Surprise! More than one!

Rudy was a fan of sleeping in but the last two days he’d grudgingly gotten up a bit earlier than normal.  When Fern woke up Rudy would feel a bit of warmth against him pull away.  It pulled at his subconscious until he had to acknowledge he was awake.  So it was surprising this morning that Rudy woke up before Fern.  He looked down at the sleeping Fern, lowering his head he almost licked her cheek but then checked himself.  He might wake her up and she looked so peaceful.  Rudy took a slow calming exhale, grinned then trotted silently out of the room.

It was still too early in Rudy’s mind but his brother would have been up for a bit.  Somewhere on the castle wall, his brother would be doing his morning exercises and whatever else he thought was necessary for the responsibilities he held.  Poor Art.  Rudy hadn’t been helping him to stay alert at all costs lately.  How would he know if his observation skills were getting sloppy?  

Rudy grinned crookedly as his idea came together.  Sure, this was about wanting to tell Art all about Fern.  She said she loved him!  Art needed to hear that bit.  He could also tell Art about, well, how she loved him.  How it felt being next to Fern, so much more alive than he had felt in what seemed like forever.

Still, Art needed a proper ‘good morning’.  Rudy moved to the stairs Art was most likely to use once he finished his regular training.  Rudy chose the best wall for being close, with good quality shadows, and unless Art was looking he shouldn’t spot Rudy.  The stairs path didn’t naturally point to Rudy’s spot so would Art turn his head, would Art look to the shadows or spot something that didn’t move.  

Rudy waited for Art’s steps, muscles readied and as his brother’s first paw was off the stairs Rudy barreled forward.  Art should be in a perfect position to actually be off-centered to tackle!  Theoretically.  Art was damn good at reacting and balancing.

"Rudyard & Fern"