Wildcat

by Rebecca Hutto

  “Well, that would’ve been nice to know. Why don’t I get told anything around here? It’s bloody ridiculous, it is,” he said with a huff.

  “You would have been told if you’d come to the meeting like you were supposed to,” Jade said.

  “So why declare war in the first place?” Hyrees asked.

  “To keep the West on their side of the valley, right?” Ember said.

  “Exactly,” Jade said. “I fear Lupine may have tricked your colony into thinking we’re the bad ones. Farlight was meant to replace him, wasn’t he? It’s entirely possible Lupine himself ordered the future commander’s death. I assure you, I had nothing to do with it.”

  The silver came back. ‘Wait, that doesn’t entirely line up. Does it? He mourned Farlight too, didn’t he? Or was it just an act? What if Jade is lying about something? I don’t know what to believe anymore, but what if she’s right? If Lupine really did do all of this to get in charge, why bother with the . . . Fear manipulation. Oh no. And they’re stuck there, too.’ She bit her tongue. ‘At least they’re safe, but what do I do now?’

  “So, Ember, you said you could answer any question, didn’t you?” Jade asked.

  The query caught her off guard. “Uhm, yeah, this thing, er, around my neck can, at least. And almost any. Not any. There’s, uh, a difference.”

  “I take it you’re both in need of a home?”

  “I mean, you could say that, yes.”

  Jade smiled. “Can you tell me if it will snow tomorrow?”

  Ember pinned back her ears as her thoughts flared with creamy indignation. “This is a highly advanced piece of human technology, which is capable of anything from telling you the exact distance between the Earth and the sun, to reciting an infinite number that can be used to calculate the area of a circle. Why does everyone want to use it to ask about the weather?”

  Jade tilted her head. “Is that a ‘yes,’ then?”

  She sighed. “Yes, ma’am. I, uh, can use it to predict the weather. It’ll be partly cloudy tomorrow; I already checked.”

  Jade chuckled. “Very well.” She stood up, striped tail twitching. “Welcome to the East.”

  Chapter 26

  Ember

  “So wait,” Ember mewed, “you’re actually letting us stay? Just like that? You’re not concerned about us being spies or anything?”

  “Ember, what are you doing? Don’t question it—you’ll get us both killed,” Hyrees said.

  “Why would I bring any of this up if we actually were spies? I just want to know what she wants from us. You saying things like ‘don’t question it’ is what really might get us killed.”

  Jade chuffed. “She’s right; I do have conditions that must be met in order for you both to stay. Both of you must work, and you, Ember, must provide me with answers to any question I ask. If you’re both willing to follow direct orders and do your own parts, you will both be welcomed into the colony as native-born Easterners.” She climbed down her rock and nodded once. “Follow me. I’ll show you around until Falcon shows up. Shard and Echo, you are dismissed.”

  “What? So we’re taking them in—our enemies—just like that? They are dangerous, Mum. I’m warning you now; you let them in and it’ll be the downfall of the colony,” Echo said.

  “Echo, please don’t say that. I know it hurts, but it’s time to move on. Come on. We should probably just do as she says,” Shard whispered.

  “I said you are dismissed,” Jade said. “Go assist today’s hunters with their kill. Oh, and get Falcon to come help me orient our guests.”

  Echo growled. Shard pushed her into motion. The two littermates slunk toward the nearest cave opening, then vanished into the shadows.

  Jade shook her head. “Ignore them. I don’t quite know what is wrong with them, but believe me; I’ve tried fixing them. It didn’t work, and it would seem I’ve grown too attached to throw them out, but that is beyond the point. So, do we have a deal, or not?”

  “Yes,” Hyrees said, tail thrashing. “Yes, we have a deal.”

  He glanced in Ember’s direction with a narrow-eyed look she knew meant something. She tried copying his brief expression, but it didn’t trigger anything except a confused indigo. ‘Why do you still expect me to know what you’re trying to say when you speak with your face? Haven’t you known me long enough to know better?’

  “Yes, I guess we can do that. Depending on the questions you want me to answer, of course. I don’t want to betray my original colony, or anything like that, even if they did exile me. Also, what would happen if we suddenly refused to do something? Not that I’m planning to disobey orders. I just want to know exactly what this deal means.”

