Bravelands 3 by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter [Hunter, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

“How long do you think this will take?” asked Silverhorn nervously. She swung her horn at the line of hostile wildebeests that almost surrounded them. The herd had edged closer all morning, snorting and stamping; gradually they had formed into an intimidating semicircle, and were growing more aggressive by the moment. Yet Sky and her friends could not retreat—not right now.

“Honestly, Silverhorn, I don’t know,” admitted Sky. She lowered her head in warning as one wildebeest risked a pace forward. “I watched Moon being born, but I’ve no idea how long it takes cheetah babies to come out. Rock?”

“Well, don’t ask me,” he grunted, stamping a threatening foot at the herd.

Behind them, the bushes rustled again. There was a faint, mewling chirrup of distress, and the sound of heavy panting. Rush’s cubs had not picked the best moment to be born, thought Sky. The wildebeests had been tracking their steps all day, and they did not look as though they were here to offer congratulations on the impending birth.

“Why are you still in Bravelands?” brayed their leader, a stubborn-faced bull with a scarred nose. “You and your unnatural herd aren’t wanted here!”

“Why are you following us, then?” retorted Silverhorn. “You seem to want our company, since you haven’t left us alone since the Great Gathering.”

“That elephant”—he jerked his horns at Sky—“insulted Great Father. She insulted the Great Spirit itself! She needs to leave!”

With a grunt of anger, Rock charged forward and swung his tusks. The wildebeest neighed in alarm and dodged, but the tip of one long tusk gouged his flank. With a bellow of pain he fled, and his herd stampeded after him.

“Look who’s leaving now!” shouted Rock. He strode back to Sky. “Idiots.”

“They may be idiots, but there are a lot who agree with them,” sighed Sky. “It looks like Stinger’s plan to turn Bravelands against me is working.”

A faint mewling came from under the bush, and both elephants turned, angling their ears toward it. “Oh, stars!” exclaimed Sky. “They’re here! Come on, Rock, let’s look!”

“You go right ahead,” he rumbled nervously, taking a step back.

Sky trotted over to the bush and gently eased the branches aside with her tusks. Rush lay there on her side, her fur damp; she looked exhausted but happy. Two tiny, fluff-headed cubs nestled at her belly.

“Oh, Rush! They’re beautiful!”

Rush lashed her tail proudly. “I’m going to name them Nimble and Lively. Look how alert they are already!”

The little creatures squirmed and pushed at each other, suckling hungrily; Rush craned her head to lick them. Sky watched the small family, struck by a sudden pang of grief. This is how my own mother once looked after me. And I used to love taking care of Moon.

Rock must have gotten over his queasiness about the birth, because he stepped suddenly to Sky’s side and reached to tap her with his trunk. Sky didn’t have time to flinch away; abruptly she was in his memories.

He was thundering across the plains, so fast and hard, and his mind was foggy with grief and anger.

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