Tailchaser’s Song

CHAPTER 9

Wind is in the cane. Come along. Cane leaves swaying, rusty with talk Scratching choruses above the guinea's squawk Wind is in the cane. Come along.

–Jean Toomer

Sunrise brought a temporary end to the rains. After a morning meal, the party made its way to the edge of the forest and paused for a while to sift the breeze. The downs stretched out into the distance, shrouded in mist. Tailchaser wondered how far away home was.

As Quiverclaw and Hangbelly argued over routes, Pouncequick hopped and danced on the dewy grass. The catling's pleasure at being out from under the brooding weight of the forest was understandable; Fritti wished that his heart, too, could be so light.

If this forest is the worst place we pass, we'll be exceptionally lucky, he thought. It's nice to be out in the open, but there seem precious few hiding places on the downs. That's one thing that does speak well for dense woods.

The Thane of the First-walkers approached him, the rest of his party gathered behind in a semicircle.

"I take it you still mean to head for the Court," Quiverclaw rasped. Again it seemed that disdain was in his voice, but Fritti's mind was too full to give it much thought.

"Yes, Thane, I think it best."

"Well," said Quiverclaw, "we must turn east here, along the rim of the Old Woods. I think that some directions would help you, would they not?"

"Certainly," said Fritti. "We've come this far on some very slight information given to us by Stretch-slow, but he said we would need help once we were through the forest"

The black cat leaned forward with an inquiring look. "Did you say Stretchslow?"

"Yes. He is a friend of ours from Meeting Wall. He gave me my hunt-singing!" Fritti added proudly. The Thane wrinkled his nose and smiled.

"Is he a big, tawny fellow?" Quiverclaw asked. "Always acting as though he'd just wakened up?" Fritti nodded.

"Stretchslow!" came the eruptive bellow from Hangbelly. The stripy old torn wiggled his head in delight. "Old Stretchslow! Why didn't you tell us, you sly little lizard?"

Fritti was amused."I didn't expect you'd know him."

"Know him?" Hangbelly gurgled. "Every sniff, every scent! We hunted together in the Southern Rootwood for seasons and seasons and seasons. An excellent cat! Ha! What a whiskerbender!"

Quiverclaw gave an affectionate look to his old friend, who was bobbing like a nestling. "Hangbelly speaks the truth," said the Thane. "You'll earn no enmity from us with Stretchslow's name as a hunt-mark. Well, if you have the sponsorship of such a cat, I feel better on many accounts. Stretchslow would not make a hunt-brother of someone for a game."

Fritti was again a little bemused. Everyone seemed to find more importance in him than he did himself! "Well, as I said, Stretchslow didn't sing a very clear song for us about where to go beyond the forest," he offered.

"Ah," grated Quiverclaw with mock sorrow. "To be reminded of my duty by a mere nestling. I think our old comrade sent you from afar to chasten me. I did say I would give you directions, did I not? Very well. Listen closely, for I will give you more than just the path to the Queen's Court."

The Thane turned and faced out across the rolling landscape. "Now then: before you stretch the Gentlerun Downs. Follow your nose as it now points- keep the sunset on your left near flank and you won't go wrong. When you cross the Tailwend River you'll be onto the plains, and about halfway to journey's end.

"Keep your nose pointed U'ea-ward, and eventually you'll find the plains rising a bit. When you reach the Purrwhisper, cross to the far bank and follow upstream into the outskirts of Rootwood. You'll know when you've reached it. Can you remember all that?"

Fritti said that he could.

"I'll help him, sir," said Pouncequick. Everyone agreed that he assuredly would, and the First-walkers gathered around to bid farewell. Even Bobweave came forward and touched noses with Fritti and Pouncequick.

As his companion had a farewell wrestle with Scuffledig, Tailchaser found Eyeshimmer beside him.

"I would like to do a seeing for you," said the white cat. "I feel possibilities blowing. Do not be afraid."

Fritti was not sure that he wanted whatever it was that Eyeshimmer was offering, but it was too late to object. The Farsenser had already sniffed his nose, and was scenting down the length of his spine to his tail-tip. Then the white cat sat back on his haunches and closed his eyes.

When he opened them Tailchaser was startled to see that their milky, azure color had changed to a deep blue-black. Eyeshimmer's mouth gaped, and a breathy voice whispered out.

"… The great ones cry out in the night… there is movement in the earth… the heart's desire is found… in an unexpected place…"

The Far-senser shook his head, as if bothered by a loud noise; then the whispering voice continued: "… everyone flees from the bear, but… sometimes the bear himself… has bad dreams…" There was a brief pause, then: "… when caught in dark places, choose your friends well… or choose your enemies…"

After another moment's silence, Eyeshimmer closed his eyes again, and when he lifted his lids his gaze was once more the cerulean shade of a summer sky.

He bobbed his head once to the shaken Tailchaser. "May you find luck, dancing, young hunter," he said, and turned away. Fritti sat puzzling over the weird song that Eyeshimmer had sung for him as Quiverclaw approached, Hangbelly stumping along at his side,

"Before we bid you good-journey, friend Tailchaser, I will offer you a word or so of advice," said the Thane. "The Court may not be all that you expect. I hope you understand.

"We First-walkers believe it is u

"You mean that there are Big Ones living near?" asked Fritti, surprised.

"No, of course not, only that the taint of our once-servants has spread even to the Seat of Harar. But I suppose it is not fair to prejudice you. We First-walkers are a solitary lot, and many at the Queen's Seat find us extreme. You will have to be a hunter, and make your own course." The black chieftain looked down at the dirt.

Hangbelly spoke up. "The young Prince Fence-walker is not a bad sort, though. If you have need of a friend, he's a good 'un to have. A bit boisterous, but an honest enough cat."

Quiverclaw looked up and gri

The three walked over to join the others. Pounce-quick squirmed out from beneath Scuffledig and trotted over to Fritti's side. Quiverclaw waved his paw in benediction.

"Tailchaser and Pouncequick, brave young hunters and friends of our old comrade Stretchslow, we wish you good journeying. Know that you are among the very few outsiders ever permitted to walk with the First-walkers." Fritti and Pouncequick lowered their heads.

"I will tell you a prayer we speak. If you are in danger, and speak it, any of the First-walkers who may hear will aid you. If there are none about, well, it is no bad idea to call on the name of our Lord the Adventurer-whatever the situation. These are the words:

Tangaloor, fire-bright

Flame-foot, farthest walker

Your hunter speaks

In need he walks

In need, but never in fear.

"Can you remember that? Good!" There was a moment's uncomfortable pause. "Good dancing to you both," Quiverclaw added.

Fritti bowed his head. "Farewell, Thane, and First-walkers. Your kindness is all the more valuable, being unlooked-for. May you also have good journeying and good dancing."