Mender's Tale

by The Rhombus

Based upon a roleplay with Historian1912 and set in the Seven Hunters continuity. Mender has the reputation as being the best healer in the Mysterious Beyond, helping all who require it, but that was not always the case. Follow Mender as she recalls how a lowly fastbiter eventually found her place in life once she met a most unusual pack. This is Mender's Tale.

18. Chapter 16 (p1): A Path Crossed

-v-

Chapter 16: A Path crossed (Part 1)

"There is no crossing more perilous than the crossing into the unknown. Sometimes the specters of what could be are more troublesome than what is."

Consortium cadet training manual,

Preface to lesson 475

---

"Mom…"

Pearl did not hesitate to hug her daughter as the emotions of the moment finally hit them both. The time had finally come - the time for her children to go off on their own.

The time for them to live lives of their own.

"You'll do fine, dear. Just remember to have a flyer talk to your parents every once in a while."

Arial wiped her eyes. "I'm sure Seeker and my sister will insist on that. You stay safe out here…"

The elder fastrunner smiled. "We will be fine, dear. Hanging Rock will be a bit lonelier, but it is still home. I will be glad to know that your new home is with our friends."

Pearl sighed as the memories of that morning again made themselves known in her mind. It was odd how the most momentous moments often passed like a flyer in the wind, but their echoes seemed to carry on for ages. She did not need to be told that this day would stand out in her mind for as long as she lived.

"It is hard to believe that they are gone."

Pearl looked over at her mate as he stared at the bare portions of the sleeping area. Arial's place had not been used in days to account of her mate, but both of them could imagine their children's feathered forms there just like in their youngling days. Days that had now passed into the realm of memories.

"But they are not gone really. Now they are like Ruby," Pearl noted as she joined her mate in looking at the bare spots, "Away, but still with us." She clutched her chest to emphasise her point.

There was companionable silence for several moments. As she looked into her mate's eyes, she found herself wondering what he might be thinking about.

---

"I promise that I will take care of her, sir."

Detras nodded at the young fastrunner's affirmation and resisted saying anything as Arial proceeded to sneak up behind him with Mender looking on with an approving smile.

"I'm sure that she will be safe with her friends, and because of the training you insisted on. Thank you very… hey!"

Arial ended up tackling her father as Nahoda dove at the last moment. Out of instinct Detras permitted himself to buckle to avoid injury. Though he ended up with a concerned Mender and a petrified Nahoda hovering above them.

"Sir, I'm so sorry… I should have…"

He never got to finish that thought as the two collapsed fastrunners began laughing hysterically. This only seemed to make Nahoda even more concerned as Mender tilted her head.

"Well at least the training appears to have paid off!" Detras bellowed with amusement as Arial went back to her feet. That was when he gave a wink to the fastrunner behind the apologetic male. "But Nahoda?"

"Yes… sir?"

As Orchid playfully tackled the oblivious male as Arial pumped her arm in triumph, he allowed himself an approving smile.

"Remember that in life the lessons never end."

"Well we were afraid of her ending up with a tail-chaser, but I think he is alright."

Detras did not have to wait long for his mate's groan to reach his ears and for her hand to nudge his side.

"Admit it, dear. You were far harder on him than was necessary."

Detras turned around with a tilted head. "Would you expect any less? The Mysterious Beyond is a rough place."

This earned him a playful glare before Pearl turned her focus to her son's old sleeping spot. His parting was one of the most complicated.

"Mom… Dad..."

Pearl reacted immediately and hugged her son, either being oblivious to, or not caring about, her son's attempt to keep things formal. He may have been a pack member now, but to her he would always be her son.

Finally she broke the embrace and Detras could notice that his son was struggling to keep his composure. Unlike his mate he would try to keep his son's dignity.

"Son…" He gave a respectful nod as he placed his body a short distance away. Too close for formality, but far enough to indicate distance.

"Dad." Orchid's eyes were gleaming with emotion, but his face was forced into respectful formality. Detras knew this look. It was the look he had seen when his son tried to impress his father in the past.

There was no need to do this now. He had already succeeded in winning his father's approval.

"You are quite possibly the first fastrunner to willingly join a pack, son. That is quite the accomplishment." He allowed himself to gesture at the hidden runners and violet fastbiter in the distance. "But now you will have the adventure of your life. You will have to take on duties that nothing I have taught you can prepare you for, but I think that you are ready."

If Orchid was emotional before, now he wasn't hiding it. Detras wasn't much better off.

"Just do me one favor, son."

Orchid nearly choked as he answered. "What's that, Dad?"

Detras smiled. "When you finally find yourself a nice female, make sure that you don't give your kids hidden runner names; it might give them the wrong idea."

"Dad!" Orchid took a playful swipe as Detras chuckled at his son's expense. It seemed like his son would take longer before he decided to carry on his species. But he had no doubts that when that time came that his son would be an excellent father.

"Goodbye, my son. Remember us."

Detras sighed. "It is odd to have an empty nest. It has been so long."

"Since we were much younger fastrunners," Pearl affirmed, "I was so much pinker then, and you were much…"

"Less wrinkled and scarred?" Detras offered with amusement.

Pearl's eyes twinkled mischievously. "And less observant. I seem to remember someone being as lost as Nahoda when we first met."

Detras placed his hands on his hips, though his glare was playful. "I think there are blind ground fuzzies that are more observant than Nahoda, dear."

Pearl snorted. "Still being hard on our daughter's mate, dear?" She began to walk to her sleeping area, her face turned from him. "A bit hypocritical. After all you seem to be missing quite a bit right now."

Detras was now indignant. "Like what?" What are you talking about, Pearl?

He was answered by the remnants of a scaly swimmer smacking him in the face.

"Like for one we need to get this place clean if we are going to build a new nest."

Detras froze. "A new nest?"

Pearl merely gave him a coy look. "We have raised three children to their Time of Growing, dear, and two of them are still the right kind." She added the last words with a smirk as she thought of Ruby. "When the Wet Season comes we could try again…"

Detras tilted his head at his mate. "And all of the trouble that our spawn has caused in that time hasn't taught you anything?"

Pearl tossed her mate a remnant of a snapping shell as she replied. "Not a thing. What have you learned?"

Detras smirked as he quickly joined in to Pearl's cleaning. "Enough not to contradict you when you set your mind to something."

Pearl's laugh was intoxicating. "I wonder how long it will take for Nahoda to learn that lesson?"

---

"My mother once told me that they considered Rockslide for my name. Can you imagine that?"

"Why did they consider that name?" Nahoda questioned, totally oblivious to the subtext.

"Oh, I don't know," Arial continued, "I mean there are many better names for fastrunner children, don't you think? Like Swiftfeet, Wind, Gust, Sprintshot…"

"I must admit that I never thought much about names. My parents never even told me how they chose mine," Nahoda offered.

"Names are very important," Arial affirmed. "It is certainly something both parents should discuss beforehand. Like, for example, Topaz. Topaz sounds like a good name, don't you agree?"

Arial, are you absolutely sure you don't want me to eat Nahoda and find you a smarter mate? Mender thought as she listened to her companions discuss possible names for children. Or rather Arial was listing possible names and Nahoda didn't seem to realize that they were even discussing that particular topic.

"Buse bet me a fish that he doesn't get it until Arial points it out," Orchid's voice suddenly whispered from behind her, "Are we permitted to bet in the pack?"

"I bet you two that he freaks out at the idea once she tells him," Mender replied, deciding to create a little wager of her own.

Orchid pondered this for a moment as he continued to watch the exchange. "I don't make bets I can't win. You know he will panic. This is Nahoda we are talking about."

"You win if he figures it out first even if he panics," Mender explained, "You in?" If I lose I'm out three. Buse is never going to catch anything with how little time Cynnil lets us stop when we have somewhere to be.

Orchid smiled. "I'm in."

The two continued to watch the exchange, as Buse and Cynnil watched from some distance away. Only Cynnil was successful in hiding her interest.

"Brackus was my grandfather's name, supposedly. Who would name a fastrunner that? That would be like naming a longneck horn-face."

"Um...hmm.."

"And then there are my sister's names for her kids…"

"If Arial tells Nahoda and he panics, Orchid owes me two fish," Mender whispered to Buse, having easily dropped back and moved to Buse's side, "I'm not catching your fish if we lose." Again. Never bet against Cynnil. Ever.

She could not see Cynnil smile from her position a few body-lengths ahead. "Betting again?" she whispered once she finally turned her head at the two packmates.

