He giggled and ran faster along the branch. "Can't catch me! Can't catch me, Tyleet!"
"Oho, can't I?" She bounded to the next branch then back, landing in front of him and scooping him up into a hug. He shrieked with laughter and she tickled him.
"Come inside, Cutter," Leetah coaxed, putting a hand on his arm and gently trying to pull him away from the den entrance-- away from the little scene playing out just a few trees over. He shook her off and stared fixedly at nothing, his fingers digging into the bark.
Sighing contentedly, Leetah leaned back on the grassy bank. How are Tyleet and Rayek? she asked Nightfall as the huntress lay down next to her.
Nightfall stiffened and an angry expression sharpened her features. They seem to be well, she said shortly.
I wish I could see how he was doing for myself, Leetah mused, but Cutter needs me more now. She turned her head toward her friend. You will tell me about them sometimes, won't you?
There was silence for a while then Nightfall reluctantly spoke. I will look in now and then and bring you news of Ray—of the child.
Thank you, Leetah murmured. She turned over to hide her worried frown.
The howl-keeper's ready smile had been replaced by a dark scowl. "Pike, what's wrong?" Leetah asked.
"Rayek," he nearly spat the word. The scowl settled deeper into his features.
The healer could only blink in surprise. "What?"
"Rayek," this time the name was enunciated with precise venom, "took two of my best bags of dreamberries and gave them to the birds! He didn't even catch any; he just wanted to see if they would get tipsy like we do." He shook his head, angry at the waste.
A smile played along the edge of Leetah's mouth. "I'm sorry about your dreamberries," she said. "But Ember did the same thing in Sorrow's End. She wanted to see if the dreamberries would help the wolves' memories, remember? We all thought it was funny, then."
"Ember is Ember," Pike responded stiffly. "Rayek is Rayek." He stomped off.
After a long night of scouting, Cutter was glad to see his den again. His pace picked up as he anticipated his lifemate's sweet welcome. The scene that met his eyes brought him up short. She was sitting in the center of the den, alone and with a ramrod-straight posture that he new boded no good.
Tam, she sent carefully, we need to talk.
There was something in the air the next night that put everyone on edge. The ease and laughter that had begun to creep back into the meal-time gatherings were strained. The elves glanced frequently at their chief, who seemed distant, and at his lifemate, who seemed nervous.
"What's gotten into you, Leetah?" Krim called out. "You look like you've got a flight of Preservers in your belly!"
Leetah smiled and shook her head but otherwise did not answer. Petalwing heard Krim's comment and took umbrage. "No no!" it scolded, zipping over and wagging an imperious finger at the Go-Back. "Softpretty highthing is nice nice! Never eat Preservers!"
"Unlike me, eh?" Krim asked. She bared her teeth meaningfully and Petalwing dashed back to the safety of Leetah's shoulder, squawking in protest all the way. The rest of the meal passed more or less in peace. However, when Leetah finally stood up and motioned for attention, silence descended hastily. Cutter stood behind her and tried to look as if his heart was in it.
The healer smiled down at everyone and grabbed her courage with both hands. "Rayek, come here please." The child turned a wary look back at Tyleet. She smiled and motioned him on. His eyes huge despite himself as he tried to take everything in at once, he approached. "A little while ago you left your desert home and came to stay with us in the Green-growing Place," Leetah began, raising her voice to be sure everyone heard. "In honor of your new life, we give you a new name: Sandcat." Leetah beamed down, proud of her solution.
"What!" Sandcat squawked. Around him the other elves were nodding or frowning as each saw fit and breaking up into small groups to discuss this turn of events. Tyleet hurried up, smiling. Clearbrook, Treestump and Ekuar followed.
"Well met, little Sandcat," she said.
"But—!"
Clearbrook nodded thoughtfully. "I think it suits you."
"Isn't that nice?" Ekuar asked happily. "A new name for a new life. Yes, that's just the thing. That healer is a smart one."
"But I LIKE my name!" the child protested. "Sandcat is stupid!"
"Don't worry," Tyleet assured him, "you'll get used to it. My father used to be called 'Redmark' before Chief Bearclaw named him 'Redlance.'"
"I LIKE MY NAME!" he shouted.
"Shh!" Tyleet admonished. "'In the trees as you please, on the ground, not a sound,' remember? It's an honor to be given a new name by the chief," she added. "Now come on, Sandcat. It's time for little kittens like you to go to sleep." Clearbrook waved good-bye as Tyleet and Ekuar led the rebellious little one away.
"My name is Rayek," he muttered fiercely to himself. "Rayek."