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Voicing her displeasure after colliding into Jak's back when he stopped unexpectedly, Airy began, "What the ...", but Jak turned and covered her small snout with his large paw.

"We are not alone. Voices. Stay quiet," he whispered harshly into her ear as he dragged the uncomprehending and struggling Rabbit behind a huge fallen tree where he made her crouch down with him out of sight.

They were on their third day of trekking across Winter Pack territory. Jak was not sure how far it was to the Elv, maybe two or three more days of hiking. Until today, they had seen no signs of others, but yesterday, Jak found a trail made by people. He saw no recent signs of passage, but avoided using the path and tried climbing higher into the mountains where people seldom went. This strategy resulted in slower northward progress as he was forced to move down again to the east each time they encountered a vertical walled valley carved by the glaciers that ruled the higher altitudes. The detour to find a lower elevation, more gradual slope into the valley was sometimes several miles. Invariably, when he moved back upslope on the next ridge, they would encounter another near vertical drop into the next valley. Not all of the cliffs were vertical nor so high that a careful descent was unthinkable. At one of these locations, Airy, tired of so many seemingly unnecessary miles of detour, suggested that they climb down the rock face.

Unwilling to reveal his secret shame to Airy, Jak adamantly and irrationally refused with no sound reason given. He was mortally afraid of heights, especially the closer toward vertical the slope became. Staring over the edge and imagining himself descending that rock face brought on a horribly familiar and extreme sense of agitation that bordered on panic. Paws shaking and suffering a clutching sensation in his lower abdomen and loins, he had backed away from the edge trying to hide his anxiety from Airy. No one had ever known of his acrophobia, not even Moon. He kept it closeted his whole life, especially when he was the pack's leader. He was determined to keep it secret forever. To cover for his fear, Jak lamely argued they would need to move east anyway before they met the great mountain spur that defined the edge of Cat territory, which would be easier to climb the farther east they traveled. Due to fear and not logic, Jak had given up the high country and moved down to the more easily traveled and hence more dangerous lower slopes. He was ashamed of his self-perceived cowardice and could not forgive the extra peril he had put them in especially now that they were not alone. His shame was driving him to be rougher on Airy than was usual for him.

Airy heard the voices, too, and forgave Jak's forceful handling. The voices were coming from below their position. Jak did not look over the log and motioned for Airy to stay low and still. Only after the Wolves were long gone did Jak finally stir. "We need to move faster and climb up slope again if we can. There must be a trail below us. We do not want to be near trails." Therefore, they went up, but were only forced back down again by the same terrain that was Jak's secret nemesis. Unable to overcome his phobia, he simply pushed on as fast as he could. "The moon is near full, and it looks like it will be clear tonight. The stars will be bright. We should press on without sleep as fast as we can on this easier terrain. Whoever was back there may cross our trail. If they find our tracks, they will pursue us."

Airy did not relish a midnight run, but kept her mouth shut and followed. She trusted Jak to know what was best. It was still difficult to traverse even at lower elevations, but there were no more cliffs. They kept to bare rock whenever they could so they left no trail. Jak had them run up and down creeks and streams to confuse any scent. They went as far as they could at night trying to keep to open ground where the moon and stars would provide them enough light to see. Before dawn of the second day of night running, they were completely exhausted and could go no further. Collapsing quietly in among some boulders, they wrapped themselves together in Jak's blanket and fell asleep. Despite his fear and exhaustion, the closeness and smell of Airy's body was too powerful to ignore. Jak was grateful that he had found the ubrick roots to control his urges. They worked just as Moon had said.

Jak awoke with the dawn after only a few hours of sleep. A beautiful crispness and stillness hung about the land that only seemed to happen at first light. He was still tired, but something had awoken him so he listened and did not move. The peaceful beauty was marred by a fine layer of dust that coated everything including Jak and Airy. With a few seconds reflection, Jak surmised it must be ash from the volcano in the pass. Was that what had roused him from slumber? No. Something else was wrong. His normally keen sense of smell was not helping due to the ash, which threatened to plug his nose and make him hack and sneeze. He was not sure what was amiss until he heard a cough and the faint sound of people moving about. Peeking above the angular boulders in between which they had slept, he saw that not twenty yards away a band of seven Winter pack Wolves were stirring from their sleep and breaking camp. Somehow, he and Airy had managed to sneak almost into their camp and had made their own small camp among them. It was rotten luck, but if they were lucky, this was just a hunting party that would quickly move on. Jak nudged Airy awake covering her mouth so she would make no sound. It was obvious to Airy from Jak's expression that something was seriously wrong. His ears were back tight against his head and his teeth were bared. Airy's ears stood up from beneath the blanket and swiveled about catching the noises of the nearby camp. She decided to stay still and let Jak decide what to do.

There was no way out for them that would not expose them to the Winter pack warriors, so Jak stayed put, quietly listening to the breaking of the camp. The warriors spoke in hushed voices too quiet for Jak to understand what they were saying, but it was becoming apparent that they were about to move on. He dared to hope that they would go unnoticed. He was glad now that he and Airy had bathed and cleaned themselves yesterday. There was less of their scent to detect. The ash was also a blessing because it would foul the other Wolves' noses further as much as it was fouling Jak's.

After about fifteen tense minutes, the warriors began to move off, and Jak was starting to feel some relief when one of the warriors, probably going to relieve himself among the boulders, stumbled upon Jak and Airy. There was a brief moment of tense immobility. Jak quickly covered Airy completely with the blanket. Only her ears had been sticking out when they were discovered. Here among the boulders, her shape under the covering would not appear as anything but a large wrinkled blanket. There were too many warriors to fight, and Jak did not want to kill anyone, so standing, he held up his empty paws to show he meant no harm.

