Startouched

Recruited

"Recruiters in our country are known for lying to people" ~Cindy Sheehan, activist

"Wh-what?" Purefia blurted out, her voice trembling. The fox's thorny claws sunk into her skin, drawing a thin trickle of blood from her shoulder. His breath smelled like rotting mice, and his eyes glared like the sun.

"Don't act dumb, deary," the raven trilled in a squeaky voice. It sat in an oak branch high above Purefia's head, leering over her with a satisfied grin.

"I-I," Purefia stumbled. Her small body shook like a leaf in a hurricane.

The fox growled, and leaned closer to her face. "I think that we should send a message to Frissia," he hissed. "What do you think, Neff?" he lifted his paw up and started laughing. "I can just imagine the look on her face when this brainwashed follower scampers into her camp, bleeding and-"

Purefia noticed the moment of weakness. The fox was off balance. She could knock him over. Time seemed to slow down as she gathered her breath and concentration. She could feel the power growing inside of her, like storm clouds forming over a field.

She closed her eyes, and with a final breath, she unleashed a freezing shock of energy. It wasn't too terribly strong, but enough to make the fox yelp with surprises and tumble off of her. He held his injured paw up and, jaw dropped, stared at Purefia with a look of absolute horror. Purefia rose to her feet and shot a fierce glare at the fox, raising her hackles and crouching in a defensive position.

With a cry of anger, the raven shot off of the branch and swooped at Purefia. It hit her head with a painful thud, and Purefia sunk to the ground yet again. Just as the raven circled around again, Purefia's eyes glowed a soft turquoise, and an icy frost started creeping up the raven's feathers. It shrieked and fell to the forest floor, immobilized by the sudden cold. The frost continued to to crawl up the raven's body, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

"Neffy!" the fox yelled, his trance broken. He scampered up to the fallen bird and curled around her shaking body.

Purefia's gut clenched. "If you don't leave me alone, your friend will freeze," she squeaked, trying to sound menacing (but failing quite miserably).

"Mercy, please," the raven whispered. The fox curled closer around her, glaring at Purefia with a rage stronger than the sun.

"You were going to kill me. Why shouldn't I kill you?" Purefia hissed. She was trembling like a leaf in a hurricane. The fox was silent. The fight in his eyes was gone, and his head hung low.

"Stop!" A rusty voice rumbled out from the forest. Purefia's heart sank. There were more of them?

The sound of powerful wings filled Purefia's ears. A huge bird landed in front of her. It had a beige head, the top of which was a dark brown. Its body was the same colour as the top of its head, and it had abnormally long legs and a pointed orange beak tipped with silver. "What's going on here?" he squawked.

"This cat killed Neffy!" cried the fox. The big bird hopped over to the raven and closely examined her. "She should be alright if we get her to some fire quickly. Mal, take to the camp".

Mal tensed up. "Tonardu, I can't leave you here alone with this monster! She tried to kill Neffy!" he growled.

"I'll be fine," Tonardu assured. Mal nodded and picked up his friend. He darted off into the underbrush.

"Now, to deal with you," Tonardu sighed. Purefia flattened her ears. "Can you explain to me what happened? In a civil manner, preferably."

"That mangy fox attacked me. I was minding my own business, hunting for food to feed my sister, when he jumped out of the forest, screaming that I was some sort of "Claw Scum"," Purefia hissed. "Uhg, you're obviously one of them, why am I cooperating with you?" Purefia's icy words surprised her.