Familiar
Group: Members
Posts: 48
Member No.: 15
Joined: 11-November 07
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Chapter One: Shadows of the Mind...
The moon shone like a lamp, seeming to coat the ancient trees in silver. Shadows shifted and pooled amongst the gnarled old roots that clutched at the earth like claws...
Shadows in the darkness...
A strong breeze swept through the woods, shaking branches and rustling leaves. The forest itself seemed to be alive, trees whispering and moaning, creaking and groaning. Tangled branches clawed at the night sky like fingers, reaching out to grab at the pale glow of the moon...
Shadows of the mind...
In the secluded tangles of the thicket, a mule doe was sleeping, her two tiny fawns curled next to her. Higher up, birds where roosting, Blackbird and Robin, head - under wing. However, not all creatures were sleeping. A raccoon shambled through the woods, delicate paws probing for food. A weasel prowled through the undergrowth, and an owl glided on silent wings, searching the forest floor for mice and voles.
The foliage rustled and then parted as the creature stepped into the forest clearing. Moonlight caught on the long, silver muzzle and powerful frame. The wolf's breath misted, clouding into the night air. Slowly he padded forewards, shoulders rippling...
The wolf walked for a while, taking in his surroundings. He was muscular and calm, yet not overly confident. Silver flecked his face and coat, but he looked good for his age. The dark, twinkling eyes spoke of liquid intelligence, and wisdom. His movement was fluid, his joints had not yet succumbed to the stiffness of age. He was greatly respected, this wolf. Infact, he was the leader here. He was the Alpha of the Singing Pack, a pack of wolves dwelling deep within Tsura, in the Wailing Forests. He wasn't the Alpha for nothing, Alpha Bluejay had led the pack with strength and intelligence for many years. He had done great things, for instance, forming a truce with the Blackriver Pride. He was good friends with their leader, King Leonidus, the great and powerful lion...
Now he paused and sat, picking a large rock to sit on, that over- looked Willow Lake. It's black waters rippled gently in the breeze, the moon caught in a reflection on it's dark waves. Bluejay thought that night was a beautiful time. Some found it eerie, and disturbing, yet Alpha Bluejay found peace in the darkness. He raised his silvered- muzzle and howled, an alluring melody that rang through the night. The song spoke of joy, love, hatred and sorrow. The love he felt for his beautiful mate Natasha, the sorrow of losing her last winter. The hatred spread by the banished Ravens, and the joy of seeing his son and daughter blossom into a pair of fine young wolves...
Gradually the howl faded into silence, and the song was over...
* * * *
Through the darkness and shadows the dark figure slipped, paddinig silently through the night. Cold blue orbs peered intently, glinting with malice. The jet- black figure made not a sound as he stalked his prey from behind...
Bluejay's ears twitched, and he sighed gently.
"Come out from the shadows Dusk. You never could hide from me."
There was silence for a moment, and then the bushes behind him rustled. A moment later an inky- black wolf stepped out of them with an angry snort. His blue eyes were furious at being discovered. He refused to look at Bluejay...
The old wolf was calm. He'd had a lot of problems with the over- ambitious young wolf before him. Dusk hated the lions, he wanted to wipe out their competition. However, Bluejay would not go to war over the opinions of a rash youngster. This had led to many arguments, and Dusk had supporters too. Twilight was beautiful indeed, with her light, smudged grey pelt, but Bluejay feared she had a black heart. She and Dusk often dissapeared together. No doubt to plot, Bluejay thought. Then there was Viktor and Boris, a pair of brutish northern wolves, Viktor a grizzled grey, Boris a dark brown. Finally there was the shadowy she- wolf Dawn. He didn't know of her past, but he had a hunch that it was dark... very dark. Dawn seemed a strange name for her... perhaps because none of her past victims had seen another morning. She too was black, though not as dark as Dusk. She had strange, dark eyes, almost a violet shade, which made others uneasy... not many would look her in the eye...
Bluejay surveyed the beast before him. Dusk was larger than him, his ebony pelt rippling with muscle. He had sharp, handsome features, glacial blue eyes glittering coldly...
"What brings you here Dusk?" Bluejay asked calmly Yet, inside, he knew full well Dusk's intentions. Dusk remained stubbornly silent. Seconds passed as Bluejay regarded Dusk intently...
Finally Dusks eyes flicked to stare at Bluejay. His cold hostile eyes harboured a haunted look... a guilty look...
"Y - your time is up Bluejay..." he said. Dusk was many things, but he wan't a murderer... was he? Given the correct teacher, you can sculpt anyone's mind for your own purposes... however dark they may be...
The wolf continued to speak;
"You have led the pack for long enough... too long. You are an old fool, our numbers are superior to the cats, we could wipe them out if we tried!"
"You speak like a barbarian Dusk." Bluejay said calmly.
"FOOL!" the black wolf spat, "You're no longer fit to lead us. I have been given a taster of our true glory... I will not let you ruin our chance!"
Bluejay remained silent for a moment. Then he spoke, placidly and clearly;
"It is you who is the fool Dusk. My body may not be as strong as it once was, but my spirit will carry me on. If you want to kill me then so be it, kill me. But you will suffer dearly for your actions tonight."
Dusl stood rooted to the spot. His eyes darkened. Any trace of guilt had been wiped away by rage. His muzzle wrinkled into a snarl...
"Fine... fine... then you can rot in hell you bastard!" he barked, as he lunged towards Bluejay's throat...
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 I play Viktor, Dusk, Thor, and of course, Bloodlet.
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Shades of Night, Official draughts
