Crossfire

Chapter 5 - Beginning North

Star taught Zachery how to fish, although the water was still quite cold. Thanks to him, the lake he discovered was full of fish. Star was able to catch four fish, and Zach had caught only one. He was still learning, and struggling.
"See, when we run out of prey like this, we must have a lake," Star claimed. A warm breeze began to flow through their fur, the thin melting snow glittered underneath the sun, the ground underneath damp.
"But where do we go? I've heard of a place called the Forest of Larossa, but I don't know where it is." Curiously, Star stops fishing and turns to him.
"The Forest of Larossa? I've never heard of it."
Zach began to explain to her. "The forest is protected by a spirit. It protects those living there. I think it would be a nice place to stay, but only certain creatures are allowed in."
"What do you mean by certain creatures?" Star asked.
"Well, beasts and suspicious animals." Zach started to look more worried, and Star couldn't think why. He's often seemed suspicious, and more insecure. He has a tendency of questioning things. She wished he'd open up to her, so she could help him with whatever he's been stressing over.
"We aren't beasts, or suspicious animals. We're just wolves, two wolves just trying to find out how and why the Shadrons have returned. Does that sound suspicious to you?" She nudged him, trying to comfort him a little. Zach shrugged, still seemingly worried. Star started to have doubtful thoughts because of his suspicion.
If we aren't allowed to enter the forest, where can we go?
"It does sound a little suspicious to me."
Star rolled her eyes, she couldn't think of a reason why he'd be so afraid to stay at such a wondrous place. "I'm going there," she said. "Whatever it is you're afraid of, I'll be right here."
"What? I- I'm not afraid."
"Then what is it?"
"It's nothing."
Zach slowly started back toward the den. "So we leave now, I'll retrieve your crown of flowers that you so desperately cherish," he joked. He gave her a smile, then turned back to run off to the den before they leave to find the forest. She watched the clouds move across the sky while she waited for Zach to come back, until a twig snapped from behind her.
"Hello there, purple haired wolf."
Star turned around to the unfamiliar voice, and a lynx approached her. Startled, she jumped in fear and began to growl at the lynx.
"Relax, I intend no harm. I couldn't help but listen to your conversation with that other wolf friend of yours, the one with the dark hair and gray fur. You plan to look for the Forest of Larossa?" It smiled awkwardly as Star examined his appearance. The lynx wore a red bow tie around his neck.
"Yes, we do. Who are you?"
"My name's Reynold, I explore many regions in this world, I've been to the Forest of Larossa, I could lead you there." Reynold lifted one of his front paws and pointed North. "That way is the forest. It's quite awhile from here, I can come with you, you'll need someone the forest guards can trust to get in."
"I suppose so," Star grinned, wondering if he's seen a Shadron throughout his travels. "Say, have you seen a Shadron?"
"A Shadron? No, that's an odd question. Aren't they believed to be locked away in another realm or whatever? I never really believed the legend anyway."
Starglider sighed and shifted her paws. "Well, then that's a relief. They must still be hibernating."
Reynold tilted his head curiously. "What's still hibernating? The bears? Yeah, you don't have to worry about them- hey isn't that your friend over there?" He points to a wolf running towards the two of them in the distance. Star turned around to see Zach being chased by a couple of hawks, taking turns swooping down to attack him while the flower crown hangs from his mouth.
"Yeah, that's him."
Reynold tried to keep himself from laughing, but he failed. Star started to giggle as well. Zach, closer now, and trying to shoo the hawks away, growls at the two of them.
"There were a bunch of hawks at the den, I couldn't get your flower crown at first, when I snapped at them to make them move, they started bombarding me and biting me." He placed the flower crown on top of Star's head, and she nuzzled his cheek as a way of thanks. With the hawks now departing, Zach noticed the presence of Reynold. "Who are you?"
Star introduced him to the lynx. "His name is Reynold, he's willing to show us where the forest is, and help us get in."
Zach examined Reynold and nodded to him as a greeting. "Hello."
"As you already know, Reynold, that is Zachery." She points to Zach, and smiles softly. "He's been here for me almost all my life. We plan to stay at the Forest of Larossa, and maybe we can find out more about Shadrons, out of curiosity of course." Reynold nodded, he ran some distance in front of the two wolves, directing them North.
"We should go now, by the time nightfall arrives, we'll be one third closer to the forest." Zach and Star followed him, the sun shone directly overhead, and the sky was clear with a couple of clouds in the sky. The breeze was still cold, and the snow was still beginning to melt. Star began to think to herself while walking the journey toward the forest.
It's almost warm enough. We have to find out what's going on, and as quickly as possible. Innocent lives could be at stake.