The sun had just risen, when Rook woke up with a jump. Someone was scratching at the sheet. A dark eye peered through the hole and Rook let out a sigh. It was Fire bloom the badger messenger, with news sent by their mother to say the Cavian had completely destroyed Timber Claw Town. The last time they had been seen the Cavian were following their tracks. They had to move fast. Fire bloom helped Jackdaw  pack up and with his help the little pack headed through the marsh away from the smellud.

As they moved on, the plain was lifeless. There had been a downpour last night and cold dew was everywhere. Mist was all around them so you couldn’t see two feet in front of you. The wind was unbearable. Rook knew the cavian would track them through the mud and it was impossible to not leave a trail. By the afternoon, they had spotted an outline of Wolverine Warren. Maybe we could hide here, thought Rook.

A few hours later, the shivering pack of young foxes found themselves looking for a way into the mighty Warren. Steely looking Wolverine guards strutted around the gate, claws glinting in the sunlight. So Rook, Jackdaw and Wren looked and found  a little tunnel where a tasty rabbit burrowed a hole.

As they jumped in, the smell of sweaty rabbit engulfed them as they ran through the darkness. At last they reached the other side. Rook, who was very confident about being leader, led the way past warehouses and across the street. Finally, they found a deserted warehouse. It would be the perfect place to stay the night while the cavian passed by. Outside, the wind howled. Inside, Wren was hungry and Jackdaw was worried about “ Mummy”. Soon Wren was asleep. 

Rook slipped away into the cobbled street. They needed food. Deep in the alleyway he heard the howls and growls of two Wolverines as they fought each other and onlookers picked sides. Just across the road he saw one catch a mouse, let it free and catch it again with great delight. Rook shuddered. The cavian were bad ( the Wolverines were maybe worse).

From an abandoned shop he stole a loaf of bread, lamb, fish, berries and a carton of milk. At least hunger would be the last thing on his mind.

Just then he heard a shout behind him. “ Hey, what you think you’re up to?” A grizzled looking face leered at him. His claws were sheathed. Rook froze. Something was coming closer. A blood shot eye stared out at him. Each of the Wolverines picked up a sword and moved closer. Rook waited hoping he wouldn’t be seen and tried not to think about the sword moving ever closer towards his heart …