Glider

Glider walked back into Vestige's pack with his head drooped low. He walked up to Vestige and performed a weak bow. "The black wolf ran away--The one who lied to you. She's joining Risen's 'Army.' I could not get her back. I am sorry." He said, not daring to look in Vestige's eyes. "Perhaps it's my fault. I'm the one who told her she shouldn't have lied to you. You can punish me, if you want." He looked up, ready to accept a blow from his Alpha.

Gevia

I moved away from Kaiya and the others, my eyes on Glider. I sat a short distance from him. Maybe ten feet. No words came from my mouth. Well, its not like they could. I watch Gliders every movement, as if putting them to memory. My eyes narrow, as if that would help with something. I turn to Vestige now, and do the same with him. Every movement, every muscle tick. Every eye aversion, everything. Thats when a voice catches my ear and I cringe. You know, a good alpha would never run from his pack just because he or she couldn't handle something. They would die in their packlands, for their pack. I turn to Kaiya, who had spoken and shake my head but it is to remain unseen. She continues. Thats what mama told us. She said that good alphas fear nothing, or anyone. Why should you? Your three times better then Risen. She cheats. And she took Toxin. If you don't kill her, I will. I had always loved Kaiyas voice, so soft and gentle, but right now I wish there was a way I could shut her up. I turn to Vestige, and say with my eyes She doesn't mean that. But she did. She meant every minute, and all of us knew it.

Liseli

Liseli came to the conversing pups, voice soft and sweet, though a little hard with the topic. Ah, little ones. So young, and you have learned pain, learned to fear, learned to hate. A harsh lesson to learn at your age, and a cruel one, but perhaps unavoidable. And she turned mostly to Kaiya, though it was clear she was not ignoring Gevia. Aaka is sorry, yes. I know she is, and I even know that it was not really her fault. It just... does not make things easier. It would be like... like Risen coming to apologize for taking Toxin, but not bringing Toxin back. Do you see? And she spoke soft, voice hard. But believe me, Kaiya. Risen will pay. With her life, her heart, her love... and anything I can take from her to make recompense for the deaths and pain she has caused. If it lies within our power... we will get Toxin back.

Glider

Glider listened in to the conversation. He perked up when he heard about Risen stealing pups. "Dove!" He called out. He treated his adult daughter as if she was a pup. "That cat-poo-sewer-rat-worm-dog had better not take my daughter! This is enough! We must kill the beast before she takes more innocent lives!" He was enraged by the fact that Risen stole pups and took the lives of those who do good. He was afraid for his daughter's life. "She's got a price to pay. We will have her begging for mercy!" He snapped, before sitting down and watching for Dove. "I hope Canis Rex is as strong as he says he is..."

Liseli

Liseli heard Glider's enraged call, and turned bleak eyes to him, keeping her voice out of Vestige's hearing range, for she could not further burden her friend this day. If you swear that you will not tell Vestige... I will tell you something else that may give you further motivation in your mission. She waited for his word before next speaking.

If it is Risen you seek to destroy for her sins, then add seven more lives to your tally. Beside those you have heard, my sister was carrying pups at her death. When she died, I carried them away and hid them, buried them so no one would know. Vestige did not need that pain then, and he does not need it now.

Glider

Glider turned his head to Liseli. "Do tell me." He whispered. A faint glimmer of hope sparkled in his eyes. "I swear that I will not tell Vestige even if I was threatened." He walked closer, ready to hear a secret.

Liseli

She sighed and repeated herself, voice soft and weary.

Poison

A dark growl suddenly arose from the white male, and he stood coming back towards the group. Out of all the pups, he was the largest and definatly the most deadly. Although blind, he had learned long ago just as the others had, to use all of his senses and he did so now. By way of touch he came towards them, and halted no more then three feet from Liseli. Toxin was our mother when our own died. She took care of all of us, even when the pack threw us all out. Where ever she is, she needs to take care of others otherwise she feels incompetant and of poor use. If we find where they keep the pups, we can have a decent chance. Get the one wolfess here, tell her to gather all her allies. Attack them now, while things are still up in the air. The most 'kind' words he had said, but even though he wouldn't admit it he wanted Toxin back. Without her here, the world seemed to harsh, to quiet.

