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They reached the camp, and Calzar took a deep breath. Tigers were drawn out of their dens by the patrol’s return and gathered forward to give him and his Chara curious sniffs when they saw them.
A sleek female tiger padded toward them, a muscular male trodding beside her. “Who have you brought here?” the female asked calmly. Judging from the air of authority in her voice, Calzar thought she was the one called "Flora".
Jhorn stepped forward. “These two intruders showed up on our territory and asked to join the Streak. We don't know what to do with them until you tell us what to do. So we decided to bring them to camp for you to decide. Flora Goldenclaw, what would you like of these tigers?” he asked politely.
Flora tilted her head thoughtfully, staring at them both. Calzar tried to maintain eye contact.
Finally, after a moment of silence, Flora spoke. “Hello, intruders. I see that you want to join my Streak. Is this true? What are your names?” she asked, her eyes fixed on Calzar. He repeated what he said to the patrol, trying to tread lightly.
“I am Bone, and she's Crymini. It is true; we would like to join the Streak. I promise we will make good Claws, whatever Claw we are. Please, Flora Goldenclaw, let us join,” he pleaded, crouching submissively.
Flora hesitated again, then went on. “I guess we will give you tigers a chance. You two will be the lowest Hunting Tigers, what we call Sharpclaws,” she said, and Calzar felt relieved. “I am your new Goldenclaw, and this is your Silverclaw, Ignatius, your second in command. Your immediate commander is Kopono, the head Sharpclaw. We will give you both a chance and if you do not succeed in our trust or rules, you will be sentenced out of our territory."
She dipped her head and then turned away, the other tigers backing off as well. Calzar and Chara trod toward the shade of a tree at the edge of the camp, as Invincible had told them to. He hoped that Invincible was even there yet; part of him thought it might've been too quick to report, and he wouldn't be here yet.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbCoVbl1gm
“Hello, Crymini and Bone,” said a voice from behind the tree after a moment. Invincible slipped out from it, his silver eyes gleaming.
“Hi, — Invincible,” Chara replied slowly, her expression slightly surprised, like Calzar's.
“I see you've gotten in the Streak, then,” Invincible said quietly, making sure no one was around.
“Yes,” Calzar murmured. “We're very lucky to become Sharpclaws so early. I never thought that would happen!” added.
Invincible growled happily. “It’s all going as planned. I’m—”
“Bone! Come join the hunting patrol. If you do well, we will report to Flora that you and Crymini are right to stay here.” Kopono called from the distance, and Invincible had given a quick start, slipping back behind the tree and into the undergrowth without another word.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELWpePcsm
“Uh—sure! Let’s go, then!” He left Chara with a last glance, trodding toward the ready-to-leave patrol.
They set off, sniffing and searching the territory for any prey. Calzar scented the air, picking up the scent of a nest of bare-tails not far away. He bounded toward the scent of bare-tail and quickly found them squeaking under a bush.
He leaped at the fronds and planted his paws down on the bare-tails, and they squealed in terror as they tried to squirm free. But Calzar’s claws and teeth struck the best part, killing more than half of the bare-tails in the nest. Only two escaped, scrambling in fear for one of the roots of a tree, dashing under it. Calzar shook his head, deciding to leave them, and carried his hoard of bare-tails back to the patrol, his head held high. The Sharpclaws looked at him in awe.
“Wow!” a female tiger exclaimed. They crowded around him, sniffing at the prey. “Where did you find that many bare-tails?” another male asked, amazement brimming in his eyes.
Calzar smiled. “I just found a nest of them over there. Why do you all look so surprised?” he asked, blinking at them.
“It’s just—for a brand new member of the Streak, you’re doing shockingly well. I’m going to report to Flora that you need to stay!” Kopono exclaimed.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqhlpeKJuH
“Thank you. I should get back to hunting now,” Calzar dipped his head, turning. The tigers snarled in agreement. “Yes. Guys, help Rajah, split up, and find more prey!” Kopono roared.
They disappeared, and Calzar went on his path. He sniffed out an eland, and it brayed and squealed as he brought it down with his claws. He easily managed to pin it down and ended it with a strong bite to the neck. He brought the eland to add to the pile of bare-tails and set off again for more.
Over time he found a horn-head, tusk-nose, an antelope, and a buffalo. He hauled them back in trips to the short-but-now-big pile to soon carry back, and no one was around, but there were some long-ears and tusk-noses as well, as well as a small fluff-fur.
Calzar then waited by the pile for the patrol to return. Soon they did, and their eyes widened as they spotted the prey beside him. “There's no way,” Kopono said in shock, and Calzar smiled. “I, er, have a talent for hunting,” he said.
“A talent? You have more than that! I can’t even find the right words!” Another tiger exclaimed. “Come on, let’s get this back to camp! What an amazing success today.” They each hauled a jawful of prey through the twigs to the Streak, struggling to make it with such a heavy load. But it would be worth it.
They tugged at the prey a little while longer, then finally reached the entrance to the camp. They entered, and the tigers still in camp stared in amazement at the amount of food the patrol hauled in.
Flora bounded from her den to the patrol. “Greetings, hunting patrol. I see you have a lot of prey,” she purred. Kopono nodded respectfully. “It was all thanks to Bone, who caught the greatest amount of prey we’ve seen in moons,” he said.
Flora’s gaze turned to lock on Calzar’s, and they shone with warmth. “Well, then that means he can officially stay. And you, Bone, can now be the new lead Sharpclaw. I don’t see anyone else who would fit the role. I apologize, Kopono, but Bone is now the leader of Sharpclaws, by my word. Forgive me for my decision,” she announced, as Calzar blinked in surprise.
Kopono shot a glance at her but dipped his head after a few heartbeats. “O-of course, Flora Goldenclaw. B-Bone deserves to be head Sharpclaw.” He stalked away, his head still bowed.
“Thank you, Flora. I respect your decision, and I will still treat Kopono with my deepest respect,” Calzar said.
“Of course, you will,” Flora growled. She turned away, and Calzar settled down beside a shady tree. He rested his head on his paws and thought.
Maybe I can make things easier for Invincible. I need to make a challenge. A challenge to get my rank up even more. Hmmm . . . should I challenge Ignatius and try to win Silverclaw? Then, no one will suspect a thing from me, and Invincible will be able to strike sooner. Yes, yes. I will challenge Ignatius tonight. I will do it now, before the Littleclaws do their evening patrol, and before Streak Eating.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7Hxon7K0z
