A Time For Everything
Gah, it's been forever since I've been on here. Anyway, I'm going to come back and do some stuff. This is a story, so enjoy!
Chapter One: Aleu’s Return
“Aika! Leave me! Help the clan!” Aleu screamed as her mate stood beside her. “Never, I won’t abandon you!” So, Aleu could only watch as her clan fought with sixty attacking wolves. Dear one, enough, call it off. Aleu knew it could only have been Aniu, a great wolf very famous for reasons she still had not learned. “STOP! Enough.” Her clan raced back to her. The others snarled, and the leader of the attackers held his head high. “You have made a wise decision. Invaders are not taken well. If any of you want to live, come with us.” Aleu hung her head, then motioned for her clan to follow. Ten minutes later, they came to a small opening in some bushes. The six wolves growled and led the clan in.
“Who is this, Agues?” A voice thundered. Aleu held her head high as a yellow wolfess came into sight. “I am Aleuka, leader of the Navatin clan. I was assaulted by your clan while merely passing through.” “I didn’t give you permission to speak! Be still.” “Now, then, Vatani, cool yourself and stand aside so I may see who it is that has entered.” Aleu froze. The voice was kind and calming, the eyes so familiar as they seemed to search her very being, the smell of the animal filled her nose, and her ears twitched as they recognized the oh-so-familiar foot padding pattern. Three years had passed since she had been near this animal, and delight filled her voice, senses, and eyes. But what came out of her mouth was a question, not a statement. “Papa? What are you doing in a wolf clan?”
Chapter 2: A Family Secret
He was equally as startled, but remained calm. “It seems you have made an error, Vatani. Please, apologize to my daughter.” The she-wolf seemed fearful. Closing her eyes, she whispered “Sorry.” Balto’s tone was sharp. “I don’t believe she HEARD you, sister. AGAIN.” Humiliated, Vatani blinked back tears. “I beg Aleu for forgiveness. I will not make a mistake again.” “You are right, you won’t. Until further notice, you are demoted. Cave cleaner is your task.” “HOW DARE YOU! I AM YOUR SISTER! You cannot- ” “Actually, I can do that, Tani. Need I remind you of the rules? NO attack may be lead without my say so. I don’t care if they have an entire ARMY, you wait until I arrive. IS. THAT.CLEAR?” She nodded. “Yes, brother. Yes.” “Good. Now leave my sight.” When his sister had gone, he looked at Aleu and smiled. “Daughter, what brings you here?” His eyes were soft and warm with adoration as he leapt from rock to rock, ending up in front of her.
Aleu cleared her throat. “Our land has become inhabitable. A great earthquake shook, destroying most of our hunting grounds and leaving the territory sharp-edged enough to tear our paw pads. There was no cleaning it up. We had decided to leave, but couldn’t decide which way to go. Aniu the Great White Wolf came to me in a dream, and told me I needed to head back home. She told of a kingdom called Altacap that would house us. She also gave me news to communicate to the leader… Balcorra. Do you know where he reigns?” Her father closed his eyes.
“Yes, I know where he reigns. May I introduce to you… Altacap Clan. And I… I go by Balcorra here. This is my homeland. My mother ruled before me, headed by my Precca - my father, Airekane. I left after they were killed, coming back once I’d returned from my serum run. I have rule over this region as well as three other domains, though they each have a sovereign to govern the smaller matters. What does the White One warn me of?” Aleu’s jaw had dropped. “Your rule? Then… you are a KING! Why didn’t you raise me as a royal? Don’t I qualify as such by your daughter?” He couldn’t meet her gaze. “Yes… and no. To be a title-worthy ruler- directly after me- you need a special mark on your right or left forepaw. See?” He lifted his foot, showing a small, off-white moon shape patch of fur, with a circular black part surrounding it on the inside ankle. “Only one royal pup can carry this mark. Sometimes, it takes several litters to gain a marked child. Your brother, Kodiac, had the mark…. But when he chose to be a mail-dog; when I allowed him to follow his dream instead of his destiny, the mark faded and won’t reappear until your mother conceives again.
“Now, what does the goddess have to tell me this time?” He sat down, willing to wait. “She… she uh… she talked about something called “Shadow Clan” she told me to warn Balco- I mean, to warn you about their plan to attack. She told it would be brutal, and that they would go for the ones you are closest to first.” Balto’s face had gone from loving to hate as soon as she mentioned “Shadow Clan”. “How dare they!” Balto snarled, swirling his head around, finding a thickly muscled wolf. “Thimbu! Take Pesa and Reld, and go to… to him. Tell him we need to talk. TONIGHT. And make sure he understands… those terms are not negotiable, under any circumstances. Go now! And hurry back.” Off they scuttered, when a light grey wolf stepped up.
