Brave New World

Stolas was pleased to hear that he had not kept Fiametta waiting long for his arrival, the fire-marked girl having arrived just shortly before he had. She greeted him with a friendly embrace and he was keen to return the gesture, bringing a strong foreleg up to wrap around her shoulder and neck as a smile grew across his face. It was always a treat to get to see his best friend, especially after being apart for some time since Ashen's move to the western territories. Stolas had intended to tell her just that, but he did not get the chance to. No sooner had the adolescent boy pulled back from their hug to speak, he saw Fia's gaze shift to look over his shoulder, her fur bristling and ebony eyes narrowing. Stolas' expression shifted, growing concerned. He almost turned around to see what she was so focused on—until he saw the blur of tawny movement coming at them from the marshlands.

"Look out!" shouted the prince, but Fia was already moving as the sound of sloshing water erupted to his front and Fia's rear. A coyote propelled itself toward the two wolves, Fia pirouetting out of the way expertly while Stolas sidestepped just in time for another loathsome mongrel to come charging at him from behind. Fia had rounded to face off against the coyote at her rear while Stolas did the same to the one that had tried to ambush him, midnight lips peeling back from pearlescent fangs to snarl at the coyote. The poor wretch was gaunt with its ribs showing through its fur. Being the dead of winter, prey was scarce, and the canines were starving—clearly enough to consider trying to chow down on a pair of wolves. That would be their mistake to own. The coyote snarled back, making its stance known. It would not back down, but neither would Stolas.

Stolas lunged for the coyote, jaws snapping down near where its forelegs were and causing it to recoil slightly. Around them, the rest of the hungry pack began to emerge. The wolves were outnumbered, but not outmatched. With Fiametta at his back, Stolas pressed his attack, dancing around the coyote's desperate lunges and snaps to find an opening he could exploit. On one such lunge, the coyote had left its neck exposed, and Stolas struck with speed and precision. Powerful jaws grabbed the back of the smaller canine's neck, biting down through fur and flesh to give it a good shake before tossing it aside back into the swampy water with a splash just as the others converged on the wolves.

WC: 437
Total: 1525 / 1500

"Fiametta & Stolas"