Kahvi

The war was starting. Preparations needed to be made. Kahvi set out to seek one of his greatest allies, Ruffienne of South of Heaven.

The white coywolf stopped at the border of the Queen's territory. White Feathers already had a death warrant, and now a random mare had decided that she might like to try to kill him. Aydan was her name. Aydan would die in her own war.

Kahvi sat down and howled. "Ruffienne? Are you here?" He called.

Ruffienne

Marching in a high-step in the snow, Ruffienne met Kahvi at his call. Her regal head was raised, ears pricked and eyes light. She offered a swift bow to Kahvi of Sedge Creek, her crest arched as her muzzle brushed against her deep chest. Ruffienne saw the concern etched on Kahvi canine-face, pausing deeply to compose herself.

"What do you want, m'friend?" Ruffienne questioned, her head slightly cocked to the side. "I sense concern, please tell."

Kahvi

Kahvi bowed deeply to Ruffienne of South of Heaven. He respected her greatly. He would have smiled, but this was a grave time. "As you may have heard, White Feathers murdered my mother and half-sister recently. We are going to war against her and requesting help from our allies. White Feathers must pay for her crimes." He said in a low, melancholy tone.

"Second," the canine continued, "we have a new enemy. Actually, this one foolishly initiated a war against us. It was Aydan of Toklat Canyon."

He paused with a sigh, his eyes trailing off to the ground. He looked back up at the queen. "I fear the war is beginning. This will be one we'll never forget. This one may change the history of the entire Valley." He bowed again, finally smiling a bit. "And lady Ruffienne, I would be honored if my pack and your herd could fight side-by-side in this war."

Ruffienne

Ruffienne listened, flicking her ears back a bit. Nodding, she replied, "It would be my honor, also, Kahvi."

Ruffienne turned slightly, looking back at her herd. "We are wary, but we will fight. Our family has been torn up and we are still filled with rage, even though it is not for your enemies. Still, it will fire us up for battle."

Kahvi

Kahvi smiled brightly and nodded. "Thank you, Lady Ruffienne." He said with a bow. "Your herd fighting beside my pack will make a big difference in the war."

He paused, then continued. "Perhaps we could make battle plans? You are one of the smartest beings I know, and your herd is very well educated as well. Your ideas would be greatly appreciated." He had a basic plan, but he'd need Ruffienne's help on adding to it or thinking up more ideas.

He lowered his voice so that only Ruffienne could hear. "Here's what I've got so far..." He began, drawing a line in the snow with his nose and poking in dots on one side and arrows on the other side, pointing toward the dots. "We have Sanctuary's water soldiers - the caimans - come in through the lake and push White Feathers' army further onto land. There, our armies will be waiting. The snakes will be ready to strike when White's army gets close enough. Hey, the birds could even drop the snakes from above." He paused, drawing a circle. "We'll close her army in here. They'll be cornered, so we could down them all. They don't stand a chance."

He took a deep breath of the frigid air. "Any other ideas, Lady Ruffienne?"

Ruffienne

Ruffienne nodded, listening with a flicker of battle-lust. Caimans, snakes, birds, oh it was all to perfect. "White Feathers will call on her brother, Crucifix, I'm sure you know. If you take his mate...Zenyatta, I believe she is, then you can help make him stand down," Ruffienne whispered softly, her voice seeping with amusement. Ruffienne thought for a moment, smiling softly. "My messenger bird, Bahz, could take a few snakes. I also have a friend at Hidden Meadow, Hazenti...she would be willing to send a few of her wolves out to fight."

Ruffienne drew a breath of apprenhension. "So, Kahvi, when will we strike? Whenever we strike, the South of Heaven herd shall be ready."