Huntress: chapter 1

In the middle of the kingdom beneath the half circle of hills is a small clearing where the most of the pack lived. For many seasons past most of the wolves have built their dens into the hill sides. King’s great-great-great-great grandfather founded the kingdom and the half circle of hills. His grandfather believed if that pack stayed together in one place they would have unity, strength, and peace. 1

There were other wolves of the pack who, lived outside of the half circle of hills. These wolves were known as the watchers of the kingdom. Their job was to watch the grass-eaters, spot any foes, and warn the pack of any danger. Some of these watchers lived in smaller family packs with several generations or a union pack living together made up of newly wedded wolves without pups.

The pack in the half circle of hills was lay down, resting in the heat of the afternoon. The cubs and pups were barking, growling, running away, and playing tag with other. Their parents were lay outside of their dens in the warm breeze. The wind was whistling through the trees, brushes, and flowers making the pack feel at ease.2

They heard a great cry from a mother watcher wolf.  She came running into the half circle of hills with her pups to the pack. King arose from his sleep. 3

“My King, my King…” said the mother wolf.“What has happened?”4

“My family and I were attacked near our home. My mate went after the attacker. One of my pups ran away during the fight,” said the wolf.5

“Did you see the attacker?” asked the King.6

“No, my King… Everything happened very quickly,” explained the mother wolf.7

“You and your family are safe here. Whirlwind, Huntress!”8

“My King, my mate is missing too,” said the wolf.9

“Calm down, we will find them. Please, gather your pups. You may use my home,” explained King.10

The mother wolf gathered her pups and entered the King’s home. Whirlwind and Huntress went to the King. He looked at the young wolves and wondered if he should give them this quest.11

“My King, what is happening?” asked Whirlwind.12

“Strong-Wind and his pup are missing near their home. His mate and the rest of the pups made to the clearing and the pack. She said that they were attacked,” said King.13

“Does she knows who attacked them?” asked Huntress.14

“She did not see the attacker. Go and find the missing members. Track down this attacker. Remembered that protectors are on the edge the kingdom,” said King.15

“Yes, my King,” said Whirlwind and Huntress.16

They left and headed toward the home of Strong-Wind the Watcher Wolf. Huntress had an uneasy feeling about this quest. Whirlwind was thrilled to have such a quest. He was charging through the underbrush and wanted to strike at any danger.17

“Will you slow down?” said Huntress.18

“Your paws beginning to hurt, princess?” replied Whirlwind.19

“We do not know what is out there.”20

“What? You are a coward, too?”21

Huntress jumped Whirlwind. She knocked him to the ground. He rolled onto back then landed his paws. Huntress was staring him down in a way that put fear into his bones. Her fur was standing on end and she was showing her teeth. Whirlwind crawled back on his paws away from her.22

“I am daughter of the King and Queen. I am no coward! I suggest you learn it now. Always watch your back,” said Huntress. 23

Whirlwind arose from the ground. He realized how powerful she was. Huntress sniffed the wind, trying to see who was out there. She smelled nothing. It was too quiet as well. That gave her an uneasy feeling in her tail.24

“I am sorry, Huntress.”25

“Why do you think I am a coward?”26

“You are so careful.”27

“I think before I act. Starfire said that she did not see the attacker. We do not know who is out here,” said Huntress.28

“Why do not we start at their home?” asked Whirlwind.29

“We have a plan,” said Huntress.30

They reached the home of Strong-wind. Huntress took a look around while Whirlwind scouted out the area to see if it was safe. Huntress spotted some fur on a stick. Whirlwind noticed the wind was not in their favor.31

“Huntress, the wind is in not our favor. If the attacker is still here, he or she will know that we are here.”32

“We have to stay alert. Look at this!”33

“It is fur and not from our kind,” said Whirlwind.34

“Looks like a cat’s fur.”35

“There have been no Wildcats since that dreadful day. We need to find Strong-wind and his pup,” said Huntress.36

Whirlwind and Huntress heard noises coming from deep within the forest. They went running toward the noises. The young wolves moved like lighting in the summer sky. Huntress glided through the underbrush with ease. Whirlwind pounded through the underbrush like a harsh wind knocking down everything in its path. 37

