Read The New World (The Last Delar) for Free Online Page B

helpings of fruits and nuts, except for Little Claw, who licks a twig covered in wood bee honey.  Little Claw, a newborn, spends most of his time in the comfort of his mother's pouch.  He curiously watches his older sister, Whispers, follow their mother, holding onto her tail.  Ven, the oldest of the Black Claw's offspring, is busy trying to finish his food.
    "Slow down, Ven. You will get cramps and fall to the forest floor.  Would you like that, hmm?" asks his mother.
    "Stop it, Mother, I'll be fine, I'm done, can I go …"
    "NO! Your bothersome cousin will still be waiting outside our door after you eat your food.  Now finish your breakfast ," says Black Claw, giving Ven a stern look.
    Half Moon, Ven's mother, gives the door a tired glance.  "Is Taeau out there already? Black Claw, let the boy in."
    "No, he will wait until your son is finished with his food," bellows Black Claw with authority.  His wife shakes her head and gives Little Claw another helping of honey.
    "Why are you always giving him a hard time?" snaps Ven.
    Ven's father stares down at him, and he quickly looks back to his food.  Quiet fills the room as everyone finishes their breakfast, until three long scratches interrupt the meal.  Everyone looks at the door.
    "Hmm, it is strange to hear scratching this early," says Half Moon, as Black Claw gets up to answer the door.  As Black Claw begins to open the door, a small boy darts into the room.  A Salali warrior stands at the entrance saluting Black Claw.  The room erupts in commotion as the two younglings, Ven and Taeau, wrestle and greet each other.  Usually Black Claw would put a quick stop to this, but at the moment he is distracted with the visitor.
    "Captain, I have orders from the Chiefs . . . they request your immediate presence in the hall."
    "What evil shadows the city tonight? Why do the Chiefs request me so early?"
    "I do not know, sir . . . but news of a wounded Meno warrior is circulating around the guard.  I have heard that many pipes have been smoked.  I was sent straight away to find you.  This is all I can report."
    "Report to the chiefs that I will be in the hall right away.  Let me gather my things and say goodbye to my family."
    "Yes, sir," says the glider as he bows to his Captain.
    Black Claw walks back into the room with a serious look on his face.  "What's wrong? What is happening?" asks Half Moon.
    Black Claw goes to his room, followed by Half Moon.  When he returns, Taeau and Ven are throwing seeds at each other, while Whispers yells at them to stop.
    "Boys! Leave Whispers alone!"
    They both sit up straight at the sound of Black Claw's voice.  "Taeau . . . as for you, I do not appreciate your barging into my home uninvited.  A talk with your father is needed." Taeau looks down at the floor after he receives the scolding.  "Mind your mother, all of you.  I will see you at the end of my shift.  Be well."
    With these words Black Claw leaves his home.  Walking out the door and into the early night, he takes a deep breath, then turns his shoulder and leaps into the air, gliding down through the cool night air.
    "Mother, can we go, Taeau and I? We have important stuff to do," pleads Ven as he bounces in his seat on the floor.  His mother looks down at him with a smile.
    "Important, huh? Is this true, Taeau?"
    "Yes, Mother Claw, we have almost finished our fort." Ven shoves Taeau, putting his fingers over his mouth.  "Ahhh, ya, we got important business, but I am sworn to secrecy until death," says Taeau as he stands up and puts one hand over his chest and the other in the air.
    "Well, I must not keep such important people from such important things.  You both go, have fun, and tell your mother I have some seeds for her garden." Both boys run for the door, and Ven shoves his sister on his way out.
    "Ven!!" whines Whispers, but the boys are gone before Half Moon can scold them for their mischief.
    Once Ven and Taeau close the door, they run down the stairs that wind