Mau's guards had come for Sitka and Tablet. The two were yowling and fighting fiercely, but the guards had overcome them. Sitka was pinned by Mau. Her hazel eyes met his. They had a false pity in them, "You tried. I will not kill you. But," Her eyes glowed a pale blue, and Sitka lost control over his body, "Sitka, tell me where the rebellion is." Mau shook him viciously, but Sitka didn't answer. His eyes were mad and he clenched his teeth. Mau clamped her jaws over his throat. Sitka wrenched her off. But Mau grabbed him, biting his throat and tossing him to the ground at the same time. Sitka's world went dark.
Sitka jolted awake. Tablet was shaking him,
"You ok, Sitka? You were growling and clenching your teeth in your sleep."
"J-Just a bad dream."
"Ok. I brought you some breakfast. You went to sleep yesterday, slept the whole night, and didn't wake up until I shook you."
"I...I did?"
"Yea. I thought I was gonna lose you! Eat this rabbit. It might help you."
Sitka looked down, a rabbit at his paws. Sitka ate it gratefully. What would happen to Falitna and the rebellion if Mau actually did flatline him?
"Jerom, do you promise to protect Deir, even if you die trying?"
"I do, Velenka."
"Then by the Ancient Deir warriors, I name you a fighter of Deir. May you always be able to serve your share."
"Jerom!"
"Jerom!"
"Jerom!"
"Winter, step forward please." The clan quieted as the pretty white persian padded forward. Her blue eyes glittered. Her son, Jerom, was watching his mother's every movement.
"Winter, you have asked to train as a healer. Are you sure you want to take this path?"
"I am."
"I cannot argue with another cat's destiny. I now name you th-"
"But Momma!" Jerom cried. Velenka silenced him.
"I now name Winter the in-training healer. I will mentor you for a while, and you can learn the rest. Now that all announcements are over with, let us feast!"
Velenka leapt off the highledge. The whole clan gathered towards the fresh-kill pile, each taking prey and sitting with their friends. Velenka lay down beside the queens.
"Hey Velenka, have you noticed?" A black and white queen asked.
"No, what is it?"
"Oh my," Lilania joined them, "You have not noticed Velenka?"
"No.."
"Really Velenka?" The black and white queen, named Stargust, mewed. Lilania cut in,
"Enoll has a crush on you~"
"What?! He does not."
"I think he does. He has been giving you looks." Stargust mewed.
"And he is always asking you out to patrols."
"Well, I can't argue with the truth."
"He does like you, Velenka!"
Likor stepped lightly over the sand, his eyes fixed on something under a rock. The rock was a lean-to, and had an object under it. Burn, Burrow, and Emen were surrounding the rock as well. A snake slithered out from under the rock. It was atleast a bear-length long.
"Good grief! That snake can feed the whole clan!" Emen hissed. The cats surrounded the snake. The snake reared up, shaking it's rattle in a warning. Likor lunged from behind biting it's tail then backing up. The snake whirled around, hissing. Emen charged in, biting the snake's scruff, and retreating back. Burrow and Burn, brothers, made the killing move. Likor picked up the tail, "This thing can feed the clan!" Likor nodded, and the four dragged the monsterous snake back to camp.