Another breeding season passed. Arla did not conceive, but Salina did. Shortly after, she left to join a new pack. Such was the life of a saber. Shetar's three were still too young to hunt solo, but they were weaned and ran around hunting ground squirrels. They were joined in their laughter by Kriya who rustled the grasses with equal enthusiasm. Sita had had two kittens over the winter and they had started to supplement their milky diet with grasshoppers. Arla looked above the daily going on, her eyes were fixed on Soto.
He was definitely aging, they all knew it. Shetar, the only female except Arla who'd had a heat that year, had been instructed to call for an open run that year. Soto still adored her, but wanted the best for the pack. The aging tiger had still managed to beat the competition but Linna admitted he only ran out of respect for his leader, and to cement Soto's standing. Arla was impressed that her "mate" cared about the pack dynamic so much. He would be reduced to nothing when Sharr inherited, and the succession was bound to happen soon.
Despite his successful mating run, Soto was indisputably old. He moved stiffly most of the time, and sent Diego to lead hunts. Arla saw the weariness in her father's eyes and the secret desire to seek a quiet place. She could see how his wish for an honorable death clashed with his desire to stay with his long beloved mate and his family, to see his newest litter's birth. Perhaps he would abdicate, but his leader's pride, wouldn't allow it. He'd led Half Peak Pack since he was barely old enough to hunt, to pass the title to someone else would be the ultimate defeat.
She saw him now, sitting on his characteristic sunning rock. Diego had joked that they scratch Soto's name into that rock as no one else was allowed to sit on it. But today Shetar was entwined with him. They were talking in low tones, and she looked troubled. Arla padded over to them knowing that neither of them would mind. She'd been part of pack proceedings since she killed Conlin, and saw no reason to start now. "What's going on?"
Shetar said nothing, but Soto looked into his daughter's dark eyes. They were Shetar's eyes, and with them Arla informed him that he couldn't evade her query. "Go call Diego, and your sister. I will still be here when you return."
As Arla walked away slowly to gather those requested she heard her mother say "she knows."
And Soto's reply, "Sita's the daughter of my heart, but Arla is the daughter of my soul. Of course she knows, she's very bright." Hearing this caused her throat to burn and she vowed she wouldn't dishonor her father's legacy with tears.
She passed Sita first and said "come." When she moved to gather her children Arla stopped her with a simple command "leave them." Sita followed. She asked bried questions but Arla ignored them. The answers weren't hers to give. When she caught Diego about to leave on sweep he immediately turned around. He understood and a haunted look flickered in his greenish gold eyes. Whereas Sita was still oblivious, Diego had a clear view. He was also aging, she noticed, and was willing to bet that he had planned for his departure already.
As they clustered around Soto, Arla wondered how he would break the news. He eyed them soberly, lifted his great head from the rock and said "there is a threat to our borders."
His wife, lieutenant, and huntress daughter nodded silently and left Sita to ask the questions. "What? Why now? What are we doing about it?" Her eyes flicked to where her sons were napping as if they were about to be snatched.
"I'm getting older," Sita stared uncomprehendingly and Arla wondered if she knew about saber funerals. She wondered who had let the information slip to her. "So another pack is snooping around, thinking we're easy targets. I've decided that the best course of action is leading a small advance guard against them. Remind them that Half Peak is strong."
"Sharr would be honored! He's a strong hunter." Sita said excitedly. "I could run and get him right now!"
"No Sita." Soto said, undoubtedly not wanting to spend his last days with his non-son-successor. "I only need a small group. Arla and Diego are very experienced in combat and will be leaving with me at dawn. Shetar would join us if she weren't pregnant since she's as fierce as her brother." His eyes glowed with pride in his mate, and with sadness. "As it is, she will stay here to lead in my absence."
Arla heard her mother choke back a sniff at the compliment. And was enraged when Sita asked, "why am I here then?"
Arla could have bitten her head off, but as she was about to snap, Soto beat her to the explanation. "Sita, my heart, you are here as a second witness to my word. And also, you know that each trip I take may be my last, why would I not want wish to be with the ones I love?" Sita blushed at his gently reprimand.
Shetar obviously already knew his last wishes, but to perhaps to spare Sita the embarrassment, she asked, "and what would you have us do in your absence?"
"My love, I would like you to lead while we're on this run."
"And in the event you don't return?"
"Then I would ask that Diego remains lieutenant and that he picks for the next leader whoever he sees best fit." Arla nearly lost her composure. She may have imagined it, but it seemed that her father had been looking directly at her.
