Jayhaven Chronicles

The next few days were hectic. Cats of all ages bustled about throughout the Academy. Every time Rapid saw Crisp, he remembered what The Book if Jay said about her.

The Scouts and Providers both scented owl in the territory, but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Onyx obviously wasn’t prepared for this, and struggled to find a good patrol to send. Finally he decided, “One cat from each guild.” He had sent Flame, Peak, and a Provider and Scout Rapid didn’t know.

“Flame’s sick.” Raven had raised his paw.

“Well, then, Rapid.” Onyx had stuttered.

“He doesn’t seem like he knows what he’s doing.” Sedge had hissed to Rapid.

Rapid had snorted, trying to hide his anxiety at being picked. Why is it always me? “Claw would have sent out a good patrol in five seconds flat. It took him five minutes.”

So here Rapid was, standing next to two strangers in a clearing, preparing to search a large cluster of trees for a possibly imaginary owl. Oh, joy.

At least Peak was being helpful. “Remember, in an emergency when I’m not there, use Whiskerweed-it’s long, white, and thin-for scratches, and Fireleaf-it’s bright red-for poison. It makes you vomit.”

Rapid rolled his eyes. “Thanks for telling me that, Peak.” He joked.

As the scout went in to survey the area, Rapid tilted his head. “Do you find it odd that Claw and now Onyx are sending students to do their work?”

Peak nodded. “I noticed that too. Maybe it’s some sinister underlying plot.”

Rapid laughed. “Yeah, right.”

The Scout returned with only a shrug. “Real helpful, buddy.” Peak muttered.

Rapid and the Provider were sent in, while Needle gave Peak a quick pep talk. The trees closed in around him, their usually inviting treetops suddenly seeming enclosing.

The adult Provider glanced at Rapid and gave a scathing laugh. “Leave it to ol’ Onyx to send a kit.”

Suddenly, all the jokes about the topic melted in Rapid’s mind, only to be replaced by a desire to prove himself. I’ll show you I’m no kit!

Rapid stalked off to survey the area. He opened his jaws to taste the air, but the misty forest scent blocked out all other smells.

He sniffed every tree, every fallen leaf, but found nothing. But finally, he scented owl on a large oak tree. Talon marks were scored across the side, like the owl had been marking its territory. Well, it better not get too attached.

Rapid wove around the tree, observing the area around him, when suddenly,

“RAWK!” Sharp talons hooked Rapid across the head. He tumbled forward, and when he looked behind him, he saw an enormous snowy; the same one he had crippled at the battle. It had a jagged scar across it’s wing, and a scratch above its eye. “Hey furball! I have something to tell you!” It screeched.

“Talk to my claws!” Rapid winced as he tried to stand up. His head spun from where the owl had hit him. That rock-brain! It’s going to pay! Then reality fell onto him. This feathered fool can talk!

He shook his head and whipped around, leaping to shred the snowy. “Get out of here! This isn’t your forest!”

The owl nimbly dodged out of the way. “I may be crippled, but I’m not prey.” He came in with a strike to Rapid’s flank, his claws tucked back but his foot pushing Rapid away. Rapid was even more dizzy now. He tried to rear up, but the snowy pushed Rapid back again, this time using his good wing. Rapid fell back once again, and the owl loomed over him, ready to go in for a lethal strike-

Rapid used the last ounce of his strength to jump up and batter the owl into a corner, using strike after strike, lashing out and catching the owl across the shoulder. He felt a surge of satisfaction as blood welled on the wound.

The owl slunk to the ground, clutching his shoulder with his wing. “Stop! I surrender. Stop!” He screeched as Rapid wound up for another hit. Then the snowy got to his feet and took a leaf from the ground. He applied it to his wound and looked back at Rapid. “I’m sorry.” He squawked. “I just need to warn you. I wasn’t trying to kill.”

Rapid took a step back. “I don’t know what nonsense you’re planning, but Jayhaven isn’t interested.” He hissed.

Amusement sparked in the owl’s eyes. “Oh, don’t be prejudice.” He mock pouted. “I’m just a crippled old owl.”

Rapid forced his neck fur to lie flat. “What are you up to?”

The owl shook his head with a laugh. “Nothing. My name’s Kiirion. What’s yours?”

Rapid hesitated. I still don’t trust him. “You seem awfully cheerful for an owl who was just grounded for life.”

Kiirion waved his lame wing. “Not for life. Just for maybe a star-round or two. Honestly, I probably need a break.”

A star-round? Rapid guessed it was some weird owl terminology. “Well, I’m sorry. But I didn’t know owls were anything more than prey.”

The owl gave a sharp chuckle. “Typical Jayhaven. Teaching students to treat every other creature as prey. What a surprise!”

Rapid snarled, anger rising in his throat. “Don’t insult Jayhaven.” He snarled.

Kiirion rolled his glowing yellow eyes. ”Okay, Sorry. I came to try and tell you that there’s danger coming, but I guess you don’t want to hear.”

Rapid sighed, feeling more and more annoyed by the second. He hasn’t proved he’s trustworthy yet, but even if he’s lying, I guess it won’t hurt anyone.

“Fine. Tell me.” Rapid sat down. He licked his paw and drew it over his ear, trying to relax as the owl began to speak.

“We’ve been driven from our hunting grounds about a-what do you cats call it? Oh, yes-a moon-cycle ago by these rancid creatures. They call themselves dogs, but I think pellet-piles suits them better. Anyway, they drove us out, and we began to starve, secretly living off a tiny strip of Jayhaven land.”

Rapid stopped grooming himself and looked up. “Wait. You’re telling me that specially trained Scouts couldn’t find you in our own territory for a moon-cycle?”

Kiirion smirked. It was an odd gesture, considering he had no lips, just a smudged beak. “No one found me until now, right? Moving on, out of desperation, we attacked the prey stocks. Sure, we knew it was wrong, but wouldn’t you cats do the same?”

Rapid shifted his paws uncomfortably. “Yeah, probably.” No owl is going to make me doubt in Jayhaven! “But that still doesn’t give you the right to steal.”

“We didn’t get away with it. Everyone else had fled to remote territory and left me behind. Their loss.” Kiirion’s bright gaze flickered for a moment, as if he wasn’t quite as cheerful as he sounded. Rapid felt a tiny pang of sympathy.

“The dogs said they still wanted more.” The huge snowy continued. “Their horrible leader Howl said he would keep stealing and stealing until they couldn’t grow any more.”

Rapid shuddered at the thought of Jayhaven being taken over by these awful sounding beasts. “Well I’ll spread the news.” He replied. “If people don’t believe me, don’t take it personally, okay?”

Kiirion laughed once again. “I wouldn’t have told you if I was worried about my reputation. Jayhaven may be a rival, but I don’t want to see them toppled.”

Rapid nodded. “Thank you, Kiirion. If what you say is true, then Jayhaven will forever be in your debt.” He tried to hide his panic over what might be coming.

“Don’t mention it!” Kiirion called as he awkwardly flapped up a tree. He disappeared within a few seconds. Imagine what cats will say when I tell them I got my information from an owl! But Rapid shoved the thought aside. All that mattered right now was the good of Jayhaven.