"Pack free," Leader grunted, shoving the shorn bar towards Ocarina. "Ready to help Alliance."
Ocarina nodded, her dark eyes glinting excitedly. She turned her gaze up to the black wolf, adopting a look of innocent disappointment. "Good. But Alliance not ready. Hawk-Smallfur sick. All must be around to watch Pack hunt. Learn from Pack."
Leader nodded. "Hawk-Smallfur recover soon. Pack restless." His wild eyes glanced over his shoulder at the listless wolves behind him, who were lolling around on the ground and playing bored games with their water bowl. He sighed. The Pack was all fired up and ready to run free under Silvereye again. Any more waiting and some wolf was bound to snap.
"Alliance leave Pack to tend to Hawk-Smallfur," Ocarina meowed, dipping her head respectfully. "One day, two day. Three days most. Hawk-Smallfur strong. Be well soon."
Leader nodded and swished his tail to dismiss the Smallfurs before him. He waited until they were out of sight before letting loose a howl of pure rage. They were close, so close! How could these pathetic Smallfurs be holding them back? He wanted to leave now and forget his paw-swear. But an Alpha had to keep all promises, even those made to lesser creatures.
.-''-.-''-.-''-.
Blood Fang grinned, his teeth flashing in the low light. He summoned his Pack together with a low woof. Together, the four wolves sat watching the snow fall. Blood Fang turned to Bone Claw, his chosen mate. "Leader's paws freeze," he joked. "Mighty Leader fall like frostbitten pup." Bone Claw nodded rapidly, giving him a gentle lick on the muzzle.
"Pups of High Tail follow own path," she barked. "Path set by Blood Fang. Blood Fang great. Greater than Leader-Father."
"Leader-Father head light," Shadow added, hoping to gain favor with his new Alpha. Blood Fang gave him a stern glare, and the dark wolf backed down, pressing his belly to the ground. Apparently, only Alphas could badmouth Alphas.
Blood Fang reached out a paw to touch the clumping snow. It felt good...like something he should have felt before...something in his blood. The white wolf stood up quickly and glared into the gathering shadows. Something was going on in the Foxden. He growled the wolf sound of "Come out if you want to live." He could not determine a distinct shape, only the movement of the white fox.
"Pup, why do you seek to kill your father?" a voice asked softly from the Foxden. Blood Fang growled.
"Leader stupid," he replied angrily. "Blood Fang lead better. Lead own Pack."
"You're no match for your father. He's much bigger than you are. You'll wind up getting yourself killed."
"Fox dumber than Leader! Not alone. Have new Pack! Stronger than old Pack!"
His sharp ears picked out the sound of a sigh. "Very well, pup."
"Name Blood Fang!"
"Not to me it's not!" the fox retorted. "I brought you into this world, whelp. Your parents owe me that much, and I'll not stand around and listen to such disrespect from you!"
Blood Fang grinned. "Old fox cranky," he taunted. "Fur growing gray. Too many moons has old, old fox seen." He stuck his tongue out impudently like a naughty pup. The fox snarled angrily. The white wolf sat confident and secure; he knew the foxes never left their den for anything. They did not long for such freedom.
"I may be old, but with age comes wisdom and respect for all things, as well as maturity!" There came the swishing of long fur as the fox left in a huff. Blood Fang grinned and licked his lips. When he and his Pack escaped, she would be the first to go.
.-''-.-''-.-''-.
"Settle down, Mother," Starchild murmured, trying to soothe the irate, pacing fox. "You have never taken the words of these pups seriously before. Why let it bother you now?"
Moonchild heaved a soft sigh and sat down, her pelt bristling with anxiety. "I suppose it is just everything combining as one huge frustration," she replied. "And my age. I am not as young as I once was, my child."
"Neither am I. I used to be blind and suckling."
Moonchild licked behind her daughter's ears lovingly. "I suppose you are right in a way, Starchild. But at the same time, so wrong. I am getting old. My bones are sorer now more than ever. I am not sure I will be able to help the cats when they come."
