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Lovyoshi · 12-03-2009, 07:49 PM

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Elements
Starwolf
By Lovyoshi
Chapter 1

"Tell me again what they looked like!" Fa-kon begged his sister. "Honestly Fa-kon," Fa-dih scolded. "Pay attention and you’ll know. They were tall and pale, and they had hardly any fur, and what fur they had was multicolored. They didn’t have any tails either, and walked on their hind paws."
Fa-kon shook his head in wonder. "I dunno what they could be, but I think Skyhigh was right to dub them Notails. I would be helpless without one. How do they land on their feet if they jump in trees? Or over large gaps? Or slip into the river?" He waved his branch-like tail of emphasis.
Fi-nae the mediwolf padded over to where the two apprentices were talking, leading Fl-mik and
Fu-shon. Fu-shon had been temporarily blinded when a rabbit he was chasing kicked a rock into his eye, and Fl-mik was the Mediwolf apprentice.
"Good morning Fu-shon." Fa-dih said cheerfully. "How’s the eye?" Fu-shon blinked fondly at his pups.
"Ever since Fi-nae used that celandine, it’s just been getting better and better."
"Fa-ling’s going to have another litter of pups soon." Fi-nae told them. Fa-kon leapt to his paws.
"More brothers and sisters! More wolves to play with! Yay!" He bounded off towards the Withomere den, where his mother was lying inside.
"Is it true, Fa-ling?" He never called her "mother." "Is what true?" Fa-ling purred, sounding less like a wolf and more like a cat.
"You’re going to have another litter of pups?"
Fa-ling smiled at the eager apprentice, who was bouncing on his toes.
"Yes, it’s true." she stretched and yawned, working out some of the kinks. "I will get to go to the Assemblage tonight. I haven’t gone for awhile."
Fa-kon licked his mother’s cheek and zipped away to sit in front of Flatstone, where the alpha leader, Fe-zan, was standing.
"Wolves of Earth, gather beneath Flatstone."
EarthPack wolves obediently moved beneath the tall rock, peering up at their alpha expectantly.
"The sun is setting, Henom’s Beacon. The Assemblage is tonight. I want Fo-mon, Fu-shon,
Fi-nae, Fl-mik, Fa-kon, Fr-thu, Fa-dih, and Fa-ling to join me." Fe-zan paused, his eyes flickering over the remaining wolves.
"I assume the rest of the apprentices can fend for themselves should the need arise, but there will be no need." He stared into the sky. "Not even Illiban would attempt such treachery." he whispered.
"The meeting is adjourned." Fe-zan proclaimed, leaping off Flatstone gently. Fa-kon padded up to him, and the alpha flicked his flank with his branch tail playfully.
Fa-kon leaned against Fe-zan’s shoulder, nearly toppling the older wolf over. Fe-zan pushed the apprentice back onto his own four feet.
"Fa-kon!" The voice startled him so much, he leaped into the nearest tree, Fe-zan and his brother Fr-thu staring up at him.
Fa-kon breathed a sigh of relief and dropped from the branch. "You sounded like..." he trailed off, but the two wolves knew who he was thinking about. Illiban, the FirePack leader, had been continually attacking their camp.
Fr-thu nuzzled his brother’s green fur. "I can’t wait for the Assemblage," He bounced on his toes. "It will be my first one." Fa-kon looked into the sky. "Yes, mine too." he murmured softly.
He waved his tail anxiously to get Fe-zan’s attention, who was staring into the sky. "When are we leaving?"
"As soon as the sun sets." Fe-zan promised without turning. Fe-zan turned to face the glowing orb. "Set faster! Will you set faster if I...if I...wrestle with Fe-zan!"
He leaped on the alpha, who squirmed away from underneath him and raced up to Flatstone, panting. Fe-zan skidded away from the large rock, scraping the pads of his paws. Fr-thu shouldered his way past his brother and bounded up the rocky slope to Flatstone.
Fa-kon paced restlessly at the large rock’s base, glancing up at the sun every few seconds.
"Honestly Fa-kon," Fa-kon turned to see Fi-nae padding up beside him again, Fl-mik at her heels.
"The way you’re moping around, you would think Illiban stormed in here and killed us all off!" Fa-kon waved his tail gently at Fl-mik, whose words had made him feel a little better.
"I’m fine. Just...anxious." Fl-mik turned to his mentor. "Would dock leaves help?" Fi-nae nodded. Fl-mik sprinted off and returned with a mouthful of leaves. Fa-kon took one sniff and nearly fell over with dizziness.
"Don’t those make you woozy?" he asked, lightheaded. Fl-mik shook his head and dropped the leaves at his brother’s feet.
"Mediwolves grow naturally resistant to soothing herbs." he looked longingly at the large leaves and nudged them to Fa-kon.
Hours later, Fe-zan led his Pack along the border and down the hill to a mass of Packs.
The EarthPack wolves moved through the throng, greeting old friends. Suddenly, the mountain split apart with a tremendous cracking sound.
The Assemblage had begun.

Chapter 2
Fe-zan hopped onto his rock, EarthPack settling into their usual spots.
Illiban, Pendola, and Darnar took their places, and their Packs moved to talk quietly with others.
Waiting. Waiting. Onamon brought in his Pack, and Fl-mik and Fi-nae motioned for Otta to join them with the other mediwolves.
The WaterPack wolves were dripping wet. Usually they were just blue colored, but now they were seemingly made of water. They moved along EarthPack.
Fe-zan raised and eyebrow at Onamon, but Onamon didn’t say anything. Fr-thu moved closer to Fa-kon and hissed in his ear.
"Why couldn’t they go get dry with FirePack?" Fa-kon had to bite his tongue to keep his laugh quiet. "Hmm. I don’t think Illiban would like that."
Bishon, Whimalu, and Newana slipped through the crowd, bringing their wolves with them.
One traditional welcome and six "Life is good blah blah blah," speeches later, Fe-zan stood up.
"The Notails have come." Their was a brief silence before Illiban called, "What do you mean?"
"Fi-nae, Fa-dih, and I were scouting the area farthest from Tenrocks, and we saw monsters roaming around on their hind legs. They had no tails and little fur, which was multicolored." He paused for a quick moment, then said,
"I have been warned by Oakpine of such things, and they may become a threat to us." Several voices chorused loudly.
"From Zaplon too!"
"And Iguness!"
"And Shahlon!"
Fe-zan waited patiently for silence before continuing. "There were creatures with them that looked alot like us, but they were listening to the commands of the Notails, like the Notails were their alphas. What should we call them?"
There was a brief argument over this, but finally the eight Packs came to an agreement.
"Pamplobos!" Fe-zan blinked at the strange word, but then understood. Pamp, for pampered. Lobo, for wolf. "Pamplobo it is then."
He sat down and nodded at Onamon. Onamon stood up and shook his fur, flinging drops of water everywhere and causing all of FirePack and most of the other wolves to step back a few paces.
"We swam to Tenrocks again tonight, but the river was churning. When we got out, the water just wouldn’t leave our fur. And, one of our apprentices kinda fell in the water..." he shrugged.
"Also, there was a fox near the mouth of the river. We chased it off, and it went onto your territory Illiban."
"Thanks, Onamon." Illiban replied dryly. "We’ll be sure to keep a look out for it."
Onamon nodded curtly and sat down. There was a brief pause, and then Illiban stood up. "Well then, I suppose the Assemblage is over."
A shuffling of paws followed this, and more than one tail was stepped on, but finally EarthPack found themselves back in the camp. All but one wolf went straight to sleep. Fa-kon stayed awake. He stared at the moon, and began to sing.

"The moon so bright, the moon so still,
Always looking down, always with its will!
Rmnix is watching, I can prove it too.
The glowing lamp in the sky,
The glowing lamp in the sky,
The glowing lamp in the sky
Shows Rmnix is watching us."

The young but growing wolf gazed into Starcoat, watching the twinkling lights blink on and off. There were so many! Were they holes in the sky? Was Fa-noor watching him, even now? He hoped so. He was so intent on his thoughts, that he didn’t notice a tiny shoot spring from the grass between his paws.
Shaking his coat, he trudged into the apprentice den. When would he become a warrior? Soon? He drifted off into a needed sleep.
"Fa-kon, wake up!"
Fa-kon stirred at the sound of his sister’s voice. "What is it Fa-dih?"
"Something’s growing outside!" Fa-kon rolled to his paws and peered through the tangle of brambles to the clearing. Sure enough, some kind of vine was sprouting from the grass, growing even as he watched.
Fy-giw and Fu-lah, Fa-kon’s other sisters, were leaping around it, trying to touch the fronds. Fe-zan stepped outside his den from below Flatstone, watching the vine. Fi-nae and Fl-mik padded out of the mediwolf. Fi-nae gasped when she saw the plant.
"An alpotche! What-how-where did it come from?" She turned to face Fe-zan, who looked confused.
"I...I don’t know. It wasn’t there yesterday."
Fa-kon studied the base of the plant. He was shocked to find his paw prints from where he had sat last night. Why hadn’t he noticed anything?
He stared up at the flowering plant, fanning its fronds towards the sunlight.
"Those large leaves could carry a pup easily." he remarked to Fi-nae. She nodded distractedly.
"The seeds aid wolves in sleeping. It would be nice if we knew where it came from."
Fa-kon stared at the plant flowering above him, he now knew the truth. "My singing brought it here."

