Firstly, I would like to apologize for the dely of the first chapter, my internet server broke down and I had no internet access for this entire week, if I my internet hadn´t broken down, I would have defintiely added this ages ago. Now, as my internet is still playing up, I don´t know when I´ll be able to come online again, but I hope for all our sakes it isn´t too long.

Secondly, I would like to thank Taniuska for all her help and support, this would not have been possible without her!
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[b]Chapter 1. Leaving[/b]

It has been six hundred years since the fatal mistake each of the rival Clans made. The Hounds of the White Paw and the Cats of the Bright Claw have since gone their separate ways, but their ongoing hate and anger still remains within the clans. But there is an even greater problem that these two clans face, and one that has been kept secret from them for too long. Deep within the chasms of the outstretching cliffs and far beyond the reaches of the Clans, lays waste to one of the world’s greatest and darkest growing evils.

The Huge cliff stretched for miles along, creatures lurking in the darkness, all of which at the dying command of their Leader. A pit of Fire, the smell of rotting flesh, sparks flying as they shaped their weapons, it was a truly horrendous site and a place no living thing survive. They train within the walls, the sound of their swords clashing, drown out by their thick surrounding walls, they were sore, beaten, and many with brutal battle marks covering their entire body.

In the Northern reaches of Livia there lay a number of a large training camps. Cats and Dogs were training as one. Over the years Cats and Dogs that had left their Clan to train as warriors, they had long since abandoned their hatred for one another and unified together in their training.

The Camp was a huge body of land with tents and dens for shelters, a nearby stream and number of large training equipments specifically designed for each warrior’s strongest skill. Archers, Swordsman, even those of close combat fighting trained vigorously to hone their individual and group battle skill. Hercules and Cosmo, both admirable warriors throughout the camp, had now been chosen to return to their Clans and their homeland.

They were only a few months old when they were taken to train at the camp; they have no memory or realisation that their two clans are opposed to each other, only a few months old and sent to train, their friendship grew stronger since than and they have continued to help train each other while in the camp.

They packed what little possessions they had and saddled up on their horses, Cosmo on a dapple-grey and Hercules on a Calico. Attending them on two maroon-brown horses, were two Retainers, both had their authority but had their allegiance to the two warriors, Kashmir and Meg. As they packed up the last of their belongings and prepared food and water for the trip ahead, they headed of into the woodland, the beginning of a long trek ahead.

“I can smell a storm approaching,” Cosmo’s marmalade fur tussled in the feisty breeze as he spoke.

Cosmo’s maroon cape flapped in the wind and every so often revealed the daggers attached to his patchy brown belt and a long wooden bow with a pouch of arrows. Hercules knew the lad in front of him came from a simple farming family. Though he appeared naïve, his deep mocha eyes revealed the solemn soul within, filled with strength and courage to face the dangers which waited.

“We should proceed with haste”, Hercules tried to keep the anxiousness out of his voice.

The canine’s thoughts were consumed with the great battle. Since they commenced their track home, he pondered the many options available to them. Not one prevailed. A chilly gust threw the untied laces of his Gambeson into his face. He pushed them down, tucking them beneath the soft fabric. Hercules selected the purple garment he wore for two reasons. One, it matched his dark eyes. Two, it always drew ladies’ attention as it extenuated his white fur. His paw rested on the hilt of his sword, before he pushed into a stride behind his travelling partner.

Kashmir and Meg both new where their duties lied. They followed behind Cosmo and Hercules, they were both very excited and nervous at the same time, it was their first time leaving the camp, and they had a lot of weight to bear. An ebony-brown coat hung from their necks, each was equipped with a weapon. Kashmir with a short, long-distance bow and Meg with long narrow daggers. And with one final look back at the camp, all four headed off, into the unknown, and the unexpected.

[i]To be Continued…[/i]