Wolf Clans of Talon Mark Guide
WindPaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: The Mountains of Mist and Clouds
Description: Fur and wings can be any colour, long bird or dragon-like wings, wing tips extremely sharp
Natural Weapons and Powers: Can control wind currants if skillful enough, use paws to walk on air and clouds, can mimic bird noises, sonic scream bird calls, great eye sight, impeccable hearing from far distances noise, fast flyers
Current Alpha: Queen Sky
MoonPaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: Midnight Valley
Description: Black or dark purple fur with luminescence stars, moons, or constellations, big bushy tails, pointy ears possibly with streaks of blue
Natural Weapons and Powers: Can create illusions, shapeshifting to any kind of animal, can use magic, can control minds if skillful enough, only royal blood can see the future, or teleport to different destinations
Current Alpha: Queen Moonlight
FlamePaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: Ashes of Lava Volcanic Regions
Description: Red, or orange fur, extremely sharp claws, ear tips change colour depending on body temperature and moods, mostly big and well built
Natural Weapons and Powers: Can engulf themselves on fire, breaths fire like a dragon, fire proof fur, can create fires with mind if old enough
Current Alpha: King Cinder
GrassPaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: The Jungle of Twisted Talons
Description: Vibrant emerald green, blue and brown fur or fur resembling a flower, curled tails for climbing trees, dull teeth and claws, short and small ears
Natural Weapon and Powers: Used to be known to turn invisible cannot any more, high jumpers, spit poison and paralyzing darts
Current Alpha: King Acacia
SunPaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: The Desert of Scorching Sands
Description: Yellow, golden, or dull white fur, sharp fangs, rattles at the end of their tails like snakes, don’t sink into sand because of wide paws
Natural Weapons and Powers: Can induce high temperatures of heat and cold temperatures, shoot beams of light from their big jaws, create sandstorms with tails if skillful and old enough
Current Alpha: Queen Beige
GemPaw Clan
Kingdom Whereabouts: Jewels of Dazzling Stones Ocean
Description: Bright jewel coloured fur, slim tails with fur at the tip, strong, usually large bodies, curled sharp claws to grip sand and rocks, different gem patterns on their bodies
Natural Weapons and Powers: Can control different elements depending on their fur colour and gem patterns, can shape shift into any type of dragon, can heal themselves and others easily, can take the energy from others, some breath under water
Current Alpha: King Danburite
~Prologue~
A wind swept past the entrance of the cave. Clouds swarmed, like bees, in the dark sky. Canyon stared deeply at his ruby red paws and concentrated on them.
Fire, he thought. Nothing happened. Fire! Still nothing. Great amber sparks I said, FIRE! His paws stayed a cool temperature and refused his command.
Egret laughed at the wolf softly.
“Are you still trying that? It’s never going to happen. And even if it did, there would only be some smoke and sparks. Nothing special. But, hey! At least your ears can still change color.”
Canyon glared, at him. His ears turned a bright orange.
“Thanks, friend.” he replied.
It’s not my fault! It’s that Magician’s fault. Enchanting my fur to never catch ablaze. If I could, I would track him down. And rip those wings off of him. Wings. That was the only feature he could about the dreaded wolf, that stole his pride. Which didn’t really lower his chances of finding him. But one day he’ll find him, and kill him, bringing back all the respect he lost, that day.
Killing a Magician how awesome that would be! At least my pups have flames. They’ll be normal, like everyone else. And their mother, will love them.
“Here he comes,” Egret announced. Canyon snapped out of his wondering thoughts.
A black wolf, stalked up the slanted walkway of the mountain. An indigo hood draped over his head, with a cape attached. Claws dripping with blood and a star shining brightly, were printed onto the cape. Symbolizing his place in the BloodClaws, a MoonPaw.
“Good evening,” Hydrus said. “Where are the others? Didn’t they know that today was the meeting?” Egret shifted uncomfortably. He’d always been like that, whenever Hydrus was around. “They couldn’t make it. Got caught up with other work.” he said.
Hydrus sighed, then nodded understandingly. “Anyway. How are those wolflings of promise. Do they still have dreams and aspirations. I mean they should. But also should not. They can be dangerous in that way.” Egret shrugged. “How are we supposed to know? They left a few days ago. Probably half way across, Talon Mark by now.”
The MoonPaw, glared at him. “What? How? Are you wolves so incompetent, that you can’t keep a few wolflings? Pathetic.”
Rain began pouring down on them, drowning Canyon. Making him slightly shiver for a while.
