Scarfur the Huntress

A Story by .:Lu:.

The first Huntress, and her story to memory.

“Ay ki!”

I let the call ring through the clearing once more. The chattering cats below fell silent. I set my paws on the edge of the rock, daring the wind to blow me over. My fur was already ruffled in the breeze; any stronger and the Council around me would fall.

Who am I? I am Scarfur the Huntress, the first leader of my clan. Outsiders may call me ruthless, but in reality, I am a strong-hearted leader. I have ruled over my subjects for two generations now, and my time was near. This would be my last gathering before I left for the Trail of Stars.

I looked over to Jazmay, who would take my place when I departed. He nodded and sent up a howl that rattled every leaf in the forest. I joined, then the rest of the High Council, and then the cats below. It was an eerie noise, with all of us howling. I pulled off first, and a sudden silence fell.

“My leads, I am on my last paw. This will be the final time most of you will see me before I leave for the Trail. My successor, Jazmay, will see that I make it past Judgment, then come back to keep order. I ask for one thing tonight-to keep the howl through the human world, to let the rotational movement know that the first Huntress has died.”

I looked up at the sky and shouted, “Great Warriors before me, look down at us! Our annual gathering has occurred, and we thank you for a cycle of peace and prosperity!”

“Moy ven ti!”

The next morning, I woke, and I knew that I could not last. I called for Jazmay. When he padded forward, my eyes faded to black.

“Jazmay, death has blinded me. It is time.”

I heard breathing, and then my right paw helped me up. “Hold on to my tail, m’lady. The Trail is not far.”

I kept Jazmay’s silver tail in my jaws as he led me into a hidden cave. I knew that only the dying and their successors could enter, and the living one can only go as far as Judgment.

“We’re here.”

I could see again. The cave had widened into an enormous room and in the middle a lioness with a set of scales looking right at me. I stepped forward and felt myself grow light. Looking back, I saw my empty body lying motionless on the ground. My golden fur had gone flat, my green eyes were dim, and my strong paws were limp.

“Scarfur, you have proven yourself a thousand times over that you have prepared yourself for this moment. You will be the first cat to bypass this process of death. Jazmay, since your time has not come, I ask you to carry a message back to the living. Tell them that you are the next Scarfur the Huntress, and the one who comes after you will too, and whoever after them, until the society of the Huntress crumbles into dust. In the honor of the first Scarfur, tell them.”

The new leader bowed his head. “I will. In great honor, I will.”