Chapter 3
Over the next few days, life went on as usual for all EarthPack wolves but Fa-kon. Everyday, he practiced his singing in a different part of the forest. Everyday, a new plant sprang up to congratulate him.
One night, he had a startling dream.
He was clawing his way up a tree, when Henom appeared. Startled, he dropped down. "Follow me." Henom ordered. Fa-kon obediently did.
Henom led him to Tenrocks. He sat on his rock, Rmnix on his. Fa-kon eyed the EarthPack rock nervously. Seated on the other rocks was a representative from all the Packs. All the Packs, but one.
Fa-kon finally leapt onto Fe-zan’s rock. It took quite a bit of work, the rock was taller than Flatstone.
When he was situated, Henom stood up.
"Take a good look at the wolves around you!"
Fa-kon looked, but didn’t recognize anyone.
"You will have to go on a great journey soon. These wolves will be you companions. You have probably already noticed your gifts, but I will announce each one."
He turned to the first wolf, a FirePack, of course. "Imalla, you have been given the gift to control fire, and create it out of nothing. To do this, you must think of the flame that burns within you.
"Ballia, you have been given power over lightning. You must control it with your thoughts.
"Duthan, you have the power to change the shadows. You can move them to hide your friends. You can make the day night, and the night day."
"What about WindPack?" Fa-kon interjected before Henom could continue. Henom narrowed his eyes at Fa-kon, who shrank away from his gaze.
"Seven shall answer the call of the wind. Trust us, Fa-kon. We know what we’re doing.
"Potho, you have the power to manipulate time. Your gift can be used only rarely, so beware, for you shall become very tired when you use it.
"Wathin, you have the power to withstand the cold more than even the strongest IcePack wolf. You can share this gift with your friends, for you will need it."
Fa-kon braced himself for what he knew Henom would say, and saw Seiko flutter down behind him and onto the Windstone.
"Fa-kon, you have the gift of life. You can bring plants into existence, and you can take life away from another. To use your power, you must sing. For the sound of your voice is so sweet, you could charm a tree into sprouting in the middle of No-leaf." Rmnix narrowed his eyes and whispered quietly. "Fa-noor is gone. Not even the sound of your voice will convince Skyhigh to let him go."
Fa-kon nodded sadly, and Henom moved on to the WaterPack wolf.
"Olf, you can use your gift to create a bubble underwater that will carry you and your friends through the water very quickly. You can not get hurt. The bubble cannot work on land."
Henom paused and turned to Seiko. "Seiko. You have come. You are to guide The Seven on their journey. You will know where to go."
With that, Henom swept his tail and the dream vanished, leaving Fa-kon to blink in the sunlight of a new morning. The gift of life. He wanted to try it right now, but he had promised to hunt with Fr-thu.
Later, as he was hunting alone on the FirePack border, a young she-wolf stepped towards him. She paused, and searched his eyes. She motioned him to the border.
"Are you...are you Fa-kon?" Her voice was tentative and shaky. Fa-kon racked his mind to remember her name.
"Imalla?"
"So it was true." Imalla sounded surprised. "You were there in the dream."
"I know." Imalla glanced around nervously, afraid of being caught conversing with a wolf from another Pack.
"Meet at Tenrocks tonight. And tell all the other wolves you can."
Fa-kon nodded and darted to the ElectricityPack border while Imalla went for the IcePack one.
Fa-kon ducked under a tangle of leaves and settled down to wait.
He nearly drifted off to sleep, but soon his patience was rewarded.
"Ballia!" he hissed. Ballia pricked up her ears and turned to face him. She cocked her head and gazed into the bushes. Dropping the rabbit she was carrying, she called, "Who’s there?"
Fa-kon slunk from the bushes that hid him, and Ballia took a step back.
"You’re Fa...Fa...Fa-kon!" Fa-kon nodded and glanced around. "All the wolves who had that dream are meeting at Tenrocks tonight. Tell...tell..."
"Duthan?" she offered. Fa-kon nodded. "Maybe he can tell Potho." Ballia nodded, and gazed at Fa-kon.
"Sing for me." she coaxed. Fa-kon blinked. "Please. I...I heard what Henom said, I need to hear for myself." Fa-kon glanced around uneasily.
"Ok," he said quietly. He opened his mouth and began to sing. Clumps of watermint and coltsfoot sprang around his paws.

"I search through the night for you,
Always searching.
I know you are there, somewhere.
You are just waiting for me!
To come and see you,
My dear friend."

Chapter 4
Fa-kon finished his song, and Ballia opened her eyes.
"That was beautiful!" she breathed. Fa-kon scuffed the ground, embarrassed. Luckily, Fe-zan saved him from his faze.
"Fa-kon!"
"Ballia!"
The two wolves exchanged a quick look. Ballia picked the rabbit up in her jaws and bounded off.
Fa-kon cast a glance over his shoulder as he scrambled away, but skidded to a stop when he nearly ran into Fe-zan.
"What were you doing talking to a wolf from another Pack?" he growled, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes, what?" Bishon stepped out from a few scraggly bushes on the other side of the border, his delegate Bivu behind him. Between them was Ballia, a panicked look in her eyes and a firm grip on the rabbit.
"I was...was...just talking." Fa-kon stuttered.
"I think it was more than just talking, Fa-kon."
Fe-zan spat, rounding on the young wolf. "You were singing."
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Fa-kon glanced at Ballia. The wolf had dropped her rabbit and had her eyes closed, breathing deeply. Fa-kon racked his brains to why she was so calm when Bivu and even Bishon were flinching at each bolt. Of course! Her talent to control lightning!
Rain pattered lightly from the sky. Fe-zan flicked Fa-kon with his tail. "You’re coming back to camp now." he said gruffly.
Reluctantly, Fa-kon turned away. Bishon prodded Ballia in the side. Caught off guard, she lost her concentration and opened her eyes. The sky slowly cleared as the ElectricityPack headed back to their camp.
I must never be seen talking to her again. Fa-kon thought bitterly. I just hope she can pass on the message to Duthan.
Trudging through the thick undergrowth, Fa-kon didn’t hear the sound of wings until Fe-zan had slipped through the bramble tunnel.
"Seiko?" he whispered. Seiko fluttered beside him. "Meet at Tenrocks tonight," Fa-kon pleaded hurriedly. "I have to go."
"But Fa-kon," Seiko began, but Fe-zan cut her off.
"Fa-kon, are you coming?" "Later." Fa-kon promised, and moved through the tunnel. Seiko hung her head. He could feel a surge of emotion sweeping towards him from her. Many different emotions, but there was one he picked out the most.
Love.

Fa-kon found himself on the Earthstone at Tenrocks. This time it was real.
Imalla instinctively began the meeting.
"I appreciate you all coming, and this can mean only one thing. We all had the dream. Henom and Rmnix expect us to go on a journey for...something. Perhaps we will find out. Let us introduce ourselves again, in case somewolf forgot names. I am Imalla of FirePack. I create fire."
That said, a plume of flame erupted in front of her. Ballia stepped up.
"I am Ballia of ElectricityPack. I control lightning." As it had earlier, the sky responded to Ballia’s power by darkening.
"I am Seiko the Winged Wolf. I am here to guide you."
"I am Duthan of ShadowPack. I move darkness."
"I am Potho of TimePack. I manipulate time."
"I am Wathin of IcePack. I shield you from ice." His tone was gruff, as if he didn’t like the fact his power helped others.
"I am Fa-kon of EarthPack. My singing gives me power over Life."
"Sing for us!" A chorus of voices cried. "Sing." Sheepishly, Fa-kon dipped his head and sang the same song he had for Ballia earlier, watching a vine spring from the ground and coil affectionately around the rock.
"I am Olf of WaterPack. I help you all get through water quickly." He too sounded irritable.
Then they really did appear. Shocked murmurs quieted as they gazed at the majestic figures in front of them.
"I am Henom of SunPack, and this is Rmnix of MoonPack. The Notails bring danger to the land you live on. You must go on a journey to the northeast of this land. Your journey will bring you to find what can protect you from the Notails."
"Why isn’t WindPack coming?" Imalla asked. Henom frowned. "I thought I made this clear. We know what we’re doing."
Rmnix raised his head to the moon and breathed into the air.
"Go now, while my light still shines." "Now?"
Fa-kon repeated. "Now," Rmnix agreed. "and no matter where you go, know that we will be watching you."
"Are there other SunPack and MoonPack wolves like you?" Fa-kon asked hurriedly. "And you are the alphas?"
Henom and Rmnix exchanged a long look. A very long look. Finally, when Fa-kon was beginning to fidget, Rmnix opened his mouth and said,
"Yes."

