Seeking Counsel

[Shadow Force]

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The dying sun slowly crawled behind the ashen grey clouds as another thunderous boom sounded from the heavens. A pale flash bounded through the clouds, illuminating the frozen puffs of fluff in the sky. Soon after, fat and icy drops of rain came from the heavens to mercilessly rain down on the city and surrounding forest below. The scent of pine needles and wind was overrun by the indescribable scent of new rain. The wind tossed the branches of the trees above, and the gusts caught what leaf litter was on the ground and tossed it around in a delicate whirly-whirl display. All animals would be in their right mind to get under cover, but Bellatrix remained.

Her star-silver pelt gently ruffled with the wind as she lay as still as a stone on the large rock to the right of the clearing. Her paws were crossed over one another, and her silky tail was curled around her body. Body language would insist that she was totally relaxed in the presence of the storm, but the colour of her crystal blue irises were shaded with trouble. She was in fact very worried.

Bellatrix let out a soft sigh and bowed her head, ignoring the wind that flew past her ears and swept back the fur that lined her face. There was a worse storm brewing, and it had nothing to do with the nature. The Survivor’s Rebellion’s numbers had decreased over the time, leaving very little of them left. If they were to survive, she had to recruit new members. Not only that, but word had reached her that the other packs had gone through change with their alphas. This worried her the most; the Rebellion was in no condition to be attacked.

She grimaced and closed her eyes. She needed counsel and she needed help. There was only one canine around that could put her mind at ease.

“Nathaniel,” she softly called.

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[Becca]

Sheltering from the storm in the hollow trunk of an ancient tree, Nathaniel could let his thoughts turn slowly through all that was on his mind. He was concerned, not worried because Nathaniel never let himself worry, but not even he could keep the gnawing feeling that things weren’t as they should be out of his belly. The Survivor’s Rebellion, the pack he had joined to find relief from the pointless dog versus wolf, was in dire need of new members.

The trouble was that their main source of new members in the past had been crossbreeds who came to Bellatrix and her little band of followers seeking refuge from both sides of their heritage, who would have them dead. True, Nathaniel himself was pure dog, pure Rottweiler, in fact, not that he or anyone else cared about breeds anymore, though he’d probably be just as quickly killed for sympathising with the half-breeds if his enemies were given the chance. Now though, there simply weren’t all that many half-breeds left. Tragically the majority had already either joined the Rebellion of died, and with wolves and dogs being so fiercely set against each other, there weren’t very many being born anymore.

The sound of his name said by a familiar voice dragged the dog’s thoughts to the present, and he automatically got to his feet. Stepping into the clearing, he was immediately struck by the heavy rain drops, feeling them smack into his hide and soak into his short fur, but he ignored them; a big male like him was not bothered by a little rain. He didn’t have to look for the one that had called him; she was waiting in her customary spot on the old rock. She looked so calm, a speck of silver in the grey storm, but Nathaniel knew the truth.

Approaching the rock he jumped up to join her and lay down, putting their heads at the same level. “Bellatrix?” He answered, both by way of greeting and asking what she had called him for, though he thought he already know. His voice was as low and rough as always, though there was no mistaking the respect it held.

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[Shadow Force]

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Bellatrix turned her crystal gaze towards the Rottweiler male that approached her, ignoring the fat rain drops cascading upon his head like she was. She exhaled an instant breath of relief at the appearance of her enforcer. Recently, with the sudden decrease of members, she felt that Nathaniel was one of the only ones that she could utterely trust with not only the rebellion, but her life.

He strode towards her with an air of dignity and authority, but as he jumped up onto the rock besider her, the presence of respect in his voice was evident as he inquired what she had summoned him for.

Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix took a large breath as she thought of how she could say what was on her mind. Deciding that it was no easy converstaion, she just blurted the first thing she said in a broken whisper.

"After the most recent border skirmish Nathatniel, our numbers have dropped down to... to..."

Bellatrix caught herself and took another deep breath. There was nothing in the world that was more important than the Rebellion, and the halfbreeds, wolves and dogs that sought its protection and shelter. If the Rebellion disapeared, she felt her ife would no longer have any purpose. And that was in serious danger of happening. But that still wasn't the largest issue she faced. She sighed before preparing to speak once again, switching topics.

"Another issue we face Nathaniel is in fact the Pack and Gang in the city. Through their foolish territory tantrums, their hierarchy has been... altered. The Dog Pack has elected new leaders of theirs whom I have yet to see, while the Wolg Gang has also aquired new alphas.

Nathaniel, this worries me the most. Our old adversaries were predictable and had a habit of routine. I fear these new leaders may be unpredictable... and therefore we may be at great risk."

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