Pal: HA! I got another chapter up REALLY FAST. ^_^ I never do that. . .
Buddy: Don't we know it.
Pal: DO I NEED BRING OUT THE INTERDIMMENSIONAL FRYING PAN OF DOOM?!?!?!- *The IFPoD is copyrighted to Selly *
Buddy: . . . Haven't you used enough of Selly's stuff already?
Pal: Nope not yet. Not if I give reference to her. Ok let's just get on with the chapter . . .
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"You're challenging me." Ember stated in non-belief. She looked at him coolly. "So you're going to take on all the responsibilities of chief after my father dies?" For a moment both of their eyes flicker over to Cutter. He showed no sign of helping either way. Once more their eyes were back on each other. There was a moment's hesitation. After that there would be no turning back. Neither moved and that chance of confronting without drastic changes was gone. Ember knew by the spark in Skywise's eyes that this had to end. Now.
It took an inner strength for her to tear her gaze away from his. At that second she realized that wasn't the best thing to do. A chief or lead wolf never backs down and she felt a small portion of her status slip away from under her. It became evident that the entire tribe was watching every move they both made. It also seemed evident that there was a slight stir in the tribe. 'Why hadn't Cutter done anything?' was the unspoken question running wild. However it was obvious that he was not going to interfere with the outcome. Some of the tribe believed that this went against the way. But no one was going to contradict what Cutter's unspoken command was. 'Do not interfere with this challenge'.
Ember was a bit afraid when she saw her brother standing there by her parents unmoving. She reached out to him in a way that could only be felt by her twin. She smiled as she felt him encouraging her back. Where would she be without him? He knew as much as she did that this was the way. There would be no turning back. Up until this point Skywise had been contradicting every decision that Ember had made and it was time it stopped.
"Fine Skywise, you'll have your challenge. We leave now. We have to find a place to have it at. The two continued to stare at each other for a moment before they turned and walked out of the clearing. Skywise made an exaggerated bow to allow Ember to walk first. She held her head high as she walked steadily not even glancing at her parents as she went by. Right behind her Skywise kept pace with her. Behind him the entire tribe followed as closely as possible.
It took sometime for the group to find another clearing large enough and far enough away to make both fighters comfortable. Skywise wanted a big enough distance that should she live they would not have to cross paths and Ember didn't want to be to close when Skywise won. Funny, how the challenge hadn't even begun and she already knew she was going to loose. She had already gone through this once before but she felt a strange difference between the two times. She wondered if she was bound to die this time instead of just be knocked out cold like last time. Whatever the outcome, it had arrived.
"We have found a place, it starts now" Skywise said. He then walked to the center of the clearing were he waited for Ember to join him his weapon of choice out. Ember stalled. She felt her first moment of fear. This was not a practice fight incase the humans found their new holt and attacked. This was another elf. And she now knew the hurt and anger at oneself that she had seen reflected in the eyes of Strongbow so long ago. However her wolf blood began to kick in at that very moment and a thought struck her head. Kill or be killed. She had to shake her head to clear the though from her mind. and as she pulled out New Moon. She knowingly felt that she could not go into a battle that she knew she would loose with a weapon that technically wasn't hers. She looked at her father and reached to put the weapon in his hand. He smiled for the first time but didn't take New Moon. Instead he looked her in the eyes and she felt his kind heart once more in a sending meant only for her.
*I know you can tell what's going to happen. And although you are prepared for the worst I want you to know that I know you will survive. You may not be a chief but you will still have the blood of the chiefs before you running through your veins. Be strong, my daughter* Then he slowly pushed New Moon back to her. Her breath caught. Surely he couldn't mean for her to take New Moon as well. But by the look in his eyes that was exactly what he meant for her to do. She felt a heart full of warmth that suddenly went cold as she walked out into the clearing. This is it she thought. I've got to do my best. She looked straight into Skywise's eyes.
