“No!” Scratch shouted, “I’m not! I’m loyal!”
“You’ve been following in your father’s pawprints!” Rust shouted back. This statement stunned Scratch so much that he could only stare, wide eyed, at his chief, “See?” Rust went on, “He doesn’t even have an argument! He’s guilty, and will be executed in due time!”
“Rust, please don’t!” Blaze begged.
“You can’t change my mind, Blaze. If you won’t help me, then just go back to camp. You have the rest of the day off.”
Knowing that he couldn’t do anything here, Blaze raced down the tree and out of Acorn Place, but not without saying one last thing to Scratch, “Scratch, I promise that if there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it! I won’t let you be executed without a fair trial!” Then he was gone.
He ran as fast as he could towards Icefire’s camp. He knew what he needed to do. If anyone could help, it was Faith. He burst into the camp, looking around desperately for the prophet. She was up in the nursery tree, tending to a sick newborn. He raced up to stand beside her.
“Faith!” he said, urgently.
“Just a minute, Blaze,” she whispered, “let me finish with this young one first.”
“There’s no time! This is an emergency!”
Hearing the fear in his voice, Faith sped up the prayer she was reciting, and the baby saloli was cured. Turning away, she followed Blaze back down to the ground.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Remember the tree that killed Scarlet and Gulp?” He asked, “Scratch did it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Scratch has the power to control plants. He doesn’t know how or why, he just does. I was teaching him how to jump between trees, and the branch reached out and caught him when he was going to miss it. Rust saw it happen, and now he thinks Scratch is a traitor and wants to execute him!”
Instead of shock, or even mild surprise, Faith just turned thoughtful, “I knew it.” She muttered, “I should have acted sooner. Now it may be too late.”
“What? You knew what? You should have done what sooner?”
“Blaze, come with me. We need to go somewhere that nobody will hear us.”
Blaze followed the prophet out of the camp and into the forest. They ran for almost ten minutes, until they came to a large white tree. Blaze had been here before, when he had eavesdropped on Rust and Faith about the Sword. He had learned later, that this tree was called Bleachwood, named for its color. The two saloli quickly scaled it.
“Blaze,” Faith said, once they had reached the branch she wanted, “I should have told you this sooner, but Scratch is special.”
“I know, I. . . Wait, you already knew?”
“I did. When you told me about the tree picking up Scarlet and Gulp, I knew exactly what had happened. Scratch is in possession of some of the greatest powers on earth.”
“But Rust said that no creature had powers like that, not even the prophets.”
“Sunbeam told you the story of Melody and Phantom, didn’t she?”
“Yeah, but. . .”
“Think. What creatures in that story had powers beyond those of all other living things?”
Blaze blinked in surprise, “You don’t mean HeartTribe? But they don’t exist, Sunbeam said so.”
“It’s true, it has been so long since the story actually happened that it has faded into myth, but it is true. HeartTribe is real.”
“And you’re telling me that Scratch is one of them?”
“Exactly.”
“Then we can’t let Rust kill him! We have to tell him. He’ll understand, right?”
“No, Blaze, we can not tell him.”
“Why not?”
“Because HeartTribe wishes to be kept a secret.”
Again, Blaze was shocked by the prophet’s words, “You mean you know them?”
“Not very well, but I have met them.”
“How did you meet them?”
“That is a story for another time. The point is that we can’t let the world know of their existence yet. We will have to sneak Scratch away from the camp and bring him to them without anyone knowing.”
“You mean they’re close?”
“Oh yes, they live in this forest, in fact.”
“How has nobody discovered them?”
“They have their ways. Now, there is no more time for questions. You go back to camp and keep an eye on Scratch, I’ll go see HeartTribe.”
Without waiting for a response, Faith turned and climbed down the tree, leaving Blaze alone. He wasted no time, and climbed down after her, making his way back to the camp. When he arrived, he found that Rust had already returned, and Scratch was surrounded by five saloli, the same way he had been when he was accused of murdering Seedpicker. He made his way over, but was stopped before he could get within two feet of them.
“Stay back,” one of the guards warned, “this saloli is a dangerous traitor.”
“And I’m the one who’s been acting as his mentor. I think I can handle him. Let me by.”
“No one speaks to the traitor.” the guard insisted.
“Blaze, help me!” Scratch begged.
“Silence!” another guard shouted, kicking the young saloli with one of his back paws, knocking him to the ground. It was all Blaze could do not to rush over and give the guard some wounds in recompense, but he held back.
“Don’t worry, Scratch,” he called over, “I won’t let anything happen to you!”
“Get out of here!” the first guard said, unsheathing his claws, menacingly. Blaze obliged, turning and walked off, wondering if Faith’s plan even had a possibility of succeeding.
