Chapter Twelve - "Celebration of the Crown"

Ferif was greeted with licks and cheers from her people. They stopped licking when they smelt the fur. An old male fox stepped up to her

"Where is Soot?" He asked weakly. Ferif sadly lowered her head, dropping the fur at the paws of the old fox.

"I am sorry. Soot didn't make it." Ferif said as the old fox picked up the fur in his jaws. "But he was honorable. And he fought. He fought...for me." Ferif said, looking around. "...For us. And when I am crowed by my grandmother..." As she said this, Lo'ain approached. "...I will do anything it takes to keep this kingdom safe. For Soot." Ferif said, looking around. Foxes slowly bowed their heads, yelling out, "For Soot!" Ferif looked up at her father, who nodded approvingly.

A month had passed, Ferif was protecting the kingdom, and everything was running smoothly. A rabbit pounded quickly through the forest, panting. It held information. It ran through the dead grass, to a wet wet cave.

"King Lio. I have news.." The rabbit said, shaking off water. The tall and skinny leopard stood.

"Well?" He asked, his voice echoing.

"The small child has become queen." The rabbit shook again. The king chuckled.

"Did you hear that prisoner?" The leopard looked back at the shaking prisoner guarded by leopards. "Looks like you weren't crazy. Who would've thought?" The leopard laughed loudly, punting the shaking rabbit between the two leopards guarding.

"Enjoy the snack, Bjorn."