Chapter 5
Fe-zan awoke in his den, blinking at the rising sun. He yawned and stretched before trotting to the mediwolf den.
"I want you to look a Fa-kon. He seemed jumpy yesterday."
Fi-nae glanced at Fl-mik who was still curled in his little dip of the floor. "Bring him in."
Fe-zan poked his head in the soliwolf den, the six young wolves had mastered their skills and been moved there several days before.
"Fa-kon?" he whispered. No answer. Two shapes stirred.
"Have you seen Fa-kon?" Fa-dih paused from her stretching to look up at her alpha. "Is he missing?"
"Yes, have you seen him?"
Fa-dih exchanged a quick glance with Fr-thu. "No."
Fa-kon crept quietly towards the entrance of the soliwolf den. Not quietly enough. Fr-thu stirred and blinked awake.
"Where are you going Fa-kon? It’s so dark out." Fa-kon paused. "Just...alone. I need to think."
Fa-dih began to wake as well, and stretched. "Do you want us to come with you?"
"No. I’m fine."
"Are you going to sing?" She asked eagerly.
"Maybe." her brother said defensively. "Just go back to sleep."
Fa-dih stared at her brother carefully, cocking her head to one side. "Well, if you’re sure..."
"I’m sure." he responded, a little too quickly.
Fa-dih gave her brother a long hard look as Fr-thu curled in his moss, nibbling a piece nervously.
"I’m worried about you, Fa-kon." Fa-kon’s legs began to tremble. "I might be going away for a long time."
"I’ll wait for you. No matter how far you go or how long you’re gone. I’ll never stop believing you’re alive."
Fa-kon nodded, then hesitated. "Don’t tell Fe-zan about this. I’d be in so much trouble...."
"Count on me."

"Maybe he’s out hunting?" Fr-thu suggested hesitantly. Fe-zan’s shoulders sagged. "I shouldn’t have been so rough on him. It’s my fault."
"Perhaps he wanted to be alone?" Fr-thu tried again.
"I hope he’s not getting into trouble."

In fact, trouble was exactly what Fa-kon was getting into. Right now, he was racing through the forest, deliberately avoiding the camp, with the rest of the wolves a pawstep behind him and Seiko a little above. It was color-tree, so the trees were beginning to lose their leaves, and the dead ones crunched noisily beneath their paws.
All too soon, they were out of the forest. Fa-kon skidded to a halt, and the other wolves bumped into him, pushing him slightly farther.
In front of him was a Notail and a pamplobo. Around the Pamplobo’s neck was a band of...something. Moss, perhaps; it was green. The pamplobo turned his head and stared into the brush.
"I know you’re there." it growled, and began tugging at the vine that connected it to its Notail. The Notail made a clicking noise and tugged on the vine. The pamplobo cast a final glare at the trees and followed the Notail. Fa-kon breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you scared of him?" Olf muttered, brushing past the EarthPack wolf and into the open. Fa-kon jumped into the lead again and raced away from the forest.
Seiko landed uneasily and flashed forward. She skid to a stop in front of a giant...thing and gave a small yelp.
The wolves padded warily next to her. Wathin sniffed tentatively at a huge black paw. The monster growled quietly, and the wolves leapt back in alarm.
"It’s a titan." Seiko breathed. "My kind have been taught of large beasts that once roamed the land, but this one looks different then I imagined. Look at its paws. They’re round. And the eyes, they’re blank."
As soon as she said that, the eyes lit up, and the titan snarled at them. Very slowly, the wolves backed away and fled in the direction they had been going.
"Do you think it will hunt us?" Ballia panted. She was the smallest and youngest of all the wolves, and seemed to be the only apprentice among them. "Are the hunters going to be hunted?"
Nowolf answered, and Seiko padded on. They walked and walked. They had two more encounters with pamplobos and their vines; neither friendly. Seiko had taken flight a moment before, and now she landed again.
"There’s a Notail den just ahead, surrounded by short white trees."
Curiously, the wolves followed her. They stopped when the reached the white trees.
"They’re all the same height." Imalla noted.
Suddenly, a small pamplobo jumped on top of the trees and balanced precariously.
"Hi there." she said cheerfully. "My name is Muffin." The wolves drew back a pace or two and sat down. "Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you."
"Can we ask you some questions?" Fa-kon said hesitantly. "We’ve never met a pamplobo."
Muffin looked confused. "Of course, but what’s a pamplobo?" "It’s a wolf that listens to the Notails."
Muffin laughed. "Oh then. I guess to you I’m a pamplobo. But to the Notails, I’m a dog."

Chapter 6

"Dog?" The word rolled off Fa-kon’s tongue, his unfamiliarness obvious. Muffin shrugged.
"Call me what you like. And you had questions?"
"Why do pamplobos where those things around your necks? Why do the Notails have vines that keep you near them?" Imalla had stepped forward. Muffin raised a paw self consciously to the thing around her neck, only just balancing on the white trees.
"This is...my collar. Oh, how it itches. Vines...I think you must mean the leashes. They are so bothersome, so often I see cats basking in the sun, and I can’t chase them."
Ballia nosed the white trees, sniffing them. "What are these white trees doing here?"
Muffin looked about to answer, but the door to the Notail den behind her opened to reveal a Notail standing there. He was making an odd twittering sound Fa-kon had heard birds make.
"Fence," Muffin gasped. "I must go now." She leaped off the fence and pelted to the Notail’s side, pressing her head into its paw. The Notail rubbed her affectionately and shut the den, leaving the wolves on the other side of the...fence.
Seiko padded on, and the others were forced to follow her. They past two more Notail dens and fences, but had no more encounters with pamplobos. However, they attracted no end of curious stares, and Fa-kon blinked at a couple of flashes pointed at him and the others.
"I don’t like this." Duthan muttered. He moved uneasily to the grass again. Seiko turned to stare at him. "It is the way we must go. Why am I the only who can see that?" She pointed at the path in front of her with one paw.
"Can’t you see it?" A bark from back the way they had come startled them. Two Notails with giant cobwebs were hurtling towards them. A giant pamplobo was at their heels, but this pamplobo looked vicious, and not as soft as Muffin or any other pamplobo they’d seen.
"Run!" Seiko shrieked. She flashed down the road, the rest of them trying to keep up. Ballia yelped and stumbled, her paw had hit a dip on the black path.
"Keep going!" Imalla called as she dropped back to Ballia’s side. "I’ll help her!" She nudged Ballia to her paws again. Fa-kon hesitated and joined her.
"Go!" Imalla barked.
"I won’t leave you here!" Fa-kon retorted back. The Notails with the cobwebs were gaining, and a titan was following. Black splotches were splattered across the titan.* Imalla nudged Ballia again.

*Of course, Fa-kon can’t read, so I’ll have to tell you what it said. Rare and Endangered Creatures Zoo. Or the RECZ, whichever you prefer.

