Chapter 9: A lesson for Bella

This is absolutely ridiculous, grumbled Bella as she crouched motionless in the long grass near the edge of the north pathway leading out of the colony, I've been crunched into this position for hours - or at least it feels like hours. George the old scout was in charge of training the females for this mission. He knew the females Bella had chosen would be excellent members of his team, but first they had to learn about staying still and silent for long periods of time. They were going to be in very dangerous situations on the journey to the city and back and their ability to remain unnoticed by humans, or other wild creatures could save their lives.

Lavender had directed him to be very tough on the four females, because the time for training was running out. The teams were leaving the colony when the moon was in its third quarter, less than 3 nights from now. The darkness of a nearly moonless night would make their first journey into the city safer. Lavender and George knew they had many enemies in the night darkness, searching for prey, and they did not want to lose any one through carelessness to an owl or a hawk.

Bella flicked her the tip of her tail in annoyance, and thump, out of nowhere pounced Rudy. He landed with his full weight on her head and shoulders and before she could even squeak, he had pinned her paws and bit down - quite forcefully, this time - on her neck. "You're dead - again" he growled. This is the 3rd time I've caught you moving today! Bella, we're not just playing here... if you move, even one tiny flicker, after George gives the order to be still - you may never come home to the colony again. The danger you face is real. You cannot be careless or you put us all in jeopardy.

"Let's take a short break" called George, seeing Lavender striding toward them. The cats uncurled themselves from their hiding places and stretched themselves out. Whew, that feels so good, thought Bella as she leaned deeply into a stretch, then arched her back prettily before stretching out her back one more time.

Hello father, she murmered as he walked past her. Greetings Bella my princess, are you making me proud? Lavender growled. Bella hung her head for a moment, then looked up into the kind eyes of her father and realized he was not angry with her. This is the hardest work the colony will ever ask you to do, my child, he said, fear not, I'm proud of you already. You will do fine. But, you must learn patience, the other females are watching you. With that, he continued on his way to where George was waiting. He had news that must be shared.

We cannot wait any longer, we must leave at dusking tonight. Our scouts,have returned, bringing news of homeless, starving cats in Nottingham. We must try to rescue them. I've asked George to select two teams made of 1 male guard/scout and two females. Take heed of what he says, then make yourselves ready for the journey. The rest of your training must take place as you travel.

Bella looked at the other recruits, and then at the guard/scouts. The seriousness of the mission struck her like a stone. Would the others trust her as a team member? or would they remember her petulence during the training? In that moment she vowed she would not let anyone down. She would do her part to keep her team safe.

Rudy, you will take Fernfrost and Winona and leave by the north pathway at dusking, just 5 hours from now. Gabriel, you will leave with Bella and Greymist from the secret pathway, two hours later when full darkness is upon us. Lavender and I will follow at dawning tomorrow. Go now, eat and rest, an for no reason do not be late returning. With this, George turned away from the recruits and strode out of the training field, towards his den.


Bella stood up, stretched out to her full length in one lithe motion, then jumped gracefully onto the broken fence to make her way back to the ruins of the church. Thank the Queen's Memories, she purred to herself, at least that obnoxious Rudy won't be hovering about, watching my every move, waiting for me to make a mistake, so he can chastise me. Bella was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn't even even notice Rudy's amber eyes watching her leave,with something that looked almost like disapointment.