The Lore of the Northern Dawn: The Scraggall War
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The Lore of the Northern Dawn: The Scraggall War
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Posted 2023-11-21 17:40:13 (edited)
Hi, and welcome! This story is not yet complete, but you're more than welcome to read what I have so far!As the Northern Dawn worked to expand the reach of its power, it overtook the territory known as Scragg Summit, the previous territory of the vicious Scraggall Pack. The mountain peak was home of just a few wolves, but those wolves threatened the lives of the Northern Dawn's young. It was easy to push out a pack with an inexperienced leader, but now the Scraggall Pack has matured into a band of well-trained wolves. They want their territory back. Under the spoiler: Pictures of the Scraggall Pack members.  King DeironPack Leader Elder Male  Queen OpalMate to the Leader Elder Female  RyoloreScout Adult Male  CroagStalker Adult Male  VixaliChaser Adult Female  RonronneFinisher Adult Female  CuffHerbalist Adult Female  NuielPupsitter Adult Male  FortaChaser-in-Training Adolescent Female  MinkChaser-in-Training Adolescent Male  Alpha Kinlu Lead Wolf; Camp Leader: Boulder Peak Adult Male  Chester Camp Leader: Pine Point; Finisher Adult Male  Tanner Camp Leader: Scragg Summit; South Scout Adult Male  Wolastoq Stalker Adult Female  Lili Backup Finisher Adult Female  Seahai Future Backup Finisher Male Puppy  White X: Pine Point (Northern Dawn) Purple X: Boulder Peak (Northern Dawn) Orange X: Scragg Summit (Northern Dawn, previous den site of the Scraggall Pack) Blue X: Thistle Isle (Scraggall Pack, post-exile) ~~~~~ Chapter One Lili hopped over a root separating her and Seahai and stood behind him. "Your job, Seahai, is to grow into a fine finisher for our pack. Your training starts here. It doesn't matter if your stalker can guarantee a scent trail, or if your chasers can wear out your prey. You can't ever expect a buck to fall into your jaws. If you can't ambush your target, you'll never succeed as a finisher." Seahai's eyes narrowed with determination. "I want you," Lili continued, "to pretend that bobcat tail is an elk." Lili bent down so that her muzzle was right next to her little pup's ear, pointed at the toy. "You'll have the most success if you let your chasers tire out your prey. Wait for it to stop for a breath, fix your eyes on it, and pounce." Seahai lowered himself to the forest floor and started to creep toward his target. Lili looked on with a sharp eye, ready to correct his form. The pup was so small that some blades of grass stood over his head as he crept. The pine trees towered above him. Seahai couldn't help but feel intimidated by the size of the world around him. His mother's voice brought back his attention. "When you pounce, always aim for the back of your prey's neck. If you land behind your target, it will be harder for them to fight back." Seahai paused just before the root of the tree he knew his prey was hiding behind. He tensed his muscles, planted his feet, and launched himself up into the air. He let out a growl of determination as he descended on his target. It just so happened that a mouse had been inspecting the beast's tail. The mouse had been filling its mouth with bobcat fur for its nest. Seahai's shadow appeared over it. It only had enough time to let out a startled squeak before the young wolf landed on it. Equally startled, Seahai didn't know what to do as the mouse wriggled under his two front paws. Lili shouted, "Bite! Bite the back of its neck!" Seahai bit with all of his might. There was a small snap and the mouse stopped wriggling. Lili bounded over to him and gave him a prideful lick in between his ears. "Great job, Seahai! You caught your first mouse!" Seahai's tail wagged with excitement. He picked up his prize and woofed, "I wanna go show Grandma!" Lili silently agreed with a flick of her tail. Seahai bounded across the den site, carrying the mouse by its tail, its little body swaying with each prance. Seahai went to Wolastoq's den, but she was not there. He sniffed the air. She was here recently. Maybe she went out on a hunt, Seahai asked himself. The young pup turned in the direction of Chester's den. He would know where Wolastoq was. As he approached the camp leader's den, he noticed that Chester was standing outside of it, speaking with Alpha Kinlu. Kinlu was delivering food and amusement toys for Pine Point. Seahai slowed as he approached the two powerful wolves. They were talking lightly and laughing, but a pup must always be respectful of his elders, especially when they are talking with each