"Greetings, Winter Wolf. I am Jak, formerly White Paw of Blackrock pack." Deciding that a version of the truth would serve him best, he would tell as much of his story as he thought would buy him unmolested passage across Winter pack's lands. The Wolf who discovered their hiding place gazed back with recognition in his eyes, and Jak suspected they had met somewhere before. Certainly that was possible since Jak had had many dealings with Winter pack over the years of his reign, some peaceful and some hostile. Their Chief, Star, and he had worked together to halt the battles and raids against each other that their packs had fought for years.

The warrior who had discovered them, a cream-colored male of maybe twenty seasons with faint black lightning bolt shaped markings, said nothing. Instead, he whistled loudly, and the others quickly surrounded Jak. There were two more males and four females, all younger than Cream, as Jak mentally referred to their discoverer. A ring of spears and arrows soon encircled Jak and Airy's camp. Airy remained motionless and unobserved beneath the blanket. One of the females stepped forward, and Jak surmised that she was the leader. Her fur was almost calico with yellow, black and orange patches blended into a reddish brown background except for her belly and chest, which were pure white. A curious inverted triangle had been scarred into her upper right arm deep enough to make it so the fur would not regrow there. Though long since his people had used that symbol, he knew the sign of the Maker. Jak wondered why Winter pack would be using a motif long discarded by the Wolf people. Taller than even the males, she would be a stunningly beautiful she Wolf except for the seemingly permanent scowl she wore on her face. She was also very young. Jak guessed not much older than three hands of seasons, too young to be leading hunting parties. All of these warriors were teens except for the cream-colored male, who seemed tantalizingly familiar to Jak. Lips pulled back exposing her teeth and tail switching menacingly, the leader demanded, "Who are you, and what business do you have in our lands?" There was no warmth or welcome in her voice.

"I am Jak," he repeated for this new audience, "formerly White Paw, leader of Blackrock pack." There were a few startled gasps from the warriors at the mention of 'White Paw', and the cream-colored warrior seemed to grow more pensive and distracted. "I have lost the challenge, and am a lone wolf. I only ask to be left to die in peace."

"Why here? You are not welcome." If she had any virtues, pity and affability were clearly not among them.

"What is your name? Does Winter pack not teach its pups the customs of first greetings? I have given you mine."

If possible, the she Wolf leader scowled more at Jak's not so subtle insinuation that she and the members of her party were still pups. "I am Autumn. I am the leader of this hunt. Now answer my questions."

"You must know the laws. I could not stay in Blackrock pack territory. I am on my way to the land of the Cats to find my death in combat against our common enemy." This explanation seemed to satisfy most of the warriors, who nodded their heads and wagged their tails in appreciation of this noble pursuit, but Autumn was not to be appeased.

"You are not welcome here in these troubled times. We cannot let you pass."

"Why hinder me? I am no harm to your pack. The laws do not require you to welcome me, but there is no law against letting me go on my way."

Autumn smiled cruelly. "The earth shivers and quakes beneath our feet, and the sky rains earth upon us. The world is changing and the laws are changing with it, Jak. You're coming with us to see the Chief. He'll decide what to do with you."

"Star is wise. He will follow the law."

Autumn bared her teeth in a malicious grin, and Jak wondered how many ways this Wolf could make a smile a threat. "Star is dead. We follow the laws of a new leader."

"Who now leads Winter Pack?"

"We follow Blue."

Jak could not remember anyone named Blue in Winter Pack. Knowing that the longer that they stayed here, the more likely they would notice the blanket and find Airy, Jak decided to execute a distraction. Grabbing the spear that Airy had given him, he used it to vault up on to the boulder upon which Autumn stood. Startled by the suddenness and speed of his act, Autumn was caught unprepared and tried to retreat. Jak caught her by the arm. The others flinched, but none were close enough to stop him, and the three holding bows were afraid to shoot their arrows lest they hit their leader by mistake. Then, to Autumn's even greater surprise, Jak put the spear in her hand.

"I am dead no matter what I do or where I go. Your new laws hold no fear for me. Let me meet your leader, Blue."

Autumn examined the spear's tip of steel. "This is a wondrous weapon. How did you come by it?"

"A bunny gave it to me."

Autumn looked quizzically at Jak, but he only returned her a neutral expression with one enigmatic eye. Unable to determine if he was serious or just being cryptic, and a little bit intimidated by Jak's acrobatics, she gave up and ordered, "Come with us."

His ruse had worked. None of the warriors looked back or said anything about his blanket and kit. Jak hoped Airy would act sensibly and either follow stealthily and keep out of sight or stay here and wait for his return. If she followed and hid near Winter pack's village, they could join up again if he could talk Blue into letting him cross the Elv. If she stayed put, which was also a sensible option, he would come back and find her. There was no reason for Blue not to let him go. These warriors were likely just being cautious because they were so young. Surely, a pack leader would sympathize with Jak's situation. Airy would be much safer trailing behind, or better yet, staying put, until he could find her again. He wished he could tell her to stay where she was, but could think of no way to communicate that to her as he was forced to set out downhill to the northeast at a steady jog. Jak was kept in the middle of the group and no one talked to him as they moved.

As Jak conversed with the bitchy sounding she-Wolf, Airy alternated between fear and anger. She lay under the blankets not daring to move or make the slightest sound. She had drawn her sword at her first awareness of their trouble before they were found. Her muscles ached form lying tense and ready to attack the moment Jak did. She was certain that their only way out of this was to kill the filthy Wolves. So caught up was she in her old ways of thinking of all Wolves as enemies, she did not even note her own hypocrisy. Her paw wet with sweat, she wondered if she could even hold on to the sword when the time came to attack, but that time never arrived. Frustrated when Jak launched himself at Autumn and surrendered, she could only stay still hoping that Jak knew what he was doing. They were his kind after all, she suddenly remembered and was immediately embarrassed that she had been so quick to want to kill them. Jak was treating them as people because they were people. They were not friendly, but that did not mean they had to die.

