A Fox's Journey Book 7: Lavender Willow's Dream; Part Two

Chapter I: Death and New Life

 "Polar Blaze, how could this be? Did StarRange tell you this? He will not die surely," Lavender Willow said to Polar Blaze in disbelief. Polar Blaze just shook her head-- it was happening. What is MountainRange coming to-- darkness clouds us all. Lavender Willow thought as shock flamed over her like a huge wildfire.

"It is okay Fiery Claw, Lavender Willow can take over the leadership now and every fox in this camp trusts her," Sparrow Flight said as she tried to persuade Fiery Claw into retirement.

"No! I must remain strong for the sake of MountainRange," Fiery Claw said anxiously as he yet again refused retirement. Suddenly they heard a horrible screech coming from in the Elders den it was Oak Tree-- he had died of heart worms.

"Fiery Claw, no more arguing; you know that you are going to have to retire soon and that is that. Now as your healer, I would advise you to listen now and retire," Polar Blaze said curtly to Fiery Claw who just turned up his snout.

"RangeMates gather around FieryCliff to hear my precious words. We must not get lost now! We give thanks to the new life StarRange gives and celebrate for the lives that they take. So today we ask StarRange to give Oak Tree swift hunting and the best running there. Oak Tree, was a very respected fox, and I think if times weren't as they are he would have died saving his Range! Now no more moping. We can cope with this as our great leader Moss Fur once said, 'we are not a Range that is easily bluffed.' We must be linked together or die in vain, so let's make sure MountainRange stands forever! NOW WHO IS WITH ME?" Lavender Willow shouted at her RangeMates.

"Lavender Willow, I think it is time for me to... I don't know, but make you leader with these words I submit to StarRange that you are now the leader of MountainRange," Fiery Claw said thoughtfully to Lavender Willow whom he knew would keep MountainRange alive, but suddenly he had a heart attack and fell from FieryCliff.

"Every fox keep back. He is going to StarRange to live peacefully there now may he have swift hunting and the best running there," Rip Tide said sadly as she looked into Fiery Claw's dead eyes. Sparrow Flight, Fiery Claw's mate let out a groan of agonized grief. Soon the dead were buried and mourned for.

"Foxes gather around LavenderCliff for the decision making of the deputy. May StarRange look upon us and see this as a wise choice. My deputy will be Gorse Flight. Much thought was put into this decision," Lavender Willow announced with great authority. Then she got off of the cliff to dismiss the gathered foxes. Suddenly there was screeching from the back of the camp-- it was Shining Pebbles and Pine Cone; they were going to give birth to pups. Two months later, Rip Tide and Polar Blaze were in the nursery helping them with the pups. Pine Cone's pups came first: six total three tods and three vixens. She named them for the tods; Dew, River, and Rabbit and for the vixens; Fiery, Tiny, and Little. Shining Pebbles then had hers which was two vixens she named Skye and Snowy.

"MountainRange today we give thanks to StarRange for the new life they have given and celebrate the ones they are making new and young again," Lavender Willow announced to MountainRange happily. MountainRange must stay strong because if we don't, darkness will cloud us all. Lavender Willow felt the terror at her own thought. "Tonight a gathering is being held. We all must be united or surely we will die," Lavender Willow said anxiously so they would know how important it was to her.

"Lavender Willow, Lavender Willow, I have just had a vision StarRange said to see with six sets of eyes. We will need to see blind and that was when I saw a fox I couldn't tell if it was a tod or vixen, but I knew it definitely couldn't see. Lavender Willow you are right; we must unite or we will never find a heart that is good and light that will break through the darkness," Polar Blaze barked fearfully to Lavender Willow who shook her head.