The Canis Clan

I remember the morning sky like any other. It was a bright blue sky, but clouds were setting in and a storm was on its way no doubt. But, I had to stay positive for my husband. I wanted to share the news with him, but he chose to speak with Elder Vaux before meeting me. While he was out, I was stuck scavenging for supplies again. I don't mind it, but after a while these wolves start to get on my nerves. They struggle with the most basic of tasks and I'm the expert of our clan.

***

"I told you a hundred times already, you can't kick down a tree for wood. Collect the branches that are on the ground and any low-hanging branches." I said.

Sky isn't the smartest wolf, but he can carry a lot our supplies with little problem. The other two scavengers with me are Lotus and Fang. Fang is a strong warrior, scout, and scavenger but is a force not to be reckoned with. Lotus on the other paw is a softer wolf; she wants to help but she is too weak to stand up for herself. She is loving towards me but can get a bit close.

"Hey, we get enough wool from the nearby sheep? I mean, they aren't usually the giving type." Fang asked me.

"I'm sure we got enough from them. Leave it to Lotus to bargain with other species." I replied to Fang who was carrying all the wool in a basket. Sure it was light, but it didn't stop Fang from complaining.

"I-I'm not that useful." Lotus said. "They're just so kind to me."

"Maybe it's because you're so innocent."

As we headed back, a strong wind blew across us. We had two ways to avoid this storm: head back asap or find our own shelter. Usually we'd head back with the resources, but we just knew that this was going to be a strong storm. So, we ran towards any sort of cave we could find.

"Another storm?" Lotus complained.

"I know they've been happening frequently, but we've survived worse."  I said to try to prevent her from fleeing. "We can go back to that cave we saw on our descent."

"If we do that, then we'll have to ascend against the weather. Meaning we'd become more vulnerable and you'd be putting us in even more danger." Fang butted in. "There's a cave nearby, one that isn't above or below us but on the same level. Follow me."

Just like that, we were off with all the supplies we've gathered and followed Fang. However, his spirit guided the path and he can run faster than all of the wolves in our clan.  As we approached a cave, the wind started to get more powerful and snow began falling. The cave wasn't the best one I've seen but it gets the job done. Thanks to all the wood we collected, we used a small portion to begin a campfire while we used some wool for a bed. Thankfully, the smoke could escape into the air so that some passerby could find us; hopefully they wouldn't attack us.

Night came faster than expected, the storm was quite powerful, and the wool we used wasn't big enough for all three of us so one of us stood guard. First was Lotus, than me, and lastly was Fang who'd probably stay up the entire night and not switch. However, Lotus came back sooner than expected.

"Sorry, I can't stay out there long enough." She complained.

"Why not? It's just a little wind." Fang replied. "You've always been the weakest of us anyways,"

"I have NOT!"

"Have too."

"Have not!"

"Have too."

"QUIET! Both of you, geez. We are supposed to get supplies for the group and if the clan were to see you two fighting, you'd get replaced and Elder Vaux would look down on us." I interjected. "We can't stand the two of always fighting, right Sky?"

Sky wasn't anywhere to be found. "Sky? Sky get out here NOW!" I shouted to the world. It was to no avail, he probably couldn't hear me.

"What are we going to do now?" Lotus said, breathing faster and faster now. "If we can't find Sky, does that mean he's..."

"Sky may not be smart, but he'd at least know not to run through a strong storm like this. I can try to find his trail, maybe even him if I'm lucky." Fang said walking towards the exit.

"No, Fang you stay here and watch over Lotus." I stopped Fang.

"WHAT?!" The two of them said.

"He is my responsibility, so I'll find him. Make sure she doesn't hyperventilate, all right?"

Without giving him time to respond, I was off in a hurry. Lotus was right though, there is almost no way that she could stay out in this wind for long. I just hope that I can last long enough to find Sky and return.  The snow did blur my vision and I couldn't trot well on three paws so I had to deal with it. My journey for Sky made me even more tired than before, but as I reached my breaking point I saw a shadowy figure coming towards me.

"Sky?" I asked as I panted. "Sky, you're a fool."