After they left, and she was alone, she gathered up all of Jak's gear and followed. Thinking it would be best to stay far behind and out of sight and smell, she moved slowly at first until she realized just how much Jak had been holding back his own speed for her sake during their escape from Blackrock pack territory. When she did catch a glimpse of the warrior party, it was across an open valley and they were at least a mile ahead of her, and she was losing ground rapidly. With her small size, armor and the added burden of Jak's gear, it was hopeless for her to try to keep up. Fortunately, the Wolves were following a well-marked trail and were making no effort to hide their tracks, which even Airy could follow in the fine ash layer that covered everything. She just hoped there were no divisions in the trail. If both directions had Wolf prints and she took the wrong way, she might run for miles before realizing her mistake.

At mid-day, she stopped and foraged for food. Jak had taught her what to look for so she would not starve. All the food she found had to be washed to get the ash coating off. As she ate, the desperation of her situation began to overwhelm her. Without Jak at her side, she felt naked and vulnerable. Her battle with the kryfes had made her fear this land. She had come to rely so heavily on Jak's knowledge, skill and formidable presence to keep the dangers at bay. By herself again, she was not sure how long she could survive, and she missed and worried about Jak more than she ever worried about anyone before. Tears poured forth and she wept openly, grateful at that moment to be alone so no one could see her again being so weak. The last time she cried, it had been for her friends and fellow warriors. This time was she crying for herself or for Jak? She was unsure. It felt as if something at the center of her being had been violently torn away. Was it her own personal security, or was it Jak's comforting presence? The crying fit eventually passed as she began to consider how she might reunite herself with Jak. The thought of seeing Jak again made her feel so much better, that it occurred to her that it must be Jak for whom she was crying.

Wiping the tears and snot onto her sleeve, she got up and began walking. She was alone for the second time, but now she had a sense of purpose. Before, when she first ran into the East, she had no goal other than immediate survival. Wandering to an unknown end was all the plan she had. Now she had Jak to find. Each step she took was imbued with motive and intent. Focusing on Jak gave her the will to take each step. Maybe she would even rescue Jak for a change, but first she would have to find him and evade being captured herself. Caution would be needed when she finally found where they had taken Jak. There would definitely be other Wolves present. Staying downwind was her best hope. These wolves could detect even the faintest scents.

She ran more slowly the rest of the trip. She could not possibly catch them anyways, and she did not want to run stumbling into them or their village if she came upon it suddenly. Thus, it was early evening fading to twilight when she found where they had taken Jak. Fortune was with her, and her delay had made this much easier. A bonfire had been lit in the middle of the village alerting her to its presence from afar and providing the gift of the wind direction. The village was a simple layout of an open court that contained a central open court with the bonfire, surrounded by at least a dozen long single story wooden structures with shingled roofs. All of it rested on a flat shelf of rock perched over a lightly wooded slope that descended about a half mile down to a river that must be the Elv. Beyond that, the land rose again up into the northern distance and continued eastward higher than the lands to the south of the river. Airy thought that the other side of the river must be the Cat lands that Jak had called Aserth. Feelings of both dread for what lay on the other side of the river and elation that they had made it this far warred within her.

Circling to the west to keep on the downwind side of the village, she crossed another trail on the western edge of the camp. Ash from the volcano was everywhere, and it was difficult not to leave paw prints. She tried dragging branches behind herself to obscure her prints but only made a wider and more obvious swath. Giving up, she just hoped her small prints were mistaken for that of a Wolf pup.

She kept alert for any sign of Jak as she moved in closer to the camp. The lack of soil kept the trees and shrubs away from the edge of the camp creating an open buffer zone of about thirty yards with no cover. It was a dangerous area to cross because she would be exposed, so she held back as she continued her reconnaissance. Not knowing what else to do when she had reached the edge of the rock platform on the west side of the village, she ran as fast as she could and crouched along the wall of a building next to a pile of firewood. Her heart raced as she listened for the shout of alarm indicating someone had seen her or the trailing cloud of ash she had stirred up. No cry of alert was evident. Emboldened by her success, she wormed between the woodpile and the building grateful at last for her small size. She doubted any but the pups of the Wolf people could fit back here. This thought made her wonder if the pups might use this as a place to play. She hoped not. Killing children, even Wolves would be an onerous duty. Trying to not think about that possibility, she used this space to deposit Jak's bedroll and kit. Carrying it would only encumber her and make her more visible. If Jak and she had to escape without it, that would be a small price to pay as long as they got away.

Creeping to the edge of the woodpile nearest the interior of the village, she was rewarded with an unobstructed view of the central courtyard. Her heart soared when she saw Jak kneeling in the clearing between her and the bonfire. Her elation turned to anger when she saw that he was tied with his hands behind his back with rope that was looped though a hole in a large standing stone of which there were several surrounding the fire. He was facing towards the fire with his back to Airy, so she could not try to get his attention. Wolves were moving about between the buildings. Most of them ignored Jak. A single guard stood watch over Jak, and occasionally the curious pups threw stones or tried to taunt Jak in other ways. Jak ignored them and kneeled stoically, a proud figure despite the recent setbacks in his life.

Too many wolves were about now for her to attempt a rescue. Later, she thought, when the village had gone to sleep and only the one guard was about, she would strike him from behind and would escape into the night with Jak. The river wasn't far. Would the Wolves follow them across the river? She had to hope that they would not venture far into Cat territory based on what Jak had told her of the relations between the Wolves and the Cats.

An hour passed before there was a change in the patterns of movement of the Wolves. More started going in and out of the building she was hiding against, carrying baskets and trays of food inside. Hoping this meant they would be distracted with a feast of some kind, she began to prepare herself for the opportunity to free Jak. The opportunity vanished when a warrior party entered the central clearing led by a Wolf who must be their leader, Blue. He was young, only a teenager and did have distinctive bluish fur, but what marked him as the leader was the manner of the other Wolves who deferred to and made way for him as he led the newly arrived warriors into the village. There was cheering and howling at first from the Wolves in the village, then most bowed low with their tails tucked down and their ears forward as Jak had done when he pledged his loyalty to Airy.

