Because of my forgetfulness, I have forgotten a big part of the story. Do any of you remember, There will be five who will bring the four to one ? Yeah well, because I've left that out, I feel I need to write another story. Another part of The War. Yup. Don't know exactly what its going to be about, or who, but it will happen. So probably a week or so after this first "book" is done look for Warriors: The War: Heightened Senses. Don't really know why I chose that title, but it sounds pretty awesome. So... yeah... Keep checking in...
~A Forgetful Firefoot :P
Sunday, September 26, 2010
I drew this a few days ago for a contest.
I drew this for a contest, it's Ivypaw, I thought I would share it with you guys too!
~Firefoot
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Contest!
I decided to make a quick contest until the next chapter comes out. The contest ends September 29th. Here it is!
The first person to answer this riddle will get to choose a warrior name to appear in the epilogue. Example:
Say I won, I could choose any character that doesn't have a warrior name already and decide their name! Like Honeykit would be Honeyflower or anything like that. So here's the riddle:
A rooster lays an egg on the roof of a pointed house. A tornado comes from the east, a hurricane from the west, a tsunami from the north, and a sand storm from the south. Where does the egg land?
Please post your answer as a comment, NOT in the chat box. Also post your name for the cat.
Best of luck,
~Firefoot
The first person to answer this riddle will get to choose a warrior name to appear in the epilogue. Example:
Say I won, I could choose any character that doesn't have a warrior name already and decide their name! Like Honeykit would be Honeyflower or anything like that. So here's the riddle:
A rooster lays an egg on the roof of a pointed house. A tornado comes from the east, a hurricane from the west, a tsunami from the north, and a sand storm from the south. Where does the egg land?
Please post your answer as a comment, NOT in the chat box. Also post your name for the cat.
Best of luck,
~Firefoot
Chapt 46
Lionblaze followed Leafstar to fetch the battle patrols. It was finally time for the battle with the Dark Forest, and strangely he was eager for it to start. The sun was barely over the horizon, casting blood like rays on the camp. Hopefully, that was not an omen of the battle to come. A few gray clouds floated over the sky, threatening to brake. It felt too warm, even in leafbare for snow, but the air was cold and crisp that morning.
Lionblaze poked his head into the warriors' den. A few of the warriors who did not wake up to Dovepelt's arrival were still sleeping. Sharpclaw padded in after him.
"Wake up. It's time for the battle," The deputy mewed loudly. The warriors razed their heads, the bolted up as Sharpclaw finished his sentence. Every cat was going in this battle, except for the elders and Echosong, but they too would accompany them to Thunderclan territory and help those who were hurt.
"Everybody go and eat, share as much fresh kill as possible, and then report to Leafstar," Sharpclaw instructed. The others shook their heads rapidly. Lionblaze nodded politely as Sharpclaw walked out. Lionblaze followed him. He saw Echosong leaving the camp with Sparrowpelt at her side.
"Where are they going? Don't they know were about to have a battle?" Sharpclaw hissed.
"Gingerstep is hurt in the forest somewhere, they are going to find her," Dovepelt retorted, she was walking up to Leafstar. Sharpclaw narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"Come on," Lionblaze mewed hastily,"Leafstar is organizing patrols." The ginger and white leader was putting the clan into three groups; her patrol, Sharpclaw's patrol, and Lionblaze's patrol. In his patrol was Woody, Tinyfoot, Chestnutfur, Rockfur, and Waterpaw. Each patrol was five cats, and Lionblaze guessed Dovepelt would be with him. Heathertail was in Leafstar's patrol along with Sparrowpelt, Sagewhisker, Patchfoot, and Clovertail. Then Sharpclaw was in charge of Cherrytail, Petalnose, Fernpaw, and Robinpaw. Leafstar's patrol would lead the clan into battle, and when the signal came, Sharpclaw's patrol would enter along with Lionblaze. Lionblaze looked up to the cloudy sky and wondered if any Starclan cats would join their attack today, but the vast grayness gave no answer.
Lionblaze turned when he heard a cat entering the camp; it was Sparrowpelt dragging a ginger clump of fur, Gingerstep! She looked horrible, blood smeared on her body, her fur wet and sticking up in clumps, and her one paw was twisted in an awkward angle. Only the faint rise and fall of her chest reassured Lionblaze that his friend was alive. He ran up to Echosong as she entered the camp behind Sparrowpelt.
"How is she?" He murmured.
"Her paw is dislocated and broken, but it will heal. For now I need her to lie down and eat some poppy seeds."
"But what about the battle?" Lionblaze protested.
Echosong sighed,"That's what I've been worrying about. If she wakes up, I'll need to tell her that I won't be here. I'l leave her a few simple herbs, like poppyseeds and goldenrod poultice, but I can't do anymore," Lionblaze nodded, this was the best an medicine cat could do. He left her to clean her up and try and wake her.
"Cats of Skyclan," Leafstar's voice rang above the camp,"We are about to depart for war. I don't want any of you to worry, we have Starclan on our side. These, these vermin that call themselves cats, are our prey. Kill them, so we don't have to lay our eyes on them again." Lionblaze had a sudden fear, if these cats went straight to the Dark Forest, couldn't they just come back again? This war would go on forever, farther than even when Lionblaze was dead and long forgotten. None of the other cats seemed to have this fear, or atleast they didn't show it, so Lionblaze kept his mouth shut. Like Leafstar said, they had Starclan on their side.
"Gather the patrols, we leave now," The clan burst into cheers and Lionblaze led his patrol of of the safety of the camp. The frost that was on the ground the night before had melted in a slush on the forest floor.
"Lionblaze wait, I have an idea," Dovepelt called up to him.
"What is it?" She came up to his side, her gray pelt dulled and bones sticking out of her wiry frame.
"There is a tunnel, leading into the medicine den that Hollyleaf and her crew don't know about. That's how me and Gingerstep got out. But I think we could use it to attack." Dovepelt murmured.
"Go on," Lionblaze encouraged.
"Well, if this patrol hid there before the battle started we could get into the camp easier. When Leafstar's patrol is in the camp, the Place of No Stars cats would be guarding the entrance. We could-"
"Attack from all sides," Lionblaze finished. This was brilliant! "Take the lead, show us where to go," Lionblaze mewed warmly. He couldn't believe that only a few seasons ago, Dovepelt was his apprentice, now she was a confident warrior, and a queen no less. He almost purred with affection if it weren't for the growing doom of battle. The final rays of the sun flew over the horizon.
"We have to hurry, they'll choose who they're going to kill soon," Dovepelt mewed bluntly. Lionblaze looked back, his patrol was moving slower than he wanted.
"Come on! Let's go!" He encouraged, and gradually broke into a sprint. The river was coming up ahead, flowing freely without the ice. The patrol ran towards the stepping stones, barely feeling the drops of water on their fur as they glided through the trees. The pine forest was now behind them and they were in the middle of Thunderclan territory. Making sure the Skyclan cats were keeping close, he sprinted faster, slowing as they neared the camp.
"Is there anyone there?" Lionblaze hissed to Dovepelt. He waited for her to cast out her senses.
"There are three cats leaving the camp, but I think they're heading towards Windclan territory. Leafstar's patrol is nearing Thunderclan territory. Heathertail should be able to find the way back to the camp. Sharpclaw seems to be with them." Dovepelt looked back up to him, eyes sparkling. Lionblaze nodded.
"You take the leader, we need to get to that tunnel," Lionblaze panted. Dovepelt ran to the front and swerved away from Thunderclan's camp for a ways. Lionblaze could smell Thunderclan cats, even though he was steering away from them.
"Here, thats the tunnel," Dovepelt stopped beside what looked to be an old badger set below a boulder. The opening was barely big enough for a cat, about a tail length high and a tail length wide. But fresh air told Lionblaze that there was an opening on the other side.
"Careful, there are rocks and steep slopes as we go down, but it leads right into the medicine den," Dovepelt warned. She waved her tail towards it and Lionblaze entered first. Darkness engulfed him, he had to use his whiskers to guide him down the bumpy trail. His sides brushed the walls as the tunnel got narrower, he stumbled once on a large rock, hurting his front paw. The other cats behind him were doing no better, Waterpaw let out a hiss as she tripped over the same rock.
