Seasons The Fox Heart (Book one) Redfire

Chapter 16

Raindrops fell speedily from the sky as Redfire sat under the banyan tree. Its roots had made a small hut that was just big enough to fit the entire Fall Tribe. Various foxes laid on the inside, sleeping, talking, and playing while awaiting their food. Arrow and his group had not returned yet. Redfire couldn't help feeling a little bit nervous. He wished he had gone with them. But his duty was to his Tribe.
"Redfire." Lavender stood behind Redfire with a tired lokk on her small face.
He chuckled. "Lavender, you're supposed to be resting. What do you think Peony would do if she caught you out here." The kit did not respond but instead slipped herself under Redfire's forepaws and yawned. Soon, soft snores sounded from her as she drifted off to sleep. He shook his head. But then he stopped and pondered. Lavender was now on her own. When they got home, who would she be staying with? Her parents were probably dead. No doubt, killed by the humans who invaded. No one in the Fall Tribe seems to recognize her. Poor kit. He bent down and licked in between her ears. She deserved better than this. A familiar scent came steaming towards him. His ears perked up, and he unsheathed his claws. It was Arrow and his hunting group. But he could only pick up the scents of seven foxes. Originally, Arrow left with ten. Did something happen to them? His heartbeat quickened as the rustle of leaves and soft pawsteps of foxes came toward him. They were not rushing but slow as if they were creeping up on him. The fur along his back bristled. Danger, maybe. He could not tell. Lavender seemed oblivious to everything as she still laid on under Redfire's paws sleeping soundly. How would he be able to protect her if they were under attack? Carefull, he rose to his feet, leaving Lavender on the ground. His red ears twitched as the sound came closer but then ceased. The steps retracted back into the woods slowly. Were they retreating? The mingled scents of Arrow and the seven other foxes were replaced with another familiar scent. But this one he knew was bad. A scrnt he had only smelled once in his life but knew so well. Shadow! Thankfully, there were no other foxes nearby. She didn't bring her Loners. The grass parted as she carefully strode into the clearing. Her fur laid flat and settled, and she held a rather unusual calm glare. Her mouth spread into a smile as she sat on her haunches and faced Redfire.
"Hello, Redfire," she said.
Redfire eyed. "Where's Arrow and his group?"
She tipped her head. "Who?" He knew she was lying.
"You know who. I smelled their scent before you showed up here. What did you do to them?"
She chuckled. "Oh, Redfire, I implore you for looking out for your Tribe, but I will repeat myself. I do not know them." She swiped her tongue around her jaws. "I came to speak to you." Fur bristled even further at the last words she spoke. He had no desires to negotiate left alone speak with this evil fox. She was a trickster and a liar.
She laughed. "I can tell you're thinking deeply about this. I know you have no desire to listen, but I ask that you will...it will benefit your Tribe." Now he was listening. Still a little hesitant, he extended his paw.
"Go on."
"Your Tribe means a lot to you," she began. "How painful it would be to lose the foxes who you have sworn to protect. You also know that I have chosen to hunt you and your Tribe down. Especially that traitor Lightwing." Her claws dug into the ground. "I want you all to suffer." Redfire unsheathed his claws. No harm was going to come to his Tribe.
Shadow rolled her eyes. "Peace, Redfire, you haven't heard my proposition."
"Proposition?"
A twisted smile escaped from her. "Yes. I would like to negotiate a term. If you hand over Lightwing to me before entering the Fox Heart, I will spare you and your Tribe. If not, and you try to flee, we will destroy you. And your Tribe will see how weak a leader you are." A war was bit something Redfire and his Tribe could handle. But Lightwing was his friend. He would rather die than return to Shadow.
"Now I know this is too much to take in at one time," she continued. "So I will give you one three days time..." She licked her right forepaw. "That's is how long it'll take you to get to the Fox Heart." Her voice hinted at some lying, but Redfire was too stricken by her words to care. Three days away from the Fox Heart. How did she know this?
"Who gave you this information?" He demanded.
"Hah," she scoffed. "As if you I'd tell you. But it doesn't matter, does it?" She scrambled to her feet. "I must return to my Tribe. Heed my warning, Redfire, I'll we not spare a single one. Not even your precious mate and that kit." Shadow flicked her tail at Lavender and smiled. "Death will come to all of you." The evil vixen turned tail on Redfire and silently padded back onto the grass. Death of his entire Tribe. Never, he could not let that happen. Still, he couldn't bring himself to hand over Lightwing. Especially against his own will. Lightwing a wroth when he found out Shadow was using him to kill her enemies. How was he to solve this problem? A loud rustle sounded from the same place Shadow emerged and retreated through. But it was bigger. Had she gone back on her word? Considering who she was, he wasn't surprised. But instead of expecting swarm of howling, spitting, and bloodthirsty foxes, a single familiar fox pushed his way through with prey in his jaws. Arrow! His gaze met Redfire's, and he dropped his prey. Nervously, he shuffled his paws.
"Hello...Redfire," he stammered.
"Where have you been?" Redfire questioned. "The Tribe is hungry. And why did I only sense seven foxes with you instead of ten?"
Arrow brought his head back up. "Uh...um...well." Redfire twitched his ears impatiently. He was lying about something. Did he kill them in cold blood? Before Redfire could retort any further, a marble dog fox padded forward. He nodded at Arrow and then turned his gaze to Redfire.
"Redfire, there were some wolves that attacked us while we were hunting, and three members of our hunting group met an unfortunate end." He bowed his head. "Sorry to keep you worried." Though the apologetic words of the marble fox sounded real, he knew he was lying. But he could not prove it yet.  He was going to leave them be, but he wanted to ask one more question.
"Did you encounter Shadow?" he asked in an undertone.
Arrow seemed bewildered. "Shadow, who is that?" A scoff tried to escape his mouth, but he forced it back down.
"Nevermind," Redfire continued. "Please, gather all the prey and feed the Tribe." Arrow and his group bowed their heads before repeating back into the grass to retrieve the rest of the prey. Redfire couldn't help feeling worried. He knew Arrow had ties to Shadow and had plans to harm the Tribe. But he could not throw out accusations without proof. He was running out of time. Death was at his very doorstep.