Beauran Book 1 ~ The Orphan Pup {Wolf Story}

[Kodabomb]

OOOooOOOOooHH!! The last bit of this chapter gets suspenseful....
Hope you enjoy!

The Next Hunt

Gaze awoke the next morning, finding himself lying on his side and staring at Tune’s shoulder, who was asleep, breathing deeply. He sat up and yawned widely, looking out the door of the cave. The birds were all awake, fluttering and jumping about in the tree-tops. The sun cast morning shadows over the cave, and patches of sunlight were splashed here and there. There was no breeze, and the air was warm. It was perfect for hunting. And Gaze was looking forward to doing it all by himself.
“Good morning, Moon-Gaze!” Gaze spun around and saw Scar, walking up to him.
“Good morning sir.” Gaze replied, standing.
“Are you looking forward to doing your hunt?” Scar came and sat next to him. Gaze sat back down again.
“Yes.” Gaze didn’t really know what to say – he hadn’t spoken to Scar very much.
“What are you hoping to catch in your individual test?” Scar asked kindly. Gaze looked up at him.
“Well, I can’t catch anything big, but maybe a hare or something? I don’t know.” He paused. “Tune’s worried that she won’t catch anything.”
“She will. That pup is a very clever one. She can run fast, she’s agile and as Bjorna tells me, she can lie quietly in wait. Don’t worry about her.” Scar replied. His blue eyes sparkled in the dim morning light. Then there was a shuffling sound from behind.
“Good morning.” Bjorna lifted her head and stretched her legs out, yawning. Her ear was flopped over and she looked relaxed.
“Bjorna!” Scar smiled at his daughter. She got up and went over to them. She shook herself off, and dust from the cave floor flew through the air.
“I can’t wait for hunting today!” Bjorna said. She plonked herself down between Scar and Gaze.
“I hope you two do well. All of you. This is a very good skill, and no matter how bad or good you become at it, you will always use this skill.” Scar smiled again. “Actually, we should probably wake the others up. I’ll wake Aldoro.” They all got up and went back into the cave.
Gaze bent over Tune and nudged her shoulder. “Tune. Tune, wake up.” She lifted his head again and waited. She slowly opened her great blue eyes and looked up at him. She licked her lips and sat up.
“Morning.” She said. “Are we going?” She yawned widely.
“Yeah. Bjorna’s waking the others and Scar’s waking Aldoro. We’re going soon.” She stood up and stood next to him. Bjorna was just waking Balliar, and Simbas was licking his paw. Aldoro and Scar walked over to them just as Balliar lifted his head, not looking pleased with his sister.
“Well, is this pack ready to go?” Scar said. Aldoro smiled at the group, his ear flopped and his tail down and relaxed. They all stood. Gaze swished his tail and licked his lips. The second hunt. “Let’s go!” Aldoro and Scar set off into the clearing and the pack of pups followed. They walked into the forest and down the slope.
Gaze let the morning sun shine onto his back, the black of his fur taking in the warm light. The forest was welcoming, friendly. Birds chirped in the tree-tops and bees buzzed through the flowers on the bushes. As he walked, a small, black and red butterfly landed on his nose. It twitched it’s pretty wings and Gaze crossed his eyes to look into it’s little face.
“Hello.” He said, and the butterfly flitted it’s wings and flapped away. He watched it go into the bushes. Black and Red. Black and Red? Gaze thought a moment. He had never seen a butterfly coloured like that. Could it mean something? What could those colours mean?
No, he was silly. He was judging the future by a bug’s wings. He shook the thought from his mind and walked ahead. The pack walked down the rock steps, covered in moss and water trickling down. They walked over the log-bridge with the little stream, and under vines and trees. Gaze looked through the trees and saw more slopes and gullies, as well as cliffs and cracked rock. Roots poked out of their rocky path and Gaze almost tripped.
Soon they were at the bottom of the slope. The were in the rocky pine forest and up ahead they heard chatter of wolves who had awoken early to get hunting. They traipsed over the rocks and through the trees and emerged into the bright morning sun.
The clearing was full of wolves once again, and the five tutors were waiting around the edges. Dahlia was in the same position as last time, at the edge. She was sitting on a big rock licking her paw.
The pack sat down and waited for the other wolves to arrive. Gaze lifted his pack leg and scratched his ear. He yawned widely and rolled onto his back with his legs in the air. Panting, he thumped his tail happily on the ground. This grass was soft, and Gaze felt like he could lie down all day.
Finally, after a bit of a wait, all the wolves arrived, barking and yelping and many tails wagging. The chatter was so loud, Gaze couldn’t hear himself think, so he rolled back over a sat up. Tune was chatting away to Bjorna, and Balliar was staring at some girl over in another group of wolves. Simbas was looking around the place, at the trees, at the wolves, and at the Leader, who was climbing onto a boulder ready to speak.
“Your attention please, my pack.” She said, loud and clear. The entire group of chattering pups and parents pricked their ears and looked eagerly at the Leader. The barking died down, and the only sound was a whimpering puppy, who was then quietened by his mother. “It is the second hunt! We have all come, and I hope everyone enjoyed their stay in the caves on the mountain. Today we will be doing individual tests, to see how each one of you can hunt by yourself. There is no specific thing you should hunt, even insects will do. Small animals such as hares, rabbits, birds and rats are the best. They are something you shall hunt your whole life. Try your best, and when you have caught something, your tutor will show you where to stay until you group has finished. What you do with your prey is your choice. The same rules apply from yesterday.
“Now, everyone please get into the same groups as yesterday and got to your tutors.” The Leader finished and waited for her group. All the pups ran and scrambled into their groups, and parents stepped back to the edges of the clearing. Gaze, Tune, Balliar, Simbas and Bjorna ran together and went over to Dahlia, who smiled and waited for the Leader. When everyone was settled, the Leader spoke again.
“We all in our groups, and we are ready to go. Now, we shall hunt!” she howled, and all the wolves howled around her. Gaze lifted his head and let it out. It was loud and long, and it echoed through the trees.
A moment later it died down, and the Leader’s group set off towards the cave whilst the other groups followed. Once again, Dahlia waited to be last.
“How are we all? I hope you enjoyed yourselves last night.” Dahlia, smiling kindly.
“We liked it very much, thank you.” Replied Bjorna.
“What cave did you sleep in?” Dahlia asked them curiously.
“We slept in one up some rock steps not far from the clearing. It was an open one with brown stone.” Simbas said.
“Really? That’s the one my parents and I slept in on my first hunting trip. It’s a nice place isn’t it.” Dahlia said, sounding surprised. She suddenly pricked her ears and walked forward. The groups followed, and Gaze saw the tails of the other wolves entering the tunnel. Dahlia led them into the dark place, and Gaze listened to the sounds of chattering, excited wolves echoing throughout.
Their claws scratched on the rock floor, and then they walked into the thick layer of dirt. It was soft under Gaze’s feet, and he could still smell that meaty scent like last time. Tune sighed next to him.
“What’s wrong?” Gaze asked her, and she looked at her feet shuffling through the dirt.
“I’m just worried I’m not going to be a good hunter.” She paused. “I know you’ve told me, but I just think I won’t be able to catch anything.” Tune sighed a little again.
