there?" He asked.
Timbre sighed. "She saved my life is what happened."
"...the Shadow Clan?" Dash asked.
Timbre nodded. "Ten of them attacked me while I was addressing the unit... they just froze... but Raye took command and did really well..."
Dash sighed. "Well there it is." He said. "I'd hoped that I wouldn't be right on this, but it appears I am. The Shadow Clan is going to attack us again."
Timbre nodded. "...seems like it."
Dash sighed. "I hope we're prepared." He said. Then he smiled. "Look, get some rest, and if you're not feeling up to taking out the unit, don't. I'm sure Ami won't mind."
Timbre nodded. "Dash... look. We're short two lieutenants and well... after seeing how she reacted out there... I think we found a third."
"Who Raye?" Dash asked.
Timbre nodded.
Dash frowned. "I don't like that much." He said. "She's the last surviving member of her family, the Alpha of the Onasie Clan. She needs to be kept safe."
Timbre nodded. "...true." He said. "...but she's going to be in danger regardless if the Shadow Clan attacks. Why not put her abilities to use? She's already a member of the teams... and you should've see the way she took control of the unit when I was down... it's in her blood Dash. we need Lieutenants and she's an excellent candidate."
Dash nodded. "...so you vouch for her ability to act under fire?"
Timbre nodded. "...most definitely."
Dash sighed. "Well I don't like it... but... alright." He said. "...get the Defense Force assembled in this chamber, everyone except those out on post."
Timbre nodded.
Dash turned and walked away.
Only a short while later all the wolves of the Talbourne Defence Force were gathered in the Main Chamber. The chamber ecohed with the sounds of the wolves' voices as they all conversed, trying to figure out why this impromptu formation had been called. The ones who were at rest were irritated to be taken out of their chambers, the ones on guard were wondering how long the formation was going to take so they could go back to sleep before going out on post, and the ones on patrol were just tired.
Raye turned to Timbre, who was seated beside her. "Sir, do you know what this is all about?" She asked.
Timbre smiled. "...not a clue." He said.
She smiled back. "...something tells me that's not true."
Timbre smiled. "Well you'll find out soon won't you." Then he stood up and walked to the center of the chamber. Dash had appeared at the fourth step and was making his way down to the ground floor. Timbre turned to face the entrance of the cave. "Talbourne Defense Force, fall in!"
The wolves all fell into their positions, quarters and units. Each one stood still as stone. Ami stood in between First and Second Unit. She turned and walked down the ranks, mentally counting off the number of heads in the formation. When she reached the end she turned again and walked back to her position. She stopped and turned to face the front. "Sir, Talbourne Defense force assembled as ordered!" She called. "All wolves present and/or accounted for sir!"
Timbre nodded and turned just as Dash walked up to him. "Hey Timbre, everyone here?" He asked.
Timbre nodded. "As you ordered sir."
Dash smiled. "...very well Timbre, take your position."
Timbre nodded. "Yes sir." Then he turned and walked back in between the third and fourth units and turned.
Dash took his position at the head of the unit. "At ease." He said.
The wolves all relaxed and sat down.
Dash took a deep breath and then began. "I'm sorry to have called all of you out here tonight on such short notice, but we have an issue of grave importance to take care of tonight and it is vital to the survival of our clan that you all witness it. As you all know we have a severe shortage of Lieutenants right now and we need all the help in that area we can get. However I'm not going to promote someone that isn't ready for it because that puts all of you in danger." He paused. "It came to my attention today however that we have such an eligible wolf in our midst." Dash turned his head and nodded.
Timbre turned sharply to face his units. "Raye of the Fourth Unit, report to our Alpha!" He called.
Raye gasped, then she recovered her bearing and turned, walking out of the side of the formation and then turned, walked up to Dash and turned to face him. "Raye of the Fourth Unit, reporting as ordered Sir!" She said.