I blacked out, but upon waking up I found myself in another cave; one that was lower than the previous one. A fire was burning and a table was set up with a mug of some liquid. I took a small sip from it, but that was enough to almost burn my toungue. Whatever it was, it was not only hot, but tasted like apples.

"You should let it cool down first, otherwise you'll burn you're throat." A voice called out to me. "Besides, what was a pony like you doing out in a blizzard like that?"

"Pony? I'm no pony, I am a scout for the Canis Clan. Who are you?" I got up and asked.

"Canis Clan? I guess my vision is getting worse or something." A pony walked out with a couple of books on his back. "Sorry, but I thought you were a pony who needed help; so what werer you doing out there?"

"I was looking for a wolf named Sky, but it doesn't seem like I can find him."

"A wolf you say, did he happen to have supplies on him?"

"Yes, a lot of them actually. Why? Did you find him?"

"Sadly yes; the supplies for this cave shelter were taken from him. I regret doing it now that I've met his mate."

"Sky is just another scout, I'm married to someone else." I interjected. "On another note, what's your name?"

"Ah that. You probably don't know my name, but in Canterlot I'm a famous writer and philosopher. I am Rene Hecartes, I'm helping out a friend with diplomacy right now but it seems like we're separated right now."

He sat down across from me and used some sort of magic to get another mug for himself. He opened up a satchel and out came some books. On one of them was a not that read,"Cogito ergo sum". Wonder what that translates to? It's not like I can read pony. Besides his books, he seemed to also be very personable.

"So this Canis Clan, what's it like?" He asked me, putting down his mug of cider.

"I can't tell you a whole lot because you're an outsider, but it's a cluster of wolves under the leadership under Elder Vaux. He's protected us for thousands of moons, but my husband is questioning his leadership. Hopefully, things go well."

"My friend and I wanted to establish diplomacy with a group out here, however we didn't know where there are. Maybe, we could meet with your group and start a trading route or something."

"Vaux is a bit of hardass, especially to outsiders. Maybe, you can come with but your associate might need to stay behind."

This conversation went back and forth for hours. We didn't even notice that the storm subsided. We were just disagreeing about ideas, talking about where we came from, and the futures we want to live. As we drank all the cider, which might be worth trading for or at least making, I heard two voices call out.

"Captain, you here?" A masculine voice was heard. "Hopefully you're not dead."

"FANG! I'm over here!" I ran out to meet them but was jumped by Lotus who started to lick me. "Calm down girl; I know the feelings you have for me but please, slow down. She didn't stop though, even when Fang entered, she just kept going. It was as if, nobody else existed and she was going down to my chest until I pushed her off. "Lotus, please. Try to restrain yourself next time."

"So that's why you were running Lotus." Fang said, like the ass he can be.

Instead of speaking, Lotus just stood there with her cheeks red as a rose. She really does have beautiful cheeks though. Rene came out with some of the supplies from Sky and levitated them over with his magic. He didn't even know what was going on until he dropped the stuff off.

"So, are you two?"

"No, Lotus is something else." Fang replied. "Thanks for the supplies, next time I see a pony I'll try not to kill them."

"What!? You've killed a pony before?!"

"I'm just joking with ya. You're the first pony I've actually talked with."

Rene was off, ascending the mountain but we tagged along with him because our camp was in that direction. He didn't seem to mind, but Lotus and Fang would trot beside him. Every step he took, they did the same until he stopped in his tracks. Rene knew that something was up, but he could understand that it was necessary for the wolves to keep a closer eye on an outsider. However, it still bugged him.

"What is your clan's home like, if you don't mind me asking?" Rene asked.

"It's not like your typical city, but I still can't tell you much as you are an outsider." Fang replied. "However, who is this friend of yours that is supposed to help you communicate with any clans outside your borders?"

"Fang!" I yelled at him. "He's almost like a guest, so keep in line!"

"It's alright, I'll be glad to answer. I'm sure you won't know him, but he his one of the most powerful unicorns around; his power is almost as strong as the alicorn princesses, and I bet he could beat them if he trained hard." Rene hyped up this unicorn. "He's known as Starswirl the Bearded."

Starswirl the Bearded, I'd never forget that name. Especially after what he'd do to my clan, something that would ultimately lead me to try to kill him.