~Murder Mystery~

One of Echo’s large, gray tipped ears flicked as his belly rumbled, reminding him of the new day dawning. The lithe cerrien clambered from his bed to his paws and spotted a songbird he had caught yesterday lying a few pawsteps from his nest. Maybe I can ask Inferno if he’ll eat breakfast with me.

Clasping the bird gently but firmly in his jaws, Echo trotted out of his den. He resisted the growing urge to extend his long fangs deeper into the meat. Though the bird certainly wouldn’t be too easy to tear apart by accident, there was no way he was going to risk puncturing holes into the flesh that would allow blood to seep out into the outside world.

It’s a long way to his den and then the ‘Eat Clearing, and what kind of friend shows up with a bird half-destroyed and leaking blood everywhere?

He allowed the sun to beat down on his light gray fur with a welcoming purr to himself. The morning rays soaked into the long dark gray stripe that ran down his back and the three long spots enclosed by an oval ring on each flank. His two light blue horns on his head and four spikes near the base of his tail shone in the reflected light. A slight breeze arose, blowing the leaves of the slowly-changing colored trees. His thin gray tail and his cream-colored paws seemed particularly warm this morning, thanks to the thicker layer of fur slowly setting in to prepare for the upcoming winter months.

Inferno’s definitely awake by now. Echo lifted his pale muzzle to gaze briefly at the sun behind a cloud, just above the tallest trees. He always is.

Just as he passed by a large bush ripe with berries, Echo caught a glimpse of something snagged in its leaves. He dropped his prey and stopped to look at it, scrunching his eyes. A stone tablet sat upright and half visible in the bush. Echo tugged out the smooth, flat stone and rested it in the short grass dotted with autumn leaves. Written with white claw marks, the tablet read:



Whoever finds this, come to me so that I can make new friends! I’m bored of just hanging out with my brothers. I need new cerriens to hang out with! I live in a cave near the Leaders’ Mound. My name is Thistle and I’m a dark gray striped kitten with green eyes. Find me!

oo3 - Thistle



“Thistle!” Echo grumbled. “What did I tell you about writing messages and hiding them for strangers to find?”

The leaves of a bush behind Echo rustled, and he spun around. A gray striped cerrien kitten poked his head out.

“You?” Thistle let out a disapproving hiss. “I said I wanted new friends!” His ears—which seemed too large for his head—folded back slightly.

“Stop leaving these notes around, and don’t listen to anyone that sees this. I heard that just a few days ago you put out a note that asked the Leaders whether it was okay to meet a stranger at the Maliterrian border at night!”

“Yeah I know!” Thistle leaped out of the bush and landed on short legs and clumsy paws he had yet to grow into. “I went and he gave me a bunch of cool berries in exchange for some prey! They’re unlike any berries I’ve ever seen before! I haven’t eaten them yet though, since I want to save them! He said for me to meet him again at midnight tonight! Soon I’ll have a whole collection of yummy berries that no one else has!”

Was this kitten trying to find trouble for himself? “Don’t meet him, and don’t eat the berries either! Those could be really bad for you! He’s probably doing it as a scam to get food without putting in effort. How much prey has this cost you?”

“Like, twenty pieces, I think! I still have some left over!”

“And where did you get all that?”

“I got it from the Winter Food Cave. It’s okay, though! There’s like a hundred pieces of prey there! I’m sure they won’t notice—”

“What is wrong with you?” Echo scolded. “Don’t you know stealing is against the law? Go return the remaining prey right now, and throw away all those berries you were given. If you eat even just one, you could get very sick. You must never trust any unfamiliar cerrien at the Maliterria border. That place is full of heartless brutes who couldn’t care a whisker about anyone.”

“Okay,” Thistle squeaked. “I’m sorry. I won’t trust strangers ever again!” He scrambled out of sight, his short, green-tipped tail swinging wildly behind him.

Great Fintaria! Echo sighed softly to himself.

