guard sneered.

“What if it’s too late for that?”

Talkeet sighed.

“Look buddy, just move, I’m not in the mood.

The guard laughed.

“You know. You’re the enemy, so I could kill you right here and now.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Talkeet said.

“Oooh, look who’s all that now, big tough guy.” The guard said.

Talkeet pushed him back against the wall and walked into the cave.

Talkeet went straight to Daie’s chambers.

He walked inside.

“Ah Talkeet.” Daie said, “what brings you back here?”

“You were right,” Talkeet said, “Aleu has to go, and Shadow has turned everyone against me.”

Daie sighed.

“I’m sorry Talkeet, but I did say that’s how it would be.”

Talkeet nodded.

“You were right, you were right about everything.”

“So are you here to join us?” Daie asked.

Talkeet knelt down, and looked up at Daie.

“I’m prepared to do whatever you ask.”

Daie smiled.

“Rise my friend, and let’s go talk, I would be honored to have you, in fact, I’m looking for a second in command, you interested?”

Talkeet nodded.

“Yes I am.”

Daie smiled again.

“Let’s talk then Captain.”

Talkeet and Daie walked out of the room.

Talkeet and Daie walked through Talkeet’s new home, talking.

“… Daie,” Talkeet said, “I know when we need to hit Aleu, we’ve got to hit her in the morning, she’s all alone.”

“Good,” Daie said, “I’ll get a force together, you lead us to the cave and…”

Talkeet interrupted him.

“No, Shadow’s good with large forces, this needs to be done quietly, he needs to walk in there to get her, and be completely surprised for this to work.”

Talkeet sighed.

“This is something I need to do.”

Daie nodded.

“How about we time it, so that right about the time you get up there to her, we’ll strike, that ought to distract Shadow somewhat.”

Talkeet nodded.

“That’s a good idea.”

“Great,” Daie said. “We’ll leave in the morning then.”

Talkeet shook his head.

“No, Shadow is expecting something like this right now, with me leaving and all… he’ll be on high alert.”

Talkeet sighed again.

“We need to wait a little while, the right time will come.”

He paused for a moment to think.

“Yeah, we need to wait for the right time…”

He looked up at Daie.

“I want you to continue your campaign, just like nothing has happened, that way we catch him off guard.”

Daie nodded.

“Whatever it takes, Talkeet.”

Talkeet nodded back at him.

“… what ever it takes…”

Daie smiled at him.

“Come on Talkeet, I’ll show you where you can lay down and sleep.”

The two continued walking through the cave.

It was about a month later, and Talkeet had assembled a team of his own.

He stood before them now.

It had taken them a lot to get here, and now, Talkeet was sure that every one of the wolves before him would fight for their cause, to the death if necessary.

Talkeet had watched them and picked his own Lieutenants very carefully.

Since he was now second in command, he now held the rank of Commander of the fighting forces.

“Soon to be commander in chief,” Talkeet thought.

His new team had no idea that he was plotting the death of their leader.

Daie and Talkeet had clashed on many things, and Talkeet had been forced to admit, though he hated it, that Rayne had been right about Daie, he was a tyrant. He cared only for himself.

Talkeet would take him out, and then he would put Daie’s plan for peace into action.

As leader, Talkeet could do so much more for the world he lived in, much more so than he could in his current position.

As he gazed over his troops, he knew that his plan would work, he knew it, it was only a matter of timing, and Talkeet was quite patient.

“Gareth,” Talkeet said, “come up here.”

A young brown wolf ran up to Talkeet.

“Yes sir?” Gareth said.

Talkeet turned to the others.

“You’re dismissed.”

The formation of wolves walked away.

Talkeet turned back to Gareth.

“Walk with me,” he said.

“Yes sir.” Gareth responded.

The two started walking out of the cave, and when they had gone a ways out, Talkeet stopped and looked around.

Satisfied that they were alone, he turned back to the young wolf.

“Gareth, I’ve been watching you, and I think you’re the best out of the Lieutenant’s, so I have a job for you.”