Buse shrugged. "It sounds like Orchid wants to owe me some fish."

"A fish," Mender reminded him, "The other two are mine."

Cynnil laughed. I think we will soon find out…"

"You know… Swipe actually would not be a bad fastrunner name. Maybe my sister was onto something there."

Nahoda snorted as he suppressed the urge to nod his head for the dozenth time. "You are thinking an awful lot about names today. Got something on your mind?" As if to punctuate his point he lightly tapped her abdomen, which earned a prompt response.

Smack!

"What?!"

"I am not expecting, you insufferable…"

"But you obviously have it on the mind."

Orchid smirked, as he gave a slight strut towards his two fellow packmates.

"Maybe Nahoda's not as dumb as I thought," Mender muttered to herself. She cringed a bit as Nahoda managed to put his foot in his mouth again only a few moments later. Okay, maybe he is that stupid. "Just tell me if you want me to eat him!" she called towards Arial.

"I'll consider it!" Arial replied as Nahoda dodged a playful slap from her.

Orchid could barely suppress his amusement at their antics. It was obvious that the two were in love. Not even Nahoda could overlook that.

"I guess I will need to wait to collect my prize," Orchid affirmed as he looked at the desolate scene around him, "But it was a pleasure betting with both of you anyway." He gave Buse a cheeky smile, while his glance at Mender was a bit more muted.

"Seems like your first day in the pack is going pretty well," Mender said, doing her best to smile while not suggesting that she wanted to eat him. Most non-sharpteeth, she had learned, tended to take her smiles entirely the wrong way.

Orchid was silent for a moment as he collected his thoughts. "It is a bit overwhelming. I mean… things haven't been that different, but it feels different, if that makes any sense." He gestured with his hands as he struggled to find the words. "I mean… I'm still getting used to how to do things in a pack."

"If it makes you feel any better, you're doing a whole lot better than I did," Mender replied.

Orchid considered that for a moment. "How? I mean… at least you are the right kind for a pack. I assumed it would have come naturally." But then he realized the context of her situation and wanted to kick himself. "Though… you had to leave your brother and friend, didn't you?"

"They were all the family I had left. I surprised quite a few people, but I probably surprised myself the most," Mender replied.

Orchid nodded. I could say the same thing. All of you are my family now. Who knows if I will ever be able see my parents again?

Mender noticed Orchid had gone quiet and had a pretty good idea as to why. "So... would you like to hear how I ended up joining Seeker's pack?" she asked, wanting to distract her friend from his not so happy thoughts.

This had the desired effect as Orchid's expression suddenly perked up. "Sure! Is it a song?"

This brought the two other fastrunners out of their little squabble as well.

"We haven't heard a song in awhile," Nahoda agreed.

"And you sing better than Petrie," Arial added, "It will be nice to hear Ruby's songs from Ruby."

"I take it I have no choice in the matter?" Mender asked, trying and failing to sound serious.

Cynnil took the moment to stop for the first time in several hours of travel. "Nope! I am ordering you to sing your song while we take a break." Cynnil's tone confirmed that she was about as bad at faking her serious voice as Mender.

"Well, if you insist..."

For only the second time since he had joined the night before, Orchid sat down beside his packmates, eagerly awaiting Mender's song to brighten his bittersweet mood.

Though my decision had been made,

My mind was still troubled and afraid

Though an adult I may have now been,

I was not eager to see my fellowship end.

For on this day my mind spun,

Quite aware of what would have to be done.

---

The past:

Littlefoot sighed. It had been several minutes since Dodger had alerted Haven to their situation, and now all they could do is wait for the situation to resolve itself.

"Sir, um, what would happen to Violet if, say, none of us made it back here for a long time or at all?" Dodger asked, grimacing at his word usage.

Littlefoot preened his feathers for a moment, a nervous gesture. He had been expecting that question for a while now. With a friendly, yet neutral, tone he spoke, "Until you are able to reclaim her, she is part of my pack… if she chooses that option. We would protect her as if she is one of our own, because she would be one of our own."

Dodger had to stop and think about his next question. How exactly do you tactfully ask about what she should do when most of the pack is dealing with eggs? That's a dangerous situation. Even being around me and Tracker wouldn't be entirely comfortable.

"There is something still troubling you," Littlefoot deduced from Dodger's concerned expression.

"Am I that obvious?" I'm getting too easy to read. Prowler would find this extremely amusing. Dodger had spent most of his life being nearly impossible to read. This was embarrassingly new to him.

Littlefoot merely nodded with a slight smile being communicated through his tail.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm worried about what would happen if Violet were still here when most of the pack is in their Time of Mating."

Littlefoot shifted awkwardly, "Um… that is kind of something that is of concern… well… because of Haven not having a mate…" His mouth contorted awkwardly. "I mean… Thud has told me that sometimes unpaired females and males will come up with… other combinations during that time if things aren't equal, but I don't know how those of us who are mated would react. I know that I would not share Ponder, and she would probably eviscerate anyone who wanted to 'share' me…"

"I think Violet's still a bit scared of you, so..." Okay, how do I ask if there's anyone I need to preemptively threaten so no one pressures her in the future? She'll be old enough for her own time of mating a year after everyone else, Dodger thought.

Littlefoot looked down slightly. "Yes, I realize that when I discouraged her from attacking Leap that I made an unfortunate impression."

"I don't think it helped that Prowler tried to kill her more than once, though I didn't tell her that was what he was attempting." That stopped when I told Prowler that if I found a single scratch on Violet that wasn't there the last time I saw her there wouldn't be a place far enough that he could flee to to escape me.

Littlefoot stared at the clouds for a moment. "If… the worst were to happen, Dodger. Then my pack would have at least a year before… well… that time came for the rest of us, and it is more than likely that Violet would um… be induced into the same state by our scent." Littlefoot looked as uncomfortable as Mr. Thicknose did when Ducky asked why her parents would wrestle in the stream all the time. "...but in any case we would have time to talk to her so that she would be able to make her choices during calmer times. I suppose that the pack could search for suitable males if Violet or Haven wanted us to go that route."

"I'm sorry if this is bothering you. I'm just trying to make sure Violet is ok no matter what." I can't do any less, Dodger mentally added.

Littlefoot nodded. "It's alright. No one can blame you for leaving no stone unturned when it comes to your sister. But I just want to assure you that Thud is a very competent pack leader. I know that he will do everything that he can to keep you safe, if you choose to join his pack."

"I'm glad to hear that," Dodger replied, more concerned about Tracker's safety in that case than his own.

Littlefoot paused for a moment as he tried to switch the focus of the conversation. "I know that it is a bit awkward to think about, but which decision are you leaning towards if Violet chooses to stay a bit longer?"

"What do you mean?" Dodger asked, a bit confused by the change in topic and preferring accuracy to problematic assumptions.

Littlefoot gestured towards him. "I mean… would you be inclined to become a permanent member of Thud's pack, or would you prefer to merely follow him when the prey becomes scarce?"

"If Violet wishes to stay with you, I'm not going to risk Tracker's life by remaining on our own. As for whether we join Thud permanently or not, I'd have to talk to Tracker. If it were my personal decision, I'd just join Thud's pack and be done with it. But I'd have to consider how Tracker would feel about that." Dodger wasn't sure if he wanted to explain why he thought Tracker might object. One reason, not wanting to be walking around so much, was not a bad thing. Possibly not being comfortable around Leap for that long, however, might not be the nicest thing to say out loud.

Littlefoot did not press that matter as he considered the other possibility. "And if Violet wishes to stay with your pack?"

"We'd have to discuss it. It's not my decision to make. It's too big to make it alone," Dodger replied.

Ducky walked to the bushes with Violet in tow, but as she overheard the last statement from Dodger she decided it was time for her to take her leave of Violet. With a pleasant smile and a curt nod, she left the other female to confront the males.

I'm not sure I can do this, Violet thought now that she was alone, I don't even know what to say. Maybe I should just do it later…

Littlefoot heard the slight rustling of the bushes before he smelled Violet. But, upon seeing a flash of purple behind the green, he quickly realized who the new presence was.

"Greetings, Violet," Littlefoot offered kindly, yet formally. He decided to refrain from saying more as he wasn't sure how exactly to proceed. Violet would have to make her choice known to both her pack leader and to Littlefoot, but was it really proper to have them both in the same place while she made this personal decision? Littlefoot wasn't exactly sure.