Turning away from the stone slab and collecting his bird, he continued padding beneath the oak and maple trees, shaking his pelt when a falling leaf would flutter upon his pelt. The taste of blood was only becoming more tantalizing, with Echo’s rumbling belly urging him to just stop and at least take a single bite. But a collection of pelts and the sounds of worried murmurs caught his attention. Peering past a bush, he located a small group of cerriens gathered just outside a cave.

Suddenly Echo’s appetite was beginning to fade. This is Volcano and Bright’s den, right?

Through little glimpses of the entrance he could see shapes moving through shadow, as though they were the whispers themselves.

A familiar scent brushed his nose, and he dropped the bird to open his mouth slightly—drawing in the scent to the glands on the roof of his mouth. Just as he was sure who it belonged to, a large black cerrien with bright orange ears, chest, and paws, came forward through the array of other cerriens. Broad shoulders and a well-muscled body were lined with ruffled fur. Echo twitched his nose to sniff again, recognizing the odor of dirt and dust.

The black cerrien’s eyes widened, noticing Echo’s presence. They were amber, glittering with anger and grief.

“Hello, Echo.” The cerrien’s voice sounded as confused, furious, and sorrowful as he himself looked. “Are you heading to see Inferno?”

Echo dropped his food to the ground and gave a respectful bow. “Greetings, Advisor.” He paused when the cerrien gave him an almost hurt look. “Er—Volcano. Actually, I—I was just on my way to eat, and I was wondering if Inferno could come with me. Is Inferno at his den? Or is he here?” His fur burned with tension.

“He’s here, but you can’t see him right now,” Volcano replied.

Echo felt a stab of alarm. “Why…what happened?”

“One of the scouting parties has found my brother, Coal’s, dead body near the river last night,” Volcano explained, his voice sounding unnaturally downcast. Echo could spot his own awkwardness reflected in Volcano’s eyes. “The medics said they think he was murdered based on the wounds they found on him.”

“Murdered?” Echo gasped, then immediately swallowed back his panic. What would an advisor—and the father of his friend—think of him if he started panicking right in front of him? He lowered his voice and bowed his head. “I am so sorry to hear that. I may not have known him in the way that you had, but he was a good and noble cerrien. He will be missed.” Images of the night before flashed again in his head. Is this the bad thing that was going to happen? No, it can’t be. It affects Moorest greatly, but not so much the rest of Fintaria

“Yes, he will,” Volcano agreed. “I admit, what angers me most is that we have no idea who could have done this to him. There was the slightest scent of blood found, but it overlays that of any specific individual. Any cerrien scent on his body was washed away in the stream. The only clue we have is a claw in Coal’s fur that must have been torn out. It’s not any of his claws, so it must have come from the killer. The Lawkeepers are currently looking around and investigating residents, especially those who have scratches on them that could have come from a recent fight that killed Coal.”

Volcano’s voice was raspy, like he had suddenly become years older. Echo couldn’t help but think the advisor hadn’t slept for a while. His words came out quick and jumbled, and he noticed him glance behind him at the small crowd.

“Later, Bright and I will discuss this with the Lawkeepers and the rest of the Court of Advisors.” He glanced over his shoulder back at his cave. ”I’m sure if you were to see Inferno you would manage to cheer him up, at least.”

Echo gave a stiff nod. “When you see Inferno again, give him this.” He nudged the songbird towards Volcano with one paw. “Tell him it’s from me.”

“Alright, I’ll do that,” Volcano promised, a crack of warmth briefly splitting his grave mien. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. You can see him later.”

“Thanks.” Coal was so important to him—I hope he’ll be alright.

“Goodbye, Echo.” And with that, the advisor had disappeared among the crowd. “Alright, if none of you have any private business with Coal, please leave my family in peace.”

Disturbed mutterings sounded as the small group dispersed. Weaving past the different pelts, Echo slunk past the cave.

I’m not sure I’ll like what I’m about to see if I keep going to the ‘Eat Clearing, but I suppose I’m already halfway there—even if I have no prey now. And the idea of going home and sitting there alone while a murderer might be prowling about doesn’t sound quite appealing, either.