  “If neither of you are contributing to the East, you’ll both be made to leave,” Jade replied. “I understand your concerns, Ember, but there’s no need to worry. So long as the West stays where it belongs, I have no further interest in them. Now are you coming, or not?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We accept the offer and are coming,” Hyrees said, giving her another unreadable glare.

  He nudged her side. She bit her tongue and limped closer to Jade, who led them farther into the Rift. Hyrees fell back to match her pace.

  “From now on, let me do the talking,” he whispered.

  “But what if the East turns out to be no better than the West?” she asked, matching his tone. “I want to consider all of our options. This option is more secure, but at what cost? We might be giving up our freedom all over again. I’m not sure I want that. They aren’t planning on attacking, so we don’t have to be here. Remember, we have offers from both Bracken and Jade to consider. We could also try living alone, but something tells me that might not work so well.”

  He sighed. “Let’s just stay here for a while and see how we like it, okay? I’m tired of all this walking. A good nap would be nice right about now.” His gaze locked onto something on or in the stone wall as they passed by. “Oh, hey, you’ve got this, right? Because that cleft up there looks like a lovely place to spend the rest of my life. What do you think?”

  “I think you should stop talking and listen.”

  Jade stopped at the opening of a small cavern. “The cave you saw my kittens enter is the food storage. It is where you will receive your rations. Rations are given out at the first light and the last. If you aren’t there on time, you don’t get fed. The second cave, which you see in front of you right here, is the den of healing. I recommend going in there to get that limp taken care of, Ember.”

  “Hah,” Ember said. “If only it were that easy. I have machines for legs. I don’t think your healers have much experience with reconnecting loose wires. I’ll fix myself tonight, if you’re worried.”

  “Ah. Yes, of course. Glowing, machine legs. The humans certainly are a . . . creative bunch, aren’t they? We should continue with your introduction to the Rift.”

  The way she spoke the word ‘humans’ sent a shiver up Ember’s spine.

  “Ember, daughter of Cloud?” a new voice said. A grey tabby padded toward them, his eyes narrow. “I thought you were dead, kitten, but I can see the humans were kind enough to you. Or at least the closest thing to kindness they’re capable of. Suspicious how they let you go. Usually they aren’t so compassionate.”

  Jade straightened herself up and raised her tail in greeting. “Ah, there you are, Falcon. Could you finish showing these two around? And maybe assign them sleeping quarters and jobs too, once you find out what they’re best at and which shift they’ll each be taking. Eclan and I have important business to discuss.” She walked closer to her advisor, and as they passed each other, Jade lowered her voice. “Keep them busy until I return.”

  He nodded in reply.

  The silver in Ember’s mind grew brighter. ‘I wasn’t supposed to hear that, was I? Wait a moment—whether she’s telling the truth or not, Eclan is still her messenger and spy. She said she’s not directly attacking them, but that doesn’t mean she’s not still ripping them apart.’

&n
bsp; Falcon stepped in front of them. “Alright then, let’s go have a look around. Oh, wait a moment. Are you Hyrees, son of Wren?”

  “Yes,” Hyrees whispered.

  “You have my condolences about your father. I know words can’t bring him back, but I hope they can at least bring you some comfort.”

  Hyrees looked at his paws. “Thank you, sir. But I’d rather not talk about him or anyone from back in the West.”

  “I understand, Hyrees, and will respect your wish. Now come,” Falcon said. He led them along the back of the Rift, toward the wall of tunnels. “We don’t have dens here in the East, but we do have quarters. That great expanse of tunnels over there is where each and every cat sleeps, with the exception of Jade and her kittens. I’ll show you which places are open once you both decide on jobs and shifts. What can each of you do?”

  “I was training to be a clayworker back when we were still in the West. If possible, I’d like to continue my training. My eyesight might not be great, but I can still use my claws pretty decently,” Hyrees said.

  “Here clayworkers are also tasked with finding precious stones around Gale Springs. You won’t be able to do that with those eyes of yours. Do you think you would make a good healer?”

  Hyrees’s ears drooped. “I’ve never been a healer before, but I guess I’d be willing to try.”

