Jagarcho: The Greatfang Tests

By Dakota Hawk

Jagarcho is supposed to be a land of peace, but mysterious happenings have Azolla wondering what is going on and who she can trust. When a tragic occurrence strikes, the cats at the Greatfang Tests are thrust into fears and doubts, not knowing what could happen next.

The honored Greatfang Tests, which only select cubs with rank have been able to attend, have been overshadowed by a horrifying threat. Forced to participate and leave all that is familiar, Azolla struggles to cope in a completely new environment. Thrust into the midst of strange and unfamiliar things, such as meeting many new species of cats from different biomes and living outside the jungle home she knows so well, she is forced to adapt to get through the new challenges she faces.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638140702

Book preview

Chapter One

Azolla started awake, her golden eyes widening in startled shock. Her brother, Sochi, poked her again, grinning down at her. She frowned slightly. What?

It’s almost time to eat. In a few minutes, Mom is going to get her prey stash that she buried. She’s waiting for Dad to come back.

Azolla shook her head, slowly getting to her paws. "And you woke me because?"

It’s simple. I wanted to. His eyes twinkled.

Cashia, Azolla’s sister, padded over. He woke me up too, she complained in a teasing voice, her milky blue eyes staring at them.

Azolla felt her heart clench. Cashia had been born blind and deaf, like her other two littermates, and like every other jaguar cub there ever was. When Azolla and Sochi gained their hearing and eyesight as they grew older, Cashia was able to hear but not see. Her world would forever be a black void of nothingness. Because of this, she would never be able to hunt for herself and would always have to depend on others. Azolla felt sympathetic toward her sister. It must be horrible to be blind. Despite these things, Cashia was still bright and cheerful.

Azolla’s mother, Myalla, padded forward. Don’t worry, cubs, your father should be home soon.

Sochi drew himself up. "We’re not cubs, Mom. We’re one and a half."

Myalla laughed. Exactly. Cubs.

Azolla’s lips quirked as she sat down to wait for her father’s return. She glanced around at her home while she sat there, looking up at the arched roots that curled over her head. Her family’s den was a good one, protected under the roots of a strangler fig tree. Tree ferns grew around the tree along with other varieties of ferns to provide a comfortable roof. The places that the roots didn’t cover, the ferns did.

She remembered the first time she had opened her eyes and seen this place. She had felt an overwhelming sensation of warmth bubble through her. It was home.

Myalla glanced toward the entrance, her eyes flickering. Horrow must be keeping your father later than usual, she murmured.

Azolla felt her paws tingle and her heart swell as she thought of Rackoi, her brave father, who was Topfang Horrow’s assistant. Horrow was a tiger, the leader of the whole jungle. That’s what being a Topfang meant. The Topfang had to help all the other cats who lived in the jungle and even solve their problems. They also had to make sure cats who didn’t belong in the jungle stayed out.

A tall jaguar suddenly pushed through the leafy foliage that shielded the entrance to Azolla’s family’s den. He was tall, with broad shoulders and warm amber eyes. His eyes lit up when he saw his family, and his lips curled into a smile.

Dad! Sochi yowled, launching himself onto Rackoi’s shoulders. The two tussled on the ground for a moment, rolling around and letting out grunts and snarls. When they finally broke apart, they were both panting—and Sochi had pieces of twigs scattered through his fur—but both looked relaxed.

With a joyful rumble, Cashia padded forward and burrowed her nose in her father’s golden fur. Azolla hurried up too, warmth flowing through her because her father was back. Rackoi was gone a lot of the time, and so when he was home, it was extra special.

Hello! Rackoi cried liltingly from where he was still on his back on the ground. He playfully swatted at them with a large paw. I guess you guys are hungry, huh?

Unbelievably so, Sochi proclaimed dramatically, collapsing on his father’s furry belly like he had just fainted from starvation.

Rackoi let out an Oof! as Cashia and Azolla clambered on after him. Azolla let out a laugh, running her paws through her father’s thick belly fur. It was soft, and his skin was warm. She loved how thick his fur was. Hers was still getting there, and it was nice to picture how warm she would be in all that fur.

Rackoi finally got to his paws, giving each of his cubs a lick on the head. Aw, yuck! Sochi yelped, burrowing his head between his legs and trying to scrub off the wet. Azolla laughed, nudging him. You look like a capybara, she teased, slogging around and bobbing her head up and down as she sniffed the ground. Imitating the large, water-loving rodent was fun, and she let off a few squeal-click calls to top it off.

That was when she realized that she had a predator on her tail. Rackoi lunged, pinning her into the ground. Now I have a nice meal! he cried, rubbing her stomach and sides with his paws and muzzle like he was eating her.

Hey, hey! she complained, laughing as she tried to get away.

I hate to break it to you, Dad, Sochi said slowly, almost like he was serious. But I don’t want an Azolla-meal. He scrunched his muzzle and laughed when Azolla made a face at him.

