Read The Land

The raid had been set, the fighters picked and informed of their task, and all that is left is for the scouts to pick a spot for the healers’ camp and a good area to lead their attack from. Ricin swiftly leads his group of scouts from their home island, past the rock garden across the stone steppe and skirts the volcano until they are in the land that had been picked for the base camp. The trees lay dormant, their beautiful magenta leaves missing as they lay in their wintery slumber. Signaling the group to stop, the blue wolf then ushers them to gather around so that they can discuss the layout. Once the other three have settled around him, the blue wolf folds his haunches and comes to sit lightly on the ground.

Lifting a paw he points toward the adjoining land that the Valta pack has claimed and says, “That is where our raiders are going to be attacking. Now, we need to find a good spot that the fighters can attack from and a place to set up the healers’ camp that won’t be too difficult for them to get to. So, tell me what you see.” Lowering his paw back to the ground, the wolf allows his ruby gaze to roam over each wolf. With a friendly smile on his lips, Ricin waits politely to hear what the group thinks. Some might believe their task is pointless but, to Ricin, it is opportunity to weigh the wolves’ skills at reading the land. They will need to consider the slumbering brush, the dusting of snow, what may offer natural protection, and what may hinder the healers’ efforts, among other things. Quietly, the blue wolf waits.


"Ricin Dauner"