*Brute stood over Bandit and the four pups around her. They were only two weeks old and their eyes had recently opened, their legs still unsteady. She lay grooming the smallest pup patiently, well used to Brute�s seemingly critical gaze over their children. Brute was a fairly average Lupine to look at � a dusky blue pelt, darker than average, with normal white markings. Only his eyes and the expression on his face gave away anything� abnormal. Both orbs were black. Void of any emotion � not to mention pupil and irises. They were just two black holes in his face, menacing and oddly gripping.
Bandit was smaller, lightly built, but no less deadly than her mate. She was a huntress and warrior and used the same deadly accuracy in both trades. The pups were a mix of both parents. There was the twins, the little female who she was grooming and a male who was her identical counterpart save for his gender. Both were dark blue with black eyes, tiny versions of their father. There was a female pup was more like her mother, taller than the twins and also black eyed. Then there was the oldest pup. Brute lowered his muzzle and sniffed this pup now, growling under his breath as he inspected his offspring. The pup blinked � dark green eyes, the only one of the litter not to have black � and sat quietly, not pulling back from his sire�s investigation. He was bigger than the other pups, and also a paler blue. Brute grunted and nodded to himself. Bandit looked up at him.*
~Yes� he will be the one. Brace and Balios were this size at birth, he�ll grow as much as they have. I will train him personally. Have him ready in two weeks~
*Bandit nodded silently, turning back to her grooming. As Brute turned to leave the cave, she spoke* ~His name is Daverone~ *Brute paused. Without looking back he nodded � and left.
At a month old the pups had all grown. Daverone was the largest by far, followed by his sister, named Slash. She was almost as tall and much more active. She was always pouncing around Daverone or the twins, nipping and making little lightning-swipes with her paw to trip her siblings up. Daverone wasn�t as playful, seeming much more serious. He liked to wander off a lot and Bandit had to keep a sharp eye on him. The twins were cry-babies, running wailing to Bandit or Slash played too rough. They had left the old birth-cave and now resided in a small den within some thick brush, out in the open.
It was here Brute found them. Bandit greeted him quietly and he nuzzled her roughly before striding towards the pups.
Daverone was pawing half-heartedly at Slash to keep her at bay as she darted neatly around him, yapping to make him jump every now and again. Rip and Shred, the twins, looked up as Brute�s shadow fell over them and went scampering back to their mother in fear. Brute stood watching his eldest pups. Daverone put his nose up to catch his scent, staying where he was. Slash, however, appeared delighted to find herself someone else to playfight. She stalked up to Brute on her belly, her tail lashing, and attacked his forepaws.
With one easy movement Brute picked up his daughter and swooped her into the air. Slash yelped and fiercely attacked Brute�s paw. A small smile curled at the edge of Brute�s lips. Setting Slash down beside her mother he turned towards the eldest pup*
~Daverone! Come~ *Commanded Brute. The azure pup looked up at his father*
~Daverone. Come with me~ *His father repeated, in quieter but no less stern tones. Daverone stood, glanced back at his mother, and followed Brute out of the den*
The next two months for Daverone were hard. Brute pushed him hard. Brute was a powerful warrior and it was his intention to train Daverone to be the same. Every day started at sunrise and ended two hours after sunset. Fitness training, wrestling matches with his two elder cousins, timed runs, swimming, attack and defense� the lists were endless. He swiftly lost any trace of puppy-fat. He grew taller, filled out, started to develop muscle. In terms of health he was perfect � but he was not pleasing his father*
~He doesn�t try, Bandit. His will isn�t there! His effort always lacks. I asked him today why he thought strength came from. He replied �from the heart�. From the heart?! I don�t WANT my pup to have heart, Bandit, I want him to be a warrior I can count on!~
*Bandit was well used to her mate. She had heard the stories of Brute�s own childhood with his father. Slink the Savage had put his young son Brute through everything Daverone was going through now � Brute wanted to keep the tradition running. His eldest son should be just like him. And Daverone was disappointing him*
~I don�t think he is right, Brute~
~Not right?!~
~I don�t think he�s a killer. But he is not your only pup, you know~ *Bandit brushed passed Brute, heading towards her favorite hunting grounds. Brute stared after her, then padded towards the den where Rip and Shred could be heard arguing over a scrap of hide. He watched without beeing seen.
