Hope you people like the story so far. I have yet to type out chapter 3, ifI get a laptop for Christmas the chapter will be done alot sooner than if I didn't have one smiles. By the way if anyone doesn't have a clue what Skytha looks like, then it would be a smart idea if you read "Cry of the Wolf" cuz Skytha is in that story. Hope you enjoy this story!

JakLover

Chapter 1

It was very dark. Skytha could sense something was near. The yound female's eyes opened wide as she scanned the vast desert. Slow blowing wind ruffled her brown fur. This place was unfamilier, but the strange scents drew her onward, deeper into the Wasteland. Her stomach growled, reminding her of her hunger. She opened her jaws slightly to let in the warm smells of the desert reach the scent glands on the roof of her mouth. Musty odors of sand mingled with the tempting aroma of a small scaley creature.

Suddenly a flash of gray raced passed her. Skytha stopped still, listening. It was hiding behind the rocks less than 10 feet away. Skytha knew is was a MetalHead-she could feel the heartbeat deep within her ear fur. She swallowed, stilfling her rumbling stomach. Soon her hunger would be satisfied.

Slowly she lowered her body into position, crouching for the attack. She was downwind of the MetalHead. She knew it was not aware of her. With one final check on her prey's position, Skytha pushed back on her haunches and sprang, kicking up sand on the desert dunes as she rose.

The MetalHead dived for cover, heading toward a hole in the ground. But Skytha was already on top of it. She scooped it into the air, hooking the helpless creature with her thorn-sharp teeth, flinging it up in a high arc onto a boulder. The MetalHead landed dazed, but alive. It tried to run, but Skytha snatched it up again. She tossed the MetalHead once more, this time a little farther away. The MetalHead managed to scramble a few paces before Skytha caught up with it.

Suddenly a noise roared nearby. Skytha looked around, and as she did so, the MetalHead was able to pull away from her claws. When Skytha turned back she saw it dart into the darkness among a pile of rocks.

Angry, Skytha gave up the hunt. She spun around, her green eyes glaring, intent on searching out the noise that cost her her kill. The sound rattled on, becoming more familier. Skytha blinked open her eyes.

The desert had disappeared. She was inside a hot and airless room. Curled up on a couch. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadows on a smooth hard floor. The noise had the rattle of the curtains slapping against the window. Skytha had been dreaming.

Lifting her head, she rested her chin on a pillow. Her necklace rubbed uncomfortably around her neck. In her dream she had felt fresh air ruffling the soft fur where the neckleace usually pinched. Skytha rolled onto her back, savoring the dream for a few more moments. She could still smell the MetalHead. It had been the third time since a full moon that she'd had this dream, and every time the MetalHead had escaped her grasp.

She licked her lips. From the couch she could smell the bland odor of the leftovers from the recent day. The smell chased away the smell of her dream. But the hunger rumbled on in her stomach, so Skytha lifted herself from the couch. Walking over to a cupboard in the kitchen she opened it and found what could at least cease the hungry that growled in her stomach. Skytha reluctantly swallowed one more mouthful. Then she turned away and exited her apartment, which was close to Haven City's wall. Hoping the smell of the Wasteland beyond would bring back the feelings of her dream.

Outside, the moon was bright. It was raining lightly. Skytha transformed into her wolf form, and stalked down the darkened street, following the starlit cement path, feeling the stones cold and sharp beneath her paws. She stopped and sniffed a large bush with glossy green leaves. Their sickly sweet scent cloyed the damp air around her, she curled her lip to drive the smell out of her nostrils. Another winged-wolf had been here recently.

After flying to the cities wall, Skytha settled herself on top of the barrier that marked the limits of her territory. It was a favorite spot of hers, as she could see most of the entire city as well as the sandy Wasteland on the other side of the City wall.

The rain had stopped. Behind her, the tight-knit city were full of shadows. Skytha stretched her head forward to take a sniff of the damp air. Her skin was warm and dry under her thick coat, but she could feel the weight of the rain-drops that sparkled on her brown fur.

She heared the sound of Krimson Gaurds shouting out to a, to Skytha's guess, some criminal. If she were to catch the crook for them. They would probably greet her with harsh words and a bullet in the rear.