Seiko darted from the air and grasped Ballia in her paws. "Will that be safe?" Fa-kon asked, still running underneath the silky brown wolf.
"I think so!" Seiko called back. Howls of surprise came from Notail dens all around, and there were more flashes.
A shriek echoed behind him, and he turned and gasped. Imalla had fallen behind, and the Notails were triumphantly holding her in a cobweb.
Imalla bared her teeth and thrashed, but the Notails just tossed her into the titan that had slid to a stop beside them.
"No!" Fa-kon shouted, and lunged at the titan. The two Notails drew another cobweb, and he skidded to a halt.
"Ack! Ack! Ack!" The noise came from above
Fa-kon’s head. There were the two hawks who had tried to take over Seiko’s nest once before.
"Help!" Fa-kon cried, translating his plea so the birds could understand. The hawks dove to the titan, but the titan had closed. The Notails looked up and tried to flee, but the hawks were on top of them, screeching and pulling their fur.
"Imalla!" Fa-kon cried. He hurtled towards the titan again, the wolves at his heels. The Notails shrieked and climbed in the titan. The titan zoomed away. Fa-kon stared at the retreating monster, then at his fellow wolves.
"That titan just ate them! It might have eaten Imalla too!"
"We have to rescue her!" Ballia stumbled forward.
"You’ll be in no condition to walk, much less rescue." Olf interrupted, pushing between them. Looking at Fa-kon, he said, "I’ll stay with her. You go rescue Imalla."
Fa-kon glanced around. All the wolves (minus Imalla, of course) were watching him expectantly.
"Er, come on. Duthan, you lead. Olf, hide in the forest with Ballia. We’ll be back soon."
Duthan took off down the road and the others followed him, Olf and Ballia staggering to the forest a ways off.
They only managed to catch the titan because it slowed down at a big Notail den. The titan spit out the Notails, and they walked around to the back.
Fa-kon expected the titan to bolt or something, but it stayed put. The Notails peeled off some of the titan’s fur and picked up Imalla’s cobweb.
Imalla was struggling again, and locked eyes with Fa-kon. Well? They said irritably. What are you waiting for? Get me out!
Fa-kon thought the Notails would go inside the big den, but to his surprise, they just took out some more trapped animals in cobwebs.
The den closed behind them, and Fa-kon wondered how they would free Imalla now.
Chapter 7
Potho padded up beside Fa-kon and Duthan. Wathin and Seiko crept towards the den, and stopped.
"Can’t you move shadows or something Duthan?" the IcePack wolf asked over his shoulder. Duthan paused. "Yes,"
"Move some shadows around us, then we can sneak up." Duthan did, and the now-shadowed wolves advanced towards the Notail den once more.
"Being around Notails makes me uncomfortable," Seiko whispered. "and I hate how much contact we’ve had."
When they approached the entrance to the Notail den, they stopped. "How are we to get in?" Seiko wondered aloud.
The answer was simple. They just waited. When one of the Notails, the plumper one, opened the door to come outside, they just slipped in. One by one.
Fa-kon was startled by all the noise, and almost stepped back. Animals in giant square shaped cobwebs lined every side. There was no ceiling.
They walked in single file. Wathin hung at the back, while Potho curiously poked his nose into a few of the cobwebs, withdrawing quickly when a large orange cat with black stripes snarled at him and batted at his muzzle.
"I don’t see Imalla." Duthan said finally. "Imalla!"
"I’m over here, thistlebrain." Imalla called crossly from across the space. "I’m stuck in a cobweb and I’m not happy about it."
Encouraged, the five wolves padded forward again. Fa-kon lifted his nose every once in awhile to check for the stench of flame.
Finally, they saw Imalla. She was pacing in a cobweb near the back of the clearing. She stopped when she saw them and pressed her nose through some strands of the cobweb. "Do you think you can get me out?"
Fa-kon nodded, and sat down to study the odd mechanizam that kept the cobweb shut. Finally, he jumped to his feet. "I have an idea! All of you, stand back!"
The four other wolves did as they were told. Imalla retreated far into her cobweb. Fa-kon stepped back a pace and began to sing.
As he sung, a springy, twisty vine sprouted at his paws. He directed its movements by altering his voice slightly, and the vine stuck itself into a hole in the mechanizam.
Imalla held her breath as the vine twisted and gave a satisfying click. The mechanizam fell to the ground. Imalla pushed experimentally at the wall and groaned. "No go. It’s stuck tight."
A large gray creature in a nearby cobweb rumbled. Lifting a thick nose that seemed like a tree trunk, it said, "Let me see that lock."
Fa-kon was so startled he stopped singing. His vine stopped growing, and a leaf withered and fell off. Imalla was also surprised.
"Who are you? How can you understand the wolf language?"
"I am the Elephant, and Lemur and I understand all animal languages."
"Well than, Elephant," Potho said cautiously. "What do you want with this...lock?"
"Let me see it." Elephant rumbled. A voice from another cage squealed softly. "Do what she says."
"She?" Wathin scoffed. Fa-kon gently picked the lock up in his mouth and carried it to Elephant’s cobweb, trying not to flinch as her tree-trunk nose reached through bars and picked the lock up.
Elephant held the lock to her eyes. "Hmm." she murmured. "It’s the same on my cage as well."
"Is a cobweb a cage?" Imalla asked curiously. Elephant simply passed the lock back to Fa-kon.
"See if you can open Lemur’s cage. He only has one lock." Under her breath she added, "That’s some voice you’ve got there fella."
Fa-kon looked around and quickly verified Lemur was the creature on the other side of Imalla’s cage. "Elephant," Lemur squeaked. "Don’t bother freeing me." Fa-kon sang again, and another vine sprouted and snapped the lock.
"Red alert, Notail is coming!" Duthan hissed.
Fa-kon risked a glance. The taller of the two Notail’s he had seen was strolling towards them casually. Imalla backed into the shade of a black plant.
"Go on, come back for me later." Fa-kon and the others hesitated. "Go!"
The five wolves crouched down by the cages, and Duthan wrapped them in a blanket of shadow. The Notail strolled past them, humming softly.
Fa-kon exhaled quietly. Lemur cautiously pushed on his wall. It moved. "The door opens." he chattered. The wolves exchanged a glance. Door?
Lemur leaped out of his cage and did a happy flip. Then he squeezed through the bars of Elephant’s cage, the gap larger than Imalla’s.
"Do you see another lock?" Fa-kon hissed. Imalla prowled around. "There’s something else on the door." she offered. Fa-kon squinted.
There on the door was another lock. Quickly growing another vine, it slipped through the lock and a satisfying click rang in his ears.
Imalla pushed on the door. And it opened. She leaped out and shook her fur. "Now let’s get out of here!" A few other animals rustled in their cages. It was growing dark.
Duthan led the way again, Seiko flying above and Wathin watching behind. They almost made it to the door of the Notail den, when a Notail howled.

Chapter 8

Fa-kon stopped instinctively. Imalla shoved him from behind. "Keep going."
The approached the door. It wouldn’t move. "We have to climb the wall." Wathin decided. "Imalla could burn it down." Duthan offered quietly. Imalla shuddered.
"The whole clearing could catch fire. And what about the animals? I couldn’t do it."
Wathin studied the wall and scrabbled up it easily. The others followed, not wanting to be left behind. Before he jumped off, Fa-kon saw the Notail sprinting towards them, barking something.
Landing on the ground, the six wolves raced away. The Notail had pushed open the door and was following them. "Climb a tree!" Fa-kon shouted. The others immediately left the Notail path and shot into the trees.
Clawing his way up a large oak, Fa-kon rested, panting heavily. The Notail stopped under their trees. Kicking a few dead leaves and some kind of hard thing, the Notail looked into the branches. Fa-kon held his breath, not moving a muscle.
The Notail examined a tree. Fa-kon heard an intake of breath near his ear and realized he’d climbed the same tree as Imalla. "Wathin."
There was a shout of joy, and the Notail began climbing the tree. Fa-kon had an idea. He began to sing. Suddenly, the branch the Notail had been reaching for whipped towards him. The Notail screamed and ducked. The branch grasped it around its waist and was lifting him into the air. Fa-kon put a paw to his mouth. "Oops." Potho tentatively leaped to the ground.
Immediately, another tree branch swung towards the time wolf. Potho clawed his tree again. The tree that held the Notail paused. Then it pulled the Notail close.
"Walk in the trees!" Imalla cried. The other trees began moving too. "Quickly." The wolves leaped along the branches, trees swatting at them viciously. This is all my doing. Fa-kon thought bitterly. If I hadn’t sung, the trees wouldn’t be trying to attack us. The young wolf changed his mind a moment later. If the Notail hadn’t come after us, I wouldn’t have needed to defend.
When they left the trees behind, Olf and Ballia raced up to them. "Fa-kon, what have you done?" At first, Fa-kon thought they meant the trees, and began to explain, but Ballia was staring at his side. A red scar ran down his flank, already beginning to heal.
"I...I don’t know," he stammered. "I didn’t realize I was cut. It doesn’t hurt at all."
"Hurting or not, it needs treatment." Seiko insisted. "But we need to get away from here." Tilting her head, the young winged wolf stared across another Notail path and into more trees, ones that didn’t seem to be moving except for the breeze.
"There. That’s where the trail leads." Spreading her wings, she leaped into the air. Fa-kon fell into step beside Olf.
"How’s Ballia’s paw?" he asked. Olf stared at him before his eyes cleared. "Oh. It’s getting better." He dipped his head to where Duthan was urging the ElectricityPack apprentice onwards. Fa-kon nodded at him as he sprinted forward to pad alongside Imalla near the front, passing Potho who was taking in the forest scents he’d not been able to enjoy before.
"What did they do to you in the titan?" he whispered. Imalla spoke, but didn’t look at him. "They put me in a cob-a cage, and slammed the back of the titan. There were many other animals there too. They were afraid of my fire, I think. I just wonder-"
A growl from behind them turned both wolves around. Wathin was glaring at Olf, claws unsheathed. Olf was standing defensively, ears flattened against his head.
Seiko dropped down beside them. "Wathin, what is the matter?" Wathin didn’t take his eyes off Olf.
"Olf kept hitting me with his tail."
"And that’s an excuse to attack him? We’re supposed to be working together!"
Slowly, Wathin retracted his claws. "I’ll do it," he snarled, "but I won’t like it!" Giving Olf a final glare, he stalked off.
Seiko sighed fondly. "He’ll get over it." Shaking her fur, she led the way, on the ground instead of in the air. Fa-kon was distracted watching them and almost didn’t feel Ballia prod his side.
"You’re still hurt. Sing, and maybe it will heal." Wathin snorted, but under his breath muttered, "Not fair, has best power, Henom likes best."
They were on grass again, a few less trees now. The Notail dens were far behind. Fa-kon sniffed the air. "Wathin, does it seem like it’s getting....colder?"
Wathin, who liked sulking but loved showing off, slipped in front of Seiko and closed his eyes. "Slightly, I think. Well, maybe."
Fa-kon glanced back at his scar, just a red bump now. Behind him, Olf was weaving between Potho and Duthan. His permanently-wet fur accidently rubbed against Ballia. Sparks crackled, and she jumped back in surprise. Olf flinched. "Sorry."
Fa-kon turned back to Wathin and Seiko. Wathin was sniffing at the ground while Seiko watched from the base of a nearby tree.
Seiko motioned Fa-kon over. "Look at the tracks Wathin found." Fa-kon stepped to Wathin’s side. He looked up. Fa-kon saw the large bird-feet tracks.
"What could have made them?" Fa-kon shivered, and a random word came to him. "Floot."

