Quail looked over his shoulder as sun, jay, and echo played moss-ball “Hey quail!” Cried Jay, limping towards him “Do you want to join us?” He asked, with his tail waving in the air “Um…” Quail gave Jay a questioning look before shaking his head. “I-im sorry… Jay but my mother Rosescentwantsme→fetchsomepreyforher.”Hesaidswiftly,“Alright…”Jaysaid,histaildropped→the⌊“⌋Byethen!”Hemeowedbeforelimπngoff→hisliermates.Quailsighedashetroedover→aπ≤of¬h∈gRight…Hethought,There′snomoreesh-killuntilthehunt∈gpatrolcomesback…Herealized.Quails tail dropped as he had to tell his mother that she would have to wait. Shellprobably≥t-Quail’sthoughtswerecutoffbysometh∈gheavyhi∈ghimonhisside,causinghim→yelpandfallon→themoss-⌊.⌋“S-sorryquail!Ididn’tmean→hu-It’sokay.”Quailsaidquicklyashegotup,shak∈gthemossofhisfurand¬iceditwasFlower.Quailthen¬iceddust,ostandredru∩∈g→wardsthem“YoQuail!Nexttimeyoushod̲l∞kwhereyou′rego∈g!”Redhissedashis≠ckfurbrist≤d.Quailnoddedhisheadbut¬icedtˆRedstepped∈hisway“Nowwheredoyou-”“THAT′SENOUGHRED!”Dustyow≤d,ashesteppedforward∫oontofthetwo→ms.Redglaredatdustbeforeroll∈ghiseyesandtro∈g→ost’sside,“We’llbe≤av∈gnow…”Dustsaid,Frosttried→movecloser→QuailonlyforQuail→runaway→themonarchdenswiftly.Hopefl̲yRosescent will be there. Quail thought as he entered the dark tunnel only to smell his mother’s floral scent mixed with another she-cat’s scent “rosescent…I′msorryaboutthisbuttheesh-killπ≤isempty.”Hestated,feel∈ghisbreath∈gquicken“It’sf∈e…anywaysyouhaveee-timegoonandjo∈youriends.”Sheμeredassherestedherheadonherpawswithmistcur≤d≠xt→her.Quailnoddedhisheadasthedimlightofthesunˉelyfil≤dthedenwith.“Thankyou.”Heμrμredashethenquicklybo<edouttheνrseryassunlightthenfl∞dedhisview.Quails⊤ped∈ontoftheνrseryandsh∞khisfur,hethens⊤pedandfl∈chedwhenheheardavoicecryout→thetribe,“LETALLCATSTHATCANWALKTOTHEENDLESSSTARS,GATHERAROUNDTHEGREATOAKTOHEARTHEWORDSOFHISTORY!”Themoverandshaker,So̲Supernova yowled, Quail then trotted over to the now large crowd of cats. After finding a place to sit at, he ruffled his smooth fur and noticed that the deputy was Oakdapp≤∈steadofSo̲Supernova, “I have some very important news, that many may not take well!” The she-cat said, as her amber gaze looked over at every single one until it rested on Firemark,Quail’sfather.“AfterarecentborderpatrolcamebackwithSo̲Supernova had lost a life during an ambush attack from Fossorial tribe patrol. We almost lost another cat in battle…” She paused for a moment, before continuing “Ghostsong,wasluckyenough→survivetheaack.”Quailfe<hisbodyshiverashe¬icedtherewasanunknownl∞k,glier∈g∈theshe-catseye’s.AsOakdapple gave out her report of the ambush, Quail shook his head before getting up from his spot. Quail then walked away from the crowd of cats.
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsZSbaAP5X
Quail twitched his tail back and forth as he walked on the forest dirt. He had never seen this before in person but had only heard the stories of how much prey can be found, the lushful green leaves, and the crisp brown wood. I should probably go to the safety den, dad showed me. Quail thought to himself as he remembered the time he walked this same path with his Fire`mark.
————————————————————————
“Remember Quail, you may only be a kit but, just don’t tell your mother!” He softly muttered to Quail as he walked beside him very closely. He could only smell the musky mud on his paws, “So, why did you bring me here?” He asked as his ears twitched from a bird screeching nearby. Firemarkl∞keddownatQuailbefores⊤πng,“Well,youwill≠ed→knowwˆtheterri→ryl∞kslike,butalso-knowwherethebesthid∈gspotsare∈caseofanemer≥ncy.”Firemark said, with a stern-ish tone. “Oh…” Quail softly mumbled, “Okay…” something in Quail’s body told him to run away from Fire`mark but, at the same time he didn't move.
————————————————————————
It was midnight at this point, when Quail finally reached the Safety den, he curled into a ball after thinking of the memory’s. Quail slowly closed his eyes as he ignored his stomach growling, from not eating anything since the beginning of the day. Quail then fell asleep rather quickly as the warm breeze flooded the “den” making him feel more relaxed.
ns3.16.214.124da2
