In The Stars [1771 RWH], by Joan Milligan
The grass below, the river rushing by, the stars bright above.
"Treewee?"
"Treewee."
Crickets chirping. Sunray breathing funny as she stuffs her nuzzle into the fur of her tail, gnawing for fleas. Cool night air. Lazy wind.
"And that?"
"Taal stick."
"No. Sword. Like Tendril's."
"No, it has no handle, see? Taal stick."
"Hmmm… Taal stick. I think I see."
Clover and Echo.
"Look - and what is…"
"A wol - oooh! Sunray! Getoffgetoffgetoff!"
Pink tongue licking. Cub's giggles. Echo hugs her bond's neck.
Clover sighs, just a little. Clover turns over on his side, away.
Wolves.
The soft rustling of leaves in the treetops. Sunray bounces away to chase insects and imaginary ravvits. Echo falls silent; watches the stars.
Wolves. And swords. And stars.
"Clover?"
"Hmm?"
"We'll be friends forever…won't we?"
A moment of silence.
The rumble of the river, the rustling of leaves, the smell of fresh grass. Clover turns back; moves a bit, reaches to Echo, hugs her close.
Warmth inside.
A tiny smile.
"Maybe…maybe it's an branchhorn."
Another, little smile.
"No. You're right. It's a wolf."
Hands meet, faces brush, words sent. **Forever and always.** Clover and Echo.
And the moment passes, and the stars are bright above.