Fate of Brightshadow

The basilisks in the Kalun'tak Forest were increasing in numbers, along with the amount of attacks against its denizens. The animals of the forest were disappearing, and the tribes peoples across the region were keeping to themselves. It was too dangerous to visit nearby tribes, or exchange in any annual trade fair. Reports from the Soaring Wings scouts were delivered to the elder scout - an old, meek man whom the scouts felt was unworthy of the position. Personally appointed by Chief Stormfalcon, Elder Scout Truefeather would receive the reports from the scouts, and deliver it to the council for review.


The reports gave the council ample hints that the threat of the basilisks were ever increasing against the people of Soaring Wings. Truefeather would ask about sending a hunting party against them, but Chief Stormfalcon would brush it off - relaying to the rest of the council that the scouts were probably reporting multiple incidents of the same attack. Nothing could be done to convince the council to do something about the new threat; not when Stormfalcon continued dismissing it.

Scout Brightshadow was displeased with it all. The politics, the leadership, everything. Staying inside his own tribe was always a discomfort for him. He preferred the company of his fellow scouts, outdoors - away from the tribespeople.

It had been two years since completing his scout training, and during the time since, Brightshadow and all the other scouts of Soaring Wings had been kept busy warding off their tribe from the imminent attacks by the basilisks. Brightshadow convinced his fellow scouts that they needed to act in absence of the Soaring Wings' hunters.

Trapping the beasts and collecting samples was a task both Brightshadow and Morningshade had discussed together. If along the way they had no choice but to destroy the disgusting lizard, then so be it. Bringing back samples of the basilisk to the healing huts became common practice among the scouts. The healers, instructed by Shaman Strongheart, would help create remedies, and antidotes of the vile, petrifying poison.

Later, in the dark of a moonless night, Brightshadow was awoken by his wolf companion, Winterfire. His body language gave Brightshadow enough time to conclude that they had intruders in the tribe. He opened a skylight from his home, and lifted Ahnshee into the night air; to alert the village. Then, he prepared himself for battle.

As the tribe began to wake from the falcon's cry, Brightshadow had stepped out and found there to be several large packs of basilisks stalking the immediate surroundings. For the first time, the creatures acted united, and attacked all at once. Scout Brightshadow shot a flare with his bow - guiding the frightened tribes people toward the escape route through a hidden cave. Urging his childhood friend, Morningshade, to follow the rest of the escapees, Brightshadow quickly and silently gathered his fellow scouts and anyone else able to stand and fight to go after the creatures.

Through the battle, the defenders of the tribe had found that the basilisks were more powerful than before. Their aggressive nature had multiplied, and their cunning and strength were doubled. Almost as though they were being controlled, the lizards knew where the tree dwellers attacks would come next. The birds of prey were of little help as their eyes were not meant to track creatures during the night. Those who had found their companionship with the owls had already been paralyzed, petrified, or killed.

Scout Brightshadow had an answer to their problems. With his wolf companion at his side, and his trusted scout mates, Brightshadow had proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Slowly, but surely the basilisks fell. Brightshadow had shown such tremendous courage, and his skills against the creatures became second nature. It was as if he were a creature of immense power, deflecting, and countering the attacks the basilisks would deliver.

As the night went on, he caught a glimpse of another creature in the shadows. A pair of glowing eyes, peering upon the attack. As the eyes turned toward Brightshadow, they had vanished. He had lost track of Winterfire, after assisting nearby scouts with more oncoming attacks. Instinct told him to find his wolf companion, and quickly. Suddenly, in the distance, the sound of a blood-curdling cry shrieked and echoed through the woods. The basilisks attacking the tribes people had begun to retreat into the shadows.

Brightshadow found that Winterfire was up against two basilisks. One of them was missing an eye - the same creature that had attacked Brightshadow during the falcon rescue two years ago. His wolf companion was already injured; semi-paralyzed. Brightshadow had no time to lose, and quickly knocked an arrow onto his bow, aiming at the one-eyed basilisk. He let it go, and it flew onto the side of the second basilisk, as it jumped in front of the first, snapping at Winterfire. The basilisk hissed, and turned over.

Brightshadow had another arrow knocked and ready to fire at the one-eyed basilisk. Before he could release it, the basilisk swung its spiky, poisonous tail toward the wolf, knocking him down to the ground. The arrow was released, and it found its target, at the gut of the lizard. It groaned and hissed away, into the bushes. Brightshadow had the horrible, dreaded feeling that his wolf was dying from the injuries sustained in the fight - the poison creeping into his blood would soon stop the wolf's heart from beating.

He cried for help as he crouched over by Winterfire, tears streaming down his face. He yelled for someone to bring him an antidote for the poison, before his wolf was gone. Screaming at the wolf to hang on, he could not bear to lose another loved one. Still breathing, the wolf turned to face Brightshadow. Their eyes met, and the sudden emotion of joy and love filled the young man's body. The wolf, somehow communicated with Brightshadow, letting him know that it will be okay. An image came to the broken-hearted boy, an image of wolves coming together and welcoming Winterfire to their realm.

Morningshade came sprinting towards Brightshadow with an antidote. It was too late. Winterfire had passed on. The feeling inside Brightshadow had vanished, and soon he was overcome with grief and sadness. All the sorrow from his past came rushing up to him. He couldn't bear it; he had to run away.

He left before Morningshade could catch up to him. To Brightshadow, he was alone again. His falcon Ahnshee, mournfully followed her companion deeper into the woods. It seemed fate had once again visited upon him - taking away another member of his family.

But fate would soon deliver him a new family.