Seasons The Fox Heart (Book one) Redfire

Chapter 17

Early morning sunrise was one of Redfires favorite things about the start of the day. After Arrow and his group returned from their trip and fed the Tribe, Redfire spent the rest of the day spending time with his mate and his friends. Deep down inside, he wished he could tell them about Shadow and Arrow, but just like Peacemakers request with Amber, he had to keep it a secret. Getting feedback from his friends on what to do could really help him. Three days from the Fox Heart. Today was a new day and perfect for traveling. Especially if Shadow was neaeby. He thought back to what Peacemaker said about Amber. How that the person who killed her was still living. It was an unsolved mystery that only he could solve.  He wasn't strong enough, though. Redfire closed his eyes and tapped his tail up against the rock he was sitting on. Maybe his powers could help him out. Slowly, he leaped off the rock and let his claws sink into the soft grass. He inhaled and then exhaled deeply. Closing his eyes, he started to think about Amber and Lightwing. He longed to know what happened and punish Amber's murderer. A soft breeze blew around him, ruffling his fur. He thought about Lightwing and his grief for losing Amber. A deep ardent love he had for the fennec fox he longed to marry. Watching her body being dragged out of their leaders earth. Fire started emerging from his paws circling around him. He could see her. Amber. Amber Amber.
"Amber!"
"Who's there?" A bright figure of yellow light appeared walking in Redfire's fire. Its distinctive features were unable to be noticed, but he could tell it was a fox.
"Why have you called me here?" The voice was unmistakably female. He padded closer to her. She sat down on her haunches and faced Redfire with an unreadable expression.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Redfire," he said. "Are you?"
"I am Amber," she said. "Peacemaker told me about you. She said that you wanted to speak to me." This was going to be difficult, making her go through the trauma she went through of losing her life and the person she loved all in one day. He wished he didn't have to do this, but Lightwing had to know the truth.
"I've summoned you to ask about... what happened on that day you died." Amber gasped and twitched her tail. She seemed deeply disturbed by this question.
"Why would you ask me this?" Her voice cracked, and she bowed her head. "I've been guiding Lightwing since the day of my death... the day of our separation."
"He talks fondly of you," Redfire assured her.
She chuckled. "Really?"
"Yeah, he misses you greatly. His gaze sharpened. "Which is why I need to know. Peacemaker told me that your murderer is still alive. I've come to find out who it was."
She tipped her head. "You want him to know the truth...about me."
His eyes blurred. "Yes. Lightwing is my friend he's been through so much." She nodded and stepped forward. A single paw stepped out of the circle of fire and onto the grass. But suddenly, she glitches. Her body swerved, and she started disappearing.
"Amber!" Her face started becoming visible, and he saw her golden fur and crimson red eyes blurry with tears.
"Please, you have to tell him."
"H-how, I don't even know know who it is."
"You will know... I promise... just do what is right." Her voice faded, and she disappeared with the receding fire. A soft sigh of relief from her voice filled his ears. Amber sounded brokenhearted and exhausted. She must miss Lightwing so much. Deep down inside, he wished the person who killed her would appear before him so he could sink his claws into their fur. But Amber told him to do what was right. And killing is never the right thing to do.
"Practicing with your fire, I see." Fear crept on Redfire. Lightwing! Had he seen him speaking to Amber? Lightwings gaze held amusement as he sat down on his haunches. He remained quiet but bent down to lick his pink stump. Redfire felt hot and scared.
"Yeah, I was practicing my powers," he shuffled his paws. "It would be good practice in case Shadow attacked."
Lightwing stopped his licking. "I guess so." Good, he doesn't suspect a thing.
"So," Lightwing swiped his tongue across his jaws, "learned anything new about your powers."
"I mean... no, but except the fact it almost feels like cheating," Redfire said amusingly. "You told me only four foxes have a power, and the others don't. We can use our powers whenever." Lightwing swisher his tail hesitantly.
"I wish we could, Redfire."
"What?"
Lightwing sighed. "You are right. We can use our power whenever... but it comes with a cost."
"A cost?"
"Yes, if we abuse our power and overuse it, the power we still hurting us." He put his stump up close to Redfire's face. Redfire could see the pink marks on his wound were growing up to his chest. "I am dying, Redfire. My power has been overused." He chuckled. "I'm much older than you think." The old fennec fox brought his gaze up to the sky. "My time is coming. I'll be joining Amber soon. Though I have lived a horrible life and want to redeem myself... it is too late for that."
"Lightwing, dont talk like that," Redfire said in a fierce undertone. "You're not going die... I will not let you. You mean a lot to me and the rest of the group."
Lightwing rolled his amber eyes. "Yeah, right, Silverbird sure doesn't."
"Silverbird is a cautious fox," Redfire said. "He's just looking out for Peony and Lavender. But, even if they won't accept you, I will. You are the greatest and only fennec fox I know."
He smiled. "Thanks, Redfire. Your words are very appreciated. I'll try my best not to worry you." Lightwing yawned and arched his back.
"Don't fall asleep yet, Lightwing," Redfire teased. "We still have traveling to do."
He nodded. "Yeah. Do you want me to wake the Tribe."
"Sure." Lightwing nodded and limped back off to the banyan tree where the Tribe was. Seeing him go made Redfire's heart hurt. Please don't die. He was so close to finding Amber's killer. Lightwing needed to know the truth. Please don't die.