"The one who looses is expelled from the tribe. That is the outcome of the challenge" Ember spoke straight to Skywise. He nodded briefly then waited.
Skywise waited for her with a look that said nothing. It was purely blank of all emotion. She was waiting for him to make the first move and glanced away from at her brother and she almost missed him move. He came straight at her and she brought up new moon to block when he jumped. She turned as she watched him twist and come straight back down in front of her. She was ready and stabbed at him with her sword. He blocked it and tried to through her off balance. She tipped and rolled when she came up she didn't hear him behind her until the last possible second. She twisted, tucked and rolled. But his knife caught her upper arm and a river of blood fled down her arm soaking the soft short leather pants she wore. Luckily it was her left arm and not her right one which was her dominate one. Skywise did not wait to see if she was still moving, he began his speed attack. He ran around her as fast as he could Ember had not been able to see him when he started and therefore hadn't kept up with him. She was at a dire disadvantage. Including the fact that she had no idea when he was going to attack.
Unfortunately for Ember she was looking side to side when he attacked and she didn't see him coming straight at her. There was a gasp from the watching tribal members as Skywise's knife drove straight into her stomach. She gasped. To her the world seemed to be in slow motion. She saw the look of shock that crossed Skywise's face. He hadn't thought he would really hit her. She saw the shock change to horror and from horror to disbelief and finally shame. It was like she could read his thoughts.
"What?! I never meant-"
In an effort to comfort him she reached her hand up and touched his face all while her life flowed out of her through the knife that he still held in his hand. She tried to smile. In a last attempt to speak she couldn't so she sent instead.
*It was . . . meant to be. . . I was never . . . really . . . meant to be. . . Chief. Father knows . . . I will always . . . be with you . . . even if not in flesh.* Finally she fell back on the ground and into the black void that have been hovering at the edge of her mind. Then there was no movement from her. Skywise looked around wildly, and there was a startling moment of silence as they left the clearing. That was the way, the one was left behind. Skywise did not look at the chief before him at all even after they reached the new holt. He felt too ashamed.
Back at the clearing Ember body lay not moving on the solid ground. From the trees the long figure watched and waited until she was sure the tribe was long gone. Then softly as she could move she climbed down and entered the clearing. Silently she approached the body. Ember moaned and the elf instantly went still. It became evident that she was completely blacked out and that's when the elf came forward once more. She reached down and felt Ember's pulse. Weak, but it was there. She sighed softly. It was strange to feel another's skin, one of her kind. She looked at her face. It was soft and seemed so young. It was a swift decision that the elf made. But it was one she felt was worth while. She reached her hands so they rested about three inches away from the deep hole in her skin from the knife. Slowly the hole began to mend itself. However half way through she suddenly stopped. A though had occurred to her. And she moved her hands to her eyes. There was a small moan of pain from her patient that lay on the ground and then she smiled and went back to the deadly hole. A few moments later the elf stood up and beckoned to the stunning silver wolf sitting in the clearing with them.
"Moonstar, Will you carry her back to the cave for me?" the elf's light voice cut through the silence of the still forest. The wolf seemed to know exactly what was being said and she was very willing. They disappeared into the forest leaving behind only the blood on the ground as a tell tale sign that they had been there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pal: Yeah!! I am happy! I really am. . . 'Cuz I got a LOT of reviews!! Lets see . . . we have a few people to thank. . . #1: LIZ!! Thanks I needed that. I was going through a complete memory loss at the time I was writing this so the tip was greatly appreciated. #2: Crecy!! Nice to know you came back for a second chapter! #3: Debategoddess77: Good for you!! Like I said in my review to you. If you review to me I'll review to you.
Pal: So I wish to make a general thank you to all of you people who reviewed!. . .Uh . . . Buddy? Are you going to say anything? . . . Buddy, Where are you? [Stalks off to find the 'missing' Buddy]
Buddy: [Pops out of the corner] Okay, that's all. Hasta luego, amigos! [Gives salute] Now, what kind of chaos can I wreak on Palsville. . .
