Warclaw (22 page)

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Warclaw walked towards the cave at a slow pace, lost in thought. As he walked he couldn’t help but think about what Wren had said about what Waya was planning for Winter. ‘Three days isn’t that far away. And at midday? Why chose midday of all the times? Although I have to agree that the west side of the forest is the best part of the forest to do it in. What am I thinking? I can’t agree with Waya about this! This is my soul mate I’m talking about! But who will it be that does the deed? With Wren telling me all this information, I am sure it won’t be him that does it, surely?’ Warclaw sighed. ‘Either way I have appointed Wren as Winters main protector. Whichever way I look at it, he is the only wolf that I can trust at the moment to look after her.’ Warclaw thought.

Soon he came to the cave that he wandered to. “Winter? Are you here?” Warclaw asked.

“Yes I am here.” Winter replied, whilst walking out of the back of the cave.

“I’m sorry you had to see what you saw earlier. I know you don’t like what the crystal can do when needed.” Warclaw apologised. “But I have something else I want to discuss with you.”

“It’s alright Warclaw. There was nothing you could have done about not making me see it. I came to make sure that you were okay. And you know it shocks me every time I see what the crystal can do to wolves. So what is it you want to discuss with me about Warclaw?” Winter asked. Smiling at her, Warclaw spoke “I know we have spoken about Wren and appointing him the lead protector. I also know that we said that we wouldn’t talk about it again but there is something that I need to tell you. After what happened today and Wren taking you away from it all, I was very impressed by it all and I have to agree with you. I have spoken to Wren about appointing him as the lead protector, and seeing as he has earned my trust, I am willing to allow it. Now, if you still want him to be your main protector then I shall speak to him and give him the good news tomorrow morning. So what do you think?”

Winter smiled. “Wow. That’s big of you to say that you agree with me on something Warclaw.” Winter laughed. “If Wren has earned your trust then he has mine. It takes a lot to earn your trust Warclaw, so I think he shall be good as my main protector.”

“Good. Then I shall tell him the good news in the morning.” Warclaw smiled, thankful that he had some-wolf that he trusted protecting Winter. Warclaw walked up to Winter and rubbed his nose on hers and started to clean her snow white coat.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest Waya and Wren were talking between themselves. Wren had revealed the news that Warclaw would be making him the main protector of Winter and that their plan was slowly coming into place. Wren told Waya that Warclaw would be telling him in the morning if he definitely has the position or not, but he reassured Waya that he most definitely had got it. This was all they needed to pull off their plan and soon it would be accomplished. “Good Wren. This is going exactly how we planned.”

“It may be Waya but there is something else that I haven’t mentioned.”

“And what’s that?” Waya asked.

“Warclaw wants me to find out more of the
plan
. What do I tell him? I need to tell him something else he will get suspicious.” Wren asked worriedly. This was not what they had planned. They had never expected that Warclaw would want to know more information about the plan. “Hmmm...” Waya said in thought. He was silent for a few minutes before he finally spoke. “When you speak to him tomorrow, you shall have to tell him that
I
plan to kill her the day after and that’s going to be some-wolf close. That way it gives you time to learn their routine and gain a bit more trust. Two days from now and I shall be Alpha!” Waya laughed evilly. ‘And I shall have the crystal.’ Wren thought before speaking. “Yes that is a brilliant idea. I shall do that. Once I am main protector, do you want us to still meet?”

“No. Warclaw will suspect that something is going on. Remember two days from now Winter will be gone. The plan takes place in two days’ time at as close to midday as you can get it. But I want
her
gone before dusk. Is that clear?”

“Yes Waya.” Wren said quickly not wanting to push him.

“Good and then once she is gone we shall meet back here. Clear?” Waya ordered. Wren nodded his head. “Good.” Waya started to laugh and not long after Wren joined in. They laughed together at their plot of the fall of the ‘big bad Alpha’.

