The Hovering Ingress: The Hidden World

Chapter 23

Friendly Visit

One Sune Cycle Later

Xengu mumbled in her sleep, shifting a little, feeling a bit hot. The feeling of course when you're sleeping is the worst feeling in the world. So naturally, the winged feline rolled onto her back and sat up. Wiping the sweat from her fur, a hot breath escaped her with each small pant. The shade of the Stalking Tree was nice to be under, though as summer tended to end, heat would rise intensely before dramatically dropping. It was weird, but the panther just assumed it was normal since it happened almost every searing.

A small cough escaped the winged feline and she got up from the branch she was resting on. She sat in a squat for a while before jumping down, fluttering her wings to break her fall. Settling herself, Xengu walked over to the hidden hut with a stretch. Noticing the absence of young and old spies training, she looked around before entering the wooden building.

The door creaked as she opened it and peeked in, focusing her eyes to the little light in the room. Seeing the glow of the ice box inside, she walked up to it and opened it, plucking a cicle from the bottom. Quietly the panther put it in her mouth and closed the box before flinching at the sudden increase in light.

Whipping around, Xengu found herself staring at Lark, who furrowed his eyebrows. A nervous snort escaped the dark feline and she opened the ice box, taking out a cicle and tossing it to the doberman, who caught it with ease. The canine continued to stare at her with confusion before sighing and pointing to the light switch his other hand's finger was still under. The purple marked female stared before nervously shrugging sheepishly. The dog gave a hearty, silent laugh and sighed, then nodded to the outside. With a nod, the two walked out into the hot sune.

A growl escaped Xengu and she held a hand to her head, the other taking the cicle out of her mouth.

"You don't think the sune will let up, do you?" She asked Lark.

The doberman simply shook his head and sat down on the porch, putting his cicle in his mouth. All the panther could do was sigh and sit down as well, licking the cicle quietly.

"I guess everyone got dismissed because of the heat while I was out then."

The brown and black dog nodded and took a bite from the cicle.

"I kinda wish Rose was the one staying here. Her coat takes in less heat than mine," he raspily echoed.

The winged feline chuckled and shook her head a little.

"Yeah, at least she has some white on her, we don't have any of that!"

An agreeing huff escaped Lark and he continued to enjoy the cool of the cicle. With that, the panther decided to keep quiet and enjoy her own. They were only allowed to enter the hut if they needed to cool down, or in a soon case, to warm up.

Soon enough, something rustled the trees and the two spies perked up immediately. Quickly they took to action and raced up trees and tackled the source, the panther finding herself ramming into a large body and tumbling to the ground. She swiftly got up and got into a defensive position before halting herself. There stood Bu, the commander of the guards. Gulping her already forming saliva, Xengu bowed. Sweat dampened her fur as she stood there in embarrassment.

A chuckle escaped the commander and he lowered his head.

"Good afternoon, Xengu, Lark. Today has been tiring, I bet?"

Lark, on the other side of the large ophoris, simply nodded. Quietly the commander turned toward the dark feline, who silently shied away.

"Xengu, I have been asked to bring you to visit the prisoner. If you wish to fly, that is fine, but I'd really recommend not trying."