"The Encounter"

Part 2

 

(As told by Queen Sapphire to her adopted son Sky.)

 

"Who are you?" Ebony stretched his neck to its full length and peered into a corner of the crystal cavern.

 

A dark figure, blacker than the surrounding crystals, stood up to its full height and stared back at the enormous snail without answering.

 

Ebony spoke again, louder this time. "Who are you?"

 

The creature took a step toward Ebony. "I am a traveler. Nothing more."

 

The great snail crept forward to get a better view of the creature. The glow from Ebony's shell reflected off the crystals and cast light onto the creature's fur. It was the color of fire.

 

Ebony stopped. "You are a fox, are you not?"

 

The fox shifted uncomfortably. "I am."

 

Ebony did not fear the fox, for he was much larger than the hunter. Snails were enormous then, remember.

 

"I am called Ebony. What are you called?"

 

"Rasp," the fox replied.

 

"Rasp," the great snail repeated, committing the name to memory. "Did you come here to escape the heat?"

 

"I did. As I said, I am a traveler. I do not plan to stay."

 

Ebony studied the red fox thoughtfully.

 

"I do not fear you. I am as poison to you," he said.

 

"Yes, I know. I lost my brother to a snail."

 

"Then you will not challenge me when I claim this cavern as my own," Ebony said firmly.

 

Rasp swished his tail. "No. I am just traveling through."

 

Rasp moved forward toward Ebony. The great snail did not move. Edging past him, Rasp skirted a cluster of crystals and vanished into the tunnel that led to the world outside.

 

Ebony glowed alone in the crystal cavern. He had won. The cave was his.