Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams

Author:Tad Williams
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-07-12T02:44:25.934000+00:00

The travelers approached Grumbleroar near the end of Stretching Sun. Here, on the rim of the Hararscrape, the cold air was thick with swirling mists. A muted rumbling was all around.

Squeakerbane, who had not spoken for some time, suddenly showed a brightened aspect. “This is something you may pass along in story to litters yet unborn,” he said to Roofshadow.

At the canyon edge the sound grew louder, until it was a deafening clamor. Fritti winced. It was obvious that the name Grumbleroar was well chosen.

The mists were so thick at this spot that Squeakerbane decided to lead them across the Purrwhisper near its descent over the edge of the Hararscape. As they traversed the slippery, water-slimed rocks, and the Purrwhisper—no longer the gentle stream that flowed past Firsthome—frothed below them, Fritti felt a moment of regret for all the times he had allowed himself to be led since he had left home.

A fitting end to this whole ridiculous trip, he thought: pounded and splashed to death by the safest river in all of Meerclar’s fields.

But they made it across, even Pouncequick avoiding disaster. Back at the cliffs rim they could see the Purrwhisper pounding over the precipice, plummeting down the canyon’s edge in a foaming white surge to churn and plunge off the rocks into the mighty Caterwaul far, far below. The water rose up from the swiftly flowing river at the bottom of the Hararscrape, and from where they crouched the setting sun, shining through this curtain of mist, tore the sky into glittering gold, red and purple. Grumbleroar falls bellowed like a furious beast, and the cats stared out at its awesome power.

When Unfolding Dark finally mantled the sun, Squeakerbane led them back up the banks of the Purrwhisper—away from cliffs edge. As the roar of the falls faded to a faint booming, they stopped.

Stunned as they were by the magnificence of Grumbleroar, it was some time before Tailchaser and his friends realized that Furscuff and the Thane were preparing to leave them.

“I am sorry we cannot guide you farther,” said Squeakerbane, “but as it is we shall be several sun-turns late for the Thane-meet. My suggestion is that you continue along the canyon wall, as I mentioned before, and cross over at the Slenderleap. It would be well to wait for sun-high before you cross, even if you reach it tonight: it is a treacherous path.”

They said their farewells, then, for the First-walkers were in a hurry to continue onward. “Remember,” said Squeakerbane as they parted, “the lands you are walking into bear an evil name these days. Tread warily. I wish there was more that we could do, but you have set your paws onto strange roads—and who knows what may come of that?” So saying, the Thane and his companion took their leave.

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