  His words sent Ember a tiny wave of dull, misty orange. ‘Maybe you’ll like being a healer. Wait, you just gave me a color. Maybe I am starting to get it.’

  She headbutted his neck. “Thank you, Hyrees!”

  He stumbled sideways. “Whoa! Uh, you’re welcome, I guess? I didn’t realize you wanted me to be a healer so badly.”

  She laughed, but didn’t bother explaining. They wouldn’t understand anyway, so why waste breath?

  “So, strange young molly, what about you? What do you do?” Falcon asked.

  “Well, once I get this leg fixed, I can work border patrol. I’m not much of a hunter, or anything else, really, but I know how to fight. Sort of,” she replied.

  “Sort of? What do you mean?”

  “How good of a fighter I am depends on how you define a good fighter. I’m not very strong, but I am quick. I work best with a stronger but slower partner. Then our deficiencies cancel each other out. I, uh, will be getting a partner, right?”

  Falcon cocked an ear and stopped beneath the wall of clefts. “Yes, if you become a border guard, you will get assigned a partner. Now, these are the quarters. What shift each of you chooses will determine which ones are available. What time would each of you feel more comfortable working; night or day?”

  “There’s a night shift?” Ember asked. She sniffed the nearest quarter. It appeared to continue deep into the mountain, connecting with other quarters through holes leading to the upper levels. Something about the wall’s unique, porous structure made her shiver. “As in, you actually have cats working each job at night, rather than just having night guards?”

  “Yes. This colony is never entirely asleep. There are always fresh cats available to attend to any need anyone might have. That’s the reason our rations are given out at sunrise and sunset. They’re the overlap times when everyone is awake and in the Rift. Now please answer me: night or day?”

  “Day. It’s the time I’m most used to being awake,” she said. She placed her damaged paw on the stony surface. It was cool but not as cold as she’d expected.

  “And I guess I’ll take day as well. Oh, and if we could get a deh—er, quarter somewhere close to the ground, that would be good,” Hyrees mewed.

  “That will work,” Falcon said. “We only have one lower quarter available. It’s attached to one other living space, but I’m guessing that’s not a problem for either of you. That is, if you get along with your neighbor. Unfortunately most don’t, which is why it’s open. Come see what you think.”

  He led them past a sleeping brown tabby, then stopped at the end of the tunneled mass. He placed a paw on a tiny cave beside the slumbering cat. Hyrees walked over to it and sniffed its tan-colored walls.

  Falcon nudged his side. “Go on; have a look. Oh, one more thing: quarters are typically shared between cats working days and nights. Though since this one is less than ideal, it’s clear for both. Even if one of you decides to switch shifts, you can remain here.”

  Ember turned her attention to the tabby, their new neighbor—the one no one liked for some reason. Her sleek face reminded her of Tainu. A weird mixture of silvers, oranges, and dark blues filled her head, then morphed into a familiar purple and grey swirl.

  ‘She’s about our age, isn’t she? I hope she’s nice. I could use an ally, considering I’m pretty much alone at this point, but given how she’s made this the least desirable quarter, I guess that’s probably asking for a lot. Oh well. We’ll deal with it, I guess. Unless she’s like Silentstream. Then we’re leaving.’

  “Sounds good to me, and this’ll work for you too, right Em?” Hyrees said.

  “Hmm?” she asked. “Oh, yeah. Yes, this will be good. Thanks. Anything else we need to know? Did we miss the evening rations?”

  Falcon chuffed. “Actually, they’re about to give them out as we speak, and speaking of which; up, Boreal. You’ll miss your meal if you don’t get going now.”

  The brown tabby sat up and yawned. “Yes, Father. Oh!” Her eyes widened and locked onto Hyrees, then Ember, and kept flicking between them. “Uh, hi, hello. You’re . . . new.”

  Falcon snorted. “Boreal, these are your new neighbors, Ember and Hyrees. They’ll be living with the East for a while, at Jade’s insistence. You two, this is my daughter, Boreal. Now come on, let’s get you all to the food storage. I’m hungry.”

  “Yes, let’s do that,” Boreal said. “But like he said, my name is Boreal, and we would appear to have adjacent quarters. I hope you both enjoy your stay here, in the East.”