Glider

Glider looked down. He was obviously upset. "My mate...Before I came to the valley, I had a run in with a killer wolf. It attacked us. I tried so hard to defend my mate, and our young pups. It killed my mate first, as she was the strongest. It killed most of our pups off, but spared me and Dove." He paused and let tears drip down to the snow. "Dove was too small to remember. Perhaps the wolf let us live so we would have to live with the pain and the loss. Maybe it thought we would commit suicide." He looked up at Liseli. "But we're stronger than that. We have to kill Risen before she takes all that we have--Like the killer wolf did to me and Dove." He looked off in the distance. "Don't tell my daughter what I just told her. I will tell her when it is time. I have always told her that we strayed from her mother and siblings and got lost. I should have told her the truth. Leave it for me to tell her. I will keep your secret if you keep mine." Speaking of his past clearly brought him great pain, for sorrow and rage could be seen in his usually cheery eyes. "This is why I never let her leave my sight...Until now."

Vestige

Vestige's face hardened. Malicious, I know you cared as you came after me, but lying wasn't the right thing to do. I won't appologise as I've done nothing wrong, but I am glad you tried to help. No sooner had he finished, she turned and left. No, Malicious, COME BACK! but his words were in vain as she disappeared. He sighed, nodding to Glider as he went to follow her. He then turned to Liseli, the same sort of weary smile on his bloodied muzzle as she suggested getting sentries for the night. Yes, that's a good idea Liseli. We could all use some sleep.

The alpha then turned to Kaiya, smiling even though she couldn't see it. He was about to answer, when the sudden entrance of Glider took the brute's attention. The nervous attitude of Glider startled Vestige, and it took him but a moment to realise that he was the cause of it. His face fell when Risen's name was mentioned. Glider words made the alpha's heart sink. No, I will not punish you for you have done no wrong Glider. I have nothing but respect for you for trying to change her mind. Please, stand up and look me in the eye, fear not for I will not harm you. A smile accompanied the positive words he spoke, and he hoped to try to remove this vicious facade he seemed to have built for himself. Then another voice caught his hearing and he turned to face Kaiya. Her words of young wisdom made the alpha look down, every single syllable the truth. I... The male sighed, knowing he couldn't protest against words that was so, so true. I have failed, and for that I will be forever sorry Kaiya. Your mother sounds very wise and those words will stay in my mind forever. I do not fear Risen, that wasn't why I left, it was more of the pain I have experianced in my life that had left many mental scars.

The alpha then stepped back and lifted his head for all to hear. I know I have let you all down, and I regret it. Know in your hearts that it will not happen again, for I will protect you all until the end. I really am not nasty or vicious, it was my sons death and the anger I felt that made me attack Bartimaeus. Truely I am nothing like that, and I will prove this to you by slaying Risen. She, who has caused many of us much pain, will not suceed again. Now, to make sure this happens, we need to start making alliances, temporary if need be. We have the Shadow Lurkers, so we may be able to get to the Silver Glades and Sedge Creek packs. I'm sure others in the valley will join us if we explain the evil that is Risen and the Shadow Haunters. Rest everyone, for tomorrow I would like to send out parties to gather allies, I hope I have you with me, my pack, my friends, my family.

Poisons words jolted the alpha into full gear. Yes, We will, but tomorrow when we have strength. We will all go to Silver Glades, more for protection as they know we are based here. We will temporarily stay there, hopefully Aaka will give her consent, and will offer our services to their pack. Then, when all allies are gathered, we shall attack and attack hard, all allies and able bodied fighters in tow. Are you with me? The alpha's eyes scanned each pack members, waiting for their desitions. The thought of finally finishing of Risen spurring Vestige on. When everyone had rested and is back, we shall start our plans. If anyone has any ideas they would like to share, please, feel free to do so.

Liseli

She smiled grimly, voice soft and a little sad, but firm. We are linked by pain, by suffering, by common loss. There is no greater chain to bind together souls. Your secret is my secret, until such time you tell me otherwise. Of course she would keep it quiet. It was Glider's private pain.

But then her eyes turned to Poison, startled at hearing such a convoluted plan from so young a pup. She turned to look at him, voice soft. You are a clever one. That is a good idea, and good ideas are where working strategies begin. As soon as Glider's daughter returns with news of allies, we will discuss that.