Chapter 7: Want Peace? Prepare For War
As morning followed night, Sun followed Moon…
They strolled through the woods for hours now, lingering closer to the North with every step, every breath. It was a long and tiresome journey. Dark, monotonous woods holding nothing but desolate fear, spreading it, infecting and paralysing the nature around with fear. Fear…what is fear? Many wolves knew what it is, but Northerners…they knew no fear, for it was their dominion, in which only they lingered, embraced it…in the distant…very distant past. Years have passed and nothing has changed…absolutely nothing. North…infected with thousands of ravines, leaf-less trees, soaked in soot, eternal hills and valleys and numerous ice-lakes further north. It was beautiful, magnificent…yet menacing, wild, savage and unpredictable.
"We're nearing the main territory, careful…northerners aren't the most welcoming of wolves. Especially, to the southerners." Julian said carefully as he glanced around himself. Freezing gusts of wind washed over him like a wave. His breath became a light, fade mist as he spoke formally…yet…this mass of mist held his agitation, his dismay.
"I thought we already are at North. There's something you're not telling us…we haven't seen any wolves nearby. Is this another 'half-truth'?" Kate asked as she stopped dead in her tracks. Her sudden and stoic movement froze both Humphrey and Julian in one place, as if they were statues.
"Unlike other packs, Northern Pack possesses fewer number, the reason being climate. Just like South, North is it's polar opposite, an oxymoron in a sense. Throughout history, they've territorial isolationists. However, their ferocity and savagery rivalled that of West and East…that is…until Southern Pack showed itself, sparking one of the first conflicts and ending it in bloodbath, until both sides have agreed to stay away from each other." Julian replied calmly and formally. However, his façade of formality hid his frustration and fury effortlessly. Despite his perfect vocal disguise, his formality came in a form of paralysing, stone-cold Intelligence and history.
"If you two are done bickering, we can move on and not stand here until either Northern Pack attacks us or we freeze to death." Humphrey replied rapidly as he rolled his eyes, glaring at both of them in slight irritation.
"Very well. Stay close, North isn't a very merciful region of Jasper, once you get to know it." Stated Julian in stone-cold manner as he continued walking, strolling through the enemy territory with awareness. His manner of walking was slow, gradual as he waited patiently for Humphrey and Kate to catch up. There was no need for lavishness as he had no idea of what to expect fro, Northern Leader; Charlotte. His royal origin was not the sharpest tool in the closet, neither was his personal asset…but logic, decisiveness and observance were.
After eternity of stumbling through merciless woods of the north, they finally came across the mainland of Northern Pack, the territory of their leader.
"You're not welcomed here Southerner. Squabble back to where you came from. This was a warning, there won't be another one." A northern wolf replied as he examined Julian, carefully, racing his tired eyes, observing every little detail there is. He was about the same height as Julian, but he held savagery deep within his soul, a detest to Julian explained it clearly.
"There's no need for violence, they are with me. I'm here to speak to your leader for a future alliance and mutual respect." Kate replied as she stepped in front of Humphrey and Julian, who stood just millimetres away from the northern wolf, starring at each other with passive aggression.
"How can I be sure that you will not sabotage us. World is full of back-stabbers and tricksters nowadays, better be safe than sorry." The northern wolf replied with a snarl and a faint growl in his voice.
"I'm Kate, leader of Western Pack. Those two are my—most trusted wolves." Kate replied with assurance but fair hesitation in her tone as she eyed Julian. Still frustrated from their last conversation, she had her doubts about trusting Julian, after all…he still hid a few half-truths in his closet, in the end, it isn't easy for him to open up. Nevertheless, she knew that Julian was right about the war, and perhaps the best way is sometimes the most painful and aggravating way.
"Fine. Follow the path, it will lead you to Charlotte. But, just in case…she can be easily infuriated." The wolf stated as he stepped aside, giving them one last point-blank glance.