other. Kinlu noticed Seahai first. He swished his tail. "Hello, young Seahai. I see your first lesson went well! Did you catch that all by yourself?" Seahai dipped his head out of respect, but also to sheepishly hide his pride. He nodded. The mouse bobbed up and down. The two adult wolves laughed. "We have some very talented pups here at Pine Point, Kinlu," Chester barked. "Always good to hear, Chester. The Northern Dawn needs more bright minds like yours, Seahai." Kinlu smiled down at the pup. Seahai was eager to get the attention off of him. He turned to Chester and asked, "I'm looking for Grandma. Where's Grandma?" Chester smiled, "She's out with her hunting team. I'm sure they'll be back soon." "Alpha Kinlu! Chester!" The strained voice of a male wolf called through the forest. The trio turned in the direction of the sound. Seahai lifted his nose to see what he could smell. It was Tanner, the camp leader of Scragg Summit. He slowed from his sprint and bent over to catch his breath. "Tanner!" Kinlu yipped. "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?" After a few more heavy breaths and a gulp, Tanner lifted himself to face the other leaders. "I was just attempting to set out on a scouting mission. I travelled down the mountain and set out on my usual path toward the Rainforest. Two Scraggall Pack hunters noticed me from the banks of Thistle Isle. I don't know what they thought I wanted with them, but they started to chase me and bite at my ankles. They didn't leave me alone until I lost them in the forest." Chester gave Kinlu a worried look. Kinlu's eyes were stern. "Did you do anything to provoke them?" "No!" Tanner insisted. "I want nothing to do with those fleabags. I didn't even look at them as I passed by. Not a single fur of mine got anywhere near their territory." Kinlu sighed heavily. As he opened his mouth to speak, a clamor of uneasy wolves could be heard entering the den site. It was the hunters that Chester had sent out. Aspen, Wolastoq, Leaf, Unukut, and Alakai had returned empty-pawed, which was very abnormal for them. The group immediately went to the gathering of leaders. Aspen, surprised to see her camp leader, moved by Tanner to check in with him. "We were attacked!" Unukut's husky voice exclaimed. "Aspen successfully took down an elk. Alakai and I lifted it so that we could carry it back. As soon as we got it situated, King Deiron and some of his mange-filled wolves pounced on us from the bushes. They took our kill and gave us all a good licking." Chester asked, "Were you hunting outside of our grounds?" Unukut's eyes narrowed. "I have been hunting for you for too long for you to ask me that question. I know our hunting grounds better than any wolf here." Kinlu intercepted the brewing argument. He quickly inspected each of the returning hunters before announcing, "Chester, please go grab Archer. Tell him to bring some open wound salves and infection balms, just in case." Chester nodded and turned to search for the herbalist. Wolastoq turned to head to her den. Her head was hung low. Lili raced after her to check on her mother. Seahai, intimidated by all of the energy around him, picked up his mouse and paced over to Wolastoq's den. His mother was licking Wolastoq's cuts. Fortunately, none of them were deep or bleeding heavily. Lili was asking for details about the attack, but Wolastoq didn't want to talk about it. Seahai gingerly approached Wolastoq. She turned to him and gave him a soft smile. "How's my little man doing today?" Seahai placed the mouse in front of his grandmother. "I'm sorry about the hunt, Grandma." Wolastoq gave a worried smile. "Oh, it's not your thing to be sorry about, Seahai. You're a very sweet boy." She reached forward and licked between his ears. She was so lost in thought that she hadn't considered the significance of the mouse. She raised her eyebrows and asked, "Did you catch this, Seahai?" Lili beamed. She woofed in between licks, "All by himself, too, Mom." "Oh, Seahai, that's so wonderful! You're going to grow up to be such a wonderful hunter one day." Seahai smiled, warmed by his grandmother's praise. "You can keep my elk, Grandma." ~~~~~ Chapter Two As the trio reached the river surrounding the island, the Scraggall Pack scout, Ryolore, noticed them. He barely let the Northern Dawn wolves get their paws wet before he approached. His paws cut skillfully through the water, knowing exactly where each foot should land, while the Northern Dawn wolves slipped and padded slowly through the stream. Ryolore's ears were back and he was growling softly. Kinlu paused his approach and allowed the younger wolf to come nearer. His