Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-31986068-20160429231407/@comment-31986068-20161209222851

hoy guys lookit

CHAPTER THREE

The next day, Tuesday, Brendan told them they were going to be staying six weeks instead of just one.

“Six weeks! Alone, fighting these animals?” Sparrow shouted, thinking of the beasts that ran off with the blue fox’s body. Maybe they were coming for Brendan because they thought he had shot it.

“It’s going to be fine,” Brendan assured her. “I’m going to go hunting.”

Rain could not contain her excitement.



After playing with the marbles Rain and Sparrow brought for entertainment, Sparrow said, “Let’s go to Mount Igikpak again!”

Rain wanted to go up again. She wanted to see the snake. Maybe it was still there. She knew it was unlikely, but even so, she seemed like it would be waiting for them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">In her haste to leave, Rain did not notice her emerald ring falling off her finger, onto the frozen ground.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sparrow ran off a short distance towards a patch of fresh, fluffy snow. She returned with a slightly dirty snowball she threw at Rain’s head, who was examining some blue stones on the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“Hey!” Rain cried, and fell into another patch of snow. She added some nearby fragments of ice and a small twig to her snowball and threw it at Sparrow’s body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">On and on they went, each adding little things to their snowballs and experimenting with size and shape, to see how different they felt when they hit.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain ran over to another patch of snow, but then Sparrow tackled her and they ran farther and farther up the mountain. At almost the same time Sparrow and Rain pounded past a few large, circular stones, and then Rain felt a sudden blast of cold air. Rain stopped and Sparrow grabbed some snow, not even bothering to form it into anything, and threw it at Rain. It hit Rain hard although it didn’t hurt very much, but it had a lot of force. She stumbled back, struggling to regain her balance, and the wind also helped blow her several yards until the circular stones were far away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain finally fell down, but her back hit some tall rocks in a circle pointing upward and she fell through a gap in the circle. Rain laid there until Sparrow’s laughter came into earshot over the cold wind. Her catlike eyes were filled with amusement, Rain could tell, when her face appeared in the gap.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.5pt; font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sparrow was nice enough to help Rain up and outside of the circle. They looked at the pointy stones, marveling at how perfect the circle they formed was.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Suddenly, Rain remembered her dream. The stone circle! The very same!

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">But how had it appeared—

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“''Oi! Watry ven krn denging ih Deltaen terniterk?”''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain and Sparrow spun around to see a pure golden cat with shining amber eyes, staring down at them fiercely. They fell back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The cat closed his eyes for a moment, reopening them a second later.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“...Quid tu agis?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain and Sparrow stared.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“Who’s talking? And how is that cat’s mouth moving...?” Sparrow whispered fiercely.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The cat closed his eyes again, shook his head, and looked back up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“What are you doing here?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sparrow jumped as she finally decided the cat was the one talking.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“Wh—How are you talking?” The cat stared at Rain and Sparrow in amazement. “You can hear speech, not mews?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“Well... Yes...”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The cat closed his eyes yet again. “I’m not dreaming, am I?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“No....”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain just then began to look at the cat and take it in. She and Sparrow were both sitting, so they were at the cat’s level. Perhaps just below, because he was standing on a slightly raised ridge near the circle of stones.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The cat opened his eyes and Rain saw a glint of mischief in them, which had been prominent throughout the encounter. She couldn’t make out the cat’s real personality quite yet. Rain had a gift for seeing into people’s souls, as Sparrow put it.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“You are... From that camp?” The cat gestured with his tail to the foggy abyss below. Rain realized he meant their tents, which could not be seen due to the snow, which was now quite heavily falling down.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“Yes,” said Sparrow shakily. She was obviously still trying to grip the concept of a talking cat.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“You must follow me,” said the cat. “I have a good feeling about you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“What! What do you mean? Are you trying to trick us?” Sparrow accused.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain jumped as the cat grinned. “I bet if you were an animal, you’d be a cat.” He turned and began to pad away up the mountain. Rain, being curious, and trusting of animals, followed.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sparrow ran after her in protest. “Wait! What if it’s a magic illusion and he’s luring us? What if it’s a trap? What if someone is trying to kidnap us? What if it’s a magical cat that will lead us to a narrow place and then turn into a cougar and—“

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“You are such a cynic,” Rain grunted, and began to pull her along.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain still had a lot of questions. She tried one, struggling to keep up. The cat was padding daintily against the howling gales now attempting to push them back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“You’re a shortfur, aren’t you? How aren’t you cold?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“My fur is short, but thick and accustomed to the winds,” the cat replied. He paused to lick himself. “And it’s still smooth and fabulous.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">His fur, indeed, looked quite soft.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain asked another. “Do you have... a name?” The cat smiled. “Of course. Every creature, human or animal, has a name in the Deltean Tribe.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">He snorted. “Not sure about those other two heathen groups...

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“My name,” said the cat grandly, “is Roe.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Sparrow burst into a fit of laughter somehow hearable in the howling wind. “Roe?” Like fish eggs?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">The cat, Roe, turned around. “No, in fact,” he said hotly. “Roe, in the language of Animalun, the same I attempted to speak to you with earlier...”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“That was the one that sounded Welsh, right?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“As you say,” said Roe. “The second one was Latin.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">“But that’s not the point. My name means in Animalun, Snow Field. I used to be white-furred as a kit, but I stepped outside as the sun came up, and my fur turned the purest golden, as corn is when the sun rises.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain shot an insulting look at Sparrow. “There’s also the Roe Deer, Sparrow.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Suddenly, the wind stopped. “Here we are...” said Roe as they came to a cave, lit by torches.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">Rain wondered what awaited them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:#222222">IS EXCITED