Slash crept towards her two younger siblings, hiding in the darkness of a thorn-bush. The twins were avoiding this, having learnt early on about the pain connected with this particular piece of flora. Slash knew this. Brute watched as her lean figure slunk towards Rip and Shred, subtly shifting her weight from paw to paw, using the shadows to her advantage. Brute�s ears twitched once as he watched. Slash pounced and the twins squealed in shock, scattering away like frightened rabbits. Slash flashed little puppy teeth in amusement and settled down to chew on the hide scrap, looking pleased with herself. Brute snorted softly and turned away.
Daverone was relieved when his father�s attention slackened from him. It gave him time to himself, a luxury he hadn�t been allowed in the last two and a half months. Brute still set him exercises to do, but he was now training Slash as well. She pleased him, being smart and willing to learn, and he started to focus more and more upon her. Sometimes Brute would match them against one another to fight, and Daverone never missed the look of disgust on his sire�s face when he lost. He may have all but given up on his firstborn � but he hadn�t forgotten him. He was ashamed of Daverone.
As more months passed Daverone grew to enjoy roaming. He rarely enjoyed spending time with his family. His mother was always hunting or training Slash with her mate� although he never got the same looks from her as he did from Brute. Slash was arrogant and maliciously cruel in teasing her older brother, feeling jealous he was the one who had drawn Brute�s attention first. Rip and Shred didn�t want him around, they had one another. Then there was Brute�s brother, Blue, and his family. Blue was dull and boring and growled sullenly at any pup who ventured too near, including his own boys. These were another set of twins � bully Balios, whom Daverone steered clear of, and quiet Brace. Daverone almost felt he and Brace could have been friends.. if Balios allowed it. The big blue bully got annoyed with Brace if he spent time with Daverone and would call him away. Daverone never understood why Brace obeyed his twin � he was devoted to him, doing as he said without complaint. But whatever the reasons Daverone found no friends within his family.
He was lying quietly in the shade of an oak towards the edge of the forest when he heard the voices. His ears perked up. In a few moments a pair of pups dashed into view. Absorbed in their chasing game neither noticed the young blue male lying not far off. Daverone watched, entranced, as they chased each other through the trees, ducking and weaving, until one pounced upon the other and they both went tumbling. Their laughter fascinated Daverone. The only thing close to laughter he�d heard before now was his sister snickering.
The pups were handsome little things, probably only a month or so younger than Daverone. Both were identical � more twins? � with yellow coats, white markings and black paws. Their eyes were also the same � the brightest blue Daverone had ever seen. He lay watching them wrestle joyfully until a deep bark called them away. Daverone stared into the suddenly quiet forest, wondering if the friendly bark had been the yellow pups� father. Suddenly remembering he was meant to met up with his own sire that afternoon, he hastily rose to his paws and dashed off towards home.
It wasn�t the first time his father had hit him. His mind had wandered and he�d been late a few times, but a blow from his sire needed little more than failing to please him or catching him in a bad mood. Beneath the long blue fur thickening for winter, Daverone�s skin was scarred.
He saw the pups again two weeks later, playing in the trees as before. This time his afternoon was free and when the yellow pups were called by that deep bark again, Daverone silently rose to his paws and trailed them. They never saw him � for such a large Lupine as Dav was becoming, he could be very quiet when he wanted. He followed the two pups back to their home.
The sunny glade was filled with short grass and a shelter had been built in the center. Lying outside this, a lovely sunny-yellow Lupess laughed as the yellow twins bounded towards her. She caught one in her paws and started to lick the dirt from his fur. Daverone was hiding in the shadows of a fallen log, too far away to hear what the pup�s mother was saying to them� but he did not move closer. The free yellow pup buzzed around his mother and twin with a wagging tail, until an adult male strode around the side of the shelter, a warm smile on his maw. Daverone�s gaze took in the male�s green and black markings, creeping up his limbs in the shape of flames. Wow, he thought, I�d love markings like that.
