Tailchaser’s Song

"No sir," responded the big cat.

The mad humming of Tailchaser's nerves began to subside. He remembered now that Hangbelly had mentioned Fencewalker as a good friend to have at Court.

Looking at the chortling Prince and his two monstrous companions, Fritti wondered if he would be able to survive such a friendship.

By the time that the sun had begun to warm the grasslands around them, Pouncequick had joined Tailchaser in consciousness. Still sick, tired and frightened, the little cat did not move or speak much, but lay listening as Fritti finished telling the Prince of their journey. The Prince asked many questions, and was very interested in the chase of the night before- even more so with Pouncequick's scarlet-clawed thing in the Old Woods. He would have probed the kitten on the subject, but Fritti-worrying about his young companion's weakened state-managed to intercede. Fencewalker reluctantly agreed to postpone the interrogation until later.

Prince Fencewalker then explained that there had been disturbances of a similar kind all along the oudands of the Court of Harar. He and his massive companions, Dayhunter and Nightcatcher, twin sons of an old Court bloodline, had taken on the assignment of bringing the malefactors to bay. They had found no luck, however.

"It makes a cat wonder," said Fencewalker grouch-ily. "They're here, they're there, then they're gone. We three just can't keep up with them. I suppose it's a good thing the First-walkers are taking an interest- we could use some more paws on this."

"But you're the Prince!" said Fritti, surprised. "Can't you find all the help you need at Court?"

Fencewalker glowered. "It doesn't work out that way," he said, shaking his red-gold mane. "Nobody will take this sort of thing seriously. Everybody's got something more important to do. Nothing matters to anyone if it's not gnawing at his own tail. Even Mother and the Prince Consort more or less said: 'Go ahead and scout around if you enjoy it.' Hah! Serve them right if these cat-badgers-or whatever they are-come climbing out of the trees and chew their ears off!"

This set Tailchaser to worrying in silence for a while. What if there was no help at the Court? How would he proceed in his search for Hushpad? The memory of her waving tail and black-trimmed nose came forcefully back to him.

If no one else cares what happens to her, he thought angrily, all the more reason why I must continue the search.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of little Pouncequick being sick. His young friend's poor health was another problem. The rains were here to stay, and Pouncequick would be in bad shape if he didn't get to shelter and food soon.

"Prince Fencewalker, will you be returning to Court now?" he asked.

"I hadn't really decided yet," muttered the Prince. "I suppose we might as well try to scare up another cat or two. Why do you ask?"

"My companion is not well, as I'm sure you can see. If you would help us get to the Queen's Seat, we would be grateful." Fencewalker looked thoughtful.

"The little scuffler isn't doing none too good, sir," offered Dayhunter helpfully. "He probably needs to get warm-like."

Fencewalker passed over to Pouncequick, who was shivering miserably on the moist grass. "We'll get you to a place you'll like, little fellow," said the Prince in his bluff, friendly ma

Pouncequick was carried the last leagues across the Sunsnest Plains by Dayhunter and Nightcatcher, but Fritti was strong enough to walk. He found himself enjoying the company of Fencewalker and his hunt-mates.

The Prince was garrulous, telling hunting stories of great length and interminable detail, and frequently interrupting his narrative to check details with Dayhunter. It was particularly hard on continuity when the Prince's huge companion was taking his turn transporting Pouncequick.

"… Now I believe," the Prince would say, "I believe, and I really should be able to remember, that that was the day after we had run down a simply magnificent grouse. Or perhaps it was a cock pheasant? Do you remember, Dayhunter? Was that a cock pheasant?"

"Mmmff!" Dayhunter would reply through a mouthful of Pouncequick.

"Pardon? Grouse, did you say?"

"Mmmf-mmmff."

"Oh, a pheasant? You're sure?" And so on.

The Prince was a cheerful soul-full of rough good humor, and an affection for sudden, surprising shoves that sent companions tumbling. The companion would then be helped to rise by a guiltily solicitous Fencewalker, who would promise not to do it again without suitable warning.

The twins were so alike as to be indistinguishable in outside appearance, although they could be told apart by scent. Dayhunter was not a clever cat, but goodhearted and very chatty. His brother, Night-catcher, was very quiet.

After traveling with the three for a day, Fritti finally realized that Nightcatcher's stolidity was involuntary. He was mute, and communicated only in the soundless ways given to the Common Singing. Fencewalker explained to Fritti that Nightcatcher had sustained a throat wound while protecting the Prince from a maddened fox, and had been unable to make a sound since.

"He did it for me, Harar keep 'im," said Fencewalker. "These are my true hunt-brothers, don't you see." Nightcatcher beamed with permanently quiet pride.

The plains began to slope uphill. Fritti knew from Quiverclaw's instructions that they were reaching the outer fringes of Sunsnest. The grade was slight but constant, and at the end of a day's walk Tailchaser's back legs throbbed.

At last they reached the banks of the Purrwhisper. It was a much quieter stream than the Tailwend, gentle and gurgling. Its bed was covered with many-colored stones, and above these could be seen the flashing dart of shiny fish.

They stopped to drink, and even Pouncequick clambered down to lap up the chill, clear water. It was sweet and refreshing, and when they had finished, Pouncequick and Tailchaser lay side by side on the stream bank and shared a silent feeling of hope for the first time in a long while.

Pounce is still a very sick kitten, though, thought Fritti. He was moving closer to warm him when Fencewalker approached.

"Well, here we are at the Purrwhisper. Just a hop and a stumble to go now, little chap!" he said to Pouncequick. "See that line of shadow there?" The Prince indicated with his chin a ribbon of darkness ru

The Prince gave Fritti a friendly swat. "I'll bet a couple of outland Folk like you will be amazed. Amazed!"

The following days passed in a sort of walking dream for Tailchaser. Pouncequick was feverish now, and hung quietly in the gentle jaws of the twins. Tailchaser himself was as tired as he had ever been in his short life, but Fencewalker and his companions, close now to their home, were setting a rapid pace. It was all Fritti could do to keep up.

They were moving along the northern bank of the Purrwhisper. Fritti decided that someday he would like to come back and explore the country they were passing-someday when he wasn't exhausted and footsore. All ma