Tailchaser’s Song

"We are sad to hear of the passing of Brushstalker from these fields, of course," said the Queen thoughtfully. "He was a brave and ca

Squeakerbane sat back and scratched impatiently. "And so we shall continue to do, O Queen. It is not Brushstalker's legacy but the ma

Queen Sunback, crouched in the split-bark hollow of the Vaka'az'me, gave a shudder of distaste. The pearly i

"How horrible!" she said.

Dewtreader stepped toward the Thane on silent pads. "What beast committed this act?" he demanded. "And what can we do about it, that you have come to us with this story?"

Fritti, seated among the few remaining onlookers, felt Pouncequick go tense like a bent sapling at his side.

So this is what had brought Quiverclaw and the others up from the South! he thought.

"None of the Folk can say, Majesties," answered Squeakerbane grimly. "It was a powerful creature, indeed, if it was only one. If it was a hunting pack it is no less disturbing. Brushstalker was savaged."

Sunback had regained her aplomb. "'Why do you come to us, though, to make us uneasy?" she asked. "Brushstalker's fate is terrible to hear of, but Ratleaf and the northern area have long been dangerous, forbidding places. Why do you bring us these upsetting stories?"

"I do not bring these portents just to upset the tranquillity of Firsthome," spoke Squeakerbane, scarred head proudly erect. "I come to alert you to peril, because I think the Court is in a hazardous state of complacency. This is not an isolated incident. I know that, and so do you. Your son has been patrolling the borders of Firsthome because of troubles closer to nest."

"Now we're getting to it!" said Fencewalker, pleased, but Dewtreader raised a slender paw and interrupted him.

"There have been marauders on our borders, but it is nothing to raise hackles over," said the Prince Consort in his musical voice. "Wild Growlers, perhaps, or a sickened Garrin-there could be many explanations; so also with the lamentable death of Brushstalker."

The battered old Thane eyed Dewtreader with quiet contempt. "The massive Garrin can be dangerous, of course," he said, "but they are winter sleepers, and these developments began during the last snows. I think that they will continue through this year's snow, when the Garrin have again gone to ground." Dewtreader met his stare, but said nothing. "Whatever is lurking in the northern territories-and begi

"What do you mean, Thane?" questioned Queen Sunback. "I am afraid we do not understand."

"Something strange has settled in the area across the Hararscrape. The forest creatures of Ratleaf are migrating outward, fleeing the area in swarms. The birds who nest there at this season are flying away across the Bigwater. Of all the Folk, you in Firsthome should know why that portends dangerous times."

"Make your point, First-walker," said Dewtreader, his voice cold.

"It should be obvious. Here, around Firsthome, is the greatest concentration of the Folk to be found anywhere: a hungry, hunting mob constantly beating the brush for fla-fa'az and Squeaker. Yet those creatures still remain-having bigger litters and hatchings than in other places, perhaps, but still living out their lives here. Rootwood is their ancestral home as much as it is ours. We Folk-and the ones on whom we prey-all dance together. That is how it should be.

"Whatever has taken up the northern flats, though, and raised a mound-a pile of tailings near as big as all of Firsthome-that is something that the creatures of Ratleaf ca

"Bravo!!" shouted Fencewalker. "Leaping Harar, but it's good to hear somebody has some sense around here!"

Queen Sunback seemed about to speak. Fritti and Pouncequick-indeed, all those assembled-leaned imperceptibly forward to hear her pronouncement. Dewtreader, however, rose and yawned.

"Well," he said calmly, "there is much in what you say, Thane, and much of it is new to us. The mound, in particular, sounds a very strange thing indeed-we shall have more discussion of it later. For the moment, however, we do not find it meet to go kitten-paddling off after rumors, and mounting uninformed expeditions into what you yourself have said is very evil territory." Squeakerbane seemed about to protest, but Dewtreader whipped his brown-tipped tail from side to side and the First-walker held his peace.

"However," continued Dewtreader pointedly, "we are not insensible to danger. The Queen's son, the gallant Prince Fencewalker, has our permission to levy what Folk he deems necessary, with an eye to safeguarding the borders of our territory. He may begin at once."

"Wonderful!" The Prince leaped excitedly to his feet. "I'm so pleased!" he burbled-a little inappropriately, Tailchaser thought-and with a leap and a bound, Fencewalker was gone into the darkness.

"Now," continued the cold-eyed Prince Consort, "we will also ask that when you have met with your fellow First-walkers, Thane, you return and do us the courtesy of sharing your conclusions with the Court of Harar. Is that possible?"

"Certainly, Your Highness!" said Squeakerbane, somewhat taken aback, "I hope we can continue to cooperate on this…"

"Of course, of course," said Dewtreader. "Those are the Queen's wishes. Am I correct, my many-whiskered Queen?" he asked, turning to Sunback. The Queen, lulled by the familiar sound of Court routine, only waved her tail distractedly in assent.

"Very well, then, I suppose that brings an end to the night's audiences. We thank you again, Thane Squeakerbane, for bringing these matters to our attention. Please extend our heartfelt sorrow to the friends and relations of Brushstalker."

Dewtreader had actually begun to leave the plateau when Rumblepurr spoke up distractedly.

"Err… hmmm… um, begging your pardon, Lord, but I believe there was one more… umm… waiting their turn… if you see what I mean." Dewtreader returned to the grassy knoll wearing a look of a

"Very well," said the Prince Consort, "where are they? Bring them forward.''

Fritti and Pouncequick, totally unprepared, were urged forward by Rumblepurr. The chubby torn leaned forward and whispered to Fritti: "Try to keep it short, youngling. Their Eminences are a trifle out of sorts."

Nervous Fritti could see this clearly. Pouncequick was almost completely overcome by shyness, and trembled silently beside Tailchaser as they stood before the Great Oak.

"What are your names and why have you come before us?" asked Prince Dewtreader impatiently.

"I am Tailchaser, and this is my companion Pouncequick. We are of the Meeting Wall Clan, from the far side of the Old Woods. We are seeking a friend of ours named Hushpad." Fritti's voice was weak.

The Queen finally seemed to notice the two small cats.

"Do you think she is here in Firsthome?" she asked, turning her gleaming eyes on them. Pouncequick, keyed up to a fever pitch, gave a whimper of despair and buried his head in Tailchaser's hip. Fritti swallowed and spoke.