"Only a little further," Dovepelt murmured quietly. Lionblaze pressed on. Finally he could smell the fresh air and a gust of wind blew his fur to the side. The scent of rain carried on the breeze, but the air was heavy with something else. A curve in the path led to a rock wall, Lionblaze slipped around it, and suddenly he was in the medicine den.
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The medicine den was full of bustling cats at the front of the den. No one noticed the new arrivals, and Lionblaze wasn't sure what was holding their attention up front. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd, but stood behind a large tabby, Bramblestar. Hollyleaf was standing in front of them, fury glazing over her eyes.
"Where did they go?" She spat angrily,"Where did those fox hearted clan mates of yours go?" She looked down at a young brown tabby, Lionblaze's own son, Mountainpaw.
"You," She snatched the apprentice,"Where is Dovepelt and Gingerstep?" She shook him by the scruff.
"I don't know," He mumbled quietly.
"What? You don't know? You don't know?" She hurled Mountainpaw at the medicine den's stone walls, but he fell short and landed in a bush.
"If this is how it's going to be, I'm going to kill two cats today, end everyday until they come back," Hollyleaf hissed. Her emerald gaze slid over the crowd.
"Ivyshade and Breezepelt," She hollered over her shoulder,"Choose wisely." Hollyleaf walked away from the group, and two sinister looking cats stood in front of them. Breezepelt; Lionblaze's own half brother, and Ivyshade; Cinderheart's old apprentice. Breezepelt flicked his tail resentfully in front of the clans.
"You first," Ivyshade growled. Breezepelt nodded.
"Crowfeather, I choose Crowfeather," Breezepelt spat. Two black cats pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Crowfeather walked past Lionblaze, gasped a little when he saw him, but said nothing and gave only a proud nod to his son. Nightcloud was following him, and for a spilt second Lionblaze thought she was going to help her son kill her former mate. But as Crowfeather padded up to Breezepelt, Nightcloud started hurling words at her dead son.
"Traitor!" She spat angrily,"Killing your own father because of some petty grudge! I raised you better! Now your nothing but a crow food eating foxheart who take orders from a cat with thistle down for brains! You could have been great, a leader if you put your mind to it!" She stared down her son. But he didn't flinch.
"No, Mother, it's you who has thistledown for brains. You could have been with us, joined our army and lived with me. I could've taken care of you. But now you are just another fool standing in that medicine den." Nightcloud returned his burning gaze. Lionblaze could feel the tension in the air.
"You could have been a great warrior for Windclan, a great son. Maybe if you were than Crowfeather would have praised you like he praised his other sons." Nightcloud ventured, even though Lionblaze could see it hurt her to mention him and Jayfeather. Now Breezepelt looked utterly hurt. His fur was fluffed up twice it's size since she mention his half brothers.
"Your no longer my mother. And Crowfeather never wanted to be my father." Breezepelt pinned his father down by the throat and unsheathed his claws to attack. Nightcloud ran out into the clearing and pinned down her own son, attacking him furiously. Ivyshade just watched her den mate, flicking her tale occasionally. Crowfeather had joined the brawl, but it was over as soon as it started. Skinny Nightcloud was no match for her well fed, muscular son. She had deep gashes on her shoulders and flanks. Crowfeather had a torn shoulder, and Breezepelt had a few scratches down his side and a bite mark on his ear.
"You!" Breezepelt turned to Crowfeather,"Go back. I'll deal with you later," Crowfeather slunk away back into the medicine den. Nightcloud was still alive, barely breathing on the cold ground. Breezepelt walked over to her, looked down at her, and killed her with a single unsheathed claw. Lionblaze thought he saw regret flash in his eyes just for a moment. But he limped over to the warriors' den and slid into the darkness.
Lionblaze's attention turned to Ivyshade who had stood their quietly. Finally she spoke.
"Leopardkit," She mewed with no emotion in her voice. Lionblaze tensed. He would not let this piece of fox dung kill his precious daughter.
"Someone get her," Ivyshade mewed with an edge on her voice. No cat moved.
"Fine. Everyone move, I'll get her." Ivyshade pushedd through the cats. Lionblaze moved to the side, and his behind Bramblestar again. Where is Leafstar? Lionblaze thought fearfully. He knew he couldn't start the battle with the reinforcement of Skyclan, but his precious daughter was going to be slaughtered. The gray sky was growing darker, and clouds blocked out the sun. Ivyshade came out with a small spotted bundle in her teeth. A gray she-cat was chasing after them. Cinderheart!
"Leave my kit alone! She didn't do anything to you Ivyshade!" Lionblaze's mate hissed furiously.
Hurry up Leafstar! Lionblaze thought impatiently again. He searched the tops of the cliffs for any familiar shapes, but only Dark Forest warriors roamed around the camp. Ivyshade was ignoring Cinderheart's calls, instead she was laying Leopardkit on her back, and held her down with one paw. Lionblaze took a deep breathe and launched himself at her.
"Attack!" Lionblaze caterwauled. Confused, the cats in the medicine den were delayed for a heart beat, then they attack full force. Dark Forest warriors streamed out of their dens and from outside the camp. Lionblaze was battling Ivyshade still, and he stood over Leopardkit protectively.
"I thought you were dead," Ivyshade hissed.
"That doesn't seem to stop you!" Lionblaze retorted angrily. He swatted at her ears and bit her shoulder. He was much too powerful for her, she was never a really good fighter. He bit her throat and waited for her to return to the Dark Forest. It seemed that a cat had to stay in the Dark Forest for a while before returning to the real world. Lionblaze looked up. Even though the clans and the tribe were fighting like all of Starclan, they were losing. But Lionblaze pressed on. He saw Darkstripe up ahead, fighting with Hawkfrost against Thornclaw and Cedarclaw. Thornclaw was limping pitifully and Cedarclaw was fighting like a Lion. Lionblaze joined in and attacked Hawkfrost.
"That little fox heart lied to us! She said you were dead!" Hawkfrost hissed angrily. Lionblaze ripped his claws down Hawkfrost's tabby pelt. Hawkfrost hissed in fury and jumped on Lionblaze's shoulders. Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Darkstripe was biting his legs. Cedarclaw was doing his best to nip at Darkstripe's hind legs. Lionblaze growled in fury as Hawkfrost dug his claws into his skin. He fell to his belly and rolled on his back, dislodging Hawkfrost. Lionblaze whirled around and sliced his claws across Darkstripe's eyes, blinding him. Lionblaze didn't know if Darkstripe would regain his vision once he entered the Dark Forest, but the golden tabby hoped he didn't.
Leaving Darkstripe to squirm on the ground in pain, Lionblaze flew at Hawkfrost. Rain pattered the hard ground and lightning split the air. Their claws met in each other's fur and tails lashed furiously. Lionblaze clawed at Hawkfrost's back, trying to gain power over him. Finally, he was able to get a grip on the tabby's fur and flip him onto his back, exposing his delicate underbelly. Hawkfrost hissed in fury. Lionblaze held him down with a paw on his throat. Hawkfrost tried to kick him off with his hind legs, but he was growing weaker. Lionblaze put him out of his misery with a long, deep cut from chin to tail. Blood pooled around his dead body. Lionblaze looked up, they were still losing.
Skyclan where are you?" Lionblaze yowled in his mind. The rain had turned to sleet and was pelting down at the cats in camp, making the battle that much harder. Lionblaze was soaked to his skin from the cold precipitation. Turning, Lionblaze saw Bramblestar fighting off two cats at once, but they were smaller and slower than he was. He saw all the elders fighting off a Place of No Stars cat, the kits and apprentices were also attacking two cats. He saw his own son leading the group.
"Honeykit and Flamekit, bite! Foxkit and Waterpaw tackle. I'll get him onto his back and Twigpaw and Leafpaw you can hold him down until me and Rainpaw kill these foxhearts!" Mountainpaw commanded. All the cats swarmed around the two cats,who were startled by the ferocity of the younger patrol. Lionblaze looked for a car who needed help, and his eyes landed on Stormfur and Brook. They were fighting against four other cats while protecting their three kits. Lionblaze launched himself across the clearing and landed on a tabby she-cat who was nipping at Stormfur's haunches.
