Chapter 1
The Colonies
It was nighttime. The Moon was in the clouds, hidden, so that barely any light shone through. Occasionally a small ray of light poked through those thick clouds. Trees and blueberry bushes bordered a small clearing, as well as ferns and ivy plants. In the center was a dead tree. It was fallen, and it still had it's roots attached. The tree was fairly long with a thick bark. The branches were gone. There were caves and rocks that could have served as dens.
A slinky shape leapt uptop the tree. A ray of Moonlight shone momentarily. The shape was revealed as a dark gray wolf. It was strong and large, with penetrating, deep yellow-orange eyes. It had huge, light gray paws. This was the Leader of the Colony known as Dark Tree. He shifted slightly from front paws to back, tail lashing. The Moon was no longer hidden in the clouds. It's cold glow shone on the strong Wolf leader.
"Wolves of Dark Tree!" He bellowed in a low growl. "Come before your Leader!"
Soft murmurs in the dens and in the clearing came after the howl.
"Nighsigh's our leader," a female wolf with dark gray, shaggy fur said gently to her son, who was pitch-black. He also had shaggy, unkept fur. His eyes were a murky yellow-green.
"Loyal Dark Tree wolves!" Nighsigh, the leader, howled. "In our midst we have a young Wolf ready to fulfill his Quest to the Prophetic Stones tonight. Femalia, bring him in." He spoke as if his fangs hurt saying those ritual words. The dark gray female who was known as Femalia nodded as she nudged the small black wolf towards Nighsigh.
"Your name, little wolf," Nighsigh growled, eyes blazed. The little wolf choked his words.
"Er...Erchen," he said. Femalia muttered in Erchen's ear, "Politely, dear."
"Erchen, sir," Erchen said firmly.
"Erchen," Nighsigh echoed. "Do you know how to get to the Stone?" Erchen shook his head, 'no'.
"Good. ALone, you shall head over there. Take hints from no one. Trust the ancestery of Dark Tree. You may go when you wish, but be gone at dawn." Erchen nodded nervously. His tail twitched; his ears flattened against his head.
"This meeting is at an end." Nighsigh leapt off the tree. His big, dark shape made a looming shadow as he stealthily crept towards a pile of prey. He chose a fresh deer and began to chew, glaring at Erchen.
Erchen sighed. Finally, he would head over to the Stone. He was the youngest of the wolves here, and was the only one who was not a true Dark Tree wolf. A small white and gray wolf came over, pouncing.
"Isn't it great?" she said.
"Just... great, Fore," Erchen replied. The gray wolf cocked her brow.
"Erchen." She looked into his eyes, hers a light blue. This wolf was Forever, the Mage wolf. She was the youngest ever Mage of the colonies. "Listen to me, you fool." Erchen nodded. Fore watched the Leader of Dark Tree as he walked to his den.
"I only say this," she said. "Follow the rising Moon, beware the rising sun." She handed Erchen a rabbit, and, stuffed in it, some herbs.
"Good luck," she said, and left him to it. Erchen said goodbye to his mother, Femalia, and his light gray father named Jade. Next he said goodbye to his two friends, Spark, a stubborn dark gray and white female, and Serene, a white wolf with brown and gray splotches.
"We're coming with you, Erchen," Spark informed him.
"What? No. I have to go alone-"
"-and not take any hints. I saw you with Forever, Erch. SHe told you a hint, so we're to come with you!" Serene said.
"No. I won't allow it." Erchen's tone was decided. With that, he ran to the entrance, howled his departure, and ran out. Holly, a gray male who despised Erchen, stretched triumphantly.
"That's the last we'll see of him!" he said with a cold grin.
"Holly!" Serene howled. Holly's ears perked.
"Yes, Serene?" he inquired. She growled at him, hackles raised. Spark nudged her friend.
"Well..." she said casually, "we're off hunting."
They left, and once out, Spark said,
"Let's go." They followed the scent trail that was Erchen.
"We're off, Erchen," Spark muttered. "Wether you like it or not."
End chapter ONE