with Hiatus and I know what he’s doing. You’re not going to win me over”

“What about what your father taught you! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

            “What father?” Arrow growled. “He could have cared less about me. All he talked about was you!”

Everest paused for a second. Hiatus is going to get up here soon.

“Arrow, I don’t want to have to hurt you but I will!”

            “Yeah right! Hiatus already told us that you don’t kill!”

Everest glanced over his shoulder and turned back to Arrow.

“I’m warning you!” Everest growled. “Either let me go or else”

            “There’s no way I’m letting you go!”

“Suit yourself” Everest said quietly.

Arrow dived for Everest, misjudging the distance between him and the edge of the trail. Everest didn’t do anything more then sidestep. Arrow slipped right over the edge and tumbled down to Hiatus who was still trying to find a way up to Everest.

            “You idiot!” Hiatus yelled. “I’d have a better chance if I’d trained squirrels!”

Everest peered over the edge again.

“I better get going then” Everest grinned.

            “Don’t get comfortable” Hiatus growled, eyes burning. “You’ll be dead before you know it”

“I look forward to it” Everest nodded.

Everest took one last look then turned and headed back to the den.

            Just as Everest had imagined, his pack was pacing around in front of the cave.

“Miss me?”

Odin, who was closest, scrambled to his feet.

            “Where were you?!”

“Talking to Hiatus” Everest replied casually.

The Palartok pack, now much more relaxed and calm, were waiting.

            “They refuse to leave without talking to you first” Will grinned.

Alder, now smiling, greeted Everest first.

            “Our pack is in your debt, young Illiivat”

Everest smiled.

“It was the whole pack…” Everest said. “It’s all in a day’s work”

            “But if there is anything we can do…”

“There is one thing… what happened? A long time ago… when my parents were alive?”

Alder frowned.

            “I’m not the person to tell you that. What happened back then is something everyone wants to forget… but Hiatus is determined to relive”

Everest thought about it curiously.

“Then who’s supposed to tell me?”

Alder shrugged.

            “All in good time. Until then, we thank you”

Everest nodded and the Palartok pack started off. Tempest hung back for a few seconds, looking between Everest and her pack.

            “Come along Tempest” Alder called.

Tempest jogged up to her father and whispered something in his ear. Alder glanced at Everest and the pack and gave Tempest a curt nod and smile. Tempest bounded back and the rest of the pack continued on.

            “Why is your pack leaving without you?!” Quick demanded.

Quick turned to Everest who shrugged.

“We could always use more pack members”

            “But, but, but-!”

Tempest grinned and followed Everest and the rest of the pack into the den.

                        “Oh I’m not that bad!” Tempest smirked. “But you better get used to me since you’re going to be seeing a lot more of me!”

Everest, Fly, Hiatus, Will, Chestnut, Bark, Tempest, Alder, Quick, Odin, Arrow, Wave, Echo, Wave and Ice (c) me