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Dawn had come. The sun had awoken from its deep sleep and had started to spread glorious colours across the land. The sky was a bright blue and small white clouds would pass over the sun, creating shadows on the ground. The branches in the trees swayed gently in the cool breeze. The birds sung their glorious morning songs in the trees and as they joined the branches, swaying in the wind, the ground was alive with life. Different animals ran in different directions, going about their daily routine. There birds were dancing high in the sky as they rode on the air currents. The sea rustled quietly in the background and the sound of seagulls screeched in the background, as they looked for their breakfast in the ocean.

Waking up to the sights sounds and smells of a spring morning, Warclaw smiled. He knew that something was finally going in the right direction. Warclaw had got his main protector of his soul mate and it was some-wolf that he could trust. Some-wolf that both Winter and Warclaw could trust and today was the day that they would be telling that wolf that it had got the job. Stretching his legs, Warclaw watched as Winter got up and walked towards the mouth of the cave. Looking out over the den, Winter sat down at the edge of the towering rock. Winter looked down upon the wolves that rushed about below her and she smiled. “You look happy for once Winter. You’re happy that we’ve finally got some-wolf that will protect you from all this hey?” Warclaw asked seeing her smile.

“You could say that. It’s just the relief that I don’t have to worry as much about my own safety. I have some-wolf that I can rely on to protect me from what is going to happen, maybe even pro-long it. I know what is going to happen is inevitable but it would be nice to live out my life you know? But what must be must be. So on this fine day I shall enjoy every minute of freedom that I have before anything else happens.” Winter laughed.

“Well I’m glad you are laughing and smiling again, although I don’t see the funny side of it, I am glad that you do.” Warclaw laughed. “Well today is the day that I said that I would tell Wren that he would be your main protector, so wish me luck and I shall see you later.” Warclaw walked up to Winter and pressed his nose against hers. Winking at her, Winter laughed and smiled as she watched Warclaw run off to find Wren.

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Reaching the training grounds, Warclaw looked around for Wren but he could not see him. Warclaw walked up towards a wolf that was not far from him. “You wolf, where is Wren?” he asked. “I don’t know Alpha, I saw him walking off with Waya about an hour ago.” The wolf replied. “Which way did they go?”

“They headed towards the west side of the forest. I think they were going to do a patrol on the area since that wolf the other day appeared.” Warclaw nodded as he listened to the wolf. Finally he spoke. “Thank you” he said to the wolf before heading towards the west side of the forest. ‘Well that isn’t strange, I have said to guard that area. Maybe Wren is trying to get that information that I wanted. I better head over there just in case.’ Warclaw thought whilst running to that side of the den.

When Warclaw got there, Wren and Waya were sat talking between themselves. They became quiet when Warclaw came walking towards them. “No need to stop your conversation because I have arrived. You don’t have anything to hide, do you?” Warclaw asked jokingly. Wren smiled. “We were just talking about the ambush that we had the other day.”

“Oh were you? So what’s this on the floor then?” Warclaw asked looking down at the map that Wren and Waya had made. “We were mapping out where they could’ve come from. And if they were to strike again, what direction that we could attack from.” Waya said.

“Right and how’s that coming along?” Warclaw asked.

“It’s coming on good Warclaw. Now is there a particular reason to you being here or are you just being nosy?” Waya asked impatiently.

“No need for attitude or to be impatient Waya. Besides if I want to nose no-wolf can stop me.” Warclaw snapped back.

“Not yet anyway.” Waya said quietly.

“I came to talk to Wren. Now if you don’t mind Waya, I would like to talk to him on his own.” Waya sighed before getting up, stretching and walking off, leaving the pair alone. “Now I have some news for you Wren. As I told you last night, I would tell you whether you would have the job of protecting Winter or not. Well me and Winter have come to a decision. However I want to know if you have got any information for me from Waya first. So have you?” Warclaw asked. “I know that Waya is going to kill her tomorrow at around midday. He hasn’t mentioned whom it is going to be, but he has said that it will be tomorrow at midday and that it’ll be some-wolf close. That is all I know. So do I have the job or not?” Wren asked.