Dash smiled. "Raye today you showed extreme courage under fire and an innate ability to take control of a volatile situation and turn it against the enemy. We are not going to force you to accept this appointment, but we invite you to accept it. Raye, will you accept appointment to the rank of Lieutenant within the Talbourne Defense force until such a time as you can return to your own pack?"
Raye nodded. "Yes... yes sir!" She said.
Dash smiled. "Very well..." He said. "Attention to orders!"
All the wolves snapped back up to their feet, resuming the position of attention as Dash continued. "Wolves of the Talbourne Clan, let it be known to all those present that on this forty-eighth day of the winter quarter, I do hereby appoint this wolf, Raye of the Talbourne, to the rank of temporary Lieutenant in the Talbourne defense force, until such time as she decides to become a member of the Talbourne Clan and do hereby charge her with the responsibility of commanding the Fourth Unit of said Defense Force. I, as leader of this Defense Force and acting Alpha of the Talbourne Clan, do charge others of lesser grade to show their obedience to lawful orders that she may give from time to time, and do charge her to follow such orders as I may give." He smiled. "Do you have anything to say Lieutenant Raye?"
Raye smiled. "Yes sir, but only to you."
Dash raised his eyebrow. "...go ahead Raye."
She smiled again. "Sir, who recommended me for this appointment?"
Dash smiled. "...Lieutenant Timbre."
Raye turned sharply and smiled. "At ease." She said.
All of the wolves sat down again.
"Wolves of the Talbourne Defense force I will be glad to help you out in your time of need." Raye said. She turned to face her unit. "Fourth Unit, I will do the best I can to lead you. I haven't had much experience leading an entire unit, but I will give it my best, you have my promise that I will never surrender you and I will never leave any of you behind if it depends on me."
Then she turned back to face Dash. The smile disappeared and she stood stiff again. "That's all I have Sir."
Dash smiled. "Very well Lieutenant Raye, take charge of your unit."
Raye fought down a smile. "Yes sir." She said. She turned crisply and walked back to the front of the fourth unit.
Timbre stood and walked in front of third. "Fourth Unit, ten-chun!" hit called.
The wolves of the Fourth Unit stood back up quickly.
Raye turned to face them. "...at ease." She said.
The wolves all sat back down.
Dash smiled. "That concludes the purpose of this formation." He said. "Lieutenants, tkae charge of your units and carry out the plan of the day."
"Yes Sir!" The three Lieutenants called.
Dash turned and walked away from the formation as the Lieutenants called their unit's to attention. He frowned. June hadn't been feeling good all day and he was kind of anxious to get back up to her. "...I hope nothing is seriously wrong with you." He thought. "I don't think I could handle losing..." He closed his eyes and sighed, unable to even think about it. In the background Dash heard the lieutenants give the call to dismiss. "I just hope you're okay." He thought. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Dash shook his head to get the thought out of his mind, then continued up the steps.
Chapter 13
Jack made his way carefully through the forest. His jaws were empty on this evening. His stomach rumbled, reminding him yet again that he hadn't eaten today, and wouldn't until tomorrow. "...if I can find food." He thought. "...it's getting scarce, might have to chance moving her." His thoughts drifted back to what he had seen earlier today while he'd been hunting. "...if she can move we have to, tomorrow, otherwise they might find her and..." Jack didn't even finish the thought. He shook it out of his mind. "...that will not happen." He thought. "I won't let it." Jack glanced over his shoulder to be sure that he wasn't being followed and then he ducked through the leaves that hid the entrance to the cave where he'd left Kalia. He walked back and sat down near her. Jack watched her as she slept, watched her breathing. He smiled. "...she's beautiful." he thought. Jack hated to wake her up, but he needed to talk to her. He stood and walked over to her, then nudged her lightly with his nose.
Kalia didn't move.
Jack nudged her a little harder.
...still nothing.
"...Kalia?" Jack asked.
He bent down to push her again...
Suddenly Kalia rolled over and wrapped her forelegs up under him. Then she
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