Violet stepped out of the bushes, trying to keep herself from shaking. I'm not sure what's worse, not knowing what to say or not knowing how Dodger will react. She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. How do I say I want to join Seeker's pack without sounding ungrateful to Dodger?

Littlefoot looked towards Dodger and carefully read the fastbiter's features. His face appeared neutral, with carefully controlled features, but his scent gave him away. Now knowing his friend's inner turmoil, he tried to deescalate the situation.

"I guess that I will be over by the stream. If either of you want to talk afterwards, then feel free to stop by..."

Violet felt torn between wanting to only have to say this once and wanting to just talk to her brother. Her indecision took the choice away from her, with Littlefoot departing before she could decide upon an answer. The best she could do was force herself to calm down and stop shaking like a two-footer was considering her as a meal.

Dodger seriously considered prompting Violet, knowing the silence was bothering her as much as it did him, but his sister finally managed to speak before he got the chance.

"I want to stay here," Violet blurted out. She immediately covered her mouth and sincerely wished someone would just kill her. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Why do I keep doing that?

Dodger tried to control his expressions, but Violet's words cut through his composure like a fastbiter's claws. So that's it then… Littlefoot's reassurances from moments before were lost in the haze of his emotions as his only acknowledgement of her message was a slight bow of his head, an expression made more of shock than anything else.

Violet tried to say something twice, but both times words failed her. She collapsed into a sitting position frustrated by her own lack of eloquence, afraid she might have just destroyed her relationship with her brother if his reaction was anything to go by, and upset that fixing this seemed to be far beyond her abilities. She could cause great damage but couldn't do a thing to reverse it.

"I see," Dodger offered with obvious hurt in his voice, "Violet… I can't sense your mind. May I ask... why you no longer want to be with us?" There was so much else that he wanted to say, but in the heat of the moment he was as speechless as Violet.

I'm starting to wish I was completely smell-blind, Violet thought. Hearing the pain she'd caused her brother was bad enough. Smelling it and being able to interpret it correctly made it so much worse. "I… I…" I don't know how to explain it. I'd rather him kill me than tell him I feel safer here. Wanting to learn more about healing is a good reason, but it's not good enough.

Despite his emotional pain, he sat down and gestured for her to continue, "I am not mad at you, Violet… and I respect your decision," he swallowed as he forced himself to remain somewhat composed, "I just want to know… well… is it because of me? I've tried the best that I can, but I know that Seeker is a better leader than me. I can't blame you."

WHAT? Violet tried to actually yell what she was thinking, but it came out more as unintelligible gibberish. If I were looking at leaders only I'd never once consider leaving your side for even a moment. "What?" she finally managed to gasp out, respect overcome by shock, "How can you even think that?"

Dodger hesitated, actually shaking as if he were being berated by a superior. It was an odd change of roles for him. "Well… I mean…" He suddenly found himself at a loss for words. "I hardly knew anything about how to lead until Seeker tried to teach me… I couldn't even protect Tracker from this pack's attack… or you from your head injury… or… or…"

"I can't speak for Tracker since I didn't see it, but we both know what happened to me was my fault. I was doing exactly what you always told me not to do. I was going too fast and not paying attention." Violet couldn't hold back a laugh at the irony. "Funny how I forget everything I want to remember yet I remember that. I wouldn't have been running in the first place if I wasn't such a bad fighter." That last part was more of a guess, but she didn't doubt its truth. She would've kept fighting alongside her brother if she thought she could've actually fought.

Dodger shook his head. "I'm sorry… I can't blame you for picking the better option… I just…" He did not notice that his watery eyes had finally begun to release tears. "I'm sorry it has to be this way. I just hope that Thud is a better leader than me, I know that Seeker certainly is…"

For a moment Violet wanted nothing more than to literally knock some sense into her brother. Self preservation stopped her from even letting the thought show. She'd find herself on the ground with at least one broken bone just from Dodger reacting instinctively. "Dodger, I can't imagine a leader better than you. You kept me safe when we were kids. You kept me safe when we were left alone. I don't deserve that kind of protection. Its nearly gotten you killed so many times, and it never occurred to me just how much danger you put yourself in for me." Violet struggled to keep her composure. She was shocked that her brother felt like he wasn't a good leader. That just wasn't true. He was the best, in her eyes at least. "I don't want you dying for a smell-blind girl that can't even take care of herself. Maybe if I learned how to do something useful, like healing, I might actually be worth the effort, but right now…" Violet shook her head. "You would've been better off if you just left me in the river." I put you in far too much danger over the years. I can't even begin to repay you for that.

Dodger hissed, "Don't say that! Don't you dare say that, Violet. You are precious regardless of what any other sap-sucker tells you." He sucked in a deep breath. "I just want to make sure that you stay safe and are happy."

Violet's emotions left her feeling like she'd gotten swept down a river. Going from fearful at her brother's outburst to shocked and something that wasn't quite but close to happy at her brother's opinion of her was a bit dizzying. I'm that important to him?

Dodger sighed. "I'm just not sure how to do that anymore… but I am glad that you think that you have found your answer. Just…" He looked her straight in the eyes. "...regardless of what happens… even if Tracker and I are lost… remember our songs and carry on our legacy."

"That's not going to happen," Violet replied, almost defiant. There's no way that could happen. It just can't.

Dodger nodded. "I will do my best to make sure that it doesn't, but you have seen how many close calls that we have had." He then smiled at her. "Just promise me that you will remember regardless of what happens."

"I'll try my best," Violet promised. As long as no one expects me to sing well...

Dodger held back a sniffle as he opened his arms to embrace his sister. "That is all any of us can do."

Violet nearly knocked her brother over in her rush to hug him first. "I love you," she said, though it came out more as a sob. Violet was either in control of herself or she wasn't. There was no such thing as holding back when she stopped trying to hide what she was feeling.

Dodger stopped trying to hold back as well. "I love you too, sis."

---

Littlefoot took another deep drink from the stream as Ruby, Cera, Taunt, and Ducky looked on but said nothing. None of those present had any idea what to say to ease their leader's nerves, especially under these circumstances. In the case of Cera and Taunt, they only could deduce a hint of what was being considered and, for once, Taunt decided to keep his mouth shut.

He looked up from the latest mouthful of water as he saw the the familiar violet fastbiter once again. From many feet away, Dodger stood like a sentinel. He may have been keeping his distance physically, but he could still feel his presence. It was the expressions that the fastbiters were wearing that caught his attention, however.

He looks calmer… but he also looks sad… then he looked at Violet, his potential new temporary pack member, Violet… Violet… if only you knew that you weren't the only nervous one. I don't even know the proper etiquette here! For once he was glad that Thud was not present for this, as he would otherwise get a lecture on the proper way to take in another pack member under these circumstances. Despite its uniqueness, Littlefoot was certain that there was probably an obscure story somewhere that went through an entire arcane ritual to use in this instance.

While Littlefoot's thoughts were at least orderly, Violet's were somewhat less organized. There's more people, and I have absolutely no clue how to say this, especially since I don't want to stay here forever. Even if I did, they wouldn't let me. They're not letting Dodger and Tracker stay even though they're both more useful than I am, Dodger especially. What am I supposed to do? I wish I could've talked to Haven more about this. Then I'd at least know what not to do.

Littlefoot took a deep breath. "Greetings, Violet. How may I help you?" He knew what may be coming from Ducky's 'suggestion' that perhaps they could allow Violet to stay a bit longer from earlier, but he had not been told anything for certain. Ducky would never betray Violet's trust like that, but her 'suggestion' was clearly worded as something more than a passing thought. Ducky did not need to know that it was an idea that Littlefoot had already been considering.

"W-well, I um…" Violet stammered, completely at a loss for what to say. Tracker's so much better at this than I am.

Littlefoot smiled, but did not prompt her to continue. If she were about to propose what he thought she was, then he would simply be supportive. Coercion or prompting during a pack joining would send entirely the wrong message. Littlefoot wanted to make every possible show that his pack was not like Calin's.

Violet looked away in embarrassment. She wanted nothing more than to walk away and try again later, hopefully with fewer onlookers. While it was a struggle, she kept herself from looking back at her brother for support. If I can't even do this on my own, I don't deserve to call myself an adult.

"It's alright, Violet," Taunt interrupted, much to his mate's surprise, "If you are unsure how to say something, then one of us could help you."

Despite the breach in protocol, Ruby couldn't help but smile. "Taunt was never one for ritual, but we can help you with ritual if we know which ritual you want to do."

