wolves all of them with terrible wounds. As Saba watched, other wolves from the clan were tending to the injured as best they could. But it was obvious to Saba that at least some of them wouldn't make it through the night.
She noticed one wolf on the far side of the chamber on his own, and she decided to see if he was all right. When she got closer, she saw the extent of his injuries. His back was a litany of open wounds, all of them seeping blood that was slowly dripping onto the floor. He was also sporting a nasty looking slash wound to the muzzle. He was looking around at the other wolves in the chamber when he saw her approach.
''Are you all right?'' she asked nervously, unsure how he would react to a non-wolf. He smiled at her.
''I've been better'' he replied. He was a gray wolf with white markings on his paws and face. He also had the brownest eyes she had ever seen in her life. He looked about her age, give or take.
''What's your name?” he asked. Saba smiled.
''I'm Saba'' she replied.
The wolf nodded ''Nice name. I'm.... OW!'' he suddenly yelped and fell down, his leg bleeding from a gash that she hadn't noticed before. He collapsed and just lay on the floor, breathing heavily.
''Oh my gosh! You're really hurt!'' Saba cried. ''Help! Someone help!''
''Stop! Stop! I'm okay, really! Besides, they need more help than I do. You'd be better to just let me die here'' the wolf said, wincing in obvious agony.
''What happened to you?'' Saba asked, unable to get over the bluntness of his statement.
''It's a long story. I'm sorry I might not survive long enough to tell you...'' he began.
''Don't be silly'' Saba said. She lay across his bloody back to keep him warm and began to lick his wounds. It obviously stung, and the wolf growled in pain, but she quickly apologized and continued licking his wounds.
''By the way, my names Chris'' the wolf said, wincing in pain. Though Saba's tongue did feel good as it cleaned his wounds.
''That's a nice name, Chris'' Saba replied, then looked down quickly when she didn't get a reply. She sighed in relief when she realized that he was just asleep.
''He is kind of cute'' she thought. ''Maybe I'll have a friend here''
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Sirius led Balto to the lower levels of the cave, where they approached an alcove guarded by a wolf. Sirius padded over and whispered to the guard, who stood aside. He turned to Balto
''I know that you are against open conflict Balto, and I know that you will be reluctant to accept the role of head of security. But maybe what I am about to show you will change your mind''
Sirius's face went grim ''We know very little about the Zanik clan. They arrived here after we had settled in this region. We sent one messenger to their cave, but when he came back he was completely changed. This was several weeks ago, and now the Zanik have moved closer to our territory. The wolf I am about to show you is the messenger we sent''
Balto could tell from Sirius's expression that he wasn't going to like what he was about to be shown. Pausing for a brief moment, Sirius padded into the alcove and gestured Balto to follow.
Inside, it was completely dark. In the shadows, Balto could make out a solitary figure moving around near the wall. He could also hear its mutterings.
''I saw him! The devil! I...the blood! Oh.... so much! The eyes! I can't....'''
Sirius moved closer to Balto so he was in earshot ''That's all he says ever since we brought him back. His mind is broken''
Balto flinched back as the wolf suddenly lurched out of the shadows flailing madly. Balto could see the absolute fear plastered on the young wolfs face.
''No! Get away! Don't hurt me! Please!'' the wolf yelled, his eyes scanning round frantically. Sirius restrained the squirming wolf.
''Calm yourself Trent! Tell us what you saw!'' the black wolf struggled as Trent continued to fight.
''I saw him! The devil! I saw...the eyes!'' Trent began to sob as he continued to flail under Sirius' weight.
''Who Trent? Who did you see?''
As Balto watched in stunned silence, Trent let out a howl of terror.
''I saw.... The Bad Wolf!''
Balto watched as Trent collapsed to the floor, unconscious. He felt sick to his stomach.
''What could have possibly scared him so much? And what has it got to do with me?''
-------------------------------------------------------
Balto felt numb as Sirius led him back to the shelves. He couldn't get the image of Trent, flailing and screaming in pure terror out of his mind. He felt sick to his stomach. What could have possibly scared the young wolf to such an extent?