This flamed male was the pup�s father, and he lowered his head to nuzzle his son lovingly. Just as Daverone was wondering if the twins were the only pups in the litter, their brothers and sisters tumbled out behind their father.
First was a slender green female, with another yellow male (but without the black paws) bouncing at her side. A quiet green male followed, and bringing up the rear of the little procession was a tiny blue female, obviously a runt. The green female pup came over to greet the twins, while the father laughed and scooped the blue female up, tossing her in the air and catching her. Daverone could hear faint giggles. He watched this family with complete captivation.
As the days turned colder Daverone sought out the family many more times. He never approached them � simply lay quietly, off to one side, and watched the pups play. He did not lie near enough to hear anything that was said and never intruded on any of them� simply lay, and watched, and wondered how this little family could be so different from his own.
Brute had started to lead hunts every day. The cold was killing off plants and smaller animals, and prey was not as plentiful. Blue and his mate Grace were adequate hunters, their boys large enough to be useful when hunting the larger deer species, and Bandit was nothing short of an expert at hunting. Slash progressed nicely, and Brute was pleased with her. Rip and Shred would prove their worth every now and again by bringing in a hare or pigeon� but as for his son�
Actually Daverone�s hunting skills were perfectly sufficient. The rule of his family was if you did not help in a kill you reaped no rewards, and Daverone had gone through one sickening bloodbath his family called a hunt and knew he could never go with them again. So he practiced alone, honing his hunting, respecting anything he caught and never taking more than he needed. It was not his hunting skills that displeased Brute, however.
The nights grew longer and the days shorter, and hunting kept Daverone occupied most of the time. He rarely saw the yellow twins� family any more. Prey grew more and more scare and Brute�s temper worsened in mid-winter when the first snows fell. He hated to be hungry - to be inadequate - but the bare fact of the matter was the small forest simply did not hold enough prey to feed them.
Disaster struck one day when the snows were melting and Daverone and his siblings were about seven months old. Brute disliked the slushy mud even more than the snow that had him sink down a foot with every step, and his nerves were on edge. Daverone was beaten harshly when he protested against being pitted against Slash, and his cries of pain echoed through the frozen trees desolately. Brute, in a worse temper than ever, commanded the family � his entire family � was coming hunting with them and they would get a decent meal. Silently they all rose to obey, only Bandit sparing Daverone a sideways glance as he wearily climbed up to his paws.
They split into groups. Bandit was ordered to take Grace out into the more open forest to try for a deer, Rip, Shred, Brace and Balios to stake out the forest�s rabbit warren. Daverone and Blue trailed Brute silently as he tracked a faint scent through the melting snow.
Daverone started to feel uneasy as Brute led them along. There was something familiar about that old oak� and that hollow log, and�
Oh no.
Daverone realized in a flash which scent his father was tracking. His eyes shot to his sire in horror � he wouldn�t! He couldn�t� could he? Daverone jerked in shock when he heard the low satisfied growl rumbling softly from Brute�s chest. Then he heard why. Carefree laughter, Lupine laughter, could be heard amidst bouncing pawsteps.
Brute launched himself off before Daverone could protest, a powerful blue bullet racing determinedly through the snow. Blue was slower, being far more heavy, but loped after his brother. His heart pounding wildly Daverone forced his paws into a run to catch up with his father.
Too late.
Daverone skidded to a shocked halt, slush flying out from under his large paws. The painful cry tore his heart in two. The sight that met his eyes made him want to cover them with his paws and howl.
Brute had one of the black-pawed twins in his mouth, teeth clamped around his middle. The twins had been out playing on their own again and their parents could be no help to them. The young Lupe struggled wildly with his attcker � but he was only half Brute�s size and no match for his strength, and already all but helpless between cruel cutting fangs. Brute scissored deeper into the Lupine�s flesh, relishing the taste of fresh blood, and the distraught cries were cut suddenly short. Blue, half starved and desperate for a meal slipped forwards and caught the pup�s ankles between his teeth. Daverone could feel himself shaking in horror. Brute yanked back savagely with a sound of snapping bones and lashed out at Blue�s face, forcing the larger Lupine to drop his end and whine painfully.