But this time Skytha ignored the Krimson Gaurd voices and turned her gaze back to the Wasteland. The crisp smell of the desert had grown fresher after the rain.

Suddenly the fur on her spine prickled. Was something moving out there? Was something watching her? Skytha stared ahead, but it was impossible to see or smell anything in the dark, sand-scented air. She lifted her chin boldly, stood up, and howled, both paws gripping the wall. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of the desert once more. It seemed to promise her something, tempting her onward into the whispering shadows. Tensing her muscles, she crouched for a moment. Then she spread her wings and glided softly onto the desert sands just below the Haven City wall.

"Where are you off to, Skytha?" barked a familier voice behind her.

Skytha looked up. A young black-and-gray wolf was balancing himself ungracfully on top of the wall.

"Hello, Bain," Skytha replied.

"You're not going into the Wasteland, are you?" Bain's eyes were huge.

"Just for a look," Skytha promised, shifting uncomfortably.

"You wouldn't get me in there. It's dangerous!" Bain wrinkled his black nose in distaste. "Varen said he went into the desert once." The wolf lifted his head and gestured with his nose over the rows of buildings toward the apartment where Varen lived.

"That fat old wolf never went into the Wasteland!" Skytha scoffed. "He's hardly been beyond his own house since his trip to the Baron's Palace. All he wants to do now is eat and sleep."

"No, really. He caught a Metalhead there!" Bain insisted.

"Well, if he did, then it was before he went to the palace. Now he complains about the Metalheads because they disturb his dozing."

"Well, anyway." Bain went on, ignoring the scorn in Skytha's growl, "Varen told me there are all sort of dangerous creatures out there. Huge winged-wolves who eat live Metalheads for breakfast and sharpen their claws on old bones!"

"I'm only going for a look around," Skytha mumbled to Bain. "I won't stay long."

"Well don't say I didn't warn you!" laughed Bain. The black-and-gray wolf turned and plunged off the fence back down into Haven City.

Skytha sat down in the soft sand beyond the city wall. She gave a nervous shake and wondered how much of Bain's gossip was true.

Suddenly the movement of a tiny creature caught her eye. She watched it scuttle under some rocks.

Instinct made her drop into a low crouch. With one slow paw after another she drew her body forward over the sands. Ears pricked, nostrils flared, eyes unblinking, she moved toward the creature. She could see it clearly now, sitting up among the dry dead grass, nibbling on a small piece of meat. It was a MetalHead.

Skytha crouch even lower, preparing to leap. She held her breath in case she made a noise to catch the attention of her prey. Excitment coursed through her, making her heart pound. This was even better than her dreams! Then a sudden noise of crackling grass and sand being stirred up made her jump. Her necklace made a noise treacherously, and the Metalhead darted away into a piled of boulders farther away.

Skytha stood very still and looks around. She could see the tan tip or a larger scaley tail just over a sand dune. She smelled a strong, strange scent. Definitely a meat-eater, but neither Elf or Wolf. Distracted, Skytha forgot about the her prey and watched the tail curiously. She wanted a better look.

All of Skytha's senses strained ahead as she prowled forward. Then she detected another noise. It came from behind, but sounded muted and distant. She swivled her ears backwards to hear it better. Pawsteps? she wondered, but she kept her eyes fixed on the strange scaley tail up ahead, and continued to creep onward. It was only when a faint rustling behind her became a loud and fast-approaching noise that Skytha realized she was in danger.

The creature hit her like an explosion and Skytha was thrown sideways into a pile of boulders. Twisting and gowling she tired to throw off the attacker that had fastened itself on her back, pinning her wings down. It was gripping her with incredibly sharp claws. Skytha could feel spiked teeth pricking at her neck. She writhed and squirmed from snout to tail, but she could free herself. For a second she felt helpless; then froze. Thinking fast, she flipped over onto her back. She knew instinctively how dangerous it was to expose her soft belly, but it was her only chance.

She was lucky--the plan seemed to work. She heared a "hhuuffff" beneath her as the breath was knocked out of her attacker. Thrashing and snarling fiercly, Skytha managed to wriggled free. Without looking back she sprinted to wards the City wall.

Behind her, a rush of pawsteps told Skytha her attacker was giving chase. Even though the pain from her scratches stung beneath her fur, Skytha decided he would rather turn and fight than let herself be jumped on again.

