Snowstar sighed, and turned back to camp when Lionflame vanished. Rockpaw came out of the apprentice den.
"Hi, Snowstar," he mewed. "Should we get some training in?"
"Sure," Snowstar told her apprentice. "We'll start off patrolling the border, since that's mainly what you don't know." It's so weird being his mentor when we're the same age, but not the same age, Snowstar thought as she trotted off out of camp with Rockpaw behind her.
"There's the SnowyOak, where medicine cats share tongues with their ancestors." Snowstar pointed out. Then she swept her tail toward the river on the right that they were approaching. "Across there is FeatherClan's territory. They are our allies. Past them is PowerClan. They are neutral, as far as I know. Anyways, the river is a great place to catch fish." She swept her tail toward their left, the trees. "The trees are great places for other prey. Mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and more."
Rockpaw nodded absently, taking it all in.
"I'm not sure I can teach you much more. You'll probably be a warrior soon," Snowstar commented later. I'll think of just the right name for my old friend, she thought. "Let's hunt!"
She bounded off the trail into the woods. Rockpaw followed.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Gathering 6/15/11
Tomorrow night is the gathering.
Here is the link. Come and post your comments on Clan life. As leader, I will only post general stuff. You can post about your apprentices, kits, etc.
http://moonstargathering.blogspot.com/
~Snowstar
Here is the link. Come and post your comments on Clan life. As leader, I will only post general stuff. You can post about your apprentices, kits, etc.
http://moonstargathering.blogspot.com/
~Snowstar
Friday, June 10, 2011
Story Part 21 Part 3 *Questions*
The sun rose slowly, and Snowstar looked up from her vigil beside Lilypaw. Suprisingly, no one had fallen asleep on vigil. The elders came out of their den and took up the apprentice's body, moving it to the site of the burial. Snowstar, Raincloud, Winterpaw, Eaglepaw, and Etharpaw followed behind. After Lilypaw was gone, the group dragged back into camp. Snowstar and Raincloud went to the leader's den. The apprentices went to their den, and the elders went to the fresh-kill pile. The moment Snowstar lay down, she was out.
"What's happened," Snowstar yawned.
"I sorted out patrols, don't worry," Skypelt told her.
Something in Snowstar's mind clicked. "Have you seen Lionflame or Ashfire recently?"
"No," her deputy replied.
"They told me that Lilypaw would die, and another would come to mend broken hearts." Snowstar confided. "I'm wondering just who those two think they are."
Skypelt shrugged. "I can't help you there, Snowstar."
Snowstar dipped her head. "Yes, I'll have to search for some answers myself." Then she padded off to the fresh-kill pile. Her stomach growled with hunger. After she had had a nice plump fish, she looked up to see Lionflame padding into the camp. She leaped to her paws and raced over to him.
"Why did you make a prophecy that said my kit would die?" she asked.
"Just so you know," Lionflame responded, "I had told you that the prophecy was from StarClan, not me. And even when StarClan told me the prophecy, they seemed saddened when they said it. They didn't want it to happen either. They just passed on their knowledge to me, and Ashfire and I passed it on to you."
Snowstar looked taken-aback. "Well, yes, but you didn't have to tell me. It would have saved me some worrying."
"It is not up to me to not tell you something that StarClan told me to tell you. Do not forget that they said you will be brought hope, and your broken heart will be mended." Lionflame looked at her. "Take courage, for StarClan would not give you a burden they knew you could not handle."
How are you so wise? Snowstar wondered. "Do you know if the hope they have promised has come?"
"Only you will know for sure," Lionflame replied. Then he turned to leave.
"Wait," Snowstar commanded. "Are you going to join the Clan?"
Lionflame seemed to consider this. "I do not know. I must ask my brother. We will make the decision together." He turned to leave once more.
"Where is Ashfire?" Snowstar asked. Lionflame either didn't hear, didn't know, or didn't think he had to give an answer.
*
The sun was high in the sky when Snowstar awoke. She was careful not to wake Raincloud, who was still asleep. Skypelt met her at the entrance of the den."What's happened," Snowstar yawned.
"I sorted out patrols, don't worry," Skypelt told her.
Something in Snowstar's mind clicked. "Have you seen Lionflame or Ashfire recently?"
"No," her deputy replied.
"They told me that Lilypaw would die, and another would come to mend broken hearts." Snowstar confided. "I'm wondering just who those two think they are."
Skypelt shrugged. "I can't help you there, Snowstar."
Snowstar dipped her head. "Yes, I'll have to search for some answers myself." Then she padded off to the fresh-kill pile. Her stomach growled with hunger. After she had had a nice plump fish, she looked up to see Lionflame padding into the camp. She leaped to her paws and raced over to him.
"Why did you make a prophecy that said my kit would die?" she asked.
"Just so you know," Lionflame responded, "I had told you that the prophecy was from StarClan, not me. And even when StarClan told me the prophecy, they seemed saddened when they said it. They didn't want it to happen either. They just passed on their knowledge to me, and Ashfire and I passed it on to you."
Snowstar looked taken-aback. "Well, yes, but you didn't have to tell me. It would have saved me some worrying."
"It is not up to me to not tell you something that StarClan told me to tell you. Do not forget that they said you will be brought hope, and your broken heart will be mended." Lionflame looked at her. "Take courage, for StarClan would not give you a burden they knew you could not handle."
How are you so wise? Snowstar wondered. "Do you know if the hope they have promised has come?"
"Only you will know for sure," Lionflame replied. Then he turned to leave.
"Wait," Snowstar commanded. "Are you going to join the Clan?"
Lionflame seemed to consider this. "I do not know. I must ask my brother. We will make the decision together." He turned to leave once more.
"Where is Ashfire?" Snowstar asked. Lionflame either didn't hear, didn't know, or didn't think he had to give an answer.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Story Part 21 Part 2 *Lilypaw Lost*
"Rockpaw, will you join the Clan?" Snowstar asked her friend.
Rockpaw pondered for a moment. "Yes. I don't know much. I was only an apprentice when I died."
"Yeah, but we both were well into our training, and I'm sure you learned a lot in StarClan," Snowstar mewed.
"So he will be in the apprentice den?" Etharpaw asked again.
Snowstar swung her head toward Etharpaw. "Yes, at least for a bit while he learns the ways of FrostClan."
She turned back to Rockpaw. "You will be my apprentice. Come, we will have the ceremony and then sit vigil for - Lilypaw." Her voice broke.
Rockpaw dipped his head and followed her out of the den. Raincloud, Tawnyflash, Wavepaw, and the other apprentices followed too, carrying Lilypaw.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting," Snowstar called out, leaping onto IceRock.
"I would like to welcome a new apprentice into the Clan," she announced. Whispers sounded through the assembled cats.
"I knew Rockpaw when we were younger, before I started FrostClan. We were friends, and then... He had a tragic accident and died. As you probably already know, my kit, Lilypaw died from her injuries in the fox fight. Somehow her death transported Rockpaw back to life, and he appeared in the Medicine Cat Den when Lilypaw died. Rockpaw, from now on until you become a warrior, I will be your mentor and teach you the ways of FrostClan."
Snowstar leaped off the rock and touched her nose to his.
Rockpaw! Rockpaw! Rockpaw! Rockpaw!
After the cheering had died down, she added. "We will sit vigil for Lilypaw tonight, and bury her at dawn." Snowstar walked away from her new apprentice and sat beside Lilypaw, pushing her nose into her fur. "I'll miss you," she murmered. Raincloud sat beside her, his nose in Lilypaw's fur too. Then Eaglepaw, Etharpaw, and Winterpaw, who kept shooting hostile glances at Rockpaw. I'll have to talk to him about that later. she thought. Then she pushed out all thoughts but her grief for Lilypaw.
Rockpaw pondered for a moment. "Yes. I don't know much. I was only an apprentice when I died."
"Yeah, but we both were well into our training, and I'm sure you learned a lot in StarClan," Snowstar mewed.
"So he will be in the apprentice den?" Etharpaw asked again.
Snowstar swung her head toward Etharpaw. "Yes, at least for a bit while he learns the ways of FrostClan."
She turned back to Rockpaw. "You will be my apprentice. Come, we will have the ceremony and then sit vigil for - Lilypaw." Her voice broke.
Rockpaw dipped his head and followed her out of the den. Raincloud, Tawnyflash, Wavepaw, and the other apprentices followed too, carrying Lilypaw.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting," Snowstar called out, leaping onto IceRock.
"I would like to welcome a new apprentice into the Clan," she announced. Whispers sounded through the assembled cats.
"I knew Rockpaw when we were younger, before I started FrostClan. We were friends, and then... He had a tragic accident and died. As you probably already know, my kit, Lilypaw died from her injuries in the fox fight. Somehow her death transported Rockpaw back to life, and he appeared in the Medicine Cat Den when Lilypaw died. Rockpaw, from now on until you become a warrior, I will be your mentor and teach you the ways of FrostClan."
Snowstar leaped off the rock and touched her nose to his.
Rockpaw! Rockpaw! Rockpaw! Rockpaw!
After the cheering had died down, she added. "We will sit vigil for Lilypaw tonight, and bury her at dawn." Snowstar walked away from her new apprentice and sat beside Lilypaw, pushing her nose into her fur. "I'll miss you," she murmered. Raincloud sat beside her, his nose in Lilypaw's fur too. Then Eaglepaw, Etharpaw, and Winterpaw, who kept shooting hostile glances at Rockpaw. I'll have to talk to him about that later. she thought. Then she pushed out all thoughts but her grief for Lilypaw.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Story Part 21 Part 1 *Sudden Apperance*
Snowstar raced toward the medicine den.
Tawnyflash looked up as her leader raced in. "What?"
"Lilypaw," Snowstar panted. Her daughter was still breathing. She raised her head up to the sky. "Thank you, StarClan." she murmered.
