Warrior and I took off toward the gate that lead out to the ruins. Chief keeping step along side. Getting through the gate, we crested the top of the hill. "Chief go on ahead and see what your nose says."
Chief nodded "I will strike if I smell something."
I nodded. Chief took off down the trail. Warrior and I headed down the trail a bit slower. That way we could listen and look. Warrior was listening with his ears while I was looking for any color out of place.
*****
Chief POV
*****
I had just stopped and winded, nothing but Jack rabbit and juniper is what I met. I ran more. There was a hill coming up. I figured that would be another good spot to check. Half way up I caught the smell of the female wolf. I came to a stop and sat down. "Lada?" I looked around.
"You must have wolf blood too." Lada spoke walking out of the shadow of the junipers. The sand made no sound.
"I do." I had a very doggy smile in my eyes. "I am a Plott hound. It has been passed down the line that we have wolf blood along with ancient Black Forest hound."
"Black Forest hound. I remember them. It makes much sense now. Why are you and the cub out?" Lada sat down.
"A friend called her, his wife went missing on her morning ride to the ruins. He asked if we could help." I stood up winded and looked back at Lada. "She comes, I need to keep looking." I nodded to her almost a doggy bow and took off the rest of the way up the hill. There I checked the scents on the breeze. I smelled horse. Not very strong but enough to know it was a possible trail. I let out my strike, a howl and woof mix. I knew she would know what I meant. Started running into the smell, letting out the song of my tribe. This is what I was meant for the hunt and the chase.
******
Lia's POV
*****
I heard Chief's strike. I glanced toward the hill in the distance to make out his brindle form racing the top of the hill. "Let's go!" I leaned forwarded and legged Warrior into a gallop. Keeping my eyes on Chief, I directed Warrior to catch up. We dodged the trees and jumped fallen logs like we were one spirit. I trusted Warrior to know where his feet went. Getting along side Chief, I asked while we ran. "What do you got?"
"Wounded horse, by the smell." Chief panted.
"Shit..." I muttered. Looking around I seen we were coming up on the backside of the Ruins. I slowed Warrior. "Chief, lets go into this slow and steady." Chief slowed with us down to a trot. "Warrior?" I asked. I knew he could hear better then I.
"I don't hear much, though I am picking up a wounded mare." His head high he looked around too.
We stopped at the top of the trail to the entrance of the Ruins. I glanced around, looking for the brown and white paint mare. I slowly scanned the area below. Something in the back of my head said trap. But I couldn't put a finger on it.
I swung down off Warrior. If it was a trap I was not going to risk my friends. "Chief stay with Warrior." I pulled the Golden boy rifle from the case, clambering a round I added "I don't want either of you hurt. Stay here."