Chapter 6: A... Trap?

DUSK

    The chief was awake when Dusk was, and he was staring at the barren land. She felt guilty, but approached him nevertheless.

    "Good morning, Dusk," said the Chief, his voice heavy.

    "Good morning, sire, are you okay?" Dusk inquired, concerned for Chief Darke's health.

    The chief smiled. "I guess I'm fine, except that I'm old and sick of heart."

    "For Midnight?" she asked.

    He nodded.

    Dusk was getting confused now. Who sent Midnight away? Didn't he?

    Chief Darke lifted a grim grin. "I've always wondered if I actually sent them for the Pack Quest, because I never really remember," he said, smiling.

    "You- you don't?" stuttered Dusk.

    "What are those ridiculous runes for anyway? I never asked for them," chided the Chief.

    Dusk looked confused. "Why females only? Some male wolves lack the stamina as well," she said. "It doesn't mean all she-wolves are weak. I can be a general, so does Nyxtryx, and Midnight is very bold, she could've been chief by now."

    "I... I don't know," stuttered the chief.

    "Why?" asked Dusk, looking into the chief's grey eyes, and truly, he is puzzled.

    "Ah, Duck," said a voice.

    Dusk turned and saw Shadow approaching. "It's Dusk, Shadow," she growled.

    "We all make mistakes, and I believe the chief received a severe injury on the head yesterday, so he couldn't remember," said Shadow, shrugging. "He is lucky to survive a hunter's raid-attack."

    "Shimmering stars, where?" Dusk cried, alert.

    "Near the water-hole," said Shadow, "and the hunter gave up as soon it started pouring.

    Dusk remembered that after she caught food for Wisp and herself, it began to pour, heavily.

    "I advice the Chief to have more rest," said Shadow, checking is claws. "So, if you please, remove yourself from sight."

    "Ah, yes, of course," muttered Dusk and left the two.

    Rocky and Nyxtryx were feasting on a moose with a few other wolves. "I'm not even sure how this got here," said Rocky, shrugging, "but food is food, so we shouldn't waste."

    Dusk joined in and ate the a few chunks. She wondered if the chief ate. She shrugged and left after eating, towards the water-hole.

    When she got there, the trees were less dense and there was a few dogs. There were three dogs, to say, lapping up the water.

    "Say, Thala, you've seen the new dog house I get?" asked the golden-furred dog.

    "Eh, lucky you, Kimi," said the black-furred dog. She looked up. "Wolf!"

    Dusk took a step backwards. "Whoa, I don't want to harm you three. I just want a drink," she said, looking at the three.

    An elder looking dog smiled. "Help yourself," she said, walking backwards from the water-hole. Dusk approached the water-hole.

    "Ada, but-!" started the golden-furred one.

    "Hush, Kimi," said Ada. "We must help others as we help of those in our family."

    Thala just nodded. Kimi sighed and let Dusk drink. Dusk lapped the water, fresh to her throat. "Thank you," she said.

    "Don't mention it," Ada said, smiling.

    Dusk looked around. "Where are you three from?" she asked.

    Kimi grinned, her golden fur wet. "We're from a nearby place our owners recently moved us to. He bought a huge chunk of land and earned money by a process called selling."

    "I'm not sure what you mean by 'bought', 'money' and 'selling'," said Dusk.

    "Well, wolfie," said Thala. "Bought is the equivalent to buy. Buying, where you get something by using what we call 'money'. Money is something you give someone in the right amount to have or buy something, while selling is when you get the money since someone bought your items."

    The logic became stretched and twisted in Dusk's head.

    "Anyway," continued Kimi. "He chopped down the trees for firewood and food."

    "What?" Dusk cried.

    "He re-built The Grand Cropalace near here," squealed Thala. "Near to a river for irrigation!"

    Dusk must have a strong facial expression since Ada smiled. "Well, I guess these terms are further than foreign to you."

    "They sure are," sighed Dusk.

    "Don't stress it," Ada said.

    Dusk thought for a moment. "What about the water buffaloes?" she asked.

    "Oh, buffaloes? They're farmed for their fur and horn," said Thala, "in the farm. I pity them, but we get the meat!"

    Dusk's eyes felt watery, but they weren't. "Oh, poor buffaloes," moaned Kimi. "They taste so good!"

    Ada frowned.

    "I need to get going now," said Dusk. "My pack will be leaving soon."

    "Good-bye," said Ada, followed by the two other dogs.

    Dusk hurried. She knew there will be a lot of farewells that day.

Author's Note: I'm back from vacation and stuff!  Also, thanks for the 1000 pageviews! Please comment if you're reading- clean anonymous comments are welcome, just don't spam it, and sign your comments, so I'll know who's reading and stuff. It'll help a lot.