An allegiance was formed and each swore that no man nor beast could separate their paths. Each wolf was from a different pack, and over time trust was built that each swore would never be broken. Safe and secure was their world and many moons passed.

Much, they had in common, and each explored the mysteries of their range, and shared stories of their past. Together they became as one spirit.

One day a strange pack of wolves entered their domain. At first the outcast band kept their distance and only sat on the edge of the camp. They watched eagerly and were entranced with the hunting skills and wisdom of One-Wolf, so it was in their mind to lure, separate and bring him into their own. This would take some cunning and skill of their own, for there was a pact between the two.

Brother-Wolf had sensed the danger of the pack, and One-Wolf felt the lure of their promises; at times One-Wolf even entered the camp of the outcast band. They praised and promised and provided a cave for him to sleep in from time to time, and the notoriety and the treatment given was starting to change the heart of One-Wolf towards the other.

Knowing this One-Wolf said to the other, “If I should start to stray, WARN ME! For we are one, nothing can separate the bond we have between me and thee. I will listen and I will step away from the outcast band, for my pact is strong and nothing shall come between our spirits. This I swear to you.”

And Brother-Wolf warned One-Wolf, and the warning fell upon deaf ears…

And still the lure was great towards the outcast pack.

A great wall was starting to form between Brother-Wolf and One-Wolf. A she wolf was sent in to further separate their bond one towards another. The temptation was strong and many promises were made to win the heart of One-Wolf. His heart grew hard and his ears refused to hear and his eyes failed to see the gulf that was separating the two.

Once again Brother-Wolf warned One-Wolf, and the warning fell upon deaf ears and a hardened heart and eyes that were blind to see.

One day a storm had come upon Brother-Wolf and the winds were threatening and the rain beat down upon him severely. Beaten and battered Brother-Wolf held on, for fear of hurting the others, Brother-Wolf wanted both to seek the safety of a dark cave, to prevent harm from coming to them. He pleaded for One-Wolf to carry out his wishes. At no other time had he asked for the support of his Brother to help him weather any storm. Their bond was strong, and Brother Wolf knew in his heart that One-Wolf would stand beside him and evade the danger that was lurking around them.

In the hour of need, One-Wolf turned his back on Brother-Wolf and gathered the outcast band together to laugh at Brother-Wolf’s folly. Together they turned and walked away mocking and threatening to build a much stronger band together, leaving Brother-Wolf to his own demise. So the outcast band departed, howling among themselves and boasting of their conquest of One-Wolf.

The two , One-Wolf and Brother-Wolf were no longer one in spirit.

In the time of need Brother-Wolf had learned that trust could be betrayed, not in just an instant but over a long period of time, slowly and methodically destroyed by the deceitfulness and lies of the Outcasts.

In his wisdom he learned warnings were useless unless they were heard; defense was useless unless the warnings were heeded; and that praise from outcasts will lure even the strongest heart into the valley of weakness.

In his eyes he could witness the transformation slowly taking place in the spirit of One-Wolf. Sadness filled Brother-Wolfs heart as the two Spirits were being torn apart. Hearing had ceased, for the lure of greatness and promise overcame friendship. The heart had hardened so that love had crumbled within, and the voice of reason was as a foreign tongue upon the ears of a friend now an enemy within his own camp.

Brotherhood was betrayed, and in the heart of Brother-Wolf, One-Wolf no longer lives. Though he exists in the camp of the enemy his spirit in dead within.

The Sun has set, and the Moon rises, and in the darkness of the canyons, Brother-Wolf shall forever walk alone in the safety of the shadows.

For what One-Wolf cannot see, One-Wolf cannot hurt...