Velvet & Others

It was cold in the Nuova's territory today, even on the sunning rock where Velvet often napped the afternoon away. Autumn clouds had gathered thickly in the skies to blot out the sun from the few places where it could actually penetrate the canopy of trees and steep-sided cliffs around the basin. The howl of winds rushing through the trees, rattling the twisted pods of the locust trees and scattering their yellowed leaves, was one further harbinger of the winter that was fast approaching and that the cold was here to stay. Velvet remained on her sunning rock regardless, where she was tending to a wounded hind limb and paw. An accident a few days ago had seen her slipping on a loose rock and sliding down a steep hill outside of the basin, to land against a young locust tree. The plant's menacing thorns had pierced her skin, and the toxins in the spikes had caused her leg to stiffen to the point that she could not walk on it. The paralyzing pain in her joints and muscles were beginning to subside at last, to the point where she was ready to begin walking again to exercise the sore tissues.

Down at one of the three entrances to the Basin, Sunburst was making his way past Leope and Dune, who had been guarding that particular crevice. After giving the big cats a brief few words, the grey wolfdog bounded up the slope towards Velvet's sunny rock. "Oracle.." He panted, still trying to catch his breath.

The lioness stopped licking at her leg and raised her head to look at him.

Sunburst carried on, "Kapp and I were on our way when we heard Cavan's howl, and what might have been their leader calling just before him. He was rally the pack together, and he sounded furious."

"And where is Kapp?" The end of Velvet's tail twitched in suppressed excitement. Today might be the day they took advantage of Namir's warning.

The orange-eyed canine quickly replied, "He continued onward to monitor the situation. I only came back to let you know of Haunter's actions, in case you and Commander Bandit wanted to organize our forces."

The lioness smiled wickedly, "Thank you, Sunburst.Nuova Alba! Family, come gather with me."