As Blue approached Jak, Autumn came out of the building against which Airy was hiding and ran forward kneeling at Blue's feet in supplication. "Great One," she exclaimed almost reverentially.

"Rise and report," responded Blue, his focus on Jak rather than Autumn.

"We found this intruder in our lands and brought him here for judgment, Holy One. He was White Paw, formerly of Blackrock pack." She left unsaid the obvious implication that Jak was an outcast. The meaning of that did not have to be explained to any of the Wolves.

Blue was discernibly startled at first, and then smiled evilly. Seeing that wicked smile provoked Airy to hate Blue already. He motioned to the two warriors closest to his side. "Bring him inside. Clear the hall. The rest wait outside." Jak was untied from the post and led into the building beside which Airy was hiding. She scrambled quickly back along the woodpile to the back of the building, where she had seen a door covered by animal hides. It was dark now, and the only source of light at the back of the village was what leaked through the hides that covered the entrance. No one was about at the back of the building, so Airy crept to the door and moved the hides enough that she could peek inside.

The entire building was one large room. The floor was of the same rock that lay beneath the rest of the village. A fire burned in the center of the room with the smoke exiting through a raised louvered turret in the ceiling. A throne carved of wood with a back in the shape of large inverted triangle sat on a huge, raised wooden platform in front of the fire. The platform looked to Airy like a stage for actors to perform the dramatic and comedic entertainments that were popular in Rikifur. Even in the grand hall of the king, her father's throne was only two steps above the floor on a small raised dais so that all in the hall could see him when he was seated. She had a hard time imagining Jak as the leader of Blackrock pack needing such an outrageous perch from which to lord it over his people. Blue was alone on the platform draping himself with a robe of colorful red, yellow and blue bird feathers and donning a ridiculous hat made of the same material. Airy thought he looked idiotic, yet with the raiment on, Blue seemed to grow in stature and posed himself as though he was some Maker-like figure. All the other Wolves in the building, except the two escorting Jak, were leaving through the front door. Jak was forced to kneel in front of the stage with the fire at his back as Blue sat himself on the throne.

As this reordering of the occupants of the room was happening, Airy saw her opportunity to get closer. Blue and the warriors were close to the fire and would be blinded by its light. There were enough benches and tables between her and them, that she was sure she could sneak nearer without being seen. Her only worry was that they might smell her. It was fortunate that the benches and tables were heaped with trays of food, most of it cooked meat. The smell made Airy want to retch, but she was grateful for the overpowering odor, which should hide her scent nicely.

Blue made her want to retch also. Something in his demeanor and attitude made her fur stand on end. It was an ill feeling born of some instinctual inner voice that said, This one is rotten. She refused to trust Jak's life to his judgment. Creeping closer as silently as she could, she wished for once to be the inconspicuous and invisible little bunny in the grass. Unseen, Airy hid behind the line of tables nearest the dais.

Jak considered Blue's strange clothing and throne a bizarre vision as Blue sat himself in his high seat. Never before had he seen a Wolf leader dress this way or put himself on a stage above his people. Everything about Winter pack was alien to Jak. The inverted triangle brand was on the arms of both of the warriors who led him into this hall and on the back of the throne upon which Blue sat. Why had Winter pack resurrected it? A cold dread began to seep into his bones as a profound sense of wrongness manifested itself in his subconscious. Standing in front of the stage with his hands still firmly tied behind his back, Jak waited for Blue to speak. A Silence ominous and menacing lingered between Jak and Blue. Jak could think of nothing to say that might improve his situation, so he remained silent letting Blue contemplate his fate.

At last Blue leaned forward and spoke, but in a distracted way as though he wasn't necessarily paying attention to himself or others, all the while not looking directly at Jak but instead upward as though conversing with someone up on the roof. Jak had not thought it possible, but Blue's behavior made the situation even more disquieting. "What is your name? It is not White Paw anymore. I won't call you that."

"Jak."

"Who is the leader of Blackrock pack now, Jak?"

"Ice Eyes."

By the twitching of his ears and more agitated swishing of his tail, Blue did not appear to be happy with this answer. Jak secretly enjoyed his displeasure but let no emotion show. He kept his ears upright and tail still. He would give away nothing. He was secretly grateful for his lost eye. The patch and scars helped hide his facial expressions. Another long pause ensued.

"When did this happen?"

"Last moon."

"Last moon? You have stayed alive that long as a lone wolf?" This slight disruption of normal reality brought Blue's attention back down to earth, and he focused on Jak directly for the first time, drawn by this common bond of strangeness that they both shared. "You intrigue me Jak. Why are you hanging on to what any other Wolf would consider to be an empty life?"

"I'm not. I am going to Aserth to find a worthy opponent and fight my last battle."

"Unusual, but noble. Also wasteful. You are obviously still a formidable warrior. Jak, what if I offered you an alternative to death?"

"There is no alternative."

"Oh, but there is. I can create a place for you in Winter pack."

Jak was so stunned, his ears swiveled forward and his tail moved involuntarily. Swiftly, he returned himself to a neutral posture, but Blue smiled at his obvious reaction.

"I know that you are thinking this is unprecedented, Jak. It's never been done. No one welcomes the lone Wolf." Blue rose from his throne and began to pace slowly back and forth across the stage as he continued speaking while looking upward in his odd distracted way as though there were another presence in the room that only he could see. "We live in times that are both new and old, Jak. Old ways revived by new tidings. Changes are in the air and earth. Why shouldn't I offer you this? You could be a great asset to Winter pack in the struggle to come; the struggle that has already begun."