Needing at least some help to figure out what she was going to say, Violet gave Ducky a pleading look. If she had to beg out loud, she would, but her brother being present kept her from doing that before it was absolutely necessary.

Ducky smiled a bit. Think about those gestures that I taught you, Violet... She then carefully bowed so that she was halfway to the gesture that one gives to submit to a pack leader. She hoped that she would understand her gesture.

Seeing Ducky's gesture, Violet thought back to her training and carefully tried to replicate the gesture that she had been taught for joining a pack. With a quick step backwards, she lowered her eyes towards the ground, but kept her head upright for several moments. Then, trying very carefully to get the details right, she lowered her entire body towards the ground, so that it was almost a gesture of surrender. Despite the slight over-bow, however, Littlefoot understood her gesture completely.

Littlefoot took a breath, as audible gasps could be heard escaping from his mate, Cera, and Taunt. Now it was up to him to follow the proper protocol. Some part of his mind mused that this would be a learning experience for both Violet and Dodger, as this was a ritual that was not supposed to be given in full except during a pack joining.

"Violet, are you certain that you wish to renounce your previous attachments and declare your mind and body for the good of this pack?" Littlefoot intoned with extreme formality. It was a custom for which the questions were both pointless and necessary. The only acceptable answer was 'yes', but it was necessary that the new initiate knew what they were getting into.

"Yes, sir," Violet replied, internally wincing.

Further back, Dodger physically and mentally took a step away from his sister. My task is finished, my oath fulfilled. I couldn't be more proud of you, little sister.

Littlefoot was pleased by the prompt response. Despite Violet's nearly terrified scent, she was handling herself well, "Will you do whatever it takes to support this pack, including shedding your own life blood?"

"Yes, sir," came the prompt, unhesitant, reply.

"Will you remember the pack's songs and sing them for the benefit of its memory?" Littlefoot continued.

"Y-yes, sir." This, Violet was worried she could mess up. Her memory wasn't the best; all present knew that.

Littlefoot smiled a bit. The questions are more about intent, Violet, than ability. He then continued on to the final question.

"Do you have an adult name?"

"No, sir." Um, yikes. There's no going back now. What have I gotten myself into? Violet thought.

At this point, Dodger did the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life. He turned and walked away before he heard his sister renamed. Its her life, her name. I want her to grow into it. She's not going to do that with me watching everything. She's not part of my pack anymore, no matter how much that hurts.

Littlefoot looked at her intensely, as he placed his hands on her face. When this ritual had been done to him, it had been a simple matter of having Chomper name everyone. When Taunt and Breeze had joined his pack it had been a simple matter of taking in those who had already been named and left without a pack… but this was different. For the first time, the duty of naming had befallen Littlefoot. A duty that was not to be taken lightly.

He took a deep breath as he looked at the distantly setting Bright Circle. It was odd how this pack had been ripped apart, and then mended, but then ripped apart again. But yet, as long as Violet lived, he knew that her brother and Tracker would be just fine. It seemed that despite her disability, or because of it, Violet helped to bring others together. Just like her new profession as a healer, she seemed to have an ability to mend whatever was broken.

That's it! That would be a perfect name for her.

"From this day forward you shall be called, Mender." He paused briefly for the enormity of this moment to sink in for the new pack member. "Mender. Arise."

Violet stood up as directed. She barely hid her surprise when she saw that the entirety of Seeker's pack was there. My pack, too, she corrected herself, This is going to take some getting used to. Whoah. How'd Path sneak up on us? She could make him out a bit further away than everyone else. Still, such a feat was both impressive and a bit alarming.

"Everyone, let's welcome Mender to the pack! I am sure that she will be with us for at least until after the next Cold time." Littlefoot's slightly mischievous grin immediately informed both Ducky and Violet that Littlefoot was letting Violet have some flexibility if she wished to return to their comrades later. "...unless you she wants to stay longer. Welcome, Mender!""

"Thanks," Violet said softly, her words almost failing her.

As if on cue, Violet was mobbed by the rest of the pack, with Ducky and Ruby being in front of the line. In a sudden change of proper etiquette due to her change in status, the others got within inches of her as they both greeted her with friendly growls and sniffed her as if she were a fragrant sweet bubble tree. Her scent was now being placed into another category in their minds. The category of "pack".

"It is nice to have you with us, Vi… Mender," Cera offered in a friendly, yet forceful manner, "I guess that you already worked out something with Seeker? So you are with us until at least after the next Cold Time?"

"Oh, goodness, are you questioning her already, dear?" Taunt mocked his mate, which earned him a glare, "But it is nice to have you in the pack, Mender." he offered with a friendly smile.

"It's in case I end up being more trouble than I'm worth," Violet replied. No matter how many times others told her differently, Violet had a very hard time seeing herself as doing anything than minimizing the trouble she caused.

"Ha! That won't be the case," Cera mused, "We still have Taunt in the pack, and he is far more trouble than he is worth!"

Taunt didn't even try to challenge his mate's statement as he sniffed Violet carefully, "I have my good side! That's my side that Cera hasn't bitten a scar in yet."

You've got scars on both sides, Violet mentally answered. She didn't get very far past that thought when Spike and Breeze approached. She couldn't help but freeze a bit. Larger fastbiters always made her a bit nervous, her brother permanently excepted. Remember, I'm among friends, she thought in an attempt to calm herself.

"Greetings, Mender," Breeze offered in a friendly voice, as she politely sniffed her nose. Spike, meanwhile, simply gave her a friendly grunt and sniffed as well. Despite his ability to talk, some habits died hard in the former spiketail.

"Hi," Violet responded, feeling somewhat shy. She didn't know Breeze quite as well as she would've liked beyond healing lessons and honestly had her longest interaction with Spike when she was helping heal him of a rather unpleasant type of buzzer. Gotta talk to them more. I knew Prowler better than I know them.

"Thanks, again," Spike offered kindly as he walked away. But Violet had little time to respond when Chomper and Petrie came to her side.

"Me glad to see you in pack, but me also surprised!" the flyer screeched.

"Hm?" Violet asked, barely catching Petrie's words. She was a bit distracted by the proximity of Chomper. Friendly or not, two-footers still made her very nervous. More problematically, she'd spent almost no time around him for precisely that reason.

"He says that he is glad to have you in the pack," Chomper spoke in an almost impossibly deep voice, which sounded especially odd considering his youthful demeanor, "I know that.. um… you have had issues with my kind in the past. But I hope that we can become better acquainted."

"Sorry," Violet replied, her tone extremely apologetic both for letting herself be afraid and for how she'd avoided Chomper as much as she could've. She cringed at the thought of how that must've looked to everyone else.

Chomper nodded. "It's alright, Mender. Sometimes healing takes time."

Petrie simply gave her a sniff to be polite; flyers were not known for their ability to track scent. "The important thing is that you try."

Violet then remembered the bit of what Petrie had said that she caught. "You said you were surprised, Spotter. Why?"

Petrie shrugged with his wings. "Me not know what your old pack do," he did not see the slight shiver from Violet as he referred to her 'old pack', "But me not know what you do either. So Spotter surprised by all this, but it pleasant surprise."

"Oh." Violet couldn't think of anything else to say to that. "Well, thanks, I guess."

"Well, Mender, I guess it is time for you to join your first pack meeting. How did you like the greeting ritual?" Littlefoot smiled. "I imagine that it is a bit overwhelming."

"Y-yes, sir," Violet stammered, surprised by her new pack leader's sudden appearance. No matter how hard she tried, her first reaction to seeing a pack leader was always some variation of 'don't hurt me'. Prowler had been rather fond of hurting her in some form or fashion.

Ruby smiled. "Easy, Mender. You have nothing to fear from us."

Littlefoot placed a hand on Violet's shoulder. "I guess that you are a bit overwhelmed, huh?"

Violet just nodded, not trusting herself to speak again. Must not do anything stupid. Like fainting.

Littlefoot's smile faded somewhat now that he could smell the scent of fear on her. "I'm sorry if I scared you, Mender. Perhaps you could take a few drinks from the stream to calm yourself, and then we can go to the meeting place together?" He gestured towards himself and his mate. "We need to decide as a pack how to properly send off Thud's pack… and your brother and Tracker. I wonder what they would think of a freshly caught swimmer…"

Violet tried not to look too hopeful. She really wanted to see if her only successful hunt wasn't just a happy accident but was pretty sure that was someone else's privilege. Best not assume anything until I know all the rules. Never assume something is okay. "Wh… you're asking me?" Rank system seriously violated. My head hurts.