“Brother, it might be best if some of us, the stronger wolves, take guard. If or when he attacks, the dark wolf will be quick. He is strong, you know that. And… if it would please you, perhaps it might be beneficial to allow some of us to take to the woods, near the plain. We could get there quicker, fend the soldiers off.” He bowed low to the king, who stood frozen. “Brother? Balto? Does it please you?” “Shh.” Slowly, Balto moved toward the southeast entrance. He sniffed the air, then loudly growled, jumping high into the air. Screams and yelps followed. Five minutes later, he dragged a nearly unconscious black wolfess into view.
“Vesara.” The name was echoed throughout the entire Clan. Balto dropped the female, rippling his muscles as it looked around. “Hello nephew. Pleasure to see you here today.” He snorted. “Enough. I won’t fall to your voice. Why are you here?” She grinned. “To give my dear departed sister’s son a message. Those wolves you sent our way? You won’t be seeing them again. Oh, don’t worry- we let them live long enough to make their decision of turning. They refused. And Ohura got your message- he said you will see each other sooner than nightfall. You will see me soon as well.” She grinned, looking over to Aleu.
“Great-niece Aleu. I have heard much about you.” “Funny, I have heard absolutely nothing about you.” the daughter growled, eyes narrowing, for she could tell that this was a wolf with very bad intentions. “My, my. Just as civil as your Precca. You need taught a lesson.” On that, Vesara shoved Balto into a tree, jumping for the quarter wolf. “Vesara!” Balto’s voice erupted, booming off the trees while he grabbed her leg and snapped it in two. The swift fight that followed lasted only long enough for him to sink his teeth into her throat. “Now, will you leave, or must I kill you?” Balto snapped. She lowered her head, finally admitting his dominance. “Goodbye. For now.” And away she went.
“I need my ten strongest wolves! Follow her, make sure she leaves… and then search for Themba, Pesa, and Reld. Auroura, both of your ideas are grand. Follow my brothers’ instructions!” Balto’s eyes slid to his daughter, who stood staring off where Vesara had left. “And you- I had best get you settled down and explain the rest of my story.” She was silent, following him into a large cave. “Alright. Vesara was Aniu’s little sister. When Aniu met the dog she would marry, Vesara attacked him, for it was against the law to talk to the domesticated race. Aniu fended her sister off easily, but the anger was there. When the Wolf married, Vesara took matters upon her paws- she tried to kill the King. The princess was caught and set in a jury. They found her guilty. It grieved Aniu greatly, for she still loved her sister- but she was also afraid of her. Her parents were old, and she knew the loss of a pup would kill them.
So, she held conference, and under the tidings, she set a law upon stone, which could not be bypassed by any future children. She wrote the law, stating black wolves, of which never existed before, were to be sent out into exile to the Land of the Shadows. There, they would stay until death or their coat changed back into its original color.” Aleu pondered this information for a minute. “So, she killed the three? And she is the threat?” Balto exhaled. “No. Since her banishment, her age has grown long. The rule of Shadow Clan- for indeed it is established as a kingdom of old- is led by another, one I fear and hate more the any of the rest.” Balto closed his eyes, unable to watch her face as he said his next words. “My brother, Ohura.”
Aleu’s jaw dropped. “It’s a royal secret, a shame to the family. We keep it hidden as well as we can. I let him go the first time, I didn’t have the heart to turn him away. I loved him so, and I forgave him. For, mistakes can be made. But his next kill… was no mistake.” She opened her mouth to speak when a golden male wolf stuck his head in the cave. “Pardon me, brother. But Kodiac’s race begins in five minutes. You don’t want to miss it.” “Thank you, Varronk. I need to scoot, Aleu. Your aunts, Rousen and Minnie, will settle your clan in.” He turned to leave. “Papa? How many siblings do you have?” He chuckled. “Oh, twelve, seventeen, fifty; something around those numbers.” “Old fool! There’s eight counting you and you know it!” Rousen, a red female chided lovingly. “Now go on and hustle your tail to the starting line, Sire.”