Chapter 9

"Are we almost there?" Fu-shon hissed. Fe-zan continued through the trees. "Almost." The pair walked a moment longer, and Fe-zan stopped. "Here we are." A massive tree towered above them. A large bird’s nest occupied most of the upper branches. The EarthPack alpha tilted back his head.
"Seiko!" Nothing stirred but a few brown leaves. "Is this the right tree?" Fu-shon murmured. Fe-zan turned to him angrily. "Of course it is. This is Seiko’s tree, the largest pine in the forest."
Fu-shon nosed the trunk. "I think I can climb up." "I’m coming with you then." Fe-zan insisted. The two wolves studied the tree a second longer and simultaneously clawed their way up.
Fe-zan reached the nest first, panting heavily while he waited for the wolf a few branches below. A piece of bark came loose and fell onto Fu-shon’s face.
"Ow. That almost hit my bad eye. I mean, it’s getting better but-"
"Look at this!" Fe-zan interrupted. He peered into the nest. It was large enough for him to fit in comfortably. "The scent is stale, several days old, perhaps. I think maybe Seiko fulfilled her promise-" he stopped abruptly. "Fu-shon?"
He glanced back outside the nest. Fu-shon was resting on the highest branch, eyes closed and claws squeezing the bark tightly.
Fe-zan nudged him, and Fu-shon gasped. Scrambling awkwardly into the nest, he rolled against the opposite side. He peeked over the edge and squeaked. Fe-zan rolled his eyes. Soliwolves were brave in battle, but one thorn, rock or anything in their paws and they squealed like pups. The same with Fu-shon for heights, apparently.
"You can go back down if you like." Fu-shon didn’t hesitate, he leaped down the nearest branch, tripping at the bottom, and sliding unceremoniously to the ground.
Fe-zan cast another look around the nest. It was a series of interwoven twigs with a large leaf off to one side. Another leaf held a pool of water. Several thick hairs littered the nest.
"Why can’t there be an Assemblage tonight?" he moaned. "Maybe the other Packs have seen Fa-kon. Why do we have to wait three more forths of a moon-fill?"
He stared up at the darkening sky. Fa-kon hadn’t even been missing a day, and yet it felt like an eternity. "I know you’re watching him, Fa-noor." he whispered. "I know you have a plan."
"Are you coming Fe-zan?" Fu-shon called from the base of the tree. "Coming!" he scrambled down the tree.
"Seiko must have taken Fa-kon with her." Fe-zan insisted.
"She promised two Moon-fills," Fu-shon reminded him, "and only one has passed."
The two wolves walked in silence back to the camp. Fr-thu and Fa-dih were crouched by the
prey-pit, whispering. The two of them had been spending a lot of time together lately.
Fl-mik raised his head and darted to his father’s side. "Fu-shon, let me check your eye again." Fi-nae clucked her tongue.
"Fl-mik, you’ve checked it three times already, and it is getting better. What Fu-shon needs is good rest."
Reluctantly, the mediwolf apprentice left the older wolf’s side. Fe-zan pushed his way to the top of Flatstone. Lying in the sun, he watched the wolves below him.
Four of the six pups of Fa-ling were sitting on a small rock that jutted from the ground. Fl-mik was organizing herbs, and Fa-kon was missing.
Straining his ears, Fe-zan tried to catch their whispered conversation, but Fy-giw noticed, and the group moved farther away.
Fu-lah was kneading the ground with her paws, as if she were anxious to go somewhere. Fr-thu was shaking his head in disapproval. Fa-kon was-
Fe-zan shook his head to clear it. No, the wolf he had mistaken Fa-kon to be was Fa-dih. The two were close twins, but this was the first time he’d actually mixed them up. Was this a sign from Skynote that Fa-dih might know where her brother was?
Fe-zan’s gaze drifted to Fl-mik and Fi-nae. "When pressed into a wound, the chewed roots of the nero plant can keep a wound from becoming infected."
Fl-mik stared at his mentor in awe. "You’re so wise, Fi-nae. Did Skynote give you the information, or did you learn it yourself?"
"I learned some of it," Fi-nae said quietly, "but Skynote gave me much."
Fl-mik nudged Fi-nae’s side. "We need to collect watermint. There’s a clump that grows near the river."
Fi-nae led the way to the river. Along with the watermint, the pair gathered coltsfoot and horsetail.
Suddenly, Fl-mik yelped and slipped into the water. "Fi-nae!" Fi-nae dropped the herbs she was carrying in her mouth and dove after her apprentice. "Fl-mik!" Fl-mik’s paws churned the water frantically. He felt teeth grip his scruff, and Fi-nae dragged him from the water.
"Thank you, Fi-nae," Fl-mik coughed. "You’re such a brave and loyal wolf."
There was pain in Fi-nae’s eyes, and she turned away. Her voice cracked. Her words were whispered so quietly, Fl-mik couldn’t hear them. "There is no loyal wolf in the river if it faces me."

