TRAVELLING

Refitwa was panting by the time she had gotten to the meadow. She had no need but the shock and pain from seeing Mann again had caused her to.
  The great pool of Reflected Spirits laid in front of her. The surface of the water was as still as glass even though she could feel a light breeze coming from the east. Slowly she walked over to it, showing the most greatest respect towards it as she could.
  The Reflected Spirits pool was the most sacred water amongst Wolves. Even Wolvians with the evillest intentions would not dare to ripple its surface. But Refitwa had no bad intentions, only intentions that would help restore once again peace between all species of Wolve.
  Carefully she relaxed. Concentrating she let her mind feel as light as a feather. Slowly she took in a breath and released it as a long Howl, which had a mystic tone to it. Her markings glowed white and she felt as light as a feather. Very carefully she waded into the shallow pool without making a single ripple. She waited. She could feel the gentle tug of other spirits from the pool on her her own and graciously let hers go down with them.

  Icalave strengthened his stance. Rossmend was having trouble moving his paws in the muddy, rocky river bed but had continued snarling and growling without taking his eyes off Icalave.
  Budney sat up on shore behind Arssneq, petrified about what was going to happen next.
  The sun had hit noon in the sky and both Wolvians found they were to dehydrated to fight. Icalave could see in Rossmend's eyes how much he was willing to fight but his body wouldn't let him. Icalave watched Rossmend give into his bodily pressure but could still see the furry in his eyes. Icalave kept himself at the ready as Rossmend slowly pulled himself out of the river, just in case he decided to attack again.
  Arssneq was beginning to stir. Budney sat upright with his ears pricked as Icalave came over to see if he would be alright to venture on.
  "I'll get some more water," exclaimed Budney. He jumped up so fast Icalave could've sworn that he never left Arssneq's side. Again Budney spat water onto Arssneq's face and his eyes widened.
  Arssneq coughed as some of the water went into his mouth.
  "Where did you get that water from?" Arssneq wheezed at Budney.
  "Just from the river," he replied confused," why what's wrong with it?"
  "Nothing!" said Arssneq cheerfully but still wheezing.The other two's ears pricked up as he said this.
  "So the waters okay?" Rossmend asked, not convinced. Icalave had already walked over to the river and was sniffing it. With a small taste with the tip of his tongue he exclaimed," The water is beautiful and fresh!," but to himself he whispered," but I don't understand why."
  They all came running over, except Arssneq who walked, and immediately started having drinks.
  "Don't drink too much to soon!" Icalave warned, "It will make you sick and even worse."
  Nobody took heed of the warning. It was Rossmend to suffer the consequences first. Without him knowing he was flat on the ground throwing up tonnes of water. Icalave shook his head at him.
  "I warned you not to drink too much!" Rossmend gave him a nasty glare before trying to get back up. This time, reluctantly, he did what Icalavesaid and only took small mouthfulls at a time.
  By this time Arssneq  was already looking a lot better. Budney was just playing with the water in his mouth and on several occasions made Arssneq wheeze with laughter.
  "Come on now," ordered Icalave once they had all replenished themselves, "we must be moving on before the sun moves to far into the west. I want to reach No-Manns Land by nightfall." So they all began moving on. Rossmend walked on the far right whilst Budney and Arssneq walked next to the river. Icalave was in between. He did not want any more trouble from Rossmend.
  The sun had reached halfway between the horizon and midday. They were all running now, trying to gain as much ground as possible.
  Tredwood Forest was still far on their right and Shepfers Meadow had now stretched on the other side of the river to their left. The vastness of the two reminded Icalave of how big and huge the world was. He hadn't travelled this far south for so many years and some of the vegetation around him had minorly changed.
  Budney was riding Icalave's back because he had proven too slow against their speed. He was constantly asking Icalave questions, but Icalave didn't mind because it distracted him from his other thoughts.
  "So why are we going to see what the Mann's are up to?" asked Budney, his curiosity never failed. He had never quite understood the first time when he had met them.
  "Because they have started damaging our land and sky." Icalave said as he was running along.
  "Why?"
