Another Ally

[Kaan]

Kaan trotted through the trees and into the clearing, looking over his shoulder every once in a while to make sure that mother wolf was still there. The Ethiopian was fast because of his smallness, and tried to keep a steady pace that the female would be able to follow. But who knew, maybe Krynn was as fast as him!

He padded out into the meadow, smiling and breathing in the spring air. This clearing was his favorite. It reminded him of the hot desert that he used to live in, and now that the snow had melted, it looked that much more like his old home. He happily darted out into the tall grass, jumping like a deer off of rocks, stumps, anything that could propel him further. He looked back, his whole body shaking with excitement as he looked at mother wolf. Could he hope for some play from the bipolar female? Maybe farther into the future, if not now?

But then Kaan remembered the reason why he was here. He tilted his head and let out a very loud, shrill, coyote like howl. It seemed almost impossible that such a cry could come from such a small animal, but he pulled it off nonetheless. He looked to Krynn, his eyes questioning. Was he allowed to speak now?

[krynn]

Krynn had no problem keeping up with the little wolf Kaan. Her long legs kept her in stride. For every two and sometimes three paces of his only took one of hers.
The warm breeze ruffled her black coat. The fine hairs were now fully dry from the rainfall and the mud that splattered her was almost gone.
The Kaan creature seemed to be enjoying himself thoroughly which displeased her. On a good day she wouldn't have minded at all, maybe have even thrown in a laugh or two. But the grim demeanour kept its hold upon her as she followed him.
Takar had been up to something fishy, but then he always was. Krynn wanted to know what was going on.
"You may only speak Kaan if it is to tell me about who I am about to see. Don't bother fishing for lies about my sons and the surrounding packs."

[Kaan]

"You may only speak Kaan if it is to tell me about who I am about to see. Don't bother fishing for lies about my sons and the surrounding packs."

Kaan smiled and nodded, running back up to mother wolf. "Kaan will not lie anymore. He was just following orders. If she told Kaan to do something, would mother wolf want him to do it no matter what? Kaan is loyal, and he was just obeying his masters. But you are one of Kaan's masters now, so Kaan obeys mother wolf."

Kaan sat down in the meadow for the first time in that year. He hadn't dared do it when snow had covered the whole field. "Kaan doesn't know which one is coming, but master Ebony will not. She is very busy. Maybe it will be Desmin? He don't really want Blunt to come, he always picks on Kaan..." the wolf trailed off for a moment but then recovered quickly afterwards.

"Does mother wolf know about Fenris? He was the one that made the very first packs."

[krynn]

Krynn walked with Kaan until they came to the meadow and she sat down beside him. Kaan had just been following orders of his higher-ups, and that was believable. Krynn used to do the same thing when she was back home to stir up controversy and confusment.
"Fenris?"
Krynn thought she might have heard that name before... a very long time ago. The memories of why escaped her.
"No, I do not believe I am aware of this wolf or his deeds."
But Krynn knew there was something in her memory.. some piece of information she had forgotten about. Maybe Kaan will help trigger my memory.

[Kaan]

"Fenris? No, I do not believe I am aware of this wolf or his deeds."

"Ah... Kaan sees... He will teach mother wolf..." Kaan jumped up onto a small rock that was jutting out of the grass, and he sat down delicately, curling his fluffy tail around his paws.

"It was a long time ago, when wolves had no packs and then didn't travel in even families. They were loners, outcasts to one another. They fought and killed over food and shelter and mates. Even mothers would kick the babies out before they could even hunt for themselves..

"The wolves were not civilized, and they died off very quickly. The wolves did not hunt in packs, so they did not eat as much as they wanted." Kaan paused with a sly grin, getting into his story with fidgeting feet. He always loved the story of Fenris, the almighty master.

"Then one day, master Fenris came. He killed the wolves that did not join him and took the ones that did not fight. Fenris made the first pack ever, and it's name was Shinook." Kaan paused, looking to mother wolf with a tilted head. "Shinook is still alive today, and master Ebony is the Alpha of it. After all these years Fenris is still leader of them, in a way... Tarak was Beta of Shinook, he hope she knows?" he said, but then jumped back into his story.

"So the other wolves formed against him, turning into the pack Amithyst. The ones that didn't want to fight went to Lakota. All three packs are still alive today, and very close to where Kaan is now." Kaan smiled as he was about to reveal the Kin's plot. "They are going to take back the lands, and Shinook will be the strongest and most powerful once again. Takar was helping. He even killed off a few wolves for them before..." Kaan stopped, not wanting to sadden mother wolf.

