A Daring Mission [open]

[Fable]

Fable normally wasn't one to stray far from the burrow. He knew the territory there the best, and he knew that if danger should strike, he wasn't far from safety. He'd been ill at ease more than ever recently. His mother had disappeared, and ever since Starcross had a bit of a mess. Merely remembering the fights between them and this mysterious new Verbesinia sent shivers down the scrawny meerkat's spine. Times were not good.

It had been a while since the last rain as well. Somehow he'd made it through the winter, and now that it was spring, they were all on the tips of their paws looking out for a tell tale sign of approaching rainfall. The heavens had yes to bless them, and the desert was as dry as ever.

Food was scarce. All of Starcross knew that they were in weak shape, and Fable was worried that they might not be able to pull through for much longer. He had always felt loyalty to this mob - it was the only family he'd ever known - and thus he wanted to do all he could to ensure they made it.

That was why today, he was venturing out further than normal. He was hoping, perhaps unrealistically, to find a spot that hadn't yet been scavenged bare by digging claws. Perhaps he'd even find their missing Amaranth - though even he knew that was unlikely. He didn't know the landscape beyond Starcross territory very well, but he recognised this place as the borderline of Verbesinia territory. Many conflicts between their two mobs had unravelled here. Fable couldn't help but think that their territory must be a richer foraging ground somehow though - why else did they seem so much stronger than them?

He was on top of a hilltop now, using his good eyesight to try and see whether he could spot any meerkats nearby. There didn't seem to be any, unless they were hidden underneath and behind the scattered trees. Tentatively, he began to descend into the rival territory. If he was careful, which he always was, he should be able to find himself something to eat and then get out before he was spotted.