Legends of the Saloli: Approaching Storm (19 page)

Blaze heard Jasper, who was standing beside him, gasp softly. A hopeful light appeared in his eyes. Blaze wondered what had happened between his friend and Chestnut since the hunter’s attack a week ago. After Jasper had saved her, Chestnut had been spending a lot of time with him. There was something going on between them, but Blaze couldn’t tell what. Rust spoke to Chestnut, then motioned for her to go. As soon as she had left, he and another saloli that must have been her trainer went after her. Jasper quickly went over to Blaze, obviously wanting to talk.

“
What is it?” Blaze asked.

“
It’s Chestnut,” Jasper answered, nervously, “I- I- nevermind.”

Too late, he had caught Blaze’s interest. “No, what? Tell me.”

“
Well, now that I’m a full tribe member, I, um, I have the right to choose a mate.”

“
So?” this wasn’t news to Blaze.

“
Well, now that Chestnut is about to be promoted too, I, um. . . She’s really nice to me now, and I really like her, so I, um. . .”

“
What?” Blaze asked, thinking he already knew the answer.

“
I want to ask her. . . to be my mate.”

Blaze felt his heart sink into his stomach. He had tried to avoid thinking about it, but he thought he was becoming closer to Chestnut as well. He had never thought to ask her to be his mate, he wasn’t even sure if it was right for him to, but the thought that the chance was being taken away made him sick. But Jasper was his best friend! What right did Blaze have to take away what might be a long, happy relationship from him?

“
That’s great!” he said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

“
I know! You should choose a mate, too. Why don’t you ask Sunbeam?”

“
What?” Blaze asked, shocked and embarrassed that Jasper was able to see how much he liked Sunbeam.

“
Come on,” Jasper said, smiling at his friend’s discomfort, “it’s not as if you’re exactly keeping it a secret. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you. You two would be a perfect match for each other. Why don’t you ask her?”

“
It. . . just wouldn’t work out.” Blaze responded, looking away in guilt.

“
Why not?”

“
It just wouldn’t!” Blaze shouted. In truth, he would have loved to have the chance to get closer to Sunbeam, but how would she feel when he had to go back to his human life? Or if he died? No matter how happy it would make him, there was no way he could do that to her.

“
All right, I guess. It’s your life,” Jasper said, giving up.

Eager to get the conversation on another topic, Blaze asked him when he was going to break the ice with Chestnut. For the next hour, the two of them talked about Jasper’s plans and how he was going to go about doing them. Suddenly, Icefire cheered as Chestnut quickly made her way back into camp. Jasper’s eyes immediately lit up and he walked over to the growing circle of saloli as fast as he could without looking desperate. Rust leapt onto the Speaking Stone.

“
Attention Icefire! The trainee Chestnut has successfully completed her patrol. Her trainer, Hazel, and I have judged her ready. Chestnut, welcome to Icefire!”

As Icefire cheered again, Blaze glanced around and saw Thunder standing at the opposite side of the circle. Even with his defeat fresh in his mind, and his scars just now starting to heal, Thunder was obviously ecstatic over his sister’s triumph. When the noise lowered, Chestnut stood up and whispered something into Rust’s ear. His eyes opened in surprise. “Icefire!” he shouted again, “Our new tribe member Chestnut has something to say!” Chestnut turned towards her tribe and spoke.

“
My tribe, I am honored beyond words by this promotion, and I thank everyone who has helped me to achieve it. But now that I am a full member of Icefire, there is something I want to do. There is a saloli among you that I have wronged. His name is Jasper.” Jasper gasped and looked at her even more intently, “All his life I made fun of him, teased him, and looked down on him. But despite all that, he still saved me during the human’s attack. I feel terrible for the way I used to treat him, and wish to make it up to him. I also see him in a new light. Instead of the weak, tiny runt I used to see, I now see a brave saloli who will not let his size stop him from being the best he can be.” Icefire, warmed by her speech, cheered for Jasper. “But there is one more thing.” Chestnut continued, “After the attack I have grown closer to him, and learned who he really is. He is not only brave, but loyal and proud. Any saloli here would be lucky to be him, or be his friend.” She glanced quickly at Blaze. “But I have realized that I don’t want to be his friend. I want to be something more. I know this isn’t the way it normally happens, here in front of the whole tribe, but I don’t care. So I ask you, Jasper,” She looked directly at Blaze’s friend now, “will you be my mate?”

Jasper gasped with shock for the third time that day. His mouth fell open. Quickly regaining his wits, he ran out into the circle and stood right in front of her.

“
Yes!” he exclaimed, “Yes, yes I will!” Jasper and Chestnut leaned in closer to each other and pressed the sides of their faces together, a saloli sign of strong affection.

“
Well. . .” Said Rust, who was obviously not expecting this any more than the rest of Icefire, “It seems we have one more thing worth celebrating, a marriage!”

<><><><><>

The sun shined brightly down upon Icefire’s camp, making the day pleasantly warm for the day’s wondrous event. Three days had passed since Chestnut’s offer to be Jasper’s mate. It was Icefire custom that the groom not see his soon-to-be mate for that long before the ceremony. The wedding was only a few minutes away now, and Jasper was nervously grooming his fur. Blaze had been chosen to be his second, which was basically the saloli term for best man. Sunbeam was Chestnut’s second.

“
Do I look okay?” Jasper asked, desperately.

“
You look fine,” Blaze chuckled. He had managed to throw away his envy and be happy for his friend.