"What struggle is that?"

Rather than answer Jak's question directly, Blue continued down a parallel line of conversation. "I have just returned triumphantly from a conquest of River pack. They are now a part of Winter pack and the greater army that I am forming to march at the bidding of the Great Maker herself. Those that refused service in this army were killed, but many have joined. The more enthusiastic of these have even been given the mark of Ovia on their upper right arms."

"You dare to speak the name of the Maker after all that our people have suffered, after we turned away from her?"

"Not only speak it, Jak, but shout it with glee. Ovia! Did you think that I was afraid to speak the Maker's name? After all, she is my mother, so why should I fear her?"

"What do you mean she is _your_mother? Surely she is the mother of us all."

"That is true, Jak. I am gratified that you at least recognize that, but I am speaking of a closer bond. A special bond that I alone of all wolves share with the Maker. I am her son by birth, born of her womb and sent here to do her bidding and raise her glory. It is my promise to all the Wolves of this earth that I will bring them all closer to Ovia to join with her and recreate the paradise that we lost so long ago."

_"Was he insane?,"_thought Jak. It was uncommon for any of the People to be crazy or severely mentally deficient, but it did happen sometimes. Usually it was due to some kind of head injury or a severe illness, but very rarely Wolves could be born with these problems. Jak wondered which were the causes of Blue's delusions. Did the other Wolves of Winter pack believe this? "What proof is there of your claim to divinity?"

Blue paused in his pacing, irritated by Jak's impertinent question. His ears twitched then lay back slightly as his lips parted to reveal his teeth. It was for a brief moment only before he quickly composed himself, never looking directly at Jak during this episode. In answer to Jak's inquiry he said, "I was found as an infant pup wrapped in furs high in the branches of a tree just beyond the limits of this village. No females had been due to deliver, and there was no sign or scent of other Wolves in our lands. Who but the Maker could have put me there? Even the color of my fur is unique among wolves. I wandered on my own for years after I became a warrior to lands beyond Olchanth. How many of us can survive such self-imposed exile, eh Jak? I learned much from the other packs and the other Peoples. Most importantly, I found communion with Ovia and now understand my place and the special role that I have to play in the ascendance of our people.

"Since my return to Winter pack, I have demonstrated the gift of prophesy. I predicted the trembling of the ground and the inversion of heaven and earth. You have seen how the earth has rained from the sky around us. I predicted the death of our pack elders including our last pack leader, Star." Blue walked forward to stand at the edge of the platform directly above Jak. "These are signs, Jak, warnings and portents of change. Ovia has put me here as her instrument to shape and guide these changes over all of the earth. The Wolf people will rise to the glory that has long been denied us and take dominion over all of the earth's peoples as was Ovia's original intent."

That bizarre monologue confirmed it for Jak. Blue was a lunatic. There may have been some kernel of truth to his stories and prophesies that made believers of some, but now they were probably just exaggerated legends made dogma. Reasoning that it would do no good to try to convince Blue that he was deluded, he searched for more information instead. "How do you plan to take dominion over the entire earth?"

"Simple. We conquer. Nothing can stand before us with the might of the Maker at our back. I have this day returned triumphant from conquering River pack. Soon we will attack Blackrock pack and conquer them also." Jak couldn't help but lay his ears forward and snarl at this statement. Blue continued as if he hadn't noticed. "We have made ourselves weak for too long with pack fighting pack. The time for unity has come. When all the packs are merged together under Ovia's glory, we will be strong enough to conquer the other peoples, too. We shall be like the avalanche, unstoppable, overwhelming and absorbing everything in our path." Turning towards Jak and pointing a claw his way, he exclaimed. "You can be a part of that avalanche, Jak. I don't think that it is coincidence that you are here today. The Maker threw you out of Blackrock pack and sent you here to help with this holy quest. Join us. You can turn the tide in the next battle to come, for you are knowledgeable in their strengths and weaknesses."

"You ask me to fight against my own people, my own son?"

"They're not your people anymore, Jak. They cast you out. Winter pack can be your pack now. We can be your people. One day all Wolves will be of the same pack and you will be reunited with your Blackrock kin again. Is that not worth fighting for, Jak?" Knowing what Blue said about his banishment was in principle true did not make it right for Jak. He could not betray his own family and former people to this mad Wolf even for the chance to be with them again. Though he was now of Rikifur, his feelings for Moon, Ice Eyes and the others of Blackrock pack had not diminished with distance or time.

Sensing Jak was not immediately accepting of this proposal, Blue tried another tack. "This is something greater than one pack, Jak. Pack and family are of no importance compared to the divine tenets of the Maker. Ovia is the mother of us all, and she only wants us to all be one family again. You have only to say 'Yes' so you can do your part to help complete her plan."

"Never!" he shouted and his ears swiveled forward, his lips curled back to expose his teeth, and the hackles on his neck and back stood up to project the most defiant posture he could. "Though no longer my pack, I will not help destroy what I so long worked and fought to build. Now let me go on my way to die as I see fit, happy in the knowledge that Ice Eyes and his experienced warriors will destroy any force you send their way."

Blue said nothing and showed no emotional reaction at first, then merely frowned. Turning his back to Jak, he strode to his throne and sat down. In an emotionless voice he continued, "I am sorry to hear you say that, Jak. I am also sorry that I cannot grant your request to leave this place alive. By denying me, you are denying Ovia and thus have become an abomination. You must die. Now." Blue made a subtle dismissive paw gesture to the guards, and one forced Jak to his knees while the other hefted a large club with a rounded stone secured at the end.

Airy had been poised and ready to act, sensing the tension growing in the air coupled with her visceral distrust of Blue. Springing from her hiding place, she rushed the guard with the club from behind. Intent on running him through with her sword, it suddenly occurred to her that Jak might be upset if she killed one of his own kind, and Jak's feelings were now important to her. Redirecting her blade while jumping onto the stage, her sword cut through the shaft of the executioner's club, causing the heavy stone end to strike him on the head. Silently, he crumpled to the floor. To herself, she thought that might have killed him anyway, but it was the best she could manage now that the thrill of battle was upon her.

