Legacy: Infinity (Book 3)

Chapter 17: Moonrise

Chapter 17: Moonrise

After her departure from the Ivy Cat, Jay had been in such a state of mind that all she could do was run and feel each step chipping away at her soul. But those splintering pieces were easily caught in the stormy anger that had settled over her and showed no intention of leaving.

When she was finally forced to stop from lack of breath she stood, panting, on her wobbly legs and looked around. As she had run, time had passed, and from the looks of it, it was nearly dawn. A faint robin-egg blue glowing from behind the eastern mountain range. The mountains themselves were starkly outlined in black against the brightening sky.

The grass was damp with the falling dew and the birds were still asleep, but they'd be up as the grayness lifted in the valley and the sky brightened. Jay looked up and saw a few trailing bats heading for their homes among the woods, their tiny silhouettes fluttering not-so-gracefully above her head.

But she was nearly at the end of the woods and that meant she was nearly at the edge of the Ivy Cats territory. She hurried forward, both eager and reluctant. She stepped out from under the woods and looked up at the gray hillside. Climbing it, she stood at its summit- a height about paramount with the lower tree branches- and looked around to see where she was.

It seemed she was a bit on the western side of the valley, but still rather close to the center. This was close to where her own den was. She looked longingly to the south-east, knowing exactly where it lay, but she resigned herself to her task.

She had more important things to do right now then go home, especially since she would be going home alone. A lump formed in her throat and she touched her belly, for so long- it felt like all her lifetime- her kits had been there. But now they were out in the world without her by their side. They were perfectly helpless all alone!

Squaring her shoulders, she braced herself to run off again but her legs refused to spring forward and she only managed to stumble a few steps before she forced herself to sit down. She was weak from hunger, thirst, and shock. She wasn't stupid enough to think she could help anyone in this state. As much as she was loathed to spend time on herself with her kits in jeopardy, she reasoned with herself that it was a necessity.

By the time the sun was cresting the mountain peaks Jay had eaten two mice, drunk her fill at a rain puddle, and eaten a dose of goatweed and thyme to help calm herself and give extra strength. She'd also groomed her fur, hoping the habitual action would help her think better. It seemed to work, her thoughts arranging themselves once more into a logical order.

The smartest thing to do would be to go see Python, for she had poisoned the cats and assuming no cat found the leaves, they'd be feeling ill around sun-high and it would last as long as it was in their system, so about till after dusk. If Python struck before then, they could defeat the Ivy Cats and Jay would be able to take her kits home that evening.

Of course she had other plans in her mind, for one couldn't count on just one thing with so much at risk. But for now, that would be how she first moved. Should everything go as planned, she'd contact Amelia and begin dealing with Ash after he had her kits back.

Heading off at a loping gate that was both sustainable and ground covering, she crossed hill after hill until she came to the base of the mountain where Python lived. She started up the rocky trail with gusto but slowed as tiredness dragged at her paws. The heat was smoldering as the sun glared in her eyes and the smell of hot rock just added to the discomfort of walking upon the burning stone.

It was nearly sun-high when she came to the tunnel that led through the mountain to where Python lived. Jay looked up at the tasteless blue sky with the single sun staring back down at her. No eagles or hawks were out right now and there wasn't a breeze to chase the warm taste of rock from her mouth.