She skidded to a stop, spun around, and faced her presuer. It was another wolf, with a thick coat of soft gray fur, strong legs, and a broad face. In a heartbeat, Skytha smelled that it was a male, and sensed the power in the sturdy shoulders underneath the soft coat. Then the wolf spread its gray wings and crashed into Skytha at full pelt. Taken by surprise by Skytha's turn-about, it fell back into a dazed heap in the sand.

The impact knocked the breath out of Skytha, and she staggered. She quickly found her footing and spread out her wings, baring her teeth, ready to spring onto the other winged-wolf. But her attacker simply sat up and shook his off the sand from his fur, all signs of aggression gone.

Skytha felt strangly disappointed. Every part of her was tense, ready for battle.

"Hi there, pup!" barked the gray wolf cheerily. "You put up quite a fight for a city wolf!"

Skytha remained tense for a second, wondering whether to attack anyway. Then she remember the strength she had felt in this wolf's paws when he had pinned her to the ground. She dropped into a sitting position, loosened her muscles, and let her wings relax. "And I'll fight you again if I have to," Skytha growled.

"I'm Kayota, by the way," the gray wolf went on, ignoring Skytha's threat. "I'm training to be a DesertClan warrior."

Skytha remained silent. She didn't know what this Kayowhatsit was talking about, but she sensed the threat had passed. She hid her confusion by shaking the sand from her pelt.

"Whats a city wolf like you doing out in the Wasteland? Don't you know it's dangerous?" asked Kayota.

"If you're the most dangerous thing the Wasteland has to ffer, then I think I can handle it," Skytha bluffed.

Kayota looked up at her for a moment, narrowing his big yellow eyes. "Oh, I'm far from the most dangerous. If i were even half a warrior, I'd give an intruder like you some real wounds to think about."

Skytha felt a thrill of fear at these ominous words. What did this wolf mean by "intruder"?

"Anyway," Kayota said, using his sharp teeth to tug a clump of grass from between his claws, "I didn't think it was worth hurting oyu. You're obivously not from one of the other Clans."

"Other Clans?" Skytha echoed, confused.

Kayota let out an impatient growl. "You must have heared of the four warrior Clans that hunt around here! I belong to DesertClan. The other Clans are always trying to steal prey from our territory, especially VolcanoClan. They're so feirce they would have ripped you to shreds, no questions asked."

Kayota paused to curse angrily and continued. "They come to take prey that is rightfully ours. It's the job of the DesertClan warriors to keep them out of our territory. When I've finished my training, I'll be so dangerous, I'll have the other Clans shaking in their flea-bitten skins. They won't dare come near us then!"

Skytha narrowed her eyes. This must be one of the wolves Bain warned her about! Living rough in the desert hunting and fighting for every last scrap of food. Yet, Skytha didn't feel scared. In fact, it was hard not to admire this confident wolf. "So you're not a warrior yet?" she asked.

"Why? Did you think I was?" Kayota asked proudly. Then he shook his wide, furry head. "I won't be a real warrior for ages. I have to go through training first. Pups have to be six moons old before they even begin training. Tonight is my first night out as an apprentice."

"Why don't you live in Haven City instead? Your life would be much easier," Skytha asked. "There are plently of houses that are empty for people to live in. Or live with someone else, they could feed you and--"

"And they'd feed me cooked meat, and elf food that looks like soft slop!" Kayota interrupted. "No way! I can't think of anything worse than living in the city!" They're nothing but lazy morons! Walking around aimlessly, avoiding those Krimson Gaurds! Thats no life! Out here it's wild, and its's free. We come and go as we please." He finished his speech with a pround spit, the said mischievously," Until you've tasted a fresh-killed MetalHead, you havn't lived. Have you ever tasted a MetalHead?"

"No," Skytha admitted, a little defensivly. "Not yet."

"I guess you'll never understand," Kayota sighed. "You weren't born a full blooded wolf. It makes a big difference. You need to be born with wolf blood ing your veins, or the feel of the wind underneath your wings. Elves bitten by wolves, and can only transform with a stupid pendent, could never feel the same way."

Skytha remembered the way she had felt in her dreams.

"Thats not true!" she barked indignantly.