Seizing the opportunity, Jak pushed back violently, ramming the back of his head into the other guard's snout forcing him to reel backwards with a grunt and a bloody nose. Jumping and looping his arms under his feet, he brought his tied paws forward and swung his fists around into the dazed guard's abdomen driving all the air from his lungs. Swinging hard again with the sides of his paws, he slammed against the side of the guard's, head and dropped him to the ground senseless. Fumbling for the guard's knife, Jak worked to cut his tightly bound wrists.

Airy was already on the platform charging at Blue, intent on killing what she considered to be the greatest threat to Jak, the Wolf that had ordered his death. She would offer no mercy to this one. Despite the awkward cape and hat, Blue was able to leap from his throne and dodge Airy's wild attacks and simultaneously retrieve from behind the throne the spear that she had given Jak. The weapon gave him a length advantage, allowing Blue to keep Airy at bay for a short time until Airy chopped the edge of the spear off near the tip of the shaft leaving him with only a staff with which to defend him.

"Crazy, dog" she spat at him. "Jak is my friend, and my ..." She almost said 'lover', but corrected herself, "... and a warrior of Rikifur. You have no right to judge him, but I'm going to send you to the feet of your Maker for judgment." Lunging, she sought to get inside his staff and plunge her sword into his cowardly belly, but try as she might he managed to deflect her swings and even got a few light hits on her with the staff. As big as he was and with better reach, Airy still had the advantage with her years of training and the better weapon. She knew she would get him eventually. Releasing the rage that was making her fight stupidly, she let her training take over. Remembering how to fight against a larger opponent like the bucks of the Rikiguard, she soon had his stick cut down to the size of a kit's play sword and had cut him in several places. Finally, Airy managed to pin Blue with his back against the throne, leaving him nowhere to dodge and run.

She had him at last, though instead of fear, Blue simply leered at her with triumph in his eyes as she prepared to finish him off. The bastard really is crazy, she thought as she lunged at him only to have her sword arm yanked backward and pinned behind her back as she was pushed to the floor of the wooden platform. Hitting her head hard with a knee in her back, she was stunned for a moment, and her vision blurred. Her sword was taken away. Jak's worried expression at the edge of the platform was the first thing she saw as her vision cleared. He was being held by two more warriors neither of which was the executioner or the one who had initially been holding him kneeling before the throne. Yanked back to her feet she was shocked to be thrown off the platform and caught by a third Wolf warrior who deftly contained her struggles and pinned her arms behind her back. Now Jak and Airy both faced Blue from the floor looking up to him on the podium. Airy smiled at the blood dripping from several wounds on his arms and side and because his ridiculous cape was slashed. Best of all she had stepped on his stupid hat during the fight and made it unwearable. Blue retrieved the hat and inspected its ruined shape.

Autumn was the warrior who had thrown Airy from the platform. Noticing Blue's wounds, Autumn showed genuine concern. "My Lord, you are injured. Should I get the healer?" Blue looked at himself as if noticing the injuries for the first time. The pain expressed itself to him at that moment and he staggered back a few steps. He required help to be seated on his throne by the calico warrior.

"Yes. Get the healer," he said in a voice weary with pain and fatigue. Autumn showed submission and then turned to go. Before leaving, she fixed Airy with a glare of the purest hatred Airy had ever witnessed, leaving her with no doubt that this she Wolf would kill her without remorse the first chance that she had. Returning the glare as best she could to convey the same hatred she felt in return, Airy knew that she now had a personal enemy. It was a new experience that drove a lust to kill she had never experienced before even in battle.

When Autumn was gone, Blue spoke again in his eerie distracted manner and as though nothing had happened. "What is the bunny doing here, Jak?"

Jak wrestled with whether or not to tell the truth. At this point, he doubted it would make much difference either way, but he tried to think of the best course to attempt to win their freedom. With Airy present, it was too late to sacrifice himself to save her. Now that she was here, he felt the need to protect her. She was impetuous and reckless. Her arrogance was no doubt responsible for her thinking that she could barge in here and rescue him. Yet in truth, she had rescued him even if only temporarily. He was seconds away from having his skull fractured when Airy had charged. Jak turned his good eye to Airy and met her gaze. She looked back at him with intense fondness and smiled. That smile broke the lock on his heart and opened within him a flood of emotions. It was love that he was feeling and he knew it. More so than the simple love of a warrior for a respected leader or even a close family member. With the exception of Moon, he had never felt like this for anyone, but the rush of emotion was unmistakable. He would do anything to save her, to have her. He still felt restrained by the need to keep her chaste, but was now convinced that was a battle he would lose if Airy ever requited his love. H now understood his true feelings for Airy. If only he had not wasted the time they had had together before discovering it. His mind worked hard to think up a lie that would let them live. Perhaps he could agree to help Blue, and then betray him later and escape.

That opportunity passed when Airy chose to speak. "I am not a bunny, you jackass. I am Airiphryone, Princess of Rikifur. We are the Rabbit people and are no more bunnies than you are dogs. Jak and I are travelling together to return to my home. Jak is a warrior of Rikifur and I am his Captain. He will not help you without my leave, and I won't give it."

Blue focused on Airy as she spoke, but seemed reluctant to talk to her directly as if she were some outrageous monster from legend. Instead, he focused his inconsistent attention on Jak. "Is this true, Jak?"

There was no point in lying now, so he answered truthfully. "Yes."