<><><><><>
For the rest of the day, Blaze remained in camp to watch Scratch. Rust had gone to his tree to be alone, so there was no way Blaze could speak to him, not that it would do any good if he did. Scratch did nothing, trying to keep from being hurt by the guards again. Blaze was getting restless. The sun had set, and Faith still had not returned. As night fell, the saloli around him all began to go to their trees, looking forward to a good night’s rest. Blaze, however, stayed where he was, watching the guards. Time went by, but he never felt a twinge of sleepiness, being too concerned for his trainee. Finally, at midnight, he heard a whisper come out from the bushes behind him, at the far edge of camp.
“Pssst!” someone was saying. It sounded like Faith’s voice. Rushing over, Blaze found that it was, indeed, the prophet.
“Is everything arranged?” he asked.
“Yes, they will meet us at the edge of our territory. We just need to bring Scratch there.”
“Easier said than done.” Blaze told her, “He’s being guarded.”
“Let me take care of that.”
Faith came out from her hiding place and walked into the camp. Blaze noticed she was muttering something under her breath, and her tail was pointed, discreetly, at the saloli surrounding Scratch. Suddenly, they all toppled over, leaving a very confused Scratch as the only one still standing.
“Are they dead?” Blaze asked, running to stand beside Faith. Somehow, he had a hard time believing that the prophet would kill her own tribemates.
“Of course not,” Faith responded, “They’re just asleep. They won’t wake up until we are finished.”
“Scratch!” Blaze whispered as loudly as he could, “over here!”
Hearing him, the young saloli hurried over, “What’s going on?” he asked.
“There’s no time.” Faith informed them, “We’ll explain it on the way.”
“Where are we going?”
“To take you to your new tribe.”
Scratch’s eyes widened in horror, “New tribe? I have to leave Icefire?”
“Come, we’re running out of time!” Faith ordered, turning and walking into the forest. Blaze went after her, throwing an encouraging look back at his trainee, who followed him, reluctantly.
“Scratch,” Faith said as they walked, “have you ever
heard the story of Phantom and Melody?”
“No.”
For the next ten minutes, Faith told him of the pure one, HeartTribe, and the wicked bat, “Do you understand why I’m telling you this?” She asked when she had finished.
“No, what does it have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you. Scratch, HeartTribe is real, and they are alive. They live in this very forest, actually.”
“But what does that have to do with me?”
“Scratch, this is going to be hard for you to accept at first, but you were not meant to be part of Icefire. You were born to be in HeartTribe. Your powers prove this.”
“I- I’m not an Icefire saloli?” Scratch asked, his eyes filled with fear.
“Not in your heart. Your heart is pure, like Melody’s. That is why you have those powers; they are gifts from Valde Abbas for your innocence. You would not be able to cope in Icefire, we are a warrior tribe. You were born to help others, not kill them.”
Scratch looked away, realizing what she said was true. Blaze, too, understood this. Even though he had learned to become an excellent fighter, Scratch’s heart just wasn’t cut out for it. Hurting another living creature was always the last thing he wanted to do.
“So I’m going to live with HeartTribe now?” He asked, finally.
“Yes. Trust me, you’ll be much happier there.” It was then that they came to the end of Icefire’s territory. Faith began looking around for someone, “Hello? Are you there?” She called out.
Seemingly out of nowhere, a yellow saloli appeared.
“There you are, Gentletide,” Faith greeted her.
“Have you brought the newcomer?” She asked.
“Yes, this is Scratch.” Faith stepped aside so that he could be seen, “Scratch, Gentletide is the chief of HeartTribe.”
Gentletide came forward and began staring intently at Scratch, “He has much power,” she said after a few minutes, “I can feel it from here. And I can see it in his eyes, his heart is completely pure. He will make a fine addition to HeartTribe.”
“Then it is settled,” Faith said, “Thank you, Gentletide. You have just saved this saloli’s life.”
Gentletide nodded her acknowledgment, and then turned to look at Blaze. She appeared confused.
“There is. . .” she said, “Something different about you.”
“W- what?” Blaze asked. That was exactly what the old saloli from Darkcover had said.
“You are not like the other saloli.” Gentletide explained, “But you are also not like a HeartTribe saloli. What are you?”
“I- I’m just a normal saloli,” Blaze insisted.
“No, no you’re not. However, your heart is not pure, so you would not fit into my tribe. If you ever wish to speak, though, you are welcome to come to us.”
“Um, thank you.”
Gentletide looked up at the sky, gauging the time, “It is time I was back with my tribe. Come, Scratch.”
Just as she was about to turn to leave, a new voice spoke out, “Wait just a moment.”
The saloli who had spoken stepped out of the darkness, where he had been hiding. Blaze almost gasped when he recognized the old, gray saloli from Darkcover.
“Mordred!” Faith and Gentletide exclaimed together.
“I thought I told you to never show yourself to me again!” Gentletide snarled.
