Disclaimer: Ok, I'm gonna say this once. I DO NOT own CoAD, as much as I want to. It belongs to Michelle Paver, kay?

Shaiya

Renn and Torak slunk through the trees, both with their bows drawn. Torak raised his hand to his lips, and motioned for silence. In reply, Renn just nodded her head, and continued to follow him. She found no signs of game. His tracking senses were beyond her belief. Torak motioned to the clearing just to their right, but stopped her when she raised her bow. For she saw a young buck, sleeping.

Suddenly another figure ran through the clearing. It was a human. A girl. Her long, curled blond hair flew behind her, but it was too late for her to run. An arrow nearly missed her, and thudded into the tree right behind her. Renn took action. She ran and found the shooter: a tall man in a black cloak, bow raised. Renn aimed and let an arrow fly, right in between his eyes. He crumpled on the ground, unconscious. Renn turned to her.

"Are you okay?" Renn looked at the girl. She looked about the same age as her, only slightly older, more like Torak's age. Even more like Torak, she had Wolf Clan tattoos. Maybe Torak knew who she was. She was sitting against the tree, panting for breath.

"Yeah… yeah I'm fine." She gasped as she glanced at Torak.

"Torak? Is that you?"

"What, how- Shaiya?" He gaped at her, amazed.

"Oh my gosh! It is! Thank the Spirit! I thought you were dead!" Shaiya exclaimed. Renn caught Torak shake is hair slightly, and his eyes lit up with glee.

"Um…" Renn interjected.

"Oh sorry, Renn." He blushed slightly, and the grin on Shaiya's face grew slightly. "Well, this is Shaiya. We grew up together. She was the best friend I had in the clan."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you Shaiya. I'm Renn."

"Oh, the pleasure's all mine. So, you're Raven Clan, I see." She said with a slightly fake grin. "Torak, do you remember when you used to make fun the Raven Clan? Saying-"

"No," said Torak a little too fast, which made Shaiya's grin grow even bigger. He changed the subject as quickly as he could.

"So, what are you doing here? Our clan can't be that close." As Torak said 'our clan' Renn shot him a malevolent look, but he just ignored her.

"That's the thing, the Wolf Clan," she paused and looked at her feet. "The Wolf Clan- it's being targeted, by the Soul Eaters. I'm the messenger of our clan." Torak gasped. Shaiya just continued. "I was sent to find the closest Clan, to see if they would help us. I found the Ravens… and you." She looked up and resumed a small grin. Torak stared in her eyes, and she stared in his.

"Um," started Renn awkwardly, "we'll take you to Fin-Kedinn." Shaiya and Torak both blushed slightly, and followed Renn as she started toward the Clan.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"So, the Wolf Clan needs help? Of course we'll help," said Fin-Kedinn cheerfully. "I'll send twenty of my best men. But you should stay here, until the men our gathered, and we're sure you won't be targeted."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Shaiya, you can share the shelter with Renn. I'll sleep under the stars." Torak said, as the three headed toward the shelter Renn and Torak shared.

"Oh," Shaiya said, soundly slightly let down. "So you two are… betrothed?" Both Torak and Renn blushed.

"No!" Renn said loudly, glancing at her feet. Shaiya giggled, and they reached the shelter. Renn showed her Torak's bed, and Torak himself hurried out quickly, muttering something about hunting.