attacking them as of late… they’d accomplished neither.
Timbre turned and saw his own feelings reflected on the faces of the wolves behind him.
“The faster we get home the faster I can dismiss you… do you have one last one left in you?” He asked.
Though no one spoke up the looks on their exhausted faces said it all.
Timbre took off running and the rest followed suit.
Soon they were at the cave.
Shadow walked over to Timbre and smiled.
“Ah, so my relief is here.”
Timbre stopped walking and as he turned, Shadow could tell just how hard the twenty-four hours had been on him. Timbre had pushed his unit to their limits in their attempt to locate the wolves, and it showed.
“…what?” Timbre asked.
Shadow laughed.
“I’m kidding.” He said. “…how’d it go.”
Timbre sighed.
“….nothing, we didn’t find a damn thing… it’s like they’re ghosts or something.”
Shadow sighed.
“I thought as much.”
He smiled.
“Well, you need to get some rest. You look like you could use it.”
Timbre nodded.
“Yeah… I definitely do.”
Shadow nodded back at him.
“Well dismiss your unit and then make sure you…”
A shrill howl cut through the darkness and over fifty black wolves tore down the hill in front of the cave.
“…looks like they found you instead.” Shadow said.
“…what?” Timbre said, turning his head.
His eyes snapped open as he saw the wolves.
“Third unit, we are under attack!” He yelled.
The wolves turned to him, awaiting orders.
Timbre ran over and stood in front of them.
“They’re exhausted…” He thought. “This is going to be bad.”
“…we’ll defend the front entrance.”
Timbre turned to Shadow.
“Where’s Dash? We need the second unit.”
“He’s still out looking for them.” Shadow said.
Timbre saw Ami walking through the cave toward him then.
“Ami, get over here!” He called.
She broke out into a run and soon she stood in front of him.
Timbre turned to his unit.
“…go and meet them. Do everything you can to stop them. I’ll be with you shortly.”
As one the unit nodded and ran out the entrance to meet the approaching wolves.
Timbre turned to Ami.
“What’s up Timbre?” She asked.
“The black wolves are attacking the cave, in force this time.” Timbre responded. “My unit is attempting to stop them. I want you to mobilize the second unit and meet them here, your job is interior security, in case they get past us.”
Ami nodded.
“…go.” Timbre said.
Ami turned to leave, but Timbre stopped her.
“…and Ami… fly, I don’t know how long we can hold them… my unit is exhausted.”
Ami nodded.
“…don’t worry Timbre. I won’t let you down.”
Timbre nodded back at her and Ami took off.
Timbre turned to Shadow.
“I’ll get the first unit together Timbre.” Shadow said. We’ll provide security for Saba… but do your best to keep them here… most of my unit is still out looking for them.”
Timbre sighed.
“I fear our Alpha has made a grave mistake.”
Shadow nodded.
“…that may be, but our job now is to defend her. We’ll discuss tactics later.”
Timbre heard growling and barking just then… the sounds of battle.
“I need to get out there with my unit…” He said. “…take care Shadow.”
“…you too my friend.” Shadow said.
Then Timbre turned and ran out of the cave.
As Ami ran by the chamber, Melody could tell that something was wrong. She stepped outside.
“Hey Ami…”
Ami stopped and turned.
“What is it Melody?”
“What’s up?” Melody asked.
“We’re under attack.” Ami said. “I’m on my way to organize the second unit.”
“…Timbre?” Melody asked.
“He’s already out there with his unit. They just got back… “
“It’s the black wolves isn’t it?” Melody said.
Ami nodded.
“Yeah, but this isn’t a harassment attack… this is a bad one… they’re in force.”
Melody nodded.
Ami sighed.
“Look… Melody… everyone is supposed to remain calm, but… well I’d get in your chamber and stay there… there’s a lot of them.”
Melody nodded.
“…thanks Ami.”
Ami smiled.
“We’ll do our best to hold them, but I’ve got to get back to getting the unit together… I’ve got a few more wolves to notify.”
Melody nodded.
“…be careful Ami…”
Ami smiled.
“Don’t worry about me. I was taught by one of the best.”
Melody nodded.
“…still…”
Ami smiled again.
“I will Melody.”
Then she turned and ran off.
Melody sighed.
“You better be careful Timbre…” She thought.
Then she turned and walked back into the chamber.
Timbre ducked a paw that flew at him from the left, and dropped to the ground to avoid a set of jaws that were meant for his neck. They snapped shut on air.
The wolf kicked him in the shoulder and he rolled across the ground through the group of fighting wolves.
The black wolf followed him and as Timbre regained his footing he attacked.
Timbre ducked the paw and hit the wolf in the belly. He flopped over on his back and Timbre jumped on him and sunk his teeth into the wolf’s throat.
The wolf kicked a few times and then went limp.
Timbre dropped the dead wolf’s head to the ground and looked around.
In the ten minutes that the battle had been raging his unit had fallen back almost seventy yards. It was only five or six feet to the entrance of the cave.
The unit had done their best… but they were very near to being overrun.
“…there’s just too many of them.” Timbre thought.
He walked backwards and rejoined his side of the battle.
“Third Unit prepare to fall back into the cave!” He called. “…we’ll stage the remainder our defense there!”
The wolves began to fall back and Timbre joined them.
“I hope Ami organized the second unit…” He thought. “…if not, we may be in trouble.”
Shadow made it to Saba’s chamber, his two best fighters close behind.
He’d sent the rest of the first unit down under command of Ami to join the second unit as a third line of defense.
He turned to the two behind him.
“Tye, Jon, you two stay out here.” He said. “…warn us if the enemy approaches.”
The two wolves nodded and took up positions in the shadows outside the chamber entrance.
Shadow stepped into the chamber.
Saba was already walking toward him.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
“It’s an attack Saba.” Shadow said. “…the black wolves again?” Saba asked.
Shadow nodded.
“…they’re in force this time. This isn’t another harassment action… they mean business this time.”
Saba nodded.
“I’ll be there shortly… just let me tell Everest.”
“No you won’t.” Shadow said.
Saba stopped.
“…excuse me?” She asked.
“You don’t need to be out there.” Shadow said.
“Yes I do.” She said. “I need to be with them. This is my pack.”
“You’re correct Saba, and that is why you don’t need to be out there.”
Saba sighed.
“…Shadow, if it were Aleu you were speaking to would it be different?”
“Yeah,” Shadow said. “Yeah it would.”
“…why am I any different than her?” Saba said. “She was the alpha, she fought with them… I’m the alpha, so should I.”
“No Saba,” Shadow said. “You and Aleu on are on two different levels.”
“…oh yeah?” Saba said, an irritated tone entering her voice. “…and why’s that?”
Shadow sighed.
“Saba, don’t take this personally okay? …but Aleu has been living as a wolf for much longer than you have and she has been in many battles… she has experience fighting and leading in battle that you lack… we can’t allow anything to happen to our alpha. You need to leave the cave and I’ll come let you know when it’s over.”
“…and if you lose the battle?” Saba asked.
“…then we lose.” Shadow said. “…but the Talbourne will live on as long as you are alive. That’s what’s important, it doesn’t matter how many of us are killed, as long as you and the Talbourne continue on.”
“Shadow, I won’t leave them.” Saba said.
“…Saba listen to me.”
“Shadow…” Saba started.
“Saba will you please try to understand!” Shadow yelled. “I’m trying to protect you! It’s what’s best for the Clan! I don’t have time for this!”
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