As we set off through the woodlands, my dancing feet shift into lightweight strides, flowing across the ground how a huntress is supposed to move. Of course my paws were still somewhat large, and my legs gangly in a way; I mean I was only half the size that I would someday grow to be. Mum told me that because my paws were just a hair smaller than Mana’s I would be the smallest of our litter. But that didn’t mean I was going to be tiny – she told me by the time I turned four I would double in size from my current stature. Well, Mana and I were the same height, so maybe I was just going to be a bit more, what was the word for it…refined than her. After all, I’m going to be the best hunter in all of Moladion, and that means being lithe and speedy.

I grinned happily at Aiden’s compliment, glowing at his praise. Nodding in agreement that we would point out any beauty we ended up spotting, I jogged silently beside my two new friends. My ears flicked to the side, listening to the way Aiden and Ambrosia moved. My steps were totally quieter than theirs! Aiden was almost as quiet as me though, just like when we nearly ran into each other only a few minutes ago. I hoped growing up wouldn’t mean that as I got bigger I’d lose my ability to walk so softly as I did now. But then my ears flicked in the opposite direction, hearing the rustle of wings being adjusted just before the hoot that had caught Ambrosia’s attention. She spoke, and I followed the trail of her eyes to see the massive bird of prey perched high up in the evergreen. Even though he was so far up, it was easily to tell he was a massive raptor. He had to be at least as big as I was tall! Keen eyes focused on the talons that clasped the branch he had alighted upon. Now I bet he was a great hunter. Then he ruffled his feathers once more and spread his wings wide, stretching to his full wingspan, but not taking flight. My mouth fell into a soft ‘o’ shape, brows lifting as I stopped, looking up at the impressive avian. What a sight!

When he had furled his wings once more I turned my attention back to Ambrosia and Aiden. “Good one,” I said, smiling at the larger female. I glanced to Aiden, and once he was ready to continue on our way, I fell back into my easy stride, floating across the autumn forest floor. Ok, Ambrosia had found something beautiful for us to see. I could do this. I could find something equally impressive, maybe even more so! I had the eyes of a huntress – sharp and alert, and I would find something to share with my friends!

Slowly I let my eyes sweep around us as we walked, and of course I would return the glances of my companions as well. But I was in the zone – hunting for beauty. In one of my passes over our surroundings I glanced down a lane of trees that formed an almost perfect alley. Their branches all arched and mingled in a most artistic manner. The ground was neatly littered with an array of orange, red, and yellow leaves, and each of the trees still held enough leaves to make the scene even more striking. But the cherry on top, what made this sight so beautiful was the way the western angle of the setting sun sent cascades of light through the leaves, shafts of light trickling through and illuminating the scene so perfectly. I stopped abruptly, and in my excitement I could feel the way my words were about to slur in my rush to say them, but I didn’t care. “Ohmygosh-look-at THAT.” I turned towards the perfectly cast lane, before casting a glance over my shoulder at my companions, keen to see their reaction to this natural beauty I had managed to catch sight of.