Times are gone for honest men

It seemed the dark wolf had stopped her assault when another wolf approached, one that was far larger. Immediately, Pallas was able to draw from that brief interaction that Nemesis was some sort of subordinate. Pallas was not intimidated -- either by the black wisp of a wolf nor the hulking behemoth aside her. And apparently, neither was Zephyr. Pallas knew one thing of massive wolves: they were slow and tired quickly. There was a reason natural selection had favored moderate-sized terrestrial predators, and while Pallas knew nothing of Bergmann's rule nor the clades it affected, one look at Burke told her all she needed to know about her chances should a fight ensue. 

It seemed peculiar to Pallas that these wolves would be willing to risk injury to defend an unclaimed territory, and stranger still that they seemed willing to die for it. Even a small injury like a puncture would could kill a wolf in the wild: if they did not die on the battlefield, infection usually claimed their lives days later. Pallas' black gums curled back in a snarl and she hiked her tail, eyeing both with defensive defiance. She had stopped out of respect, and had been shown none -- she could not speak for Zephyr, but she was no longer interested in pursuing a rank within their pack. A precursory glance into the packlands revealed no wolves wading in the swamp, and unless Burke had a flying monkey army, Pallas was undaunted. Even if he howled for backup as the less brave wolves always seemed to do, they would have to cross a swamp to get there -- unless, of course, they were of the winged variety.

Pallas met Burke's gaze, the wolf she assumed was the big brass. "I have a better suggestion. You run back home, and we'll stay here. This is neutral territory and you've no right to accost us. If you want to challenge me for my right to be here, you are welcome to do so. Big Man such as yourself, you can take me one on one, can't you?" The she-wolf spoke, lifting her head above the others. This was neutral territory, and if Burke wanted to challenge her for it, he was welcome to do so. She was not going to leave just because this wolf thought being a school-yard bully was a good or rewarding occupation.  Should a fight break out, the possibility of death was very real that day. Pallas was willing to leave the fate of her life to the jaws of Providence -- but was Burke?