He laughed. “This is what I have to put up with.” He left, heading towards Nome. Aleu watched him go, wishing the fear in her heart would go away.
Chapter One: Aleu’s Return
“Aika! Leave me! Help the clan!” Aleu screamed as her mate stood beside her. “Never, I won’t abandon you!” So, Aleu could only watch as her clan fought with sixty attacking wolves. Dear one, enough, call it off. Aleu knew it could only have been Aniu, a great wolf very famous for reasons she still had not learned. “STOP! Enough.” Her clan raced back to her. The others snarled, and the leader of the attackers held his head high. “You have made a wise decision. Invaders are not taken well. If any of you want to live, come with us.” Aleu hung her head, then motioned for her clan to follow. Ten minutes later, they came to a small opening in some bushes. The six wolves growled and led the clan in.
“Who is this, Agues?” A voice thundered. Aleu held her head high as a yellow wolfess came into sight. “I am Aleuka, leader of the Navatin clan. I was assaulted by your clan while merely passing through.” “I didn’t give you permission to speak! Be still.” “Now, then, Vatani, cool yourself and stand aside so I may see who it is that has entered.” Aleu froze. The voice was kind and calming, the eyes so familiar as they seemed to search her very being, the smell of the animal filled her nose, and her ears twitched as they recognized the oh-so-familiar foot padding pattern. Three years had passed since she had been near this animal, and delight filled her voice, senses, and eyes. But what came out of her mouth was a question, not a statement. “Papa? What are you doing in a wolf clan?”
Chapter 2: A Family Secret
He was equally as startled, but remained calm. “It seems you have made an error, Vatani. Please, apologize to my daughter.” The she-wolf seemed fearful. Closing her eyes, she whispered “Sorry.” Balto’s tone was sharp. “I don’t believe she HEARD you, sister. AGAIN.” Humiliated, Vatani blinked back tears. “I beg Aleu for forgiveness. I will not make a mistake again.” “You are right, you won’t. Until further notice, you are demoted. Cave cleaner is your task.” “HOW DARE YOU! I AM YOUR SISTER! You cannot- ” “Actually, I can do that, Tani. Need I remind you of the rules? NO attack may be lead without my say so. I don’t care if they have an entire ARMY, you wait until I arrive. IS. THAT.CLEAR?” She nodded. “Yes, brother. Yes.” “Good. Now leave my sight.” When his sister had gone, he looked at Aleu and smiled. “Daughter, what brings you here?” His eyes were soft and warm with adoration as he leapt from rock to rock, ending up in front of her.
Aleu cleared her throat. “Our land has become inhabitable. A great earthquake shook, destroying most of our hunting grounds and leaving the territory sharp-edged enough to tear our paw pads. There was no cleaning it up. We had decided to leave, but couldn’t decide which way to go. Aniu the Great White Wolf came to me in a dream, and told me I needed to head back home. She told of a kingdom called Altacap that would house us. She also gave me news to communicate to the leader… Balcorra. Do you know where he reigns?” Her father closed his eyes.
“Yes, I know where he reigns. May I introduce to you… Altacap Clan. And I… I go by Balcorra here. This is my homeland. My mother ruled before me, headed by my Precca - my father, Airekane. I left after they were killed, coming back once I’d returned from my serum run. I have rule over this region as well as three other domains, though they each have a sovereign to govern the smaller matters. What does the White One warn me of?” Aleu’s jaw had dropped. “Your rule? Then… you are a KING! Why didn’t you raise me as a royal? Don’t I qualify as such by your daughter?” He couldn’t meet her gaze. “Yes… and no. To be a title-worthy ruler- directly after me- you need a special mark on your right or left forepaw. See?” He lifted his foot, showing a small, off-white moon shape patch of fur, with a circular black part surrounding it on the inside ankle. “Only one royal pup can carry this mark. Sometimes, it takes several litters to gain a marked child. Your brother, Kodiac, had the mark…. But when he chose to be a mail-dog; when I allowed him to follow his dream instead of his destiny, the mark faded and won’t reappear until your mother conceives again.
“Now, what does the goddess have to tell me this time?” He sat down, willing to wait. “She… she uh… she talked about something called “Shadow Clan” she told me to warn Balco- I mean, to warn you about their plan to attack. She told it would be brutal, and that they would go for the ones you are closest to first.” Balto’s face had gone from loving to hate as soon as she mentioned “Shadow Clan”. “How dare they!” Balto snarled, swirling his head around, finding a thickly muscled wolf. “Thimbu! Take Pesa and Reld, and go to… to him. Tell him we need to talk. TONIGHT. And make sure he understands… those terms are not negotiable, under any circumstances. Go now! And hurry back.” Off they scuttered, when a light grey wolf stepped up.
