Halona

Needs Contour

"Ranger! Rann-ger! RANGER!" I just had to show him all my new pretties! I ran down the cliff ledge toward his lair. I didn't have to walk any more! I could FLY! All by myself! I am a big girl now.

Box sat in the middle of the path but Box likes me. It purrs and brings me pretty plants that taste reallygood! I spread my wings and gave a little hop to get over Box. Then raced into Ranger's and mine's lair.

Ranger was oiling his fighting leathers, "Alright shortstuff...."

His mouth fell open. I giggled and stood up on my hind legs and flared my wings, "I got PRETTIES!" I turned around on my feet so he could see all the pretty strings, beads and feathers on my wings.

"Ohhhhh Stormcatcher."

I knew that tone and I dropped down, "You don't like them?" He had to like them!

He came forward and touched the feather on my cap, "I like them just fine, but where did you get them?"

My head came up,"I'm not in trouble?"

"No, lovey. You're not in trouble."

I bounced on my toes, "Aria said I could have a pretty and took me into the BIG cave. But she went away and I picked pretties! And I came to show you!"

He sighed, "Well they are in fact, very pretty. But maybe not so many of them?" He nudged me with a paw, "Lets take some of them back for some one else to have."

"Okay!" I bounced on my toes, "Maybe we could get some of the sparkly pretties? I couldn't reach those."

Ranger sighed, he does that a lot.

Ranger’s been hurt. That’s happened before but he’s never looked this bad. Kubal gives me the oddest look as I raid the pantry. I suppose a tundra making off with an entire basket of eels is a rather odd sight. But Ranger wanted food, and as hurt as he was he was going to need a lot.

I landed outside our lair, “Ranger! I’ve got a surprise!” I swooped into the lair. The entry is big enough for an imperial to walk through. I usually just fly, “Ranger?” I landed near his nest and set the basket down. He never stirred.

Box clacked at me. “I know,” I said and leaned forward to blow on his ears. That never fails to wake him up. It tickles and he hates it. He didn’t move.

My heart in my throat, I looked over at his chest. It still rose and fell and my heart sank back down. I sat down on my haunches to think. It was nearly moonrise, and Ranger wasn’t waking up. Not that I thought he should be going on patrol anyway. Not hurt.

But...

I could do it in his place. I’ve been training with Griffin and Omarosa. I’ve got armor and it’s just the northern ridges. All that’s there are harpies. I can fight those.

I think.

I get my armor and write a note for Ranger to find if he wakes up while I’m gone. One of Tamlin’s carved in stone rules: Always tell someone where you are going at night or if you are leaving the clan lands.

I leave the note on the one place he's sure to find it; on top of the basket of eels. I make sure my cap is on firmly and head for Harpies Roost.