Weather was usually like this. Mostly in the years resulting in the Lunar Eclipse. Springs would turn into cruel freezing winters. Falls would become excruciatingly hot summers. The desert had it the worst though. The winds would pick up, and blow the sand into different territories. So the SunPaws would have to create sandstorms to push it all the way back. It truly was a cruel cycle of those desert wolves.
Hydrus chuckled at him.
“Now that is pathetic. A FlamePaw, with not an ounce of fire. You know if I wanted to, I’d. To make all spells, casted by, Magicians to reverse. But since you can’t even keep track of some measly pups, I don’t think I will.” He gestured towards Canyon’s new jewellery, that the BloodClaws gave to him. So, he would at least have something to distract from his fireless, fur.
“Back to the meeting.” Egret said, feeling the tension filling the air. “Right.” agreed Hydrus.
“I’ve been in the desert, for over three weeks. So, it, couldn’t have been me. And if it wasn’t, I believe, it was the MoonPaw wolfling.” Egret nodded, “Nightgazer.”
Canyon perked his, ears at the wolf’s name. He’d always liked her, despite who her family was. She seemed to like him too. When she was just a new pup in cave, she always curled up near him. Probably because he gave a small amount of heat, like a mother FlamePaw does for her offspring. Which was not common for him, but he didn’t mind.
She was always reading scrolls and asking sweet little questions, with her squeaky voice. Most likely because, Fennec and Smelter did the same with their fur. And they were friends so it wouldn’t be so strange.
“It would make sense. She can shapeshift like any other MoonPaw. And so clever, yet so young. Just like my brother. It’s actually kind of scary.” The downpour began freezing, turning into small shards of ice. Egret curled his claws into the stone floor.
“Canyon, go get that book. The one I gave to you from the Claws. It’s in the study.” he said. Canyon nodded, and sprinted inside. “And while you’re at it, grab the emergency satchels!” Egret called after him.
The red wolf pasted the claw marks, that had been there for years now.
Still creepy as ever.
The first time they had seen it, was as they’d began readying the caves for the wolflings. Books and scrolls were put in the study, so the wolfs weren’t dimwitted when they left for the promise. He was leaving for the day to take a quick stroll, when he heard scratching coming from around the corner.
Which was just his luck, because that was where the cave lead to outside. He cocked his head to see it better. The cave was dark, since a boulder had been placed there. Just in case the wolflings tried to escape. He saw something shinning in the darkness, like a jewel.
“What the-.”
Suddenly the figure turned around, staring at him with purple eyes. It seemed to try, walking forward. But something stopped it. The creature clawed at the invisible force field, as it began pacing in the dark space. It stopped and growled something at Canyon, then slowly slinked back into hiding. The wolf stood there blinking at emptiness. Turning away to tell Egret, he thought he heard the creature say something.
“I shall rise again,” or something between those lines. He was imagining it though. Right?
Canyon grabbed the book ing the title.
‘The Gemstones of Power’ was written on the white cover.
Stuffing a couple of things inside his satchel, he grabbed another brown pouch. Finally, after putting a pair of binoculars inside, he ran back to the others. When he reached back at the entrance Hydrus was squeezing his hood out, as Egret turned to Canyon. He handed the WindPaw the book.
“You found it! Great. Now I can test my theory.” He began flipping through the paper-thin pages, skimming through the paragraphs.
Hydrus pulled back his hood. Revealing his handsome face, with a star tattoo made with a bright white ink, on his left cheek.
Oh, I forgot about that. Didn’t he get a matching one with his wife. What was her name again? Ghost, right? But that was years ago before he left to help with the wolflings.
Hydrus placed his front paws to his forehead. Silently he whispered, “Midnight Valley.” His eyes grew wide, with a white light reflecting out.
He’s searching for the wolflings’ mind in different territories. Hmph, clever.
A few moments past, before he blinked and shook his head. Making his eyes return to their normal grey colour.
“The Desert of Scorching Sands.” he whispered.
Sun yellow came out of his pupils. Seconds pasted, and Hydrus blinked again.
“Did you find anything?” Egret said, while half reading his book. “No. But I have another idea.” He settled himself.
“The Jungle of Twisted Talons.” Once more, he shifted his eyes to a emerald green color. This time he stayed silent for over ten minutes. Then, abruptly, he stood up. Blinking rapidly, and shaking his fur. “I’ve found them! They are currently in the jungle, with two other wolves. I can’t figure out who they are, but they just recently ed the wolflings.”