  Boreal sighed. Ember’s ears perked up, bringing with them a soft tan.

  ‘Oh, that’s a weird color for right now. Interesting. I like her. I think. She’s not bad. A good neighbor, but how do you know that? Guess you’ll just have to wait and see, Ember.’

  Falcon led them all back to the storage cave. On the way, he pointed out things they’d already seen, like the drinking spring and Jade’s rock. When they reached the storage, several cats waited ahead of them. Ember sat down and lifted her damaged leg to see if she could find any visible anomalies.

  “So what happened to you? You’re Ember, right?” Boreal asked.

  “Yep, I’m Ember. It’s a long story. To put it as briefly as possible, I found myself on the Wolf Trail at the wrong time, and then, when I woke up, the humans had saved my life, then some of them risked their money and reputations to help bring me home. We sometimes communicate through an artificial intelligence system and something called a data signal, but I haven’t heard from them in a while. I’m worried they might not like me anymore.”

  “That is fascinating, but first and foremost I meant your limp,” Boreal replied.

  “Oh. I slipped on a patch of ice. Good times.”

  Boreal chuffed. “Sounds like it.” She turned to face Hyrees. “So what about you? What happened to you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” he replied.

  They all fell silent, so Ember went back to examining her leg. She couldn’t find anything outwardly wrong with it, but she remained seated and fidgeted with it anyway until the hunters called them over for food. After a lot of coaxing, she got Hyrees to eat his meal. When they all finished, Boreal offered to lead him back to their quarters while Ember made her way to the healer’s cave to try to find someone willing to help fix her leg.

  She sucked in a deep breath, then entered the cavern. At the far edge, a fire offered light and warmth. A clay platform sat directly over it, protecting it from any rain that might come in through the hole at the top of the towering chamber. A clump of moss was left drying on the platform, and beside the flames sat a slightly shivering Shard. Behind h
im stood a black tomcat with flecks of white in his fur and a creamy tabby molly with a twisted paw.

  “Ember?” Shard asked. “What, uh, what’re you doing here? Oh, and these are Crow and Sunshine, by the way. Night shift healers. Me, I work the day shift. I was just coming in to check on something. Wait, why are you here? Is it for that limp?”

  Ember lowered her head. “Y-yeah. I’m mostly going to have to do it myself, but I thought having some help might be, well, helpful. Just in case.”

  Sunshine padded over to her, limping on three legs with gait similar to Ember’s. She sniffed Ember’s prosthetics. “Wow. Glowing legs—I like this. Where did you get them? As you can see, I could use one.”

  She lifted her twisted paw. It was bent at such an angle that her pads faced sideways, and the leg it was attached to appeared to be shorter than all of her others. Ember tilted her head, trying to figure what kind of injury might have caused it.

  “Sunshine,” the black cat, Crow, said. “No need to disturb our colorful newcomer.”

  Sunshine flattened her ears. “Sorry. I’m creepy and gross, I know. I’ll just . . . go over here.”

  Ember tilted her head farther until everything appeared to be sideways. “At least your legs are real. But, uhm, Shard, I was wondering if you’d possibly be willing to help me out.”

  “Uh, yeah, yes, I guess so.” He stood up. “I mean, technically I’m off duty now, as far as being a healer goes, but if you really do want my help, I can try to offer it as best I can. What’d you need help with?”

  She tried her best to give him a tiny smile. “Mechanical surgery.”

  ———

  “Careful; try not to detach anything else. It is a delicate system,” ETAg Thai chimed.

  “I know, I know,” Ember said.

  She bit her tongue and forced herself to concentrate on the mass of wires and mechanical bits in front of her. Beside her, the far south fire pit crackled and snapped. Opening up the skin of her leg had been hard enough, even with her pain sensors turned off, then keeping the skin and artificial muscles separated for her to work proved itself equally challenging, even with Shard holding it in place. She’d had to turn off functions she didn’t even know existed to keep sealant fluid from getting everywhere. Now, staring down at the painstakingly isolated loose wire segment, part of her wanted to give up. The rest of her wanted this newfound puzzle to never end.