Blue's attention returned to the heavens. "I misinterpreted these signs, but the truth is revealed at last by the Maker. I now see why my Mother sent you here. You are a worse abomination that I thought. Consorting with this creature from a race that drove us from our homelands and upset the natural balance between predator and prey is unforgivable, Jak." He motioned to the guards. "Tie them back up outside and post a guard. Make sure the bunny has no more weapons hidden on her." Autumn returned with an elderly female wolf who must have been the healer. To Autumn, Blue said, "Gather all the Maker marked warriors from River pack and bring them here. We will have a great feast and a sacrifice to the Maker as soon as all are assembled."

They took Airy's armor and weapons and left her with nothing to wear but her pants. The Wolves thought nothing of her being topless. To Airy it was embarrassing, and she could do nothing to hide her breasts with her hands tied behind her back and looped through a hole in one of the damned standing stones that was heavier than she. Sensing her embarrassment, Jak avoided looking at her as much as he could and only made eye contact when he did. She adored him all the more for that small act of chivalrous courtesy.

The cream-colored warrior with the lightning bolt stripes who had first discovered them was made to guard them for much of the night. During Cream's shift, Jak remembered where he had met this warrior before. "Hello, Bolt," Jak said, hoping that he could manage some kind of escape through his familiarity with this Wolf. The guard's tail twitched in an agitated way. Even Airy could see that he was made nervous by Jak's greeting, yet the guard said nothing. Jak pressed harder. "Is all of Winter pack so rude and uncivil that a warrior who owes another his life would not even great that other?"

Finally responding in an urgent whisper, he tried to hush Jak. "Quiet. Do you want to get me in trouble?" Listening to make sure that no one heard, even though the village was asleep, he continued in the same quiet voice, "I do remember you, White Paw. I don't care if I'm not supposed to call you that. You spared my life when you didn't have to, when we raided your village to steal mates. I owe you my life."

"If I remember correctly, you had your eyes on a particular female, and she had eyes for you."

"And I have you to thank for letting her come with me after the battle. You didn't have to grant me that boon. For that, I am doubly in your debt. We've been very happy together and have four strong pups." The proudness he felt was evident in Bolt's voice.

"I am happy for you, Bolt."

"I wish I could feel the same for you, White Paw."

Jak almost corrected Bolt to tell him that White Paw was dead, but decided that perhaps Bolt had more fondness for White Paw than Jak, so he let the moniker stand. Bolt became more agitated as the silent moment stretched longer. Airy thought he was about to wet himself he was shifting back and forth so much wrestling with some inner turmoil. Finally, having made a decision, he knelt next to Jak to whisper in his ear, apparently headless of the potential danger that Jak posed to him even while tied to a rock. Airy had to shift her position and strain to hear what he said, and wondered why Jak didn't attack Bolt. She was sure he could do it even in his current fettered state. She was too far away to hear all that they said, but thought she understood the meaning of their conversation.

"I want to help you, White Paw, but if I do, my family will suffer. I can't just let you go." Jak remained silent trying to understand where Bolt was going with this. "There are others besides me in Winter Pack who do not ..." he seemed to search for the right word "... accept Blue's rule and how he came by it."

"How did he come by it?"

"That's a story, White Paw. On Blue's warrior naming day, he announced that he was going on a quest, and left the pack and headed east immediately after receiving his warrior name. I think we all assumed we would never see him again. No one really cared that he left, since he had no parents and had never become close to anyone. He was like a lone wolf, Jak. A lone wolf that didn't mind being alone. It wasn't natural. He suddenly returned about a year ago, and wouldn't say anything about where he had been or what he had done. He was still part of the pack, so we let him back in, and things went back to normal. He acted strange and said crazy things, and most everyone ignored him. Some, Like Autumn and other young warriors listened and began to follow him around forming a little pack within the pack.

"All of the elder's died, suddenly, the day after the earth shook violently and ash rained down from the sky. Blue had made many outlandish predictions over the last year. I suppose earthquakes, deaths, and strange things from the sky were some of them. He made so many, who could remember them all? Most of us just ignored him thinking he was addled in the brain. There was no doubt he was unusual, especially his birth. Who knows what happened to him before he was found wrapped in hides in the tree? We always assumed there was just something wrong with him." Bolt paused, and looked about again to make sure they were not overheard as if what he was saying was blasphemy. "Some of us think he killed the elders somehow, maybe poison. It was just too convenient. With no obvious leader waiting to step in, Blue began to proclaim his divinity and his unusual birth as proof. In addition to the recent fire in the sky and ash raining down, Winter pack had been suffering for the past year. Prey have been dwindling and getting scarcer. In an effort by Star and the other elders to claim more hunting territory, many of our pack had been killed in reckless raids against the Cats. Many of the seasoned warriors who were more than six paws of fingers old had been lost in these attacks. That is why we had so few elder warriors to begin with. I am just under the age of six paws, and am now the oldest in the pack. If I had been a season older, would I be dead now?" Jak didn't answer, waiting for Blue to continue.

"A village was set up on the other side of the river a few months back, and one night everyone in it just vanished. We never even found their bodies. Damn the Cats. The people were scared, White Paw. Blackrock pack was too strong to fight, and we faced a standoff in our raids of River pack land. The people were losing hope and confidence in themselves. Winter pack was looking for something to believe in. Blue gave it to them. He never actually claimed the title of Pack leader. Instead, he resurrected the old beliefs from before the exodus from the West, and his following of devotees branded the symbol of the Maker on their arms."

Jak had noted that Bolt did not have the symbol on his arm. "Why not you?"