"It's been a long day," a voice behind her said. Raincloud laid his tail upon her back "Why don't you get some sleep? Tawnyflash and Wavepaw will make sure that everything will be okay."
Snowstar relaxed and went to her den with Raincloud.
Tawnyflash looked up as her leader raced in. "What?"
"Lilypaw," Snowstar panted. Her daughter was still breathing. She raised her head up to the sky. "Thank you, StarClan." she murmered.
"It's been a long day," a voice behind her said. Raincloud laid his tail upon her back "Why don't you get some sleep? Tawnyflash and Wavepaw will make sure that everything will be okay."
Snowstar relaxed and went to her den with Raincloud.
*
Snowstar yawned and stretched. She had had a fitful sleep with no dreams. Raincloud was gone, and his scent was stale. Skypelt must have assigned him to dawn patrol, Snowstar thought. She arched her back and padded out of her den. Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw were sharing a salmon by the apprentice den, while Eclipseshadow was showing Lionpaw and Sunpaw a battle move, which they eagerly tried to copy. Tawnyflash appeared with Wavepaw from the tunnel with bundles of herbs in their jaws, and then vanished inside the medicine den. Other warriors were sharing prey by the warriors den. It's a normal day in FrostClan. We're already recovering from the fox attack. Only one thing was missing... Lilypaw!
Snowstar padded toward the medicine den, when she nearly got bowled over by Wavepaw, racing from the den, eyes wide.
"Snowstar," she panted. "Something's wrong!"
Snowstar gasped and raced the rest of the way to the den. When she entered, she saw Lilypaw. She padded lightly toward her daughter, thinking she might be sleeping.
"There's no need for that," came Tawnyflash's voice. It chilled Snowstar to the bone. "She's gone..."
Snowstar let out a wail. The camp was suddenly silent. Raincloud pushed his way into the den, followed by Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw. Snowstar wailed again, the sound of grief only a mother mourning her kit can cry. "The prophecy..." she muttered. "Why did it have to come?"
"I couldn't stop it..." a voice whispered in her ear.
Snowstar spun around and took in the scent and sight of the new cat. He had a dark brown tabby pelt, and deep, brown eyes, sparkling with grief.
"I tried," the cat went on. "But she was too far gone..."
Snowstar laid her tail on his pelt. "I understand now... They took Lilypaw to be with them, but gave you back to me. I should be glad, but it was at such a high price..." here her voice cracked.
"Ahem...." Raincloud was looking at her. "Who exactly is this cat?"
"Meet Rockpaw. We used to... know each other. Before I started this Clan." Snowstar explained.
"So... you were friends." Raincloud prompted.
"Yes. We were - friends." Snowstar answered.
"We're apprentices too!" Etharpaw mewed from behind Snowstar and Raincloud. "Where do you come from?"
"Well," Rockpaw seemed uncomfortable. "StarClan..."
"You're dead? Have you come to guide Lilypaw? Howcomewecanseeyou?" Etharpaw's questions spewed from her mouth.
"I was dead. Now I am alive." he replied bluntly.
"You can train with us," Etharpaw offered. "Snowstar, who will his mentor be?"
Rockpaw purred. "Your kits are inquisitive. I like that."
"Hey! We're not kits any more!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. Only Winterpaw remained silent.
I don't care if this cat was dead and is now alive. I only care that Lilypaw is gone... Winterpaw glared at Rockpaw, understanding the earlier part of the conversation. He took Lilypaw so he could come back.
"There's no need for that," came Tawnyflash's voice. It chilled Snowstar to the bone. "She's gone..."
Snowstar let out a wail. The camp was suddenly silent. Raincloud pushed his way into the den, followed by Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw. Snowstar wailed again, the sound of grief only a mother mourning her kit can cry. "The prophecy..." she muttered. "Why did it have to come?"
"I couldn't stop it..." a voice whispered in her ear.
Snowstar spun around and took in the scent and sight of the new cat. He had a dark brown tabby pelt, and deep, brown eyes, sparkling with grief.
"I tried," the cat went on. "But she was too far gone..."
Snowstar laid her tail on his pelt. "I understand now... They took Lilypaw to be with them, but gave you back to me. I should be glad, but it was at such a high price..." here her voice cracked.
"Ahem...." Raincloud was looking at her. "Who exactly is this cat?"
"Meet Rockpaw. We used to... know each other. Before I started this Clan." Snowstar explained.
"So... you were friends." Raincloud prompted.
"Yes. We were - friends." Snowstar answered.
"We're apprentices too!" Etharpaw mewed from behind Snowstar and Raincloud. "Where do you come from?"
"Well," Rockpaw seemed uncomfortable. "StarClan..."
"You're dead? Have you come to guide Lilypaw? Howcomewecanseeyou?" Etharpaw's questions spewed from her mouth.
"I was dead. Now I am alive." he replied bluntly.
"You can train with us," Etharpaw offered. "Snowstar, who will his mentor be?"
Rockpaw purred. "Your kits are inquisitive. I like that."
"Hey! We're not kits any more!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. Only Winterpaw remained silent.
I don't care if this cat was dead and is now alive. I only care that Lilypaw is gone... Winterpaw glared at Rockpaw, understanding the earlier part of the conversation. He took Lilypaw so he could come back.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Story Part 20 *A New Battle For One*
Snowstar's tail tip disappeared into the medicine cat den. The three apprentices followed. The fourth apprentice lay still on the mossy bedding, breathing lightly and shallowly.
"How is she?" Snowstar asked.
Tawnyflash peered out from the back of the den with goldenrod in her mouth. She padded over to Lilypaw and dropped the herbs. "I'm sorry," she mewed, bowing her head. "I'm not sure I can save her. I'll put another poultice on." She licked up the herbs, chewed them, and put them on Lilypaw's wound.
Snowstar bowed her head. When she spoke, her voice cracked with grief. "I know you and Wavepaw are doing your best, Tawnyflash. That's all I can expect you to do." With that, she turned and left the den, tail dragging in the dust. When she passed Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw, she brushed her tail over their shoulders. "Come, I'm going to have a ceremony."
The apprentices followed her to IceRock with wide eyes.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting." called Snowstar as she leaped onto the rock, claws dug into the surface to keep from slipping.
The Clan gathered around.
"I have called you together for some important ceremonies today. Eclipsepaw, step forward."
Eclipsepaw stepped forward, eyes glowing.
"Fuzzypelt, to you agree that this apprentice has learned enough of the ways of FrostClan to become a warrior?"
Fuzzypelt stepped forward. "Yes, Snowstar."
"I, Snowstar, leader of FrostClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice, she has trained hard and learned the ways of the code, and I commend her to you as a warrior." Snowstar swung her gaze toward the excited looking calico cat. "Eclipsepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then from this day forward, your name shall be Eclipseshadow. We welcome you as a warrior of FrostClan."
Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow!
After the cheering had died down, Snowstar called out once more. "One more thing to do before everyone gets back to their duties. Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit step forward."
The four kits stepped up to the base of the rock.
"Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit, from now on and until you receive your warrior names, you shall be known as Lionpaw, Mousepaw, Sunpaw, and Foxpaw. Lionpaw, your mentor will be Shadowflower, Mousepaw, your mentor shall be Redforest, Sunpaw, your mentor will be Stripetail, and Foxpaw, your mentor shall be Smokepelt."
The mentors and apprentices touched noses.
Lionpaw! Mousepaw! Sunpaw! Foxpaw! Lionpaw! Mousepaw! Sunpaw! Foxpaw!
Snowstar leaped down to congratulate the new apprentices, mentors, and warrior.
"Eclipseshadow, you will sit vigil this night, but first get something to eat. You've been working all day on the camp."
The ceremonies had made Snowstar momentarily forget the crisis of Lilypaw. "Where are Lionflame and Ashfire?" she muttered under her breath. Suddenly, as if the thought of them had made them arrive, they were standing before her.
Lionflame spoke. "You must want to know where we went."
Snowstar looked at them. "Yes."
"We had to go to the SnowyOak." Ashfire meowed. "StarClan spoke to us, but it was faded and not clear. They said to receive an important message, we must go to the SnowyOak, so we did."
"What was the message?" Snowstar was getting interested.
"Well, StarClan told us that the prophecy
"How is she?" Snowstar asked.
Tawnyflash peered out from the back of the den with goldenrod in her mouth. She padded over to Lilypaw and dropped the herbs. "I'm sorry," she mewed, bowing her head. "I'm not sure I can save her. I'll put another poultice on." She licked up the herbs, chewed them, and put them on Lilypaw's wound.
Snowstar bowed her head. When she spoke, her voice cracked with grief. "I know you and Wavepaw are doing your best, Tawnyflash. That's all I can expect you to do." With that, she turned and left the den, tail dragging in the dust. When she passed Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw, she brushed her tail over their shoulders. "Come, I'm going to have a ceremony."
The apprentices followed her to IceRock with wide eyes.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting." called Snowstar as she leaped onto the rock, claws dug into the surface to keep from slipping.
The Clan gathered around.
"I have called you together for some important ceremonies today. Eclipsepaw, step forward."
Eclipsepaw stepped forward, eyes glowing.
"Fuzzypelt, to you agree that this apprentice has learned enough of the ways of FrostClan to become a warrior?"
Fuzzypelt stepped forward. "Yes, Snowstar."
"I, Snowstar, leader of FrostClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice, she has trained hard and learned the ways of the code, and I commend her to you as a warrior." Snowstar swung her gaze toward the excited looking calico cat. "Eclipsepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
"Then from this day forward, your name shall be Eclipseshadow. We welcome you as a warrior of FrostClan."
Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow! Eclipseshadow!
After the cheering had died down, Snowstar called out once more. "One more thing to do before everyone gets back to their duties. Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit step forward."