"Thank Starclan your here Lionblaze!" Stormfur murmured in his ear while helping him attack the cat. Lionblaze ripped at the tom's shoulder which sent him screaming away in pain. Brook was hissing furiously while standing over her three small kits. The three other cats, a tom and two she-cats, were circling her and biting her when her attention was on the one in front of her. Lionblaze joined her around her kits and swatted at the tom's ginger ears. Stormfur was tussling on the muddy ground with one of the she-cats and Brook was confronting the other. Lionblaze kept one eye on the kits while he dodged the large tom's paws. One knocked him on the head. He was strong but not quick and Lionblaze was able to flip him over his own paws. He ripped his claws into the ginger tom's throat, blood pulsed out and turning the slush beneath him pink. Lighting shook the air, the clouds were so thick it was as if it was night, and against the lightning's burst of light, Lionblaze could see a figure silhouetted on top of the highledge. At first he thought it was Crowfeather, but the eyes were green, not blue like his father's. The cat had a strange twinkle in it's eye, and was gazing fondly at the cats below. It looked towards Lionblaze, then stopped dead in its track when the two locked eyes. All it's happiness disappeared, and replaced by shock and fury. It padded to the end of the highledge, still holding Lionblaze's gaze. Lionblaze couldn't figure out who this cat was in the sleet and ran coming down.
"Stop!" The cat yowled, Lionblaze realized it was his sister, Hollyleaf. But why was she stopping the battle?
Lionblaze poked his head into the warriors' den. A few of the warriors who did not wake up to Dovepelt's arrival were still sleeping. Sharpclaw padded in after him.
"Wake up. It's time for the battle," The deputy mewed loudly. The warriors razed their heads, the bolted up as Sharpclaw finished his sentence. Every cat was going in this battle, except for the elders and Echosong, but they too would accompany them to Thunderclan territory and help those who were hurt.
"Everybody go and eat, share as much fresh kill as possible, and then report to Leafstar," Sharpclaw instructed. The others shook their heads rapidly. Lionblaze nodded politely as Sharpclaw walked out. Lionblaze followed him. He saw Echosong leaving the camp with Sparrowpelt at her side.
"Where are they going? Don't they know were about to have a battle?" Sharpclaw hissed.
"Gingerstep is hurt in the forest somewhere, they are going to find her," Dovepelt retorted, she was walking up to Leafstar. Sharpclaw narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"Come on," Lionblaze mewed hastily,"Leafstar is organizing patrols." The ginger and white leader was putting the clan into three groups; her patrol, Sharpclaw's patrol, and Lionblaze's patrol. In his patrol was Woody, Tinyfoot, Chestnutfur, Rockfur, and Waterpaw. Each patrol was five cats, and Lionblaze guessed Dovepelt would be with him. Heathertail was in Leafstar's patrol along with Sparrowpelt, Sagewhisker, Patchfoot, and Clovertail. Then Sharpclaw was in charge of Cherrytail, Petalnose, Fernpaw, and Robinpaw. Leafstar's patrol would lead the clan into battle, and when the signal came, Sharpclaw's patrol would enter along with Lionblaze. Lionblaze looked up to the cloudy sky and wondered if any Starclan cats would join their attack today, but the vast grayness gave no answer.
Lionblaze turned when he heard a cat entering the camp; it was Sparrowpelt dragging a ginger clump of fur, Gingerstep! She looked horrible, blood smeared on her body, her fur wet and sticking up in clumps, and her one paw was twisted in an awkward angle. Only the faint rise and fall of her chest reassured Lionblaze that his friend was alive. He ran up to Echosong as she entered the camp behind Sparrowpelt.
"How is she?" He murmured.
"Her paw is dislocated and broken, but it will heal. For now I need her to lie down and eat some poppy seeds."
"But what about the battle?" Lionblaze protested.
Echosong sighed,"That's what I've been worrying about. If she wakes up, I'll need to tell her that I won't be here. I'l leave her a few simple herbs, like poppyseeds and goldenrod poultice, but I can't do anymore," Lionblaze nodded, this was the best an medicine cat could do. He left her to clean her up and try and wake her.
"Cats of Skyclan," Leafstar's voice rang above the camp,"We are about to depart for war. I don't want any of you to worry, we have Starclan on our side. These, these vermin that call themselves cats, are our prey. Kill them, so we don't have to lay our eyes on them again." Lionblaze had a sudden fear, if these cats went straight to the Dark Forest, couldn't they just come back again? This war would go on forever, farther than even when Lionblaze was dead and long forgotten. None of the other cats seemed to have this fear, or atleast they didn't show it, so Lionblaze kept his mouth shut. Like Leafstar said, they had Starclan on their side.
"Gather the patrols, we leave now," The clan burst into cheers and Lionblaze led his patrol of of the safety of the camp. The frost that was on the ground the night before had melted in a slush on the forest floor.
"Lionblaze wait, I have an idea," Dovepelt called up to him.
"What is it?" She came up to his side, her gray pelt dulled and bones sticking out of her wiry frame.
"There is a tunnel, leading into the medicine den that Hollyleaf and her crew don't know about. That's how me and Gingerstep got out. But I think we could use it to attack." Dovepelt murmured.
"Go on," Lionblaze encouraged.
"Well, if this patrol hid there before the battle started we could get into the camp easier. When Leafstar's patrol is in the camp, the Place of No Stars cats would be guarding the entrance. We could-"
"Attack from all sides," Lionblaze finished. This was brilliant! "Take the lead, show us where to go," Lionblaze mewed warmly. He couldn't believe that only a few seasons ago, Dovepelt was his apprentice, now she was a confident warrior, and a queen no less. He almost purred with affection if it weren't for the growing doom of battle. The final rays of the sun flew over the horizon.
"We have to hurry, they'll choose who they're going to kill soon," Dovepelt mewed bluntly. Lionblaze looked back, his patrol was moving slower than he wanted.
"Come on! Let's go!" He encouraged, and gradually broke into a sprint. The river was coming up ahead, flowing freely without the ice. The patrol ran towards the stepping stones, barely feeling the drops of water on their fur as they glided through the trees. The pine forest was now behind them and they were in the middle of Thunderclan territory. Making sure the Skyclan cats were keeping close, he sprinted faster, slowing as they neared the camp.
"Is there anyone there?" Lionblaze hissed to Dovepelt. He waited for her to cast out her senses.
"There are three cats leaving the camp, but I think they're heading towards Windclan territory. Leafstar's patrol is nearing Thunderclan territory. Heathertail should be able to find the way back to the camp. Sharpclaw seems to be with them." Dovepelt looked back up to him, eyes sparkling. Lionblaze nodded.
"You take the leader, we need to get to that tunnel," Lionblaze panted. Dovepelt ran to the front and swerved away from Thunderclan's camp for a ways. Lionblaze could smell Thunderclan cats, even though he was steering away from them.
"Here, thats the tunnel," Dovepelt stopped beside what looked to be an old badger set below a boulder. The opening was barely big enough for a cat, about a tail length high and a tail length wide. But fresh air told Lionblaze that there was an opening on the other side.
"Careful, there are rocks and steep slopes as we go down, but it leads right into the medicine den," Dovepelt warned. She waved her tail towards it and Lionblaze entered first. Darkness engulfed him, he had to use his whiskers to guide him down the bumpy trail. His sides brushed the walls as the tunnel got narrower, he stumbled once on a large rock, hurting his front paw. The other cats behind him were doing no better, Waterpaw let out a hiss as she tripped over the same rock.
"Only a little further," Dovepelt murmured quietly. Lionblaze pressed on. Finally he could smell the fresh air and a gust of wind blew his fur to the side. The scent of rain carried on the breeze, but the air was heavy with something else. A curve in the path led to a rock wall, Lionblaze slipped around it, and suddenly he was in the medicine den.
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The medicine den was full of bustling cats at the front of the den. No one noticed the new arrivals, and Lionblaze wasn't sure what was holding their attention up front. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd, but stood behind a large tabby, Bramblestar. Hollyleaf was standing in front of them, fury glazing over her eyes.
