Ratha's Island Ratha's Island, a Twitter novelette by Clare Bell, author of the Ratha or Named series.Prepared for Twitter by Sheila Ruth and Clare Bell. Inspiration by Sheila Ruth. Copyright 2009The Twitter search tag or hashtag for the story posts is #rathafic. This archive file will be updated regularly.Ratha, female leader of the Named cat clan, paused on the meadow trail, one forefoot raised.To one side, the small three-toed horses that the Named called dapplebacks, huddled nervously.On the other, the three-horned deer stamped and shook their heads.The deer stabbed up with their forked nose-horns, as if at an invisible enemy only they could
Clan Ground - Chapter One Clan GroundBy Clare BellChapter OneThe gathering was to take place in the older part of the meadow, about the flat-topped stone the herders called the sunning rock. Thakur, the herding teacher for the clan, arrived first. With a glance over the meadow to see if anyone else was coming, he bunched his hindquarters and leaped up on the gray stone, then stretched out to catch the sun’s last warmth. Insects droned about his ears and a rock lizard hissed at him for taking the best spot. He flicked his tail at the lizard once, then ignored it. Thakur shifted himself in the slight hollow worn by the many who had lain there before hi
Ratha's Creature, Ch1 Ratha's Creature by Clare BellChapter OneRatha leaped over a fern thicket and dug her paws into the spongy ground as she dodged sharp horns. One prong sifted through her fur and she skittered away from the beast. She turned and stood her ground with hunched shoulders and twitching tail. Her quarry advanced. A two-pronged horn on the stag's nose joined the crown of points on the head and it lowered the entire array, charging at Ratha. She launched herself at the deer, both front paws spread. She landed on her rear paws and bounced sideways as the multi-horn pivoted heavily, trying to catch her on its spikes and pin her to the ground.
Ratha's Courage, Ch 1 excerpt Ratha's Courageby Clare BellExcerpt copyright 2007Chapter OneA shiver of excitement went through Ratha. She began her stalk, belly fur brushing the ground. Grass whispered past her legs as she felt the slow controlled power of each muscle. Her tail-tip tingled with the urge to twitch, but she held it still.The horse the Named called a striper tossed its head and flapped its tail, eyes widening. Ratha slowed her down-wind stalk so that she seemed nearly frozen, yet was still moving. The striper swung its neck around, jerking its head and ears back.Ratha stilled until the herdbeast settled, then quickened her stalk, easing her weig
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