*Wedge Tailed Eagle*

A fairly large eagle was crouched on the ground several yards from the cliff. His feathers were deep brown and his beak and legs were pale in hue. His neck was hunched down and his sharp, hooked beak was open as he panted. There was a faint scent of blood.

night stalker

*black demoness padded behind the bird. the blood attracted her.* are you okay bird?

*Wedge Tailed Eagle*

The huge raptor wheeled around, with some effort, to face the wolf. His large wings arched up and he hissed out his words, "Vhat are you? You are no 'eena; but so large you ist!" The eagle spoke in a strange dialect and carried a strange, far-off scent. "I vill keel you if you trie ta' keel me!" he threatened, obvious frightened of Night Stalker, but at the same time trying to show he would put up a fight. And from the size of his beak and talons, it looked like he could pretty well back up his words.

night stalker

no i'm not going to hurt you. i'm a wolf. i wonder this canyon. i have no family. i'm night stalker. i don't eat birds

*Wedge Tailed Eagle*

"'Volf? 'ave neever 'eard of zhat! No 'volves 'vhere I'm from!" The eagle seemed to relax a bit, but his sharp eyes were still fixed on Night Stalker, judging her. "'Volves don't eat eagles, ja? I 'ave no family; not 'ere, anyvay." He confirmed, but there was still a hiss in his voice that carried much power behind it.

night stalker

yes a wolf. eagles are to fast anyways. they fly away as soon as you can get close enough. but i've never seen an eagle like you. of course i've never seen an eagle

*Wedge Tailed Eagle*

He still seemed unsure whether he should trust this wolf wasn't going to attack him, but he seemed strained and tired, so he couldn't keep his guard up for long. "I 'ave a home; ist far from 'zis place. Nasty sheep 'erders took me avay! Took me 'ere, vhere I got avay from zhem! Nasty sheep 'erders!" He hissed again, shaking his head at the thought. "Zhere are no eagles 'ere? Strange, ja! I 'ave seen much food done zhere, off zhis cliff. But I can't geet to it!" The eagle paused, then added hastily, "But I can steel fight, ja! Veery vell!"

Aicha

Aicha had only entered the lands because, you could say, a little bird told her too. Occuli gazed around, as she headed in the direction she had spotted the enormous bird. Or eagle, rather. She found another wolvine standing aside the eagle, and making conversation. But now she thought that he, or she, it was hard to tell, might be more compatible to wolves. She approached and stood aside Night Stalker, not exactly sure of both reactions. Dial turned to her path, and a sharp bark told them to stay back. They could follow up if they wanted to, but it might be a good idea to keep their distance. Attention returned to the eagle, and she stuttered for a moment. Umm.. Well... I'm Aicha. Hmm...Wh... Uh... What do you eat? Maybe.. um...one of us could get it while the other stayed? Um....ya... If she could, she would have slapped herself for that comment. How stupid could she be? Sigh was given, and she waited the eagle’s reply.

*Wedge-Tailed Eagle*

"More volves?! You dun' eat eagles, ja? Cause I keel volves 'jes as easy as 'roos!" He spoke up in warning, with his speech and knowledge of things from other lands making it hard to understand what exactly he meant. It was at least clear to him that this new wolf, Achia as she called herself, was offering to get him food. "Ja, food es good. Are zhere sheep 'ere? Rabbits, ja? Any'zhing meat es good ta eat; long dead or fresh." The eagle relaxed his wings down a bit more, finding it exhausting work to hold them up for so long. "Zhey call me Zhener, if ya vant to know et."

night stalker

*she looked to the fem that had just appeared* yes zhener there are sheep and rabbits here. many in fact.

Zhener

"Many of zhem, ja? Good, I em hungry. You geet food, ja? You see..." Zhener hesitated, not sure whether he should reveal his current weakness. But because he could still fight and because they hadn't yet tried to attack him, he continued, "I am veery weak; been cooped en zhe sheep 'erders' box for too long and 'ad no food!"

Aicha

Aicha looked around, maybe they hadn't followed her, who knows. She looked back to the eagle, and a toothy grin fell upon her maw. But was quickly hidden as she realized how silly it looked. But she nodded, and a small reply was given so neither were caught off guard as she left, "I will go get you a couple sheep to eat. If I can," she added. Soft sigh emitted as she turned out, making a short stop along the way to The Ranch at Pike's Lake.