Littlefoot laughed as his mate took a drink from the stream. "I am asking everyone in the meeting, but I am asking you as well. Just because I make the decisions that doesn't mean that I don't ask for everyone's opinion sometimes." His eyes had a glint of humor in them. "I would also tell you that the 'sir' is not necessary, but I am sure you will give me the same response that your brother did."

Violet just looked at Littlefoot questioningly, nearly biting her tongue to avoid asking 'Sir?'.

Ruby rejoined him as he tried to hold back laughter, "You are currently thinking this right now, aren't you… sir?" he did his best impression of Dodger.

Violet looked down in embarrassment. There's a whole lot more to him calling you 'sir' than you'll ever know, Seeker. It has nothing to do with you just being a pack leader.

Littlefoot smiled. "Well… don't worry about it. I appreciate the respect and in most other packs they would probably demand it… but anyway, just keep in mind when me and you are talking privately that you can drop the 'sir'." He figured that this compromise might work.

Ruby grinned mischievously. "Or you could take a lesson from Taunt and use 'sir' sarcastically all of the time!"

Littlefoot groaned. "I think that there are other things she can be trained on, dear, before she gets trained in how to be a…" He was unable to finish whatever colorful metaphor that he had in mind for Taunt before his mate stuffed a ground fuzzy in his mouth.

Ruby quickly spoke in Violet's direction. "Special rights of the leader's mate, Mender, I would not try doing that." She then proceeded to sprint ahead as Littlefoot followed playfully.

Violet just watched, slightly confused and very much wrongfooted. What just happened? She hurried to catch up, not wanting to be the last one holding everything up.

This is officially the weirdest day of my entire life. I've never seen a pack leader that relaxed. Even being made fun of didn't seem like he was trying to hurt me. Violet shook her head to clear it. Well, I've managed to completely turn my life upside-down. I don't know any of the rules, and I'm the lowest-ranking one here. Again. This is going to be interesting. Hopefully if or, more likely, when I have to leave it'll be on good terms. The last thing she wanted to do was be thrown out of the pack in disgrace. I know everyone at least a bit, some of them pretty well. That doesn't mean I have anyone to hide behind, though. No one to save me if I fail. That last thought, more than anything, scared her. She was truly on her own now.

---

Tracker took another drink from the stream as she awaited the return of Dodger and possibly Violet. Both of them had not left on the best terms, but she had no idea what to do. She could not interrupt the other pack while the status of her pack was in question, but she also couldn't talk to Violet and Dodger if they were elsewhere. This left her in an odd sort of limbo, uncertain about how to proceed or help.

It was a helpless feeling.

It was when she considered going after some fish that she finally heard a familiar series of footsteps. She didn't need to smell him to realize that her mate was coming.

And he was alone.

Despite having had some time to think over what he was going to say to say to Tracker, Dodger still hadn't figured it out. Or, more accurately, how to say it. I'm not sure if that lost feeling that won't go away is Violet's fault or just my inability to think straight anymore, he thought to himself.

Tracker looked up at her mate with a carefully neutral expression. Upon seeing a lost expression on his face, she assumed the worst, "Dear, is everything alright? How… is Violet?"

"She's staying here," Dodger said, though his tone seemed more appropriate for reporting a death.

Hesitantly, Tracker walked up to her mate and gently nuzzled his neck. Based upon his manner of reporting things she feared that him and his sister had not made amends. The separation of packs was often an unpleasant event. Her scent of concern and residual sadness for her mate radiated very quickly.

"Apparently she and I have a few similar issues, like hiding them. What do you say when your sister tells you she doesn't think she's worth protecting?"

Tracker froze. "She said what?"

"She told me I would've been better off if I'd left her in the river when we first got separated from our family."

Tracker took in a deep breath. "I don't understand. She has been trained to be a healer now and she has had her first hunt. How can she feel like she was not worth saving?" Tracker shook her head. "Even if she hadn't done those things you wouldn't have left her behind."

"She knows that, and it apparently isn't something she likes. She doesn't want me getting killed because of her. I get that. What I don't get is why she thinks that she would be any less valuable if she wasn't a healer. Did I give her that impression?" Dodger was seriously confused as to how Violet could have gotten that thought into her head in the first place.

Tracker closed her eyes. "Dear… put yourself in Violet's place for a moment. Any attempt that she made to stand out earned her… well… Prowler's usual treatment. And then both of us tried to help her out, which means that she couldn't stand out either. But now she has had a taste of being a hunter and of being a healer. A taste of being.. well… like you." She looked at him with kind eyes. "I can see why she might feel the way that she does."

"Hopefully she'll do better here. I really should've done something about Prowler a long time ago." For failing to act Dodger would never forgive himself.

"And gotten yourself killed?" Tracker prompted, "You did what you could, Dear. We all did. And now because of you Violet is now an adult. Do you honestly think that would have been possible without you?"

"Why do you think every time we were attacked I always tried to shove Violet in your direction?" Dodger asked in reply. You and Violet would've been fine on your own, assuming you didn't pick a fight with everyone around you.

Tracker did not quite understand how Dodger's words followed her previous statement, as she could not read his thoughts. "I know that you were trying to play the hero, Dodger. But I guess that is part of the reason why Violet wants to move away from your shadow… it's not disrespect, it's…"

Dodger sighed. "Violet and I parted on good terms. We weren't exactly happy, but we're not angry with each other," he said in an attempt to clarify what had happened between him and his sister, "By the way, Tracker, I never tried to play hero. I thought that if the worst should happen Violet would be safest with you."

Tracker looked down as she heard her mate's words about what would happen if he were lost. "Dear…" She took a calming breath as she considered what he said about Violet. "Well, I am glad that she parted on good terms. Neither of you deserve to have a rift between you, even when you both are acting like a stubborn spiketail."

"You've been around both of us for how long and yet you're surprised we're both stubborn?" Dodger asked jokingly.

She took a playful nip towards his ear. "Not surprised, just frustrated!" she then laughed as he overreacted in his attempt to dodge his bite, "I am not going to bite your head off, Dear! I am sure it wouldn't taste that good anyway," she added with humor.

Dodger tried to act offended, but he was trying too hard not to laugh. Tracker was the only person that could actually make him relax and laugh.

Tracker laughed for several moments before she decided to broach a more pressing topic, "I am glad for your sister, but it seems that we have a choice to make as well."

"And your thoughts on that would be...?" Dodger asked, deciding to try to be a bit more diplomatic than he originally intended. Convincing Tracker that joining Thud was a good idea would go over much better than making the decision unilaterally.

She thought for a moment, "We are only a pack of two now. That certainly changes things." She stopped as she waited for Dodger to show a bit more of his thoughts on the matter.

"While we've survived in pairs before, I'm not sure I like the idea of being in such a small group. It's so much easier for things to go wrong." Sort of like our run-in with the two-footer when you got your first kill, though I'll admit that probably ended as well as it possibly could've.

"Don't remind me…" Tracker muttered thinking back to those unhappy days, "Though our options are limited if we want to be in a larger pack."

She thought for a diplomatic way to address the topic for moment before finally giving up and speaking her mind, "What do you think of Thud?"

"That he should've asked about talking to Violet before scaring her half to death," Dodger replied. Despite being committed to joining Thud's pack, that incident had really bothered him. Maybe I am a bit overprotective. Better safe than sorry, though.

Tracker coughed. "Um… He and I already had some words about that. I think he's already got the message." Unless my sniffer is as broken as Violet's, I am sure he got the message.

"I heard. You weren't exactly quiet, though you were quite a bit calmer than I would have been." Not that any of us are used to keeping much entirely private.

Tracker shifted in an embarrassment manner. "Um… I guess I won't be able to talk to him like that if we join him, huh?"

"That might not be the best idea, no." Though it would probably end better than with Prowler, assuming you'd even dare to do that in the first place with him.

Tracker thought a bit more. "Well, besides his little conversation with Violet, what are your thoughts on all of them?" She considered for a moment that she might soon no longer be calling the other fastbiters 'them', but rather 'us'.

"Frankly, I don't have any real problems with any of them. Honestly, I don't know any of them all that well," Dodger replied. The main thing I know about Leap is something I originally wanted to kill him for, he mentally added.

Tracker closed her eyes for several moments as her thoughts went into the same place that Dodger's had trekked. "I know enough to know that Leap and his family tried to be as kind as they could be. I know that Thud is a better pack leader than Calin," she spat at the mention of his name, "But I know that Thud is doing this out of the interest of his pack as well. His pack is only three, so a pack of five would be much stronger and safer."

