The Siege of White Deer Park by Colin Dann

Author:Colin Dann
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781446480816
Publisher: RHCP

Fox had, indeed, accepted that there was no alternative but to go to help, and at length the four male foxes went on their way. Vixen left Tawny Owl for Badger’s set. She wanted to console him for the hurt she supposed he had taken. The set, of course, was empty. As Vixen emerged from Badger’s dark labyrinth she found Mossy apparently on his way there.

‘Is Badger there?’ he asked. He knew who Vixen was.

‘No, Oh – you must be –’

‘I’m to be known simply as “Mole”,’ he twittered informatively.

‘Of course.’

Mossy began to ask Vixen about Husky. He soon discovered he was another fox. Then he told her what Badger had said about his life being almost over, and how it would have been better if he had been the captured animal. Vixen went cold. She recalled Badger asking Pace for directions. Yes, there was no doubt of his intentions – it would be typical of him. She must stop him!

She raced away. Her first idea was to use Tawny Owl as her messenger. Wings were faster than legs. But Owl was nowhere to be seen now and she had to trust to her own speed. Vixen was no longer the swift-footed, lithe creature of her youth. She loped along for a while, then eased down to a trot. If she could catch up with the other four, one of the young foxes could be sent on to forestall Badger. But her breathing became laboured and soon she had to stop altogether, her sides heaving, to bring it under control.

Badger’s lead had been cut considerably by Friendly’s faster pace. But the old animal lumbered on persistently, full of dogged determination. He was not absolutely sure of his destination and, because of this, the foxes on their direct course arrived at the scene first. Friendly led them, with much trepidation, towards the tree where the killer had lurked. Husky’s body lay where it had fallen, all life crushed out of it. Friendly stared at it in horror and disbelief. The others surrounded him.

Fox looked at his dead grandson. He remembered, with a sharp pang, another occasion when he had found one of his own cubs in just such a state. The only difference this time was that the body was full grown. And there were no marks on it.

Pace and Rusty were looking fearfully up into the tree. No sound, no sign hinted at the presence of the hunter. The Cat had done its work and had moved on – who knew where?

Vixen was next to arrive. Fox looked at his mate without speaking.

‘Are – are we too late?’ Vixen whispered. Then she saw the still form of Husky.

‘He never had a chance,’ Fox rasped. He was racked by helpless, impotent anger. ‘I will get even,’ he intoned in a growl to himself.

Vixen understood. She could find nothing to say. Her heart ached.

‘It was a desire to get even that began it all,’ Friendly muttered. ‘I didn’t think – oh how ignorant I was!’

‘Let’s get away from here,’ Rusty suggested.

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