[krynn]

Krynn listened to Kaan's telling of past events. Nothing triggered her memory quite yet. But she knew that something... just out of reach was important.
Krynn found it interesting that Tarak had been the Beta of Shinook. He probably never knew that his leader was secretly the alpha of the conspiracies at hand. Oh the Irony of life...
A little song of sorrow filtered through her mind....

my sons have now become ghosts
Sold their sorrow to the ones who paid the most
my sons are dead and gone
But their inside of me, they still live on
-Shinedown

But live on inside her they did. Tarak came to these lands first and found a home here. One he probably had cherished and had come to love. Krynn also wanted to find that something which had drawn her son to this land.
But in order to do that I must find out what intrigued Takar so much. The two are puzzle pieces. Fit them both together and a picture will form.

Krynn didn't know precisely what side she wanted to be on. Depending on what this mysterious dark pack had to say, Krynn might make up her mind. Well I will just play both sides till then. Everyone loves an Ally.
"Thats a fine Tale Kaan. I look forward to hearing what your masters have to offer."

[Kurl]

A sound like thunder scraped the forest floor answering the call of a howl, and though it was shrill like a coyotes, this shadow knew what it meant.

On legs as black as night and eyes as electrifying as the sun giving of a radiant glow began scoping the land. Tall and large was this fancy wolf who wore not a grin, but a impassive expression as he headed to a ransom land at the edge. The bald meadow. He wasn't so much late as he was early. There was no set time, for he and his companions much did things when they pleased, but also much by the order of Ebony. Then as Kurl refolded his steps to keep him up he was on the edge of the meadow in no time. His tall legs came to a stop as he stood a gazed around. Kurl felt exposed, it what not the land covered by shadows he was in anymore, but he did not worry, there was nothing that he should be afraid of in this bald meadow. Just his tiny friend Kaan and this new other, Krynn.

Here was where he was going to meet them, and perfect. He saw them already, spot right in the heart of the meadow. He took his time to walk over and he saw immediate resemblance in Krynn, reminding him of the dead brothers. And maybe only a pint of guilt formed, but was washed away by nothingness before anyone could detect it. And he glanced at his small friend Kaan, and could detect that he was yet excited and a bit weary of both Krynn and who the black wolf coming would be. Kurl was now. "Good Kaan. I see you brought her." His voice said very elegantly and emotionless all at the same time. It was a bit monotone, but Kurl just looked to Krynn strait away This was good news, for now they could get Krynn on their side and further get the forest controlled and back to the old ways of Fernis.

[Kaan]

Kaan nodded to mother wolf, and his grin widened. He wasn't completely comfortable alone with the she wolf, because she had already threatened to end his life. He was weary, but he had been taught to act differently when in danger, so he wagged his tail and spouted about the history of Ardalyn. The little wolf was a talkative thing once you got him going, and he certainly showed that part of himself as he jabbered like an excited squirrel. He could sense that mother wolf was disgruntled about the story. Perhaps she wanted to know more than she was told? But Kaan wouldn't reveal anymore and leave the rest to his masters.

"Good Kaan. I see you brought her." at the smooth, calm voice, the Ethiopian perked up instantly. His coiling nerves vanished completely as he spun around and dashed to the large black wolf that had emerged from the trees. Kurl treated Kaan the kindest out of all of the four wolves that he lived with, perhaps it was becuase of his cool demeanor, or maybe he had the ost humanity out of the bunch, but either way he was not a bully like the rest.

"Kurl! Kaan wanted Kurl to come! He would be in big trouble if it had been Blunt!" the small animal wiggled his way over to the black brute and licked his chin in submission. He sat on his haunches, his maw smiling and his body shaking with happiness. "Kaan did good, yes?"

The red wolf jumped up and motioned to mother wolf as if he were showing off a fish he had caught. "Mother wolf was Takar and Tarak's mother." he said gleefully. "She will join us,"

[krynn]

Krynn watched the big black brute approach and she raised the black hair of her own shoulders in response. Kaan seemed thoroughly enjoyed that Kurl had arrived, and Krynn was ready to get on with their meeting.
Stepping forward lightly, Krynn revealed a bit of fang in her response. "Lets ignore pleasantries Kurl and get on with business. If you don't offer something to which sparks my interests I will leave." A hint of mischievousness glinted in her eyes. She wasn't to be taken lightly, as a pawn like Kaan resembled before her. She wanted more, something to ensure that she wasn't expendable.
But Krynn also had other plans in the works; she loved playing double sided games and messing up minds. Let them think she was devoted to their blood thirsty cause, because of course that’s exactly what it would be. Takar wouldn't have joined anything but the extreme in blood letting.

