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 Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:08 am
 The night was surprisingly warm.
The sun had gone down long ago, but its warmth still clung stubbornly to the earth. It was slightly damp against Rorret's paws, and he lingered on each step to enjoy the sensation.
It had been a very long day, and it was not quite over yet.
The silvery wolf needed little by way of sleep, catching naps here and there as they became available. This was fortunate, as it allowed him time during the day to wander from the pack, completing his errands while the majority of his brothers slumbered in darkness.
Thieving, too, granted him ample excuse to wander. He had brought home enough pups now that his position was guaranteed. Few would be skeptical if he said he was scouting out another potential source for new blood.
Of course, with the pack in disarray as it had been since his childhood, it was possible that no one would notice or care about the wanderings of an omega anyway. But Rorret preferred not to take chances, particularly when his mission was as important and as delicate as this one.
It had been a long day, but it was nearly finished. He had planted many seeds today. Now there was just one more. Plant it. Nurture it. Watch it grow.
"Zarath?" He called softly, into the scrubby brush that made up the young wolf's home. "A word, if you please."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:20 am
 The pup lifted his head from his paws, allowing the touch of a smile to creep along his maw. His tail gave a tiny wag.
Other pups, upon being addressed by an elder member of the Shadowclan, might respond in fear. Not Zarath. He had known nothing but kindness from the wolves here, and their words were filled with wisdom and knowledge. The pup soaked it up like a sponge, every bit of it: The lessons, the advice, the stories, the warnings.
Now Rorret was calling to him, and the pup scrambled to see him, nodding to his big brother. "Yes, Brother?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:25 am
Rorret's paws ached with the walking he had done that day, but he hid his wince as he slid to his haunches and studied the youngster -- looking at him like a mirror that reflected a more perfect image. He could hardly contain his pride at this, his heir, his legacy. Things were going so well. And with just a bit more prodding...
"It seems we're alone for a time," he said, at length. "The others have been called to their various errands. I hear we may be getting new pups, soon. Would you like that, Zarath?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:26 am
Zarath nodded, though his enthusiasm was guarded. Pack members frequently asked questions that were traps, and he had long since learned the sort of double-speak necessary to evade them.
"Growing our numbers would be good." A pause, a glance, watching the other wolf's impenetrable bi-toned eyes for a response. "And I wouldn't mind some company."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:29 am
"I imagine it gets lonely," Rorret agreed. "It was much the same for me, at your age. Though I had even fewer playmates."
Playmates. Mates. Mating. Mustn't give away his secret, though his pride made it difficult to contain. Of all the secrets he held, this was the hardest to hide.
"Zarath, little brother, do you know who I am?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:33 am
Zarath nodded. "You're the traitor's son," he said, and his whisper held a hint of awe.
Zarath had heard all about the traitor, of course. And Danel. He'd heard of Rummy the Usurper, of Loki the king of thieves, Occidio the wild and vicious paw of justice. These and so many more were names carved into his memory by the stories he'd heard -- those told freely, and those he'd wheedled out of the others. All of them wove together to create a tapestry of myth, legend and history that he felt thrilled to be part of, as though he were walking inside of a story book.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:38 am
Rorret smiled. He'd hoped the pup would say that. And with such eagerness, such awe.
"I am indeed." He took a moment to pause, watching the way the pup leaned forward. He had a willing audience here, lapping at his words. "This pack has spent much of its time in search of him. It has torn us apart. We once were mighty, with triple our current numbers. But Danel grew obsessed with finding the traitor, and that obsession was surely his downfall. I imagine, if he were to return, it would have happened by now. Don't you?"
He waited for the pup to nod. He did, as if on cue.
"Some of our brothers, they hold out hope. I understand. But I think it unwise. The wolves who wait for their god alpha are missing the greater picture. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:40 am
Zarath nodded slowly. "Huntmaster Firdaws had a vision," he said, and his eagerness was so complete that it rolled through his body and twitched his tail in a wag. "That Danel spoke to him. That the god alpha is really a god."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:44 am
"Precisely. You don't think that a pack as glorious as this one could be led by a member of mere flesh and blood?"
Blood. He could still taste blood in his mouth, remnants of what he had scattered near that riverbank. Drops of what he had painted when he'd set up that grisly scene. Good thing there had been those extra cloaks to tear and leave behind.
A necessary lie. One of many. But soon enough it would all come to fruition.
But first, another seed to sow.
"I don't think so. I think that there is a god, a true god, and he speaks through the worthy like a conduit. I have felt his presence, nudging me in the right direction. And I'll bet, if you think about it, you have too. A voice in your head, telling you what to do?"
Give name to the pup's conscience. Form it. Meld it. Climb inside of his head while he's young and vulnerable. Soon the power of suggestion will take hold.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:47 am
Zarath gave this serious thought. There was a voice in his head, sometimes, now that he considered it. Like a part of himself that kept him company when he was lonely. That reminded him of things he had forgotten. That told him what he should and should not do.
He nodded. "I think I know what you mean."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:51 am
"Danel heard a voice. It guided him. You can ask anyone -- all will tell you." Rorret had never met Danel in the flesh. He wished he had. From his description, he sounded....fascinating. Insane, perhaps. But Rorret never minded a bit of madness. "What I think, is that voice, that god, he comes to the wolves who are worthy. I think the god-alpha is just a conduit, a tool. It does not end with Danel. The spirit that guides him....well, it will choose another wolf soon enough. And when it does, we will reach our true strength once again."
He met Zarath's eyes.
Planting the seed. Tending the seed. Watching it grow.
If the others believed that Danel was dead, that the traitor was gone...if they could just stop with their infernal, useless quest...then perhaps they would be ready to accept a new leader.
And by then, Rorret would ensure that his heir was ready.
This seed would blossom soon enough, and then it would bear fruit.
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