"I was thinking something similar. We'd be safer in a group of five than just us two." It might be a good idea to get to know Thud's pack as much as we can before we leave, though, Dodger thought.

"The question is: how do YOU feel about this?" Tracker looked into Dodger's eyes as she asked this. She knew that her mate had confidence issues, but she was unsure how he would adapt to being a lower-ranked member again, Thud was no Prowler, but old emotions died hard.

"I think we should go with the safer option," Dodger said, attempting to avoid the question at least partly. As long as Tracker is safe, I really don't care about anything else.

Tracker nodded, but she also took note of what Dodger did not say in his answer. Nonetheless, she decided to take the opportunity to examine her mate's body and lighten the mood, "Are you going to clean up before we meet with them?" She teased. "You still have ground fuzzy fur on your claws."

Dodger tried to check without looking like he was.

NIP

"I can't believe I fell for that," Dodger laughed, playfully pushing his mate back.

"You didn't live up to your name there, DODGER," she teased, but then her face took on an odd expression, "Though I guess neither of us will keep our names will we? I guess it would be up to Thud to name us again." It was an odd sensation to consider that fact. It felt like something between a death and a rebirth. Her name was one of the few things that she still had from her parents. Their songs was the only other thing that remained of them.

"I walked away before I heard Violet's," Dodger admitted, "I'm not sure if I even want to know it yet. I might not ever be able to get her name right without some obvious change." Like six cycles of the Night Circle apart.

"You wanted her to be an adult, and that requires them to leave their parents," Tracker noted, you are like a father to her, Dodger. You know that as well as I. "But we will need to eventually find out her name. I am sure Seeker didn't pick out something too bad. Like how he originally named Path… Chomper, what kind of name is that?"

"A rather descriptive one," Dodger said, smiling a bit, "I'm just glad it isn't as accurate now." There wouldn't be much left of anyone that got, well, chomped.

"Or like Seeker's original name, Littlefoot. Leaf-eater names are weird," she shook her head as she sighed, "Well, I guess we have made our choice, haven't we?"

"I guess so."

Tracker looked in the direction where Thud's pack was last seen. It appeared that it was now the time to put their decision into action, "Do you remember the gesture that Seeker showed us? The one for submission to a new leader?" she asked with a hushed voice.

"Yeah, the overly complicated one." It almost seems more useful for testing your balance than declaring your allegiance.

"Show me," Tracker asked, "I want to make sure that you don't make a gesture for something else."

"You just want to see me fall on my face," Dodger said.

Tracker shook her head. "No, no. I am not asking you to see you fall on your face." She smiled.

I've got a bad feeling about this. What are you up to, Tracker? Dodger first made the gesture indicating his next one wasn't serious. He then carefully made the correct bow, being extra careful not to overbalance.

Tracker smiled. "Darn! You remembered the play bow." She watched as he rolled his eyes. "I was hoping that you would acknowledge who was the leader in the relationship." She finished with a playful smirk.

"So, you want to be the one representing us to Thud after your little chat with him?" Dodger asked, smirking as well. Tracker, you usually think things through better than this.

Tracker rolled her eyes. "I am playing, Mr. Serious." She nuzzled him again. "Besides, as Ponder told me earlier, the mate of a pack leader gets some special leeway. So I decided to enjoy it while I can." She ended her statement by taking a final nip at his ear.

Dodger easily avoided the nip this time. "You're trying to make me earn my name before I lose it, aren't you? Have you been talking to Stern Claw?" She likes trying, and succeeding in, biting Taunt.

Tracker snorted. "Nope. The last time I saw her she was yelling at Taunt about something. I think arguing is how those two flirt."

"I'd hate to see what they're like when they're actually mad at each other," Dodger said, halfway serious. That would not be fun to watch.

Tracker nodded at that. "Well, she was originally a threehorn. Though I don't know what Taunt's excuse is."

"Does he need one?"

Tracker snorted. He will if he upsets Violet at all. Some of his jokes would have made even Prowler cringe in embarasment.

"Well..." Tracker said with some finality, realizing this was the time, "Shall we seek out our future packmates? We both have a demotion to attend to."

"Demotion from a rank I never actually used. I think I can live with that," Dodger said, standing up, "Let's go."

As Tracker joined Dodger on their journey to their new packmates she had an odd feeling of being liberated. Violet had found a place of her own and achieved adulthood in her own right, while she and her mate would have a safer option for the time being. Now all that she had to do is let fate take its course. One song had ended and another would soon begin.

---

The present, the Mysterious Beyond:

"Rarqhax."

The fastbiter watched in fascination as the purple fastrunner ran towards Cynnil and promptly bowed a bit too low to acknowledge his summons.

"Yes, Cynnil?"

Here we go again, Mender thought, seeing a bit too much of herself in Orchid's actions.

The hidden runner smirked slightly, but did not mention his slight mistake. "You are adapting to your new name well. Maybe we should use it more often instead of using your old one…"

Orchid looked a bit uncertain of what to do next as he spared Mender the slightest hint of a 'what do I do?' look. Cynnil, meanwhile, gave the slightest wink in Mender's direction.

"Well, Orchid is easier to say," Mender said, "It took me forever to stop calling myself Violet."

"True, but I am busy tormenting him before I put him to work." Cynnil broke into a laugh when Orchid glared at her despite his lower rank. "Smell the air, Orchid. What do you smell?"

Involving Orchid in a hunt... I really hope this is not a bad idea, Mender thought, Please tell me that's not what Cynnil is thinking.

Orchid raised his snout to the sky as he closed his eyes. That was when his eyes snapped open.

"Threehorns?"

No. Not those guys again, Mender mentally groaned.

Cynnil smirked. "An elderly male, I do believe, and if we continue along this way we will almost certainly see him."

"And he will see us!" Nahoda quipped as he began to peek above the grass to catch a glimpse of the unseen beast.

"Maybe we should go around… threehorns are not fond of potential egg stealers," Arial noted with a shiver, as if remembering something unpleasant.

"Well, he is old, so maybe... nah. Threehorns don't need a reason to try to crush you," Mender thought aloud.

Cynnil shrugged. "Well, Buse and I can blend in, but Mender is a bit too large to hide."

Mender gave Cynnil a slightly offended look. "Hey, its hard to walk with my tail down when I'm crouching to your height."

"So.. this gives me an idea." Cynnil's eyes twinkled. "Perhaps we could have a fast pack member lead our guest away while the rest of us go behind him. He cannot chase what he does not see."

Orchid swallowed. "So let me get this straight… you want me…" He punctuated this by pointing at his hands. "...to distract a threehorn? While all of you… run away."

Cynnil patted him on the shoulder. "You'll do fine! Buse and I will be keeping watch and if anything happens we will be able to help." She raised a spear for emphasis. "Though I am hoping that your distraction is a bit more peaceful than a chase."

"Somehow I doubt our three-horned friend over there is interested in talking," Mender commented.

---

"Hello there!"

Orchid took a deep breath as his heart felt like it might burst out of his chest. Every muscle fiber cried out to take flight, but he kept himself attached to the ground by sheer will. This was quite possibly the stupidest thing he had done since he saved Nahoda and nearly killed his father in the process. But there was no turning back now.

Taking another breath, he allowed his eyes to close for a moment. Calm yourself, Orchid… you can outrun a threehorn. With a shuddering breath he opened his eyes to look upon the threat in front of him, preparing to make his flight…

Only to see the gray threehorn shake his head and resume eating the grass. It was as if Orchid did not exist.

The fastrunner clicked his beak. He should have felt relieved that the threehorn only saw him as a nuisance. This is how the old Orchid would have felt. But he was Rarqhax now, and the fact that meant Orchid did not change the fact that he was a changed person. He was part of a pack now; part of a family. And this arrogant horn-face that just insulted him in front of him.

"Hey! Threehorn! I'm talking to you!"

The threehorn grunted as he looked up from his meal, never once dropping his food. The eyes of the beast communicated annoyance, but his face communicated bemusement. "So you are."

As the threehorn resumed his meal, Orchid felt his blood boil. No wonder why Ruby sometimes complained about threehorns in her messages home. They were arrogant and rude!

Orchid smirked. Well, I am fast enough. Two can play at this game.

"Why are you in my territory, horn-face?!"

---

Orchid, you're going to get yourself killed! "I'm going to get him out of there," Mender said, turning to do just that.