Chapter 10

"Floot?" Wathin exclaimed. He sniffed the bird tracks again. The other wolves caught up with them. Fa-kon walked a few paces, following the prints in the mud.
"They leave the trees," he murmured, "and go they way we’re going." Wathin licked his lips hungrily. "Think of the meat on this bird."
Seiko shuddered. "Is eating all you can think about, Wathin?" Wathin shook his head.
"Gloating and sleeping are a lot of work as well." Seiko rolled her eyes and fluttered her wings. "Come on, night is falling fast. Let’s find a spot to rest until morning."
Casting a final glance at the tracks, Fa-kon led the way. It took a long time before they finally found themselves in a grove of trees. Ballia immediately curled up and fell asleep.
"I’m going hunting." Wathin announced, belly rumbling. "Potho and Imalla, are you coming?"
"I’m game if you are." Imalla said. Potho nodded. "And Olf." "And....Olf." Wathin agreed reluctantly.
"Wait for me," Duthan said quickly. I haven’t had a bite to eat all day. We’ll bring some back for you, Seiko. And Ballia and Fa-kon, if he’s not coming."
Wathin kneaded the ground anxiously. "Hurry, before the rabbits go in their burrows and the deer retreat farther away."
The five of them left. Seiko fluttered to a branch in a nearby tree. "I’ll keep watch," she offered, "and I’ll wake you when they return." Fa-kon nodded and lay his head on his paws. Silhouetted in the fading light, Seiko seemed more beautiful then ever.
As promised, Seiko roused him from his sleep. He’d dreamed about Fa-noor, who’d bounded toward him and spoke a warning he forgot when he awoke.
Munching on his rabbit, he watched the sky. Was one of those stars Fa-noor himself? Fa-kon pricked up his ears at the sound of coughing. He glanced over at Wathin and leaped to his feet.
Wathin was coughing and shaking his head, pawing at his mouth. Fa-kon rolled him onto his back. Wathin didn’t resist. Fa-kon pushed down on his stomach. A bone that had been lodged in Wathin’s mouth flew out, and Wathin rolled onto his stomach again.
"Thanks, Fa-kon." he muttered under his breath. Glancing at the cause of his choking he shuddered and added, "I don’t like bones."
"Someone does." Seiko said nervously.
"Really?" Wathin sounded surprised. "Who?"
"That!" Slowly, Fa-kon turned around. There was something behind him. It was tall and blue. It had large clawed feet. A long feathered neck proudly displayed a sharp beak and beady eyes. A bone hung from the mighty hook.
It was a floot.
Fa-kon took a slow step back. Crack! He’d snapped a twig. The bird swung its neck towards him and shrieked. MINE!
Flapping its stubby wings, it approached Fa-kon. "Back!" he snarled in birdtongue. The floot paused, head cocked to one side. It suddenly shot its head forward and nipped Fa-kon’s shoulder.
"Ouch!" he stumbled back. A flash of brown fur to his side drew his attention away from the pain. "Seiko! No!"
Seiko flapped her wings in the bird’s face, struggling to stay aloft. The floot shrieked and flapped its own wings. Flightless.
Fa-kon pounced upon the bird, the others joining him. At one point, Imalla was by his side, fending off the bird’s beak. Then it was Ballia, swiping at the mighty claws.
The floot screeched and retreated into the trees. Olf lay panting on the ground. Fa-kon twisted his neck to lick his left shoulder.
"I hate floots." Wathin decided. Potho and Duthan curled into exhausted sleep together. Imalla and Ballia followed their example. Olf and Wathin glanced at eachother and shifted to opposite sides of the clearing. Fa-kon sighed. Though they would fight together if they had to, they were enemies at heart.
Seiko fluttered into the tree again. Fa-kon found himself wishing he could join her and almost clawed up the tree as well.
Fa-kon opened his eyes, finding himself in the land of Skyhigh once again. He leaped to his paws and raced to the figure sitting in front of him. "Fa-noor!" Another figure appeared beside the former leader. Fa-kon skidded to a halt. It wasn’t Skyhigh, and it wasn’t Skynote. Was another wolf dead?
"Welcome, Fa-kon." Fa-kon whipped around. Seven more starry figures stood behind him. One stepped forward. "I am Iguness of FirePack." He dipped his head and stepped back, to be replaced by another wolf. Fa-kon knew who it was.
"I am Zaplon of ElectricityPack."
"I am Breezela of WindPack."
"I am Shahlon of ShadowPack."
"I am Timeglass of TimePack."
"I am Frostshin of IcePack."
"I am Lakelon of WaterPack."
Fa-kon started, something was wrong. Somewolf was missing.
The wolf beside Fa-noor stood up now. "And who am I, young one?" he asked. "What is my name?" It took only a second for Fa-kon to think. "I...I don’t know."
The starry wolf frowned and turned to Fa-noor. "Did you not teach this one the basics?" Fa-noor looked at Fa-kon. "This is my father, Oakpine."

Chapter 11

"Your father?" Fa-kon croaked. "But he’s a legend!" Oakpine dug his starry claws into the leaves.
"Do you know how much I had to suffer? And for what? Young wolves who do not believe!" Oakpine stared higher into the sky.
"Skynote gave me everlasting peace. I can see my two daughters and my only son. I can watch the world. What more could I ask for?"
Fa-noor stared at his father. "Tw...two daughters Oakpine?" Oakpine swished his tail. "Yes, son. Only one was taken from us, along with your mothr."
"Let me see my sister!" Fa-noor wailed like a pup.
"No! She is the one wolf you are forbidden. She is on Earth, and still so young." Fa-noor threw himself on the ground in front of Oakpine and sobbed. "Why?" Fa-kon had never seen any wolf act this way, let alone a former Pack leader.
"It is the way of things." Oakpine said stiffly. He turned to Fa-kon accusingly. "The boy may go!"
"But Oakpine!" It was Iguness who spoke. "He has done no wrong, and you have not told him of it yet!" Oakpine bounded away.
"Then you can tell him next time." he called over his shoulder. " Morning has come. They must go."
Skynote appeared by Fa-noor’s side. "It is fine, brave one. Oakpine will recover. Fa-kon must go."
Fa-kon leaped to his feet, panting. Seiko was sitting near him. "I’m worried about you, Fa-kon." she whispered. Fa-kon stared into her green eyes. "I’m fine, Seiko."
Seiko sidled closer to him. "It was about Fa-noor, wasn’t it?" Fa-kon stared at her. "How did you know?" Seiko closed her eyes.
"When the fire burns, so big and bright, when the forest goes out of sight. I could feel it, Fa-kon. I can’t explain it, but I felt it. Something inside me stirs. We must leave when the others awake." The pair sat in silence. Slowly, the others woke, and they set off.
They walked and trotted and ran. They hunted and scouted and napped. Suddenly and abruptly, the forest ended.
"This can’t be right!" Wathin cried. He raced back and forth near the edge of the trees. "It is definitely getting colder though." Fa-kon pointed out. "In the distance, are those mountains?" Duthan wiggled.
"ShadowPack lives in a space guarded by the mountains, so we are used to chilly temperatures." Wathin frowned and shoved his muzzle to Duthan’s. "Are you saying ShadowPack can stand colder temperatures than IcePack?" Duthan started. "No, I was just saying the mountains would feel like home."
Wathin snorted and turned. He pelted away. Reluctantly, the others followed. Wathin halted. "A Notail den!" he hissed. Sure enough, a small den stood alone.
"But look!" Olf cried. "Water!" He sprinted across the plain to a pond. "Olf!" Ballia cried. "Look out!"
Olf skidded to a halt. A small but deadly looking snake reared up from the ground. Flicking its tongue out, it hissed. Olf took a small step back. Then two.
Wathin raced to Olf’s side and crouched down. Flattening his ears, he hissed. The snake jerked its head back and buried itself in the ground.
Wathin looked pleased with himself. "I frightened that snake off all by myself. Fa-kon shared a glance with Seiko and stepped towards him.
"You spoke to it, Wathin. You can speak to snakes." The IcePack wolf jerked back like the snake had. "How-"
"I can speak to birds." Fa-kon said simply. "Wha-the floot." Wathin breathed. Imalla and Ballia stared at eachother.
"If Fa-kon and Wathin can speak to animals, maybe we all can." they said simultaneously. Then they laughed.
Olf shifted his paws. "I can speak to fish." he admitted. Fa-kon turned to Potho. "What about you, Potho?" Potho shook his head.
"Duthan?" Another no. "Imalla?" Nada. "Ballia?" Nope.
"Maybe we’ll discover later." Fa-kon sighed. "Come on, it’s past Tallight."
The seven wolves trudged towards the pond. Olf was the first to jump in, then created a bubble that the others slipped inside easily. When they finally stopped to rest, Fa-kon tried to stay awake, terrified of what he might dream about, but finally, sleep overtook him.
The wolves who greeted him were neither Fa-noor nor Oakpine. The larger she-wolf bowed her head to him. "Greetings, Fa-kon. I am Hazelwood, mother of Fa-noor."
The smaller she-wolf wound around Fa-kon’s legs. "I am Fw-skil, the older sister of Fa-noor."
"Are you the one he was forbidden to see?" Fa-kon breathed. Fw-skil shook her head.
"We had a younger sister, Fa-fala. She is the one. Fa-noor does not remember her. I too am forbidden. All I know is she is not here."
Fa-kon turned to Hazelwood. "Are you forbidden as well?" Hazelwood shook her head.
"I am not forbidden, but I am proud of my daughter. I can speak of these things to Skyhigh, Skynote, and Oakpine alone."
"I died soon after I was born," Fa-fala said to Fa-kon. He blushed, she must have noticed he was confused of how she was older, but smaller, than Fa-noor.
Hazelwood leaned in close to Fa-kon. "You have seen my living daughter. Take care of her."