"Where did they go?" She spat angrily,"Where did those fox hearted clan mates of yours go?" She looked down at a young brown tabby, Lionblaze's own son, Mountainpaw.
"You," She snatched the apprentice,"Where is Dovepelt and Gingerstep?" She shook him by the scruff.
"I don't know," He mumbled quietly.
"What? You don't know? You don't know?" She hurled Mountainpaw at the medicine den's stone walls, but he fell short and landed in a bush.
"If this is how it's going to be, I'm going to kill two cats today, end everyday until they come back," Hollyleaf hissed. Her emerald gaze slid over the crowd.
"Ivyshade and Breezepelt," She hollered over her shoulder,"Choose wisely." Hollyleaf walked away from the group, and two sinister looking cats stood in front of them. Breezepelt; Lionblaze's own half brother, and Ivyshade; Cinderheart's old apprentice. Breezepelt flicked his tail resentfully in front of the clans.
"You first," Ivyshade growled. Breezepelt nodded.
"Crowfeather, I choose Crowfeather," Breezepelt spat. Two black cats pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Crowfeather walked past Lionblaze, gasped a little when he saw him, but said nothing and gave only a proud nod to his son. Nightcloud was following him, and for a spilt second Lionblaze thought she was going to help her son kill her former mate. But as Crowfeather padded up to Breezepelt, Nightcloud started hurling words at her dead son.
"Traitor!" She spat angrily,"Killing your own father because of some petty grudge! I raised you better! Now your nothing but a crow food eating foxheart who take orders from a cat with thistle down for brains! You could have been great, a leader if you put your mind to it!" She stared down her son. But he didn't flinch.
"No, Mother, it's you who has thistledown for brains. You could have been with us, joined our army and lived with me. I could've taken care of you. But now you are just another fool standing in that medicine den." Nightcloud returned his burning gaze. Lionblaze could feel the tension in the air.
"You could have been a great warrior for Windclan, a great son. Maybe if you were than Crowfeather would have praised you like he praised his other sons." Nightcloud ventured, even though Lionblaze could see it hurt her to mention him and Jayfeather. Now Breezepelt looked utterly hurt. His fur was fluffed up twice it's size since she mention his half brothers.
"Your no longer my mother. And Crowfeather never wanted to be my father." Breezepelt pinned his father down by the throat and unsheathed his claws to attack. Nightcloud ran out into the clearing and pinned down her own son, attacking him furiously. Ivyshade just watched her den mate, flicking her tale occasionally. Crowfeather had joined the brawl, but it was over as soon as it started. Skinny Nightcloud was no match for her well fed, muscular son. She had deep gashes on her shoulders and flanks. Crowfeather had a torn shoulder, and Breezepelt had a few scratches down his side and a bite mark on his ear.
"You!" Breezepelt turned to Crowfeather,"Go back. I'll deal with you later," Crowfeather slunk away back into the medicine den. Nightcloud was still alive, barely breathing on the cold ground. Breezepelt walked over to her, looked down at her, and killed her with a single unsheathed claw. Lionblaze thought he saw regret flash in his eyes just for a moment. But he limped over to the warriors' den and slid into the darkness.
Lionblaze's attention turned to Ivyshade who had stood their quietly. Finally she spoke.
"Leopardkit," She mewed with no emotion in her voice. Lionblaze tensed. He would not let this piece of fox dung kill his precious daughter.
"Someone get her," Ivyshade mewed with an edge on her voice. No cat moved.
"Fine. Everyone move, I'll get her." Ivyshade pushedd through the cats. Lionblaze moved to the side, and his behind Bramblestar again. Where is Leafstar? Lionblaze thought fearfully. He knew he couldn't start the battle with the reinforcement of Skyclan, but his precious daughter was going to be slaughtered. The gray sky was growing darker, and clouds blocked out the sun. Ivyshade came out with a small spotted bundle in her teeth. A gray she-cat was chasing after them. Cinderheart!
"Leave my kit alone! She didn't do anything to you Ivyshade!" Lionblaze's mate hissed furiously.
Hurry up Leafstar! Lionblaze thought impatiently again. He searched the tops of the cliffs for any familiar shapes, but only Dark Forest warriors roamed around the camp. Ivyshade was ignoring Cinderheart's calls, instead she was laying Leopardkit on her back, and held her down with one paw. Lionblaze took a deep breathe and launched himself at her.
"Attack!" Lionblaze caterwauled. Confused, the cats in the medicine den were delayed for a heart beat, then they attack full force. Dark Forest warriors streamed out of their dens and from outside the camp. Lionblaze was battling Ivyshade still, and he stood over Leopardkit protectively.
"I thought you were dead," Ivyshade hissed.
"That doesn't seem to stop you!" Lionblaze retorted angrily. He swatted at her ears and bit her shoulder. He was much too powerful for her, she was never a really good fighter. He bit her throat and waited for her to return to the Dark Forest. It seemed that a cat had to stay in the Dark Forest for a while before returning to the real world. Lionblaze looked up. Even though the clans and the tribe were fighting like all of Starclan, they were losing. But Lionblaze pressed on. He saw Darkstripe up ahead, fighting with Hawkfrost against Thornclaw and Cedarclaw. Thornclaw was limping pitifully and Cedarclaw was fighting like a Lion. Lionblaze joined in and attacked Hawkfrost.
"That little fox heart lied to us! She said you were dead!" Hawkfrost hissed angrily. Lionblaze ripped his claws down Hawkfrost's tabby pelt. Hawkfrost hissed in fury and jumped on Lionblaze's shoulders. Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Darkstripe was biting his legs. Cedarclaw was doing his best to nip at Darkstripe's hind legs. Lionblaze growled in fury as Hawkfrost dug his claws into his skin. He fell to his belly and rolled on his back, dislodging Hawkfrost. Lionblaze whirled around and sliced his claws across Darkstripe's eyes, blinding him. Lionblaze didn't know if Darkstripe would regain his vision once he entered the Dark Forest, but the golden tabby hoped he didn't.
Leaving Darkstripe to squirm on the ground in pain, Lionblaze flew at Hawkfrost. Rain pattered the hard ground and lightning split the air. Their claws met in each other's fur and tails lashed furiously. Lionblaze clawed at Hawkfrost's back, trying to gain power over him. Finally, he was able to get a grip on the tabby's fur and flip him onto his back, exposing his delicate underbelly. Hawkfrost hissed in fury. Lionblaze held him down with a paw on his throat. Hawkfrost tried to kick him off with his hind legs, but he was growing weaker. Lionblaze put him out of his misery with a long, deep cut from chin to tail. Blood pooled around his dead body. Lionblaze looked up, they were still losing.
Skyclan where are you?" Lionblaze yowled in his mind. The rain had turned to sleet and was pelting down at the cats in camp, making the battle that much harder. Lionblaze was soaked to his skin from the cold precipitation. Turning, Lionblaze saw Bramblestar fighting off two cats at once, but they were smaller and slower than he was. He saw all the elders fighting off a Place of No Stars cat, the kits and apprentices were also attacking two cats. He saw his own son leading the group.
"Honeykit and Flamekit, bite! Foxkit and Waterpaw tackle. I'll get him onto his back and Twigpaw and Leafpaw you can hold him down until me and Rainpaw kill these foxhearts!" Mountainpaw commanded. All the cats swarmed around the two cats,who were startled by the ferocity of the younger patrol. Lionblaze looked for a car who needed help, and his eyes landed on Stormfur and Brook. They were fighting against four other cats while protecting their three kits. Lionblaze launched himself across the clearing and landed on a tabby she-cat who was nipping at Stormfur's haunches.
