by Arcaii » Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:40 am
Choices:
1. CreekClan
2. CreekClan
3. BrookClan
4. BrookClan
5. BrookClan
6. RillClan
7. CreekClan
8. LakeClan
Roll says... 3: BrookClan.
A good name, despite the fact that it's rivers you live along. But then again, rivers are just big brooks, aren't they?
Anyway, you and Applefoot head to the south-east border. You have to pass over one of the three streams, but since this one is rather shallow, you only have to hop onto stones to get past it. When you reach the other side, you can see that the land slowly changes into a thin forest of pines.
"That's all unclaimed territory," Applefoot says. "Since we don't have any Clans around besides ForestClan, everything to this side of our territory is for emergency hunting. Now, right along here-" she points to the pebbly beach that stops along a muddy ledge "- is where our borders are. Usually, there's no one around here, so we don't have to mark, but you can never tell what might happen."
The two of you walk along the beach. The pebbles feel funny on your feet - the queens always made sure to keep any rocks out of reach of the nursery - but it's not unpleasant. The river makes the air feel fresh and cool, and you can't help but feel invigorated.
Soon, you can see the lake in the west. The shiny reflections on the waves make you squint, but if you lower your head a little, you can avoid looking directly at it. Your ears flick at the sound of strange voices in the distance.
"Hear them?" Applefoot stops and looks at you. "Those are Twolegs. They don't come around here very much, but they tend to camp around the pine forest. If one comes along here, jump in the river and keep away from them."
"Are they mean?" you ask.
"No, but they are careless. Just keep your distance and they'll leave you alone."
The two of you walk on in silence. You wish you had an extra set of eyes so you could see everything. It's all new and amazing to you - the pines smell different than the willow tree that hangs over camp, the mud feels different, even the river seems to offer a fresh sparkle on its waves.
It's when you're glancing at the water that you notice something darting around under it. A fish - rather small, but a fish nonetheless - is poking around for food.
Where you're at, the ground is steep and ends on a ledge, so you can't get back up here, but if you can dive in and catch something, you'll really impress Applefoot. You don't know where the next beach is, so this could end badly, but it's worth a try!
Will you try and catch the fish, or ignore it?