Zhener

"Sheep! Vhat a good volf, ja! Sheep vill bring my strength back." He declared as he watched her leave. Then he stretched out his great wings, which reached an impressive six feet from tip to tip, and flapped them lightly. Then he folded then back over his sides and laid down. His head was still lifted though and he looked at Night Stalker, "You stay 'ere? Vatch for enemies, ja? I rest vhile you vatch for zhem?"

Hydras

The alpha of the Shadow Lurkers pack trotted in with her tail and ears held up. She struck a more curious pose now, instead of a dominant one. But she had reached the cliff where Zhener was, Hydras expanded her ruff a bit because she saw Night Stalker. Cautiously approaching, she spoke, "Who are you?" She questioned, looking from eagle to wolf.

Zhener

Zhener scrambled up on his feet again, arching his wings out and dipping his head down, "Vell who are you? I 'em Zhener; you are a volf too, ja? Like I told zhem, I fight en keel zhe red 'roos, so it be no problem to keel a volf!" His exhaustion was a main reason for his aggression; he felt extremely vulnerable to the wolves, whom he had never seen before in his life. He made it a point to warn each new creature that he could, as he claimed, kill them quite easily. "Vhile I am tired, I can still fight vell. But... you be a friend, ja? Zhen I can rest, and zhe good volf Achia can bring me food. You vill vatch for enemies vhile I rest, good volves?" His last sentence seemed more of a plea than anything.

Pirqua

Pirqua flew in and landed beside Hydras. She came in time to hear what Zhener had said. Despite being one of the largest of the falcons, she was dwarfed by this huge eagle, and her wide eyes and flattened feathers showed her fear. "Strange accent." she mumbled to Hydras. "And I wander what 'red 'roos' are."

Kiarra

She followed in behind Hydras. She was awed by the eagle’s size but did not stare at him. Listening to Zhener she looked at Hydras, he didn't seem to be mean, and he was kind of nice, she wouldn't mind watching for him...

Demon

Demon padded in and stood next to Hydras. He listened to the bird and snarled lightly. "I don’t take lightly to threats. But we aren’t here to hurt you." He warns as well. He looks to Hydras to see what shed say about watching the bird. Personally he didn’t care but it was her choice.

Hydras

"Zhener, huh? I've never seen your kind before. And it isn't wise to be threatening creatures larger than yourself; especially in large numbers." her eyes narrowed slightly, but she had to admit that his bravery was impressive, although it did indeed look like he could back up his threat somewhat. "And just what are 'roos'? I don't know where you are from, but we know of no creature call a roo from around here." The alpha paused a minute, studying the eagle, "We don't have much to do at the moment anyway. It would be something interesting for the pups to see, anyway." Hydras pointed out and turned to her mate, once more seeking his approval. "I think the others would enjoy seeing such a strange creature."

Zhener

"I'm not makin' threats! Zhest varning 'es all!" he replied in an exasperated tone. "And 'es true I keel kangaroos; and zhe big ones at zhat! Not jest zhe little vons, but zhe big red vons!" He tried to explain, but saying the full name 'kangaroo' wouldn't help the wolves any more than if he spoke the name in jibberish, since the marsupials didn't live in this area; or even on the continent. "I zhest need a rest, an some food, zhen I von't be need'n to make zhe varnings 'en all."

Night Stalker

*the black demoness stood beside the large eagle and was here to help him while aicha went for food. she would hurt the others if they came nearer to him and meant to attack.*

Demon

He wasn’t afraid of Nightstalker and could tell by the look in her eye that she would protect the eagle but he could care less. He had fought opponents much stronger so if she attacked it wouldn’t make a difference to him. He nodded to Hydras then looked to Kiarra. "Would you mind getting the others?" He asked her coolly. He then looked back to the bird. "Some others are coming and they are smaller then you. If you dare attack them then you’ll be dead yourself." Demon said giving his fair warning. He wouldn’t let harm come to the pups.

Zhener

He was undoubtedly glad for Night Stalker's support, but thought it was best not to aggravate these wolves any more. "At least you aren't as vorst as zhe dingos! Now zhey can get 'gressive 'en snappy, but I can keel zhem if zhey aren't in big group." Zhener didn't feel like trying to be threatening anymore, and lowered his wings again. "I vill not 'arm zhe little vons, but zhey better not 'arm me, or I defend myself, ja? Maybe I sleep later, but eat soon. Visit vith zhe volves."