Starchild whimpered and drew closer to the old fox. "Do not talk like that, Mother. You will help them. You are the Child of Moon! The circling eye of Invierno...the vulpine God of the Skies. Only you know his secrets."
"And you are the Child of Stars, Invierno's kits who guide the cycles of life and death. Do not belittle yourself, Starchild."
"Mother...when will the cats get here?"
"Who knows, my child. The star-cats told me they have struck down one of the foul cats who wish to free the hounds with an evil blight. No matter what happens, he will never recover. We can only hope his illness delays the freeing of the hound pack long enough."
"It must. They will care for him...won't they?"
"I do not know."
Starchild froze. Moonchild's gaze had been centered on the falling snow as she spoke, and her voice had carried a sepulchral tone. It was the first time in Starchild's life she had heard her mother say 'I do not know.' Moonchild knew everything! How could she possibly not know something? "Surely these cats care for their own?"
"Perhaps they do. But looking at their leader, I would say that it is likely they will kill him in a matter of days. He is slowing them down."
"Will the star-cats strike another?"
"I do not know."
Starchild felt her fur stand on end with fear. That was the second time! Something was deeply wrong with her mother...Moonchild never sounded so hopeless! The milky gray fox kit stepped up beside her mother and nuzzled her. "You must know! What is life without hope and knowledge?"
"What is death without shadows and doubt?" Moonchild countered, the charnel sound reentering her voice. "I am old, Starchild. I may not live to greet these cats. It will be your duty to protect and educate them." She sighed. "When I am dead, promise me you will carry me always with you."
"I will."
"The root of my wisdom...you must take it."
Starchild blinked. Her mother, she thought, was referring to the fox belief that their tails held all their wit and trickery. "I will," she repeated, studying the thick, white tail. Moonchild opened her mouth and showed her daughter a crooked tooth in the back of her jaw.
"This is the root of my wisdom. Take it when I am dead."
"I will. But why do you speak of dying?"
"All things will end some day." Moonchild shook her head. "But that is enough. Rest is important for you. I will chart what stars I see tonight." Starchild knew it would be hopeless to argue with her mother. As she nestled down in her bed, though, she couldn't help a slice of pure rage at the disrespectful wolf. He had caused this, despite whatever Moonchild said.
The blue-gray ball of foxy fluff curled herself into a ball of anger and sorrow. She shivered and sighed, hoping with all her might that somehow the cats would be able to stop the hound pack; hoping with every fiber of her being that her mother would live to see the day they came. There was no denying how old Moonchild was. Starchild knew that the day was approaching rapidly that her mother's slender chest would no longer move. She hoped beyond hope that day would never come.
.-''-.-''-.-''-.
"This is hopeless!" spat Ocarina. "There's no way we'll be able to get the Pack free in time! You're pathetic, Hawk. Can't even keep a little cold at bay, can you?" She pushed her muzzle up against his, snarling angrily. "I can't see how you've survived so long! You're pathetic, Hawk, and someone needs to get this over with now!"
Hawk, a once-sturdy tom reduced to a coughing, shivering ball of feverish fur, whimpered quietly. He had seen cats in this same condition before. Greencough. He was going to die, if not by the disease, but by Ocarina's claws. He let his yellow eyes close and coughed his last. Ocarina's fangs sunk deep into his chest, piercing his heart and killing him instantly. The tawny she-cat licked blood from her muzzle.
"Some cat go back to the hounds and tell the Hawk is dead. Don't say how unless they ask you. Hera, you go." The silver queen nodded and padded off. "Faster! We need to get them out now!" Hera's leisurely trot sped up to full-out running. Ocarina watched her leave, nodding to herself. "Yes...it's been a long time, but I think we're finally ready to put our plan into action."
Softly, hidden in the shadow of the snowclouds, Zachary began to cough...