Chapter 4- Knowing

Bright light shone in her Den, and Ataxia blinked open her eyes. The pure white snow glistened against the morning sun. A black and green lump was sleeping across the Den from where she lay. 'Ivy' she thought, remembering the she-wolf's name. She trudged out side and shook her midnight black pelt. An icy chill buffeted her and she winced, looking up to see Rahna standing on a tall, jutting outcropping in the cliff-face. The black and white she wolf graceful descended to the snow-laden ground.

"Good, you're awake" she barked, smiling. She flicked her tail, signaling Ataxia to follow. They padded out of the came to a lone tree with a smooth stone beneath it. Rahna leaped upon it and Ataxia followed. "Now, your life is not what you think it has been young one, and the Guild has been watching you for quite some time..." she started, then finished by saying, "You are a special wolf, along with Li...Ivy" Ataxia nodded, then asked, "Why? Why am I special? What's the truth about me, who am I?" Rahna replied "You are part of a Prophecy, and the Guild was formed to make sure these things are fulfilled...but we will start with your mother...her name was Scarlett" Ataxia's eyes brightened at the mention of her real mother's name, it was the first time she had known for sure the identity of her mother since Velika had told her the heart-breaking news. "Scarlett was a black, white, and red she-wolf, she loved you very much...but you and your sister's destiny could not intermingle, so your father took you away" Rahna added.

"My father? Wh'd he leave me then, just left me with Velika" Ataxia growled, anger flaring and fur bristling. "Hush Ataxia, you have not heard the whole story" Rahna whispered to her. Ataxia let her flanks fall and firmly said "Go on then" Rahna cleared her thraot and continued. "Your father brought you to Velika, yes, but Snare thought your father was attacking, so he murdered your father..." Rahna explained sadly. Ataxia eyes became soft, like liquid gold, and greif, sorrow, and regret for her earlier reaction briming in them. Rahna nodded with sorrow "He was black and white...like you and your sister were divided from him... and now,on to your sister, her name is Light...she is still alive somewhere, but I do not know of your mother...plus, Light has the same ability as you" Rahna finished and became silent. Ataxia's black-feathered wings spread from her back and she moved it to her face. "Someone...like me?" she whispered. "There are many like you, but special in different ways" came the voice of Makai. Rahna and Ataxia turned to see him padding over to them. "The Children of Prophecy, we call you, Ivy is one as well" he barked kindly. "Now, we should return to camp, I hear Celevear, Fawla, and Klyst are returning from their Journey!" Makai added. Rahna's eyes brightened. "Good! I shall enjoy seeing my sister again, Klyst is probably over-excited to be back as well!" Rahna sighed, but with a hint of laughter. The trio bounded swiftly towards the camp, Ataxia's wings were once more concealed, she did not like to show them, they were what made her so different.