In the moment of silence that followed, a heartbroken whimper filled the air. Daverone froze, his eyes tracing the sound to a jumble of brush half-covered in snow. Crouching there terrified with his blue eyes filled with tears was the other twin. Brute saw what his son did and dropped the first twin. Blue snatched it up greedily, not bothering with the prospect of a second meal when the first was right before his paws. Brute stalked towards the other pup, who looked petrified in his grief and terror. Brute�s powerful muscled tensed in readiness to spring.*
~NOOO-OO!~ *Daverone flew form his position and slammed into his father mid-air. Brute hit the ground hard as Daverone swiped at the pup urgently* ~Run, go go go!~ *Snapping out of it the yellow pup ran, and Daverone spun around and stared into a face more angry than he�d ever seen in his life. He took his own advice. As Brute�s paw whistled through the air to cut cruelly into Daverone�s face, Daverone turned the ran.
He continued to run for three months. The lands changed under his paws, the snow cleared and spring growth flourished, the moon waned and waxed overhead as he traveled by night. He had to keep moving, never staying more than a day in the same place, pushing himself to cover as much land as he could every day� because Brute was hunting him. Dragging the rest of his family along with him, Brute had branded Daverone a traitor and laid a death penalty upon his head, furious at being defied by his failure of a son. Relentlessly Brute the Savage tracked Daverone across the land.
Daverone learnt swiftly how to push anyone else he met away, fearing for their safety if Brute got his paws on anyone who had seen him pass by. He learnt how to utilize the landscape to his advantage, trying to throw Brute off his scent. Nothing worked. Brute seemed able to follow him everywhere, and as month after month passed and Daverone crossed the line into adulthood, he started to despair of ever being free. Lonely and worn out form the constant travel, his spirits were low.
Hiding out in a small tree grove one night be heard the sounds of a commotion in the branches above him. When he stood to investigate a young Airax � a medium-sized raptor characterized by a long beak � fell off a branch just over his head. The bird had been involved in a civil disturbance with one of his own, looking battered and sorry for himself Daverone took pity on the bird and offered him the remnants of his evening meal. Ever since the raptor stayed with the big Lupine, perched on his shoulder or flying ahead as he traveled. Daverone relished the company, and named his bird Spinifex. It had been many weeks since anyone had made Daverone laugh.
And then one day his past caught up with him. Daverone had trekked across a mountain range and curled up for the night under a rocky outcrop half-way up a slope. He awoke to a familiar scent and low growls between his father and uncle. He almost leapt up in panic, willing himself to stay still at the last second. Spinifex hunkered fearfully upon his shoulder, well aware there was some great danger to them. Fearing the tear of razor claws at any second, Daverone scanned the area. He could see quite well in the dark � but his father could see better. Not able to see them, he concentrated on pinpointing where they were by sound.
From behind the claws shredded into his hindquarters. Spinifex shrieked in horror and went airborne, and Daverone kicked backwards with a howl of pain. Luckily he had enough strength to loosen his attacker�s grip, and whirled around the stare into Brute�s furious eyes and his war-cry to summon the rest of the family.
He remembered Blue just in time and ducked away as a Lupine leapt towards both ends. Brute pulled up before he could crash into Blue, cuffing the larger Lupine for his stupidity and turning after Daverone. He caught an ankle with his claws, attempting to yank his son back. In a rush of red feathers Spinifex dive-bombed his face. Brute was so startled he lost his grip and staggered backwards a step, staring upwards in bewildermeant. It would have been funny were the situation not so serious. Shockingly Blue was right on Daverone�s tail, focused for once - or more likely he had simply not noticed the raptor attacking and so had nothing to be confused about.
Daverone was grappling with the older Lupine when the others arrived � but it wasn�t just his enemy.
From one direction Slash was bolting over the rocky terrain, Rip and Shred behind her. From the other, a group of four strangers came charging up wearing the determined fury of warriors. In the lead was a powerful black and white male with a golden blaze down his back. Beside him, a smaller but resolute fire femme. Behind them, another black and white male with less markings, equal fury and blue eyes, and then another fire Lupe, a male. Heedlessly they plunged into the middle of the battle - upon Daverone's side.