“As we’ve all told you, don’t worry. I might try to help if I catch something quick.” Gaze tried to comfort her. She sniffed in an amused way. Gaze smiled.
Soon there was a light ahead. Gaze squinted as morning sunshine gleamed from the exit. All the groups of wolves marched from the tunnel and into the forest, with Dahlia’s group following behind. Gaze emerged into the sun behind Dahlia and Tune beside him, and they walked to the side. Everyone found a spot to sit as their tutors told them instructions. Dahlia sat down, and Gaze, Tune, Balliar, Bjorna and Simbas sat in front of her, ears pricked ready to listen.
“Well, the individual tests! This is a very important trial, as your parents would tell you, because you will use the skill forever. Now, each one of you must catch something small in the amount of time given, before we shall all return home. Bring your catch to me so I can see it, because I am telling the Leader what you caught. Are there any questions before you hunt?” Dahlia looked around the group. Then Balliar spoke up.
“What test are we having tomorrow? I’m just a bit curious.” He said the last bit in a small voice. Dahlia laughed.
“Paired hunting.” She said. “Each of you must find a partner or group of three and hunt something. I won’t give any more away.” She smiled. “Now, we are ready! Off you go. Don’t hunt in the forest, just the meadow!” The five young wolves all dashed to the edge of the trees and crept into the grass.
Gaze held his belly just off the ground, and his legs in a crouch. He kept quiet and slunk through the grass like a fox. He lifted his nose to sniff and kept his ears pricked to the sides to pick up sounds of moving animals.
The sun shone onto his back like fire, through the morning air was cold so some sun was pleasant. The whole place around him was still and quiet, just the rustling grass of his body moving through.
Suddenly a breeze blew onto his face. It ruffled the fur around his neck and Gaze twitched his tail. Then he caught a scent. The wind blew the scent of deer right into his nose, and he lifted his head to smell more.
It was up ahead. A small herd of deer. He crept faster through the grass. The smell got stronger and he could hear grunts. Then there was a rustle in front of him.
Gaze stopped suddenly. He pricked his ears forward and lowered his tail for balance as he kept his body so low he almost touched the ground.
Rustle, rustle. There is was again. Gaze leaned forward and lifted his head. He saw something. It was a little fuzzy tail and a brown body. It was about as tall as him but smaller and more delicate.
A deer fawn.
If he could try and separate it from the herd he could catch it. Quietly, Gaze crept around the back of the fawn and to the other side. Behind him he saw the rest of herd briefly through the grass. They were all quietly grazing, wiggling their tails and grunting. He looked back as the fawn, which had it’s head down nibbling clover and little flowers.
Gaze glanced behind again, the crept forward. The little fawn wiggled it’s tail. He lowered himself, ready to pounce, then it spun around. The little fawn stared him right in the face, it’s eyes went wide and ears back. It’s back legs bent down as it leant back, and it’s tail went all the way down.
Gaze lifted his top lip a let out a growl. He bent, pushed his back legs…. The fawn leapt it leapt away right as he was about to pounce. It ran off into the grass, tiny, stick-like legs flying all around. Gaze barked and leapt after it. He ran and ran, catching up. The grass brushed against his sides, and his ears went back. Snarling, he pushed forward again. The little fawn was about two paces in front…. If he could just push a little more….
Gaze bounded forward, placed his front legs on the ground, and put his back ones up beside them. With one mighty push, his back legs forced his body up and his front legs went up as he leapt over the grass. The fawn was beneath him, running as fast as it’s little legs could go.
Gaze hit the ground with a thump, landing on his feet. He leapt forward again, towards the fawn. His feet burned as he tried to catch up. He was not going to be outrun by a baby deer. He looked ahead of the fawn. There was a fallen log. It was covered in moss and it had made a ditch in the ground with dirt all around it. The fawn just kept running.
Gaze was going to corner it. How on earth would it get through a log? The fawn skidded at the log. It grunted and bent down. Gaze was filled with enthusiasm. A few more paces….
Suddenly, the fawn bent down and squeezed under the log. Under it! There was a tiny hole underneath, much too small for Gaze. But he could jump it. He stopped his front legs, put forward his back and pushed. He soared over the log and landed on the ground over the other side. Thump.
The fawn was almost gone in the grass. Gaze could do it. It would be totally outrun by now. He did one more leap. This time, instead of landing on the ground, he landed with a wack on the fawn. It hit the ground and grunted. Gaze pinned it with his paws. It was a lot bigger than it looked. It struggled with it’s strong back legs, but Gaze put his back legs on top.
It wheezed as he stood on it. Gaze put his right front leg on it’s head. He closed his eyes and bit down on it’s neck. One last wheeze it gave and it suddenly was lifeless. Gaze stepped off and stared at it.
“Oh, spirit of wisdom, thank you for the life of this prey.” He mumbled. He then bent down and grabbed it’s back leg. Gaze then started off to the forest, not far away.
He plodded into the trees a moment later with the fawn dragging behind him. He pulled and tugged, and finally found Dahlia asleep next to an Oak, almost right where they left her. He dropped his load near her and nudged her side with his nose.
“Dahlia. Dahlia. Wake up.” He said. She moaned and opened her eyes wearily. Lifting her head, she saw Gaze standing next to her.
“Moon-Gaze! Have you caught something?” she said happily. She sat up and yawned, licking her lips.
“Yes. Look.” He went over and sat next to his fawn, lying on the grass.
“Oh, pup!” she exclaimed, staring at his kill. “That’s amazing! I’ve never seen someone as young as you kill a fawn before! Well, maybe the Alfa, he was in my group when I was a pup. But he was good. Very good. Have you had training?” she looked back up as Gaze.
“Well, River-Tune’s father, Aldoro taught me for a week.” He said.
“Well, you must be good. All that training.” She smiled at Gaze. “Now, we’ll have to wait for the others.” She walked back over to her spot under the tree and lay down. She put her head on her paws. Gaze went to another tree and lifted his leg, before lying down near a bush.
Over his head, birds tweeted and chirped. Butterflies flitted in front of him on the flowers in the grass. He watched them, they were mesmerizing, and as one landed on his nose he sneezed. It flitted around, before landing on his tail. He swished it and it clung on. Gaze laughed as it was flung around on his tail.
abruptly, from behind, there was a rustling in the grass. Gaze pricked his ears and looked. A, aqua-blue tipped tail came out of the grass, and Tune emerged backwards. Behind her, she dragged a hare. Swished her tail, she turned and spotted Gaze. Her eyes filled with delight as she trotted over to him with her hare in her mouth. She dropped in front of him and smiled.
“Look what I got!” she cried, wagging her curly tail and panting.
“Wow Tune! That’s great!” exclaimed Gaze. He looked at the hare, which was grey and fluffy. “Have you seen mine?” Gaze got up and showed her his fawn which was lying next to a sleeping Dahlia.
“Whoa! A deer! That’s so good, Gaze!” she nuzzled him. He smiled.
“Hey, do you want to share it?” Gaze asked. He wagged his tail.
“Oh, sure!” she said. They bent down and started to tear at the prey.

