The Animals of Farthing Wood – War to make Peace?

Fox sat outside his den with his head hanging low. He was out of ideas and very much out of spirit. His mate, Vixen has almost lost a cub to the rival male, Scarface after he ambushed there first hunting party, out of pure spite.

He looked around to see Vixen with the poor cub in her arms, Dreamer had been viciously attacked by Scarface and his teeth had ravaged her neck and back. The bleeding had stopped but Dreamer was still weak.

The young pup looked up at her father with sad sorrowful eyes and then put her head back down and fell asleep.

Foxes ears pricked backwards to where the rest of his cubs should have been playing, but there was silence.

Jumping to his feet he crept around into a bush and couldn’t believe what her saw.

Scarface’s’ mate, lady Blue had two of his cub pinned down and was threatening the rest.

He snarled and jumped out on the lady Blue and caught her by the ear, tearing it off completely, Lady Blue screamed and lashed back, missing Fox’s eye but scoring him across the cheek. Fox growled and bit his enemy in the scruff of the neck and flung her away from him into a rock. Lady Blue staggered to her feet and gave fox and look that could have vaporised gold.

“You’re dead, Fox. When my mate hears about this, he’ll shred you. You and you worthless mete and cubs.” She threatened and then she was gone, bounding away over farthing Land to get back to the main land of White Deer park that was ruled by the Blue foxes.

Fox put his ears back and growled slightly, his cheek was bleeding but he couldn’t feel it. He looked down at his cubs, tow of whom were picking themselves up and dusting off. It was Friendly and Chilli that had been picked on. Friendly trotted over to his father none the worse for wear and Chilli sat down next to Bold and salt and started talking, telling them what it was like to be pinned down by Lady Blue.

Fox looked down at him, bending down he questioned his son quietly.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Friendly shrugged.

“Yer, I guess. I just want to get out of this place now.” He grumbled. He looked up at his father.

“Dad, I’ve heard you and mum talking about leaving because Scarface is getting really dangerous. Is that going to happen?”

Fox looked surprised for a moment and then hardened his resolve.

“Yes, we are leaving. Today in fact. That’s why I asked you if you alright. Tell your brothers and sisters and come to the den as soon as you can.”

Fox got up and walked back through the bushes and over towards Vixen. She looked up and spoke before Fox could say anything.

“I heard you with the cubs. Are they ready?” she murmured, he voice as gentle as ever. Fox nuzzled her gently.

“They are. But is Dreamer alright?”

“I’ll carry her.” Said Vixen.

Fox nodded and turned as the five other cubs came through the bushes. Bold was jumping up and down in excitement.

“Is it true we are leaving? Oh yes I can’t wait!” he whooped. Fox muffled his son with his tail.

“Yes we are leaving and that’s why we must hurry. Let’s go.”

Fox got up and started walking towards the boundary, his ears pricked for any signs of spies.

Nothing so he carried on walking steadily to the Reserve exit. What lay in wait for him there, he would never have guessed.

A young Blue fox sat there calmly looking around like he had been waiting for them.

He looked at them and Fox recognised him as Ranger, Scarface’s’ son. He stopped in front of him.

“Hiya.” Greeted Ranger. “Would you mind if I tagged along, I decided I’d rather be with the farthing Foxes than with my father. He’s going mad.”

Fox laid his ears back and growled.

“Now why would you ask such a thing? Scarface has probably sent you to spy on us!”

Ranger looked shocked for a moment and then returned to neutral.

“It’s true. I want to come with you.” He pleaded. Fox narrowed his eyes at him. There wasn’t much time. He jumped over ranger and called back over his shoulder.

“Fine, you can come with us but keep up.”

Ranger brightened up and shot after Fox, Vixen and her other cubs hard on his heels.

All nine foxes disappeared over the horizons, running, hoping to get as far away as possible from White Deer Park and the horrors it held.