Daverone barely remembered the fight. It was a blur of swinging paws and snarled threats, with shapes fading in and out of the darkness until he could barely tell them apart. It was such a tangled chaos at one point he thought he saw the black-pawed pup leaping before him. His family were ruthless. The four strangers fought with a resolve that was a marvel to witness. When it was finally over it was Daverone who stood panting, alive and more or less well, with his new allies. Spinifex wearily eyed these newcomers and cawed softly. Daverone reached up a paw to smooth the plumage of his head, murmuring reassurance to him. He glanced to the four Lupes around him, wondering what on earth had prompted them to fight with him. The fire male stepped towards. He was tall and well-built, only a little shorter than Daverone himself*
~Are you alright?~ *He questioned, dark brown eyes scanning Daverone carefully. His injuries were not too bad � he could walk, slowly, and they would all heal with time. Uncertain how to behave around these strangers who had just saved his life, he lowered his muzzle a notch � a gesture of respect he had seen Blue and the twins use around Brute sometimes � and nodded* ~I�ll� be ok. Why did you four help me?~
*The smaller femme stepped up beside the fire male, frowning. Despite her size she had certainly fought well* ~They attacked you for no reason! We were watching from that ridge~ *The male indicated the direction with his paw. Daverone�s gaze swept over them � none of them were too badly hurt. The blue-eyed male and the golden-blaze were tending to minor wounds. But at the female�s words the one with the golden blaze stopped and gave Daverone a sharp, direct look. He had the same dark brown eyes as the big fire male*
~There was a reason~ *He stated, his tones low and gruff* ~You�re related, aren�t you?~
*Daverone met the golden-blaze�s gaze evenly, and nodded* ~Yes. It was my father and uncle and their families. My father has sworn to kill me~
*Even a flicker passed over the face of the blue-eyed male at this, who had so far said nothing. The fire male flattened his ears, his eyes widening in shock* ~Why would he want to do that?~
*Daverone sighed, raising his paw to let Spinifex hop onto his toes. He brought his pet to the ground in front of him and patted him gently, trying to figure out how much to tell these Lupines. They were already in danger. Humiliated at being both beaten and �defied� by his son once more, Brute would take out his anger on Daverone�s new allies, if it could. Daverone realized he had to at least, tell them that much. None of them looked that much older than he was � but they could have families, others they cared about. Daverone didn�t want to involve anyone else in this battle of his� but he had little choice in this instance*
~It�s a long story�~ *He attempted, lowering his ears in defeat. The blazed Lupe nodded and stood up, testing out an injured ankle* ~Tell us on the way back home. My sister is a healer, you need those wounds seen to~ *Daverone shook his head at once, knowing he could not*
~No � you don�t know my father. Just for defending me today� he�ll want you dead. He�ll hunt you. I should leave now, he�ll follow my trail before yours-~
*As he rose, the large fire Lupe caught a hold of his foreleg firmly, shaking his head* ~We can�t let you go like that! Look at you, you aren�t in a fit state to be by yourself~
~What if he catches you again?~ *added the female* ~Bold and Wolverine are right. You should come with us~
*Before Daverone could protest again, the quiet blue-eyed male spoke up for the first time.*
~We�re already involved in this. The danger to us will be no less if you leave now~ There was little the blue-eyed warrior - alreay scarred from previous battles even at his age - missed. Evidently he had come across Lupes with Brute's disposition before, and was quick to understand the situation. Daverone turned his head from Lupe to Lupe, wondering why on earth they were so adamant about not letting him go. He stood there uncertainly, unwilling to let himself submit and go with them. The blazed male � Wolverine - spoke again more impatiently, voicing the conclusion the same-coloured blue-eyed had come to*
~If your father is as bad as you say, he won�t let us off even after he hunts you down and kills you. So you�ll be safest with us. Come on~ *The last sentance was not a request. Turning, he started to lead the way off. The blue-eyed male fell in at his side, and with a knowing glance back to Daverone, the two fire Lupes followed.
Left with little choice � Daverone went after them. And into the life of the Fire Eagles he emerged.