“
I want to look my best for Chestnut.” The runt despaired, not able to be comforted.

“
She won’t care how you look.” Blaze assured him, Besides, I’ve never seen you look better.”

“
She’ll be beautiful!” Jasper continued as if he hadn’t heard his friend, “I want to show her that I care by looking good for her.”

Faith chose that moment to appear, “Jasper, it’s time.”

Jasper took a deep gulp and slowly headed in the direction of the Speaking Stone, Blaze never more than three steps behind him, where the rest of Icefire waited. An aisle formed in the circle, allowing him to make his way to the stone. Rust stood on top of it, waiting for him. He gave Jasper a polite nod when he reached the stone. He barely gave Blaze a glance, which, Blaze reminded himself, was all right. This was Jasper’s special day, not his. As Jasper stood on the right side of the Speaking Stone, Blaze took his place standing behind him. He glanced up into the nursery tree to make sure Talons hadn’t moved. The eagle had promised not to disturb the wedding, and Blaze was going to hold him to his word. Then the saloli circle shifted again, revealing Chestnut. Both Jasper and Blaze gaped at her beauty. She had groomed her fur until it gleamed like a mirror in the sunlight. Blaze sucked in his breath as his jealousy came rushing back to him, but he quickly buried it again. He should be happy for his friend, not envious. What claim did he have to this beautiful saloli anyway? She had the right to choose whoever she wanted, and she had. And it wasn’t him. His envy was forgotten, though, when he saw Sunbeam. She, too, had groomed her fur until it practically glowed and her tail had been fluffed so that it looked as soft as silk. Blaze couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Seeing this, she smiled and winked coyly at him. Blaze began to feel thankful for his saloli body like he never had before, because he knew he would never be able to appreciate her exquisite beauty as a human. Now that everyone was in place, Rust began the ceremony.

“
Icefire!” he called, “Today we join together to see the eternal bonding of the two young tribe members Jasper and Chestnut. Jasper, please come forward.” Looking as if his fur would fall out from anxiety, Jasper slowly walked towards the Speaking Stone. “Jasper,” Rust continued, “you are a brave saloli who is not afraid to protect those who are close to you, despite you’re diminutive size. Do you hereby swear to use these attributes to protect and care for Chestnut?”

“
I do,” Jasper answered, voice strong and determined despite his unease.

“
Chestnut, please come forward.” She did, “Chestnut, you are a caring saloli who is willing to give her love to anyone in need of it, no matter who they are. Do you hereby swear to use this attribute to care for and love Jasper?”

“
I do,” Chestnut answered, her eyes shining with happiness.

“
Jasper, do you take Chestnut to be your mate, from now until the day you die?”

No hesitation, “I do.”

“
Chestnut, do you take Jasper to be your mate from now until the day you die?”

She cast Jasper a loving glance before saying, “I do.”

Rust turned to the rest of his tribe, “Is there any saloli in Icefire who has reason to object to this marriage?” Icefire remained silent, “Then may Chestnut and Jasper now be bonded together for life as mates. So says the chief of Icefire.”

Rust stepped back. Faith, who had been standing in the very edge of the crowd walked up to Jasper and Chestnut and placed a paw on each of them. “As prophet of the tribe of Icefire, I hereby ask Valde Abbas to place his blessing upon these two saloli. Please protect them and provide for them. May they spend their lives together in happiness and contentment.” With that, Faith removed her paws from the newlywed couple, and took her place back among the rest of Icefire.

Rust spoke again then, “As is custom, the two of you shall now receive new names to commemorate this day. Jasper, from now on you will be called Smallthorn. Chestnut, from now on you will be called Newthorn. Smallthorn, Newthorn, you may now take your leave for the night.”

Another path formed through the saloli crowd, which Smallthorn and Newthorn left by, running out of the camp and into the forest, while Icefire cheered. When they were gone, the tribe slowly dispersed, chatting amiably. Blaze quickly sought out Faith, who was heading back to her tree.

“
Faith!” he called to her, “Where are Jas- er, Smallthorn and Newthorn going?”

Faith smiled, “They just became mates, Blaze. They want to spend some time alone. They’ll be back tomorrow morning,” Faith said, then in a quieter voice asked “So, have you found any evidence against Razor yet?”

“
No!” Blaze replied, wondering why the prophet had to bring it up on such a happy day, “There isn’t any! Razor is just too smart for me.” He hung his head in defeat.

“
Don’t give up, Blaze.” Faith encouraged him, “Something will come up.”

A shadow crossed Blaze’s heart, causing it to chill with despair, “I hope so. Somehow, I feel like we’re running out of time.”

Chapter Twelve

Just as Faith had said, Smallthorn and Newthorn came back the next morning, both looking happier than Blaze had ever seen them. He was happy for them, as well. He was just about to take a patrol around the borders with Slicer, “Hey, Smallthorn!” he called as he saw his friend, “Want to go on a patrol?”

“
Can Newthorn come?” Smallthorn called back.

“
Sure,” Slicer answered. As the group headed into the forest, Blaze noticed that Smallthorn and Newthorn had not said a single word to each other since they had returned.
True love needs no words
, he thought. His heart felt as if someone were squeezing it. Why was that? It almost felt like jealousy, but he no longer felt envious of his friend. No, there was something else he wanted. Almost without him realizing it, an image of Sunbeam flashed through his mind. Slicer spoke then, breaking into his thoughts, “Blaze, do you know what the Lord’s Feast is?”

“
No.” Blaze answered, thankful for the distraction. It was best not to think of such things.