Chapter 10: Squirrel

Sagepaw stepped into the clearing, his tail held high, Vorago besides him. He was immediately struck by how different the Gracious Circle looked with foxes in it. Orange pelts glimmered in the half-light, wide staring eyes fixed themselves upon Sagepaw, and thick plumed tails waved gently like reeds from a riverbank. The small but steady stream of water that was pulsating through the Gracious Circle was bubbling softly, calming Sagepaw.

Glancing up at Vorago warily, Sagepaw cautiously padded forward into the oval-shaped glade, his ears twitching with a quiet nervousness. Sagepaw's eyes landed on Acerbitas, who was sitting up very straight, looking right at the black and white tom, his tail curled around his paws, his amber eyes bright and narrowed.

"Foxes of the Fire Tails," Acerbitas called, rising to his feet as Sagepaw and Vorago made their way into the center of the clearing, where the stream cut through the swath of foxes serenely, "welcome to the Gracious Circle. May we feast throughout all our days and prosper."

"Forever and always," the foxes replied in unison.

Sagepaw noticed that Acerbitas and Ictus were sitting next to one another upon a bundle of soft moss and heather, apparently gathered by one of the lesser foxes, probably a cub. Sagepaw settled down on a particularly springy patch of grass and, following Vorago's lead, tucked his paws underneath his body and looked up expectantly at Acerbitas.

He had been grateful of the Leader's opening statement signaling the start of the Gracious Circle; it had made the foxes in the clearing look at something that wasn't Sagepaw. His breathing returned to normal and his fur, which had been bristling, lay down flat on his back again. He scooted closer to Vorago's warm pelt.

"The arrival of Sagepaw, the cat from the Star Walker's prediction, has ushered in good news for the Fire Tails," Acerbitas continued, his deep tones easily heard over the rustling of the forest as its inhabitants readied themselves for sleep.

Sagepaw furtively cast his eyes around the clearing, taking notice of the different reactions Acerbitas's words were getting. Domito, who was sitting close to the stream, was nodding his head agreeably, his eyes shining with pleasure. Sagepaw observed two female foxes, sitting side-by-side, twitch their ears in approval.

But Regnum, the large male fox who'd challenged Sagepaw's right to have a place in the Fire Tails, was squinting angrily and his claws were making little score marks upon the dirt. Sagepaw realized that Ictus too, wasn't looking very happy with the report of Sagepaw's success.

"Stories travel fast within the Fire Tails," Vorago whispered, putting her mouth close to Sagepaw's ear, "they'll already know everything that happened, but Acerbitas will sum it up anyway, as a formality."

"Earlier today a hunting patrol consisting of Domito, Vorago and Sagepaw were attacked by Furtim and Dolosus, members of the White Teeth. Sagepaw has earned his place in the Fire Tails: he fought with Vorago and Domito to get rid of the enemy foxes and Domito tells me that he even went as far as to risk his own life to help Vorago," Acerbitas explained grandly, his eyes gleaming at Sagepaw.

Sagepaw felt the stares of the foxes burning into his pelt and his ears grew hot with embarrassment. Acerbitas was describing the attack like a heroic battle, meanwhile all Sagepaw had done was scratch a fox across the muzzle. He suspected that Domito had exaggerated the tale slightly, to convince his clan that Sagepaw was a valuable addition. Sure enough, Domito caught Sagepaw's eye and gave him a tiny wink.

"I now ask any fox to doubt that the Star Walkers have kept their promise to us," Acerbitas demanded, glaring at Regnum, "clearly Sagepaw is the cat from the prophecy and this proves it. Tonight I would like to formally invite Sagepaw to be a member of the Fire Tails."

A collective gasp breezed through the crowd of foxes. Sagepaw saw Ictus stiffen besides her mate; obviously Acerbitas hadn't told her what he'd planned. Vorago gave Sagepaw an impressed look. Apparently he was being granted a high honor, a fact that was evident from the foxes' reactions.

"Before the ceremony begins," Acerbitas said, hushing the other foxes, "does anyone have a problem with Sagepaw joining the Fire Tails, at least for the time being?"

Sagepaw looked around the clearing anxiously, his eyes drifting over Regnum and a smaller male fox sitting next to him. Both were muttering to each other under their breath. Suddenly, Ictus got to her paws and opened her wide jaws, getting ready to speak. Sagepaw felt a sense of foreboding. He knew the vixen didn't like him.

But before the Watcher could say a single word, a black squirrel darted out from the trees and tore across the clearing, heading right towards Sagepaw. His body reacted without him even thinking about it. Sagepaw snatched at the black squirrel's tail as it whizzed by him, hooking its ebony fur in his claws. He dragged the squirrel backwards and finished it off with a swift bite to the neck. Only after Sagepaw had placed the dead squirrel back on the ground was when he noticed the entire clearing was completely silent, every fox staring at him.