Echo finished the trip with quick pawsteps and a pelt still crackling with tension. He paused at the entrance to survey the cerriens already there. The clearing was wide and sandy, packed down by generations of cerriens using this spot to meet up. The sun filtered through the fat, fluffy clouds in the sky and baked the clearing floor. Some cerriens lay stretched out, basking in the morning sunlight, while others sat in groups, chatting and munching hungrily on birds, mice, squirrels, and fish. Ferns and trees enclosed the glade, sheltering it from the rest of the forest.

But Echo felt a wave of dismay when he spotted a familiar cream and white pelt. The cerrien was crouched beside a brown spotted kitten that had the same lean body, large ears, and deep green eyes of Thistle. They were sharing a huge fish.

Of course, this was a mistake.

Echo dared to snatch a second look at the cream and white cerrien. She was huge, with long, muscular legs and tall ears. Large, furry paws were tinted in the blood of her meal, and she swiped her tongue over a stained white muzzle lightly dusted with a few silver hairs of age. Around her neck she bore a ruffled snowy-colored mane in which she contained the potency of a dragon. Her thin tail, swept around her powerful figure, was tipped with an unusual tuft of fur.

Maybe I can sneak past her somehow.

Echo stiffened as the cream and white cerrien looked up and stared at him, her eyes chips of pale green ice full of authority and experience. Echo turned to avoid her gaze and sat down a good distance away from her, bracing himself for any scathing comments she might give if she padded over to him. He flexed his paws uneasily, feeling her stare burning into his back like a flame. Even through the mingled scents of all the cerriens in the clearing, this one odor was a particularly sharp thorn among the roses.

Feather clasped the whole fish in her jaws, got to her feet, and stalked towards Echo with purpose in her stride. Her tail whipped from side to side behind her, and her mane fluffed out as she shook herself. The little brown kitten followed close behind her, his own tail twitching anxiously.

She dropped the fish at her paws. “Have you seen Thistle?” Feather asked in her low, commanding voice. “I haven’t seen the troublemaker all morning!”

“Y—yes.” Echo refused to meet Feather’s cold gaze.

“Where?” demanded Feather.

“By the large berry bush…near my den.” Echo swallowed. “He said something about meeting a cerrien from Maliterria tonight at midnight for free berries.”

“What?” Feather snarled, baring long fangs. “And what did you tell him?”

“I told him not to meet the cerrien, and to not to eat berries he isn’t familiar with,” Echo's tall ears flattened to his head. I don’t care if you hardly act like a mother should. Thistle’s still my brother! I have a right to be concerned for his safety, don’t I?

Feather narrowed her eyes in disgust. She glanced behind her.

Thank Fintaria there are other cerriens here! Even she’s not dumb enough to cause an argument in a public clearing.

After a few heartbeats she replied crossly, “Alright. I’m going to find Thistle.” She gestured to the kitten with her tail. “Thorn, you come with me. Echo, you can throw out the leftovers of that fish. After that, take Thorn and Thistle to their lesson. I’ll be busy.”

“Fine, sure.” Echo sat down, silently pleading for her to just leave him alone so he could scarf down the remains of the carcass. Although it was more than his hunger and anxiety that made his tail twitch. “Where are you going?” And why do you want me to look after them if you appear to hate me so much?

“Nowhere!” Feather snapped, her temper a combusting flame. “Mind your own business!”

Echo flinched and could only stare at her as she padded away.

“Thistle is always getting into trouble,” Thorn commented wryly as he lingered where he was. “He can be so stupid sometimes!”

“Thorn, come on!” Feather called over her shoulder when she realized that Thorn wasn’t following her. “Stop wasting my time with him!”

Thorn scampered after his mother, the fur of his neck fluffing up.

Echo sank his teeth into a chunk of the fish's shiny head, internally sighing with relief. He relished in the taste spilling onto his tongue for a few moments before swallowing. A sweep of autumn wind ruffled his pelt. I wish I could go fishing more often, but soon everything will be frozen.