The three continued wandering through the mainland. Slowly, fear crawled out of their minds, however, unsettling atmosphere was still present within, resulting in their sharp awareness.
Finally, they came into the clearing; surrounded by light carpet of white, illuminating snow. Surrounded by dens of other wolves. Crows swirled above their heads as they marched towards an enormous den, upon which stood Charlotte, leader of the north.
"And now, we finally meet. The exiled prince of the south—I've heard you wanted to meet with me. Yet I don't know why." Charlotte spoke clear, yet she spotted the words out with hastily.
"No need to be melodramatic, I wanted to discuss the terms of alliance with West and East." Julian replied slowly as Humphrey and Kate stood beside him. Julian spoke with Intelligence, cunningness in his tone.
"Terms Of Alliance…with a southerner, this is madness. You have invaded us long ago, provoked a war and now…you want an alliance." Hasty statement came from Charlotte as she paced around in irritation
"Let's play it out logically then shall we; First, the Southern Pack will attack Western and Easter forces. South will prevail due to slightly larger number and experience. With them out of their way, who do you think they'll come for next?" Stone-cold logic soaked Julian's words as he walked circles around Charlotte, slowly invading her thoughts with his statement.
"Why would Southern Pack attack West and East? With that will come an enormous amount of collateral damage, what is the point of being a leader if you have no one to lead?" Charlotte asked hastily as she starred at Julian's cunning eyes.
"What is the point of being a tyrant if you possess no power or rule with fear and an iron fist? Sheffield isn't looking for subordinates or innocents, he craves dominion…nothing else." Replied Humphrey as he prowled towards Charlotte, as he reprimanded formally.
"Sheffield, that treacherous dog. He is a leader now…that is predictable, once he sees an opportunity he claws to it as if it is a treasure. In which case, I agree to the terms of alliance, South attacked us once and they will not hesitate to do so again, especially under his leadership." Charlotte declared formally, yet with panic. She knew that under Sheffield's leadership, there would be nothing but ashes and ground stained with crimson red, that is all that would be left of West, East and North.
However, despite relatively calm atmosphere, something was off, someone was coming…and they were in a hurry. The shiver of tree. The rapid motion of wind. The unbearable screeching of crows and ravens. And finally, voices in the depth of soot-stained woods as those who guarded the border of northern mainland with their loyalty and lives…were guarding it from rogues, or…were they…
"Charlotte, our leader, we're having trouble at the mainland border, a group of rogues are trying to pass through." One of the wolves sprinted up to Charlotte in a hurry, declaring his words as he panted.
"And why are you stating this to me, there seems to be a complication isn't it." She knew there was something that he isn't telling her, a smell of complication, an implication.
"These strangers…they keep saying that they're not affiliated with rogues." He declared yet again, with confusion in his tone.
"Lead me to them, Julian, you're coming with me and so are your subordinates." Charlotte reprimanded calmly yet solemnly.
As she walked past Julian, Kate and Humphrey—Charlotte appeared to be the same height as Julian, yet with more fur that any of the three, usual colours of dark grey and beige were present with emerald green of her freezing eyes.
"Halt, there's no need for violence, we can sort this diplomatically." Charlotte stated as she stepped in from of other two wolves which were guarding the mainland border. She carefully examined the four who tried to pass through, her eyes exchanging glares and stares.
"No need for your examination, I know them and I have an idea why they're here." Julian reprimanded rapidly as he swiftly identified the four who stood in front of them. "Selene, Ian, Sage, Nicole…I thought you're supposed to be in the Southern Pack?" A hint of curiosity and bewilderment reflected off of him, infecting his question.
"The Southern Pack—Sheffield is preparing his forces— and soon he will start his invasion into East, next will be West— and North will follow…" Nicole sated swiftly yet soothingly, with interruptive panting caused by exhaustion.
With newly forged alliances, enemies now become friends, however, nothing is ever that simple and now only one question remains; Who will emerge victorious?
