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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 18:23:13 GMT -5
Rakil fell to the ground exhausted, running always wore him out. 'Oh well, not like there's anything else to do.' He thought to himself. Panting, Rakil hoisted himself back onto his weary legs. 'Now where in the blazes did father get too? He promised to tell me more about the furless place.' He sat off at a slow lope, hoping to find his father before the sun got any higher.
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 19:02:22 GMT -5
The ebony wolf had scented water awhile back. He had skirted the edges of the hot lands trying to avoid the hot sun by traveling at night, but as he had readied himself to sleep the day away, he had caught that elusive wet smell. The sun was rising higher in the sky now, he'd been running for what seemed like hours, but that was just because the land seemed so much the same. He would pass a cactus or scraggly shrub, but they all looked the same. Cassius wasn't meant to live in the desert, he had realized that much. Panting with each strong stride, he noticed a faint glare off the sand in the distance. It took him a minute to grasp that it was the sun glinting off water and not sand. He'd been disappointed before by the heat waves rolling off the scorched land when he had first entered the desert. It caused wolves to see things, but this time he was sure. His nose was never wrong. Turning his muzzle to the wind he inhaled deeply...and immediately went on the defensive. There was another animal nearby, a wolf or dog, but one that he'd never encountered before. Acknowledging that he was downwind, he let out a howl of greeting to make the other wolf aware of his presence. No sense in starting an unnecessary fight.
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 19:17:31 GMT -5
Rakil stopped at the sound of a howl. 'Another wolf? Here?' Rakil howled back. He'd never met another wolf. Rakil turned towards the sound and set off with a renewed vigor. Loping along, Rakil saw the black wolf on the horizon. 'Black? Oh no, not black!' Rakil skidded to a stop, and immediately began to backpedal from the shadow. 'Must find father! Must find father!' Rakil began sprinting with all his being, for the river, and the safety of the oasis and family beyond. 'Why is it that when I finally see a wolf, it has to be black? Father says black is bad luck, black is death!' Every bone and muscle screamed for him to run, so he did. As Rakil ran on his muscles protesting from the strain, he risked looking at the wolf of death.
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 19:28:14 GMT -5
Cassius picked out the wolf that was traveling toward him. Drawing in another breath, he started a second howl only to choke it off. Shockingly, the wolf had scooted around and ran with its tail between his legs. Surely, this wasn't the normal reaction for wolves. Where was it going? Figuring that it wouldn't hurt to pursue since he was heading in that direction anyway, Cassius increased his speed and began catching up with the smaller, slower wolf. The sand kicked up from under his paws, falling in small showers behind him. The sun was blazing now, and Cassius could feel it sapping his strength. There were downfalls to his midnight fur, it absorbed heat and made Cassius feel dizzy. His left front leg faltered in a snake hole, and Cassius went down with a dull thud. Yelping in pain, he dragged himself up onto his haunches and licked his paw. It twinged horribly, and he let out a low whine. 'I was so close...' he thought.
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 19:40:13 GMT -5
Rakil was startled to see the beast's wicked speed. 'No, no, no. Must go faster.' Pouring every ounce of strength into his limbs he reached the edge of the river. 'Not much farther.' Rakil looked back at the wolf again. 'Odd. You'd think death would be a bit more... graceful.' At this, Rakil began yipping loudly with laughter at the fallen wolf and hisself. 'Death, yeah right. There I go again.' Taking a few laps of water Rakil, feeling revitalized, jumped into the river. Climbing out he trotted cautiously over to the black wolf. 'It's just another wolf... Wow.' Rakil began circling this creature, examining it from every angle. 'Interesting, a bit mangy though. "You seem kind of scruffy to be Death. Does Death need some water?" Rakil asked of this strange being shaking his soaked coat.