Egret shut his book and shoved it into his bag. Peering out the entrance, sunshine poured in, signaling the stop of the storm for now.
“If we leave now, we could reach in the territory, in about a day. When we’re close enough, I can teleport us into the close location of the wolflings. It will be a short flight for Egret. And I can give myself and Canyon wings. If that’s okay Canyon.” Hydrus tied his cloak around his neck again, giving Canyon a quizzical look.
Magic, he thought. He’s going to use magic on me.
He reached towards his earring. What the others didn’t know is that the jewellery also protected him from any new spells, casted by a wolf. And he was going to use the same thing that took away his honor, not so long ago. His power. His respect from his Clan. Most importantly, though, his family. The love he used to have, turned so quickly into hatred and betrayal. His wife left him, and the Clan only a week after the incident. Taking his three wolflings and his unborn pup with her.
I have to do this. For me, for her. For them.
Taking off the earring and putting it in his satchel, Canyon nodded, courage burning in his eyes. Hydrus smiled, relieved. He lifted his moon speckled paws at the FlamePaw. Canyon arched his back, like a jungle cat waking from a long nap. A pair of burgundy wings, spread from his back, like a graceful swan. After, Hydrus made wings for himself. Grey wings, with a blue moon on each and a small constellation.
Egret was already, swooping and diving in the air, as Canyon came out into the open.
“Nice wings!” Egret said, noticing the wolf’s new addition. He started flapping his big wings, lifting into the sky. The WindPaw seemed much happier since the wolflings had left, more like his old twenty-year-old self. He laughed more and acted more like a teenager than ever. Hydrus, behind him, seemed to have no problem flying. He easily soared up beside them.
“It’s this way,” he said pointing towards west. They began their journey, in search of the wolflings.
I’ll show them, that I’m not useless. I’m as good as any other FlamePaw. His eyes shifted to his ear, no longer gleaming with the jewel studded treasure. And maybe soon, I’ll be even better.
A black light swirled in his eyes. And at that moment he didn’t feel the same. Like a surge of power just came over him.
I’ll kill them all! Starting with these two.
He looked between Hydrus and Egret, eyeing them mischievously. His body, was no longer his own.
Part one
A Royal Secret
~Chapter One~
Citron slugged through the grassy jungle floor. Insects kept getting in his eyesight, which he had to swat away.
Will they even welcome me? He thought, often about this.
His claws were sharp as razors, his ears were as big as palm leaves. That wasn’t normal. (At least that’s how he saw it).
Will my mother still be alive, and what about my father? Do they me? Or did they have another litter and forget about their lost pup? It felt as if yesterday he had been taken from his parents. Yet, it was so long ago. Years. He could the day though, so vividly, yet he couldn’t make out everything he saw.
Citron was in the garden, splashing around with his other siblings. A sister and brother, which names he could not . Their mother was watching them, smiling from a small window. She was always smiling. I think.
His father was beside him saying something. But all he could focus on was the mud below his tiny, fragile, paws. His father, licked Citron’s fur lightly. Rubbing his face on one of the small green pup’s ears.
Suddenly, his sister started barking, at a green wolf standing near his mother. The wolf was wearing three earrings on each ear. A green jewel, shining from a pair on one ear lobe. A flower woven cape draped on one side of his body, covering a long slash. His father started towards them, with a slight grin.
“Hello, King Acacia.” said his father.
“Good morning.” The king hugged his mother, tightly, warmly.
But why? Why! He couldn’t recall. They talked for a long time, while Citron was sniffing some “new things” as he called them. Some purple, and blue flowers sprouting out from the green ground.
“Those are orchids!” said his happy older sister. She was born about three years before him, with his other sibling. Which meant he was the youngest.
“Those are mommy’s favourite, that’s why she plants so much.”
Citron looked on the rows and rows of beautiful blooming flowers. He could understand how his mother loved them. They were stunning. Maybe when he was bigger, he could plant some for her. That’s what his mother always told him, and his siblings.
A shriek came from the hut. He whipped his head around to find a mud brown wolf, marching towards him, paws outstretched. She shoved his sister away.
“Run, Citron! Run!” his mother called to him. He froze in terror, not knowing how to react. His heart said run, but his legs wouldn’t listen. Out of anger, sort of, he scratched the wolf on her muzzle. Making her reel back and whimper in pain. With that chance he bolted to the edge of the garden. The fastest he’d ever run before. He tripped over one of his paws, and rolled off the edge of the house platform, plummeting to the ground below.