Well then, I’d better go get that prey so we can eat, Myalla said, smiling.

Rackoi nodded. That sounds great!

Just as Myalla turned to leave the den, a large head shoved through the ferns at the entrance. Azolla felt her chest tighten, and her heart started to pound. It was a massive tiger.

Rackoi frowned and stepped in front of his cubs. She could see by the tightness of his muzzle that he was frustrated. What are you doing here, Shogo? he asked.

The tiger’s muzzle tightened too, ears flicking back, and he tilted his head disdainfully. Despite the stunning effect his black stripes had against his ginger fur, Azolla still thought a jaguar’s rosettes looked much more beautiful.

Shogo didn’t enter the den, just stared at them all scornfully through his yellow eyes. Horrow requests your presence, he said, his yellow fangs glinting as he spoke, lips pulling into a sneer.

Myalla sprang forward, eyes wide. But Rackoi was just there! We were about to eat!

Shogo glanced at Myalla from the side of his eyes, without turning his head, like she was too lowly to be fully looked at. Azolla felt her ears flatten at the offhanded way the tiger dealt with the jaguars. Jaguars were just as good as tigers!

Shogo sighed dramatically. "Well, it’s urgent—so I’m afraid Rackoi must come with me."

Can’t it wait for tomorrow? Rackoi growled, his ears tilting back and his claws digging into the ground. Azolla knew that he was angry because he had just spent a whole day shift with Horrow until his duties had been finished. Then he had been allowed to go home. Normally he didn’t have to work so long at once.

"No, it can’t wait until tomorrow. Horrow wants you now."

Rackoi turned toward his mate, his eyes deep and dark. I guess I have to go, he sighed.

Azolla strained her ears, waiting to hear her mother’s reply. Myalla touched her nose with his, blinking her eyes fast. Bye for now, she whispered. Cashia and Sochi stood behind her. Cashia drew her head back, her whiskers twitching and her eyes wide. Sochi’s claws dug into the ground, his muzzle just as tight as his father’s. Azolla could hardly believe what was happening.

Rackoi hesitated, glancing back one more time at his family. I’ll be back as soon as I can, he promised. Taking a deep breath, he slipped through the thick ferns. In the blink of an eye, his tail had disappeared through the ferns, and he was gone.

Sochi stood frozen for a minute, as if unable to comprehend what had just happened. His eyes were slits, and his fur bushed up along his spine. I can’t believe it! he finally spat.

I’m sorry, Myalla murmured, touching her nose to the top of his head. I wish Rackoi could stay too. You know he’ll be back.

Azolla felt her claws dig into the soft dirt ground. Shogo was the most horrible cat that she had ever met. What’s wrong with him? Why did he have to act like that?

Cashia’s voice startled Azolla out of her thoughts. She had been so silent that she had almost forgotten that her blind littermate was still there.

Mom, why was that tiger so mean? I could sense his disgust at us, our den, and Dad.

Myalla came to Cashia now, wrapping her paw around her cub’s shoulders. Her eyes were far away when she answered. Shogo wanted to be the assistant of Horrow. He believes that jaguars shouldn’t be given high positions. Now Shogo is only a messenger, and that fills him with a bottomless rage.

How did Father get the position then? Azolla asked, ears pricking, head cocking to the side.

Myalla turned toward her. Our family is part of a long line of jaguars who have been assistants to the Topfang. That means that your father was eligible to try to become Horrow’s assistant. Both Shogo and your father were trying for assistant. Horrow saw that your father was clever and compassionate. Shogo was clever but arrogant and thought more about himself than others. Horrow chose your father, and that made Shogo furious. That’s why he doesn’t like us.

Sochi growled. That’s messed up!

Azolla nodded. Yeah, what a sore loser! She wrinkled her muzzle.

Cashia only sat very still, and it almost looked like her mind had drifted to a faraway place. It was clear that she was aware of everything though, by the pulsing of her whiskers and the twitching of her ears.

Suddenly Azolla sat up. We’re still going to eat though, right? We’re not going to wait until Dad comes back?

Myalla’s shoulders sagged, and her head hung. For a second she sat like that, eyes closed. When she looked up, her eyes were calm. Yes, we’ll eat now, and I’ll be sure to save Rackoi his share.

She moved out of the den and into the jungle to bring back their meal. She always made sure to bury the prey far away from their den so no cat would follow the smell of it to their home. Even though Azolla and Sochi could hunt, Myalla usually liked to provide for them anyway. She always said that when they left the den, then they could hunt for themselves.

Azolla bounded out through the cool ferns after her, deciding that she wanted to wait outside for her mom. Sochi and Cashia stayed inside, but that didn’t matter. Sometimes it was nice to be alone, anyway.

