The Gray Vixen

Pg.21-30

I beckoned her over. "Can you bring this to someone at Quietsong's clearing?" As a pup, I was unable to.

"Who?" The vixen questioned.

"Someone I met yesterday. He needs food."

Shiningheart snorted with suspicion. "How old is he?"

"About Featherripple's age."

"Then he could hunt for himself."

"No! The Ice Kingdom territory has no prey, and he's so lonely."

"Why don't you bring him down to camp then?" The vixen suggested.

"I don't think we need another stranger right now."

Shiningheart chuffed. "You're a smart pup."

"Tell that to Brook," I murmured.

"I'll take it to him and show him where he can hunt." She grabbed my mouse. "I'll visit him every so often, and in two moons, you could do it yourself."

I perked up thinking about my stem pup ceremony. I wanted to share my excitement with Cinderpaw. But where is she? I saw my mother and skipped over. "Mom, where's Cinderpaw?"

Completely ignoring my question, Riverfall shoved some wet moss in my paws. "Oh, Mosspaw! Give this to your father will you?" I picked up the wad and headed to the Pirates' Den. I peeked in and saw Nightdancer among Dawncall, Boulderfox, and Starrynight.

"Thanks, Mossy. Least you could do for ripping my fur out." He took the moss while his sister, Dawncall, laughed at his daughter's mistake. I turned around to leave. "Leaving so soon?"

I turned my head. "I'm going to find Cinderpaw."

In between laps of water, Nightdancer mumbled, "Good luck."

* * *

Two moons had passed, and now the kingdom gathered around the Ledge Queen Turtletail was under. A large shadow was generated by the overcast rock. Two vixens stood anxiously in it, ready for the ceremony.

"Mosspaw, step forward," Queen Turtletail ordered. I felt nervous paws bring me forward. The Stone Kingdom leader took a deep breath. "Mosspaw, from this moment until you become a full role..." I felt excitement when Queen Turtletail used the healer's term 'full role'. "You will be called Mossheart as a healer."

I felt joy following Queen Turtletail and Shiningheart's pawsteps as healers. Every fox chanted my name but settled for the next announcement.

"Starlingheart, step forward." It was nice to have the former Fire Kingdom fox celebrating our new ranks, but I was completely baffled on why Cinderpaw wasn't there. "You have trained hard as a stem pup and earned your full role. Survivor from the Outside and young hunter, what shall you be known as throughout the forest" Queen Turtletail barked the traditional words.

Starlingheart puffed out her chest. "May I ask you something, Turtletail?" The kingdom gasped. She's breaking tradition!

"What up with ole the gaspin'?" Buck interrupted the murmurs.

"Tradition," Ravenstone hissed.

"No offense, but how did dis gaspin' tradition come t'be?"

"No not the gasping!"

Queen Turtletail silenced the skulk with a flick of her ear. "Yes, Starlingheart?"

"I wish to no longer be known as Starlingheart but Starlitsea." All jaws dropped open.