“What’s that sir?” Gareth asked.

“I want you to keep an eye on Daie, keep me informed on his movements.”

Gareth looked surprised.

“Are you looking for an opportunity?” Gareth asked.

Talkeet thought for a moment.

“Are you with me, with the team?”

Gareth nodded.

“To the death sir.”

“Alright Talkeet said. “Yes, he and I disagree on some very important things, and he won’t give in, if I do, then a lot of you will be killed in the attack he has planned.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him sir.”

Talkeet smiled.

“Good, and don’t think I’ll forget you, if this works out, I’ll make you my second in command.”

Gareth smiled.

“Really sir, I’d be honored.”

“Yes,” Talkeet said, “but we’ve got to take care of Daie first, and don’t tell anyone else of this, it’ll only work if we catch him by surprise.”

Gareth nodded.

“My muzzle is sealed sir.”

Talkeet smiled.

“Come Gareth, let’s go back in.”

“Alright sir.” Gareth said,

The two walked back into the cave.

Dash was walking toward Melody’s chambers.

It had been roughly a month and a half since Talkeet had run off, and no one had seen him.

Dash half expected to meet him on the battlefield, but apparently he’d just vanished.

Dash hoped his son was safe, and happy, wherever he was.

Right now, Dash had other things on his mind.

Dash had been sure that Melody would come around, but as of yet, Timbre was still staying with he and June.

“Maybe she’s serious.” Dash thought. “I hope not, if she doesn’t take him back real soon…”

Dash was worried about his friend.

Timbre had entered a deep depression over this, and hadn’t eaten in a week.

“Melody just doesn’t realize what she is doing to him.”

He was afraid she did though.

About this time, Dash reached his sister’s chambers.

He scratched on the rock wall, but heard no response, he tried again.

Nothing.

Dash sighed and stepped through.

His sister was resting against the far wall, asleep.

Dash walked over, and gently shook her awake.

Melody slowly opened her eyes.

She yawned and sat up.

“Dash… do you have any idea what time I got to sleep? I had guard duty last night.”

She yawned again.

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry Melody, but this couldn’t wait any longer.”

She yawned again.

‘So what is it?”

“It’s about Timbre…”

Melody cut him off.

“Dash please….”

“Melody, listen to me, just hear me out alright?”

Melody sighed and nodded.

“I don’t think you realize what you’re doing to him. You realize he hasn’t eaten in a week?”

Melody sighed.

“You’re killing him Melody.”

Dash sat down beside her.

“Before I was just using that as a figure of speech, but now… now I’m not so sure.”

He sighed.

“Melody, I’m worried about him. Like I said, He hasn’t eaten, and his sleep pattern has been erratic at best. Even if he doesn’t kill himself… he’s fighting the Uniea every day, if he’s not concentrating… well, he’s a target right now, and the Uniea would like nothing else than to take one of us Lieutenants out. They’ve already gotten more drive just from us losing Talkeet.”

Melody sighed again.

“On that subject, have you heard anything?”

Dash sighed and shook his head.

“No, nothing.”

Melody put her paw on his shoulder.

“Are you alright?”

Dash nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just… I miss him.”

“I know.” Melody said, “I know what it’s like to lose a child.”

Dash nodded.

“I just… I wish that I’d been able to talk to him before he… before he killed someone. I mean… I knew he was headed in that direction, but I thought that he had a little more time, that I could reach him a little easier… looks like I was wrong.”

Dash suddenly collapsed into tears.

“Oh Melody, I’m a failure as a parent. What did I do wrong?”

Melody smiled.

“Dash, bro, you’re not a failure, you’re a great parent… no one saw that coming, I don’t think even Talkeet did.”

Dash shook his head.

“I just… I care about him, but… but I believe in our way of life as well, you know?”

Melody nodded.

Dash took a minute and regained his composure.

“So, what about the situation with Timbre?” He asked finally.

“My decision stands.” Melody replied. “I’m sorry that he’s being so hard on himself, and I don’t want to see him hurt, but… but I made the