He tore another bite from the fish before he heard pawsteps scurrying up to him. At first his fur stood on-end and a fresh bout of anxiety stabbed itself in him. But a quick taste of the air with his mouth told Echo it was a different familiar scent, one more pleasant only for a heartbeat. He looked up. A lanky, very dark purplish-gray cerrien settled by Echo, their pelt sticking up and their tail-tip flicking to and fro. Echo gazed into wide, violet eyes that glittered with nerves.

“Hi. What’s up?” This is about Coal's death, isn't it?

“Haven’t you heard?” Spire blurted. “There’s a murderer here! Coal, alongside two other cerriens, are gone!” The cerrien crouched to the ground, trembling. “They’ve been murdered!”

“Wait.” Echo immediately bolted upright, his ears erected. “Two more cerriens are dead too?” Thoughts of last night reappeared in his mind again but he shoved them down. I shouldn’t let what happened bother me. That had to have been years and years ago. Why would things just start getting bad now? Yet the worm of anxiety continued to wriggle inside of him.

Two cerriens dead...Murdered...

“Yes!” Spire sprang back to their paws and began to pace in circles around Echo, tail lashing. “We’re all going to die if someone doesn’t figure out who did this and give them the punishment they deserve! That’s what I’ve been hearing.”

“Spire, calm down,” Echo forced his fur flat. “Volcano told me the Lawkeepers are already investigating the area. You can’t trust everything you hear.” I hope I sound more confident than I feel!

Spire raked the earth with their claws. “But we have no idea who the murderer is, what tribe they're from, how strong they are, what their past is, how long they’ve been planning their attacks. or any details at all! What if it's a cerrien here?"

Here? Echo's stomach churned.

“This is exactly why I want to learn how to heal other cerriens!" Spire mewed. "What if there's more attacks?" They let out a small whimper. "I dopn't want more cerriens to die. What if—?"

“Stop!” Echo snapped. He pressed against his friend’s quivering body. He had to change the subject before anxiety overwhelmed both of them. He froze.

“Do you want some of my fish?” Echo nudged the remains of his breakfast towards Spire. The fish was so large that there was enough for both of them to have a hearty portion and still leave some behind.

“Oh…” Spire stumbled. “Okay.”

Spire chewed on the fish in silence, though Echo was pleased to notice they had begun to calm down. He found himself thinking about what Spire had said and shuddered.

After a few more moments, Echo broke the silence. “Will you come with me to the Winter Food Cave? I need to take the rest of the carcass there so that it can be saved for winter. Feather wanted me to throw it out, but it’s a waste of perfectly good fish.”

“As long as the murderer doesn't catch us,” Spire muttered after a hesitant silence. They took a bite of the silver flesh.

Echo's shoulders sagged. “I hope Inferno is okay, after his uncle—”

Spire swallowed the last of their portion, wincing as though a bone scratched their throat. “Have you tried visiting him?”

Echo nodded. “I went to his family’s den. I noticed a group whispering and murmuring to each other. That’s when I found out about…Coal’s death, but Volcano never mentioned the other two. I didn’t get the chance to see Inferno.”

“Do you think we’ll pass by him sometime?”

Echo paused. ”Maybe.”

“Let’s take the fish remainders to the cave,” Spire offered. “Are you busy with anything after that?”

“I have to take Thorn and Thistle to their lesson later.”

“Can I accompany you on the way?” Spire’s expression brightened. “I’m going to a basic medical class. I'm finally going to learn some healing techniques.”

Echo nodded. "Sure." Are you sure you're fit for a job like that?

“The medics have been urging for more help lately, and I want to help cerriens. You never know, what I learn might be useful one day.”

He and Spire began to trek north of the Leader’s Mound to the Winter Food Cave, settled at the base of a tall cliff just south of the border with Maliterria.

“So, Echo,” Spire mewed. “I think I might know a way we can solve this whole murder case.”

“You do?”

“Do you think you can use your powers to find out stuff about the murders?”

“My powers?” Echo froze.

“Being able to teleport your spirit into the past seems useful at the moment,” Spire pointed out. “You could go back to when the murders happened and see for yourself who killed them.”

Echo scoffed. “I can’t even control those powers!”

“Can you try? Maybe sit still for a while and—”

“I’m not sure that would work. I could go anywhere in the past,” Echo once more recalled seeing the Spirit-Watcher with his egg. “And I’ve never even tried to do it on command before. Even if I did end up time-traveling, what are the odds that I end up in the exactly right place at the exactly right time?”

“But it’s worth a shot.”

“And you know I can’t change the past either,” Echo told them. “I can’t interfere with what happens. I’m just a spectator.”

“I’m not asking you to change the past. I’m asking to see if you can see what the culprit looks and sounds like. I’m sure it’ll be okay. Even if we don’t find out, you can still know that you did what you could to help.”

“I guess. I’ll try it after I take Thorn and Thistle to their lesson.” Echo let out a sigh. “But there’s no guarantee of success.”

Soon they made it to the cave’s entrance, blue light shining from inside. Two guards stood on watch, protecting the place from anyone who wanted to steal food.

“State your name and presence,” ordered one guard.

“Greetings.” Spire dipped their head. “I am Spire, and this is Echo. We have come to take this leftover fish down to the storage.”

“There are guards posted down there,” warned the other guard. "But you may go ahead."

A chilling sensation wrapped itself around Echo as the two cerriens padded down the tunnel. Along the walls, glowing blue crystals stuck out like thorns, with the air around them being the coldest of all. Echo’s fur was fluffed out by the time they reached the chamber. Just as the guards at the mouth of the cave had stated, there were more guards posted at the entrance of the chamber and around the walls. All their fur was fluffed out too. The Commander must have chosen the cerriens with the longest, thickest fur to guard down here so they won't freeze.

“What are you doing down here?” asked one sentry, eyeing the two cerriens warily.

“Taking leftovers into the storage.”

“Alright, give us the leftovers and we will take it to the stockpile. You shall leave now.”

Has Commander Starlight stepped up guard so much that no ordinary cerriens can even enter the chamber? Echo wondered. Like a murderer would have any business with the Winter Food Cave! He swallowed. Unless Thistle's little crime didn't go as unnoticed as he thought.

Spire deposited the leftovers and the two cerriens began to make their way up the tunnel. Halfway up, a loud, drawn-out howl echoed from outside. Echo started with a sharp intake of air, his tail curling beneath his legs.

“Meeting! All cerriens available are to report to the Meeting Clearing at this time for an assembly!”

“Let’s hurry.” Echo recovered from the small spook, and they darted up the tunnel.

The initial call was joined by a chorus of many cerriens yowling in response. The noise rang through the trees, sending birds fluttering from their branches and small rodents scuttling for their holes.

Echo’s fur stiffened as Spire let out their own howl, synchronizing with the call of the tribe. He folded his ears back, too busy running to cover them with his paws.

A growing throng of at least fifty cerriens was gathered in the wide, earthy Meeting Clearing. The Leaders’ Mound stood as tall as the oldest oaks and maples in the forest and as old as Fintaria’s very first cerriens. Different shades of gray and brown spiraled down the length of the mound, a beautifully magnificent symbol of Moorest.

Near the top of the mound was a stone platform where the three tribe Leaders stood. The first was Holly, whom Echo guessed must be tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and deep green eyes full of wisdom.

Even from the great distance between Echo and the Mound, the white cerrien sitting next to her—Albino—looked thin and frail in comparison. His once bright snowy pelt was dulled with age. His pale red eyes narrowed in impatience, studying the crowd with a gaze that could burn through the thickest tree trunk.

Gray, the cerrien on Holly’s other side, was small—looking half the age of his fellow Leaders. His long gray fur was fluffed up with anticipation, and his blue-gray eyes gleamed with the pride yet uncertainty of a newly-appointed Leader.