Kayota didn't reply, he suddenly siffened midlick, one paw still raised. "I smell wolves from my Clan," he growled. "You should go. They won't be pleased to find you hunting in our territory.

Skytha looked around, wondering how Kayota could smell anything different on the desert-scented breeze. But her fur stood on end at the note of urgency in Kayota's voice.

"Quick!" growled Kayota again. "Run!"

Skytha prepared to spring towards the city wall again, not knowing which way was safe to jump.

She was to late. A voice sounded behind her, firm and menacing. "Whats going on here?"

Skytha turned to see a large gray female wolf strolling majestically out from over a sand dune. She was magnificent. White hairs streaked her muzzle, and an ugly scar parted the fur across her shoulders, but her smooth gray coat shone like silver in the moonlight.

"Ather!" beside Skytha, Kayota crouched down and narrowing his eyes. He crouched even lower when a second wolf--a handsome, light-brown wolf---followed the gray wolf into the clearing.

"You shouldn't be so near Haven City, Kayota!" growled the light-brown wolf agrily, narrowing his green eyes.

"I know, Tamyis, I'm sorry." Kayota looked down at his paws.

Skytha copied Kayota and crouched low to the desert sand, her ears twiching nervously. These wolves had the air of strength she had never seen in any of her other friends back in Haven City. Maybe what Bain warned her about was true.

"Who is this?" ansked the gray female wolf.

Skytha flinched as she turned her gaze on her. Her piercing blue eyes made her feel even more vulnerable.

"She's no threat," Kayota said quickly. "She's not another Clan warrior, just a City wolf from beyond our territories.

Just a City wolf! these words inflamed Skytha, but she feld her tongue. The warning look in Ather's stare told her that she had observed the anger in her eyes, and she looked away.

"This is Ather, she's alpha of my Clan!" Kayota growled to Skytha's under his breath. "And Tamyis. He's my mentor, which means he's training me to be a warrior."

"Thank you for the introduction, Kayota," sighed Tamyis coolly.

Ather was still staring at Skytha. "You fight well for a city wolf.'' she suddenly said.

Skytha and Kayota exchanged confused glances. How could she know?

"We have been watching you both,'' Ather went one, as if she had read their thoughts. "We wondered how you would deal with an intruder, Kayota. You attacked her bravely." Kayota looked pleased with at Ather's praise.

"Sit up now, both of you!" Ather looked at Skytha. "You too, wolf." She sat up immediatly and held Ather's gaze evenly as she addressed her.

"You reacted well to an attack, wolf. Kayota is stronger than you, but you used your wits to defend yourself. And you turned to face him when he chased you. I've not seen a city wolf do that before."

Skytha managed to nod her thanks, taken aback by such unexpected praise. Her next words surprised her even more.

"I've have been wondering how you would preform out here, beyond the City Walls. We patrol this border frequently, so I have often seen you sitting on your boundry, staring out into the Wasteland. And now, at last, you have dared to place your paws here." Ather stared at Skytha thoughtfully. "You do seem to have a natural hunting ability. Sharp eyes. You would have caught that MetalHead if you had not hesitated so long."

"R-really?" Skytha stammered.

Tamyis spoke now. His deep voice was respectful but insistant. "Ather, this is a city wolf. She should not be hunting in DesertClan territory. Send her home now!"

Skytha prickled at Tamyis's dismissive words. "Send me home?" she growled impatiently. Ather's words had made her glow with pride. She had noticed her; she had been impressed by her. "But I've only come here to hunt for a MetalHead or two. I'm sure theres enough to go around."

Ather had turned her head to acknowledge Tamyis's words. Now her gaze snapped back to Skytha. Her blue eyes were blazing with anger. "There's never enough to go around," she spat. "If you didn't live such a soft, overfed life, you would know that!"

Skytha was confused by Ather's sudden rage, but one glance at the horrified look on kayota face was enough to tell her she had spoken to freely. Tamyis stepped to his alpha's side. Both wolves loomed over her now. Skytha looked into Ather's threatening stare and her pride disolved. These were not like the easy-going City wolves she was dealing with--they were mean, hungrey wolves who were probably going to finish what Kayota had started.

Please review, you can flame, but not cruelly, I'd like to keep my confidence in this story.

xoxoxox

JakLover