Chapter 12

Fi-nae pushed through the dense undergrowth. Starcoat was filled with stars tonight. Nosing aside a patch of brambles, she moved on.
When she reached the edge of the territory, she searched for a clump of moonsong. After she had the desired amount, she sat down and waited. A shadow flickered on the edge of the FirePack border. Fi-nae stood up hopefully.
The IcePack wolf who had crossed the border to see her wound around Fi-nae. Fi-nae hesitated. "Wamon, we shouldn’t be here."
"I shouldn’t," Wamon corrected. "This is your territory. Besides, I’m a mediwolf. I have rights to gather plants on any territory if they are not found on my own. Luckily, many plants do not grown on IcePack’s ice."
Fi-nae pushed half her gathered herbs toward Wamon. "Here, take some moonsong."
Wamon sniffed the pile to verify the herb and nodded. He rubbed his fur against Fi-nae’s.
"We will meet in a quarter-moon-fill with all the other mediwolves at Speakrock." Fi-nae pleaded. Wamon stopped intertwining around her legs.
"‘With all the other mediwolves’ doesn’t leave us to ourselves now, does it?"
Fi-nae shook her head and breathed in Wamon’s sweet scent. She licked her neck fur to keep it down.
Wamon whirled around and stared into the trees. "Somewolf is coming!"
Fl-mik stumbled sleepily out of the woods. "Fi-nae, Fa-ling needs something to keep her calm, and we’re all out of dock leaves."
Wamon appeared from behind a tree with a mouthful of moonsong. Dropping it, he suggested, "If you had two alpotche seeds, they could help."
Fl-mik blinked. "You’re an IcePack, what are you doing here?"
"Gathering moonsong," which was true. "I was just about to leave." which was not. Fl-mik just nodded and trotted off towards the camp.
"You really need to find some dock leaves," Wamon remarked, "Or you’re in deep water without a WaterPack to save you."
Fi-nae dropped her moonsong and glared at him. "If we had Fa-kon, we could grow some!"
Startled, Wamon jumped back. "You’re missing a wolf? So are we! Wathin just up and left. We followed his scent halfway to Tenrocks. It seems as though he cut across FirePack territory."
Fi-nae lingered on the subject for a moment. "Could he speak to birds?" Wamon shook his head. "Snakes. And there are alot of snakes in a certain part of IcePack territory, Wathin’s favorite place."
"Imalla is gone as well."
Both wolves leaped out of their fur and whipped towards the voice. Two wolves were standing beyond the border. FirePacks!"
Ivan strayed across the border. Ilzan, the delegate stayed where he was.
"I heard you two talking," Ivan apologized. "About Fa-kon and Wathin. Imalla, our best female soliwolf, has disappeared."
Ilzan sighed fondly. "She has inherited my fighting strength, hasn’t she?" he asked dreamily. Ivan stared at him. "Ilzan, what is wrong with you?"
Ilzan swayed on his feet. Fi-nae gasped. "Dock leaves! But how?"
A shimmer of lights flickered beside her. "Fa-noor? Is that you?" She was disappointed when she saw a much younger wolf.
The she-wolf dipped her head delicately. "Greetings, Fi-nae. I am Fw-skil." Fi-nae looked confused. "Your Pack needs the dock more than any other Pack here. Take it."
"Any other Pack here? Are you saying-"
"Take the dock leaves."
Though she was older and more experienced than the pushy wolf, Fi-nae did as she was told, asking Ivan and Ilzan for permission first.
"Permission granted." Ivan said. Ilzan closed his eyes and swayed as though he were planning on falling asleep on his feet.
With half a mouthful of dock and half a mouthful of moonsong, Fi-nae nodded goodbye to a disappointed Wamon. Wamon stared after her long after the underbrush and darkness had swallowed her up.
"Fi-nae," he whispered. Shrugging aside his hurt, he picked up his own moonsong.
You were foolish to come here, Wamon. You’re returning home with a little moonsong and a few memories that will fade away. You were sighted by two other mediwolves besides Fi-nae, and by the delegate of FirePack.
He stumbled wearily across the IcePack border. At least Fi-nae cared enough to give me some moonsong. He argued to the nagging voice in his head. That has to count for something.
Maybe, maybe. It will keep Whimalu from pouncing on you, but if you get away with it once, you’ll want to get away with it again.
Wamon hadn’t enough strength to argue, but little Winnella sprinted towards him. She wrinkled her nose.
"What happened? Did you have to cut across EarthPack territory again?" Surprised, Wamon dropped the moonsong and sniffed. You should have washed!
"Yes, Winnella, but it was right near the edge. Fi-nae and Fl-mik won’t mind."
"I’ll get your moss ready." Winnella decided. She picked up his moonsong and trotted off. Before Wamon fell asleep that night he thought, I need an apprentice. And the nagging voice agreed with him.

Chapter 13

"Fa-kon!"
Fa-kon blinked sleep from his eyes. Seiko was fluttering her wings excitedly. "If we swim all day, we should reach the mountains by tomorrow!"
Wathin was washing his face with one paw, but looked up when Seiko stopped talking.
"Olf let me go hunting this morning, and I found a friend." Fa-kon noticed for the first time the snake resting around the IcePack wolf’s neck.
"This is Vipro. He has been to the mountains before. He can guide us."
Olf awoke next. The pearly bubble that allowed them to breathe shifted a little. The WaterPack wolf yawned, showing all his teeth.
"Can’t you give us each our own bubble?" Wathin pleaded. "I can’t stand being so close to you for another day!"
Olf glared at him. "If you’d rather swim, that’s fine." Wathin considered the offer and shook his head.
"On second thought, certain amounts of time with someone you dislike are good for you." When he said that, he was looking at Fa-kon, but Fa-kon hoped he was speaking to Olf.
Olf nudged the others awake. When they struggled to their feet, he walked to the front of the bubble. Immediately, the floor shifted so it was under him. Fa-kon and Seiko rolled together in a heap. Just like yesterday.
Olf watched them impatiently. "If you walk with me, you can stay on your feet."
Fa-kon tried it, and found that along with balancing, he was able to make the bubble move faster.
At Tallight, Olf collapsed on the ground. "Maybe it would be better if I gave everyone a smaller bubble instead of all sharing this large one."
The eight wolves surfaced, and seven of them climbed onto the bank. Fa-kon started at how much closer the mountains seemed.
When there were eight small bubbles in the water, each wolf jumped on top of one, sinking through until they were encased in the pearly sphere.
Fa-kon was thinking it was easier to stand when no other wolves were rocking the bubble, when Wathin rammed into him from behind and shot his bubble forward.
Wathin gave Fa-kon an innocent look. "Oops." Olf glared at him. "I can’t wait until you have to start controlling temperature for everyone. This is tiring."
Wathin muttered something under his breath, but surprisingly, didn’t complain aloud.
The eight wolves pushed on. Seiko kept trying to flap, but found it easier to just walk. Wathin rammed into her bubble only once, but retreated to the back of the line when she snarled at him and didn’t touch any other bubbles.
At the end of the day, the river ended. The wolves climbed out of the water, each bubble immediately popping at the surface.
Fa-kon sprawled across a rock. "Thanks, Olf." he gasped, and fell asleep.
Fa-noor was sitting in front of him. Why couldn’t he just have a normal dream!
"You have done so much, and for that I am proud."
Fa-kon sat up straighter. Fa-noor wound around the younger wolf.
"When you return, you will have two more brothers and another sister. But, one wolf will be missing."
Fa-kon froze. "Who?" Fa-noor shook his head. "Wolves of StarPack read the future. They cannot change it."
Fa-kon thought for a moment. "Can you at least tell me if it will be one of my siblings?" Fa-noor pondered.
"Very well. It will indeed be one of them. I can say no more. I have spoken too much."
Iguness appeared beside Fa-noor. Fa-noor nodded respectfully and stepped back.

"When you reach the water you find a snake.
When you reach the mountains, you find a fake.
The mountains are short, get through in one day,
The shooting star shall guide the way.
A song woven of the finest notes
Will save you when a choice afloats."

"Is that another prophecy?" Fa-kon whined. "Did I mention I am the subject to two of them already?"
Iguness swished his tail. "This is for you, and you alone. Share it with none. You will know when you should use it. Do not complain of the ways of StarPack. We can see the entire world from where we are. We know what you are doing!"
"Then why have eight answered the call of the wind? Fa-kon snapped. The prophecy clearly states for only seven! There’s Imalla, Ballia, Seiko, Duthan, Potho, Wathin, Olf, and me!"
Fa-noor stepped towards him again. "StarPack knows what they are doing!"
"Then answer me!"
Fa-kon threw himself forward, but Fa-noor nimbly dodged the attack. Nipping his heels, Fa-noor attacked Fa-kon. Fa-kon tried to fend him off at first, but the former leader was stronger than he was.
Fa-noor threw him to the ground. "Do not challenge StarPack ever again, or they will find a replacement wolf for the prophecy! Fa-kon flinched at the tone of his voice.
"Why will they not answer me? Why call me here every night if only to tell me what I already know? Why are there eight and not seven?"
Fa-noor glared at Fa-kon with a hostility only Illiban had received. "The winged wolf did not answer the call!" he hissed. "She is the call of the wind."

