Adventurers' Map

Water. He didn’t like it. The sea expanded in front of him to an island. But he needed to fix that fear. Yeah, he admitted he was scared of it. But a good warrior pushed on anyway, right? Gulp... He put one paw in the water and shuddered. Cinder rubbed against his hock encouragingly. ”Come on, Reg, you can do it. As long as you carry me.” The Somali cat was in the late stages of kittenhood, looking more like a small adult, though her ears were still large on her head. She’d been his best friend since he’d found her in the Willows, though when he’d followed his mother and grandmother that night, she had, for once, been asleep, so had stayed with his father and sisters. Now she was inseparable from him.

Regulus took another deep breath and placed his other front paw in. So far, it wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it’d be. The water was pleasantly cool. ”It’s-- hrm- He paused and cleared his throat as his voice cracked slightly, ears flicking back in irritation. His sister always teased him about the squeaks his voice randomly made. ”It’s not as bad… It feels good, actually..” Another shudder as he waded out, hind paws traipsing into the water. No backing out now. By now, he was shorter than his mother by only an inch, his legs making up most of that height.

Cinder leapt onto his rump and clambered to the back of his scruff, kitten agility keeping her firmly planted on his shoulders as he set his eyes on the island and forged ahead. It was over sooner than he knew, and his belly was soon clear of the water, his legs sloshing in the surf. He bounded the last few feet, the cat jumping from his back as he shook himself thoroughly. When he was merely damp, he looked around at the jungle ahead. He could smell other wolves, though most of the scents were stale. ”What do you think? Explore, or head back?” He should go back soon. His father was still recovering, and his sister and mother were unguarded. But the cool shadows of the jungle beckoned. He hadn’t let go and just been a puppy in a long time, it seemed. Cinder brushed against his foreleg. ”It’d be fun, Reg. I see so many trees to climb. And maybe there’s prey in there that we can bring down and take home.”

Regulus nodded. They could use the food. His mother wasn’t fully healed enough to help himself and Zuriel take down a deer or an elk. The fawn she’d brought home had only lasted a day. And look what she’d gone through to get it. So the pup and cat set out into the jungle. And he couldn’t help the excitement in his heart.

Adventure awaited.