literature

CH 4, Theft

Deviation Actions

Published: Aug 17, 2015

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Literature Text

_{Fierce claws of winter ravaged the land and food was becoming more and more scarce. It had been a week's passing since Spectrum's eyes had opened; she and her sister were now chattering like birds with the wolf language instilled into them. Violetta had her paws full looking after all three pups and the fact that Spectrum and Moon were now talking had changed everything. They wanted stories, they wanted to learn new words by the day and Violetta was only just beginning to tire of it.

Thanks to Bloodfang, he always had some news to give and some wisdom to share. He was proving to be quite a good alpha, though some saw him as a 'pup-lover', criticising him for being so friendly with children. Others saw him as weak due to his way of using speech and reason, rather than any bloodshed – and few wolves in the pack liked this aspect. Above it all, Bloodfang paid no attention to his peers, and treated them like he would treat any wolf.

Some pups were becoming apprentices and earning their elements, and it was Primrose's turn to earn hers today. Walking with her father to a burrow she could hardly hold her excitement, tail wagging high in the air.

"So father," she asked, "What element do you think I'll get; fire, water, light? Ooh, I really like earth. Maybe I'll get earth!"

Bloodfang chuckled then joked, "Maybe you'll get electricity because you're excited and full of energy like a thundercloud!"

"Ha-ha,"Primrose jabbed a paw at him, "No, I guess... I'll just get what I'm given."

"That's my girl," he smiled, then she tossed his smile back, happy that her father was proud of her.

They ducked their heads under the entrance and crawled through the tunnel that lead down into a big underground grotto. She gasped in awe at the scene; sunlight shone through a hole in the ceiling, glistening little white sparks into the pool of water, centered right in the middle of the grotto. "Wow, dad," she quietly said, "It's beautiful!"

"Isn't it?" he nodded in agreement, "This place is called the Hollow of Li."

"What's 'Li'?" Primrose echoed.

"Li is a small untapped energy that is only awakened when a wolf chooses," he told her with a drifting glance, as though looking back on a memory, "Once it centres with a wolf's very soul, it emphasises and grows, then becomes part of the wolf. It becomes our 'element'."

"Do elements choose us?" she asked, her head tilted, "Or do we choose the element?"

"Both," Bloodfang stated, "We go to the Hollow to earn our element and when we get there the element clings to us. We choose to get it, and we are given it. Ready to try?"

"Ready!" she yapped.

"Move to the water, stand under the sun-ray and then, be still."

"Yes, dad," she nodded, and moved toward the water, eyes wavering over the sparkles of the sun shining on the surface.

Standing in the shallow water, she calmed herself; she slowed her breathing, and as she did the loud winds from outside quietened. Everything became silent – the only thing little Primrose could hear was the faint sound of her own heartbeat, becoming louder as the silence overshadowed.

The light grew dim, and over a minute a shining orb of light ascended from the water's surface. Primrose could hear a faint sound inside, sounding like a high-pitched chime. The Li moved itself around her body, until it rested over the skin and flesh, just above her heart. She began to feel a small tingling in her body, and then voices she didn't recognise sounded out:

"Roots of the ground, grass of green, stones and mountain high; element of Earth shall now be one with you."

She felt in her body the orb was taking hold, and then – the feelings were gone. Opening her eyes, she looked at her father.

"Is it over?" she asked.

"Yes," he confirmed. "You can come out now."

With shaky legs she moved out of the pool and back onto the cool stone.

"Tell me, what element did you earn?"

"I think it was Earth!" Primrose exclaimed. "I heard a voice, telling me of roots, grass, stones and tall mountains."

"That was the voice of the Li," he looked at her, "though it takes form of a tiny wisp, it has a powerful voice. So now, I'll tell Faeris, the teacher of Earth to take you into her lessons. She's nice – I think you'd like her."

"I hope so," she said, looking distant, "If my teacher is mean, it'd be hard to learn from her and I may end up being mean too."

"Don't worry," he assured, "Faeris is a bit snooty but she's very proud of what she teaches. I know she'll be happy to teach you the ways of Earth."

Without response, Primrose trotted out of the Hollow, her father following on behind. The two crossed through the territory scattered with trees and rocks, and wandered back home, seeing close to no wolves out in the cold there were only a few: Spark, Emma, Rohan and Mia. The alpha called to them, "Would you four mind doing a hunting patrol later?"

"Gladly," Emma responded, her burgundy eyes shining. "I was getting quite famished. Sound okay, Spark?"

He barked happily, "I'd love a good hunt."

"Me too," Mia smiled.

"What about you, Rohan?" Bloodfang asked, "Are you going too?"

"Nah," he sniffed, "Got a bit of a cold, I'll probably just slow you all down."

"That's okay," Bloodfang bowed his head slightly to them, "Get well soon, and good hunting for the rest of you. Also – if you find any good hunting spots, be sure to report it. We need as much knowledge of food in this severe weather."