"No you will not!" Cynnil ordered as she shoved the fastrunners forward despite Arial's terror, "Rarqhax knows what he is doing."

As the threehorn stepped forward towards their newest packmate, she could only shake her head.

You better be right, Cynnil, Mender thought, What he's doing now is about as safe as running into a threehorn nest and stealing an egg while the parents are watching. Orchid, you're insane.

---

"Really?"

As the laughter erupted from the threehorn's mouth, Orchid felt something flutter in his stomach.

"Let me guess, egg-stealer… you found yourself someone to couple with and now you are trying to impress her." The threehorn's chuckle turned into near-hysterical laughter. "So you decided to challenge me? I think your puny loins have overtaken your punier mind!"

Orchid smirked as he saw a tell-tale tail disappear behind the dense grass. His mission was accomplished; now he just had to complete his escape. With more than a little energy in his step he rushed forward.

"So says the horn-face who doesn't watch his surroundings… it's a wonder you have survived this long. Maybe your herd left you because you're not right in the head?" Orchid's smile turned dark as he glanced behind him quickly. "Well, gotta go!"

---

Orchid, I can't figure out whether or not to tell you 'good job' or 'you're insane'. Mender did have to hold in a laugh, however, as she watched the threehorn charge at imaginary targets in the tall grass. Seriously, though. Do you have any sense of self-preservation, Orchid? Taunt and you are going to get along far too well. A moment later her last thought finally sunk in. Oh, great...

"Ha! That was great, wasn't it?"

Orchid nearly crashed into the fastbiter as he came to a stop. The sounds of the threehorn mindlessly attacking the grass they had escaped from echoed around them as Orchid struggled to catch his breath. His sister was full of breath, however.

"Orchid! What did you think you were doing out there?"

The purple fastrunner gave a slight smile as he gave the distant threehorn a look. "Getting the last word?"

So I'm not the only one that thought Orchid was taking too much of a risk, Mender thought as Arial slapped her brother with a resounding smack.

Nahoda clicked his beak as he saw that display. "Sometimes getting in the last word isn't worth it, Orchid."

This earned him a reply from his mate. "Nahoda, dear?"

"Hmmm?"

"Shut up."

Well, that's most of us, so where's... Oh, here they come, Mender thought, hearing the approach of the last two members of their group.

"Well that is one way to do it I suppose…" Cynnil shook her head with amusement as she walked in on Orchid rubbing his beak. "Why didn't you just run off?"

The fastrunner was silent for a moment. "He insulted me. He insulted me, and I knew that I had to make sure that he was distracted after I left."

"So you decided to insult a threehorn in broad daylight?" Buse asked with bemusement.

Orchid shrugged. "It was better than having him chase me. This way I disappear, and he chases my shadow instead of possibly looking back."

"Do you really think he would have cared all that much if you just left?" Mender asked Orchid, "The rest of us were already past him."

"Yeah! Don't be an idiot, brother," Arial added for good measure.

It was only now that Orchid appeared to have doubts about his course of action, as he rubbed his beak in a contemplative manner. It was an expression that Cynnil read with ease.

"Okay, pack." Cynnil began with a click of her beak. "What did Rarqhax do right, and what did he do wrong?"

"Um… well he never got too close to the threehorn," Buse noted, "So he got that right."

"And then he tried to get the threehorn to get way too close," Mender pointed out.

"I let my pride get away with me," Orchid noted with distaste, "I knew that I could outrun him and hide in the grass, but I never considered what could go wrong."

Cynnil nodded as she placed a hand on the fastrunner's feathered shoulder. "You did get out of sight before he got too close, but it was an unnecessary risk. Even the most well-prepared plans can go horribly wrong."

"You can't plan for everything," Mender added, "My first real hunt as part of Seeker's pack proved that."

This time it was Nahoda's chance to speak out. "Do I hear a song coming on?"

Mender snorted. "I think Cynnil wants us to get moving." She looked back towards the now calming threehorn in the distance. "...and so do I. So this will have to be sung on the way."

Cynnil laughed. "I would recommend singing it when we are far away from our friend over there unless you want to sing on the run."

Mender snorted. "Sounds like a plan. Let's get running."

---

The past:

"Alright, everyone! I think it is time that we had another meeting."

Littlefoot smiled as the other fastbiters got into position, whereas Petrie settled onto a nearby tree. Only Chomper's massive form remained standing. But, as usual, it was Taunt that had the first word.

"So what is going on, Great Leader?" he asked in an infuriatingly respectful tone. The only hint of teasing was the overly flowery title that he had given his leader.

I'm never going to get used to this, Violet thought, Prowler would've murdered Taunt, and Dodger probably wouldn't have been entirely happy with him, either. Acting like that in front of the whole pack…

Littlefoot's smile did not falter. "The Great Leader," he used the term as if to dare Taunt to go any further, "thinks it would be a good idea to decide on how to send our allies off."

Chomper was the next to speak. "Are we thinking about a hunt? Because I am hungry."

Cera rolled her eyes. "You are always hungry, Path. You're beginning to sound like Finder."

"Hey! I am not always hungry," Spike retorted with humor in his eyes, "Sometimes I have to sleep!"

Everyone broke into laughter at Spike's self-deprecating humor, as his mate took the opportunity to bring the meeting back on track.

"What did you have in mind, Seeker?" Breeze asked.

I hope it's a hunt. I want to try that again. For once I didn't feel like I was one mistake from disaster. Like there was a real plan.

"Well, there is the herd of swimmers by the place where the streams meet. I think it was about time that we reduced their numbers by one," Littlefoot answered.

Ducky nodded. "There are three families in the herd. One of them has an older female that might be a good target."

Ruby rubbed her chin. "How well protected is she? Is she the matriarch of the herd?"

Ducky shrugged. "I wasn't able to get close enough to hear. I cannot exactly pass as a swimmer anymore. nope, nope, nope!"

Petrie spoke next, "Me can land in tree and listen in. What if she matriarch? What new target then?"

Littlefoot noted that Violet had yet to say anything. "What do you think, Mender? How do you think we should proceed if the elder is the matriarch and too well protected?"

"I… I don't know," Violet answered. No one has ever asked me for strategic advice. The most attention I ever got that wasn't 'stay out of the way' was Dodger telling me the best way to do my job. Doing anything beyond that wasn't a good idea.

"The first step in learning something is to admit that you haven't learned something yet," Ruby encouraged, "Haven, what other members of the herd are there?"

Ducky thought for a moment. "Two of the families have babies. It seems the same male has made both families," she added with some residual embarrassment. Her former kind was well known for their massive breeding rate, and she was more than a little self-conscious about it.

Violet couldn't help but cringe. It must be weird for Haven, hunting what she used to be.

"So one male protecting both mothers… that means that we could have an opening," Littlefoot deduced.

"The ol' trick and slash?" Spike inquired.

Littlefoot nodded. "The trick and slash it is. Assuming the older swimmer is the matriarch. If she isn't then we can have an easy meal."

Chomper laughed. "Yeah, especially since all of you will be chasing the food for me!"

Littlefoot rolled his eyes, but did not disagree. More than likely Chomper would make the killer blow, unless he had to be used for the distraction.

"Um, how does that work?" Violet asked, shrinking back as soon as she asked the question. Should I have said that out loud?

"Good question," Chomper answered, "If we attack the elder then the pack can chase her and then I can make the killing blow. Swimmers get 'panic stupid' when they run away. But if we have to do the trick and slash, then it is a bit more complicated."

"We would break into three groups then, counting Path as a group of one. We would act like we were attacking one family's children, while Path would attack another. Then the third group would attack whichever one the male fails to back up." Littlefoot explained, "If we do that then you will simply need to backup your group and, if I give the order, launch an attack against the undefended female."

"Okay... " Violet said. Is it really a good idea to put me in an important position? I've had only one success in my entire life. Despite being originally eager to try again, Violet's confidence was now falling rapidly.

"Or…" Ruby offered, "We have done it in the past so that one of us acts clumsy and begins to approach the prey in order to see their defense reaction. Then the other groups attack. The idea is the same, but the hunt is not the same, which means it is not really the same."

Cera snorted, "Taunt is good for that role. He is usually goofy, so he doesn't have to act much!"

Taunt rolled his eyes, "I seem to remember, my dear former horn-face, that we once let someone act angry crazy around a bunch of threehorns as the distraction, and she did quite well."

Cera smirked as she decided not to fight the characterization, "Remember that, dear, when you have to share the sleeping place with me. How far do you want to take this?"

