Yeah I'm really sorry about this late update. I could give you a million excuses but it really just comes down to school it won't get any better either. We're currently less than a month away from the AP exam and the pressure is extreme. I won't be able to update until after the 16 of May, probably that weekend.
I know that's an insanely long time away and I'm very sorry for that, but there's really not much I can do. Once again sorry=( Just so you know, the Name Allai is pronounced All-I I made it up so… yeah.
Graywhisper- Thank you so much for staying faithful=) I had a blast on the trip, and I did think I'd be freezing, but I actually wasn't so you never know;) Hope you enjoy this!
Jayleaf1- Thanks so much for everything=) And ag9ain is my finger hitting the wrong key when I type too fast and word document not realizing that's not a word;) So yes hopefully that won't happen in this. Hope you enjoy=)
Arianna Flamepelt- Thanks for the support=) Sorry for the wait and I hope you like this=)
***For anyone who was a victim of any of the bombings, I'm praying for you***
Chapter Six
I exchange a weary look with Brook and she mews softly, "You're the wolves, aren't you?
The one closest to us nods somewhat solemnly. They all have light grey fur, long and fluffy, with pointed ears and bright eyes in shades of blue and green. Tufted tails are held stiff at attention but they don't seem aggressive.
"You are the mountain cats." The voice is a rough bark, "Why are you leaving? Do you know something we don't?"
"Hush!" Snaps the one closest to us, she seems to be dominant. "Please come with us, we can talk and you can warm up." She looks back at us expectantly.
Looking over at the kits I see Feathertail has vanished. There's no other option. "Of course," I mew walking over to Feather. Brook grabs Moon and Bramble sticks close to her. The wolves turn and scramble up a path in the valley.
A younger one sticks close to us. She is slim and barks, "Don't worry. We won't hurt you. We don't hurt innocents or pups…" she trails off quietly. When we reach the crest of the hill the group stops.
Along the crest about thirty wolves mill around. Adolescents watch their kits – er pups – and several are eating. The dominant wolf from our group scampers down the ridge straight to a burly wolf. After a quick conversation they walk back up to us.
"Hello. I am sorry if we have frightened you, but we must speak." He says. His eyes look urgent, but they soften when he looks at the kits. "Allai, take the young ones to the whelping cave. Feed them. They do not need to hear this." Brook makes a startled noise as the young wolf who spoke to us moves forward.
"I will not hurt them. I have little siblings, I can take care of them while you talk – I promise." Her eyes are a bright, clear shade of light blue. Brook gives a small nod and we nudge the kits forward. Allai talks softly to them and they brighten slightly, and follow her away. I take a deep breath to steady myself as I watch them.
"Please come." The wolf barks. We follow him into the center of the camp and into a cave. It is a fairly good size and has been given some decoration. Carved prey bones create small mounds in strategic places.
A female wolf rises from her place and abandons her food as she walks up to us. The male turns and says, "I am Eros, leader of this band. This is my co-leader and mate Nike; please, tell us why you are here."
I sigh and mew, "I am Stormfur. I lived once with a Clan of cats in a forest a long way from here. But twolegs (I've heard them called upwalkers or nofurs) destroyed our home and we had to leave. We passed through these mountains to territories by a lake. During that journey I met Brook."
Brooke moves forward, "I live in a Tribe farther along the mountains, I believe you know of them, Stormfur stayed with me, but soon we had to leave. We lived with the Clans for a good time, but we did return to the tribe."
"But why do you leave now?" Nike asks, her eyes are a dark green and she seems very tense. "Is something going to happen?"
"Not to the tribe." I mew hurriedly, "Not to anyone in the mountains. It is my family, the cats around the lake, that we are going to help." Eros and Nike exchange a long look.
"Could you tell us why?" Nike asks at last, "I'm sorry it's just that we can tell that something bad is happening or is going to happen. The world is not right. We can feel it. I believe you know why."
"It's the Dark Forest." I mew at once, "The dead evil cats of the Clans that are warring against the Clans for control."
"I see…" she nods slightly, "This would cause quite a disturbance in the spirit world. This explains everything I-we've felt."
"I'm sorry?" Brook asks softly. Eros is focused on Nike and it takes her a moment to focus on us. Her eyes are a long way away and it takes them a minute to un-cloud.
"Thank you for telling us this. You can be on your way as soon as you wish." Her abruptness startles us and I feel extremely wrong-footed as Eros leads us out.
As soon as we are out of the cave he mumbles, "Sorry about that. She gets sucked into her own world often and forgets about everyone else. Good for strategy but not for much else. I don't mean to be rude, but I must ask, is it safe for you to be going to these Clans? With a war and pups?"
"It's not particularly safe I suppose," I reply, "But we owe everything to the Clans. I do not believe they will attack us anyway." I mew.
"Why?" Eros asks looking astonished. It is Brook who replies, startling me as she had been scanning the camp.
"We have a spirits on our side."
"What?" I can hardly blame Eros's surprise and I sigh.
"She means my sister. My dead sister." I explain quickly.
"I see things work – differently – in your world. Well no matter. Let us fetch your kits and you can have a bite to eat before your set off. Or would you like to spend the night?"
"I think we can leave." I mew as we walk through camp, "We're not far now and I really just want to get there."
Eros laughs heartily and barks, "I know the feeling! Well come on." We walk to a small break in the mountain wall and Eros sticks his head in calling, "Allai, bring those cats out!"
The kits come tumbling out followed by Allai almost immediately. They stop in front of us and start babbling about this and that.
Allai smiles fondly and barks, "It was nice to meet you all. Take care." She dips her head and then returns to the cave.
We walk with Eros again as he calls out orders to the wolves. Right before we reach the top of the rid a wolf brings up a small rabbit.
"A gift," Eros barks benignly, "For easing our worries." We thank him and start eating.
After I finish Eros asks me in a low undertone, "In this war, do you need help?"
"We might." I mew, "But it will be very dangerous. I have never fought against these creatures but I know it is a horror like no other."
"Still, you have done us a service. If you need help, send us word and we will come. If you must send a messenger, all they need to know is mine and Nike's names."
"Thank you Eros, you are too kind." I mew earnestly and he gives me a gentle smile and dips his head before running off.
Brook scans the camp before mewing softly, "It seems we judge them too harshly, that aren't that bad really, are they?"
"No they're not. Very noble creatures." I reply.
"Indeed." Feathertail mutters appearing at my side, "But let's get a move on shall we?"
"Whatever you say." I mew under my breath with an eye roll. She shoots be a dirty look but says nothing as she and Brook nudge the kits away.
I look at the camp one last time and feel a smirk creep up. Well, having the wolves on our side would definitely be an advantage – not to mention it would trip the Dark Forest up. Making a note of that in my mind, I race off after my family.
Yes I didn't much like this either but it was the best I could do. Thanks so much for sticking with me, and I hope you all can continue to. I'm sorry I won't be updating=(
"But that's how it's got to be, its coming down to nothing more than apathy, I'd rather run the other way than stay and see the smoke and who's still standing when it clears" ~The Fray, Cable Car
~Midnight