Chapter 14

"Have you been fighting floots in your sleep?"
Fa-kon hardly detected the sarcasm in Wathin’s voice. For him, it was a welcoming sound.
Fa-kon looked at Seiko, who was sunning herself on another rock. Now he looked at her with new eyes.
That makes us seven then, I suppose.
He looked at mountains. We will be through them by the end of the day.
Wathin led the way through the mountains. "It is definitely....getting colder." Ballia huffed. Wathin nodded. "I will use my super temperature controlling powers to protect you!" he said heroically. Fa-kon rolled his eyes.
Wathin closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. Fa-kon felt himself grow suddenly warm. Wathin flinched.
"Ok Olf, I take it back. This is hard to do things for everywolf at once."
Olf looked surprised. "Take what back? You never objected to me saying that."
Wathin grunted and pressed forward. Fa-kon followed closely. Imalla hissed in his ear, "I was feeling quite warm before, but now I’m roasting."
Wathin glanced suspiciously back at Fa-kon. The EarthPack wolf gulped. His temperature dropped below zero. Startled, Fa-kon leaped on top of Imalla. She warmed him somewhat, but she was surprised at his actions and collapsed under him.
Olf batted Wathin with his paw. "Wathin! We’re supposed to be working together! That does not mean change the temperature to freezing so somewolf’s in pain!"
Wathin rolled his eyes. "Right, right. Sorry." Fa-kon didn’t seem to accept the apology. He began a song, a new song.

"Thy plant of burning fire,
Thy twisting, choking thorn.
Thy berry bush of lies,
Thy treacherous-"

"Fa-kon! Snap out of it!" Seiko cried, but ten plants had already sprung near Wathin’s paws. Wathin blinked. "Uh-oh."
The t***** vine slithered up Wathin’s legs. Vipro hissed and batted at it with his tail. Eight baneberry bushes surrounded Wathin. A single flower made of flame began spitting small fireballs at the IcePack wolf, who whimpered and ducked.
"Fa-kon! Call off the plants!" Wathin’s voice sounded panicked. Fa-kon blinked at the thorn vine. "Wha? Did I do that?"
"YES!" Wathin’s voice was even more urgent now. "Fa-kon, I’m sorry! It won’t happen again! I promise!" Fa-kon took a deep breath and concentrated on withdrawing his plants.
The fire and baneberry plants withered and died, but the thorn vine continued winding closer to Wathin’s neck.
At that moment, Fa-kon panicked. "Stop!"
Then of course, it stopped. Fa-kon opened one eye, then the other. Wathin’s claws were gripping the ground tightly. His snake hissed disapprovingly at Fa-kon.
Wathin opened his own eyes and glared at him. Turning to the others he said, "You saw him attack me! He’s too dangerous to be trusted!"
Imalla rubbed Wathin’s shoulder reassuringly. "Hush, Wathin. You know you provoked him."
"Provoked him!?" Wathin screeched. He took off running across the mountain. Fa-kon followed behind the others, head drooping.
Seiko dropped beside him. "It’s not your fault." she insisted. Fa-kon shook his head. "Of course it’s my fault! I’m the one who sang a song about torturous plants!"
Seiko glanced at him and moved off to the others. Fa-kon plodded along silently. He felt terrible. Yes, Wathin had provoked him, but he’d attacked the IcePack wolf.
"Do not feel bad for him." Startled, Fa-kon looked up. Ballia was sitting in front of him. "Go on." she said, turning to Olf. Olf hesitated, and raced after the others.
"Wathin will get over it. Any of us would have done it with the power you have." She crept a little closer, tilting her head.
"Did you know you spoke in birdtongue when you yelled at the vine to stop?" Fa-kon shook his head.
"Let’s keep walking." Ballia suggested. With Ballia’s fur touching his, Fa-kon’s heart felt lighter. She stared into his eyes, and Fa-kon started. Ballia shook her head.
"They’re the color of Olf’s fur, aren’t they? Olf’s, eyes are a beautiful yellow. He keeps saying it’s a sign."
Ballia padded on, but Fa-kon had stopped. "Amidst the Earth and Ice’s fight, the yellow and blue’s strength unite." he whispered, and shook his head.
What had he just said? Was it yet another message from Fa-noor? Or, though he dreaded to think about it, another prophecy?
StarPack will reveal it to me. he concluded, but he stayed tense the rest of the day.
The wolves trudged through the snow slowly. At one point, Wathin picked up a pawful of snow and was about to throw it at Fa-kon, but a sharp look from Seiko brought it back to the ground.
Night began to fall, and Fa-kon saw the end of the mountains. I can’t believe I’m doing this, he thought but I need a dream from you Fa-noor.

Chapter 15

"Fa-kon."
The small wolf opened his eyes and stared. The figure in front of him was not a wolf. It was a fox.
"What have you done with Fa-noor?"
"I am here," Fa-noor stepped from behind the fox.
"Who is this?" Fa-kon whispered.
The fox dipped her head. "I am Anka. You walk underneath my skies now."
"So you’re like Skynote, then."
"No, I’d say I’m the daughter of the most powerful fox in this part of the skies and I often walk in the dreams of others, speaking to them and warning them."
"So you’re like Skynote."
"You asked for a dream," Fa-noor interrupted, stepping in front of Anka. He turned to the fox. "Shall I, or shall you?"
"I will," Anka said. Fa-kon groaned. "Another prophecy?" Fa-noor shot him a warning glance.
"Anka shall recite it to you, but first I must warn you. You are about to leave the skies of the wolves, and enter the land of the foxes. You must respect their ways, or you will never receive what you need."
"What do we need, anyway?"
"A black amulet. The leader of the foxes wears it around his neck at all times."
Anka stepped forward. "The prophecy now."

"When seven wolves and the call move off
Through the forest and under the water,
Between the mountains and through the desert,
The foxes will need them.
Though not known to them, the wolves shall aid
By protecting them from a danger.

The eight wolves must work together
If they are to survive the quest
That brings them to their destination.
Amidst the Earth and Ice’s fight,
The yellow and blue’s strength unite,
Many wolves shall be lost.

There’s love at the core of this journey,
But that shall only bring more hope
To the ten Packs of the land.
The lizard, the insect, the wings, the bat,
The cattle, the snake, the bird, and the fish
Will bring the Wolf and the Fox close together."

"Is that all?" Fa-kon asked. "It didn’t rhyme, and there was no ‘if you slip up, the world shall be destroyed’ warning. It sounded like ‘go save the foxes and they will ally with you.’ And what’s with ten Packs?"
"Do not argue with StarPack." Fa-noor warned.
"Did you see my fight with Wathin?" Fa-kon sighed suddenly. "I hope he understands I’m sorry."
Fa-noor and Anka shared a quick knowing glance. They moved aside to reveal,
"Wathin!" Wathin blinked. "Fa-kon?"
"Yes, it’s me!"
"Fa-kon, I...I’m sorry. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have provoked you."
Fa-kon felt his heart soften. "It’s ok, I forgive you, Wathin."
Wathin sighed happily and turned back to Anka. "Can I stay here?"
"No!" Fa-noor snapped, and Wathin blinked. "You’re time will come," Fa-noor said soothingly, "but not yet. You have a duty to perform."
Wathin nodded solemnly. "I, Wathin, pledge to do my duty to fulfil the quest StarPack has laid for me."
"Go now, to the land of the foxes." Anka said. "You will discover what you need."
Fa-kon blinked himself awake. Across the clearing of snow, Wathin was staring at him intently. Fa-kon motioned him over.
"What did you mean when you pledged yourself to Fa-noor and Anka?"
Wathin lifted his head. "I said what I meant. Before I could become a Soliwolf, Whimalu had me pledge myself to her. She’s very strict."
Fa-kon spoke softly to himself. "Amidst the Earth and Ice’s fight, the yellow and blue’s strength unite."
Wathin shuddered. "I have a bad feeling now. Let’s continue our journey."
Fa-kon looked at the sky. It was still dark, though it was growing lighter. "Let’s wake the others and go."
The seven wolves plus the call of the wind left the mountains behind and Fa-kon felt sand beneath his paws. Only a few trees dotted the barren landscape.
"This is the land of foxes?" Wathin murmured in his ear. Fa-kon had to remind himself the others didn’t know what they were about to encounter.
"Why are you two so nice to eachother all of a sudden?" Imalla asked impatiently. "Did Skynote come personally to tell you two to knock it off while we were asleep?"
Fa-kon and Wathin shared a quick glance. Imalla had hit too near the mark. "I’m going to make it colder," Wathin decided. "It’s roasting here."
Imalla grunted. "Good idea."
"I’ll lead the way." Fa-kon offered. He moved to the front of the line, his mossy coat rubbing against Seiko’s silky brown fur.
Seiko glanced at him, and his green eyes met hers. A wonderful peace came over him, like he’d been near dock leaves. Perhaps Olf is right, and eye color is truly a sign after all.
A bright light in Starcoat caught Fa-kon’s attention. A single shooting star moved across the sky. Fa-kon raced beneath it. And he sang.

Here is the map: