Chapter 3

                                 Chapter 3

Shadows poured through the sunny glade. Tumbledown castles lay, in ruins, and smooth pebbles littered the landscape. A large blue lake lay in the middle of a grassy clearing, lined with rustling sticky pines. A tall mountain towered over the lake proudly, poking its pointy tip into the sky.

 Mangopelt flicked her tail, and they were bathed in sunlight. There was a loud clack, and a green castle replaced the lake.

Whiteclaw gasped at the shimmering emerald castle towering in front of her. It was decorated with green vines, and lined with clover. Castle servants poured out of the doors, in a tumbling tornado of clattering dishes (emerald) and (emerald) plates. She peered closer, realizing the servants were mice!

She followed Mangopelt inside, and gasped again. It was even better inside!

The walls were a deep, clear emerald and rubys and diamonds sparkled in emerald chests lined with pine needles. Murals lined the walls, showing dashing forests and sunny glades that looked as if they came from a dream.

There were even more servants inside, sweeping and hurrying about with all kinds of treasures. There long, pink tails dragged across the floor. Most of them were clustering around the green throne in the middle of the room, nodding to orders and then disappearing into the growing crowd.

A wolf sat atop the high throne, smiling proudly and announcing orders. A smaller throne stood cowering next to it, with a smaller wolf sitting atop it.

Mangopelt drifted by the emerald pillars and treasures of the room as if they were small specks of dust, only looking at the king’s waiting expression. Whiteclaw hurried after Mangopelt, struggling to not get lost in the crowd. She spotted Mangopelt chatting with the king. “So how is the Dawn region doing?” The king asked.

 “Wonderful.” Mangopelt replied. “The food is plentiful this year.”

The king nodded from his throne. He motioned for the smaller wolf to come closer. “This is Sunstreak, the next Guardian.” He announced.

“I can tell you’ll grow up to be a wonderful guardian.” Mangopelt praised.

Sunstreak blushed. “Thank-you.” She replied, smiling.

A third wolf, who had been near the wall, leapt to his feet. He carefully walked around the crowd, padding towards the taller throne. “Hello Sunstreak, Lakestar, Mangopelt.” He greeted. He had a noticeably long and furry tail, splattered with white at the tip.

“What is a guardian?” Whiteclaw murmured.

                 

Suddenly a loud crash interrupted her thoughts. Three dishes clattered to the floor, spraying water over a scrawny mouse’s fur. It let out a squeal of fear, and scurried into the closet.

                 

Whiteclaw twisted her ear back to the confusing conversation, listening intently. “Why, I think I spot a white tail over there.” Lakestar’s expression shifted from a smile to a puzzled frown. “It isn’t a mouse…” He dragged on. He crept closer to Whiteclaw. Whiteclaw shifted her tail down, but it was too late. “Who are you?” Lakestar frowned, his icy blue eyes staring into Whiteclaw’s green.

 “Whi-Whiteclaw.” She stuttered when realizing he was a leader, and felt uncomfortable in his presence.

          “Mangopelt, I thought you said you’d stop bringing in cats from different regions.” He calmly ordered to Mangopelt.

Mangopelt sighed. “Its been happening quite a lot.” Mangopelt’s gaze shifted towards the smaller throne, her mouth open to ask a question. She quickly changed her mind, her expression shocked. “Sun… Sunstreak is gone!”