* * *
“Oh, that was so good!” Tune grumbled. She lay down by a tree. Gaze looked at the pile of bones he and Tune had just finished.
“I enjoyed that too.” Gaze lay down and thumped his tail on the ground. His belly was stuffed, and as he licked his lips of the blood, Bjorna came trotting through the trees. Gaze turned and saw her, with a raven in her mouth and a happy look on her face. She dropped the bird on the grass and lay next to it, panting.
“Hello!” she said. “I caught a raven!”
“That’s great Bjorna!” said Gaze, as Tune sniffed the dead ball of feathers. “Was it easy?”
“Yes it was, quite. I found it in a tree, so I waited for it to come down before a pounced.” Bjorna said delightedly. “What did you guys catch?”
“Well, I caught a fawn, we just finished it off, and Tune caught a hare.” Gaze replied. “Tune, where is your catch?” He looked at her. Tune looked up.
“Oh, behind a bush over there. I’m saving it.” She replied, putting her head down and happily sighing.
“I’m going to save mine so I can share it with Father.” Bjorna said, lying down too. Suddenly, Tune stood.
“Hey, I just need to go do my business after that feed, you don’t mind?” And without another word, she briskly trotted off into the trees. Gaze sniffed and put down his head. He was a little tired. Bjorna did the same, and they nodded off for a quick doze.

* * *
Gaze awoke about half an hour later, to find Simbas and Balliar tearing up the carcass of a fat hare. Bjorna was still asleep, and surprisingly, Dahlia had slept through everything that had gone on. She was lying under her tree.
Gaze sat up and yawned. He stretched his legs out in front of him. Simbas looked up, with blood all over his face. “Oh hello Gaze!” he said. “A nice sleep? Um, where’s Tune?”
Tune? Wasn’t she back? Gaze looked around and couldn’t see her. Doing her ‘business’ doesn’t take that long. He leapt up and sniffed around. She hadn’t come back recently. But surely, nothing could have happened, could it?
Where was River-Tune?

[Seren.]

I can't wait till the next chapter!!
What happens to Tune!?

[Kodabomb]

Oooooooh, it's a secret....... But all is revealed in the next chapter!

[Kodabomb]

Yay! The revealing chapter!
It's a little shorter, but trust me, it has LOTS.

