fire.

He himself could see right down the barrel.

He closed his eyes….

… but nothing came, no burning, no pain… nothing.

“Talkeet, would you mind getting off of me?” Aleu asked.

Talkeet did, and Aleu stood up.

“What was that?” He asked.

Aleu looked him in the eyes.

“The last test.”

“What?” Talkeet asked.

Shadow stepped from behind the rock, a long black pipe in his jaws, which he dropped.

It made a loud clanging noise as it hit the ground, and rolled away.

“We had to be sure that you would do what needed to be done in that event.”

“Oh…” Talkeet said.

“You passed.” Aleu said,

“Welcome to the team kid.” Shadow said.

Talkeet smiled.

“Now let’s go meet your parents.” Aleu said.

Talkeet and Aleu walked out of the chamber.

June was the first to see Talkeet.

“Talkeet!” She yelled, and ran over to him.

“Hey mom.” He said.

She nuzzled him, almost knocking him down.

“Oh, I was so worried about you, what happened?”

Talkeet smiled.

“Well mom, it’s a long story….”

Talkeet began to tell her all about his adventure, as they walked towards Balto and Jenna.

 

Talkeet stood, along with about thirty other wolves, in front of the entire pack.

They had all gathered in the central chamber to watch the coming proceedings.

Shadow and Aleu stepped up in front of them all.

Talkeet could see his family, in the front of the crowd, smiling at him.

Talkeet smiled as well.

Shadow turned, and walked over to the front of the group, and then turned and sat down.

Everyone else did as well.

“Hello everyone,” Aleu said, “I am glad that you have all gathered here today to see this, this indoctrination of our newest elite.”

She turned to the group and smiled.

“The wolves before you, have completed quite an arduous task, that I am not sure even I could complete…”

This drew a laugh from everyone.

“…but this group of young wolves has, and, as promised, they are now part of Shadow’s security force. A force of elite, well trained fighters, that are responsible for the defense of this clan, these wolves will ensure that the name Talbourne does not fade away, nor does it become tarnished. These wolves, as members of the team, will conduct themselves as representatives of this pack, and if the time comes, are willing to give their very lives in its defense.”

Everyone cheered.

“A joint responsibility of these young wolves, is my safety, as Alpha of the Talbourne. They have shown, through a series of tests, that they are able and willing to exercise these duties, and I have to tell you…”

She turned and looked back at them.

“I’ve never felt more confident, or safer than I do right now.”

Everyone cheered again.

Aleu stepped back, and Shadow walked forward.

“Good morning.” He said. “As Aleu said, these youngsters have been through a lot in the last few weeks, they were deprived of sleep, and of food for the first week before the competition. This was to simulate the conditions they may face, in the event of a war. Then, under those already trying conditions, these thirty seven wolves proceeded through a course that truly was difficult. It consisted of fighting, agility testing, survival in a storm, and a last thing, which will remain between us. Now, it is my great honor to present you with the new security team, but first, I’d like to say something.

Shadow again recited all of the names of the wolves that had given their lives in the pack, and Aleu’s defense.

When he finished, he paused.

There had been over four hundred names.

This fact slowly sunk in to everyone in the crowd.

“All of these wolves, whose names, I have just recited, have served as protectors of the leader of our pack, and have given the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her survival. We must never forget that the freedoms we all enjoy, the greatness of our clan, is due, not only to our outstanding leadership, but also to those who believed in it enough to give their lives to continue it.”

Shadow paused again.

He turned and faced the group of wolves, and all voices in the chamber ceased.

“Please, repeat after me.”

The wolves did.

“I, as a member of this team, do swear to protect and uphold the standards of conduct, rules of engagement, and all other orders given me by my superiors, that this clan, the Talbourne, will continue to exist, and thrive.

If under attack, I pledge my allegiance to the same, and will fight under any conditions, against any odds to see that the clan is safe.

As such, I also swear to protect my Alpha, Aleu, of the Talbourne clan, to all extents, including my own death, should that become necessary. I will always see to her safety, even if under no orders to do so.