Kiarra

Kiarra nodded to Demon, "sure" she said simply. Before she left she gave a friendly smile to Zhener, she didn't think he was that bad, he was kind of nice. She then sprinted off, running towards Pikes Lake..

Ninaki, Pirqua, Kenyon, & Aidan

Not too long after, Ninaki came in with Kenyon and Aidan trailing eagerly behind him. He stopped just behind his alphas and casted a wary glance to Night Stalker before turning his eyes to Zhener.

Kenyon bounded right up to the large eagle to sniff him.

Aidan tilted his head to the side in curiosity, "Wow, you weren't kidding, Pirqua! That is a big bird!"

Night Stalker

food will be here son zhener. aicha should take long. i could tell she is strong. *she ignored the other wolves at the moment. she never really hung out with others of her kind. may be some but mostly other species.*

Hydras, Narsia, Skeil, & Pups

Narsia followed her mate in and sat beside him. Skeil padded up to Zhener, also sniffing at him with much curiosity.

Ankh hung back by his parents.

Yersinia stood behind Kenyon with her tail wagging excitedly. "You sure are a big bird." she pointed out.

Hydras took a step forward, "Watch out; he's got quite a beak." Her eyes turned warningly to Zhener then.

Zhener

Zhener watched them with sharp eyes. He could kill one of the pups quite easily, but there was no reason to do that, unless they tried to attack him first. "You are like a bunch of dingo vhelps! Alvays so curious 'en cocky." he pointed out and dipped his head down to meet Kenyon eye to eye. Then he looked to Skeil, "You are a big vhelp, 'en 'ave a short muzzle, ja! Vhat a strange volf vhelp!" Zhener stated. He hadn't seen many dogs other than a few austrailian shepherds and dingos. He mistook her for a wolf pup, or 'whelp' as he called them.

Kenyon, Aidan, Ninaki, & Pirqua

Kenyon looked defiantly back into the eagle's eyes. Aidan, on the other hand, took a few hasty steps back. "What in the world is he talking about?" the pup whispered to his brother.

Kenyon shrugged, "Beats me! But it sounds like he's calling Skeil some bad names!" The large pup laughed a bit.

Kiarra

She arrived soon after and stood behind Ninaki and Narsia. She listened to Zhener talk, not understanding what he said. "What is a whelp?" She asked, to curios not to...

Zhener

"A vhelp? Zhat's a little von; a little volf, a little dingo, ja?" Zhener tried to explain, but again, his accent and knowledge of things like dingos would surely confuse them more. Still, he persisted, "Vhat you call little volves, zhen, if not vhelps?" The eagle titled his head in the manner of a curios canine. He was just as interested in these wolves as they were of him.

Demon

Demon listened. "We call the young ones pups but Skeil’s not a pup." He says he then notices Bullets absence. "Has anyone seen Bullet?" He asks the pack curiously.

Kiarra

Kiarra turned to him, "Bullet went off on his own, I howled for him, letting him know we where here." She said. She then looked back at Zhener, "what are 'dingos?'

Zhener

"Pups? Vell, zhat's a new von for me. 'en you not know about dingos? Vell, come to zhink about it, I 'aven't seen zhem 'ere. But I vill tell you about zhem. Zhey are like vovles, but 'ave short fur an are usually tan. Some of zhem are black, zhough." Zhener replied and thought a moment before speaking again, "So vhat colors are volves? I see many deeferent colors on you volves; zhe dingos don't 'ave many colors. Mostly tan, like I say."

Hydras, Skeil, Narsia, & Pups

Skeil huffed, "A pup! I think not!" she raised an eye at Yersinia who was snickering at the comment. "I am a pit bull... a type of dog." she added after a pause, assuming he didn't know what that was.

Hydras spoke up next, "So someone is bringing you food? Someone named Achia, is that right?"

Ankh nudged Aidan and whispered, "They must call all dogs 'dingos' where he's from."

Yersinia was next to speak, "Sounds like a cool place! What other animals are there?"

Kiarra

Kiarra smiled, "they sound interesting." She paused and listened to his questioned and smiled, "Well, wolves have many colors, like me, I'm gray and white" she paused again, "and there are some that can be black, white, brown and dark gray." She smiled..

Kenyon & Aidan

Kenyon tilted his head a bit, "So where are you from? You talk about things that we don't know about."

Aidan ventured to add his own question as well, "And.. uh... what do you... hunt?"