ears were pricked forward, confidently awaiting Ryolore's next move. Ryolore paused a few feet in front of Kinlu, hackles raised. "What are you doing in Scraggall Pack territory?" "Easy, Ryolore," Kinlu woofed, "I only want to speak to your parents." "Why?" Ryolore snarled. "I think you know." Kinlu's eyes were firm as he held eye contact with the scout. Ryolore swished his tail, but turned and led the wolves deeper into their territory. Kinlu could smell that the den site was near, but Ryolore paused still several feet from it. He turned and snapped at the trio, "Wait here. I'll grab the wolves you wish to speak with." Kinlu ordered his entourage to wait behind him. Ryolore disappeared into the thick brush, shortly after returning with King Deiron and Queen Opal. King Deiron had a gleam in his eye, a smirk growing across his lips. "Alpha Kinlu! It's been ages." Kinlu kept his voice stern. "King Deiron. We've come to you today to discuss recent conflicts between our packs." "Oh, I see." King Deiron lowered himself to sit on the forest floor. His queen sat just behind him, licking the back of his neck to keep his fur from standing on edge. "Continue, then." "My trusted scout, Tanner, informed me of an attack on him the other day as he set out on his patrol." Tanner grew embarrassed at the sound of his name. He was intimidated by meeting this foreign leader. "Two of your hunters chased him into the thick forest just south of here. It wasn't long after this that one of my hunting parties informed me that other members of your pack, including yourself, stole an elk from some of my senior hunters. What is the purpose of these actions?" King Deiron flicked an ear in annoyance. "Is it not obvious, puppy?" His voice came out as a growl. Kinlu was a well-aged wolf, but King Deiron knew many more moons than him. Alpha Kinlu kept his composure with ease. "If it's prey you're worried about, I would be more than willing to redraw hunting boundaries with you. I wouldn't want anyone to go hungry." "Quite the hypocrite, aren't you, Kinlu?" King Deiron sprang to his feet. Chester stepped in front of Kinlu to defend him, dipping his head to block his neck. Kinlu didn't flinch. King Deiron continued with a mocking tone. "'I don't want anyone to be hungry!' But you have no problem running us out of our territory!" "It is my duty to protect my pack's pups," Kinlu retorted. "Scragg Summit was our home. It was my father's home, and his father's home, and so on for generations. And we lost it because a band of dogs thought we were too scary." King Deiron's teeth were bared, ready to pounce. Kinlu rose to his feet but remained in place. "You lost it because you weren't strong enough to defend it." "But strong enough to kill your pups? How embarrassing that they couldn't defend themselves against such a weak wolf." Kinlu's face flushed with anger. King Deiron smirked as he realized he had hit a soft spot. Kinlu slowly paced toward the Scraggall Pack leader. Tanner and Chester held back, growls forming in their throats. Kinlu steadily met King Deiron's eyes. "Your wolves will stay far away from the Northern Dawn's hunters, scouts, and territory." "Or else what?" King Deiron's eyes glimmered. "If you refuse to be peaceful with us, I will have no choice but to exile your pack in a more permanent manner." Tanner's eyes nervously glanced at Chester. Chester looked firmly ahead, sharing in Kinlu's anger. King Deiron smiled. "We'll see about that." Suddenly, King Deiron launched toward Kinlu's neck. Chester and Tanner jumped on him, barking and snapping at his ears and tail. Queen Opal grabbed Tanner by the scruff and threw him off of King Deiron. Startled, Ryolore retreated to the den site. Tanner knocked Queen Opal to the side with a firm blow of his paw. Chester's firm bite to the tip of King Deiron's ear released Kinlu from his grasp. Kinlu howled an order to retreat just as the whole of the Scraggall Pack appeared from the bushes, led by Ryolore. The Northern Dawn trio ran out of the Thistle Isle, dodging several trees as the Scraggall Pack barked and howled threats behind them. As they reached the bank of the stream, the trio threw themselves in, trying their best to not lose speed as they slipped and struggled to grip the silt and river stones. King Deiron lifted his tail to halt his packmates. He jeered after the fleeing Northern Dawn wolves, "Drowning would be a better way out of this, puppies!" ~~~~~ |
 Paw #112093 |
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Posted 2023-11-21 17:40:43 (edited)