For a second, Azolla stood there, reveling in the jungle’s early, summer night. Thousands of crickets chirped in the darkness, creating a soothing symphony. The jungle floor was dark, but her night vision let her see things decently enough. She felt a shiver of warmth rise in her chest for the jungle. Everything was so alive at night. So beautiful. Inhaling deeply, she drew in the scent of her home—damp dirt, animals, and trees.

Suddenly, she stiffened as a smell reached her nose. It was odd and almost fishy. She padded forward, pushing through a thick clump of tree ferns. Ahead of her moved the Tigertail River, sparkling silver in the moonlight. Half-submerged in the water was a baby caiman. Trembling, she sprang forward, running full speed at the small alligator-like animal. Wouldn’t it be great if I had something to show Mom when she comes back?

Leaping, Azolla landed square on top of the caiman. She was grateful that it was quite a bit smaller than her. Hopefully, that meant she would have a chance to kill it. Dodging its thrashing tail, she brought her powerful jaws down on the caiman’s head. The skull crunched as she bit down harder. The caiman’s thrashing stopped, and it lay still.

Azolla could hardly contain herself. She had caught a caiman! Even though it was a baby, it was still a caiman. Myalla had told her not to mess with caimans because they could easily kill her. Only full-grown jaguars could defeat one. She was glad that she had found a baby one with no sign of an adult anywhere around.

Closing her jaws around the baby caiman’s neck, she turned, ready to take it back to the den. The prey felt warm and bumpy in her jaws, and she grinned. Her first caiman! The fact was almost too amazing to get over.

Suddenly, a branch behind her snapped. She stiffened, heart jumping into her throat. Ears twitching, she twisted her head around in all directions. The jungle was tranquil, and she couldn’t see a single thing. Anything could have made that noise, from a harmless spider monkey to a massive tiger. Shuddering, she tightened her grip on the caiman and took several steps forward.

Something crashed down on her back, shoving her to the ground. Losing her grip on her prey, she dropped it onto the muddy bank. Growling, she twisted onto her back, kicking with her hind paws at the intruding bulk of fur that had smashed her into the ground. A scent caught in her throat, and she paused in her struggle. She knew that smell!

With a final swat, she shoved off her attacker. Sitting up, she glared at the young black panther. Kolbo sat up as well, shaking out his fur and looking at Azolla with the edges of his muzzle quirking.

"You scared me!" she scolded her best friend, feeling her fur flatten and her muscles relax.

I snuck up pretty good, didn’t I? he asked, giving his shoulder a lick. His pale green eyes looked up at her, and he cocked his head, grinning.

Until you stepped on that stick, she replied, batting at him playfully with a paw. He ducked under it shyly, eyes twinkling. Even in this dim light, she could just see the darker outlines of Kolbo’s rosettes under his black coat.

What’d you catch? Kolbo asked, looking around her.

Azolla grinned. Turning, she showed him the small reptile. I caught my first caiman!

He rolled onto his back and pawed the air. Really? he teased. "I caught my first caiman years ago. And it was as long as the river."

She laughed. No, you didn’t! You’re only a few months older than me, so if you did catch a caiman, it was a baby one like mine. And besides, I don’t think caiman’s grow as long as rivers. Growling playfully, she pounced on top of Kolbo, and they tumbled over the ground.

Finally, panting, Azolla sat up. She could hear her mother making her way toward their den. "I have to go back to our den. My mom’s back from getting our meal.

Kolbo came to her side. All right. I’ll come along to make sure you don’t get picked off by some nasty tigers.

Azolla froze. Tigers kill jaguars? She shuddered thinking of Shogo’s large striped face, twisted with disgust. Would he kill me? He sure looked as if he wanted to.

Shaking her head, she started shoving her way back through the tree ferns. The caiman was heavy, slowing her down and making her neck ache. Kolbo padded at her side and glanced at her with his captivating, pale green eyes. I can carry that for you if it’s too heavy, he politely offered.

She shook her head, which almost overbalanced her. No, thanks. I can carry it the short way back to my den.

Kolbo nodded. Okay.

Azolla came to a halt in the small clearing in front of her den. Glancing around, she saw Cashia already eating a marmoset monkey, her body in a relaxed sitting position. Sochi was busy with an undistinguishable mammal, already almost finished with it.

Myalla looked up, her eyes pinning on Azolla. Where were you? she asked.

Azolla waved the caiman. Catching this! she declared, feeling pride tickle through her like a feather down her spine.

Myalla’s whiskers rippled, and her eyes glowed while she studied the baby caiman. That’s an amazing catch! I assume you’ll want to eat that for your meal?

Azolla nodded, feeling her heart swell. Cashia looked impressed. I smell a caiman. Did you catch one?

A young one, yes, Azolla conceded, giving her chest a lick and running her tongue along her muzzle to get the blood off it.

Cashia came over and rubbed her cheek against