"Those of us who still ... aren't sure about Blue have not allowed ourselves to be branded. There are ceremonies, White Paw, with music and singing. Blue appears and vanishes in clouds of colorful smoke and he seems to be able to control the color of fire. It's all very exciting and mesmerizing. People fall down and have fits and then rise to proclaim that they have felt the spirit of the Maker. Some of us have not felt the spirit." Bolt seemed almost ashamed when he said this, but then continued with more resolve. "Some of us believe that there is no spirit. The temptation to fake it is too great. I was tempted until I learned the secret of Blue's magic. I can tell you about that later, but you need to know your danger. There will be another ceremony as soon as the branded River pack warriors arrive the night after tomorrow. I think that if I don't accept the spirit then, I will be in trouble. Blue and Autumn have been watching me. Blue plans to sacrifice you and the Rabbit to the Maker then. Blue is going to eat her, White Paw. He says it is the natural order of predator and prey. This has been forbidden in our pack for many generations."

The thought of Blue eating Airy enraged Jak. "Cut me loose, Bolt. Come with us. You are a good warrior. We can use your help. Airy, the Rabbit, and I are traveling to Rikifur. I'm sure you will be welcome there."

"I can't, White Paw. My family is here. I can't leave them to this perversion, fakery and madness."

"Then why are you telling me all of this?"

Bolt paused again and rocked back and forth on his heals obviously distressed over how to explain his thoughts to Jak. "I ... I think you can help us, White Paw."

Jak looked over his shoulders at his tightly bound wrists skeptically. "How?"

"You know the traditions. A pack leader is selected in a challenge. Blue has never been challenged nor has he taken the title of Pack leader. He is called 'Holy One', 'My Lord' and other ridiculous titles, but not pack leader. Many still long for the old ways and the old laws. I suspect even Autumn would not follow Blue if he lost in a fight. Right now, his devotees think he is invincible and immortal. This lucky surprise attack on River pack has only made his position stronger. If someone beat him in a challenge, then all would know he is not divine. If only the bunny ..." Seeing Jak's frown and exposed teeth he corrected himself "... if only Airy had killed him, we could have gone back to the normal traditions."

"Then challenge him."

"Me? What if I lose? It would only make him stronger. None of us non-believers are sure we can beat him. Blue acts crazy, but he's good in the fight, White Paw. Very good. He has ways of fighting we have never seen before, and he's fast, but you, White Paw, I've seen you fight. You're the best. You were unstoppable in the fight where you spared my life. The way you jumped out of that hole in which I found you and spooked Autumn was brilliant. I don't know how you lost your challenge. Blackrock must have formidable warriors indeed to have someone better than you, and that has me and the other non-believers worried. Blue thinks that he can conquer Blackrock pack next, but he has never fought your pack before. I have. It will be bad for both sides, White Paw. Pointless slaughter. I don't want to see my pups wasted on another foolish venture like the intrusions into Aserth."

"How can I challenge him? I'm tied up and sentenced to die. Why would Blue risk a fight with me? I can't be your pack leader anyway. It doesn't work that way."

"I know, I know, but Blue is always saying the rules can be changed. I just need to figure out a way to get Blue in a position where you can challenge him. Once the challenge is made, I am sure the pack will not interfere. Some traditions are too powerful to break. The full moon will occur on the night you are to be sacrificed. If you can challenge him and beat him then, the act will be even more legitimate in the eyes of the pack. You just need to kill him, White Paw. With Blue gone, we can end this madness and select a newer, saner leader."

While listening to Bolt, a plan to escape began to form in Jak's mind. Jak knew what was needed to complete Bolt's scheme to dispense with Blue. "Alright, Bolt. I will help you." The relief Bolt felt was evident by his twitching tail and adoring grin. "The whole pack will need to witness this spectacle. I'm going to describe some mushrooms to you. When you are free of guarding me, you can go pick some."

"Why? I don't understand."

"Get the mushrooms. Hide them somewhere. Bring a sample to me tomorrow night. I'll tell you the rest then. You will be guarding me again, won't you?"

"Yes. I have to be here for half the night because I don't have the mark, so I am being punished by Autumn."

"Good. Now I'm going to describe the mushrooms to you very carefully and tell you how to find them. It's important that you get the right ones because many mushrooms look alike and the wrong kind can kill."

After Jak was certain that Bolt knew how to find the mushrooms, there was no more talk, so Airy slept as best she could. The night was horrible. Since she was too far away from Jak to snuggle up against him for warmth, she spent most of the night shivering on the cold rock. The next day was almost worse than the night. It was a hot sunny day, and Autumn was deliberately cruel to her. Food and water were brought to Jak in bowls, but Airy's food was dumped in the ash on the rock and her water deliberately spilled so she had to lap up as much as she could from the ground before it evaporated or seeped into the cracks in the rock. It was hard getting enough without inhaling the choking ash that had not been swept away. Having thought her hatred for Autumn could grow no stronger, Airy was surprised to find her animosity toward Autumn festering and increasing with each passing hour.

Airy was unsure what Jak's plan for escape was, since they were too afraid to talk of it openly. They spent most of the time in mutually agreed upon silence scared that they might accidentally reveal something if they talked. The silence left plenty of time for introspection. Airy thought about her decision to rescue Jak from the executioner. At the instant Blue had said Jak needed to die, there had been no hesitation, no pause to think whether she should commit herself to his defense. The thought of losing him and living without him had been too horrible to contemplate. A primal passion to protect him with complete disregard for her own safety arose within her. She had been too involved in trying to kill Blue to sort out the ramifications of her feelings that led to that decision. Now she knew that her actions had been driven by love. As inexperienced as she was, Airy knew it could be nothing else. The feeling crystalized in her soul at that moment, and she let it suffuse her being with warmth. No one would understand this love. She didn't understand it herself. How could she have become so deeply in love with a Wolf? Just a few days ago, she would have argued that this was impossible. Yet here she was bathed in a feeling so wholesome and complete, that despite her current circumstances, it filled her with a euphoria she had never experienced before. The source of that euphoria was a one-eyed, graying old Wolf named Jak. Airy was prepared to confess her love to Jak before the end if it came to that. She would not die without letting Jak know her true feelings for him. She loved Jak, and nothing could make her give him up, not death, not even being Queen of Rikifur.

[End of Chapter]