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 19:52:35 GMT -5
Cassius was taken aback for a second. "Well, you're downright cheeky! I am not scruffy." Stopping to lick his paw again, he took in the small wolf. "What are you? You're kind of small to be a wolf, but that's what you smell like..." Tentatively stepping down on his foot, he shifted a little bit of weight on it. It still throbbed, but he could manage to make it down to the water. Taking the risk of turning his back on the stranger, he limped down to the waterside and dipped his head to drink. In between slurps he muttered, "What is with this bizarre wolf, first he's coming, then he's going, then he's just mouthy." Continuing his grumbling, Cassius sank to the ground and rested his head on his good paw. A tiny scorpion crawled by his leg and he blew it away with a snort. He hated the desert and all of the weird animals in it. Perhaps after he rested a bit, he should start traveling again. But, in what direction? Cassius locked his liquid gold eyes upon the quivery looking wolf. "What way is the fastest out past the hot lands?"
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 20:06:43 GMT -5
"Cheeky?" Rakil cocked his head to the side. "What is this cheeky?" Rakil pranced around Cassius as he headed to the river. "Small? What am I? Who... What... Where you born yesterday?" Rakil asked incredulously, "I am an Indian wolf!" he said indignantly. Rakil chuckled to himself at Cassius' mutterings. Poking at the scorpion, he looked at Cassius when asked directions. "Um... I don't know." He perked up as a familiar howl came up in the distance across the river. "Father!" Not even bothering a second-glance at the strange wolf, Rakil dived straight into the river. Reaching the other side, he turned to the black wolf. "You coming?" Rakil kicked himself mentally, 'Duh, bad foot.' He jumped back and swam to Cassius. "Do you think you can make it? We have food..." He nudged Cassius. "Truth is... I've never met another wolf." He looked Cassius in the eyes. "Please come. I'll help you cross the river."
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 20:15:54 GMT -5
His pride somewhat injured by his fall, Cassius shook his head. "I can make it across just fine without your help." Wading into the water, he lunged off with his back feet and started paddling. His head kept dipping under the water, for his left paw couldn't keep him above the surface. Finally, he made it to the other side, and gave himself a shake, spluttering water out of his nose and mouth. Droplets landed in the sand soaking in, and making dark splotches across the ground. Still trying to maintain his dignity, Cassius raised his tail in a haughty gesture and glared down his nose at the over-energetic wolf. "Which way are we going?" He couldn't see anything that looked like shelter. Sighing to himself, he figured he could put up with the annoying little insect of a wolf if food was in the bargain.
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 20:25:56 GMT -5
Rakil watched as Cassius swam across. Catching up to him, he continued his stream of words. "Are all wolves like you? You seem... arrogant." He started off away from the river. "This way, this way." Setting a leisurely pace, Rakil started towards his home. Stopping he listened as his father's howl rose above the sun-baked earth. As his father's voice faded, Rakil answered with his own, rather high-pitched howl in return. "So... It just occurred to me, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet." Rakil set off again to the copse of trees the had shown themselves on the horizon. "I'm Rakil. What's your name, and what are you anyways? I mean, you're obviously not Death."
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 20:38:35 GMT -5
"Arrogant?" Cassius snorted, "I wouldn't say that, it's natural wolf pride...why am I even bothering." Cassius fell into step beside him still favoring his left paw. It wasn't easy walking in the sand, he kept sinking, and the grains were chafing his pads. He would be a happier wolf if he never met up with sand again for the rest of his moons. Sighing to himself, he made his introduction, "I'm Cassius, of the no-pack and I'm quite obviously not death..." Something clicked in Cassius's mind. "Ah, that's why you were running! I'm actually of a branch of gray wolves known for their darkest ebony fur." Glancing over his shoulder he took in his own appearance. Sand coated his legs in a shell-like hardness, and dusted the rest of his body in an burnt orange cloud. Cassius sighed to himself yet again, "Well, I'm supposed to be black but this sand takes away it's beauty." Noticing the trees, he pointed with his muzzle. "Is that where we're going?"
