With the Greenpaw Pack
Twilight and the pack had been running for two full hours now. Thanks to Lora's guidance, they were able to find the river easily.
The Salmon River was large but relatively shallow since they could see the bottom. Despite its namesake, the fertile river was filled with other species of fish that would be attractive to those with a taste for fish.
A cacophony of growling stomachs brought the pack to a halt. Spike landed in a nearby tree panting. Twilight chuckled.
"We still have a good bit of daylight left. Why don't we try to catch a few fish for lunch for a bit?" Twilight asked.
It turned out that Twilight didn't need to ask them for they took off towards the water to try to catch fish. Twilight joined them in fishing.
Twilight walked a good bit out in the river until she came across a large catfish. Holding her breath, Twilight dove her head into the water and just got the catfish by its tail and brought it back to shore.
As she ate the fish, she saw what the others caught. Applejack and Rainbow both caught largemouth bass, Pinkie caught a rainbow trout, Lora caught a pike, Rarity and Fluttershy caught multiple bluegill, and Starlight and Trixie caught some squirrels. Spike found several berries to eat from a nearby bush. He'd probably eat whatever the others couldn't finish. Twilight looked at Lora.
"Say Lora, what can you tell us about this land?" she asked.
Lora swallowed a mouthful of pike to answer her new alpha. "Are you new here?"
"Yes, we're new to this area and just established a territory," Twilight replied.
"Okay, then. We're in the Wildland Kingdom, the land of plenty and harmony," Lora said. "It's protected by Fenrir's Spine just west of here".
"What's Fenrir's Spine?" Rarity asked.
"It's a mountain range that's tough to navigate, especially if you don't know the area. It protects us from the humans just west of the Spine," Lora replied.
"Humans? There are humans here?" Twilight asked with perked ears.
"Indeed, you know about them?" Lora asked.
"I've encountered them before," Twilight said. Lora's face contorted into an expression of fear.
"I'm surprised you survived! Humans are vicious killers that destroy everything they see, especially us wolves!" Lora said.
"What? The ones I knew were kind and decent," Twilight said.
"They've slaughtered hundreds of our kind simply for being here! They would've finished us off if Howler the Great didn't find a safe hidden path through Fenrir's Spine," Lora said.
"Is this 'safe hidden path' the reason why the humans haven't come beyond the mountains?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes. We're safe here and the humans will never find the path," Lora said with confidence.
"What happens if they do?" Fluttershy asked.
"Personally, I'd like to fight for our land. If the humans try anything, we'll show them the power of the wolf!" Lora replied with a flash of her fangs.
"Okay moving on from that... how many packs exist within this Kingdom?" Rarity asked.
"Well, there's yours, Copperhide, Snowfoot, Shadowhide, Redtail, Highpaw, Frosteye, Barrenfang, and finally Silverhide," Lora replied. "The Silverihides are the largest and most powerful and influential pack in the Kingdom".
"Are there other predators here apart from wolves?" Rainbow asked.
"There are the bear clans that live within Fenrir's Spine," Lora said. "They were placed there as a line of defense in case humans ever find there way through them. Some of their representatives will be there during the Assembly".
"Any others?" Fluttershy asked.
"There are the foxes, coyotes, and mountain lions," Lora said. "Foxes are able to freely travel through wolf territory and settle. Coyotes are not welcome by any pack, and are even killed by wolves. Mountain lions have their own territory in the Northern Hills".
"Why aren't coyotes welcome?" Pinkie asked.
Twilight looked up to see the position of the sun. They were burning daylight talking like this. She got up, stretched, and addressed the pack.
"Look, there will be time to talk later. Right now, we have to continue to Howler's Rock," Twilight said.
Before the pack could start running again, Spike fell to the ground in a flapping fit. Twilight looked to him with concern.
"Spike! What's wrong?!" Twilight asked in worry.
Spike giggled and his words were slurred. "I don't know. All I know is... I feel good".
Applejack sniffed at the berries Spike ate earlier. She turned to Twilight and tried to hold in laughter.
"The berries Spike ate were fermented," Applejack said. "He's smashed!"
Twilight sighed and smiled at Spike. It was going to be hard to carry Spike while they traveled to Howler's Rock, but she had to do something.
"Spike, I'm going to carry you, but I promise I'll be gentle," Twilight said.
"It'zz okay, Twi. I truzzt you," Spike said.
Twilight gently picked up Spike in her mouth and took off along the river. Once the sun had touched the top of the trees, the pack saw what they guessed was Fenrir's Spine, stretching far and wide. Lora came up beside Twilight as they ran.
"Howler's Rock is just up ahead beyond the next hill!" Lora said.
Sure enough, as soon as the pack crested the hill, they finally arrived at Howler's Rock.
Howler's Rock was an impressive rock formation in the center of a very large clearing. The Rock was in a shape of a large wolf's head pointed upwards as if the rock itself were howling. Adorning the top of the Rock was a short tree that seemed out of place with the other trees around the clearing.
"Here we are, Howler's Rock!" Lora said.
"This place looks cool!" Rainbow said.
"This looks like a good place to meet. I can see why everyone comes here," Twilight said. "How long do we have to wait until others start coming?"
A series of howls in the distance answered Twilight's question for her. Just as the sun finally disappeared over the horizon, lots of wolves and a few other predators came into the clearing.
Wolves from all the different packs came, as well as a few bears, two mountain lions, four foxes, and even a few coyotes came into the clearing to take part in the Assembly. They all devolved into their own conversations until a loud hooting sound came from the tree.
Everyone in the clearing turned to the tree to see a large great horned owl with a white patch of feathers under his beak flying down to the top of Howler's Rock overlooking everyone gathered. Joining the owl was a large male wolf with a large patch of silver-colored fur along his neck and back. The owl picked up a small rock in his talons and banged it on the tip of the rock.
"Hello, everyone!" the owl greeted with a kind and wise voice. "I am the Knowledge Keeper of the Wildland Kingdom, Archimedes. Seeing as we're all gathered here, let us get started".