Small birds give voice

Mid the leaves of great trees,

Which rustle softly

In time with the breeze.

I’ll add my music

For what it is worth,

And sing just for you, love,

The song of the earth.”

As the last plaintive notes died away, Janglur put aside his flute and wiped a paw quickly across his eyes. Song nudged him gently.

“Big tough warrior, eh, crying again.”

Her father sniffed aloud, looking away from her. “Don’t be silly. ’Twas just a midge went in me eye, but I couldn’t play for you an’ wipe it out at the same time, had to wait till you were finished singin’.”

*

In another part of the woodland two foxes ceased their prowl through the undergrowth and listened to the sweet, plaintive melody floating faintly on the night air. Both beasts were identical; apart from the fact they were brother and sister they were alike in every other aspect. Ascrod and his sister Vannan were Marlfoxes, pale-eyed, with strange silver-white coats heavily mottled with patches of black and bluey gray. They wore swirling cloaks of drab brown and green weave. Ascrod’s lips scarcely moved as he muttered to his sister: “That singer warbles more sweetly than any bird I ever heard!”

Vannan’s pale eyes glimmered in the moonlight. “Aye, brother, and would trill even better at the court of our mother Queen Silth. Come on!”

In the space of a breath both Marlfoxes were gone, melted back into the night-shaded forest like tendrils of smoke on the wind.

*

Song plucked a blade of grass and tickled her father’s eartip. “Big old softie. Come on, play a lively tune and I’ll put a smile back on your face, eh?”

But Janglur was not paying attention to her. He stiffened, both ears twitching as he sniffed the breeze. Song caught the urgency of his mood.

“What is it? Can you hear something?”

Janglur’s hooded eyes flicked. He watched the trees on the opposite side of the path, talking quietly, not looking at his daughter as he continued scanning the woodlands. “Go quick t’yore mamma, Song, an’ tell ’em t’be silent. An’ stay put! Hurry now!”

Song had seen her father like this before. She knew better than to stop and argue with him. Wordlessly, she slipped away to the tent.