  "That's what I want to find out," he replied. There was a few seconds of silence except for the panting of breaths and padding of swift feet.
  "I remember my mum telling me something about Mann, and how they created something, but every time I tried to ask her something more about them she would avoid it." Budney's voice was filled with curiosity.
  "And I'm guessing you want to know the rest of it all?" Icalave continued running but slowed his pace just a little.
  "Yeah." Budney replied." Could you tell me about them?"
  "I can tell you what I know. But I must warn you that some of it is horrible." Icalave tried to stay on the same level of understanding as Budney. He didn't want to confuse him any further.
  "I don't mind," said Budney enthusiastically, glad that someone was finally giving him the truth.
  "You may not say that once you've heard it."
  "Please just tell me?"
  "Alright." So Icalave started." It had all started five hundred and twenty three years ago when Mann first came to our lands. At first they seemed to be quite gentle creatures, but oh how wrong we were. They had begun destroying the land around them, turning it into wasteland, no creature would ever want to call that place home again, not while Mann was there. Then after having a council with all the Wolvian leaders in the Meadow of the Reflected, we decided to rid the lands of this infestation and go to war. Little did we know what kind of weapon Mann had created. About three thousand Wolvians from all breeds, except for Reflected because there wasn't as many of them, came and gathered to prepare for the fight." Icalave looked at Budney before continuing on, but the only look he got back was one of eagerness to hear the rest. "On the eve of battle the Reflected Wolvians boldly took the lead attack. We had Mann surrounded on all sides, there was no way for them to escape!" Budney had started tensing and was digging his nails into Icalaves back. Budney noticed and relaxed as soon as Icalave paused.
  Icalave kept continuing." We thought that victory would be easily won, we clearly out-numbered them twenty to one. But that's when we saw it. It was the most fowl creation of destruction that they had ever seen Mann create yet! Even the Reflected Wolvians had fear on their fearless faces. The breed that could never be harmed was slaughtered before they could even reach half way. Out of confusion and desperation the rest of all the Wolvians attacked, but there were so many replica's of the weapon that whoever could survive was forced to flee."
  "What was the weapon?" Budney asked, his voice quivered and was small. Icalave noticed that he had tensed up again.
  "It was a creature. A creature of an unspeakable kind." Icalave knew that Budney would not be satisfied with this answer so he answered his next question without him having to ask it.
  "It was a Wolvian. But not like us. It was a new kind created to destroy and to serve those whose greed. Us in the Wolvian world call them Death Wolves but their true name bestowed by the Reflected I will not utter hear.
  Budney was now shaking. He was so tense Icalave was forced to stop and shake him off and back to his senses.
  "We're not going towards those Death Wolves are we?!" yelled Budney wtih fear.
  " I did warn you," Icalave answered. Arssneq and Rossmend were up ahead but had stopped too.
  "I don't want to go to No-Manns Land any more!" Budney cried backing away.
  "Your more than free to go, But I tell you now that we have already crossed into No-Manns Land. This is basically the only remaining vegetation around its boarders." Budney looked around, in front of him he could see the plants were becoming most frail and withered and looked back to see that the plants were a lot more green and thicker. "You can come find us, we wont be that far away, if you wish to stay here or go back."
  Budney looked at Icalave, knowing that he was asking him to make a choice now.
  "I...I...I want to..." but Budney couldn't decide what to do, so much was going through his head right at that moment.
  "If you don't make up your mind quickly we will leave without you." Budney didn't like the pressure Icalave was putting on him.
  "ICALAVE! The sun is almost hitting the land in the west. If we are to make it any further by nightfall I suggest we get moving!" Arssneq's voice was heard from the distance in front of where Icalave and Budney were standing.
  "I... I'll stay then," Budney blurted out. Icalave raised his eyebrow at him.
  "Are you sure?"
  "Yes. I'll be fine." Budney's voice cracked on the last word. Icalave turned and ran to catch up to the others. Budney stared dumb-struck, not knowing what to do. He just saw them run out of sight before calling, "Wait! WAIT! I've changed my mind!" And dashed off after them into the looming twilight.