The ground had dried since the morning’s rain, but the leaves were still slippery underpaw, and he skidded as he dodged around a bramble spilling across his path. Star Flower was ahead. He could see her golden pelt glowing as she ran like a patch of sunshine moving between the trees. Digging his claws into the soft earth, he regained his balance and pushed harder. He reached the bottom of the slope a moment after Star Flower. “Do you still think you know the forest better than I do?” Her words came in gasps as she caught her breath. “I bet you’ve never been here before.” “Yes, I have,” Clear Sky puffed. Wilted ferns clumped between slender rowans. Beyond them, he could see a grassy clearing. Have I been here before? He narrowed his eyes. Of course! He recognized the wall of rocks on the far side of the clearing. As he padded into the clearing, wet grass brushed his paws. It was getting late, and dew glittered in the late sunshine. If the skies remained clear, it would turn to frost.