Buddy: Don't we know it.
Pal: DO I NEED BRING OUT THE INTERDIMMENSIONAL FRYING PAN OF DOOM?!?!?!- *The IFPoD is copyrighted to Selly *
Buddy: . . . Haven't you used enough of Selly's stuff already?
Pal: Nope not yet. Not if I give reference to her. Ok let's just get on with the chapter . . .
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"You're challenging me." Ember stated in non-belief. She looked at him coolly. "So you're going to take on all the responsibilities of chief after my father dies?" For a moment both of their eyes flicker over to Cutter. He showed no sign of helping either way. Once more their eyes were back on each other. There was a moment's hesitation. After that there would be no turning back. Neither moved and that chance of confronting without drastic changes was gone. Ember knew by the spark in Skywise's eyes that this had to end. Now.
It took an inner strength for her to tear her gaze away from his. At that second she realized that wasn't the best thing to do. A chief or lead wolf never backs down and she felt a small portion of her status slip away from under her. It became evident that the entire tribe was watching every move they both made. It also seemed evident that there was a slight stir in the tribe. 'Why hadn't Cutter done anything?' was the unspoken question running wild. However it was obvious that he was not going to interfere with the outcome. Some of the tribe believed that this went against the way. But no one was going to contradict what Cutter's unspoken command was. 'Do not interfere with this challenge'.
Ember was a bit afraid when she saw her brother standing there by her parents unmoving. She reached out to him in a way that could only be felt by her twin. She smiled as she felt him encouraging her back. Where would she be without him? He knew as much as she did that this was the way. There would be no turning back. Up until this point Skywise had been contradicting every decision that Ember had made and it was time it stopped.
"Fine Skywise, you'll have your challenge. We leave now. We have to find a place to have it at. The two continued to stare at each other for a moment before they turned and walked out of the clearing. Skywise made an exaggerated bow to allow Ember to walk first. She held her head high as she walked steadily not even glancing at her parents as she went by. Right behind her Skywise kept pace with her. Behind him the entire tribe followed as closely as possible.
It took sometime for the group to find another clearing large enough and far enough away to make both fighters comfortable. Skywise wanted a big enough distance that should she live they would not have to cross paths and Ember didn't want to be to close when Skywise won. Funny, how the challenge hadn't even begun and she already knew she was going to loose. She had already gone through this once before but she felt a strange difference between the two times. She wondered if she was bound to die this time instead of just be knocked out cold like last time. Whatever the outcome, it had arrived.
"We have found a place, it starts now" Skywise said. He then walked to the center of the clearing were he waited for Ember to join him his weapon of choice out. Ember stalled. She felt her first moment of fear. This was not a practice fight incase the humans found their new holt and attacked. This was another elf. And she now knew the hurt and anger at oneself that she had seen reflected in the eyes of Strongbow so long ago. However her wolf blood began to kick in at that very moment and a thought struck her head. Kill or be killed. She had to shake her head to clear the though from her mind. and as she pulled out New Moon. She knowingly felt that she could not go into a battle that she knew she would loose with a weapon that technically wasn't hers. She looked at her father and reached to put the weapon in his hand. He smiled for the first time but didn't take New Moon. Instead he looked her in the eyes and she felt his kind heart once more in a sending meant only for her.
*I know you can tell what's going to happen. And although you are prepared for the worst I want you to know that I know you will survive. You may not be a chief but you will still have the blood of the chiefs before you running through your veins. Be strong, my daughter* Then he slowly pushed New Moon back to her. Her breath caught. Surely he couldn't mean for her to take New Moon as well. But by the look in his eyes that was exactly what he meant for her to do. She felt a heart full of warmth that suddenly went cold as she walked out into the clearing. This is it she thought. I've got to do my best. She looked straight into Skywise's eyes.
"The one who looses is expelled from the tribe. That is the outcome of the challenge" Ember spoke straight to Skywise. He nodded briefly then waited.