"Thank Starclan your here Lionblaze!" Stormfur murmured in his ear while helping him attack the cat. Lionblaze ripped at the tom's shoulder which sent him screaming away in pain. Brook was hissing furiously while standing over her three small kits. The three other cats, a tom and two she-cats, were circling her and biting her when her attention was on the one in front of her. Lionblaze joined her around her kits and swatted at the tom's ginger ears. Stormfur was tussling on the muddy ground with one of the she-cats and Brook was confronting the other. Lionblaze kept one eye on the kits while he dodged the large tom's paws. One knocked him on the head. He was strong but not quick and Lionblaze was able to flip him over his own paws. He ripped his claws into the ginger tom's throat, blood pulsed out and turning the slush beneath him pink. Lighting shook the air, the clouds were so thick it was as if it was night, and against the lightning's burst of light, Lionblaze could see a figure silhouetted on top of the highledge. At first he thought it was Crowfeather, but the eyes were green, not blue like his father's. The cat had a strange twinkle in it's eye, and was gazing fondly at the cats below. It looked towards Lionblaze, then stopped dead in its track when the two locked eyes. All it's happiness disappeared, and replaced by shock and fury. It padded to the end of the highledge, still holding Lionblaze's gaze. Lionblaze couldn't figure out who this cat was in the sleet and ran coming down.
"Stop!" The cat yowled, Lionblaze realized it was his sister, Hollyleaf. But why was she stopping the battle?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Chapt 45
"Jay's Wing, you will help me attack Fringed Eagle," Furled Bracken's throaty meow was directed at the gray tabby tom. Jayfeather nodded, he was prepared for anything now after the long training session with Stone Song and the others.
"Alright," Furled Bracken surveyed his patrol of cats; Shy Fawn, Stone Song, and Jay's Wing were all huddled around the tribe's leader. The sky was growing darker as the sun settled below the horizon. A patrol during the day had spotted Fringed Eagle crossing the moors, and had followed him as far as the Pine Forests- way on the other side of the lake, so Furled Bracken decided to set out earlier. They wanted to catch him as he was going to sleep. Nothing mattered to them anymore, not even mercy, they would kill Fringed Eagle at any cost. Jayfeather had learned from Half Moon that Fringed Eagle had savagely attacked and killed many tribe cats and stolen kits. But the worse was yet to come. Fringed Eagle was a ruthless killer- and hunter. He ate what he caught, and the elders of the tribe called him a kin eater. Half Moon said he had teeth longer than any Sharpclaw's and claws sharper than the talons of the hawks that flown above looking for prey on the moors. Jayfeather was terrified of the thought of being a kit sneaking out of camp looking for an adventure, only to be caught between the claws of this murderous cat eater.
"He has a tribe name," Jayfeather had said to Half Moon earlier,"How did he get it?"
"I swear you must have bees in your brain if you forget this story," Half Moon had sighed,"I don't even know how many times the elders have told us this story. Fringed Eagle was born here in this tribe, his mother was Fish Leap's mother's mother, not Fish Leap's mother's littermate, but a litter older than her. He never really socialized with any cat. The elders say, one Leafbare it was so cold, no prey at all could be found, and many kits died. Fringed Eagle had buried them, and we don't know for sure- but many think he ate them. Soon apprentices and a few elders died. He always volunteered to bury them, especially alone. All Leafbare he was full and plump while the rest of the tribe starved. The leader then was Snake Bite, and she confronted Fringed Eagle about this. Fringed Eagle only said he was more used to the cold than us. Then Greenleaf came, and cats stopped dying. Fringed Eagle must have been yearning for cat meat, because he tried to kill his softpaw by drowning him in the river. It worked and his softpaw was dead. Another sharpclaw was hunting nearby and had stumbled upon Fringed Eagle, eating his softpaw. When Fringed Eagle had saw the sharpclaw, he attacked almost killing her. Fortunately, she managed to escape and tell the tribe before anyone else got hurt." Her gaze darkened as she finished.
"Then what?" Jayfeather murmured, mesmerized by the chilling details of which she told the story.
"Fringed Eagle was banished from the tribes and for a long time we didn't see him. Last Leafbare we lost a sharpclaw. A patrol soon found her remains, half buried under a leaf pile. Her bones were stripped bare, except for her head and tail. Another cat's scent was all around her bone's, and the patrol followed it to a clearing," Half Moon had settled closer to Jayfeather," And in the clearing, that's where they saw him. Fringed Eagle was running, faster than any cat who chased him. He ran out of our territory, but he didn't leave forever. We could scent him almost everyday from then on." Half Moon finished. She looked hollow and frightened, and even though Jayfeather knew he shouldn't do this because he was a medicine cat and because he wasn't the real Jay's Wing, he pressed his gray tabby fur against hers.
But now, standing on the moor with the patrol, Jayfeather was not able to be comforted by Half Moon's sweet scent. Furled Bracken was in the lead, carefully trotting through the tall grasses. Jayfeather was a step or two behind him, watching for any signal of the terrifying cannibal. Suddenly, Furled Bracken stopped.
"Tonight we shall face an enemy like no other," Furled Bracken whispered,"But we must be strong. I only ask of of my patrol one thing. When the time comes for Fringed Eagle to die, you must promise that it will be me, and me alone that kills him." Furled Bracken turned around, looking into each cats' eyes. Jayfeather guessed that it was a pride thing for Furled Bracken to kill this cat that threatened his tribe for so many seasons.
"Do you promise?" Furled Bracken murmured. Each cat, including Jayfeather, nodded their heads determinedly. Furled Bracken breathed in a gust of air, and turned around. Jayfeather could hear him mutter to himself,"Guide our paws well tonight, fire, wind, earth, and water, we will need all your help,"
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The final rays of the sun were making the lake's usually blue water stained scarlet. Jayfeather wondered if this was a bad omen. None of the other cats seemed to notice, and without his warrior ancestors, Jayfeather felt utterly alone. Furled Bracken began to pick up the pace, until the whole patrol was running full speed along the shore, sending sand and pebbles in the air. Just as they reached the pine trees, the sun set fully, and an owl hooted above them. Jayfeather shivered, this day was full of evil omens. Something bad was going to happen.
Silently, the group padded through the pine forest, the slippery needles did not crunch as they padded on them. Soon, they reached a clearing, Furled bracken stopped dead in his tracks. The rest of the patrol hid below low lying pine branches and watched. A broad shouldered, orange golden tom was gathering his pile of fresh kill and dragging it into a hollowed out tree trunk. Jayfeather could see his long claws, but it seemed to fit more to call them talons. The murderous cat thankfully could not smell the patrol, with the wind blowing in their direction and prey covering his senses. Jayfeather looked to Furled Bracken, he was murmuring something over and over, but Jayfeather couldn't catch his words. Shy Fawn was behind him, digging her claws into the ground, and Stone Song had his teeth bared. Looking back, Jayfeather saw Fringed Eagle's emerald green eyes glint in the darkness, then close as he fell into sleep. This was there chance. Furled Bracken lifted his tail slowly, and carefully padded into the clearing. Jayfeather watched each of his paws slide into the slippery needles, not making a noise. The rest of the patrol was doing the same. They reached the hollowed tree, and Furled Bracken let out a fierce caterwaul. Fringed Eagle shot up out of his nest, and fluffed up his fur making him look twice his size.
"Get out of here!" Fringed Eagle commanded.
"Not until your dead!" Furled Bracken roared. The two toms hurled themselves at each other. For a heart beat they fought alone until Jayfeather and the others jumped in to help. Even though Fringed Eagle was horribly outnumbered, he was doing as good as the other. He swiped his claws down the bridge of Jayfeather's nose, and Jayfeather bit his hind leg. He could feel the warm, sticky blood in his mouth. Shy Fawn was batting at his ears and Stone Song was clawing at his back. Suddenly, Fringed Eagle fell to the ground. Thinking he was dead, Jayfeather nosed his fur. Fringed Eagle shot up, grabbed Jayfeather by the scruff, and ran.
"Jay's Wing!" Stone Song roared, pelting after him. Jayfeather couldn't breathe, every time Fringed Eagle moved his front leg, it hit him, knocking them wind out of him. He tried to scratch at his kidnapper, but his claws just raked the air. Fringed Eagle was Running towards what would be Thunderclan territory, and Jayfeather remembered this place was full of badgers. Fringed Eagle never seemed to get tired, as he ran through the stream, soaking himself and Jayfeather. Finally he stopped, and slammed Jayfeather against a tree.
"Let me go!" Jayfeather screeched. Fringed Eagle ignored him.