“Brother, it might be best if some of us, the stronger wolves, take guard. If or when he attacks, the dark wolf will be quick. He is strong, you know that. And… if it would please you, perhaps it might be beneficial to allow some of us to take to the woods, near the plain. We could get there quicker, fend the soldiers off.” He bowed low to the king, who stood frozen. “Brother? Balto? Does it please you?” “Shh.” Slowly, Balto moved toward the southeast entrance. He sniffed the air, then loudly growled, jumping high into the air. Screams and yelps followed. Five minutes later, he dragged a nearly unconscious black wolfess into view.
“Vesara.” The name was echoed throughout the entire Clan. Balto dropped the female, rippling his muscles as it looked around. “Hello nephew. Pleasure to see you here today.” He snorted. “Enough. I won’t fall to your voice. Why are you here?” She grinned. “To give my dear departed sister’s son a message. Those wolves you sent our way? You won’t be seeing them again. Oh, don’t worry- we let them live long enough to make their decision of turning. They refused. And Ohura got your message- he said you will see each other sooner than nightfall. You will see me soon as well.” She grinned, looking over to Aleu.
“Great-niece Aleu. I have heard much about you.” “Funny, I have heard absolutely nothing about you.” the daughter growled, eyes narrowing, for she could tell that this was a wolf with very bad intentions. “My, my. Just as civil as your Precca. You need taught a lesson.” On that, Vesara shoved Balto into a tree, jumping for the quarter wolf. “Vesara!” Balto’s voice erupted, booming off the trees while he grabbed her leg and snapped it in two. The swift fight that followed lasted only long enough for him to sink his teeth into her throat. “Now, will you leave, or must I kill you?” Balto snapped. She lowered her head, finally admitting his dominance. “Goodbye. For now.” And away she went.
“I need my ten strongest wolves! Follow her, make sure she leaves… and then search for Themba, Pesa, and Reld. Auroura, both of your ideas are grand. Follow my brothers’ instructions!” Balto’s eyes slid to his daughter, who stood staring off where Vesara had left. “And you- I had best get you settled down and explain the rest of my story.” She was silent, following him into a large cave. “Alright. Vesara was Aniu’s little sister. When Aniu met the dog she would marry, Vesara attacked him, for it was against the law to talk to the domesticated race. Aniu fended her sister off easily, but the anger was there. When the Wolf married, Vesara took matters upon her paws- she tried to kill the King. The princess was caught and set in a jury. They found her guilty. It grieved Aniu greatly, for she still loved her sister- but she was also afraid of her. Her parents were old, and she knew the loss of a pup would kill them.
So, she held conference, and under the tidings, she set a law upon stone, which could not be bypassed by any future children. She wrote the law, stating black wolves, of which never existed before, were to be sent out into exile to the Land of the Shadows. There, they would stay until death or their coat changed back into its original color.” Aleu pondered this information for a minute. “So, she killed the three? And she is the threat?” Balto exhaled. “No. Since her banishment, her age has grown long. The rule of Shadow Clan- for indeed it is established as a kingdom of old- is led by another, one I fear and hate more the any of the rest.” Balto closed his eyes, unable to watch her face as he said his next words. “My brother, Ohura.”
Aleu’s jaw dropped. “It’s a royal secret, a shame to the family. We keep it hidden as well as we can. I let him go the first time, I didn’t have the heart to turn him away. I loved him so, and I forgave him. For, mistakes can be made. But his next kill… was no mistake.” She opened her mouth to speak when a golden male wolf stuck his head in the cave. “Pardon me, brother. But Kodiac’s race begins in five minutes. You don’t want to miss it.” “Thank you, Varronk. I need to scoot, Aleu. Your aunts, Rousen and Minnie, will settle your clan in.” He turned to leave. “Papa? How many siblings do you have?” He chuckled. “Oh, twelve, seventeen, fifty; something around those numbers.” “Old fool! There’s eight counting you and you know it!” Rousen, a red female chided lovingly. “Now go on and hustle your tail to the starting line, Sire.”
He laughed. “This is what I have to put up with.” He left, heading towards Nome. Aleu watched him go, wishing the fear in her heart would go away.
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