Pack Lore
In our pack, some wolves are born lucky. Others, are lucky to be born. Caligo was one of the lucky ones. His brother Corvus was not. They were both servants of the High Kingdoms, a unity of four different packs of wolves. Emberlight Valley was the smallest. Whitemist Lake was the biggest. Silverstone Canyon and Breezewalker Plateau were equal in size and strength. Corvus was younger than Caligo, and Caligo was set to take the throne of the High Kingdoms. Every few years, the cycle of which Kingdom would choose the heir to the High Throne repeated. First, the Breezewalker pack, then, the Silverstone pack, then Whitemist, and then Emberlight. The current Whitemist leader had kept the peace, and Caligo was set to take his place upon reaching adulthood. Caligo always thought that Corvus might be more fitted to take the throne. After all, he had an intelligence in his eyes that Caligo couldn't match, no matter how strong he may have been. Corvus was young and bright, and he would step up as the induvidial leader of the Emberlight Valley Pack. Unfortunately, his destiny was to guide his kingdom, and Caligo's was to guide the world. One dark and thunderous evening, the current king of the High Kingdoms, Venandi the Ruthless of Whitemist Lake, took Caligo into his care for just a day for some basic mentoring on how to rule a kingdom. Caligo left Venandi's side limping, with a deep gash that had just barely begun scabbing over slicing through the clumped and bloody fur of his leg. He rushed to Corvus's side and leaned on him, whimpering. Venandi walked towards their caretakers, Calidus the Kind and Auris the Swift, and announced something. "The boy is weak. He is not suited to lead the kingdom, and I suggest that young Corvus take his place instead."
Caligo fell into a stunned silence.
What? Corvus? Take his place?
He snarled. Corvus gave him a terrified look and shook his head. Caligo turned to Corvus and reassured him that his snarl was not spoken out of anger at Corvus but rather out of anger at himself for being weak. Auris stepped forward and looked Venandi in the eyes.
"Though a humble mate of a pack king may not have much of a say in this according to you, I would like to note that Caligo has trained with the finest and should be nothing but ready to take the throne," he spat harshly. Venandi dipped his head.
"I don't doubt the boy's training, but he is weak of mind. See to it that he grows stronger. Perhaps it would be wise to let him have a go at ruling your pack before you decide which brother fits which role," Venandi purred, but there were cruel and commanding undertones in his voice. Caligo and Corvus moved back towards their caretakers and away from Venandi. Calidus curled his lip.
"High King Venandi, I invite you to leave and stop bothering my sons," he growled. Venandi dipped his head and turned and stalked away, glaring over his shoulder for a moment.
The fate of the brothers lies in their hands.
Will Caligo rise to the challenge? Will Corvus take his place? Will they both flee from their responsibilities and leave the world without an heir to its throne? HTML by Lila #225. Do not remove credit |