[Kurl]

The black figure awaited for Kaan to come and greet him. The small Ethiopian wolf had nearly jumped up in utter amazement and played good in submission. Kurl however just nodded and forced a little smile at the blout. "Ah, yes. Brother can be a bit like that." Kurl said, but it wasn't either in a resentful tone or angry, just as leisurely as a stroll through the park. The black mount moved forward casually but tall, listening to Kaan show off his prize, "Join? Have you already explained what we plan to do?.." Kurl spoke, studying the the mother wolf. He could feel her impatience, "Krynn? Am I right? Oh yes. An offer now..." Kurl took his time, taking a breath and not even wincing to the drappa's tone and harshness to speed it up, "Well it goes like this. Simple really. You give us a little boost with things, and we will in favor honor that of you and accept you as a great member to the new pack we shall form. It would be a great deal to you, and mostly because we have grand chance of succeeding against these broken down packs, it would be a most easy ride." Then Kurls' eyes swiveled around point out a most obvious clue as he looked into the direction of the bald meadow, "Plus, you wouldn't let your son's die to an unfinished cause would you? No one likes a waist of that." The words came out almost fearless, bold. and his stance was the same. Kurl much resembled a business man with much better things to do, but with the patience of a hawk.

Then Kurl looked from his small buddy and back to the mother she-wolf, "We assure you. It wont be regretted. Just a bit of dust that is in need of being swept away."

[krynn]

Krynn growled when Kurl mentioned leaving Takar's business unfinished. She didn't want the Brute tarnishing her sons ideals. But Krynn was right in the fact they needed her to do their petty work before positions if any were given. Krynn had to make sure they didn't think of her as expendable, because she wasn’t.
In her mind, plans of her own were taking off and she smiled, deliberately showing a glint of interest in her eye. "An easy ride? I met a few others along my way here and I think you are quite right. A blind wolf can tell the packs here are falling apart, even without a little help." She smiled at the last, revealing an urge to cause mischief.
"If you can promise me a permanent position within your pack, I will help do your alpha's bidding. What would you like done first?"

[Kurl]

Kurl knew that he had it set and sprung. Who wouldn't want a nice slide down into the ranks of new glory. Although any regular wolf would smile to hear someone else assure that the reign of Fernis would set it's course again, but Kurl was not that wolf, he had just nodded to the deal and recited in a pleasant but slow voice, "All you need to do is simply finish your son, Takar's job and you'll find yourself a sure high rank in our numbers to come." His yellow eyes flashed and his voice became a little deeper, "If you forgot your son's job it was to kill one of the Lakota, but you shall not let a trace of yourself. We want the Lakota to think that another pack has killed their member. Chaos is what will bring us this new life. Like a fire that brings new growth to move on." Then the black man took a breath and awaited patiently for his answer, and even glanced at Kaan who was doing another good job at being quiet. Then Kurl made another point sure, "I hope this is not a problem for you, is it Miss?" Kurl almost dared, urging himself to look as if Krynn didn't respond that she'd be considered a coward. Now Kurl knew that she wasn't, but he knew it would get her fired to agree. He was quite good at that.

But underneath, Kurl felt her feelings. Only just a little. He grew quite good at this kind of thing of studying the emotions of both lera and putnar his whole life; he got a feeling interest but conspiracies and otherwise plans. Kurl tried not to notice of feeling this, but would only mention maybe a thing or two to Ebony. For if he spoke out something that she could hear, she'd be prepared to hide her plans and fire off. Only causing a delay to their plans.

[krynn]

Krynn stood straight and lowered her ears at Kurls remark. "Of course it is not a problem Kurl." Her voice dripped with venom. Krynn's mind began to sink into darkness as she talked. "The deed will be done as is necessary." Snarling, Krynn realised that she didn't even know why she was so angry. Do I need a reason? I am better then this... petty killings aren’t my taste. But Krynn decided she would look into killing a wolf from Lakota anyway.
Turning away from Kurl before she lost her temper and did something stupid, Krynn said. "I am off then Kurl. Its best to always be on the move."

[Kurl]

Kurl didn't as so flinch, actually he slightly smiled in Krynn's outbirst of anger. Good, that should get her motivated quickly. Kurl only waited, standing in the exact spot till she was on her way, "Well, that went better than expected. Kaan, I think you're good to go. Make sure she dose her job if you can... Not that I have any doubts." His voice ran smooth to the last words. His voice still calm and his yellow eyes glimered. He too went the separate direction back into the shadows to join his brothers once again, and get on with their plot.

END