Kinlu's neck stung from the open would salve Archer had applied to it. Fortunately, his injury did not hinder his ability to address his pack. His voice rang loud and clear, his blue eyes catching the light of the setting sun as his gaze fell upon each wolf gathered below. "King Deiron and Queen Opal were not receptive to our inquiries today," Kinlu declared. "They refused to come to an agreement with us in terms of hunting grounds or pack interactions." "What do they want with us, then?" Lina's voice hissed from the crowd. The retired finisher sat uncomfortably on her bony haunches. She was considerably aged, and surely didn't enjoy the walk all the way from Scragg Summit to attend the meeting. Kinlu's eyes narrowed with concealed worry. "I fear they want Scragg Summit to be returned to their pack." "Impossible!" Unukut howled. "It was my littermates who died at their paws. As long as I roam these woods, they will never return to Scragg Summit." The pack howled in agreement with Unukut. Tanner dipped his head and Chester woofed in agreement. Kinlu continued, "Unukut is right. Scragg Summit will never again belong to the Scraggall Pack, but we must be cautious. Our pack is in no state to enter a war." "But Alpha Kinlu," Tanner intercepted, "we have numerous wolves ready to give their all for the Northern Dawn at Scragg Summit. I know Chester's camp is even more numerous than my own. We have plenty of warriors." Chester nodded and added in, "We outnumber the Scraggall Pack four to one. And you received a bad injury today by the hands of King Deiron." The crowd growled at the mention of the enemy leader's attack. "Why are we not ready to enter war?" Kinlu sighed, lifting his nose to the sky. "I've just turned six years old, Chester. This is the time in every leader's life where they are supposed to designate an heir. I would not be performing my duty to you all if I were to skip this task. The Northern Dawn deserves to have a strong, well-trained warrior lead after me. If I don't start to train a wolf now..." Kinlu's voice trailed off as worry overtook him. Chester moved closer to brush his fur against Kinlu's side. "If anything were to happen to you, Alpha Kinlu, then Tanner and I are more than willing to lead in your place until a new heir can be selected." Tanner lowered his head in agreement. Kinlu let out another nervous sigh. He licked the foreheads of both wolves before continuing. "And I know that you two would do a great job. But if I were to die in battle without having an heir to support you, I would never be able to forgive myself." The pack was silent, looking expectantly at their leaders. They all respected Kinlu's wish, but none of them wanted to wait to engage in war with the Scraggall Pack. Kinlu addressed his wolves again. "We must be cautious. For now, no wolf is to leave their camp. Hunts may only take place within the portion of the Mountain that confidently belongs to the Northern Dawn. No scouting should take place in any section of the forest. Pups should always be in sight of either their mother or their pupsitter. Adolescents should only be trained within their camps. Nobody is to interact with or seek out any member of the Scraggall Pack." "But Kinlu," Nala woofed, "what if we are attacked first?" Kinlu looked down at his mate, his gaze tender. "They wouldn't dare." The expressions of the wolves in the crowd varied. Some were willing to accept their leader's statement, but others were wary over Kinlu's lack of planning. Before a wolf could speak up, Kinlu hopped down from the boulder and barked, "I'll be heading to the Trading Center tonight. I'll return before dawn with an heir. Once I've made my choice, we'll meet again and discuss how to approach this Scraggall war." His gaze sharpened and a smile crept along his muzzle. He howled, "Long live the Northern Dawn!" His pack howled in pride as Kinlu slipped through the brush bordering the camp. They howled loudly in the hope that the Scraggall Pack would be able to hear them. "Long live the Northern Dawn! Long live the Northern Dawn!" ~~~~~ |
Paw #112093 |
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Posted 2023-11-21 17:40:52
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Paw #112093 |
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Posted 2023-11-27 12:56:01
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Paw #112093 |
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Posted 2023-11-27 12:56:09
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Posted 2023-11-29 12:35:48
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Paw #112093 |
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Posted 2023-11-29 12:35:59
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