Zhener

"So many questions!" he said suddenly, rousing his feathers in an exasperated gesture, which made him look a bit bigger. "Alright, I vill answer. Achia is bringing me food, ja. Bringing sheep. I eat and get strong again, to fly." His dark eyes turned to the young ones then, "Vell, I 'unt 'roos. Zhey are big creetures zhat 'op on two big leg 'an 'ave a big tail, but leetle front arms. And zhe leettle vons ride in zhere stomach, then get out to 'op about 'en eat." He explains, somewhat answering two questions in one. But he continued, "Zhen zhere are zhe little deevils; loud little zhings! Zhey are black 'en 'ave vhite on zhem. Make loud noises, too!"

Demon

He listened to Zhener speak and then he thought of something. He sat by Hydras as he listened but didn’t speak for their was no need for it.

Kiarra

Kiarra smiled a bit and looked down, "I'm sorry for all the questions.." she said with a lop-sided smile..

Hydras, Narsia, Skeil, & Pups

Hydras gave a slight grin, "Well, sounds like we'll have a free meal."

Narsia looked towards her sister, "You mean to steal it? That shouldn't be too hard; if there's only this one wolf, as he says, bringing back the food." She laid down then and rested her head on her forepaws.

Hydras watched Zhener with a mild gaze although she was intrigued by him. She wouldn't take all his food that this wolf was bringing back, but she'd definitely let her pack eat what they wanted of it.

Skeil looked uncertainly at the large eagle as she spoke to the others, "How do we know he's tellin' the truth? Sounds like a bunch of garbage to me."

Yersinia looked to Skeil, "You haven't seen such a bird before, have you? I'll bet he's telling the truth! Or most of it, anyway."

Ankh shrugged, "I dunno what to think. Whether it's the truth or not, it is awfully interesting!" The pup looked to Zhener now, "Tell us more!"

Zhener

"Ist no lie! 'En you beeter not steal my food! I 'em hungry!" Zhener narrowed his eyes, flustered again. But he loved talking, especially telling stories and such. So he was very much thrilled to tell about his homeland again. "Vell, I tell you vhat, leetle von. Zhere ist von creeture ve call zhe Zhylacine. Now ist very 'ard to find zhem; humans no find zhem cause zhey hide vell. I 'aven't seen zhem eizher, but my friend say he knows somevon whos mozher saw von, or somezhing. Zhey are leetle creetures vith dingo snouts, round ears, lanky tails, 'en stripes on zhere 'ind quarters." Zhener describes the creature as someone had once described to him. "'en I 'eard zhey like sheep, too. Sheep are my favorite to eat! Vant to 'ere more about zhe creatures I know? Or maybe you tell me about zhe creetures 'ere?"

Ninaki, Kenyon, Aida, & Pirqua

Ninaki listened half-heartedly to the eagle's talk. Sheep sounded good to him, and he was quite eager for another scuffle, although his pack verse two wasn't much of anything.

Kenyon stood with his ears pricked forward and his eyes wide open in eagerness. "Wow, zythlines! Those sound cool!" he replied, botching the name that Zhener's accent had already distorted. "Tell us more!"

Aidan was fairly interested as well, "Do you have cows where you are from? What about rabbits, deer, caribou, and crocodiles? We've got all of those. Oh, and porcupines, cats, horses, and chickens!" Aidan looked to Kiarra then, "What other creatures do we have here?"

Kiarra

She smiled at Aidan, "well, we have Mountain Lions, Snow Leopards, Orcas, ummm, that's all I can think of" she said with a smile...

Demon

He’d make sure the pack got most of the food if their were to be a fight. He ignored the eagle’s threats. "We have lots of different kinds of animals but I don’t know all the names. If you want to see some huge cats go to Breve Ridges." He said looking in that direction for the moment.

Zhener

"Big cats? Ve 'ave leetle cats; all over zhe place! Zhey are hard to catch; leetle and quick zhey are. Vhat about foxes? Goats? Ve 'ave zhem; goats are good to eat now 'en zhen. Foxes ve no eat; zhey are strong smelling, ja! And cunning, very cunning." Zhener explained. "You vill show me zhe big cats, ja? And zhe orcas? And zhe ozher stuff?"

Kiarra

She smiled and looked back at Demon before looking at Zhener, "I could show you them if you like" she said with a smile...

Hydras, Narsia, Skeil, & Pups

Hydras gave an impatient kind of sigh, "I do wish that wolf would hurry up."