All three wore dark blue hats with a golden seal, signifying their role just as the dark green hats signified the Court of Advisors’. Behind them, a crack in the stone revealed the opening where the Leaders would enter their sleeping chambers. Below the ledge were six pedestals where the Court sat: Volcano and Bright, Inferno’s parents, were among them, their expressions somber. The advisor who announced the assembly was hurrying to join the other five.

Echo scanned the swelling rainbow of pelts as the howling died away to anxious conversation. He’s here! At the edge of the crowd, Echo located the bright, fiery-orange ear tips of Inferno, who sat next to his sister, Rose. Every hair on Echo’s pelt tingled with happiness. Despite the uncertainty that surrounded them, Echo began to feel like everything might be okay at the sight of his friend.

“Inferno!” Echo called. “Can Spire and I sit with you?” He felt a bit of relief as he realized Inferno was perched on the edge of the bustling throng of cerriens.

The dark brown cerrien met his gaze with luminous orange eyes. His ear tufts and tail—which had been dim from grief—briefly flared brighter when he spotted them. Inferno waved his fire-like tail in acknowledgment of Echo and pointed it to an empty patch on the other side of him.

“Hi.” Echo settled down beside the dark brown cerrien. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” said Inferno, though voice seemed unnaturally low and sullen, sounding almost foreign to Echo’s ears. “It’s nice to see you two.”

“I’m so sorry about your uncle,” Echo murmured. “He didn’t deserve to die.”

Inferno sighed. “Yeah. Thanks for the bird, by the way.”

“Of course."

“Hey, Echo! Do you know what the meeting’s about?” The question came from behind them. Echo swiveled his head back and saw Thorn running ahead of his mother, who was lashing her tail. Echo's claws itched. What was she going to say to him this time?

“Thorn,” Feather called to her son sternly. “Come here where I can keep an eye on you. I don’t need another kitten causing trouble.”

Thorn mumbled an apology and turned around before he and Feather disappeared into the sea of pelts.

“Silence! It’s time to begin!” called a voice from the ledge.

The mumbling of the voices in the crowd began to die down.

“Cerriens of Moorest,” Holly began, her voice loud and confident. “We have something we all need to discuss. I’m sure some of you have by now already heard that, in the last few days, there have been three sudden deaths here: a soldier, Coal, a medic, Velvet, and a teacher, Auburn. They were all found in the stream, along the border with Alliance Forest.”

Gray stepped up. “Based on our medical team’s observations, we have concluded that all three had been murdered.”

A shudder of scandal washed over the crowd, followed by sorrowful and frightened murmurs.

Inferno's tail twitched.

“The rumors are true!” Spire muttered under their breath, lowering themselves closer to the ground. “They were murdered! I told you!"

“Shh!” Echo hissed.

“The only clue we have,” Gray offered, “is a cerrien claw dug into Coal’s body that must have come from the individual responsible. Our Lawkeepers have been ordered to investigate any citizens they find suspicious—”

His words were drowned as yowls of outrage erupted from the audience. Echo stiffened and covered his ears with his forepaws.

“Are you suspecting one of us has murdered three cerriens?” demanded someone from the crowd. “Cerriens of your own tribe?”

“We aren’t accusing anyone,” Holly said hastily, casting Gray a quick irritated glance. “We don’t know if it was someone here, or a cerrien outside our borders. We have posted more guards in and at the edge of our territory, and scouts have stepped up patrols. If you notice anything suspicious, report it to us or the Court. Immediately.”

“This reminds of the time Aspen went on patrol and never came home!” someone in the crowd yowled. “We still don’t know what happened to him! What if these murders have something to do with it?”

Whispers and mutterings broke out among the cerriens. The low noise-level allowed Echo to uncover his ears.

Aspen. I don’t think I ever met Aspen. I don’t remember why, but I wish he could’ve been more present. Maybe he would have tried to stop Feather from being so mean to me. Maybe he could’ve loved me like a son if he had got to know me, even if he wasn’t actually my father. I wonder what life would be like if he and Bramble were still here…

“Everyone, be silent!” Albino snapped, dragging Echo from his thoughts. “Babbling on like geese about how scared you are won’t solve anything!”