Littlefoot rolled his eyes, "Stern Claw, try not to kill Taunt. We need him in the hunt."

Violet tried to get figure out a way to get next to Ducky before finally giving up. "I could try to see what their reaction would be," she hesitantly offered, "I'm terrible at sneaking so I wouldn't even have to act. That way everyone that actually knows what they're doing can do their jobs."

Littlefoot studied her carefully, "Sometimes the best way to learn how to do a job is to watch it in action. Though before anyone can do anything, we need to get more information. Spotter?"

Petrie prepared to take off, "Understood, Seeker. Me find out if she matriarch. If so, we trick, if not then we will eat elder!"

Littlefoot nodded, "Sounds good. Everyone, get ready to hunt. We need to eat the meat so no Orange Death. We will do this the old fashioned way."

Does that way involve a high possibility of death? Violet wondered, These swimmers seem more ready for trouble than when I got my first kill.

As everyone began to walk back to their sleeping areas to retrieve their vine armor, Littlefoot took the opportunity to whisper to Violet, "Just relax. Your job is to distract. The other jobs will come later. Just watch and learn."

"Are the vines necessary?" Violet asked, "I didn't think it would be that dangerous." And the vines are rather uncomfortable.

Littlefoot paused for a moment, "They are not necessary for the one making the distraction, but they will be important for those launching the assault. A swimmer can have a powerful bite," he then guessed her next question, "For this we will not wear them around the legs though. We need to be fast here."

"Okay. Thanks" Now where did I put the ones I was using? Violet thought with a slight bit of alarm, I hope I didn't lose them.

Littlefoot watched as the new pack member began scampering off to find her own vine armor, forgetting that she would not be needing it, "I think she will get used to things just fine. She reminds me of you and Stern Claw before your first hunt."

Ruby shuddered, "I was a nervous wreck! Dein's cheerful attitude didn't help at all."

Littlefoot rolled his eyes, "Well, at least we are training her and not Dein," he then took his mate's hand, "Well then, dear, shall we get into position?"

As the two walked to the hill that overlooked the swimmer's current location, they kept their ears open for Petrie's report. Soon they would know what they had ahead of them.

---

The present:

The small rainbowface put the Archiver Stone in front of his beak with shaking hands. He highly doubted that he would ever get used to this.

Report follows…

Training in the valley

Cadet Datum

Datum swallowed. It was now or never.

The training in the valley primarily takes three forms: family training; herd training; and a relatively new innovation, the use of a tutor. It will be tutoring that will discussed in this current report.

Pause!

The rainbowface gripped the stone in his hand with tremendous force as his sister's voice stopped the recording in its place. Only the clicking of his beak interrupted the resulting silence.

"What did I tell you about interrupting me, sis?"

Arial walked by with a frown as she made a rubbing motion with her hands. "You're not going to mention the…"

"No!" Datum exclaimed before quickly lowering his voice. "No. Even though Mom and Dad says these are one way… we don't want to let the Star People know we screwed up."

Arial took a deep breath as her shoulders visibly relaxed.

Datum shook his head as he stared at the stone in his hand. "I wonder what they are like. Mom and Dad used to be like them." He tilted the stone in his hands once more. "I still don't get why we are 'cadets'. It isn't like we can go up there."

As Datum gestured at the sky above, Axiom focused on the smaller light in the sky. The one that her parents said was another world, one that they said was red and cold. Though in the daylight it shined the same color as the Bright Circle itself. She found herself wondering what it must have been like to see such wonders close.

"I wish that we could see it." Axiom noted with more than a little hint of sadness.

Datum smiled. "Same here, sis. I wonder if Mom and Dad miss it."

"Every single day."

The multi-colored beaks of the children opened in shock before quickly taking on a stoic expression once more. It was not an unusual occurrence for their parents to test their observational skills. Though the twitching of the ends of their tails communicated their annoyance at having failed this test.

But the topic of conversation was infinitely more interesting to them than the momentary jump scare. Seldom did their parents talk about their feelings about the stars.

Axiom turned towards her parents as they looked at their children with unreadable expressions, only their eyes seemed distant with reminiscing.

"Could you ask them in a report to let us see them?" Axiom asked hopefully, "No one in the valley would have to know that we went into the sky."

Datum nodded with excitement. "Yeah! You two were in the valley and left without a trace so why couldn't we all do that?"

The children looked towards their parents expectantly as the two adults shared a knowing glance and a smile.

"No, children." The little ones deflated immediately at their mother's words. "It is part of the Consortium's justification for what happened. We cannot leave here and… well… you are not of our old kind. To them you are just… well…"

"Dumb dinosaurs?" Datum asked in a depressed tone.

"Well… smart dinosaurs," Chronos corrected, switching into a more familiar tone, "But they will not be letting us off this rock. Not ever. And that is a good thing."

"Since we can send our observations back to them with these…" Logos raised her Archiver Stone for effect. "...we do not need to risk contamination or… other complications…"

The children still were down at this news, but more understanding. They had all heard the story about how close their world had came to destruction because of the fear of the Stone of Cold Fire. The last thing they needed was to risk having another giant rock sent their way.

Neither of them noticed Logos giving her mate a stern look.

"Ahem… speaking of complications… we got a report from Seeker today that was most interesting."

Chronos's look indicated that he was more amused about the situation then their mother was. Both Axiom and Datum cringed as they both knew what that meant.

Cultural contamination. They had been busted.

Datum was the first one to build up the courage to explain. "Dad, we can explain… we were trying to practice making fire like you showed us. Then…"

"The flyer saw you, you made up a lame excuse for what you were doing, and now Seeker's pack is playing the 'twist a stick in a small hole' game?" Logos finished, "Does that about sum it up?"

Both children bowed their heads. That was all of the confirmation that the parents needed.

Though the children did not see it, their mother quickly took on a softer expression as both parents gestured for the children to join them in the cavern. It was time for a family discussion.

"I am proud of you children for not willingly giving knowledge away to the others, but both of you were a bit careless with the fire." Logos noted as the family sat at their usual places in the sleeping area.

Chronos nodded. "Fire is a dangerous tool, children. It is something that we have shown you in case of emergency… if things get too cold… if you need to cauterize a wound…"

"Cot-a-what?" Axiom inquired.

"It is something that you hopefully will never have to use, dear," Logos answered, "But what your father is saying is that there are times when it might be necessary for survival. But we cannot be practicing this around the valley. Someone might see it… and then who knows what could happen?"

The children exchanged a glance before Datum asked the obvious question. "What could happen?"

Chronos shook his head. "Remember how I told you children how much the spear changed things when Petrie saw us with them?"

The children nodded. It had changed everything.

Chronos's eyes turned dark. "Let's just say… the power of fire is not something that one would want to give to their enemies..."

"But, Dad… the valley has no enemies. You all killed them, right?" Axiom inquired.

Logos sighed. "Sometimes, children, enemies have a tendency to pop up where you least expect them."

---

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! (: Chapter 16 is going to be a multi-parter due to the amount of material involved. You can expect the second part in the next week or so. In the meantime, I have also posted another entry for the Gang of Five prompt challenge which you might be interested in. In provides a perspective on how Ruby and chomper managed to convince the valley to let them in prior to the television series. And, as always, I welcome your reviews and constructive criticism.

gordhanx: Thank you for the detailed review as always. I greatly enjoyed writing the challenge scene where Orchid officially joined the pack; it followed the similar scenes with Mender quite well, though, as she was already trusted and had proven herself, she could skip the challenge herself. Now though Orchid will have to learn what pack life truly means. In this chapter he tried to prove himself a bit too much, and was reprimanded for his actions. Though, as Nahoda is quickly learning, mated life is quite different as well. It is obvious what Arial has in mind with the 'names' conversation... and he still has to meet Seeker's pack. Needless to say, he is going to have an interesting time in the chapters ahead.

bryan mccloud: True, I did give away what Mender's choice was, though she already did so in the 'present scenes' as well. The main struggle here is how she resolves the resulting tension with her former packmates... and the future complications that this could lead to.

Keijo6: Indeed, it did not escape Historian and I's notice that the chapter was a bit slow. It was a case of either cutting out important character development to speed things up, or to have a chapter that lags a bit. It is one of the weaknesses of basing a story from a roleplay, I suppose. As for interesting developments, you are certainly on the right track... this is the beginning of a chapter that will soon escalate in importance. in many ways chapter 16 (part 1) can be thought of as a prologue to the main plot of the story.