"The Star Walkers approve," Acerbitas murmured, loud enough for the stunned foxes to hear.

Sagepaw was confused. It was only a squirrel and it had practically ran straight into his claws. Did he do something wrong?

"Black squirrels are very, very rare in these woods," Acerbitas said softly, his glowing amber eyes not leaving Sagepaw's face, "they are too swift for foxes to catch. This one ran right to Sagepaw, who caught and killed it. Only a message from the Star Walkers could explain such a thing."

"That, or the squirrel was extremely stupid," the small red fox sitting next to Regnum scoffed.

Regnum let out a sharp bark of laughter. Sagepaw gazed down at the squirrel. Could it really be a sign from these foxes' ancestors? Sagepaw cocked his head quizzically. He was inclined to think that the small male fox, however nasty, was right and the squirrel had just been dim-witted.

"Acerbitas is right," said one of the vixens Sagepaw had noticed earlier, "this is not a random occurrence, like Ustulo wants you to believe. This is from the Star Walkers and so we must honor it."

Her odd blue eyes sparkled as she addressed the clearing full of foxes, all which had turned to watch her when she'd spoken. Sagepaw thought that she must be a popular member of the Fire Tails; many foxes were nodding and looking at her with admiring faces.

Ustulo glared at the pretty she-fox and spat, "Teres would say that. Everyone knows she's too soft. She'd be better off as a pet dog."

Sagepaw didn't even see Teres move, she was so fast. In a second she had Ustulo pinned to the ground, her paws pressing into his chest. Sagepaw watched with wide eyes as the small male fox struggled underneath her. But Teres was obviously a more experienced fighter and soon Ustulo reluctantly gave up; lying limply beneath her orange paws.

Acerbitas and Ictus watched the whole scene unfold with a dignified calmness that surprised Sagepaw. You'd think they wouldn't want foxes in their own clan fighting each other, he thought, but they don't seem to care. Macresco was right when he said these foxes aren't unified.

As Teres climbed off of Ustulo, her deep blue eyes shining at him dangerously, she raised her voice to the other foxes. "Does anyone else want to call me a dog?"

No fox answered her. Sagepaw was impressed with her strength. She looked frail and thin but he saw the thickness of her muscles and the power in her back legs as she trotted back over to her companion, leaving a disgruntled and shamefaced Ustulo to slink back to his seat by Regnum.

"What about the squirrel?" one fox called out.

Sagepaw realized the dead creature was still lying at his feet, its black fur getting cold in the approaching night air. Suddenly it seemed like every fox in the clearing was staring at him again, as if they were waiting for him to do something. Vorago gave him a slight nudge, and a knowing look.

All of a sudden, Sagepaw knew what to do. Taking the black squirrel's body in his mouth, he trotted over to where Ictus and Acerbitas were sitting. The glen was quiet, not even a leaf moved. Sagepaw carefully set down the prey at Ictus' feet and took a step back. Then he looked into the she-fox's scornful eyes and repeated the words he'd heard Vorago use.

"May the sun shine over you."

Acerbitas bared his teeth in a smile, Sagepaw could hear Teres' approving yip, and even Ictus herself looked surprised. Now the entire congregation of foxes turned their eyes on Ictus, waiting for her response. The she-fox looked conflicted and angry as she glared down at Sagepaw.

"Forever and always," she finally growled, spitting out every word like it was hard for her to say.

Sagepaw felt himself bloat up with happiness. He'd obviously done the right thing; he padded back to his spot next to Vorago and she gave him a short lick on the shoulder.

"I meant for you to take the squirrel to Acerbitas, but your choice was much better," she whispered, "you've shown you're capable of standing up for yourself while being loyal to the Fox's Policy. Oh you wouldn't know about the Fox's Policy. It's a set of rules we follow. The Leader makes them up. And you've impressed everyone by showing you know some."

Sagepaw figured the Fox's Policy was similar to the warrior code and he glowed with pride, glad to have accomplished something important and meaningful to the Fire Tails.

Domito flicked his tail supportively at Sagepaw and Regnum's face was one of begrudging admiration. Sagepaw guessed that him honoring the foxes' way of life was proof enough for them that he was truly the cat from the prophecy.

"Well then, that's all settled," Acerbitas said, "and now it's time for Sagepaw's induction ceremony."

Sagepaw felt strangely excited about officially joining the Fire Tails. The familiar pang for home was getting less familiar as he grew more accustomed to life with the foxes. He missed his mother and father and sisters, but he was beginning to realize that maybe life in the Fire Tails wouldn't be as horrible as he'd thought it would be.