Echo gave a tiny shake of his head. There’s no use dwelling on dead family that I hardly remember. They’re gone—and they aren’t coming back. No amount of wishing would bring them back. He swallowed back a twinge of sadness. There are more important things to occupy my mind right now.

“We must prepare for more attacks—whoever did this might strike again! Keep your guards up, and if you suspect anything or anyone, report it. Kittens shall be under constant supervision, and a guardian will temporarily be advised to accompany their kittens during their schooling.”

Great. I get to listen to their lesson now. Echo stifled a sigh. Guess I’ll get it over with and try time-traveling during that.

“Be alert when hunting,” Albino continued. “It is advised that you make yourself completely familiar with your surroundings, so you know where safety or available help is in case of an emergency. The Hatchery, Leaders’ Mound, and the Winter Food Cave will have guards posted in and around them.”

“You don’t think that Glaciterria is responsible, do you?” someone from the crowd called, although it was met with uncertain protests.

Gray flinched. “I have family there! They’d never!”

“We have had peace with Glaciterria for years now,” Albino answered bluntly. "We haven't even seen any messages from them in ages. Why in all of Fintaria would they go all the way across the continent just to kill a few of our members?”

“Maybe it was Scorpoterria,” snarled Commander Starlight. “They are definitely not at peace with us! The war may have ended, but we all know that our peace with them is thinner than a mouse’s whisker!”

“But the desert is even further away than the mountains!” another protested. “A cerrien would have to travel across the whole continent to get here, unless they’ve lost all their sense and cut through Maliterria! A journey like that would take a few moons!”

“But it could be moons in the planning!”

“Do you think a cerrien that lives there—Maliterria—is responsible? I wouldn’t put it past them. They’re just a bunch of filthy loners that don’t care about anyone but themselves!”

“I don’t think it could be Maliterria,” a voice argued. “They may be mean, but they never stray from their borders. They know they’re no match for us, and they’re too hostile amongst themselves to be able to work together.”

“We are not sure,” Holly replied. “The stream washed away the scents of any cerriens.”

“What if someone here did it?” gasped someone.

“Surely we would know?” came the reply.

Loud murmuring of arguments sprung up among the crowd. The noise swirled around Echo, banging on his ears and drowning him from his surroundings. He covered his ears with his front paws again and dug his hind claws into the grass beneath him. The feeling of them scraping the soft ground seemed to calm him down, but it wasn’t long before anger rose up within him. You’re seriously so overwhelmed by noise? What’s wrong with you? Only kittens get nervous over crowds!

Echo glanced at Inferno and Spire, who were staring up at the Leaders with full attention. He felt a small pang of relief. They’re all too invested in the assembly to notice.

“There’s a murderer here!” someone shouted.

“We must do something before they kill even more cerriens!” yowled another.

“Stop!” Holly yowled. “We shall gather more info about the whole situation before we start accusing any specific individuals. Everyone, please, do not panic. If anyone has anything they know about any of the three deaths or sees anything they think might be involved with the case—please, please tell it to any superior officials immediately. Does anyone else have anything to discuss?”

“If only we had a Spirit-Watcher.” A single voice arose from the crowd. “If we did, the ghosts of the dead would come to them and give us the truth!”

An uproar of voices followed once more.

“When was the last Spirit-Watcher born? Fintaria is due for one, I'm sure of it!”

"Has any cerrien had signs of seeing ghosts?"

"Yes! That's what we need! A Spirit-Watcher!"

“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?” Gray asked, his voice quivering with anticipation.

"Indeed, A Spirit-Watcher could truly save us." Holly nodded.

Albino spoke up. “But that doesn’t mean we should get our hopes up!” He sighed. “We can’t rely on maybes and ifs. As no one has anything useful to bring up, the meeting is over. We hope we can figure out this whole problem soon.”

“If the murderer doesn’t kill us all first!” Spire muttered.

Echo could still hear mumbling and murmuring of worried, angry, and even hostile voices as the cerriens departed the clearing. Or if we don’t kill each other trying!