Tailchaser's Song Read Online Free Page B

the Folk, and as Ninebirds began to listen to those ignoble ones who always cling to the great Folk, he began to see in himself the greatness of the Firstborn.
    “One day it was told throughout the World-Forest that Ninebirds was no longer content to be Prince Regent at his mother’s side. A Meeting was declared to which all the Folk were to come from far and wide for feasting, hunting, and games, and at this meeting he would assume the Mantle of Harar—which Tangaloor Firefoot had declared sacrosanct but for the Firstborn—and Ninebirds would declare himself King of Cats.
    “And so came the day, and all the Folk gathered at the Court. While all cavorted and danced and sang, Ninebirds sunned his great body and looked on. Then he stood, and spoke: ‘I, Ninebirds, by right of blood and claw, stand before you today to assume the Mantle of Kingship, which has gone long unfilled. If no cat has any reason why I should not take upon myself this Ancient Burden . . .’
    “At that moment there was a noise in the crowd, and a very old cat stood up. His fur was shot all over with gray—especially about his legs and paws—and his muzzle was snow-white.
    “ ‘You assume the Mantle by right of blood and claw, Prince Ninebirds?’ questioned the old cat. ‘I do,’ answered the great Prince. ‘By what right of blood do you claim the Kingship?’ queried the old white-whisker. ‘By the blood of Fela Skydancer that runs in me, you toothless old Squeaker-friend!’ rejoined Ninebirds hotly, and rose from where he lay. All the gathered Folk whispered excitedly as Ninebirds walked to the Vaka‘az’-me, the tree-root seat sacred to the Firstborn. Before all the assembled Folk Ninebirds lifted his long tail and sprayed the Vaka‘- az’me with his hunt-mark. There was more excited whispering, and the old cat tottered forward.
    “ ‘O Prince, who would be King of Cats,’ said the ancient one, ‘perhaps by blood you have some claim, but what of claw? Will you fight in single combat for the Mantle?’ ‘Of course,’ said Ninebirds, laughing, ‘and who will oppose me?’ The crowd goggled, looking about for some mighty challenger who would fight with the massive Prince.
    “ ‘I will,’ said the old one simply. All the folk hissed in surprise and arched their backs, but Ninebirds only laughed again. ‘Go home, old fellow, and wrestle with beetles,’ said he. ‘I will not fight with you.’
    “ ‘The King of Cats can be no coward,’ said the old cat. At that Ninebirds cried in anger and leaped forward, swinging his huge paw at the old gray-muzzle. But with surprising speed the old one leaped aside and dealt a buffet to the Prince’s head that addled his wits for a moment. They began to fight in earnest, and the multitude could scarcely credit the speed and courage of the old cat, who opposed such a great and fierce fighter.
    “After a long while they closed and wrestled together, and although the Prince bit at his neck, the old one brought up his hind claws and scratched, and Ninebirds’ fur was scattered in the air. When they broke apart, Ninebirds was full of surprise that this lean elder could do him such harm.
    “ ‘You have lost much of your pelt, O Prince,’ said the old one. ‘Will you renounce your claim?’ Angered, the Prince charged, and they fell again to fighting. The old one caught the Prince’s tail between his teeth, and when the Prince tried to turn and rend his face, the elder pulled his tail from his body. The Folk hissed with astonishment and fear as Ninebirds wheeled bloodily around and faced the old cat once more, who was himself wounded and panting.
    “ ‘You have lost your fur and tail, O Prince. Will you not also yield your claim?’ Maddened by pain, Ninebirds flung himself on the ancient one, and they wrestled—spitting and swiping, blood and tears glistening in the sun. At last the challenger wedged Prince Ninebirds’ hindquarters beneath a root of the Vaka‘az’me.
    “As the