~8~

Vlad of Silvermaw Pack owned the mountains separating the northern and southern parts of the land. He had fought for this land fair and square, sacrificed much to get to where he is today. His pack bled for him, for his right to the land. So, when his sentries had called him up in a storm about rogues attacking a female on one of the lower paths, he was dying to know what was going on.

"She's crazy to go against them alone!" Welch exclaimed as soon as Vlad came up beside up, looking down on the scene below. They were on a ridge where his pack hid and watched for any signs that unwanted eyes and ears were sniffing around.

Vlad squinted at the female. "She looks desperate."

"For what?" Osther demanded. "She would be better facing two or three, but ten? She's dead!"