Storm Brightblade opened her eyes sleepily. The sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon, and around her the birds started to sing their dawn chorus. “Good, you’re awake. Hurry up, this is your first raid.” Storm looked up and saw her father, Jaf Redback, looking down at her. He was wearing a plain brown tunic, fitted with a belt and throwing dagger pouches. His eyes were deep brown and set into a permanent glare. His fur was sleek and shining, colored a brilliant red, for which he got the name “Redback”. “What do ye mean, my first raid?” Storm asked- obviously confused. “Remember, The Rules say that when a member of the pack has reached the age of sixteen seasons, they have experience their first raid,” he said sternly. “Oh yeah, The Rules,” Storm answered sarcastically, “ Why do we always have to follow by those nonsense rules?” “Because those rules are what hold this fox band together- that’s why. Those rules have been in the pack ever since your great-great- grandsire founded this pack!” he practically shouted in his anger, “And as long as you are in this pack, you will abide by those rules!” “Whoa, father. I didn’t mean to make you mad! Don’t worry, I’m gonna follow The Rules.” Storm hurried to get ready. She slipped on her black tunic, and immediately thought, “If I wear this tunic, no one will be able to see me in the forest.” It was true. Her fur was black as midnight, and with her wearing the black tunic, you could barely tell her from a darkly colored tree. The only part of her the showed any color were her eyes, which were an icy blue. When Storm was ready, she met with her father and the other raiders at the edge of the forest. Her father was talking to some of the higher- ranking officers. Jaf Redback was the leader of the fox band, making Storm the rightful heir of leadership. As Storm entered the group of waiting raiders foxes of lower rankings scuttled out of the way to let her by. They muttered quiet “sorry’s” and “excuse me’s” as she passed. “Oh good, you’re here,” Jaf said when he saw Storm walk up. He spoke a few more words to the officers, and then called out to all the raiders, “Alright, now that everybody is here, let the raid begin!” The officers began issuing orders to the raiders, and groups started to form. In one group, led by the second ranking fox named Baro, the foxes were all large and bulky- they were to rush the entrance of the goodbeast camp. Another group, led by Officer Haet, had the foxes that were average size and speed- the foxes in this group were to come from the east and west sides of the entrance and attack the goodbeasts with spears and javelins. The last group, led by Jaf Redback, were the foxes who were quick and nimble- these foxes rushed in from the back of the camp to cut any chances of escape for the goodbeasts. This was the group the Storm was in. “Look’s like we’re in the same group,” said a deep- voiced fox from behind Storm. Storm spun around and smiled jubilantly. Her best friend, Ferris, stood grinning at her. Ferris was a tall, strong, and burly. His fur was deep red and his eyes were a light almond brown. Ferris was kind, playful, and curious. He was more like a fox cub than a vicious killer like all the other foxes in the band. “Ferris! You’re on your first raid, too?” Storm said happily. “Yep, the boss decided a few months ago that he would wait and have me go on the raid with you. I don’t know why, though,” Ferris replied. “Well, you know father,” said Storm apologized,” He’s always watching out for me. Even though he’s so tough me, he still doesn’t want anything bad to happen.” She sighed, ”Sometimes I think he might actually love me.” Changing the subject, Ferris looked down at the blade in Storm’s belt. “That’s a really nice dirk, Storm. Where did you find someone who could make such fine weapons?” “Oh, you know how I used to sneak out of camp? Well, one time I found this ermine stuck in a ravine. I helped him out so in return he told me that he would make me a special weapon. By that time I had to leave, so he told me to come back in a few days. When I went back, he had made me a nice new dirk. Lucky for me, I was getting tired of that floppy old sword that father let me use. What’s really good about this dirk is its design. It’s a thin but strong blade, and look at this hilt- it’s beautiful! That ermine put these stones together and made it look like blue-eyed fox. Plus, the hilt is black. That makes it look like me! I don’t know he got these gems, though. Sapphires, diamonds, and rubies for the sunset. It’s amazing!” “Ha, if you die, I get first dibs on that! You are so lucky! I know tons of creatures that would kill for that weapon just have it in a trophy room!” Ferris replied. Suddenly the sound of blaring trumpets was heard. All around Storm and Ferris the foxes of the pack were starting to move. The leaders of each group began to round up their members. “Well, I guess we better get over there before father tries to bring ‘The Rules’ down on us,” Storm joked as they turned to walk over to their group. The raid had begun!