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Red-Tooth-Strike-Claw was aware of the New.  A temporal as well as magical disturbance.

He roared, drawing his pride together.  The formally bronze lions drew close.

Tayl carried Clem into the house – and that pleased Red-Tooth-Strike-Claw.  The man had earth in his bones.

Now, to go after the New.  He was to enter with the others.

Always ten – no more, no less.

This was three.

Unless?

But no.

The One-Who-Is-Coming is a threat.

He surveyed his pride.

A cub stumbled at his heels.  Red-Tooth-Strike-Claw smiled, eyes closed, as he nuzzled the cub.

“Go to Clem.  Go to Tayl.  Protect our Witnesses.” he rumbled.

The cub bowed.  “I, Strikeson, shall do as you say my king.”

More propriety than needed.  Red-Tooth-Strike-Claw smiled again.  “Take the other cubs with you.  You lead them in my absence.  Report to Swift-Wing.”

The cub pressed his forepaws out and his ears flat.  “Sir, yes sir!”

As the cubs loped away, red-Tooth-Strike-Claw nosed three of his bravest warriors.

“Right-Flank, Bronze-Sword-Mouth, Bitter-Tooth – retrieve the New.” Red-Tooth-Strike-Claw rumbled.  “Report to me at the Canyon Roth when you have finished your mission.”

The three respectfully saluted and bound away.

Their coming would be swift and the New would enter Home, becoming Chosen.

And he?

There was a long path ahead of him.

The rest of the pride followed at his heels.

To the Canyon.

Yes, that was the best place to lay a trap.

~#~#~

Clem curled in her bed, a book clutched in both hands.  She slept soundly, mouth slightly opened, toes curling and uncurling at random moments.

Tayl smiled when he saw her.  He gently extracted the book and pulled the blanket over her.

Then he frowned.  He went to his room, closed the door, and put the key in the lock.

He hesitated.  “She may need me.” he reasoned.

“And she may not.” he whispered.

“And she can’t see this.”

“But you should tell her.”

“Not now.”

“Yes.  Before the last of the Chosen arrive.”

“No.”

He sighed, sinking to the floor, leaning against the door.  “Ah, mine bushboy, if you listen you can hear the weirds of the world.” he whispered.

He hesitated, prying several books out of the bookshelf.

He locked the door.

“Okay grandmir.  Why did they lock you up?”

~#~#~

The Warning and Message shuddered.

They could go no farther that day.

That was fine.

They considered the third red flash.

This… this might end better than they hoped.

They hoped.

They might have prayed.

They closed thousands of eyes.

Thousands of legs folded.

To a native of the land, a mountain would have sprung up in the night – mysterious and looming.

But there were pitfalls and traps – enough to discourage the inquisitive.

Enough to keep the danger inside.

Inside.

Inside two electric blue eyes opened.

A heart beat frantically in a whole chest.

Two hands waved and two feet hit the ground.

The eery blue, buoyant light faded.

I have to escape.