As they made their way into the lovely forest rabbits darted away form them into their burrows. A flock of small, brightly coloured birds darted so low overhead Daverone almost ducked. The sounds of Lupine laughter could be heard as they went deeper, and Daverone was take nback to the first time he head such a sound. They emerged into a clearing.
Two golden pups were playing tug-o-war with a small branch. Sitting nearby an orange and black male watched with fatherly pride, while a young crimson male encouraged another pup, a green female slightly older than the pair of goldens, to join the game. More Lupines were sprawled or sitting comfortably around the clearing, and greetings were called out cheerfully to the four returning. Curious eyes turned to Daverone, a newcomer. Before questions could be raised a lanky white male came trotting into the clearing holding fresh prey. Behind him an older crimson male and an amber-eyed black and white brought their catches home as well. The white male winked in a friendly fashion at Daverone as he led the returning hunters across the clearing, calling out and recieving more greetings and keeping at least a little of the attention away from Daverone.
Two Lupes detached from the group and made their way over to the newcomers. One � a slender maroon female just into her adulthood � smiled slightly when the five battered Lupines met her eye, pulling of a backpack and reaching for several items inside. She was Wolverine�s sister � the healer he had spoken of* ~I see you four have been picking fights again. Who have you dragged into it this time?~
~A_E, Jean, this is Daverone~ *Bold introduced, dipping his muzzle in a mark of respect to them both. Daverone turned his gaze to the last Lupine � the one Bold had called A_E. He noticed the striking resemblance between the two at once. Like Bold A_E had red and orange flames, though in different patterns, and the same patient kindliness radiated form them both. A_E smiled and spoke quietly* ~On behalf of the Fire Eagles pack, you are welcome here, Daverone~ *Daverone looked into the knowing brown eyes and knew the words were honest.
And so Daverone came to the Fire Eagles. His protests were politely pulled apart by A_E, who would hear nothing of turning Daverone out of the pack. His wounds were tended to by Jean the Healer, who firmly refused to let him travel any distance until he was better - for such a young Lupe her knowledge of healing was outstanding, and the firms tones used to control playful pups in need of medicine or stubborn hunters wanting rest worked as well on Daverone as they did on any. And slowly he started to make friends, settling into this pack life. He joined Hunter, the aptly-named lanky white male, in his hunting parities and felt the glow of belonging when he brought his catches home with the others. He spent some time with the four who had helped him in battle - cosuins Bold and Wolverine, the flamed femme Mav, and gruff Shultz. Together they were somewhat of an unoffical band, and were recognized as some of the best warriors of the pack. The Fire Eagles accepted him without question, without hesitation, so naturally it was obvious they honestly thought of Daverone as one of them. And before long, Daverone had started to believe it too.
He grew to know all of the pack members. He loved to watch the pups running and playing, watching quietly, unobtrusively, form a distance. He and Hunter grew to be good friends as the months went by, and he had great respect for A_E, the knowing pack Alpha. He enjoyed the colder autumn evenings when the pack gathered together, telling stories, enjoying one another�s company. Sometimes they would sing and the younger Lupes would do dances, leaping around wildly and making everyone laugh.
One day he came across a pretty young Lupess, flamed in elegant gold, crimson and orange. She was not a pack member but as all visitors were, warmly welcomed by the pack. He enjoyed her company immensely and invited her back to the Fire Eagles again when they parted. Her name was Lady Coy.
The preparations for winter kept everyone busy during the day and sleeping well during the night, and the pack was content. Daverone enjoyed the quiet winter months but towards the end of the season, a great menace descended upon the Fire Eagle Lupe Pack. Brute the Savage found his son. Outraged at the pack who calmly but firmly prevented him from reaching his son, in a moment of rashness he declared war upon them. He brought his family into a neighboring forest, murdering the few residents already living there. Joining with him were several rogue relatives of Shultz and Mav�s, and labeling themselves the Evil Shadowed Lupe Pack, they drew to them all the darkness and evil in the area.
As the attacks began Daverone was horrified to think this was his fault. He tried to sneak away from the pack one night and lure his father away. But his plans were foiled by Hunter, who met him before he had left Eagle Forest. He took Daverone to A_E, and long into the night the Alpha and the young male spoke.
