Chapter Five
The gray queen's eyes were wide, and the crystal blue had darkened to a deep turquoise as the camp-guard gazed at her Tribemates.
"At the beginning. They decreed that no Healer would love or take a-"
"Stop." The snowy-white cat planted her paws four-poster on the frost-covered moorland grass. "This is not your place, Sight on Misty Morning. Go back to your kits." Snow's ice-blue eyes narrowed as she flicked her tail and stepped towards the silent queen.
The cloud-gray cat flattened her ears and took a step backwards. "They will be outcast, shunned. They will have power unknown. The Tribe will not welcome them... You have been warned." The skinny queen turned and fled for the gorse bush that housed the nursery.
Snow That Falls From Sky dipped her head, ears flat. Forcing his way through the crowd of cats was a small black tom.
"Come on, Snow. You need to rest." the young prey hunter's voice was gentle, but there was an urgency in his meow.
"No. I have to tell them, Eclipse. I cannot keep secrets from my Tribe."
The young tom closed his eyes and let his head droop. "Your wish is our command, Healer."
Snow licked him between the ears and bounded to the far side of the clearing. Clawing her way up the trunk, the snowy queen perched on the lowest branch of the swaying Aspen tree.
"Tribe of Falling Snow, the Tribe of Endless Hunting calls for you."
"We answer your call, Tribe of Endless Hunting. Your wish is our Healer's command, and our Healer's command is law." the red of the setting sun in the sky beyond lit up the Tribe, casting shadows. Every cat was lean and muscular, their shadows like lions scattered across the snow-covered moor.
As the last echo of the Tribe's response to her call faded, Snow That Falls From Sky raised her meow to the cats who looked to her for guidance.
"You all heard what Sight said. The Tribe of Endless Hunting decreed that I keep no secrets from you when they gave me my nine lives.
"Sight on Misty Morning has long been a part of my Tribe, and as a young kit she witnessed me bloodstained and scarred after my battle with Sora Tora1. Our ancestors share with her as much as me.
"She is right. I have decided to take a mate."
A shocked yowl rang through the clearing. A black tom with orange lightning stripes across his face was forcing his way to the front.
"How could you? Our family has long been the bearer of great Healers, but now I am ashamed to call you littermate. Sweet Rain would be disappointed in you, Snow."
"Calm yourself, my son." the low rumble was unmistakable, and the smoky flame-colored tom perched beside the Healer was all too real.
"My son, go back to your kits." Flanking the Healer on the other side was a cream-colored she-cat.
"Tribe of Falling Snow, the Tribe of Endless Hunting has sent us to clarify. We have decided that to save the Tribe, Snow will take a mate." the she-cat flicked her ears at her mate, indicating that it was his turn to speak.
As he stepped forward, he flicked his tail over his daughter's ear, and her mother whispered,
"It'll be okay, you'll see." and Snow nodded.
"Cats of the Tribe, please listen to me." Although it was polite, his voice was commanding, and the cats had no choice but to listen.
"Before long, your Tribe will once again face danger greater than any cat can handle alone. The Tribe of Endless Hunting has sought the guidance of the stars, and they revealed a single path for your survival. Today, Sweet Rain and I were sent here to calm your fears. Snow That Falls From Sky will take a mate, she will have kits, and she will continue to be your Healer. This is the Tribe of Endless Hunting's wish, and thus it is your command. You have heard our words. Heed them carefully. Farewell, Tribe of Falling Snow, we will always watch over you."
The smoky ginger pelt had begun to fade, as well as the starry cream she-cat.
Placing her paws where her father's had been moments before, Snow That Falls From Sky addressed her Tribe.
"The Tribe has spoken. My mate will be Eclipse on Full Moon Night. Speak no more of this. Now go to your duties." as she finished, she leapt from the tree and landed neatly in the light snow. Turning towards the last rays of the sun, she padded into the roots of the tree, and into the Healer's den.
1Sora Tora is Japanese for "Sky Tiger"