Mordred chuckled, “As if I have anything to fear from you, fool. But I am not here to challenge you. I am here for the young one.” Scratch, not having expected to be noticed by this new saloli, retreated behind Gentletide. “I believe that he deserves a choice, the choice of good and evil.” He turned to face Scratch, “Tell me, boy, do you like power?”
“It. . . it was my powers that got me into this situation!” Scratch stammered.
“Yes, so how would you like to use those powers to get revenge on the ones who wronged you? I can teach you how to do that, and more.”
“Don’t listen to him, Scratch!” Faith said, “He’s insane. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m talking about.” Mordred promised, “Far more than you do. I have found the true path! It has given me freedom that you could only dream about, and more power than you could ever imagine!”
Kaboom!
A bolt of lightning struck the tree closest to all of them, killing it instantly. Looking up, Blaze saw that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
“Would you like to learn how to do that?” Mordred asked Scratch.
Gentletide was the one who spoke now, “Mordred, you are evil, and an embarrassment to HeartTribe! I banished you and forbade you to ever return. Now that you have broken your exile, I have the right to kill you.”
Suddenly, the yellow saloli’s fur began to stand up on end, as if she were surrounded by static. Blaze realized what was happening. Mordred had a lightning bolt aimed right at her.
“Silence.” He hissed, “I am not here to converse with you. Now tell me, boy, will you make the smart choice and come with me, down a path filled with power and glory, or will you go with this pathetic creature, down a dead end road?” Scratch was too afraid to answer. “Don’t worry, I won’t harm you if you don’t come with me. Not tonight, anyway.”
Scratch took a deep breath. Summoning his courage, he finally spoke, “No! I will never come with you!” He yelled, “I would rather die!”
Mordred’s face contorted with fury, “Oh, don’t worry. You will,” he promised, “Just not tonight.” Without another word, the blind saloli turned and ran into the darkness. Everyone exhaled heavily, as if they had been holding their breath.
“Good job, Scratch.” said Blaze.
“I’m afraid you’ve just made a very powerful enemy,” Gentletide informed him, “Mordred used to be in HeartTribe, but he betrayed us and was banished for it.”
“Now it seems he is working for Darkcover,” Faith put in, “Or, more specifically, Goliath.”
Gentletide tensed up when she heard that name, “Never has this forest seen a greater evil than that foul saloli.” She hissed.
“Indeed,” Faith agreed, “but time is drawing to a close. We must go. Goodbye, Scratch. You’ll be happier where you’re going. I promise.”
Scratch’s eyes filled with tears, “Blaze?” he asked, “will you please tell my sister I said goodbye?”
“Of course,” Blaze agreed, “Scratch, if you ever need anything, you come get me, okay? Just because you’re not in Icefire anymore doesn’t mean that I’m taking back that promise I made you. I will stand beside you anywhere, no matter what tribe you’re in.”
“Th- thank you,” Scratch said, obviously about to start bawling.
“Come, we need to go.” Gentletide ordered, turning to leave.
Scratch nodded, tears leaking out of his eyes. He gave Blaze one last look, “Goodbye.” He said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’ll never forget you.”
Blaze began to feel tears brimming up in his eyes as well, and he looked away, not able to watch. He heard the two saloli make their way out of Icefire’s territory, and then they were gone.
“Blaze,” Faith said, gently, “you understand that you can never tell anyone about what happened tonight, right?”
“Yes.” he replied.
“Good. Let’s get back to camp. It’s almost sunrise.”
Looking up, Blaze saw that she was right. He turned and hurried back in the direction of camp, the prophet right behind him. He wondered what he would do with all his time now. He no longer had a trainee.
Chapter Twenty Five
For the next several days, Blaze hardly did anything besides sulk around the camp. Without his trainee, he found himself with much more time on his hands than he was used to. Rust had been furious when he heard that Scratch had escaped, but never suspected Faith or Blaze. When he found his guards lying on the ground, fast asleep, he had simply deduced that the “traitor” had cast a spell over them himself. Pat
rols were sent out, but, of course, he was never found.
In the meantime, Springthorn had learned to speak a little. He could say “mommy,” “daddy,” and “Baze.” Even in his misery, it warmed Blaze’s heart to hear the little tyke trying to say his name. His fur was growing in nicely, his skin hardly visible under it anymore. He had begun to grow claws, but they were soft, not even close to being ready to let him climb. Newthorn had dubbed him old enough to be on the ground, and would often carry him down, where he would incessantly pester the other saloli, much to their amusement. Blaze was lying in the shade of the common’s tree one day, around noon, when he noticed something funny. Newthorn was basking in the sun a few feet away, while Springthorn ran circles around her. Every few seconds, Newthorn would give a violent twitch, as if being shocked by something.
Legends of the Saloli: Approaching Storm Page 27