“No!” said an echo of a voice, sounding like his father. Now what? He was so young surely this was the end. He was ready though. Slowly he closed his eyes, ready for the impact. Thinking one last time of his father, sister, brother and his mother. Oh, his mother. Now who would plant her favourite flowers for her? Tears fell upward from his face, ing her sweet voice one more time.
But he didn’t hit the ground. Strangely. He opened his eyes, and ears, to the sound of wingbeats. Looking up he saw a big brown and white wolf carrying him, with his hind legs, flapping his wide wings.
“Thanks.” he managed to say. The wolf stared at him. Citron cocked, his head to one side. “Up!” He gestured to his big hut in the distance. The wolf with the wings, glanced up for a mere second. Then shook his head.
“Up!” he now demanded. Silence came from the wolf. “Mommy’s up! Daddy’s up! Pineapple! Up!” Why had he said “pineapple” though? It was quite confusing, and hard to why he’d said it. The wolf whisked him away, far from the soft green grass. From the amazing mud under his paws. And trapped him in a cave with some other pups. A blue winged wolf, that hung from a ledge. A mean-looking yellow rattling one. A shy, and quiet, purplish, black puppy. And a sad red pup, that kept changing his ears from blue, to red, to orange, then back to blue. He didn’t know these wolves and he had no intention of ever knowing them. All he wanted was his mother. He didn’t want a new, fruit, he didn’t want new friends. He didn’t even want mud anymore. Just his mom. That would do, and he would never ask for anything ever again. But he didn’t get her, he got these pups. So, he had to make do for now.
“It really is beautiful, in the jungle.” Jinx said beside him. She was a new “recruit” as Canary called them. Her and Sparrow.
Sparrow, why does he get to be a new recruit. He isn’t even that helpful. All he brought was some maps, and books. Just great! More learning.
Sparrow stayed extremely close to Canary, which was weird. She’d never let wolves or anything close to her precious fur, except her friends. Now he gets a free on it. And that owl she had.
Owls are so messy. I think.
Spectrum, a friendly bird she’d found while in the Star Dragon’s kingdom.
That’s going to take a while, to get used to saying. Jungle Dragon, Dune Dragon, Star Dragon, Frost Dragon, and a Heat Dragon. Gotta get those in my head.
A parakeet swooped past his tail, almost hitting him. “I wish I was born here. It’s stunning.” Sparrow said. “As stunning as a swan.” Canary and him said union. They laughed at their little joke.
I hate when they do that. It’s like they’re a couple. A gross couple. But that’s not how he really felt. He loved how his friend found a wolf, she liked. He liked the inside jokes they told each other, so often. Okay maybe THAT was annoying. It was just too hard to think he’d find love like that one day. He was so different, and awkward all the time. Love was the one thing he knew he’d never find.
“Do you guys hear that?” Fennec said, perking his ears to the wind. Citron shifted his ears as well. Birds, and mosquitoes were the only thing he could hear.
“Um. What’s up with Jinx.” Citron turned to her, direction. She froze in place with a worried look on her face. Smelter poked her gently on the snout. She didn’t react. A whistling sound came through the air, and Nightgazer was frozen the same way. Staring at a fluttering butterfly on her claw.
“Whoa! What’s happening, to them?” Sparrow panicked. Then his body stood still, as a statue. A paw was raised to his head, as if he were about to scratch an itch. Canary rocked him a bit, but he stayed. She growled at the trees, above her.
“Show yourself!” Another sound of a whistle, and something shot towards Canary. It hit her invisible force field. Creating a ripple, on the pink surface. She’d put it up around herself the second they stepped into the jungle. So, she’d be protected from any threats. It would have worked better, if she just made a big one to protect everyone. She hadn’t thought of that though. She smirked at the trees.
“You can’t hit me. You dimwitted hyenas!” She stuck her long pink tongue at the air. Spectrum cawed victoriously, on her shoulder. “You three, get over here.” Fennec and Smelter hurried over to her, then stopped. Frozen in place. “Aahh!” screamed Citron. He sprinted to Canary as she opened her force field. A shape swiftly pasted him, and grabbed Canary’s necklace! She tried to bite after it, and became a statue, like the others. A snarl planted on her face. A swift shot, and Spectrum was frozen mid-flight. Then fell to the ground. Citron frantically looked from branch to branch. Trying to pin point the whistling and freezing creature. He felt a sharp pain on his neck and peered down to see a black, thorn embedded in his skin. No. Not a thorn.