“Patience Wren! Are you sure that he didn’t mention who it would be?” Warclaw asked.

“Yes I’m sure Warclaw. So do I have the job or not?” Wren said impatiently. Warclaw nodded in thought. “Thank you for that information. And you do have the job. You start at midday today. I want you to meet me at the cave for then. And don’t be late. I don’t want to go searching for you. I shall leave you to get back to what you were doing before I interrupted you. Don’t be late!” Warclaw said before heading back towards the cave.

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Midday had arrived. The bright yellow ball of fire shone high in the middle of the sky. The sky was bright blue and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Birds flew high in the sky, riding the air currents. The wind was gentle and the trees stood still and the bushes rustled quietly in the background. Birds chirped their merry song in the trees, making the air come alive with sound.

The wolves lay quietly on the ground, letting the wind gently mess with their fur. They lay bathing in the warmth of the sun that was above them. Some of the wolves walked around, going towards their desired destination. Warclaw walked side by side with Winter, taking everything in as they walked. As they strolled around the den, Wren came running alongside them. Looking at Warclaw, Wren spoke “Well here I am. Dead on time! Do you want me to take over?”

“You certainly are on time. Eager are we?” Winter chuckled.

“Oh stop messing with the poor wolf, Winter.” Warclaw laughed. “You may take over from me now Wren. There are some duties that I have to attend to unfortunately. Thank you Wren. And Winter, my dear, try not to be a pain, please?” Warclaw asked.

“When am I ever a pain?” Winter answered sarcastically.

“Very funny. Now you look after her. Anything happens to her and I’ll come for you.” Warclaw growled. “Have fun!” He said before walking off, back towards the training area. Winter looked at Wren and smiled. “Warclaw wouldn’t have chosen this for you if he didn’t think you were untrustworthy or not strong enough.”

“I know I know. It’s just I never know when he’s joking or not.”

“Oh you crack me up.” Winter laughed. “I’ll let you into a little secret.” Wren walked closer. “Neither do I!”

“Oh.” Wren laughed. “Really? But you spend nearly all your time with him.”

“I may spend the majority of my time with him. But it doesn’t mean that I always get when he’s being sarcastic about something or not. Now come along, we also have errands to run.” Winter smiled before walking towards the nursery, with Wren in tow.

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Warclaw leisurely strolled towards the training ground with a smile on his face. ‘This would show Waya who’s the smarter wolf!’ Warclaw thought joyfully to himself.  When Warclaw got to the training ground, the protector wolves were practicing their own set skills and trying to make them more enhanced. Some of the younger wolves that had come of age to join the protectors were slowly learning how to become strong fighters and how to be more efficient at it. The older wolves were showing them how to protect themselves and how to protect their friend in battle. Warclaw stopped and watched as the older wolves trained the young. Seeing that the young wolves were becoming stronger and stronger, Warclaw started to walk over to them so that he could give them some boosting advice. “Willard!” Warclaw shouted. Willard came running towards Warclaw and bowed his head. “Yes Alpha?”

“No need to bow your head at me pup. I came to say how well you are doing and how far that you have progressed since I last saw you!” Warclaw smiled.

“You really think so, Alpha?” Willard asked.

“More than think so, Willard. I know so!” Warclaw laughed as he saw the young wolf’s face lighten up from the praise Warclaw had given him. “Thank you Alpha!” The young wolf jumped up and hugged him. Warclaw was a bit taken aback from the young wolf suddenly jumping up and embracing him in a hug. Patting Willard’s back, Warclaw smiled. It was nice to have a hug from one of the wolves in the pack beside Winter. “You can let go now young one.”

“Oh right. Sorry Alpha.” Willard said before letting go of him.

“You may carry on with your training now Willard, but before you go, could you tell me where Waya is, please?” Warclaw asked.

“Sure. I think he headed for the west side of the forest to check it again. Ever since that rogue, he keeps going over there to check it. May I go now?” Willard asked.