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 20:50:42 GMT -5
"Yes, it is where we are going. My parents live there." Rakil stepped into the small copse of trees. Small, dead hares were in the middle of the trees. Two more wolves lay next to the pile. One male, one female. Both raised to their feet hackles raised at the entry. Rakil growled in return. "Mom, Dad this is a guest. His name is Cassius. Cassius, this is my mom Sicey, and my father, Leroy." Rakil skipped to his parents in glee. After a short wrestling session, Rakil strode to the small pile. "It's not much, but it's lunch." Rakil began tearing into the nearest hare. "Yum. Dig in." He said motioning to Cassius. "Thanks for lunch., Mom, Dad."
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 21:03:25 GMT -5
Bowing slightly to the reclining wolf mates, Cassius moved over to one of the hares. Picking it up gently in his teeth, he scooted as far away from the rest of the wolves then crunched down on the prey's body. The sweet scent of blood filled his nose, and he swallowed greedily. Spitting out a tuft of fur, he finished off the rest of the meager meal with a single gulp. After going so long without food, even a tiny hare such as that made him feel revitalized. Making a swift prayer to the hare's spirit, he flashed a quick look over at Rakil and his parents. Cautiously he lowered himself onto his stomach and rested his head on his paws. He flicked his paw, and found that it had mostly recovered. He could continue on once dusk set in. Mustering his courage, he spoke, "Leroy, Sicey," he nodded to each as he said their name, "I've asked Rakil if he knew the best way to travel from here across the hot lands. He said he didn't know, and I'm curious if you have any suggestions." He cocked his ear forward to hear their answer.
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Post by Alexander Rakil on Jun 30, 2008 21:15:28 GMT -5
Leroy raised his head, "The best way?" Leroy chuckled. "The best way is back the way you came. But, if you really want to... I'd say, go follow the river west as far as possible. Drink as much as you can, and travel at dark. As for when the river ends, I can't help you other than that." Leroy lowered his head.
Sicey looked at Leroy. "Yes, I'm afraid my mate is right. That's the best you can get." Her ears perked with an idea. "But, perhaps if you take Rakil with you..."
Rakil looked up. "Really?"
Leroy nodded, "It's true, he's an excitable one. He's always wanted to get away, and he's more than smart when it comes to the hot lands. If you want a companion for the trip, go on and take him. It'll do him some good to get out of this place."
Rakil looked at Cassius. "Can I Cassius? Please. I promise I'll keep my mouth shut, and... and I'll be a big help. Please!" Rakil tryed to keep the pleading out of his voice, but failed miserably.
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Post by Dezari on Jun 30, 2008 21:41:13 GMT -5
Trying to ignore the pleading of the yappy wolf, Cassius rolled his eyes. "I suppose it would be best to take him at least as far as the edge of the western forest." A grin slid across his face, "But then he'll be in my type of terrain. I know woods, and how to hunt and travel in them. But I'm saying this now, any more of this incessant chattering and I'm leaving you stranded!" Cassius gave one more polite bow to the wolf mates and headed back to the river. Gauging by the sun which was making it's way down in the sky, he pointed his nose toward it and followed along the shore.
A few days passed with first Rakil leading the way during the night and teaching Cassius the ways of the desert. At times, Cassius felt the need to tear his ears off, because the silly wolf pup wouldn't stop talking, but after a time he became used to it, even enjoyed it. The sand gradually turned to dirt, then patches off grass sprouted up. When Cassius caught sight of the towering trees in the distance, he adjusted his course to start going northeast. He knew that if they continued they would pass over the middle field and reach the ghost town that he had heard of. A place where dogs ruled and wolves were scarce. A place that held his curiosity.
They now traveled by day and Cassius imparted his knowledge of the grassland ways. Things worked similarly here as they did in the forest. More time passed and concrete and asphalt started crossing their paths. Cassius knew they had reached the outskirts of the ghost town.
Enter the Outskirts of Town.
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