"The malcadhs." The chieftain Agaris was pacing in a circle. "They are a blight to this earth."

A malcadh? She thought. Why that? A malcadh was a deformed pup, such as a tailless pup or an earless one. They used to be cast out from the tribe, sent to their death. But then again, things had changed. The first Fengo who had found this land was a malcadh born, and so was his mate... but not naturally. She was a malcadh made.

"The deformed are more talented than any of us," Alder snapped back. It was rude to address a chieftain so, but she plowed on ahead. Agaris was making her irritable, and it was the truth. Karil, an earless wolf, could hear moose footsteps half a mile away. Hukon, with no paws, could run lighter than any wolf. They were valued.

Agaris bore upon her with such fury even Alder flinched. His teeth snapping, eyes blazing. "Shut your trap. Do not address me without the proper respect!"

Loathing herself, Alder sank into an extreme submissive posture, digging her claws in the dirt and rolling her eyes.

Pacified a little, Agaris start circling again. His bright yellow eyes seemed clouded, dull. "The malcadhs," he mused. "Very well. I see your point. But, Alder..." he whipped around face the groveling, reddish wolf. "You are now denounced from your post."

"What?" Alder gasped, springing to her feet. She ducked her head. "Most honorable chieftain, please..."

"Please what?" asked the Fengo, smirking a little at the sight of his powerful ex-commander bowing to him. "No excuses. What is done, must be done. Hrathair will take your post. You are dismissed." He turned away.

Alder stood for a moment in shocked silence. She had been rude to the chieftain, but... Hrathair? He was one of Agaris's old friends, but... the thought of that tawny, brutal wolf paired with the dark-furred chieftain made her bones quake.

She made up her mind. She would talk to the Sark, the wise wolf in the clan, named after the Sark of the Slough, a noble wolf. Maybe she could help her.

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"Chieftain, lord..." Hrathair bowed his head, nose scraping the ground.

"Stand."

Hrathair stood, a hard glint in his eye. "I see you have replaced Alder, that mhuic wolf."

"No need to insult her. She served me faithfully, until the time she turned paths."

"But, lord, you will never be swayed. You know what's best for this land, this plight." Hrathair's voice oozed compliments, designed to sway the leader. He would dig his claws in, twisting and shaping until the chief could see sense.

And then he would have complete control over the wolves.