"It's been a long time since I've had cat meat ," He nosed at Jayfeather's fur,"and you're nice and plump. All Softpaw's are, my softpaw especially." He sighed. He lifted Jayfeather again, and smacked him against the tree. Jayfeather saw spots. He was too dazed to fight back. Fringed Eagle smacked him again, and again, until Jayfeather blacked out. Jayfeather opened his eyes, he was watching Fringed Eagle smack his limp body against a tree. He could see that he was still breathing. Next to him a large hairless mass.
"Hello Jayfeather," It was Rock,"How is your time with the tribe going?"
"I'm being smacked up against a tree! That's how my time in the tribe is going!" Jayfeather hissed,"Why am I here?" He winced as he felt a dull pain in his head.
"For a time of watching and listening. Your tribe mates are coming for you," Now that Jayfeather realized, he could hear cats crashing through the brambles and calling his tribe name. Furled Bracken crashed through the brambles on the other side of where Fringed Eagle was and attacked him. Jayfeather's body fell limply to the ground as the two cats fought. Shy Fawn and Stone Song joined the fight. Finally the patrol over powered Fringed Eagle. Furled Bracken had his paw on the golden tabby's throat.
"Go and listen to Furled Bracken, quickly," Rock nudged him towards the tribe leader. Jayfeather sat next to Furled Bracken. He was muttering something again.
"Strip you of your soul, send you to the blackness. Will not harm again, will not see again." Furled Bracken murmured, in a trance.
"What are you doing?" Fringed Eagle spat angrily. But Furled Bracken did not flinch. Stone Song and Shy fawn just watched their leader.
"The evil will not be seen, the evil will not be heard. Your memory will vanish with your spirit." Furled bracken grew louder, fury in his eyes. "By the water, wind, earth and fire, I condemn you to a soulless afterlife! You will never harm anyone again!" Furled Bracken bit down on Fringed Eagle's throat. Fringed Eagle thrashed for a few moments, then lay still. Jayfeather was too shocked to speak, he just walked back to Rock.
"Remember that young Jayfeather," Rock murmured,"There will be a time when you will need this," Jayfeather turned back to Rock.
"Why did he do that?" The gray tabby murmured. Rock sighed.
"Furled Bracken has taken away the soul of Fringed Eagle, he will not spend his after life along with any other cat. Which means he can not hurt any other cat." Rock mewed. He began to fade away, and Jayfeather went blind again.
"Alright," Furled Bracken surveyed his patrol of cats; Shy Fawn, Stone Song, and Jay's Wing were all huddled around the tribe's leader. The sky was growing darker as the sun settled below the horizon. A patrol during the day had spotted Fringed Eagle crossing the moors, and had followed him as far as the Pine Forests- way on the other side of the lake, so Furled Bracken decided to set out earlier. They wanted to catch him as he was going to sleep. Nothing mattered to them anymore, not even mercy, they would kill Fringed Eagle at any cost. Jayfeather had learned from Half Moon that Fringed Eagle had savagely attacked and killed many tribe cats and stolen kits. But the worse was yet to come. Fringed Eagle was a ruthless killer- and hunter. He ate what he caught, and the elders of the tribe called him a kin eater. Half Moon said he had teeth longer than any Sharpclaw's and claws sharper than the talons of the hawks that flown above looking for prey on the moors. Jayfeather was terrified of the thought of being a kit sneaking out of camp looking for an adventure, only to be caught between the claws of this murderous cat eater.
"He has a tribe name," Jayfeather had said to Half Moon earlier,"How did he get it?"
"I swear you must have bees in your brain if you forget this story," Half Moon had sighed,"I don't even know how many times the elders have told us this story. Fringed Eagle was born here in this tribe, his mother was Fish Leap's mother's mother, not Fish Leap's mother's littermate, but a litter older than her. He never really socialized with any cat. The elders say, one Leafbare it was so cold, no prey at all could be found, and many kits died. Fringed Eagle had buried them, and we don't know for sure- but many think he ate them. Soon apprentices and a few elders died. He always volunteered to bury them, especially alone. All Leafbare he was full and plump while the rest of the tribe starved. The leader then was Snake Bite, and she confronted Fringed Eagle about this. Fringed Eagle only said he was more used to the cold than us. Then Greenleaf came, and cats stopped dying. Fringed Eagle must have been yearning for cat meat, because he tried to kill his softpaw by drowning him in the river. It worked and his softpaw was dead. Another sharpclaw was hunting nearby and had stumbled upon Fringed Eagle, eating his softpaw. When Fringed Eagle had saw the sharpclaw, he attacked almost killing her. Fortunately, she managed to escape and tell the tribe before anyone else got hurt." Her gaze darkened as she finished.
"Then what?" Jayfeather murmured, mesmerized by the chilling details of which she told the story.
"Fringed Eagle was banished from the tribes and for a long time we didn't see him. Last Leafbare we lost a sharpclaw. A patrol soon found her remains, half buried under a leaf pile. Her bones were stripped bare, except for her head and tail. Another cat's scent was all around her bone's, and the patrol followed it to a clearing," Half Moon had settled closer to Jayfeather," And in the clearing, that's where they saw him. Fringed Eagle was running, faster than any cat who chased him. He ran out of our territory, but he didn't leave forever. We could scent him almost everyday from then on." Half Moon finished. She looked hollow and frightened, and even though Jayfeather knew he shouldn't do this because he was a medicine cat and because he wasn't the real Jay's Wing, he pressed his gray tabby fur against hers.
But now, standing on the moor with the patrol, Jayfeather was not able to be comforted by Half Moon's sweet scent. Furled Bracken was in the lead, carefully trotting through the tall grasses. Jayfeather was a step or two behind him, watching for any signal of the terrifying cannibal. Suddenly, Furled Bracken stopped.
"Tonight we shall face an enemy like no other," Furled Bracken whispered,"But we must be strong. I only ask of of my patrol one thing. When the time comes for Fringed Eagle to die, you must promise that it will be me, and me alone that kills him." Furled Bracken turned around, looking into each cats' eyes. Jayfeather guessed that it was a pride thing for Furled Bracken to kill this cat that threatened his tribe for so many seasons.
"Do you promise?" Furled Bracken murmured. Each cat, including Jayfeather, nodded their heads determinedly. Furled Bracken breathed in a gust of air, and turned around. Jayfeather could hear him mutter to himself,"Guide our paws well tonight, fire, wind, earth, and water, we will need all your help,"
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The final rays of the sun were making the lake's usually blue water stained scarlet. Jayfeather wondered if this was a bad omen. None of the other cats seemed to notice, and without his warrior ancestors, Jayfeather felt utterly alone. Furled Bracken began to pick up the pace, until the whole patrol was running full speed along the shore, sending sand and pebbles in the air. Just as they reached the pine trees, the sun set fully, and an owl hooted above them. Jayfeather shivered, this day was full of evil omens. Something bad was going to happen.
Silently, the group padded through the pine forest, the slippery needles did not crunch as they padded on them. Soon, they reached a clearing, Furled bracken stopped dead in his tracks. The rest of the patrol hid below low lying pine branches and watched. A broad shouldered, orange golden tom was gathering his pile of fresh kill and dragging it into a hollowed out tree trunk. Jayfeather could see his long claws, but it seemed to fit more to call them talons. The murderous cat thankfully could not smell the patrol, with the wind blowing in their direction and prey covering his senses. Jayfeather looked to Furled Bracken, he was murmuring something over and over, but Jayfeather couldn't catch his words. Shy Fawn was behind him, digging her claws into the ground, and Stone Song had his teeth bared. Looking back, Jayfeather saw Fringed Eagle's emerald green eyes glint in the darkness, then close as he fell into sleep. This was there chance. Furled Bracken lifted his tail slowly, and carefully padded into the clearing. Jayfeather watched each of his paws slide into the slippery needles, not making a noise. The rest of the patrol was doing the same. They reached the hollowed tree, and Furled Bracken let out a fierce caterwaul. Fringed Eagle shot up out of his nest, and fluffed up his fur making him look twice his size.
"Get out of here!" Fringed Eagle commanded.