The Fire Eagles had been formed with the idea that any Lupine in need could join, be welcomed, and be given a home. It was their ideology, their reason for existence. If they went back on that just once, they could no longer call themselves Fire Eagles.*
~Daverone, how many Lupes have asked you to leave the pack?~
*The azure male stared thoughtfully at the Alpha as he considered the question. It did not require much thought* ~None..~
~How many Lupes can you name here? How many know your name?~
~Probably� all of them~
~You are of course, free to leave if you wish. But this will always be your home, Daverone. You will always have friends looking to the horizon and worrying for your safety here~
And so once again � Daverone stayed. He hated to think of the damage his father could � and did � wreak upon the pack he had come to love. But in his darkest hours, a pup would come dashing up and bed him for a piggyback ride (They adored him for this task because of his height), Spinifex would clown around in a patch of snow and make him laugh, or Hunter would amble up with his ever-present grin and waving tail and teasingly order him to come along on a hunt. His spirits rose further when Coy returned, and he was delighted to find her seeking him out several times each week. He returned the gesture and soon was spending much of his time with her � surprised to discover just how much they had in common.
Her father Aldath �a ruthless assassin with a healthy dose of insanity � was out to kill her. They learnt he had found her when he allied with the Evil Shadowed Lupes and an attack was mounted. Battling with the Fire Eagles and Lady Coy at his side he was seized by rage that they would threaten everything he had come to love. When Aldath and Coy became locked in battle he realized his true feelings for the courageous little femme, and was terrified her mad father would take her life before he could tell her so. But her years of pent-up fury against the father who had abused Coy her entire life eventually won out, and though with grave injury to herself, she killed Aldath. Daverone carried her back to the Fire Eagles after the battle, barely noticing his own wounds. Most of them had bene delivered by his own father.. Daverone had not found the strnegth Coy had and his sire would live to mount attack after attack. But Daverone thought of nothing but Coy. He stayed as close as he could to her side as she spent time recovering, and confessed his true feelings. He was overjoyed when she told him she felt she same way, and their union was a bright spot in the midst of a war.
Coy recovered and the seasons went on. Daverone's body fur darkened from blue to black, leaving his limbs flamed in his original colours. He thought back to the first time he had seen the father of the yellow pups and smiled. The Fire Eagles increased in numbers, and Daverone never failed to be amazed at the spirit his pack � his family � showed in the face of such danger. Pups started to be seen all around the territory, and Daverone was wholly thrilled when Coy broke the news to him he was going to be a father. Fearing an attack on them when Brute learned the news through his network of spies, they bade the Fire Eagles farewell for a time and left to birth the pups in the territory of some old friends of Coy�s.
Ulryk reminded Daverone of A_E in his sagacity and nature, and Anackire was sweet-natured and welcoming. He felt immediately at home in their peaceful lands and enjoyed meeting Ulryk�s small family. The birth of he and Coy�s pups was a bittersweet occasion � Coy�s small size and Daverone�s massive frame had not resulted in an easy birth and one of the pups was stillborn. They mourned his passing together and Daverone uncertainly buried his son, haunted by memories of another pup torn too early from his life, trying his best to stay strong for Coy. They promised never to tell the pups � the stillborn left behind a twin, an older brother and two sisters.
With the newborn pups at Coy�s side, Daverone finally found the courage to tell her something that had been bothering him of late � he had found he could use the shadow elemental powers within him, and feared his children would be tainted with darkness as he was. Coy reassured him as she always had � and as the pups grew and Daverone saw how Kimeron and Anabael laughed and played, his worries lessened. Then the decision was made. The four pups were old enough. It was time to go home.
The pack had grown even more and Daveonre and his family were warmly welcomed home. Kimeron and Annbael easily found places within the pack. Sullen Arumarna turned to the darkness running within her, causing her parents great worry. And Jazovac � the brooding badger-pup whose twin had been born void of life � Jazovac was unsure of his place in the world, and withdrew from social occasions as best he could in attempt to find himself.
Daverone settled back into his pack life. He valued Coy and his friends more than he ever had, he fought for the best for his children, he lived with the valor that had kept him going for many a lonely night in younger days. He was home � and he would do everything he could to ensure his children got that which their parents never had.
