Chapter Nine

When Light emerged in the larger part of the cave, Thunder was sitting up, giving himself a good wash.

"Feeling better?" Light inquired as she sat down by his side.

"Only thanks to you, young Healer." He bent his head and licked his kit between the ears.

"So, do you want to tell me what happened? Why you're covered in scratches?" Light tucked her paws under her, settling in for the sharing of her father's story.

The camp-guard's eyes clouded, fear shining clearly in their amber depths. Taking a deep breath, the camp-guard settled in and began to speak.

"It was just before sunhigh and I was returning to camp with a hunting party. Of course, the day was warm, so prey was plentiful.

"Moments after they had left their kills on the pile, cats began screeching and yowling, and a foreign scent flooded the camp.

"Immediately, I called all of the guards to my side, the hunters surrounding the nursery. We lined ourselves up against the bramble wall. I ordered them to stay there while I went to check it out.

"I knew right then that stepping out of camp was the worst idea I've ever had.

"Not even two pawsteps from the barrier, I was seized by huge, slavering jaws. I managed to yowl my battle cry to the rest of the guards before launching my own attack on the creature.

"Upon hearing the guards' cries, the creature dropped me and I quickly regained my paws." The tomcat drew another deep breath before continuing.

"When I turned to face it, I stopped dead.

"Standing in front of me was an enormous... well, it looked like a dog, with great big teeth and a huge, sweeping tail.

"I took all of this in before I launched myself at it. Following my lead, all the guards flew into battle with me. It was over in a mere second.

"As the guards bit and scratched, the thing became confused. I knew they could handle it, so I called to Eagle That Chases Fleeing Rabbit and told her that I was going to find Snow.

"That's when I took off, following your scent trail.

"You know what happened after that, and thus, we are here." Closing his eyes, Thunder sighed.

"Sounds like we have a wolf problem." Neither of the cats had noticed the Healer sitting at the entrance of the cave.

Her blue eyes were filled with knowing as she stood up and padded into the sunlight.

"So here's what we're going to do..." the Healer's voice rang clear. This was her destiny, and she knew what needed done.