Primrose looked back at the four wolves as she left with her dad; she knew them all rather well, seeing them a few times and talking here and there out of the den.

Emma was Rohan's bright and cheerful daughter, often playing with the pups and teaching them little tricks they would need later on. Rohan himself was a stern wolf, not grumpy, but perhaps a bit strict. His daughter was lucky to have him because even though he was strict, he was still loving and he cherished his family more than anything else. As for Mia, one of the youngest hunters in the pack, she was very kind, laid-back and rather shy however her dedication to becoming a good hunter, maybe even a leading hunter one day brew in her blood.

They neared their own den and standing the entrance was Violetta, her lavender-blue eyes full of welcome. "Good to see you home," she barked to them both, "How did the ritual go?"

"Oh, mother, it was so awesome!" she barked, "I got Earth! I can't wait to learn some spells off of Faeris."

"You won't learn any spells until you're at least three months old," Bloodfang corrected her.

Deep within the cavern, a shrill young voice called out: "Oh, is that Primrose?"

"I think it is! She's back, she's back!"

Scurrying from the other room swiftly came the two young pups, Spectrum and Moon, eyes shining and tails wagging. They pounced onto Primrose, knocking her over. Moon pawed at her, "What element did you get?"

"I got Earth," she barked in a rather uncomfortable tone, "And for the love of Dawn, get off me!"

"Oh, Prim," Violetta grinned, "They're just happy for you."

"Well, in two weeks time," Bloodfang announced, "It'll be their turn."

"Wait wha--" Moon fell off of Primrose, then Spectrum yapped loudly,"Really!?"

Blinking in certainty, Bloodfang told them, "You earn your element at six weeks old – it's tradition to earn elements early in life."

"But we've barely gotten out of the cave! Why so early do we--" Spectrum asked, then was cut off as Moon pushed her away, "Don't say that! You'll make him rethink it!"

"Well, yes. We do go by tradition however," --the pups looked stunned at Bloodfang-- "If there is any sort of, uh... 'delay', then we wait a bit longer. But these two weeks will whoosh right before your eyes, trust me."

The pups wagged their tails, ears perked and eager for a story. Moon was the one to ask, "Daddy, tell us how you got yours!"

"I would, but I think it would be best if you just wait for yourselves."

The two groaned in disappointment, but Spectrum quickly yapped, "What about you, mama? When did you get yours?"

"I...uh..." Violetta paused.

"She doesn't have an element." Bloodfang told the two pups, "Your mother never really wanted one."

Violetta looked away, her ears pinned backward and her eyes glancing at the cave floor. Bloodfang brushed his cheek to hers, and she leant on his shoulder.

"But...why?" Moon asked.

"Well, I don't really--" she murmured as Bloodfang interrupted her, "She doesn't want to tell you. Go on; all of you go and play."

With confused faces, the two wandered further into the cave. As they left, Bloodfang licked his mate's cheek, "Don't worry, I promise I won't tell them about it."

"I know you won't." she nuzzled him.

*

The faint light of the moon was barely shining through the winter haze, as snow covered the lands. The wind howled, and the scent of enemy wolves grew strong. Sin, Bless and the others were seated, meeting the two outcasts for nights on end, seeking knowledge of the group they were to confront. It was becoming clear – these wolves had little to no magic in their blood, and robbing wolves, reproducing, and bringing forth a new line was the indefinite plan. The pack was filled with brutish, hateful wolves, using violence as a solution to any problems they might encounter; known by the name: The Blood Army. It was clear that making a plan to take back what was stolen was the answer – but how would they do it?

"We've seen them," Sin growled, "At every turn and corner, there's a guard. How will we take back the stolen?"

"Well," Leaf whispered, "I think the only way is to sneak into the very heart of the stronghold, seize Alpha Willow and get her to make them leave."

"How on earth will we make it there, without being torn to pieces?" Fang grunted, "It seems like a lost cause. I think we should just go home... if they try to take our pups, then we'll fight them back."

"No, Fang," Sin snarled, "We must continue this mission – it is far too late to turn back."

Fang looked down sheepishly, feeling foolish he had even thought of such an idea. Bay looked at Fang for a moment, then paced toward the younger brother, Ayakin. Fang followed with weak strides, then seated himself as Bay began to talk.

"If I may ask," Bay said in a nervous tone, "How did you get all of those scars? Was it the Blood Army?"

Ayakin couldn't even look at him – he kept silent, then his sister stepped in, "Yes. They treated him like a – no, worse than an omega. They would... hurt him... a lot, mainly because I stepped up to the alpha one day, asking why we were planning to take pups with magical ability – mind you this was all before it actually began."

Ayakin glanced at his sister, not bothered by her words at all. He'd heard them before, felt it all before... it was nothing new.

Leaf continued, her voice growing more saddened with each word, "They attacked him, burying their teeth into his haunches, scratching and batting him and one day, they even shredded his ears to pieces. I would have stood up for him but you... you know how they are. Stronger than me."

"You didn't hesitate to protect him the time Ayrik had threatened to kill the both of you," Fang reminded her.

"That was different," Leaf closed her eyes, lowering her head. "I was... am growing tired of their behaviour. I had to protect my brother."

Fang smiled, "It was very brave of you."

Leaf smiled back, very faintly. "Thank you, Fang."

"Sorry for the interruption," Sin barked, "But we appear to have a visitor – he calls himself Oliver."

All heads turned to entrance of the cavern, a silhouette revealing a small, copper-brown wolf. Leaf dashed toward him, and buried her face into his neck fur. "Good to see you Oliver."

He bowed his head to them, "Hello to all."

Some of them looked uneasy, especially Ayakin. It could be very soon that their plans would be ruined, and they'd fight for their lives against the Blood Army's vicious wolves. However, Oliver looked different. He didn't hold the same spite in his glance, and the fact Leaf had acknowledged his presence had proved that he was friendly. But Bay and especially Fang didn't seem so easily led – their hackles were rising and they held their tails straight up in dominance.

"Now," Bay approached him with a snarl on his muzzle, "Before we kill you, tell us," -Oliver's ears pinned right back- "...are you in any alliance and trust to the Blood Army?"

Oliver backed up slightly, his voice shuddering as he held Bay's gaze, "No; even though I hunt with them, I am secretly trying to free the pups, just like Ayakin and Leaf wanted. I'm on their side – they don't deserve the violence the Army gives them."

Fang still didn't look so sure, but Bay had lightened up a bit – his hackles were lowered now and he sat down with a friendlier-looking appearance. "You seem so sure of yourself," Bay chuckled. "Well, welcome anyhow."

"So, Oliver," Leaf asked him, "What's new so far?"

"Well, Sattoris took some wolves with him on a hunt north," Oliver spoke,"And his mate is going to do the same soon. She hasn't left yet...so I wouldn't advise any sort of bravery anytime soon."

"Anything else?"

"Cobra– lead soldier, is getting curious about my disappearances... so, I can't stay very long. The best I can do for you all is report."

Leaf swallowed nervously, "Well you've given us the report – go back, quickly! Before he finds out about us!"

"Wait-" he said, "I just want to say, thank you. To all of you... this pup theft has gone on long enough."

Quickly bowing, Oliver bolted out of the cavern with snow flying at his heels behind him. Leaf turned to them all, her tail wagging a bit. "We are truly thankful you know. If this works, I'd be happy to call myself loyal to you."

Sin, Bless and the others looked grateful to her words. "Call yourself loyal any time," Bless offered.

*

Bloodfang walked solemnly back from a hunt patrol, his ears perked. He felt satisfied with the day's kill – two bighorn sheep. They had wandered among sheltered land to find them, and it would certainly fill hungry wolves. Though Bloodfang knew it still wasn't enough. He assigned a hunting patrol just after another had finished, and the cycle continued until the wolves just couldn't hunt anymore, or, were unsuccessful in their findings. It rewarded Bloodfang with enough food to satisfy his pack, but just barely. The wolves in the Force were becoming tired, and they would come back with less food each time. Some of the wolves were becoming sick from the vicious cold – which meant less hunt patrols. It strained him he had to look further out for food.

'I should have heeded Bay's warning,' he thought to himself, as he paced on back home. Thistle and Spark carried one ewe together, while Rose, Salem and Mia were carrying a ram.

In the distance, a purple-grey shape bolted towards Bloodfang, panting with each stride. When Violetta got to him, she could barely get the words out: "Primrose... Pri... Primrose has vanished! I looked around the den, trying to find her, but all I could see was the fierce blizzard..."

Feeling a jolt of fear flash down his spine, he told her, "I'll get a search party going--"

"No!" Violetta exclaimed, then slowed down to catch her breath, "No... I bet, those thieves took her. Oh, Bloodfang..." she cried heavily, "our daughter was barely two months old..."

"Well," Bloodfang tried to reassure her, "we'll get her back!"

A slight pause came over her, then Violetta looked away, "There's...there's no point trying to get her back now... remember: those snake-hearts don't leave a scent, and besides... even if we do find her, she may be... dead... by now. I can't bear staring down at the ever-still, cold body of my daughter."

The wolves behind Bloodfang all looked saddened at the alphess's words, and a flash of fear shone deeply in their eyes. Dropping the haunch of the ram, Rose spat: "But she might be alive! We have to do something, alphess, for the good of the pack... for you!"

"No – we can't, Rose," Violetta looked distant, tears rolling down her face. "It's too late."

Thistle and Spark exchanged disappointed glances while Rose angrily picked back up her carry; in moments, the seven wolves walked back home. Snowflakes drifted in the wind with other droplets of snow falling down on the group. Violetta held her head low, her tail drooping as she leaned on her mate's shoulder.}