I will never forget that I am a proud member of the Talbourne clan, and will always strive to fight for peace.”

 

Shadow finished and smiled.

“Welcome to the team.”

Dash, Lightning, and Timbre walked up then.

Shadow turned.

“Thank you all for assembling here, and you are free to congratulate these young wolves on their accomplishment.”

The crowd surged forward, eager to talk to the newest members of the team, and to share in their adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

Aleu was sleeping.

The two wolves walked into the chamber.

One of them laughed softly.

“This is going to be too easy.”

Aleu was alone in the chamber.

“Hey,” the other whispered, “I thought that Daie said that she had kids?”

“Yeah, well looks like she’s alone, that makes our job a lot easier.”

The other wolf laughed again.

They walked to Aleu.

One of them knelt down, and opened his jaws, just inches from Aleu’s neck.

“Nighty-night wolfie.” The other said.

Aleu’s eyes snapped open, and she sprung backwards.

“Oh, look what you did.” The first wolf said, as he stood up.

“What me?” The other said.

The two growled at Aleu.

“You’re outnumbered.” The first said.

Aleu crouched down in a fighting stance.

“Not the first time,” she growled.

The first wolf suddenly charged her.

Aleu met the attack with her own, and the two wolves clashed.

As they were fighting, the second wolf worked his way around behind her.

The first wolf was on top of Aleu, and was trying to bite her neck, but she had her paws on his muzzle, forcing his head up.

Aleu was shaking with the effort.

She didn’t know how much longer she could hold him back.

Talkeet was up rather early.

He didn’t know why, he just felt something was…wrong.

He’d decided to go check the sentries, but hadn’t found anything wrong out there.

He was walking by Aleu’s chambers, when he heard growling, and snapping.

“Aleu!” He yelled, “Aleu, I’m coming!”

Talkeet ran into the chamber.

Aleu was still holding off the wolf, but… she couldn’t do it much longer.

“God, I wish Shadow were here!” Aleu thought.

Talkeet ran in then.

“Aleu!”

“That’ll work.” Aleu thought.

She suddenly threw her weight upward, and pushed with all the strength she could manage.

The wolf flipped backwards, landing on his back.

Aleu was on top of him instantly.

She hit him in the face several times, and was so involved in dealing with the first wolf that she didn’t see the second leap at her.

Talkeet intercepted him in the air, and the two rolled, biting and slashing across the floor.

Aleu finished the fight with the first wolf, and saw Talkeet finish off the second one.

Talkeet ran over to her.

Aleu was breathing hard.

“Aleu!” Talkeet said, “Aleu, are you okay! What happened?!”

“Talkeet…” Aleu said, “… go… go get…. Shadow.”

Talkeet nodded, and ran off, leaving Aleu in the chamber alone.

 

Shadow and Talkeet walked into the chamber.

Aleu stood up and walked over to them.

“Are you okay?” Shadow asked.

“Aleu nodded.

“Thanks to Talkeet here.”

Shadow smiled at him.

“Come here.” Aleu said, as she walked over to the first wolf.

Shadow looked at him for a moment.

“They’re Uniea… aren’t they?” Talkeet said.

Shadow and Aleu nodded.

Aleu sighed.

“I’d hoped to avoid this… do you think....”

“No,” Shadow said, “they sent assassins, there’s no way we talk peace again.”

Talkeet nodded.

“We’ll have to prepare.” Shadow continued. “We should strike soon.”

Aleu nodded.

“Aleu, you don’t go anywhere alone anymore, alright?” Shadow said. “I don’t want something to happen to you.”

Aleu nodded.

“We better get your team together, and the other fighters as well, we’ll need to discuss a lot of things.”

Shadow nodded.

Aleu walked from the chamber.

“Thank you Talkeet,” Shadow said, “you have proven yourself yet again.”

Talkeet smiled.

“Just doing my job.”

“Ya know Talkeet,” Shadow said, “that war with the Uniea clan is unavoidable now,

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