The four kits stepped up to the base of the rock.
"Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit, from now on and until you receive your warrior names, you shall be known as Lionpaw, Mousepaw, Sunpaw, and Foxpaw. Lionpaw, your mentor will be Shadowflower, Mousepaw, your mentor shall be Redforest, Sunpaw, your mentor will be Stripetail, and Foxpaw, your mentor shall be Smokepelt."
The mentors and apprentices touched noses.
Lionpaw! Mousepaw! Sunpaw! Foxpaw! Lionpaw! Mousepaw! Sunpaw! Foxpaw!
Snowstar leaped down to congratulate the new apprentices, mentors, and warrior.
"Eclipseshadow, you will sit vigil this night, but first get something to eat. You've been working all day on the camp."
The ceremonies had made Snowstar momentarily forget the crisis of Lilypaw. "Where are Lionflame and Ashfire?" she muttered under her breath. Suddenly, as if the thought of them had made them arrive, they were standing before her.
Lionflame spoke. "You must want to know where we went."
Snowstar looked at them. "Yes."
"We had to go to the SnowyOak." Ashfire meowed. "StarClan spoke to us, but it was faded and not clear. They said to receive an important message, we must go to the SnowyOak, so we did."
"What was the message?" Snowstar was getting interested.
"Well, StarClan told us that the prophecy
'There shall be four of your kin,
Of whom two shall win
The favor of StarClan and their friends
They will stop at naught to make an end
To trouble in the Clan'
Of whom two shall win
The favor of StarClan and their friends
They will stop at naught to make an end
To trouble in the Clan'
"Has been fulfilled." Ashfire replied.
"Ah, it must have been that Eaglepaw and Etharpaw, bringing you the news of trouble in FrostClan, which was the foxes." Snowstar exclaimed.
"Precicely." Ashfire told her.
"But wait, there's more," Lionflame meowed solemnly. "StarClan said, 'A new prophecy has come..."
"Wait," Snowstar interrupted. "There's a new prophecy already?"
Lionflame went on as though he had never been interrupted.
"'One cat of the Clan
Will be lost forever,
But another can
Come back to mend the five
Heats that were torn asunder'"
"I-I don't understand..." stuttered Snowstar.
Ashfire snorted. "Prophecies weren't made to be understood."
Snowstar glared at him.
Lionflame slid his cool gaze over Ashfire and Snowstar. "Many prophecies come and go, and all are fulfilled, though not always in the way we think they should be or will be."
Snowstar tried not to gape at him. I didn't know he was so wise. She shook her head as the brothers padded away. 'One cat of the Clan will be lost forever?' That sounds bad. Then her head jerked up. Lilypaw!
*
The forest was light now. The light, rosy cat padded closer to the light, but then the ground suddenly opened underneath her paws. The tabby tom leaped forward, grabbing her scruff, but when he heaved to pull her out from the hole, the ground crumbled beneath his hind paws. He scrambled backward and heaved once more on the light cat's scruff. His eyes flashed with the fire of determination. The rosy cat let out a wail of despair.
"I'll save you," the tabby screeched through a mouthful of fur. I can't! he thought. I must! he used all the power in his haunches, but the rosy cat's scruff slipped through his teeth. The power of his struggles launched him through the trees and into the light. He scrunched his eyes closed and leaped blindly for the dark of the forest, but slammed into an invisible wall. His eyes flashed open. Oh no! he wailed silently as he saw the rosy cat's paws slip from the edge of the dirt and vanish. How could StarClan let this happen?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Story Part 19 *Repairs*
The forest was dark. A dark brown tabby tom with deep, sparkling brown eyes padded through the forest. A light rosy she-cat with green eyes strode beside him.
"Where are we going?" she asked him. "Why am I here?"
"I cannot tell you," the tabby tom responded. His gaze was clear, but his mind was racing. She shouldn't be here! How can I help her leave? A vision of a snowy white cat with blue eyes full of grief filled his mind. She doesn't deserve for her heart to be broken again.
"Come with me," he whispered in the rosy cat's ear.
She followed him. The trees thinned, and a light shone again. The tabby tom stopped walking. His companion turned to him, head tipped to the side in question.
"You must go on without me..." he said softly, eyes full of longing.
The rosy cat padded on.
"Where are we going?" she asked him. "Why am I here?"
"I cannot tell you," the tabby tom responded. His gaze was clear, but his mind was racing. She shouldn't be here! How can I help her leave? A vision of a snowy white cat with blue eyes full of grief filled his mind. She doesn't deserve for her heart to be broken again.
"Come with me," he whispered in the rosy cat's ear.
She followed him. The trees thinned, and a light shone again. The tabby tom stopped walking. His companion turned to him, head tipped to the side in question.
"You must go on without me..." he said softly, eyes full of longing.
The rosy cat padded on.
*
Etharpaw, Eaglepaw, and Winterpaw padded into camp, dragging thorns and brambles with them. Etharpaw dropped her load by Eclipsepaw, who was working with her mentor Fuzzypelt.
"Whew!" she exclaimed. "There sure is a lot of work to be done."
The fox attack had damaged the camp walls, and the apprentices were working on the walls. Eaglepaw dropped his load by Featherpaw and Jingletail. Winterpaw dropped his by Oakpaw and Dawnfeather. The older apprentices and their mentors were working on the wall while the younger apprentices got thorns and brambles from the forest and brought them to camp. A bit farther in the camp, Leafpaw was working with Raincloud and a few other warriors on repairing the dens. Mosspelt, Shadowclaw, Wavepaw, and Tawnyflash came into camp with lots of goldenrod and cobwebs for the wounded cats. The whole camp was busy with activity. Snowstar, Iceflower, Manderinpelt, Crowfur, Sassyheart, and Mintstream were on patrol, making sure the boarders were marked so no other Clan would think they were weak. Skypelt, the deputy, was organizing a hunting patrol.
Etharpaw sighed, and headed back into the forest with Winterpaw and Eaglepaw. She wanted to see Lilypaw, but there was so much to do! When she came back the senior warriors, Mistyleaf, Dewstripe, Hawkfeather, Heatherfeather, Shadowflower, and Startail were gathered around Skypelt and Snowstar, who had gotten back from patrol.
"I'll have to announce this at the next gathering," Snowstar was saying. "If I don't and some cat finds out, another Clan may think we hid it because we were weakened and attack us."
Mistyleaf, Dewstripe, Hawkfeather, Heatherfeather, Shadowflower, and Startail nodded.
"Then it's decided," Skypelt raised her voice. "We won't hide the fact of the attack."
Snowstar nodded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must speak to Tawnyflash about Lilypaw."
She saw her other kits watching from the entryway to camp and beckoned them with her tail. "Drop those brambles off and come with me."
The apprentices did as she said and scampered over to the medicine cat den. When they got the the entrance they hesitated, and then followed Snowstar's lead.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Story Part 18 *End Battle*
Snowstar glanced around the clearing, and saw the black fox. She zigzagged through Clanmates and foxes alike, leaping over Blackslash as he came rolling past grappling with a fox, and landing square on the shoulders of the unsuspecting black fox.
"So it's true," the fox hissed. "You can come back from the dead." The fox's eyes opened wide. "You must have two lives!"
Snowstar hissed in return, and gave the fox one last rake of her claws. She leaped down, and bit the fox's throat. The fox let out a harsh cry, and then lay still. Snowstar leaped down, about to cry out in victory, but then the fox came up, and she found herself pinned down.
"How?" she gasped, expecting the claws to come crashing down any moment.
A flash of fire came to her, and the black fox crashed down at her side. A fiery orange and golden cat stood triumphantly on top of it, while another gray cat slashed the death blow. When the other foxes saw their slain leader, they ran from the FrostClan camp.
"Who are you?" Snowstar asked the two cats.
"I am Lionflame," the orange and golden one replied.
"And I am Ashfire," announced the gray one.
Snowstar opened her mouth to ask them where they had come from, but was interrupted by Eaglepaw. "We found them. Etharpaw and I. On our quest!!"
"Quest?" she gaped at them.
"Yeah! We had dreams that we must find them, and we went off and did," Etharpaw had padded over. "Eaglepaw and I are sorry that we worried you, but this was something we had to do. We didn't think you would understand."
"I guess you're right about that," Snowstar mewed slowly. "I would have tried to stop you."
The prophecy, it has been fulfilled, she thought. Eaglepaw and Etharpaw saved the Clan, and these other cats, I have dreamed about them, but my assumption of them was wrong. They helped the Clan, and I had thought they would hurt it.
"You are welcome to stay for a while, and then go." Snowstar dipped her head to Lionflame and Ashfire. "FrostClan is grateful for your help against the foxes." She scanned the clearing. Tawnyflash and Wavepaw were helping the wounded cats, putting on cobweb and goldenrod poultices. Bouncestep was huddled over Lilypaw. Snowstar raced over.
"How is she?" she asked breathlessly.
"I don't know," Bouncestep looked bewildered and shocked. "Will StarClan really allow my apprentice to die? This doesn't seem right!" he wailed.
"Tawnyflash!" Snowstar cried out.
Tawnyflash raced over. "Oh my!" she sounded shocked. "This should have been treated imediatly!"
Lilypaw's shoulder was ripped open, almost to the bone.
"Wavepaw! Get some cobwebs and goldenrod over here!" Tawnyflash commanded her apprentice. Wavepaw rushed to the medicine cat den and came back with cobwebs around one paw and goldenrod in her mouth.
She spat the goldenrod on the ground and gave Tawnyflash the goldenrod. "Snowstar, chew this goldenrod into a pulp. I have to check on Dawnfeather, Iceflower and Echosong. They're the only cats we haven't checked yet." With that, Wavepaw raced away.
Snowstar picked some goldenrod and chewed it. Then she spat it out and placed it gently on the wound, with Tawnyflash's instructions. Tawnyflash covered the goldenrod with cobwebs, and then smeared some sticky tree sap on the poultice. "This will help it stay in place," she said. "You and Bouncestep should take Lilypaw to my den. She'll need watching as she heals."
Snowstar and Bouncestep gently lifted Lilypaw and took her to the medicine den.
From the other side of the clearing, Eaglepaw, Etharpaw and Winterpaw watched. They glanced at each other, each knowing what the other was thinking... Will Lilypaw survive?
"So it's true," the fox hissed. "You can come back from the dead." The fox's eyes opened wide. "You must have two lives!"
Snowstar hissed in return, and gave the fox one last rake of her claws. She leaped down, and bit the fox's throat. The fox let out a harsh cry, and then lay still. Snowstar leaped down, about to cry out in victory, but then the fox came up, and she found herself pinned down.
"How?" she gasped, expecting the claws to come crashing down any moment.
A flash of fire came to her, and the black fox crashed down at her side. A fiery orange and golden cat stood triumphantly on top of it, while another gray cat slashed the death blow. When the other foxes saw their slain leader, they ran from the FrostClan camp.
"Who are you?" Snowstar asked the two cats.
"I am Lionflame," the orange and golden one replied.
"And I am Ashfire," announced the gray one.
Snowstar opened her mouth to ask them where they had come from, but was interrupted by Eaglepaw. "We found them. Etharpaw and I. On our quest!!"
"Quest?" she gaped at them.
"Yeah! We had dreams that we must find them, and we went off and did," Etharpaw had padded over. "Eaglepaw and I are sorry that we worried you, but this was something we had to do. We didn't think you would understand."
"I guess you're right about that," Snowstar mewed slowly. "I would have tried to stop you."
The prophecy, it has been fulfilled, she thought. Eaglepaw and Etharpaw saved the Clan, and these other cats, I have dreamed about them, but my assumption of them was wrong. They helped the Clan, and I had thought they would hurt it.
"You are welcome to stay for a while, and then go." Snowstar dipped her head to Lionflame and Ashfire. "FrostClan is grateful for your help against the foxes." She scanned the clearing. Tawnyflash and Wavepaw were helping the wounded cats, putting on cobweb and goldenrod poultices. Bouncestep was huddled over Lilypaw. Snowstar raced over.
"How is she?" she asked breathlessly.
"I don't know," Bouncestep looked bewildered and shocked. "Will StarClan really allow my apprentice to die? This doesn't seem right!" he wailed.
"Tawnyflash!" Snowstar cried out.
Tawnyflash raced over. "Oh my!" she sounded shocked. "This should have been treated imediatly!"
Lilypaw's shoulder was ripped open, almost to the bone.
"Wavepaw! Get some cobwebs and goldenrod over here!" Tawnyflash commanded her apprentice. Wavepaw rushed to the medicine cat den and came back with cobwebs around one paw and goldenrod in her mouth.
She spat the goldenrod on the ground and gave Tawnyflash the goldenrod. "Snowstar, chew this goldenrod into a pulp. I have to check on Dawnfeather, Iceflower and Echosong. They're the only cats we haven't checked yet." With that, Wavepaw raced away.
Snowstar picked some goldenrod and chewed it. Then she spat it out and placed it gently on the wound, with Tawnyflash's instructions. Tawnyflash covered the goldenrod with cobwebs, and then smeared some sticky tree sap on the poultice. "This will help it stay in place," she said. "You and Bouncestep should take Lilypaw to my den. She'll need watching as she heals."
Snowstar and Bouncestep gently lifted Lilypaw and took her to the medicine den.
From the other side of the clearing, Eaglepaw, Etharpaw and Winterpaw watched. They glanced at each other, each knowing what the other was thinking... Will Lilypaw survive?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Story Part 17 *StarClan's Help*
Snowstar stood up. She was by the SnowyOak. She plucked a leaf off the tree, lay down, closed her eyes and chewed it thoughtfully. When she opened her eyes, the cats of StarClan had come. Her father, Brackenheart stepped forward.
"Greetings, Snowstar," the he meowed. "You have lost your first life."
Another cat, smaller than many others, stepped forward, stars sparkling against the ground as he stepped forward toward Snowstar.
"You need time to recover, before you can go back. Rest here with us," he meowed, stepping closer.
"Rockpaw?" Snowstar whispered.
The cat purred, his pelt brushing hers and filling her with strength.
"You're not mad?"
"Mad about what?" Rockpaw looked puzzled.
"Raincloud," she meowed, her voice cracking. "I didn't think I could go on without you, but then I found him and have kits.I-I didn't mean to replace you."
Rockpaw's eyes softened. "No. I am glad you could find the strength and courage to go on without me. If you came we could be together, but it was your destiny to lead your Clan. Your kits are strong, and will serve their Clan well."
Snowstar settled down on the grass, and Rockpaw curled up beside her. "And now, you will find the strength and courage to go on in battle to defend your Clan, which you lead so well."
Snowstar relaxed as he lapped his tongue across her fur, smoothing it. I'll almost miss being here... she thought. NO! I can't think like that. My Clan NEEDS ME! So does Raincloud...
Her eyes closed, and when she opened them, she was back at the SnowyOak. She spat out the remainder of the oak leaf, and watched dizzily as the world spun before her. Then it came to a halt and she was laying splayed on the ground where the black fox had killed her before. She leaped to her paws and spun, trying to find the black fox. She knew that must be the leader. If I can take out the leader, then the whole thing will fall apart, and we'll only have to scatter the remainder of the fox posse.
"Greetings, Snowstar," the he meowed. "You have lost your first life."
Another cat, smaller than many others, stepped forward, stars sparkling against the ground as he stepped forward toward Snowstar.
"You need time to recover, before you can go back. Rest here with us," he meowed, stepping closer.
"Rockpaw?" Snowstar whispered.
The cat purred, his pelt brushing hers and filling her with strength.
"You're not mad?"
"Mad about what?" Rockpaw looked puzzled.
"Raincloud," she meowed, her voice cracking. "I didn't think I could go on without you, but then I found him and have kits.I-I didn't mean to replace you."
Rockpaw's eyes softened. "No. I am glad you could find the strength and courage to go on without me. If you came we could be together, but it was your destiny to lead your Clan. Your kits are strong, and will serve their Clan well."
Snowstar settled down on the grass, and Rockpaw curled up beside her. "And now, you will find the strength and courage to go on in battle to defend your Clan, which you lead so well."
Snowstar relaxed as he lapped his tongue across her fur, smoothing it. I'll almost miss being here... she thought. NO! I can't think like that. My Clan NEEDS ME! So does Raincloud...
Her eyes closed, and when she opened them, she was back at the SnowyOak. She spat out the remainder of the oak leaf, and watched dizzily as the world spun before her. Then it came to a halt and she was laying splayed on the ground where the black fox had killed her before. She leaped to her paws and spun, trying to find the black fox. She knew that must be the leader. If I can take out the leader, then the whole thing will fall apart, and we'll only have to scatter the remainder of the fox posse.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Story Part 16 *Is This How It Ends?*
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Lilypaw's cry pierced the air.
Snowstar slashed her attacker a final blow and leaped toward the cry. She seemed to fly through the air as she leaped over cats and foxes toward her daughter. I'm too late! she screamed in her head. Her paws landed. She leaped again, but the black fox's paw was coming down, claws flashing, toward Lilypaw's neck. Her heart sank.
Then a flash of flame and gray darted at the fox from opposite sides. The black fox howled in agony, and Lilypaw was able to scramble away to the safety of the medicine cat den. The two cats, who Snowstar had seen as the flash of flame and gray scrambled away from the black fox as it reared up, turned, and swiped at it, but the fox bowled them over and attacked another warrior. Snowstar was blocked by another fox and as the battle continued she lost sight of the black fox.
The battle continued for what seemed like forever to Snowstar. She saw a seemingly endless wave of scarlet foxes. The sky started to darken. Dark clouds covered the sun, blocking its rays. Snowstar heard thunder rumble in the distance. Then, a black shape came to the front of her mind. The black fox that had almost killed Lilypaw was there in front of her. Rage and anger blinded Snowstar for a second, but she shook it away and jumped in the air, skillfully avoiding a lunge. She landed on the fox's back and raked her hind claws down its spine. It howled, but then rolled over and crushed her against the ground. She pushed with all her might, and the fox gave way. She rolled out smoothly and quickly, landing on her paws once more. The fox struck like lighting, knocking her off her paws once more. Can I beat it? she wondered, then shook her head, Of course I can. I'm fighting for everyone. My kits, my Clan, and I have StarClan on my side.
She scrambled once more to her paws, this time she struck the fox like lighting. The fox staggered backwards a few paw-lengths, then braced itself and smirked, at least, she thought it looked like a smirk.
"You'll have to do much better than that to beat me," the fox spit.
"What?" Snowstar exclaimed. She had thought she had been doing very well.
The black fox didn't answer. It only struck her once more like lighting and she was swept off her paws. She began to get wearily to her paws once more, but a heavy weight on her chest stopped her. She tried to draw in a breath, but found hardly any air. A sneering face pushed against hers.
"You shouldn't have tried to fight us. You didn't stand a chance," the black fox spoke once more in cat tongue.
Snowstar gasped out an answer. "I - had - to....."
"You'll pay for it," The black fox's head lunged forward and met her throat.
Snowstar felt her body jerk, and she hurt like never before. She drew in a deep breath as the paw came off her chest, but that breath never left her. All she saw was darkness.
Snowstar slashed her attacker a final blow and leaped toward the cry. She seemed to fly through the air as she leaped over cats and foxes toward her daughter. I'm too late! she screamed in her head. Her paws landed. She leaped again, but the black fox's paw was coming down, claws flashing, toward Lilypaw's neck. Her heart sank.
Then a flash of flame and gray darted at the fox from opposite sides. The black fox howled in agony, and Lilypaw was able to scramble away to the safety of the medicine cat den. The two cats, who Snowstar had seen as the flash of flame and gray scrambled away from the black fox as it reared up, turned, and swiped at it, but the fox bowled them over and attacked another warrior. Snowstar was blocked by another fox and as the battle continued she lost sight of the black fox.
The battle continued for what seemed like forever to Snowstar. She saw a seemingly endless wave of scarlet foxes. The sky started to darken. Dark clouds covered the sun, blocking its rays. Snowstar heard thunder rumble in the distance. Then, a black shape came to the front of her mind. The black fox that had almost killed Lilypaw was there in front of her. Rage and anger blinded Snowstar for a second, but she shook it away and jumped in the air, skillfully avoiding a lunge. She landed on the fox's back and raked her hind claws down its spine. It howled, but then rolled over and crushed her against the ground. She pushed with all her might, and the fox gave way. She rolled out smoothly and quickly, landing on her paws once more. The fox struck like lighting, knocking her off her paws once more. Can I beat it? she wondered, then shook her head, Of course I can. I'm fighting for everyone. My kits, my Clan, and I have StarClan on my side.
She scrambled once more to her paws, this time she struck the fox like lighting. The fox staggered backwards a few paw-lengths, then braced itself and smirked, at least, she thought it looked like a smirk.
"You'll have to do much better than that to beat me," the fox spit.
"What?" Snowstar exclaimed. She had thought she had been doing very well.
The black fox didn't answer. It only struck her once more like lighting and she was swept off her paws. She began to get wearily to her paws once more, but a heavy weight on her chest stopped her. She tried to draw in a breath, but found hardly any air. A sneering face pushed against hers.
"You shouldn't have tried to fight us. You didn't stand a chance," the black fox spoke once more in cat tongue.
Snowstar gasped out an answer. "I - had - to....."
"You'll pay for it," The black fox's head lunged forward and met her throat.
Snowstar felt her body jerk, and she hurt like never before. She drew in a deep breath as the paw came off her chest, but that breath never left her. All she saw was darkness.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Story Part 15 *Attack*
Snowstar raised her head from her paws, and looked around. She was in the clearing of the FrostClan camp. Then she saw the eyes. She yowled, "Attack!" and leaped towards the attackers.
* * *
Etharpaw and Eaglepaw loped steadily through the woods, with Lionflame and Ashfire following close behind them.
"Here's the path to the camp," panted Etharpaw. "I hope they're not in trouble."
The four cats picked up the pace and sprinted into the camp, which was in turmoil. The cats of FrostClan were fighting for their lives against more foxes than Etharpaw had seen in her whole life.
"The trouble!" yowled Lionflame. "We're too late!"
"No, the battle has just started, see. Hardly anyone has been wounded yet, foxes and cats. There's still time to help!" exclaimed Ashfire.
Both cats leaped into the battle, fighting fiercest of all. Etharpaw and Eaglepaw battled a huge fox together, slashing with their claws, steadily driving it backwards. Then Etharpaw leaped on it and raked her claws down its back. The fox yelped and ran. Etharpaw leaped off and flung herself back into battle. This time she found herself battling next to Eclipsepaw. Together they drove that fox off too. Eaglepaw found himself battling besides Redforest. They too drove off their fox.
The masses of fighting cats and foxes parted, and Eaglepaw saw Lionflame knock a fox over in one blow before the gap closed in again. What power! No wonder we were sent to find them. Then he turned and leaped at another invader.
Winterpaw and Lilypaw were battling on the other side of the clearing together. They clawed and bit, but their attacker would not give in. Lilypaw gasped as she saw Ashfire bring down a fox in one blow.
"Who's that?" she asked her brother.
"No idea." he replied, panting. Then he saw Etharpaw and Eaglepaw. "Lilypaw! They've come back! Eaglepaw and Etharpaw!" He threw in a last swipe before the fox had finally had enough and ran.
Lilypaw turned and looked. Sure enough, Etharpaw and Eaglepaw were fighting on the other side of the camp. Suddenly a searing agony tore into her shoulder, and she collapsed on her back. She looked up and saw a huge black fox pinning her down. To her horror, it spoke.
"Resist and die!" the fox howled in her face, drawing back its paw to strike the death blow.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" she howled.
* * *
Etharpaw and Eaglepaw loped steadily through the woods, with Lionflame and Ashfire following close behind them.
"Here's the path to the camp," panted Etharpaw. "I hope they're not in trouble."
The four cats picked up the pace and sprinted into the camp, which was in turmoil. The cats of FrostClan were fighting for their lives against more foxes than Etharpaw had seen in her whole life.
"The trouble!" yowled Lionflame. "We're too late!"
"No, the battle has just started, see. Hardly anyone has been wounded yet, foxes and cats. There's still time to help!" exclaimed Ashfire.
Both cats leaped into the battle, fighting fiercest of all. Etharpaw and Eaglepaw battled a huge fox together, slashing with their claws, steadily driving it backwards. Then Etharpaw leaped on it and raked her claws down its back. The fox yelped and ran. Etharpaw leaped off and flung herself back into battle. This time she found herself battling next to Eclipsepaw. Together they drove that fox off too. Eaglepaw found himself battling besides Redforest. They too drove off their fox.
The masses of fighting cats and foxes parted, and Eaglepaw saw Lionflame knock a fox over in one blow before the gap closed in again. What power! No wonder we were sent to find them. Then he turned and leaped at another invader.
Winterpaw and Lilypaw were battling on the other side of the clearing together. They clawed and bit, but their attacker would not give in. Lilypaw gasped as she saw Ashfire bring down a fox in one blow.
"Who's that?" she asked her brother.
"No idea." he replied, panting. Then he saw Etharpaw and Eaglepaw. "Lilypaw! They've come back! Eaglepaw and Etharpaw!" He threw in a last swipe before the fox had finally had enough and ran.
Lilypaw turned and looked. Sure enough, Etharpaw and Eaglepaw were fighting on the other side of the camp. Suddenly a searing agony tore into her shoulder, and she collapsed on her back. She looked up and saw a huge black fox pinning her down. To her horror, it spoke.
"Resist and die!" the fox howled in her face, drawing back its paw to strike the death blow.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" she howled.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Story Part 14 *What's going on?*
"I hope Snowstar isn't too mad at us for leaving her without any clues of what we were doing or where we were going." meowed Etharpaw.
"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "She'll be so happy we're back and safe she won't care about that."
"If I were you, I wouldn't take my homecoming that lightly, Eaglepaw." Lionflame put in.
Ashfire nodded at his brother's words. "It will probably be a combination of both of what you said. Let's just follow your tracks home, he said. You don't know if your Clan is in trouble now, or will be later. It's best to get a move on."
The four cats padded out of the clearing and into the woods back toward the FrostClan camp.
* * * *
~ In the FrostClan camp~
Snowstar looked around uneasily. She had this strange feeling that she was being watched. That everyone was being watched. It was making her skittish. She let her gaze slide around the perimeter of camp again. Nothing, nothing, still nothing, she thought. I'll go crazy if I keep thinking like this. If only the enemy or whoever it is would show their faces, then I would feel better. I can't fight an invisible enemy, after all.
"Is something wrong Snowstar?" asked Winterpaw.
"Yeah, you've been looking around uneasily forever!" added Lilypaw.
"I'm sure it's nothing you apprentices need to worry about." Snowstar meowed briskly. "Why don't you feed the elders?"
The apprentices sulked and looked at their paws.
"That's an ORDER!" she yowled at them.
Lilypaw and Winterpaw jumped. "Yes, Snowstar," they squeaked in unison.
"Gee," Winterpaw mewed through a mouthful of mouse. "Why was Snowstar so grouchy?"
"I don't know," answered Lilypaw as the reached the elder's den and set her squirrel down. "It seems she has something on her mind."
"You're right!" exclaimed Winterpaw. "I wonder-"
"Are you two gonna keep on yapping the day away or give us our prey!" came a yowl from inside the elder's den.
Lilypaw sighed. "We'd better give Shortwhisker her prey, or she'll claw our ears off."
"And don't forget Dawnshadow and Leafdapple." mewed Winterpaw.
Together, they entered the elder's den.
"Finally," came the irritated voice of Shortwhisker. "I thought all the apprentices forgotten about us elders over here."
Leafdapple purred. "Don't mind Shortwhisker. She's always cranky, even when the apprentices are on time."
Winterpaw wondered how Leafdapple and Dawnshadow survived in the elder's den.
"She's not as bad as you think," meowed Dawnshadow, seeming to read Winterpaw's mind. She stood up and arched her back. "Just between you and me," she whispered in his ear, "She tells us all sorts of crazy stories about how she did this and that when she was younger. That makes it worth putting up with her sharp words."
"My ears were sharp enough to pick up what you said, Dawnshadow," Shortwhisker meowed, but with a humorous tone in her voice. "Oh, and I think I have a tick in my fur. Can one of you apprentices take it out?"
"Fine," meowed Lilypaw. There was no point in arguing.
When she came back, Winterpaw was no longer by the elder's den. She sighed. He must have left her to do all the work. She paused outside the entrance to the den, and heard the elder's talking.
"Have you seen how nervous Snowstar seems these days?" asked Dawnshadow. She had formerly been Snowstar's deputy, but then had decided to retire and had moved to the elder's den.
"Yes, I have noticed also," mewed Leafdapple, the former medicine cat.
"She seem edgy," announced Shortwhisker. "I wonder what's up."
"Perhaps she got a message from StarClan warning her of danger," suggested Leafdapple.
"Or she is just worrying about her kits," snorted Shortwhisker.
"That's nothing to joke about. She's really concerned for their safety," meowed Dawnshadow.
"Her kits are apprentices. They can take care of themselves." Shortwhisker retorted.
"You don't understand," Leafdapple meowed patiently. "You've never had kits."
"Neither have you," meowed Shortwhisker, tail twitching. "Medicine cats aren't allowed to have kits."
"Ah, yes, but when I was medicine cat to this Clan, the whole Clan were my kits," Leafdapple purred.
"Yeah, Yeah." Shortwhisker sighed. "Apprentices these days, they never were this slow when I was young. They knew how to respect their elders. When is Lilypaw coming with that mouse-bile?"
Lilypaw walked in. She wordlessly dabbed the bile on Shortwhisker's tick, which fell off quickly after that. Then she left. The elders' conversation had given her much to think about.
"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "She'll be so happy we're back and safe she won't care about that."
"If I were you, I wouldn't take my homecoming that lightly, Eaglepaw." Lionflame put in.
Ashfire nodded at his brother's words. "It will probably be a combination of both of what you said. Let's just follow your tracks home, he said. You don't know if your Clan is in trouble now, or will be later. It's best to get a move on."
The four cats padded out of the clearing and into the woods back toward the FrostClan camp.
* * * *
~ In the FrostClan camp~
Snowstar looked around uneasily. She had this strange feeling that she was being watched. That everyone was being watched. It was making her skittish. She let her gaze slide around the perimeter of camp again. Nothing, nothing, still nothing, she thought. I'll go crazy if I keep thinking like this. If only the enemy or whoever it is would show their faces, then I would feel better. I can't fight an invisible enemy, after all.
"Is something wrong Snowstar?" asked Winterpaw.
"Yeah, you've been looking around uneasily forever!" added Lilypaw.
"I'm sure it's nothing you apprentices need to worry about." Snowstar meowed briskly. "Why don't you feed the elders?"
The apprentices sulked and looked at their paws.
"That's an ORDER!" she yowled at them.
Lilypaw and Winterpaw jumped. "Yes, Snowstar," they squeaked in unison.
"Gee," Winterpaw mewed through a mouthful of mouse. "Why was Snowstar so grouchy?"
"I don't know," answered Lilypaw as the reached the elder's den and set her squirrel down. "It seems she has something on her mind."
"You're right!" exclaimed Winterpaw. "I wonder-"
"Are you two gonna keep on yapping the day away or give us our prey!" came a yowl from inside the elder's den.
Lilypaw sighed. "We'd better give Shortwhisker her prey, or she'll claw our ears off."
"And don't forget Dawnshadow and Leafdapple." mewed Winterpaw.
Together, they entered the elder's den.
"Finally," came the irritated voice of Shortwhisker. "I thought all the apprentices forgotten about us elders over here."
Leafdapple purred. "Don't mind Shortwhisker. She's always cranky, even when the apprentices are on time."
Winterpaw wondered how Leafdapple and Dawnshadow survived in the elder's den.
"She's not as bad as you think," meowed Dawnshadow, seeming to read Winterpaw's mind. She stood up and arched her back. "Just between you and me," she whispered in his ear, "She tells us all sorts of crazy stories about how she did this and that when she was younger. That makes it worth putting up with her sharp words."
"My ears were sharp enough to pick up what you said, Dawnshadow," Shortwhisker meowed, but with a humorous tone in her voice. "Oh, and I think I have a tick in my fur. Can one of you apprentices take it out?"
"Fine," meowed Lilypaw. There was no point in arguing.
When she came back, Winterpaw was no longer by the elder's den. She sighed. He must have left her to do all the work. She paused outside the entrance to the den, and heard the elder's talking.
"Have you seen how nervous Snowstar seems these days?" asked Dawnshadow. She had formerly been Snowstar's deputy, but then had decided to retire and had moved to the elder's den.
"Yes, I have noticed also," mewed Leafdapple, the former medicine cat.
"She seem edgy," announced Shortwhisker. "I wonder what's up."
"Perhaps she got a message from StarClan warning her of danger," suggested Leafdapple.
"Or she is just worrying about her kits," snorted Shortwhisker.
"That's nothing to joke about. She's really concerned for their safety," meowed Dawnshadow.
"Her kits are apprentices. They can take care of themselves." Shortwhisker retorted.
"You don't understand," Leafdapple meowed patiently. "You've never had kits."
"Neither have you," meowed Shortwhisker, tail twitching. "Medicine cats aren't allowed to have kits."
"Ah, yes, but when I was medicine cat to this Clan, the whole Clan were my kits," Leafdapple purred.
"Yeah, Yeah." Shortwhisker sighed. "Apprentices these days, they never were this slow when I was young. They knew how to respect their elders. When is Lilypaw coming with that mouse-bile?"
Lilypaw walked in. She wordlessly dabbed the bile on Shortwhisker's tick, which fell off quickly after that. Then she left. The elders' conversation had given her much to think about.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
4 New Apprentices
Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting!
Mistpaw, Mintpaw, Moonpaw, and Maskpaw, please step forward. I Snowstar, leader of FrostClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand uphold your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Mistpaw, Mintpaw, Moonpaw, and Maskpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?
"I do."
"I do."
"I do."
"I do."
Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your new name. Mistpaw, from this time forth you will be known as Miststream. Mintpaw, you will be known as Mintpelt. Moonpaw, you will be known as Moonfeather. Maskpaw, you will be known as Maskfur. May StarClan bless you all as warriors.
Miststream! Mintpelt! Moonfeather! Maskfur! Miststream! Mintpelt! Moonfeather! Maskfur!
Mistpaw, Mintpaw, Moonpaw, and Maskpaw, please step forward. I Snowstar, leader of FrostClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand uphold your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Mistpaw, Mintpaw, Moonpaw, and Maskpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?
"I do."
"I do."
"I do."
"I do."
Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your new name. Mistpaw, from this time forth you will be known as Miststream. Mintpaw, you will be known as Mintpelt. Moonpaw, you will be known as Moonfeather. Maskpaw, you will be known as Maskfur. May StarClan bless you all as warriors.
Miststream! Mintpelt! Moonfeather! Maskfur! Miststream! Mintpelt! Moonfeather! Maskfur!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Story Part 13 *Help Has Come*
The flame colored cat leaped at the fox, with the gray one on his heels. The fox took one look at the four hissing cats, and turned tail and ran.
"Phew!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "That was way too close for comfort." he turned to the two cats who had just helped them. "Thank you," he said, dipping his head in respect. "I am Eaglepaw, and this is my sister, Etharpaw."
The gray cat turned to the flame colored one and nodded. "I am known as Ashfire, and this is my brother, Lionflame. We both had dreams that two cats who looked like you would find us, and we would help you. The only thing we don't know, is what we will help you do."
Etharpaw gasped. "My brother and I also had dreams that we would find two cats that looked like you."
"Then I guess we all should get going back to wherever it is that you two need help," meowed Lionflame.
Eaglepaw thought for a moment. "Okay. Etharpaw and I will take you to the FrostClan camp. Maybe by the time we get back, the Clan will know what the trouble is. Then you can help us."
"Phew!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "That was way too close for comfort." he turned to the two cats who had just helped them. "Thank you," he said, dipping his head in respect. "I am Eaglepaw, and this is my sister, Etharpaw."
The gray cat turned to the flame colored one and nodded. "I am known as Ashfire, and this is my brother, Lionflame. We both had dreams that two cats who looked like you would find us, and we would help you. The only thing we don't know, is what we will help you do."
Etharpaw gasped. "My brother and I also had dreams that we would find two cats that looked like you."
"Then I guess we all should get going back to wherever it is that you two need help," meowed Lionflame.
Eaglepaw thought for a moment. "Okay. Etharpaw and I will take you to the FrostClan camp. Maybe by the time we get back, the Clan will know what the trouble is. Then you can help us."
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Story Part 12 *What In the Snow?*
Etharpaw and Eaglepaw tunneled themselves out from under the snow, and continued on their quest to find the two cats in their dreams. Suddenly the place began to seem familiar to them.
"I recognize this place from my dream," announced Eaglepaw.
"I was just about to say that myself," answered Etharpaw. "Let's keep going, they should be anywhere around this general area."
The two cats circled around the area. Eaglepaw lifted his nose, and scented the air. He pointed his tail to the right. They walked in that direction. Etharpaw pointed at the ground, which had fresh cat footprints in the snow.
"We're getting close," she murmered.
"Indeed," replied Eaglepaw, also in a low voice.
Suddenly the trees in front of them parted into a semi-clearing. They stepped into the open area, and walked a ways into the middle of the clearing. Suddenly, a sound was heard from behind them. They both whirled around and faced a fox. They were too far in the open to run.
"We have to fight it," hissed Eaglepaw. "Just stay calm and remember all the battle skills our mentors taught us before we left camp."
Etharpaw remembered her mentor, Blackslash, lithe and swift, showing her battle moves. "Okay," she meowed. "Let's attack." She leaped at the fox, remembering how Blackslash had looked, copying him flawlessly. Her claws raked down the fox's muzzle. The fox batted at her, but she leaped up, dodging the attack. Eaglepaw attacked next, leaping up onto the fox's back and raking his hind claws down it's spine. We can't win this alone... thought Etharpaw, but she kept fighting.
A rusty blur suddenly swerved in front of her, and slammed into the fox. A gray shape leaped from her left, also at the fox.
"You look like you could use some help," called a flame colored cat.
"So we came," finished the gray one.
"I recognize this place from my dream," announced Eaglepaw.
"I was just about to say that myself," answered Etharpaw. "Let's keep going, they should be anywhere around this general area."
The two cats circled around the area. Eaglepaw lifted his nose, and scented the air. He pointed his tail to the right. They walked in that direction. Etharpaw pointed at the ground, which had fresh cat footprints in the snow.
"We're getting close," she murmered.
"Indeed," replied Eaglepaw, also in a low voice.
Suddenly the trees in front of them parted into a semi-clearing. They stepped into the open area, and walked a ways into the middle of the clearing. Suddenly, a sound was heard from behind them. They both whirled around and faced a fox. They were too far in the open to run.
"We have to fight it," hissed Eaglepaw. "Just stay calm and remember all the battle skills our mentors taught us before we left camp."
Etharpaw remembered her mentor, Blackslash, lithe and swift, showing her battle moves. "Okay," she meowed. "Let's attack." She leaped at the fox, remembering how Blackslash had looked, copying him flawlessly. Her claws raked down the fox's muzzle. The fox batted at her, but she leaped up, dodging the attack. Eaglepaw attacked next, leaping up onto the fox's back and raking his hind claws down it's spine. We can't win this alone... thought Etharpaw, but she kept fighting.
A rusty blur suddenly swerved in front of her, and slammed into the fox. A gray shape leaped from her left, also at the fox.
"You look like you could use some help," called a flame colored cat.
"So we came," finished the gray one.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Gathering 12/20/10
Okay, today's the full moon gathering, which seems strange to me because my calenders both say that the full moon is tomorrow, on the winter solstice, with a total lunar eclipse.
Anyways, anyone online can come to the gathering... http://moonstargathering.blogspot.com/
Anyways, anyone online can come to the gathering... http://moonstargathering.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 13, 2010
New Cats
Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath IceRock for a Clan meeting!
In today's news, we have five new cats joining FrostClan.
Let us welcome Brightfeather and her kits Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit.
Thank you for joining!
Brightfeather! Lionkit! Mousekit! Sunkit! Foxkit!
~Snowstar
In today's news, we have five new cats joining FrostClan.
Let us welcome Brightfeather and her kits Lionkit, Mousekit, Sunkit, and Foxkit.
Thank you for joining!
Brightfeather! Lionkit! Mousekit! Sunkit! Foxkit!
~Snowstar
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Story Part 11 *The Truth, Section 2*
Eaglepaw and Etharpaw trudged the snow.
"Why did it have to snow right when we left camp?" complained Etharpaw.
"Well," meowed Eaglepaw, "I would have said StarClan was mad at us, but they were the ones who probably sent us the dream that convinced us to leave camp. I'm guessing it was just bad luck."
"VERY bad luck," added Etharpaw, but they trudged on through the drifts. "We'd better find those cats in our dream fast! The only problem is WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO LOOK AND WE'RE PROBABLY ALREADY LOST!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Yep, that's our only problem," replied Eaglepaw in a dull voice. "I'm already bored with this quest."
"Don't be bored."
"Well, you're the one kinda telling me to be bored, Etharpaw," announced Eaglepaw.
"What are you talking about?" she replied. "I didn't say anything."
"But, you told me 'don't be bored', didn't you?" asked Eaglepaw.
"No," she answered.
"Then who said that?" he asked. "The two cats we are looking for?"
"I didn't hear ANYTHING," she responded. "It must have been a message from StarClan to you."
Eaglepaw didn't answer, so they kept padding on straight. The cold, icy wind whipped at their pelts, and stung their faces. A tall tree stood in their way.
Etharpaw squinted at it through slitted eyes, "Haven't we seen this tree before?" she asked.
Eaglepaw squinted at it through slitted eyes also, "I don't remember," he answered honestly. His eyes widened. "We're so tired! We'd better stop and rest some."
"Good idea," she answered, and suddenly all her tiredness crashed down upon her. "We should dig into the snow and make a cave to keep us sheltered from the wind."
The two siblings dug into the snow, and curled up by each other to stay warm. The snow, though cold, kept them much warmer than they would have been if they had been exposed to the wind.
* Snowstar *
Snowstar was having a deep, dreamless sleep, when suddenly the blackness gave way to light. Her wide-open pupils burst with light, and she squeezed her eyes shut tight. When she opened them, she saw the cause of the sudden light. A huge fire leaped and sparked in front of her. She backed away warily. It's just a dream, she told herself, just a dream. In the fire, red-amber eyes gleamed back at her. Cat's eyes. A cat charged out of the fire, his fiery red pelt looking as if the flames of the fire themselves danced upon him. Is this cat in charge of the trouble with the foxes, thought Snowstar? Snowstar looked into his eyes, and saw a fire of ambition gleaming in them. As she gazed upon him, the fire behind him suddenly blazed higher and a second shape darted from the fire to stand by the first. His pelt was an ashy gray, and his eyes too were gray. Or is this the one? Or, she thought, are they BOTH responsible for the plight of the foxes? Either way, if they came to camp, they would certainly cause a lot of trouble for her and her Clan. Brackenheart's words echoed in her brain: 'The two may not be who you think they are. Do not fear, though, for the two will come when they are needed most. They will have the power to stop this disaster in the Clan. StarClan has forseen this.'
"But what if the two are gone?" she whispered, her eyes felt damp. The dream was gone. She was in her den with Rainwhisker. No one else. No fire, no two cats, "No Eaglepaw or Etharpaw." she whispered again.
"Why did it have to snow right when we left camp?" complained Etharpaw.
"Well," meowed Eaglepaw, "I would have said StarClan was mad at us, but they were the ones who probably sent us the dream that convinced us to leave camp. I'm guessing it was just bad luck."
"VERY bad luck," added Etharpaw, but they trudged on through the drifts. "We'd better find those cats in our dream fast! The only problem is WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO LOOK AND WE'RE PROBABLY ALREADY LOST!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Yep, that's our only problem," replied Eaglepaw in a dull voice. "I'm already bored with this quest."
"Don't be bored."
"Well, you're the one kinda telling me to be bored, Etharpaw," announced Eaglepaw.
"What are you talking about?" she replied. "I didn't say anything."
"But, you told me 'don't be bored', didn't you?" asked Eaglepaw.
"No," she answered.
"Then who said that?" he asked. "The two cats we are looking for?"
"I didn't hear ANYTHING," she responded. "It must have been a message from StarClan to you."
Eaglepaw didn't answer, so they kept padding on straight. The cold, icy wind whipped at their pelts, and stung their faces. A tall tree stood in their way.
Etharpaw squinted at it through slitted eyes, "Haven't we seen this tree before?" she asked.
Eaglepaw squinted at it through slitted eyes also, "I don't remember," he answered honestly. His eyes widened. "We're so tired! We'd better stop and rest some."
"Good idea," she answered, and suddenly all her tiredness crashed down upon her. "We should dig into the snow and make a cave to keep us sheltered from the wind."
The two siblings dug into the snow, and curled up by each other to stay warm. The snow, though cold, kept them much warmer than they would have been if they had been exposed to the wind.
* Snowstar *
Snowstar was having a deep, dreamless sleep, when suddenly the blackness gave way to light. Her wide-open pupils burst with light, and she squeezed her eyes shut tight. When she opened them, she saw the cause of the sudden light. A huge fire leaped and sparked in front of her. She backed away warily. It's just a dream, she told herself, just a dream. In the fire, red-amber eyes gleamed back at her. Cat's eyes. A cat charged out of the fire, his fiery red pelt looking as if the flames of the fire themselves danced upon him. Is this cat in charge of the trouble with the foxes, thought Snowstar? Snowstar looked into his eyes, and saw a fire of ambition gleaming in them. As she gazed upon him, the fire behind him suddenly blazed higher and a second shape darted from the fire to stand by the first. His pelt was an ashy gray, and his eyes too were gray. Or is this the one? Or, she thought, are they BOTH responsible for the plight of the foxes? Either way, if they came to camp, they would certainly cause a lot of trouble for her and her Clan. Brackenheart's words echoed in her brain: 'The two may not be who you think they are. Do not fear, though, for the two will come when they are needed most. They will have the power to stop this disaster in the Clan. StarClan has forseen this.'
"But what if the two are gone?" she whispered, her eyes felt damp. The dream was gone. She was in her den with Rainwhisker. No one else. No fire, no two cats, "No Eaglepaw or Etharpaw." she whispered again.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Story Part 11 *The Truth, Section 1*
Snowstar gaped at the evil eyes all around her. After a bit, she saw one of them blink slowly and deliberatly. She bounded over to the eyes, which disappeared as she came towards them. She sniffed the wind, and tasted fox. She followed the footprints. They lead to a huge cave, so she went in. All through the cave, she could only smell fox. She went down one tunnel, and found a huge opening that formed a cave inside a cave. At least fifteen huge foxes were in it! Snowstar gaped at how huge they were. All of them were nearly two times the size of a normal fox, and barking away.
Suddenly, Snowstar felt a draft besides her, and as she looked, Brackenheart appeared by her side. "They are on the edge of your territory." Then he touched her nose, and suddenly the barking was translated.
"Those cats on our territory must be gotten rid of." snarled one.
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
"All in good time," came the smooth reply of a black-coated fox. This fox was like none Snowstar had seen before, even larger than the others. "First, we will spy on them, and figure out an ingeneus plan to take over their 'camp'." This fox was obviously the leader of the others.
Brackenheart touched her nose again, and the words faded into barking again.
"The two will save us from this, right?" meowed Snowstar.
Brackenheart nodded, and then began to leave the cave. Snowstar followed numbly. But two of my kits left. And they were the two I thought most certain to be the two. I guess I was wrong. When she looked up again, she was back in the snowy camp. She climbed back into the warriors den and sealed up the entrance.
* The * Next * Morning *
It was snowy, but that didn't stop Winterpaw from trudging through the white flakes to the elder's den, where the elders had relocated to after the storm.
"What's the truth?" questioned Winterpaw. "Can you really speak twoleg?"