A dart! The same darts I spit. GrassPaws, are using their paralyzing darts on us. Why? I’m one of them.
Then it hit him, just like the darts did. A feeling he hated every time he felt it.
But . . .I’m not one of them. His vision became fuzzy, and blurred. Slightly swaying he saw his friends began falling over into a coma induced sleep. A shadow came towards, reaching out a scarred paw to him. And soon he was trapped, in a lonely dark abyss, of his mind.
Pine needles. Why do I smell pine needles? Is it a, herb? No, it’s tea. He’d never smelt the beverage before, but he could distinguish it from any normal drink. He fluttered his eyelids open.
Citron was no longer on the jungle floor. He was in a leafy building, of a sort. Sun came in through open palm windows, warming his body to the core. Citron curled his tail to his face. He noticed a small cup of tea steaming from a wooden table, near the back corner. Looking around he didn’t see anybody around. Except for his slumbering friends laying on leafy beds.
I would love something to drink right now. Not, tea though. Just some water, and a fish would be nice. Citron rolled his head around seeing, the entire room.
A caterpillar crawled on a leaf that reached into the small hut. Birds of paradise, and toucans flew past the windows. Their colored wings spiralling like a living rainbow
He stared at the, umber coloured, flowing liquid. Carefully he concentrated on it. The tea began to float into the air, lightless like a feather. Before it could go any higher, he, let it pour down, back into its little green cup.
My secret talent. The one thing that I can use to my advantage
. . .without hurting anyone. Why do I have it though? Do other GrassPaws have it? Maybe. I’ll find out, hopefully.
Hissing came from the left of Citron. It was Fennec.
“What in the scorching fur balls, is happening?!” he yelled. He whipped his head to Citron.
“Were those darts? That hit us?” The green wolf, nodded. “It looks like they wanted to spare a few poison darts on us.”
Fennec heaved a sigh, “oh good. I thought it was deadly or something. But then, I wouldn’t really be awake right now.”
Nightgazer yawned, rubbing her eyes.
“Where are we?” She gazed around the room, widening her eyes a bit. “Uh. Where’s Sparrow?” Citron hadn’t noticed it, but the big bulking wolf wasn’t with their group anymore. Neither was the owl, Spectrum. All who was left was Jinx, Smelter, and Canary, who were all gradually walking up as well.
“Sparrow?” Canary echoed. Her necklace had returned to her white and blue fur. “What happened to him? What’s wrong? Where is he?”
Smelter and Jinx woke as the doorway began rustling. A figure came through. But It wasn’t a wolf. A scaly white and black spotted dragon came craning, her long neck in. She wore a golden ear piercing. An obsidian gem dangled from the ear piece. Two wolves were in tow of her. “Hello!” she exclaimed. “It’s wonderful to meet you. The wolves of promise! What an honor to the kingdom. Isn’t it King Acacia? Queen Tropic?” Beautiful, blue and green fur came sweeping into the small hut. Jewels gleamed on a blue wolf, with at least three necklaces around her neck. An ear piercing, looped out of her right earlobe, studded with pink and amber gems. Her claws were perfectly manicured, sharpened to the point, but still quite dull. Her eyes looked straight at the black and white dragon, a smile plastered on her face, seeming a bit forced. “Splendid!” said the queen. King Acacia ruffled his cape for a moment, grinning widely.
“It’s so good to finally see you again, Citron.” Acacia said. “My sister was most worried when you fell from the garden. So long ago. You’re thirteen now, correct? If so, that’s perfect.” He adjusted a green earring. “You can find a beautiful mate! Then take my place as king in a few years! We must start your training soon. Lucky you.” Citron almost stumbled off his leaf pile.
“W-what?” he stammered. “Why would I take your place? You barely even know me, Your Majesty. And what do you mean your sister? Besides, only family can be handed the throne.”
His eyes shot wide, realizing what he said. King Acacia bobbed his head excitedly.
“You always were smart.” Citron had to hold his head up, so it wouldn’t tip over in confusion.
I’m his son. No! He stared at the king.
“You’re my father?” Acacia shook his head vigorously. “Jumping jaguars, no!” he laughed aloud.
“Then how?” Citron insisted in knowing. The king fixed a ring on his paw. “You are my sister’s son. Princess Juniper, and her husband, Prince Evergreen. Citron, you’re my nephew. And the next wolf in line for GrassPaw throne.”
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