Modnar Spy

PART 1:

Modnar-Spy awoke with a start, hackles high on her neck and teeth bared ready to fight. Her eyes scanned the forest, wide with terror. The rest of her pack lay dormant, succumb to a peaceful sleep. "It's nothing," She comforted herself, "It's just a dream, pull yourself together." She stretched, attempted to shake off her anxiety as she let out a soft sigh of relief and sluggishly made her way to the river to wake herself up and calm down.

The river is the perfect barrier between the Coniferous Forest and the countless other packs that dare not cross it. For the most part, her territory is secure from the rest of the valley. The only real threat are the packs that cross down from the Taiga looking for warmth, shelter and prey. Keeping them at bay has become more of a challenge these days, prey is horrendously scarce in the Taiga and the temperatures have been hazardously dropping as the year comes to an end.

The ombré of crystal-green and mud whispered sweet notes in cascading harmony. The bliss of a calm morning with the sound of the river rushing over pebbles and gliding over the roots of the Earth filled her heart with sanctity. Feathered souls sang the songs of their ancestors in the shadows of the canopy, the perfect lyrics to complete this medley. Her steps were light, kissing the Earth with silent power as she walked the edge of water taking in the aroma of floral life. This is freedom.

The sound of a sudden snap yanked her from the trance the forest had pulled her into. Once more anxiety plagued her soul, she foolishly wandered off without backup and must now pay the consequences. "Calm," ushered a deep voice that filled the air with a solid confidence, gentle on the ears yet piercing to the soul. "It is I." Out from behind the oaks and pine stepped Fehu , her Alpha Male. "You shouldn't scurry off without one of your scouts, Spy ." From behind Fehu emerged Spagi and Teircrow , the packs' scouts.

"And you shouldn't make so much noise while you stalk, you sound as careless as the Wolverines; I mistook you for prey." She smirked, hoping he would fall for the lie and not know how afraid she felt. "Besides, Spagi should be nesting as she is due to bare her pups any day. And Teircrow should be scouting the Taiga for insight on the whereabouts of nearby packs. I need no companion, I do just fine on my own."

"Now wait just one fur-balling minute!" Spat Teircrow . "Do you have any idea how cold the -"

"Don't." Spagi 's voice is light, almost a whisper. "Can we all just go back to the Nesting Retreat? We shouldn't negotiate at the border."

"if it'll shut the lot of you up then fine, Teircrow lead the way back with Spagi at your rear so she remains safe. Fehu and I will guard from behind." Her attitude set the tone for the short walk back; no one dared so much as whisper.

Some of the newest pups greated them as they entered the Retreat, their pupsitters chuckling from close behind. Spy felt no guilt in knowing the fate of all these pups. Selling them for Silver Cones, chasing them off once matured, over-breeding or abandoning at the Enclave. She has a goal, a dream so close she can almost touch it. She feels for no one but herself and her purpose in bringing down The Hero from the Flames. The pups look up to their Alpha, their mothers knowing their fate and having to accept it in order to remain safe in the pack. It's a curse to be trapped here, yet a blessing knowing you're safe.

The pupsitters, Wytho , Crimson Smudge , and Tralula try to explain to the pups their role in all this chaos; their importance. Their innocent minds never comprehend until after they're gone. And those who are blessed enough to stay must bare the same burdens as eveyone else.

" Teircrow , Spagi , head back to the Warriors Hide before going abouts your normal routine. I appreciate the escort and can settle things from here."

"As you wish, Fehu ." , Spagi bowed her head out of respect for her alphas and quietly urged Teircrow to follow closely behind her.

"What's happened to you? You seem on edge."

"Silence. I am perfect." Spy was able to change the subject when an Obsidian pup, stained by Red Carnage markings caught her eye in the feathered nest. She sniffed the air, raising her muzzle high. "Who's pup is that?" She slightly lifted her right paw and scraped the dirt in the direction of the fragile young pup.

"Oh, she is the offspring of Loch Ness , the one to be sent to Sahlo Folina . She gave birth just this morning."

"The Isabella colored she-wolf? How did she bare such a scarlet pup?"

"The genes of yours truly shine strong in that one."

"Is she aware the fate of her pups? How many has she bared?"

"Two this breeding season, and I believe not. Those in the Send-Off Shelter are pretty left out on our journey. She does know, however, with all these new pups and wolves coming and going we have no space for offspring once they've come of age."

"How long until she sets forth for Sahlo Folina ?"

"Unsure, many moons from now I assume. Mercy is still gaining territory; but her pack grows quickly, she should be ready to take on new recruits within the next new season. I can send Teircrow off to the Mountains to speak with her, get an estimate."

"Do that. And send that pup to my Grotto, I will raise her. Loch Ness knew breeding with you would give me rights to her pups. She'll get over it."

"Yes, I will bring her to the Grotto once weaned. Now, can we -"

"No. Be off, these pups should get to know their father. And as for that one, tell Loch Ness her name shall be Selmia . In honor of the Hero, she should be pleased." With a flick of her tail she marched back to her Grotto, eager to raise the new puppy. Her dream is much closer now. Her pack is heading in the right direction, and soon - so soon - will be ready to strike.