Missing

Gaze spun around, breathing fast. She was missing. River-Tune was gone. He had to wake Dahlia. He ran over to her a nudged her side.
“Dahlia! Dahlia, wake up!” he nudged her again. “Dahlia!” he stood there and waited. She groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Gaze before sitting up and yawning.
“Hey, what’s wrong pup?” she asked. “You looked a little stressed.” Gaze licked his lip. He heaved in his breath, then spoke.
“Tune’s gone. River-Tune is missing.” He said, looking Dahlia in her eyes. “She went into the forest and didn’t come back in ages. I sniffed around and she didn’t come while I was asleep. I don’t know where she’s gone.” Gaze finished and whimpered little. Dahlia looked a bit confused or puzzled. She cocked her head.
“Gone?” she said. “Where did she go?”
“The forest, like I said. She went that way.” He looked over into the trees where he last saw Tune. Dahlia stared in the spot too.
“We’ll have to look for her.” She turned to the pack. “Simbas! Balliar! Bjorna! Come here!” Simbas and Balliar lifted their heads, blood on their muzzles, and Bjorna quickly looked up as she had been half asleep. They all walked over to Dahlia timidly.
“Pack, River-Tune it missing.” She said. They all pricked their ears. “Moon-Gaze has said she went away into the forest and didn’t come out. Balliar, Simbas, did you see anything?” Balliar looked surprised, but answered.
“Well, when I got back with Simbas, Bjorna and Moon-Gaze were asleep. I saw you asleep too, but I just thought Tune hadn’t caught anything yet.” He looked at her awkwardly.
“Hmm.” Said Dahlia. She looked at the ground, as thought thinking. “Well, if she didn’t come, she didn’t come. We’ll have to look. Let’s go!” she set off in the direction Gaze showed, and they followed along behind. They went over the spot Dahlia slept, and through the trees. Gaze could see the hunting ground to the left, and the slope of mountains to the right.
Dahlia started to run. She had her head down, sniffing the ground. Her ears were pricked, and her eyes concentrating. Gaze put his nose down and sniffed too. There is was, the scent of Tune. It went along the ground through the trees. He looked behind and saw the others sniffing the ground too.
Suddenly, Dahlia stopped and sniffed around in a circle. “The trail ends here. No scent.” She continued to sniff as they watch. “Wait, I smell something else…. Oh no!” she ran ahead and they followed. Dahlia sniffed the trunk of a tree, some bushes and a few rocks. “No, no, no!” Gaze’s heart thumped in his chest. What had happened? Dahlia kept sniffing. Then suddenly, she started to growl.
“Dahlia…? What – what is it?” Bjorna asked. She had a worried expression on her face, and Dahlia looked up.
“Shadow Lands….” She muttered, and then growled again. “OK, a wolf from the shadow lands has been here. There is a little blood on the rock and the tree.” Bjorna squeaked. Shadow Lands? Gaze whimpered.
“What are the Shadow Lands?” Simbas asked timidly. Dahlia flicked her ears back and whined.
“A bad place. It’s another pack-land, and all bad wolves live there. No one, ever, should go there. If Tune’s been taken there, they must want something.” Bjorna whimpered. Gaze shuddered. Then, without thinking, he ran forward and sniffed the ground, tree-trunk and rocks. No. What he could smell was the scent of those evil wolves he and Tune met in the forest. He growled.
“Moon-Gaze…” Dahlia said, and she stepped forward.
“I’ve smelled this before.” He snarled. “Tune and I met two wolves in the forest one day, and they wanted Tune. They chased us. And this,” he thrust his chest forward to show the tooth around his neck, “Is probably the tooth of that wolf. See how big it is? That wolf is huge!” He growled again.
“Settle, pup, settle. Are you sure?” Gaze sighed and nodded. “Oh my. Well, if they wanted River-Tune, she is probably OK. We must go and find her.” And without saying anything more, she trotted into the forest, trying to keep the scent of the wolves. With their tails held high, they all followed.
They all went through the trees, the mountains on one side, and Gaze was just losing sight of the meadow. They trees got thick and dark, the sunlight was trying to reach them, but it was weak. The canopy was like the roof of a cave. The welcoming forest was suddenly saying for them to go back, for the way they were going would probably lead to the Shadow Lands.
Gaze felt sick. Poor Tune! Judging by the blood, she had been hurt, maybe injured, and what if the pack couldn’t find her? He shuddered. Bjorna whimpered. She sounded scared.
“Bjorna?” Gaze asked. “Are – are you all right?” She looked up at him.
“I’m just scared. What if we can’t find her?” she whimpered again. Dahlia overheard them.
“Don’t worry pups.” She said from over her shoulder. “If the scent really does go to the Shadow Lands, we will return home to get help.” She put her nose back down and kept sniffing.
Soon the roots beneath their feet were big and thick, and Gaze almost tripped several times. The mountains were not in sight, it was just hilly forest with thick trees, so they couldn’t see many things ahead. No birds chirped in the trees, no rabbits hopped across the path. They just had to keep walking with Dahlia.

* * *
Heavy, wet fog floated all around. The sun was gone, for the dark clouds he had seen from the mountain ledge suffocated it. None of them could see where they were going, they just had to follow Dahlia and her nose. Gaze had his tail between his legs, and his fur was damp. This part of the forest seemed evil and unwelcoming. They heard ravens up above, with their spooky-sounding call echoing through the forest.
Twisted roots were tangled around the forest floors, and thorny, sharp bushes were throughout. They were only following a small path, probably on which those wolves had taken Tune. Gaze could smell her scent very faintly, and the smells of other wolves sickened him. He tried to make himself think that she would be OK, but the opposite was haunting him.
Behind him, Bjorna tripped on a root. She stumbled to the ground with a thump. They all stopped as Simbas nudged his terrified, exhausted sister, and she groaned.
“I hate this.” She said, and tears started to tumble down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” asked Simbas gently, as he helped her to her feet with a nudge.
“I’m scared, this place makes me shiver, and I’m worried for Tune.” She sobbed a little.
“I shouldn’t have brought you pups here.” Mumbled Dahlia. She sighed. “All we need to do is see if Tune really did get taken here, then we can go home to find help.” They all looked up and nodded. Leading the way again with her nose, Dahlia walked ahead.
After a while, they came to a slope. A mountain. It was tall and rocky, and covered in pines. Ravens cried in the tree-tops, and dark clouds covered the sky. Gaze shuddered. Dahlia heaved in her breath and walked up the slope.
“Her scent goes up this path.” She said. “It looks like there is a mountain track leading through a gap in the hills.” She kept walking up the hill. Gaze, Bjorna, Simbas and Balliar reluctantly followed. Tails between their legs and ears back, the pack trudged up the mountainside.
They came out of the thick trees and into the dim light. Gaze felt suddenly warmer, and the fog did not cover their path. The horrid, evil feeling around did not go away though. Bjorna shivered and walked up beside him. Simbas and Balliar plodded along behind them.
“Oh, I can’t take any more.” Bjorna said suddenly. She stopped and put her head down, shivering and panting. The sides of her face were still damp with tears, and her voice was shaky. Under the dark clouds, her white fur seemed grey.
“Well, I think the trail does go into the valley.” Dahlia said. She turned to them. “We’ll have to leave. Come. We shall get help and return in the morning.” She started back down the mountainside, and the rest followed her.
Gaze still had the sick feeling in his gut. He hoped Tune was all right.

[Seren.]

Poor tune hopes she's okay
What will happen next??

[Kodabomb]

Never fear! Help will be on it's way!
I'm not far through typing the next chapter, so hopefully it will be finished soon!

[Seren.]

Yayyyy!! It's going to be really good

[Kodabomb]

Yay! Finally, the chapter had come. There's new characters in this one, so readers, read on!

Help

After a long, tiring trip back to the hunting grounds, the pack sat down in the forest, panting and shivering. Dahlia did not sit, however, and she paced up and down. She was muttering and sighing, and her whole body seemed stressed. She must have had so many thoughts in her mind. She might get into trouble, a wolf had gone missing in her presence, and she had just been to the Shadow Lands…. Gaze could practically see the thoughts pouring out. He sighed. Poor Dahlia.
Poor River-Tune.
Dahlia suddenly stopped pacing and looked up at the group. “Right. We need to go now. Oh, the other groups have already left! Quickly pack!” she raced through the trees to the tunnel entrance, and they all followed. She waited for them, then ran into the dark. Fast foot-steps echoed around, and the sound of five panting wolves filled Gaze’s ears. They galloped along, through the dark, until finally, the light of the bright afternoon in Beauran shone up ahead.
They burst from the tunnel into the sun, and skidded to a stop. Gaze panted and sat down. Why so fast? Always fast? Dahlia still did not sit, and went over to the Leader, who was one of the few wolves left in the clearing. She looked startled as Dahlia ran over to her.
“Cazadora!” she cried. That must be her name, Gaze thought. “News. Terrible news.” Dahlia panted.
“Oh, Dahlia! Come, speak to me.” They walked away a little, not to be overheard. Gaze watched as Dahlia spoke frantically, and Cazadora listed with interest. There were several times when she gasped or groaned.
He looked at Bjorna. She had collapsed on the ground, panting and sobbing. She was upset and terrified. Her body shook. Simbas had a worried look on his face, and Balliar was staring at the ground. Bjorna was reacting terribly. Something like that obviously shook her.
A moment later, Cazadora and Dahlia appeared next to them and they all looked up. Cazadora sighed and spoke. “This is terrible. You poor pups.” She said. “Dahlia and I shall get help. None of you are to come, of course, but we will probably have wolves here by dawn tomorrow. Pups, will you please make you way to the cave you slept in last night. Now, I need you parents or guardians to go with you. Where are they?” she looked at them. Gaze though he ought to say.
“Well, we only need our mothers.” She said. She listened. “River-Tune’s father and the others’ father are probably in the cave.”
“Can you tell me where they live?” Cazadora was listening carefully. Balliar spoke up.
“You know where the stream starts? Well, keep following it and you may find a large cave on a hill near the banks. My mother should be there.” He explained.
“Yes, and keep going along the main stream and you will find a rocky slope.” Gaze said. “There’ll be a hole, and River-Tune’s mother will be in there. I hope.” He added. Cazadora nodded.
“Where are your parents, pup?” she asked.
“I’m living with River-Tune and her parents.” He answered in a small voice. She thought a little, then turned.
“Dahlia! We must go now. We shall collect a few wolves, including these pups’ mothers. I will tell you while we run. Let’s go!” Dahlia nodded bravely, and they both turned. “Pups, get home safely!” Cazadora cried back, and together they away into the forest. Gaze watched after them, then turned to the small pack.
“Well, we should go!” he said, and they started running into the forest in the other direction. Through the pines and over the rocks until they came to the gradual slope with the rocky steps. They raced up them, and Gaze’s legs burned with the strain of running uphill so fast. He almost slipped on the wet, mossy rocks.
The steps soon turned into the dirt track, and they passed the big crack in the rock and went over the little log bridge. At last the hill turned into the ledge and they raced through the clearing to the open cave. Panting, the group slowed at the entrance. Gaze coughed a little.
He looked around and saw Aldoro lying in a corner, sound asleep. Scar was nowhere to be seen, but he was probably searching for their dinner. Gaze slowly approached the sleeping wolf. He drew he breath, then nudged him. It was painful to tell him about his own daughter missing.
Aldoro slowly woke and lifted his head. When he saw the group standing around him, he looked a little confused. Never the less, he smiled. “Why, hello pack! Is, is there something wrong?” He sat up and looked around at them. “Where’s River-Tune?” Simbas sighed.
“Sir, that’s what we must tell you.” He said. “Well, we were hunting, and everyone was in the forest, then Tune went into the trees to do something. It was nearly an hour before Gaze told us she wasn’t still hunting. We followed her scent through the forest, and we found blood, and bad smells. Dahlia told us it was from the Shadow Lands. We followed those smells through the forest, and they led all the way up the mountain to the Shadow pack-land.” Simbas looked at the ground. Aldoro was in total shock.
“My – my Tune! Oh no! Oh, is there help? What do we need to do? Oh, we need to go!” he spun around frantically, whining like a puppy. “Is there help coming?” he asked urgently.
“Yes.” Said Balliar. “Dahlia and the leader, Cazadora, went to get help. They asked where my mother lived and where you live. They’ll bring them. I don’t know who else.” Aldoro stared out the cave entrance, breathing fast.
“When did they say they’ll be back?” he asked, turning back and trying to calm down.
“About dawn tomorrow.” Replied Bjorna. “Don’t worry Aldoro. It’ll be OK.” She whined and Aldoro smiled weakly.
“Thank you, Bjorna. I’m just worried.” Aldoro said. “I’ll get Scar.” He turned and ran out the door. They heard him barking and howling for Scar. He would have to be back soon, otherwise it would be dark. The sun was setting behind the mountains, and already there was no sun in the clearing. The pack lay down in the cave.
“I’m really scared.” Bjorna said as she lay between Gaze and Simbas. Simbas licked her face and tried to comfort her.
“Don’t worry Bjorna.” He said. “Help will come.” Bjorna smiled and nuzzled her brother.
“Hey, we should probably sleep now, don’t you think?” said Balliar. Bjorna nodded, and Gaze and Simbas put their heads on their paws. Gaze drifted slowly, slowly, off to sleep, his head filled with horrible thoughts of the Shadow Lands and River-Tune.

* * *
Gaze saw something. His dreams were telling him.
A dark cave, piercing screams. Howling.
“Where is it?” the white and red wolf growled. River-Tune breathed heavily. Her face was covered in blood, her legs were cut and her eyes seemed blank. She was half sitting, half lying on the hard rock floor.
“I won’t tell you. And I can’t even remember.” The wolf growled. “I was a pup!” she whimpered.
“You are the only one.” He snarled. “Tell me!” he barked, and he bit down on Tune’s front leg. She cried out in a whimper, as blood covered her leg. Tears streamed down her face.
“Kill me!” she sobbed. The wolf shook his head.
“You are the only one who knows.” He snarled nastily. “I can’t kill you. Now, tell me where it is!” Tune growled very weakly.
“Well, you’ll have to anyway, I won’t tell.” She whimpered as her head hit the floor. The wolf had pinned her down by the side of her neck. Suddenly there was a sound from the tunnel leading in.
“Malvado!” barked a wolf who came striding in. “Don’t harm her too much. We want information, not an injured wolf.” He stood next to the red and white wolf, Malvado. He was black with five red spots under his eye, red scar-like patterns on his legs and tail, and a red belly that went up to his neck. His ear was chipped, and around his left back leg was a string of teeth. He had an evil look on his face.
“Yes, Armik.” Said Malvado. “But she won’t tell me anything.”
“Just give it time. Leave her here to starve, then we will return.”

* * *
Gaze awoke with a start. His heart was thumping in his chest, and he was breathing fast. Was that a real vision? Was Tune in danger? It looked real.
He sat up. Bjorna, Simbas and Balliar were in the places they were before. Aldoro and Scar were asleep in separate corners of the cave. Dahlia hadn’t got back yet. It looked past midnight, but not quite sunrise.
Gaze thought about the nightmare. It could have been a vision. But was it? And if is was, when was it? Was t present, past or future. Gaze whined. He hoped Tune was not in that state, but she might be. He told them to kill her. What if they did? And what if she did starve in the cave? There was no light either. Poor River-Tune.
Suddenly there was a rustle from behind him at the entrance. He jumped to his feet and spun around. Out from the darkness came Dahlia and Cazadora. But there were more wolves. They weren’t coming though.
“Moon-Gaze?” said Dahlia. “Are you awake?” she walked into the cave. Gaze sighed.
“Yes.” He said. “Dahlia, I want to tell you something.” He wanted to say about the vision.
“Just wait. We need to get everyone awake. I have more wolves here and we need to organise a rescue mission.” She laughed very weakly. “I’ve a lot more wolves than expected. Now, wake everyone in the cave while I get my pack ready to come in.” Gaze nodded and walked over to Bjorna. He nudged her gently and she quickly woke.
“Oh, don’t let the giant rabbit eat me…” she mumbled as she slowly opened her eyes. “Oh, Gaze. Er, is everything OK?” she asked, sitting up.
“Dahlia’s back. She’s got some wolves. Help me wake everyone.” She shook her head to wake herself properly, and started to wake her brothers. Gaze walked over to Aldoro and nudged his shoulder.
“Aldoro. Aldoro, wake up!” he said. He opened his eyes and quickly sat up. He had obviously been close to waking already. He smiled weakly when he saw Gaze, then yawned. As walked over to Scar, Aldoro trotted to Dahlia and Cazadora.
Gaze patted Scar with his paw. “Scar, sir. Wake up. Dahlia’s here.” Scar groaned as he woke, and he stretched out his legs with a tired whine. He looked up at Gaze.
“She’s here?” he asked, and when Gaze nodded Scar went over to Dahlia and Cazadora. Gaze followed. He came to Balliar, Simbas and Bjorna all in a line, waiting for instructions.
They watched Dahlia and Cazadora with Aldoro and Scar as they got all the wolves into the cave. There were very many of them. As the dim morning sunshine made a little light in the clearing, Gaze could see the wolves.
There was the Alfa male and his beautiful mate, standing side by side. Sapphira and Balliar, Bjorna and Simbas’s mother were talking to each other worriedly. She was white with green on just her paws and very tip of her tail, with a bright blue sapphire around her neck and a string of shiny stones around her back left ankle. There was a guard from the Alfa’s cave, who was completely grey except for the deer-skin bands around his front legs. Stalk was there, as well as the female guardian. There was a couple of other wolves, one was patchy black and white with dark blue on his feet. The other looked a lot like Scar, all brown with green and blue, except the green and blue was in rings like Sapphira.
It was River-Tune’s older brother. He stood proudly next to the grey guard, but his eyes were worried – a little sad. He held himself grandly though, showing no fear as a guard should, for he was training to be one. As Gaze stared around at all these big, strong wolves, Cazadora – with the help of Dahlia - brought the nine of them orderly into the cave, with Aldoro and Scar following up behind. It didn’t seem many, as Dahlia said there would be, but that many wolves would bring a lot of power and strength they needed on a rescue mission.
They all sat around in a circle in the cave, counting them up there was fifteen wolves all squashed in. But it wasn’t too bad, for the cave was rather big for an open one. Sapphira was next to Aldoro, and she was half-crying as Aldoro tried to comfort her. Scar was next to his wife, who was anxiously looking about. Bjorna smiled over at her from the other side of the circle. Gaze was next to her, and on the other side of him was Balliar. Simbas was next to Balliar and was looking nervously at Stalk sitting beside him.
Suddenly from up the front, Cazadora barked loudly and the group settled. There was silence in the cave, and she stood up on a boulder with a ring of wolves around her. They looked up at her, and listened.
“As you know by now, a fellow member of our pack is missing.” She said. “She had been taken to the Shadow Lands, but we think she may be alive as far as we have found out.” She turned to Gaze, Balliar, Simbas and Bjorna. “Pups, I’ll introduce you to the wolves here.” Gaze already knew who most of them were, but he though it easier to listen once again.
“Scar, Kulma, Aldoro, Sapphira, Alfa Copaci, Alfa Female Gudinna, their guard Tuteur, Stalk, Guardian Adrianna, Omega, and River-Tune’s own brother – Arick.” All the wolves nodded as their name was called. Now he knew the black and white wolf’s name, Omega, and the Alfas’ names. He also knew Scar’s wife’s name, Kulma, and the guard. And now he knew Tune’s brother’s name, which she had not told already. Cazadora started talking again. “Now, in a moment we shall leave for the Shadow Lands. The sun is not yet up, but we should go before it rises. Pups, if you do not want to come you don’t have to.” She looked over at them. None of them objected to coming, so Cazadora kept going. “Now, we shall begin!” with a howl, (and the pack howling along with her) she leapt from her rock and out of the cave with all fourteen wolves chasing after.
To the Shadow Lands. Danger lay ahead.

[Kodabomb]

After quite a wait, it has come! Now we're really getting into it. The next couple of chapters get dangerous.....

The Shadow Lands

At the bottom of the slope was the forest and the pack ran through the thick trees over the rocks. Seventeen seemed a lot to Gaze, as it was like a swarm running in the morning sun. Gaze ran alongside Bjorna and Simbas, and Balliar ran just ahead. Gaze did not look to see where the others were positioned, but he did need Dahlia. He thought he ought to tell her about his vision.
“I’m going ahead for a moment.” Gaze said to Bjorna.
“Why?” she asked, as she leapt over a large boulder.
“I just need to tell Dahlia something.” And he jumped a fallen log and tried to find Dahlia amongst the trees and rocks.
He saw her up ahead near Stalk and Scar, running as fast as she could. Gaze tried to catch up with her, but he wasn’t fast enough. He would have to call out.
“Dahlia!” he cried. “Dahlia! I need to tell you something!” he looked eagerly over at her and she turned her head and slowed. Dodging on-coming wolves, she ran over to Gaze. They ran alongside each other.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Well, you know how I wanted to tell you something when I woke up?” He replied. “Well, I had a dreamy vision thing during the night.” Dahlia looked concerned, and she listened carefully. “I saw a big, dark cave. There was a wolf lying on the ground, and I’m quite sure it was River-Tune. There was a big red and white wolf called Malvado there, and he was questioning her, asking where something was. He bit her and she looked terrible. Then another wolf arrived, and Malvado called him Armik. He was pure evil. He told the other to leave Tune alone, I think to starve, and that’s all I saw until I woke. It must’ve been in the Shadow Lands.”
Dahlia looked at him for a moment, then ahead, as though thinking as she ran on down a small slope. “A vision.” She said absently. “Moon-Gaze, you have had a vision. That was no ordinary dream. I have heard the name Armik, and with that detail and realism, it was probably happening right when you slept.” Gaze stared at her as she looked into the sky. “I shall inform Alpha Copaci about what you have seen. It’s very useful information.” She looked back at him, nodded, and ran ahead to Alpha Copaci. Gaze went back to where Bjorna and Simbas were galloping along. Bjorna looked at him and smiled.
They went down the slope and arrived at the clearing. A few wolves were already there, ready for the next hunting lesson. The pack slowed and walked onto the soft, dewy grass, and all the wolves looked up at the pack. Cazadora walked up onto her boulder and all interest was drawn to her.
“Attention!” she barked. “I have an announcement. There will be no hunting today. There is a pup missing, and I need to help find her. No one is to follow this pack – no one – for this is dangerous. All wolves here must return home immediately. If any hunting tutors, however, would like to help us, come now and I will explain.” Cazadora looked around the wolves assembled in the clearing. None barked, coughed or yapped. The tutors around the edges did not volunteer, and Cazadora jumped from her rock and looked at her pack.
“Come, pack. We must go. But before we proceed into the tunnel, I will call your names. Bark when you hear it. Alpha Copaci! Alpha Female Gudinna! Tuteur! Stalk! Adrianna! Omega! Arick! Aldoro! Sapphira! Scar! Kulma! Bjorna! Balliar! Simbas! Moon-Gaze!” Gaze barked loudly as he heard his name. Then, Cazadora led the way into the dark tunnel.
They emerged from the tunnel into the clearing a moment later, and the sun shone into Gaze’s eyes as he walked ahead. When they were all there, Cazadora asked Dahlia which way to go. She led the pack through the trees to the little patch of grass the pups had been when they hunted. Gaze noticed bones still lying on the grass under the bushes.
Cazadora barked and ran through the trees again and the pack closely followed. They stuck together because they would be in the evil, thick forest soon.
The sun was up now, brightly lighting the forest as the birds crept from their little tree-top home and sang. Little rabbits and other forest animals scuttled in the bushes, happily munching on grass and flowers, while butterflies jumped and flitted through the leaves. They were happy. They had no worries.
Gaze did not feel the same. His best friend, almost his own sister, was missing in a dark place, starving with injuries all over her body. He felt awful, worried, and he still had a sickening feeling in his gut. He was hungry too, which didn’t help.
If they made it to the Shadow pack-land, would they even survive? What if a small army of seventeen wolves, four of which still pups, wouldn’t be able to defeat however many there might be there?
Gaze had many worries. And the others probably did too.

* * *
Soon they came to the thick, dark, evil forest. No sunlight could reach the wolves traipsing through the trees. Mist hung in a huge blanket over them, and they could barely see anything. Each wolf tried to follow the wolves in front, so as they wouldn’t get lost.
Gaze kept tripping on sticking-up roots and thorny bushes, which were terribly painful to tread on. Bjorna already had a bleeding paw from a thorn, and every step she took she winced. It was hard to walk on three legs on such uneven ground.
Gaze shivered as his fur was slowly dampened by the fog. He, Simbas, Bjorna, and Balliar tried to huddle for warmth. It was no use though because the thick tree-trunks kept getting in the way of their narrow path.
As Gaze looked behind him at Aldoro and Sapphira, who were huddled together, he bumped into Stalk who was ahead of him. He stumbled a little, and looked up. It was the mountain. Big, dark pines covered the rocky slope, and a tiny, narrow path led over the gap in the mountains. One by one, led by Cazadora, they walked up the hill. Aldoro was last to go up, right before his beloved Sapphira. Gaze was between Balliar and Bjorna, with Balliar in front. The path was rocky with a thin layer of dirt, and the higher they climbed, the steeper the mountains. And the steeper the mountains, the sheerer the drop if one of them should fall.
Gaze tried to keep as close to the mountains ledge as possible, and only once did he look down to see the misty, rocky landing below. Dark clouds hung around the sky, which blocked most of the sunlight. It was not as sunny here as wonderful Beauran.
Bjorna, limping on her bleeding paw, bravely looked over the edge of the mountain cliff. When she saw the sheer drop and what was beneath, she yelped in fright. Little rocks fell from the ledge into the mist below. She shuddered.
A moment later, the path widened and trees started surrounding. They had reached the top. A light, cold breeze ruffled Gaze’s fur. They all sat down in the small dirt clearing of the forest. Cazadora waited until everyone was settled. Aldoro muttered something in Sapphira’s ear, and Gudinna nuzzled Copaci.
“Now, as you see, we are at the top. In a moment we will proceed to the Valley and try to seek out the place River-Tune may be imprisoned. I will let you catch your breath, but I would like to tell you something Moon-Gaze here had informed Dahlia of.” Gaze shrunk down. She was actually telling? Well, he thought, it was probably best if they needed to find her. “Now, a vision came to this pup here, telling him River-Tune was in a cave. A wolf called Malvado has been questioning her. If anyone knows anything about him, let me know. There was also someone called Armik. The same for him. If any of you see a cave that is guarded or sealed, alert the rest of the pack immediately. If you get into any trouble, bark clearly twice, followed by a howl. Has everyone got it?” the wolves around the clearing were silent. Cazadora lay down.
Gaze licked his lips. He was scared. His mouth was dry and his feet were sore. What if everything went wrong? If his vision wasn’t even correct, and the whole pack was captured? He shuddered. They needed to find her.
After a while, Cazadora stood once again and headed into the forest. The pack got up and followed close. They were going down the mountain.
The path started to lead down, through the trees and rocks. It was hard and very steep, like the way up. The forest started to get thinner as they walked into the rockier part. As they did so, Gaze looked out onto the valley, now clear in his view.
It was about as big as Beauran, but a lot less green and beautiful, and he saw the river, which was full of dead trees and logs and it was mostly dangerous rapids. The mountains surrounded, and they were rocky and bare, no lovely, thick forests covering them. There were a few gardens, but they didn’t look inviting. And Gaze didn’t imagine the wolves would be either.
And how would they get through the gardens at the bottom? What with wolves prowling around, who would probably see them? Hopefully Cazadora and Copaci had it worked out. He trudged on down the path between Balliar and Bjorna.
The clouds did not uncover the sun. It stayed behind them, hidden in the darkness. They could see, obviously, but it wasn’t very bright. The warmth did not heat their backs, and Gaze wished it had light. And all the pine trees didn’t really help either.
Soon the slope did not wind around the mountain, and it was going down. It went down into the gardens, where wolves were certainly playing. In front of him, Balliar stopped on the narrow path. There wasn’t a way of getting around him, so he looked ahead. At the front, Cazadora was stopped, followed by Copaci and Gudinna. All along the row everyone had stopped. Cazadora was speaking very quietly to Copaci, and then suddenly, she leapt off the path and into the forest sloping steeply on the other side. What an idea. Everyone copied, jumping onto the side off the path. The four pups struggled, but it wasn’t too hard. They were off the path, so now they just needed to walk through the forest. Cazadora woofed quietly and walked off into the forest. It was very steep, and beside him Bjorna was trying hard to keep herself from falling down the hill into the gardens.
Copaci and Cazadora started to run. The pack charged after, and Gaze was doing his best to keep his footing. He looked over to the side and saw the long slope, leading down into the gardens. He couldn’t see them very clearly, and no wolves came into sight, but the pack was going to skip the garden and go into the forest. Soon they would be on flat ground.
After a while, the green at the bottom of the slope turned to forest. Cazadora lead them all down the hill steadily, and finally they came into the forest. It was not too rocky, like the slopes, and Gaze found it a lot easier on his feet. He enjoyed the nice feeling of grass on his paws, after all that walking over rocks, thorns, roots and dirt. But all around the air felt horribly unwelcoming.
The pack was lead through the trees, probably to find a nice clearing to rest. Gaze, Bjorna, Balliar and Simbas just followed along with it, but soon they were going to really have a mission. Gaze guessed they would be split, but he hoped not with only the other pups, because if they found danger, four pups and only one wolf to protect them would probably end in disaster.
Up the front, Gudinna woofed softly. She had found a bare clearing. The pack sat around. The clearing was surrounded thickly by trees, and it was safe from eavesdroppers. In the middle of a forest, who would go looking for strangers. Gaze did not feel too relaxed though, he still felt a bit wary.
But they were finally in the Shadow Lands. Gaze was one step closer to finding River-Tune. Danger was still around, but finding Tune was the only thing he could basically think about.

[Seren.]

Awesome looking forward to next chapter!