"Not until your dead!" Furled Bracken roared. The two toms hurled themselves at each other. For a heart beat they fought alone until Jayfeather and the others jumped in to help. Even though Fringed Eagle was horribly outnumbered, he was doing as good as the other. He swiped his claws down the bridge of Jayfeather's nose, and Jayfeather bit his hind leg. He could feel the warm, sticky blood in his mouth. Shy Fawn was batting at his ears and Stone Song was clawing at his back. Suddenly, Fringed Eagle fell to the ground. Thinking he was dead, Jayfeather nosed his fur. Fringed Eagle shot up, grabbed Jayfeather by the scruff, and ran.
"Jay's Wing!" Stone Song roared, pelting after him. Jayfeather couldn't breathe, every time Fringed Eagle moved his front leg, it hit him, knocking them wind out of him. He tried to scratch at his kidnapper, but his claws just raked the air. Fringed Eagle was Running towards what would be Thunderclan territory, and Jayfeather remembered this place was full of badgers. Fringed Eagle never seemed to get tired, as he ran through the stream, soaking himself and Jayfeather. Finally he stopped, and slammed Jayfeather against a tree.
"Let me go!" Jayfeather screeched. Fringed Eagle ignored him.
"It's been a long time since I've had cat meat ," He nosed at Jayfeather's fur,"and you're nice and plump. All Softpaw's are, my softpaw especially." He sighed. He lifted Jayfeather again, and smacked him against the tree. Jayfeather saw spots. He was too dazed to fight back. Fringed Eagle smacked him again, and again, until Jayfeather blacked out. Jayfeather opened his eyes, he was watching Fringed Eagle smack his limp body against a tree. He could see that he was still breathing. Next to him a large hairless mass.
"Hello Jayfeather," It was Rock,"How is your time with the tribe going?"
"I'm being smacked up against a tree! That's how my time in the tribe is going!" Jayfeather hissed,"Why am I here?" He winced as he felt a dull pain in his head.
"For a time of watching and listening. Your tribe mates are coming for you," Now that Jayfeather realized, he could hear cats crashing through the brambles and calling his tribe name. Furled Bracken crashed through the brambles on the other side of where Fringed Eagle was and attacked him. Jayfeather's body fell limply to the ground as the two cats fought. Shy Fawn and Stone Song joined the fight. Finally the patrol over powered Fringed Eagle. Furled Bracken had his paw on the golden tabby's throat.
"Go and listen to Furled Bracken, quickly," Rock nudged him towards the tribe leader. Jayfeather sat next to Furled Bracken. He was muttering something again.
"Strip you of your soul, send you to the blackness. Will not harm again, will not see again." Furled Bracken murmured, in a trance.
"What are you doing?" Fringed Eagle spat angrily. But Furled Bracken did not flinch. Stone Song and Shy fawn just watched their leader.
"The evil will not be seen, the evil will not be heard. Your memory will vanish with your spirit." Furled bracken grew louder, fury in his eyes. "By the water, wind, earth and fire, I condemn you to a soulless afterlife! You will never harm anyone again!" Furled Bracken bit down on Fringed Eagle's throat. Fringed Eagle thrashed for a few moments, then lay still. Jayfeather was too shocked to speak, he just walked back to Rock.
"Remember that young Jayfeather," Rock murmured,"There will be a time when you will need this," Jayfeather turned back to Rock.
"Why did he do that?" The gray tabby murmured. Rock sighed.
"Furled Bracken has taken away the soul of Fringed Eagle, he will not spend his after life along with any other cat. Which means he can not hurt any other cat." Rock mewed. He began to fade away, and Jayfeather went blind again.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Chapt 44
Dovepelt's fur quivered in the Leafbare wind. She was standing side by side with Gingerstep. Dovepelt could hear Hollyleaf sleeping in her den, curled in a bed of moss. There were four guards out tonight, one in the front of the camp, two guarding the medicine den,and one in the center of the camp. Dovepelt flicked her ears towards the warriors' den where most of the cats slept. One cat was tossing in his nest, but all the others were sleeping soundly.
"Can we go?" Gingerstep whispered quietly. Dovepelt checked around the territory again, but no cat was in the forest.
"Yes, no cat is in the forest," Dovepelt added hastily,"Where is Skyclan staying?"
"The Shadowclan camp." Gingerstep pointed her nose towards the Shadowclan border. Dovepelt nodded. The two she-cats made their way to through the forest. Dovepelt carefully picked her paws off the ground so she did not crack the twigs and iced over snow. She had to unsheathe her claws so she would not slip and fall. She walked a few tail-length's forward near a shriveled brown fern. She whipped around as she heard a gasp and a crack against the ice. Gingerstep's paw was splayed awkwardly behind her, her eyes screaming out in pain that she could not voice. Dovepelt carefully raced over to her.
"My paw, I think it's broken," Gingerstep whimpered with clenched teeth. Before responding, Dovepelt reached her senses out to the stone hollow, no cats were stirring in the camp.
"What are we going to do, we'll have to get you back to camp," Dovepelt helped her up. She could stand on three paws, but her left front paw was bleeding heavily.
"i can't go back like this, the blood trail will lead them right back here," Gingerstep winced as she moved her paw.
"And there's no way you can make it through the tunnel back to the medicine den. Come on, we have to get you to the Shadowclan camp by morning," Looking up she saw the crescent moon floating right above them,"Come on, it's moonhigh already." Dovepelt helped her limp slowly across the territory, pausing every few steps to let her breathe. Her blood left an eery trail behind them, if Hollyleaf found them missing, it wouldn't be hard to follow their trail. Gingerstep gasped as she slipped a little, tapping her bent paw on a broken tree limb. By now her paw was soaked in blood.
"We need to find something to stop the bleeding," She added as Gingerstep slumped to the ground,"and fast." She scanned the forest for any silver silk of a cobweb in the white light of the Moon. She could not tell between the light reflecting off the snow of the forest floor and the icicles on the trees where she would find cobwebs.
"There's no cobwebs, I'll try and find some leaves," She turned back to Gingerstep. She was laying on the ground, eyes closed, and the snow around her was scarlet. Dovepelt thought she was dead until she raised her head.
"Please," Gingerstep rasped,"Hurry." Dovepelt knew that all the leaves left in the forest would be under the snow , a full mouse length deep. Dovepelt began digging, her paws going cold with the snow digging into her claws. The snow was packed hard, and the top layer was frozen. Her claws were being torn and she began to bleed a little, finally she had reached the frozen ground underneath. There were a few dead brown leaves, Dovepelt scooped them up and trotted back to the ginger she-cat. Carefully wrapping Gingerstep's paw in the leaves. Gingerstep squeaked a little, but other wise her mouth was firmly shut. Dovepelt looked up at the moon, it had barely moved since she had checked it before- they still had enough time to make it to the camp if they didn't stop again.
"Can you keep going?" Dovepelt murmured.
After a moments hesitation, Gingerstep nodded.
"Then let's go," Dovepelt mewed. They set off again, a little slow at first, but as Gingerstep got used to her limp, she tottered on her three legs. Dovepelt looked up to the night sky again, the moon had moved down the sky, the night was almost over. Dovepelt nudged Gingerstep along faster, they were halfway to the border. Dovepelt no longer worried about cracking the ice and twigs beneath her, she went through the forest as quick as she could while still supporting Gingerstep. They were finally at the border, when the first streaks of sunlight pierced the black sky.
"This is no use," Gingerstep murmured,"We'll never make it to the camp in time. You go ahead, I'll try and find Echosong when I limp my way there," There was no fear in the younger warrior's eyes, just a cold determination to help her clanmates back at the stone hollow.
"Be careful, Gingerstep," Dovepelt whispered in her friends ear.
"Go, now," Gingerstep shoved her a little with her head. Dovepelt gave her a lick on the ear, and she sprinted towards the Shadowclan camp. The pine needles made the ground slippery, not to mention the ice. Slipping through the trees, she could scent many cats up ahead. The entrance to the camp was a thick barrier of thorns and twigs. The sides scraped against her pelt, but Dovepelt didn't care. She had to get to LionblazeDovepelt thought that they would attack her, but Lionblaze burst out after them.
"Dovepelt! You're here!" Lionblaze's amber eyes looked past her,"Where is Gingerstep?"
"We must hurry, she's hurt. I think she broke her paw," Dovepelt quickly explained what happened to the young ginger she-cat. Another tom came up beside Lionblaze, an older ginger tom.
