves are in contact with us. The hunting hounds might use this to their advantage, whatever it might be.”

“The chances are fifty-fifty!” Star cried out suddenly and scared Kaltag and Nikki, then quickly received a bonk on his head, from Kaltag. “Ow!”

Balto sighed, he did not know if the other dogs will approve their actions, but he would rather not ask about it. “So Kirdo will be safe for now, but why go to the hunting dogs? Who knows how they will react to this?”

“We will break it to them slowly cautiously.” Kaltag promised, “If this turn out to be a success you won’t have your brother’s safety to worry about. Even if it fails we can still ask your brother to take a temporary leave. This is the most brilliant, the most appropriate, the most logical plan!”   

Balto wasn’t so sure about Kaltag’s plan, it seemed to hold too big a risk, the hunting dogs might still track them even if they got away far, then again, the hunting  dogs were controlled by their human masters, who might not go that far to get just a few wolves.

“Fine,” he finally decided, “Let’s hope the hunting hounds are easily persuaded.”

Meanwhile in the forest, Shadowfang was running in top speed toward the den site of his friends. It was too late to tell them what is going on now; they must fight without knowing who or why they are fighting. Luckily, there was one among the remnants of his pack who would love to do this. Rokal, you’ll get all the honor you want this time. Shadowfang thought grimly.

The den site was a very beautiful place to stay. It was located in the middle of a clearing, which the floor would be filled with grasses and flowers in spring time. A small, half frozen stream ran through the clearing, cut the snow covered clearing in two like a black shooting star.  

Only Rokal was around the den when Shadowfang rushed in, just as he expected. Kirdo would be in the little human town by the frozen sea to visit his brother. As for Mista, she was curious and emotional, wherever she wanted to go, she went. So she would probably in some strange place now. And Lyya? Who knows what that trickster would be doing this day? Only an old wolf would stay back at the den in this beautiful day… or what seemed to be a beautiful day.

Rokal pushed himself onto his paws when he saw Shadowfang charged into their den site full of alert. “Hey, what happened, lad?” He demanded in his aged, harsh voice.

Shadowfang gave the seasoned warrior a short growl and looked around like he was surrounded by phantom enemies. Rokal understood this gesture, it was a call for defense. He knew that something was coming after them.

After a moment of standing still, Rokal asked impatiently, “How many?” Shadowfang twitched his left ears three times, meaning ‘three’. He never took his eyes off his surroundings.

After a few minutes of unnerving waiting, Shadowfang thought he heard something like fur brushed against leaves. As the same time he felt some very faint vibrations from the ground. He jumped into the nearest shadow and hid.

Rokal took the message; he stood up as straight as possible to maintain an authoritative posture and said aloud, enough for everyone out of the clearing to hear, “Come out now, my worthy enemies. Show yourselves so we can fight honorably!”

And there was a silence, a bird chirped. And suddenly, three wolves sprang from behind some bushes and charged into the clearing, they quickly surrounded Rokal, showing their teeth.

“Any last word, old dog?” sneered one of them, a light grey colored wolf, clearly their leader.

“I may be old, but I’m not helpless, Semas. Glad to see you again.” Rokal stayed as calm as ice.

“Ooh… Look at you… Rokal, son of none. As old and weak as you are now, have you ever think that all the glory you once possess… are now all but part of the history?” taunted another wolf.

“Tell us where the others are and we will let you live a little while longer.” Said the last wolf.

“Your offer is very tempting,” Rokal said, he studied the three enemy wolves for their weaknesses, “But I must live an honorable life. I will not betray my pack mates.”

“Ooh… But you will die, and we will find them, the end is the same.” Said the second wolf, he was sneering under his breath.

Finally the leading wolf, Semas grew impatient. “Talking time’s over, you’re going down.” He lunged at Rokal.

However, before he could reach Rokal, Shadowfang tackled him from the side with surprising force and sent him flying a few yards in the opposite direction.

The second wolf was smarter, he saw what was going on and charged toward Shadowfang as he land and pinned him down for a fight. At the same time, Rokal attacked the third wolf, slammed into his neck and wrestled him to the floor.

The fight was not going well for Shadowfang’s side. First of all, he was not as good at fighting as his opponent when it comes to a pinned down close combat, and on the other side of the clearing, Rokal was struggling with his

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