The Shattered Plains (Aphrika #1)

Chapter 3

Splash followed Thye to a cave entrance.

"This is where we live and train." Thye told him. "Follow me."

Thye led Splash into the cave. Splash was amazed at the clear roof and all of the red sand that piled up and formed dunes. The cave was beautiful. Thye lead him to an opening in the wall. A tall impala stood in the center of the cave, her head was directed down and she was talking to the smallest cat Splash had ever seen.

"Ceros," Thye called.

"What is it?" The impala Ceros asked. She sounded annoyed. "Come in both of you."
"Follow me," Thye whispered. Thye walked into the room followed by Splash.

The room was not too big, and the sound of dripping water echoed off the walls. The impala had tan fur and twisted horns. The cat was only about two times the size of Ceros's hoof. She had spots like a cheetah and she would probably be easy to win a fight against.

"We have a new recruit." Thye told Ceros. "He fought Splinter and Stick."

"Impressive, what is your name?" Ceros ansked Splash.

"Splash," Splash mewed awkwardly.

"Well Splash, I'm Ceros and this is Pebble." Ceros introduced the two of them.

"Hi," Splash greeted them with a friendly nod.

"Pebble, you should go get some rest. After that long journey you took you should rest." Ceros told her. Turning to Thye and Splash she said. "I would like to speak to Splash alone. Thye go train some animals."

Pebble nodded and excited the room with Thye. Splash watched them go. When they were gone Splash looked back at Ceros.

"So, where did you used to live?" Ceros asked him.

"Uh, I lived in an Acacia tree." Splash replied.

"Acacia tree. There aren't many near here. But if you walk East you will find a whole forest swarming with Acacia." Ceros said.

"Why did you want to speak with me alone?" Splash asked. He was kind of scared Ceros would suddenly attack him. He didn't like talks without his friends with him.

"You want to be part of my side and listen to everything I command?" Ceros asked.

"Um," Splash began. "I hardly know anything about you or where I am."

"I understand but I want you to say yes, or no." Ceros explained.

Splash thought for a little while then said, "Yes, I want to be part of your side."

"Excellent. You will begin training tomorrow." Ceros told him. "I will show you where you will be sleeping."

Ceros walked over to the entrance of the room and slipped through the crack. Splash followed close behind. Ceros led him to a small cave.

"This will be your cave. Use it however you want." She said.

"Thanks." Splash mewed.

Ceros left the cave and Splash looked around. There were smooth stone walls all around him. One of the walls had a hole in it. He looked inside and he could just squeeze through. It was totally dark and he couldn't even see his whiskers.

A dim light was waiting for Splash a little while away. He crawled through and it opened up to a little cave with a stream of water running through it.

"Wow," Splash whispered to himself. This was his cave and he was going to protect it. He wasn't going to tell anyone. Splash wiggled back through the tunnel and back to the cave he had been assigned.