Wolf Battle

 

            Rowan ran faster than the wind when the report came from the scout. Lester’s warriors had crossed into Rowan’s territory. Rowan’s father, Sulfur, immediately dispatched his own warriors, with Rowan at the head. Lester’s pack had become increasingly bold lately. While on patrol, Rowan could see them just beyond his own territory. He didn’t think they would actually invade – at least, not until now.

            As the best warrior in their wolf pack, Rowan was confident that they could defeat Lester’s scraggly band. A thought grew in his mind, however. What if Dune had joined them?

            Rowan’s brother, Dune, had run away the week before. He and Sulfur were way too much alike and never got on particularly well. Things came to a head when Dune suggested that they take warriors into Lester’s territory to rid themselves of their thievery. For many months, Lester and his wolves would sneak in to Sulfur’s territory to hunt and chase prey into their own. No one had ever witnessed this, of course, but Dune was sure that it was happening. Sulfur wouldn’t listen, so Dune ran away and hadn’t been heard from since.

            Rowan shook these thoughts from his mind and called out, “As soon as we see them, we take out their chief warrior. When that happens, the others will scatter without a leader.” He heard yips of approval from those running beside him. They reached the White River, and Rowan could smell the other wolves, along with…was that Dune?! He led his warriors along the scent trail, which followed the river for a while, and then headed onto an old trail that would lead them straight to the rest of the pack.

            Rowan let out a howl as he charged off, with seven other wolves following him. He had to reach the invaders before they got to the den.

            Suddenly, a gray and white shape slammed into Rowan from the side. He was forced into a side roll, and then the other wolf was upon him. With a yelp, he recognized who it was. “Dune?” he asked incredulously.

            Dune looked down at him with a furious scowl on his face. “You fools walked right into our trap,” he said scornfully.

            Rowan shook himself and went into a defensive stance. “What have you done?” His warriors were fighting other wolves who had similarly ambushed them. Snarls and yelps filled the area as they tried to fight back. They fought well, but they were outnumbered. At least 15 of Lester’s warriors were engaged in the battle.

            “Father never listened to me,” Dune said bitterly. “All he wanted to do was hide, but Lester knows that you have to fight to make things better. There’s a spot for you with Lester, if you would like it, brother.”

            Rowan snarled, “I will never betray my home! You have made a serious mistake!” He leaped toward Dune, and landed with his paws in Dune’s chest.

            Dune immediately rolled backwards, but righted himself and smiled back at his brother. “You’re going to have to do better than that, Rowan!” The two started to circle each other, each letting out low, threatening growls.

            “Take your friends and get out of here, Dune,” Rowan hissed. “I will do whatever it takes to protect our home.”

            Dune let out a low laugh. “Look around you.” His eyes gestured to Lester’s pack. “We outnumber you at least two to one.”

            Rowan knew the odds. He also knew that if the leader was taken down, the rest of the pack would retreat. Dune seemed to be the leader. Only he would have known about this other, secret, trail to their den. Rowan was the best warrior in their pack and had scrimmaged against his brother many times. He always won, but it had all been done in play. He had never hurt his brother before. If he wanted to save his pack by taking out the invading pack’s leader, he would have to kill or seriously maim Dune.

            Rowan groaned inwardly. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but he would do whatever it took to protect the others. He tried to reason with Dune one last time. “Please, don’t do this brother. Call out the retreat and lead these other wolves out of here.”

            Dune’s face was determined as he said, “I will not come back to be pushed around by Sulfur. My future is with Lester. He actually listens to me, and I’m going to follow him!” With that, Dune sprang again at Rowan.

            Rowan met the attack. He was ready. The fight between them was furious, filled with shouts, savage barks, and soon, blood.

            When it was over, Dune lay at Rowan’s feet with a gaping wound in his side. He was alive and breathing heavily, but he wouldn’t be able to run anymore that day.

            Feeling sickened, Rowan looked down at his brother. The wound was serious, but he should be able to recover, in time.

            Rowan let out a victorious howl and cried, “Your leader is down! Leave now, while you still can!”

            Of the 17 wolves that had come with Dune, only 10 were still standing. They immediately retreated back toward the river. Rowan’s warriors had suffered their own casualties. Almost all of his seven warriors were down, and a few would never get up again. Rowan let out another triumphant howl, but this one was tinged with sorrow. His home was safe, but he knew that things would never be the same again.

            Dune recovered, and was allowed back into the pack, but he was demoted to the lowest rank. He knew that he owed Rowan his life. He never again challenged his brother, but he avoided their father ever after that. Rowan eventually became chief and was a good leader, and a fierce warrior. Lester never challenged them again. Rowan was glad, because he secretly thought he could never go through an ordeal like that again. War was horrible, and he had definitely seen enough of it.