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The walk to the old farm was dangerously tranquil, taking lethal advantage of Tano’s state of fatigue. He felt fortunate there was no snow or clouds to block the view of the stary night sky, perfect conditions for the new year’s sunrise festival. But even so, the lynx found it hard to look anywhere but down at the ground as he fought his drooping eye lids. When the day had begun, he was awoken briefly by his older brother moving about their shared hut, clearly prepping for a hunt.
“We still need to eat. I’ll come get you when it’s time for the festival.”
After that Tano had spent much of the day just trying to catch up on rest. When he finally couldn’t sleep anymore, he awoke to find fresh food waiting for him… But nothing else. So, using the skills his brother had taught him over the years, Tano had begun to sniff around in attempts to find the older lynx. He wasn’t too surprised when his nose ended up leading him in the direction of Chiffon’s house. Though she’s only lived in Grimshire a single year, it turned into a very packed, stressful year. Tano hadn’t been blind to the shared glances and bashful blushes his brother and the fox would exchange during their seemingly daily encounters. There was even one night in the fall Kai had come home later than usual, a goofy grin painting his brother’s face, one he had insisted wasn’t there. When Tano had asked where he had gotten the large basket of preserved food and warm winter ready cloth, his brother stopped trying to hide his smile.
“Gifts, Chiffon was worried about everyone who doesn’t live in the village.”
Then it was Tano’s turn to smile.
“So, all that time teaching her how to hunt is really paying off huh!.. All those one-on-one lessons.”
Tano had clapped his paws together and tilted his head to the side in a mock swoon. Kai had only responded by throwing him a piece of salt dried bluggy meat, and changed the topic to Tano’s unfinished chores. Then there was the siege… For the most part Kai and Tano had stuck to themselves in the cramped temple. Chiffon seemed to want to check on everyone, going person to person and helping to pass out rations. When she had spoken to Kai however, he’d hugged her. His big brother, the town grump, actually hugged someone other than him, held her even when she started to cry. He’d realized they’d grown close rather quickly, but it wasn’t till that moment that he understood just how fast things had progressed between them. Tano smiled to himself as he walked up to the old farm house door, he was happy for his big brother.
Knock knock knock.
A sudden yip fallowed by a loud crash changed Tano’s sweet reminisces to acute concern.
Knock-knock-knock!
“Chiffon!? Is everything ok?”
His only response was even more frantic shuffling and bashing. Did she fall? Did she drop something?
“Chiffon I’m coming in!”
When two voices yelled out “NO” in unison it took Tano a moment to register who they both belonged to. Ah, he had found Kai.