"How do we know this isn't a trap?" He whispered into Lionblaze's ear.
"Don't worry," Lionblaze mewed,"She's a friend." The ginger tom stared at Dovepelt for a moment, his deep green gaze piercing through her gray fur like a sharpened thorn. He nodded and trotted off. Another cat came up beside Lionblaze. She was a brown and cream tabby.
"Leafstar, this is Dovepelt. She was my apprentice many seasons ago, she is one of the three," Lionblaze gestured to Dovepelt. Dovepelt dipped her head respectfully.
"Greetings. I am guessing that this is Gingerstep's sign." Leafstar mewed. Lionblaze nodded.
"We need to help Gingerstep. She's out in the forest somewhere with a broken paw!" Dovepelt hissed. Her patience was beginning to fade with fear for her friend. Leafstar nodded.
"Echosong, we need you," Leafstar called. A small pretty silver she-cat trotted through a small whole in a den and appeared next to the group.
"What's wrong?" She murmured. Dovepelt explained the story once more.
"I'll go out right away, can I have a warrior please?" Echosong mewed. Leafstar dipped her head. Echosong padded away calling a dark brown tabby.
"How bad is it at the clans?" Lionblaze mewed.
"They are starting to kill us off one by one, everyday at dawn," Dovepelt looked back up to the sky, the sun was barely over the horizon,"They've already killed Firefoot and Cherrytail. They're not giving us enough fresh kill or letting us use dirt place. I came to get you and Skyclan to attack today. If I'm gone any longer they'll figure it out and kill more cats!" Dovepelt pictured her six small kits being slaughtered at the claws of an evil cat like Hollyleaf.
"We'll ;eave right away. We've already made battle plans," Lionblaze mewed firmly. Dovepelt was a little surprised that Lionblaze made orders without consulting Leafstar. Shrugging off her wariness, she followed Lionblaze and Leafstar to collect the battle patrols.
"Can we go?" Gingerstep whispered quietly. Dovepelt checked around the territory again, but no cat was in the forest.
"Yes, no cat is in the forest," Dovepelt added hastily,"Where is Skyclan staying?"
"The Shadowclan camp." Gingerstep pointed her nose towards the Shadowclan border. Dovepelt nodded. The two she-cats made their way to through the forest. Dovepelt carefully picked her paws off the ground so she did not crack the twigs and iced over snow. She had to unsheathe her claws so she would not slip and fall. She walked a few tail-length's forward near a shriveled brown fern. She whipped around as she heard a gasp and a crack against the ice. Gingerstep's paw was splayed awkwardly behind her, her eyes screaming out in pain that she could not voice. Dovepelt carefully raced over to her.
"My paw, I think it's broken," Gingerstep whimpered with clenched teeth. Before responding, Dovepelt reached her senses out to the stone hollow, no cats were stirring in the camp.
"What are we going to do, we'll have to get you back to camp," Dovepelt helped her up. She could stand on three paws, but her left front paw was bleeding heavily.
"i can't go back like this, the blood trail will lead them right back here," Gingerstep winced as she moved her paw.
"And there's no way you can make it through the tunnel back to the medicine den. Come on, we have to get you to the Shadowclan camp by morning," Looking up she saw the crescent moon floating right above them,"Come on, it's moonhigh already." Dovepelt helped her limp slowly across the territory, pausing every few steps to let her breathe. Her blood left an eery trail behind them, if Hollyleaf found them missing, it wouldn't be hard to follow their trail. Gingerstep gasped as she slipped a little, tapping her bent paw on a broken tree limb. By now her paw was soaked in blood.
"We need to find something to stop the bleeding," She added as Gingerstep slumped to the ground,"and fast." She scanned the forest for any silver silk of a cobweb in the white light of the Moon. She could not tell between the light reflecting off the snow of the forest floor and the icicles on the trees where she would find cobwebs.
"There's no cobwebs, I'll try and find some leaves," She turned back to Gingerstep. She was laying on the ground, eyes closed, and the snow around her was scarlet. Dovepelt thought she was dead until she raised her head.
"Please," Gingerstep rasped,"Hurry." Dovepelt knew that all the leaves left in the forest would be under the snow , a full mouse length deep. Dovepelt began digging, her paws going cold with the snow digging into her claws. The snow was packed hard, and the top layer was frozen. Her claws were being torn and she began to bleed a little, finally she had reached the frozen ground underneath. There were a few dead brown leaves, Dovepelt scooped them up and trotted back to the ginger she-cat. Carefully wrapping Gingerstep's paw in the leaves. Gingerstep squeaked a little, but other wise her mouth was firmly shut. Dovepelt looked up at the moon, it had barely moved since she had checked it before- they still had enough time to make it to the camp if they didn't stop again.
"Can you keep going?" Dovepelt murmured.
After a moments hesitation, Gingerstep nodded.
"Then let's go," Dovepelt mewed. They set off again, a little slow at first, but as Gingerstep got used to her limp, she tottered on her three legs. Dovepelt looked up to the night sky again, the moon had moved down the sky, the night was almost over. Dovepelt nudged Gingerstep along faster, they were halfway to the border. Dovepelt no longer worried about cracking the ice and twigs beneath her, she went through the forest as quick as she could while still supporting Gingerstep. They were finally at the border, when the first streaks of sunlight pierced the black sky.
"This is no use," Gingerstep murmured,"We'll never make it to the camp in time. You go ahead, I'll try and find Echosong when I limp my way there," There was no fear in the younger warrior's eyes, just a cold determination to help her clanmates back at the stone hollow.
"Be careful, Gingerstep," Dovepelt whispered in her friends ear.
"Go, now," Gingerstep shoved her a little with her head. Dovepelt gave her a lick on the ear, and she sprinted towards the Shadowclan camp. The pine needles made the ground slippery, not to mention the ice. Slipping through the trees, she could scent many cats up ahead. The entrance to the camp was a thick barrier of thorns and twigs. The sides scraped against her pelt, but Dovepelt didn't care. She had to get to LionblazeDovepelt thought that they would attack her, but Lionblaze burst out after them.
"Dovepelt! You're here!" Lionblaze's amber eyes looked past her,"Where is Gingerstep?"
"We must hurry, she's hurt. I think she broke her paw," Dovepelt quickly explained what happened to the young ginger she-cat. Another tom came up beside Lionblaze, an older ginger tom.
"How do we know this isn't a trap?" He whispered into Lionblaze's ear.
"Don't worry," Lionblaze mewed,"She's a friend." The ginger tom stared at Dovepelt for a moment, his deep green gaze piercing through her gray fur like a sharpened thorn. He nodded and trotted off. Another cat came up beside Lionblaze. She was a brown and cream tabby.
"Leafstar, this is Dovepelt. She was my apprentice many seasons ago, she is one of the three," Lionblaze gestured to Dovepelt. Dovepelt dipped her head respectfully.
"Greetings. I am guessing that this is Gingerstep's sign." Leafstar mewed. Lionblaze nodded.
"We need to help Gingerstep. She's out in the forest somewhere with a broken paw!" Dovepelt hissed. Her patience was beginning to fade with fear for her friend. Leafstar nodded.
"Echosong, we need you," Leafstar called. A small pretty silver she-cat trotted through a small whole in a den and appeared next to the group.
"What's wrong?" She murmured. Dovepelt explained the story once more.
"I'll go out right away, can I have a warrior please?" Echosong mewed. Leafstar dipped her head. Echosong padded away calling a dark brown tabby.
"How bad is it at the clans?" Lionblaze mewed.
"They are starting to kill us off one by one, everyday at dawn," Dovepelt looked back up to the sky, the sun was barely over the horizon,"They've already killed Firefoot and Cherrytail. They're not giving us enough fresh kill or letting us use dirt place. I came to get you and Skyclan to attack today. If I'm gone any longer they'll figure it out and kill more cats!" Dovepelt pictured her six small kits being slaughtered at the claws of an evil cat like Hollyleaf.
"We'll ;eave right away. We've already made battle plans," Lionblaze mewed firmly. Dovepelt was a little surprised that Lionblaze made orders without consulting Leafstar. Shrugging off her wariness, she followed Lionblaze and Leafstar to collect the battle patrols.
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