As Balto followed the black wolf in front of him, another question ran through his mind. Bad Wolf. That was what Trent had screamed before passing out. What could it mean? He had to know.
"Sirius?''
''Yes Balto?'' Sirius answered, not bothering to turn around.
''What did Trent mean exactly by Bad Wolf?''
Sirius came to a halt and turned round to face him.
"An old fairytale that we tell the pups. The wolf bogeyman if you like. I've never paid much attention to it...until now''
Sirius sighed, and Balto could tell he was under a lot of stress.
''I've known Trent ever since he was a pup, watched him grow up, witnessed him attempt to join the security team. He was always headstrong'' Sirius smiled faintly, which vanished as quickly as it came. ''I don't know what they did to him, but you saw for yourself what he's become''
Balto nodded, at a loss for words. Sirius frowned.
''I don't know what the significance is of Bad Wolf. It's just an old story the parents tell their pups to make them behave. My mother told it me when I was young, but it must mean something more. I only wish I knew what''
Sirius shook his head, and looked at Balto. ''You've seen for yourself Balto the reasons why we have no other option ahead of us but war. Will you accept my offer?''
Balto sighed ''I don't believe in war Sirius, and besides I have a family. How will they feel if I end up being killed when the fighting begins?''
''You would be dieing for the good of the clan''
''But I'm not a member of this clan Sirius''
''Your daughter is'' Sirius replied firmly.
''That was her choice, and I realize what all this must be making her feel like. But I can't fight in a war I'm not part of. I'm sorry Sirius, I will help in any other way I can. But my answer is no'' Balto replied.
Sirius sighed ''Very well. I will give you more time to reconsider your answer Balto, but I'm running out of time. Trials for the new security team must begin soon, and your one of the best. We could really use your help''
Balto sighed again as Sirius turned away from him and continued padding back towards the shelves. He wanted to help, he really did. After all, it was his daughter’s clan and they were in danger.
But on the other hand, he had to think about Jenna and his other children. If something happened to him when the fighting ultimately broke out, how would they react? It didn't bear thinking about.
Sirius led him back to the shelves and both of them climbed up to the top. When they reached the sleeping quarters, Sirius turned to Balto.
''In this clan Balto, you are considered a hero. What you did for the humans was nothing short of amazing, and we truly respect you. I don't want to pressure you, but if you help us in this war you would be doing us all a great service. Not just for this clan, but for peace in this whole region''
Balto nodded ''I understand Sirius, but...''
Sirius cut him off ''I understand Balto, but don't forget. I have a family involved as well, so I understand why you must be feeling apprehensive. But, we need all the help we can get''
Balto remained silent as Sirius passed him and climbed down the shelves. Shaking his head, he padded into the alcove where Jenna was waiting for him.
He had a lot to tell her.
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It was later that night that Dingo decided to explore more of the cave. So far, he had met several other wolves who had struck up conversation with, and he had caught the eye of several females as well. He chuckled to himself as he remembered how they had asked him his name and where he was from, which he had been happy to answer. All in all, he had been enjoying himself for the most part.
But on the other hand, he had started to hear things which didn't sound pleasant. Whispers of approaching conflict, casualties, and something else. Something that kept cropping up in every whispered conversation he had overheard.
Bad Wolf.
For some reason, these words made him feel apprehensive. He didn't know why, after all he had never heard of it before, but whatever it was it wasn't pleasant. That he was certain of.
His thoughts were cut short as he found himself outside the cave on a ledge. Looking down, he recoiled at how high he was off the ground.
''Must be over a two hundred foot drop!''
Getting his bearings, he looked round. Then he saw a wolf standing at the edge of the ledge ahead of him. He appeared to be alone.
''Well, might as well introduce myself''
It didn't take Dingo long to reach the wolf, who turned as he approached. Dingo could tell that he as fairly old, and looked as if he was sad about something.
''How are you young husky?'' the wolf asked. He had a calm, pleasant voice that put Dingo at ease.
''I'm fine, you?'' Dingo asked.
''Not too bad'' the wolf answered. He sighed, and Dingo noticed again the sad expression on his face.
''Are you okay?'' Dingo asked. The wolf just smiled.
''Yes, everything is fine. Why do you ask?''
''No
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