Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ilyak was the last to leave the stable, and he spotted his mate waiting outside. He gave her a nod and turned sharply, hurrying behind the rest of the pack waiting for Chaos to fall in step behind. Waiting for their hearts to run together with the freedom and untameness of the wolf.

The wolves skirted the top of the hills until they spotted the deer below.
"The Herla are still here." Blith growled.
"Excellent." Ilyak replied. "There is a mist in the valley too. It will mask our presence. Remember, run as a pack."
"Hunt as one." The hunters echoed quietly and they all padded down the hilllside silently. The scene that followed was one of terrible horror to the Herla. As they began to wake, wolves began to pounce upon them from all directions. The deer jumped to their feet and began to scatter instinctively, but there were twenty-two wolves hunting them and the Herla had been trapped. Five of them were taken down, one from Ilyak and Chaos.
"The others got away!" Nicarm exclaimed.
"Leave them." Ilyak ordered, his muzzle red with the deer's blood.
"You know the law, Nicarm. We take only what we need."
"Yes." Nicarm lowered his head submissively to the powerful Dragga.
"Let's take the kills to the village." Ilyak said. The pack is probably up and hungry now.

Luscia lifted her head as her prayer was done.
"Protect us..." She finished and turned her head to hear the village finally bustling with life.

"Yes, my dear." Ilyak replied, his deep voice calm and alluring.
"There's much to do." He nuzzled her neck gently.
"But we'll hunt again later. Just us, if you want."

He looked to Nickarm and motioned with his head.
Nicarm nodded and with the help of a few other hunters, they lifted the Herla onto the backs of two strong wolves. The same happened to eight other of the wolves and the pairs of wolves that carried the deer headed back to the village while the free wolves padded on the outside of the group, protecting their prize.
It was a strange and structured sight, and not the way wolves normally behaved. However the pack was large and had adapted over the many years to better suit their home.

As Luscia padded through town she cuaght a familiar scent that made her heart skip. She lifted her head and perked her ears then headed in that direction. The old wolf's paws padded gently over the carved stone roads as she felt her way through the town.
When she reached the small hut, Luscia poked her muzzle in gingerly and sniffed the air before smiling.
"Good Morning, Lak. May I come in?" She asked softly so as not to disturb the old wolf.

"I never blamed you." Luscia's blind eyes flickered with sadness, indeed she was one of the few who had defended him. Luscia sat down by his side and lifted her head as well.
"Lak...We're the only ones left of the old clan. The ones who blamed you are long gone. The only one who still hangs onto the past is...well...you."

"He had us all fooled." Luscia muttered nodding her head.
"After he cursed us, and dissappeared...I spent years worrying for his return. My worry has whitened my fur and blinded my eyes..."
She sighed.
"We're the only ones left....The only ones with gifts."
Luscia turned to Lak and wished very much to see his face. Luscia ears suddenly laid down flat and she whimpered.

Luscia nodded and nuzzled him. Becuase they grew up together Luscia felt a strong bond with Lak. But deep in her heart she loved him a great deal and had secretly wished that they were mates. Unfortunately...Luscia had another scret too. A deeper secret than anything she ever harbored. Poor Luscia was barren. She could not and would never be able to bare any cubs. No matter how much she loved the cubs in the village, Luscia could never have cubs of her own.
"Defeating Zalk is NOT a burden you bear alone." She said fondly.
"Besides, he has been gone for all these years. With hope, he'll stay gone."