Skywise waited for her with a look that said nothing. It was purely blank of all emotion. She was waiting for him to make the first move and glanced away from at her brother and she almost missed him move. He came straight at her and she brought up new moon to block when he jumped. She turned as she watched him twist and come straight back down in front of her. She was ready and stabbed at him with her sword. He blocked it and tried to through her off balance. She tipped and rolled when she came up she didn't hear him behind her until the last possible second. She twisted, tucked and rolled. But his knife caught her upper arm and a river of blood fled down her arm soaking the soft short leather pants she wore. Luckily it was her left arm and not her right one which was her dominate one. Skywise did not wait to see if she was still moving, he began his speed attack. He ran around her as fast as he could Ember had not been able to see him when he started and therefore hadn't kept up with him. She was at a dire disadvantage. Including the fact that she had no idea when he was going to attack.
Unfortunately for Ember she was looking side to side when he attacked and she didn't see him coming straight at her. There was a gasp from the watching tribal members as Skywise's knife drove straight into her stomach. She gasped. To her the world seemed to be in slow motion. She saw the look of shock that crossed Skywise's face. He hadn't thought he would really hit her. She saw the shock change to horror and from horror to disbelief and finally shame. It was like she could read his thoughts.
"What?! I never meant-"
In an effort to comfort him she reached her hand up and touched his face all while her life flowed out of her through the knife that he still held in his hand. She tried to smile. In a last attempt to speak she couldn't so she sent instead.
*It was . . . meant to be. . . I was never . . . really . . . meant to be. . . Chief. Father knows . . . I will always . . . be with you . . . even if not in flesh.* Finally she fell back on the ground and into the black void that have been hovering at the edge of her mind. Then there was no movement from her. Skywise looked around wildly, and there was a startling moment of silence as they left the clearing. That was the way, the one was left behind. Skywise did not look at the chief before him at all even after they reached the new holt. He felt too ashamed.
Back at the clearing Ember body lay not moving on the solid ground. From the trees the long figure watched and waited until she was sure the tribe was long gone. Then softly as she could move she climbed down and entered the clearing. Silently she approached the body. Ember moaned and the elf instantly went still. It became evident that she was completely blacked out and that's when the elf came forward once more. She reached down and felt Ember's pulse. Weak, but it was there. She sighed softly. It was strange to feel another's skin, one of her kind. She looked at her face. It was soft and seemed so young. It was a swift decision that the elf made. But it was one she felt was worth while. She reached her hands so they rested about three inches away from the deep hole in her skin from the knife. Slowly the hole began to mend itself. However half way through she suddenly stopped. A though had occurred to her. And she moved her hands to her eyes. There was a small moan of pain from her patient that lay on the ground and then she smiled and went back to the deadly hole. A few moments later the elf stood up and beckoned to the stunning silver wolf sitting in the clearing with them.
"Moonstar, Will you carry her back to the cave for me?" the elf's light voice cut through the silence of the still forest. The wolf seemed to know exactly what was being said and she was very willing. They disappeared into the forest leaving behind only the blood on the ground as a tell tale sign that they had been there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pal: Yeah!! I am happy! I really am. . . 'Cuz I got a LOT of reviews!! Lets see . . . we have a few people to thank. . . #1: LIZ!! Thanks I needed that. I was going through a complete memory loss at the time I was writing this so the tip was greatly appreciated. #2: Crecy!! Nice to know you came back for a second chapter! #3: Debategoddess77: Good for you!! Like I said in my review to you. If you review to me I'll review to you.
Pal: So I wish to make a general thank you to all of you people who reviewed!. . .Uh . . . Buddy? Are you going to say anything? . . . Buddy, Where are you? [Stalks off to find the 'missing' Buddy]
Buddy: [Pops out of the corner] Okay, that's all. Hasta luego, amigos! [Gives salute] Now, what kind of chaos can I wreak on Palsville. . .