Narsia nodded, "Yes, I'm hungry for sheep. It'll be nice having it delivered to us."

Yersinia looked from Kiarra to her parents, "Can I go with them, please! Please! Please!"

Ankh jumped up, waving his tail slightly, "I'd like to go too! Is that alright?"

Narsia thought for a moment, "Well, only if Kiarra doesn't mind you all coming. But you'd better not cause any trouble for her."

Hydras nodded to Skeil, "You'd better go too. To help keep track of the pups."

Skeil stood, "Just save some sheep for me then."

Ninaki, Pirqua, Kenyon, & Aidan

Kenyon looked excitedly from his parents to Kiarra, "Can I go? Can I, please?"

Ninaki nodded, "Yes, but remember what your mother said. No goofing around and causing trouble for Kiarra or Skeil."

Aidan sat back on his haunches, "I think I'll stay here this time."

Pirqua flew over to Kiarra and landed on her back. "I'll come along to, to help watch the pups."

Zhener

"Ja, ja! I vould like to see!" Zhener exclaimed, "But ist it far? I 'em tired. Hard to fly vith empty stomach, ja?" He explained.

Kiarra

She smiled at all the pups, she new how excited they where, she used to be just like them. She then turned her head to look at Pirqua, "thanks" she said to both Pirqua and Skeil. She smiled at Zhener, "it's not that far" she said. Then, she looked at the pups, "stay close and don't wander" she said. She then gave a finale nod before heading out, "follow me" she said, looking back every now and then to make sure the pups where behind her....

Hydras, Narsia, Skeil, Yersinia, & Ankh

Yersinia and Ankh followed quickly after Kiarra. Skeil hung back a moment; she'd follow after Kenyon and stay behind the three pups to make sure none of them strayed.

Hydras watched them depart. "I wish that wolf would hurry. And I'm starting to wonder about Bullet. If he doesn't show soon, I'll have to send out a search party." the alpha stated, half joking.

Zhener

The eagle spread out his wings and hopped across the ground, towards the cliff. Then, he hopped right off of it. A moment later, he came soaring into view and followed after Kiarra. For being so hungry, it was hard to get air born by just flapping, so jumping off the cliff was much easier.

Ninaki, Aidan, & Kenyon

Kenyon scampered off after the others.

Ninaki watched them go, then looked to Aidan, "What was it like at the Ranch?"

Aidan looked surprised by the question, but went ahead to answer it, "Well, the pets there were really nice. They are really loyal to each other, too. And the humans are nice as well, and have food."

Ninaki nodded, "I see." After a long pause, he spoke up again, "Aidan, why don't you go check out that area over there; I thought I saw something." He fibbed.

Aidan nodded and obediently padded a few yards away and began to sniff around where his father had told him too.

Ninaki looked up at his alphas then, "I was just thinking of something. Since the pets and humans were kind to him, I thought it might be a good idea to send him over there now and then, so they get use to having him there." Ninaki paused a moment before continuing, "He could be a spy for us. And if we ever needed food, he could lure the pets away while we attacked." He waited for his alphas' reactions. He would never send Aidan anywhere if it were a danger to him, but he knew that the pets and the humans had liked him at the ranch.

Hydras & Narsia

Hydras lifted her head up and looked questioningly at Demon before turning back to Ninaki. "That sounds like a clever plan indeed. But only if we were sure that he'd be accepted by the ranch pets and humans; I mean, that they wouldn't become suspicious that he came and left so often."

Narsia added in a bit, "He could say that he sneaks away from us when ever he gets the chance; they should by that."

Demon

Demon listens and nods in agreement. "That’s a good idea." He said to Narsia and Ninaki seeing that Hydras liked the plan. He also wondered where Aicha was with the food.

Ninaki & Aidan

Ninaki called for Aidan who came scampering back over obediently. He told them the quick plan they had devised, and that Aidan should go over there soon and say that he had snuck away from the pack while they were busy doing something.

Aidan gave a faint grin, to please the others and show he'd go do that. But, he felt terribly bad for betraying his short-time friends. Still, his pack was more important than any pets and their filthy human masters. After nuzzling both parents and dipping his head respectfully to his alphas, Aidan turned and headed for the Ranch.

Hydras & Narsia

After a while, Hydras saw a dark shadow zoom over the ground. It was Zhener. "The eagle's back. Lets follow him, and we should find food." She announced hungrily and sauntered off in the direction that Zhener had taken.

Narsia stood and followed behind her sister.