Wanderer 2

Part one can be found here. Archive here.

Krix leant back, winced as his spine reproached, and took a moment to properly stretch and realign. Ugh. Why was it that by the time you achieved Communing you were too old to spend hours locked in a trance? An inherent flaw of the universe. But we make do.

“I always told you to eat your greens.” Briz frowned at him over her bowl of tea.

“Tsk!” Krix rolled his eyes. “And I listened at least some of the time. But even if I’d stuffed myself with greens every time you nagged it wouldn’t change the fact I’m male and channeling my Breath for the clan.”

“Mm.” Briz waggled her ears in sheepish agreement.

Most females her age, ones not bound by duty vows, were on their third or fourth husband. She really ought to remember the difference in lifespans. Perhaps she simply saw all males as hapless young things to be treated as birthing assistants.

Krix brushed this aside and poured himself a bowl of tea. Sniffing at the fumes washed his snout with redberry, almonds, and… sprite bark? A classic spring mix. The first sip brought a smile to his lips and let him relax.

But there was still duty to dispatch. He coughed and briskly began “So. The Spirits say that our wanderer does not wish to go back through the portal. She’s too scared. But, if we keep her for the quarantine, it should be safe to let her out. She’s close enough to the forest cats.”

“She would need those moons anyway.” Briz said confidently. “I don’t know how long normal cats take, but her kits are so small! Can’t think they’ll be moving for ages yet.”

***

One moon down. Two more before my babies are ready to stake their own territories. Already they wander and pounce and fight, joyful practising for life.

I pace the boundaries of our cage and sniff between the bars. I yearn to hunt! Not only for myself, to satisfy the Pact which beats in my heart, but for my babies. To show them and teach them and prepare them.

The toys these kind people bring are good. We have much fun batting and swatting and chasing and shredding. But it is nothing compared to the excitement and satisfaction and learning which comes from having a rodent between your paws for the first time. I want my babies to have a proper upbringing!

[I’ve decided to work on this every time I’m not captured by the daily prompt. We’ll see how long it gets and where it goes.]

Part 3 here.