They heard a pup whining and another wolf growling. Huntress and Whirlwind stopped. They slowly walked up to the clearing. They saw two huge Wildcats bigger than them with large sharp fangs teasing the pup and holding Strong-wind back from his pup.38

“Those bullies,” growled Whirlwind.39

“We need to get that pup away from them!”40

“You are quiet through the underbrush. You go around to the other side. When you get there then I will jump out,” said Whirlwind.41

“Are sure that is a good idea?” asked Huntress.42

“I am a hunter,” snapped Whirlwind.43

Huntress just gave him the evil eye. He showed his teeth at her. She took off to the other side of the clearing. Huntress saw the pup shaking in between the two Wildcats.44

“This pup would make for a nice snack,” said one of the wild cats with his fangs touching the pup.45

“Leave him alone!” said Strong-wind.46

“The brave father cannot save his pup from two old wild cats,” said the other wild cat.47

“If you hurt him, I will hunt you and down destroy your families!” said Strong-wind.48

Strong-Wind charged at the Wildcats. His pup ran into the brush and hid.
Huntress jumped out at the wild cats putting herself between the pup and the wild cats. Whirlwind came charging at one of the Wildcats, biting and barking at him. Huntress took the bigger Wildcat. She was wresting with the Wildcat on the ground and avoiding his fangs. She took one of her paws and clawed him in his stomach. She pushed away from him. The wild cat took off into the forest leaving his partner behind. 49

Strong-wind charged at other Wildcat to give aid to Whirlwind. The Wildcat looked up and realized that he was out numbered. Huntress came growling and ready to pounce at him.50

“You win. I beg for your mercy. Let me go in peace,” begged the Wildcat.51

“Why should we?” replied Whirlwind.52

“Where is your honor? You are the Great and Noble Pack of Wolves,” said the Wildcat.53

“You are free. Do not show yourself around here again,” said Strong-wind.54

“Thank you, great wolf.”55

The Wildcat was leaving when Huntress stood in his way. She walked up, putting her nose against the Wildcat’s nose. The Wildcat was confused and startled. 56

“Am I free, great wolf?” said the puzzled Wildcat.57

“Hear me well, night stalker out of the cold night breath. Tell your clan this is still the Great Pack of Wolves’ land and if you ever harm a pup or do this again. I will hunt you down and fed you to the buzzards,” demanded Huntress.58

“You are not Hunter, great and noble wolf.”59

“I am his sister. I am Huntress the She-Wolf. Remember me well,” explained Huntress.60

She stepped away and let the Wildcat go. He took off into the forest. Strong-wind was impressed with her. 61

“What was that all about?” asked Whirlwind.62

“Calm down, young wolf, come out pup. It is safe,” said Strong-Wind.
The pup ran out of the brush near Huntress and cowered underneath her father’s body.63

“Huntress, be glad that was a young Wildcat. An older Wildcat would have dashed toward the brush for the pup.”64

“I understand, Strong-Wind.”65

“Why did you make that threat against that Wildcat?” asked Whirlwind.66

“She has all the wisdom of all the clans,” explained Strong-Wind.67

“I do not understand,” said Whirlwind.68

“Of course you do not, young wolf,” said Strong-Wind.69

Whirlwind did not understand what had happened, but he was impressed with Huntress. He wanted to be her friend. Strong-Wind knew that Huntress did not understand what had happened. He was glad that she was brave and smart just like her mother. They returned to the pack.

Starfire was waiting for her mate and her pups were taking a nap. She heard a small howl. She barked. The park came to the clearing.70

“Strong-Wind is coming home!” said Starfire.71

From the underbrush came Huntress, Whirlwind, Strong-Wind and his pup. Strong-Wind let the pup ran to its mother. He walked over to his mate. He licked her head while she was taking care of the pup.72

“You are safe, little pup,” said Starfire.73

“She was a brave little pup.”74

“I prayed for you. I do not know, what I would do if I loss you?” said Starfire.75

“I am safe now. Let’s go into our leader’s den,” said Strong-Wind.
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