"Yes, I can," answered Shortwhisker. "I learned it by sneaking into a twoleg nest day after day and watching the moving-picture box, with sound too! I saw the pictures, heard the sounds, and began to understand." At this, she let out a harsh call, a sound Winterpaw had only heard come from twolegs. "I just said 'cat' in twoleg," she answered, looking at the puzzled expression on his face.
* In * The * Apprentice * Den *
"It's true," announced Winterpaw to Lilypaw. "Shortwhisker really CAN speak twoleg."
"Wow!" gasped Lilypaw. "She should speak to them more often! She would be able to convince them not to come on our territory!"
"I don't think so," meowed Winterpaw. "The twolegs would probably think she was crazy, or that it was going insane."
"You're probably right again," she answered. "Snowstar is so upset about Eaglepaw and Etharpaw disapppearing," she continued in a whisper. "Do you think we should have told her the truth? I feel so guilty."
"No," Winterpaw whispered back. "You know she would probably be even more upset. She would feel like she has to help them."
"You're probably right AGAIN!" she exclaimed. "Even though, I wonder how Eaglepaw and Etharpaw are."
Suddenly, Snowstar felt a draft besides her, and as she looked, Brackenheart appeared by her side. "They are on the edge of your territory." Then he touched her nose, and suddenly the barking was translated.
"Those cats on our territory must be gotten rid of." snarled one.
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
"All in good time," came the smooth reply of a black-coated fox. This fox was like none Snowstar had seen before, even larger than the others. "First, we will spy on them, and figure out an ingeneus plan to take over their 'camp'." This fox was obviously the leader of the others.
Brackenheart touched her nose again, and the words faded into barking again.
"The two will save us from this, right?" meowed Snowstar.
Brackenheart nodded, and then began to leave the cave. Snowstar followed numbly. But two of my kits left. And they were the two I thought most certain to be the two. I guess I was wrong. When she looked up again, she was back in the snowy camp. She climbed back into the warriors den and sealed up the entrance.
* The * Next * Morning *
It was snowy, but that didn't stop Winterpaw from trudging through the white flakes to the elder's den, where the elders had relocated to after the storm.
"What's the truth?" questioned Winterpaw. "Can you really speak twoleg?"
"Yes, I can," answered Shortwhisker. "I learned it by sneaking into a twoleg nest day after day and watching the moving-picture box, with sound too! I saw the pictures, heard the sounds, and began to understand." At this, she let out a harsh call, a sound Winterpaw had only heard come from twolegs. "I just said 'cat' in twoleg," she answered, looking at the puzzled expression on his face.
* In * The * Apprentice * Den *
"It's true," announced Winterpaw to Lilypaw. "Shortwhisker really CAN speak twoleg."
"Wow!" gasped Lilypaw. "She should speak to them more often! She would be able to convince them not to come on our territory!"
"I don't think so," meowed Winterpaw. "The twolegs would probably think she was crazy, or that it was going insane."
"You're probably right again," she answered. "Snowstar is so upset about Eaglepaw and Etharpaw disapppearing," she continued in a whisper. "Do you think we should have told her the truth? I feel so guilty."
"No," Winterpaw whispered back. "You know she would probably be even more upset. She would feel like she has to help them."
"You're probably right AGAIN!" she exclaimed. "Even though, I wonder how Eaglepaw and Etharpaw are."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Story Part 10, Section 3 *Snowstar's Snowday*
*Sun-high the day after the last story part*
Lilypaw looked at Snowstar. She felt really bad about her mother not knowing about Eaglepaw and Etharpaw, but what could she and Winterpaw do? If they told Snowstar, she would most likely send out a search party that was a total waste of time and energy. She padded over to Snowstar."Come on, Snowstar." mewed Lilypaw, with worry in her voice as she pushed a piece of fresh-kill toward her mother. "Have this mouse." Her mother hadn't eaten since the night before.
Snowstar glanced at Raincloud, who was sharing tongues with Hawkfeather. He's being strong for my sake, she thought. I should try to be strong for all of us. Next she looked at Winterpaw who was staring off into the distance. They all miss Eaglepaw and Etharpaw. It's not just me. I'm the leader of the Clan. I have to keep going, if not for my sake, for theirs. She accepted the mouse that Lilypaw offered her, and took a bite. The mouse's flavor hit her tongue full blast, and she suddenly realized how hungry she was. The mouse disappeared in a few more bites.
Snowstar began to pad towards where her deputy Skypelt was eating with some other warriors, when suddenly a sharp gust of wind hit her. Her fur ruffled up, and she gazed up into the sky. Some glints of white floated down from the air.
"Snow!" she gasped. All the warriors and apprentices, even those who had been in dens earlier, came out and watched the snow, mesmerized. "We need hunting patrols, quick, before the snow sets in. Shadowflower, Hawkfeather, Cinderpelt, Fuzzypelt, and Jingletail. Please take your apprentices with you to hunt. We need the fresh-kill pile stocked up before the snow bars us in our dens. Everyone else, move the leftover prey into the warriors den. We'll ALL stay in there. It's the biggest den. Let's find some brambles and bracken and cover the entrances to the other dens, so snow doesn't get in there. If it does, it will take forever to get out." Giving these orders made her completely forget about Eaglepaw and Etharpaw, as she threw herself head-over-tail into Clan business.
She worked as hard as all the warriors and apprentices to move the elders', apprentices', medicine cat's, medicine cat apprentice's, and her own nests into the warriors' den. It was hard work, but the cold snow made them cool, not hot. Thank StarClan that we have no queens or young kits to move, she thought. That would have been very difficult. It was only when she was done moving nests and the hunting patrol had come in that she remembered Eaglepaw and Etharpaw. I hope they're okay out in this snowstorm.
She peered out a gap in the baracaded entrance to the warriors' den they had left to let fresh air in. The snow was so thick it was hard to see anything. They've never seen snow before. I'm not sure they'll be okay. If only I knew.
"Snowstar." came a voice from behind her. She turned and saw Raincloud, with pain deep in his eyes. "I hope our kits are okay."
"That's exactly what I was thinking." she mewed, with sorrow filling her voice.
Winterpaw looked at Lilypaw. He looked so sad. Snowstar saw the exchange and, thinking they were feeling bad about their littermates, tried to console them. "I'm sure Eaglepaw and Etharpaw will be fine. They always knew what to do at camp."
Winterpaw replied, "Yes." That one sylible meant more to Snowstar than all her words before.
* That * Night *
Snowstar went out into the darkness, squeezing through a small gap in the barrier that she made bigger. She plowed through the two-tail lengths of snow covering the ground, with only her head above the snow. The darkness pressed down on her, until suddenly a bright light made her squeeze her eyes shut. When her pupils had adjusted, she looked up and saw...
"Brackenheart!" she purred when she saw her father.
"Snowstar, you make me proud the way you handled this snowstorm. But that is not what I came for." he meowed.
"What did you come for?" she asked him.
"Your two missing apprentices, Eaglepaw and Etharpaw. They are safe, and StarClan is watching over them, just as we watch over you. Do not worry about them. Even now, they travel on the destiny of the prophecy. The very prophecy I gave you what seems like so long ago." He meowed in reply.
"'There shall be four of your kin,
Of whom two shall win
The favor of StarClan and their friends
They will stop at naught to make an end
To trouble in the Clan'"
Of whom two shall win
The favor of StarClan and their friends
They will stop at naught to make an end
To trouble in the Clan'"
"Yes," she answered. "I remember that prophecy. They must be searching for the end of the trouble in the Clan. But, what trouble? I don't - I haven't noticed any trouble in FrostClan! Why did they have to leave?"
"All will be found out in good time. All I can tell you is the two who will end the trouble have power. Power far beyond anything we can imagine. They too will find themselves within themselves. Their true power." her father replied.
"What exactly to you mean?"
"Now is not the time to tell you. StarClan does not like to interfere in the Clan much. Live cats must rule their own life. We just give a little help along the way. Just like your kin will aid you along the way. The pathway to eternity."
"Pathway to eter-" she began, but Brackenheart had suddenly vanished. She glanced around camp for him, but only saw a pair of evil-!!!! Evil eyes! Evil eyes staring back at her!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Story Part 10, Section 2 *Etharpaw's Decision*
"What!" cried Lilypaw and Winterpaw in unison.
"How?" questioned Lilypaw. "I would have guessed Eaglepaw was dreaming."
"No." answered Etharpaw. "I'm sure I saw two tom cats. Was one fiery red and one ashy gray?"
"Yes!" replied a stunned Eaglepaw. "Exactly right."
"I was there the whole time, right behind you." she meowed. "You were so focused on what was happening in front of you that you never saw me. What do you think those cats were waiting for?"
"I - I don't know." stammered Eaglepaw.
Etharpaw sighed. "You need to learn how to read between the lines. Or should I say... LISTEN between the lines. One of them said 'If one of them comes, then yes.' We must be one of 'them'. After all, we were the ones who dreamed of them, not Lilypaw or Winterpaw."
"Yeah!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "Now I... kinda get it." he finished, his voice dropping at the end.
Etharpaw sighed again. "You really DON'T understand, do you." Eaglepaw opened his mouth to respond, but Etharpaw continued. "I'm stating a fact. And, one of them said they were waiting for adventure. Who are we? We love adventure. This is why it must be us."
"And what do you suggest? Snowstar would hardly let us get out of camp free to find two strange cats in who knows where!" Eaglepaw meowed.
"And that, is why we need to sneak out of camp!" announced Etharpaw triumphantly.
* The * next * night * ... *
"Quick, this way!" hissed Eaglepaw, noticing that the camp guard padding off around the camp perimeter. "The entrance is clear!"
"How's it over there, Winterpaw?" whispered Etharpaw. Winterpaw and Lilypaw had decided to help their littermates sneak out of camp.
"All clear," he whispered back. "What's up over by you, Lilypaw."
"Nothing I can see." she called back quietly. "Okay, so we don't know where exactly you two are going," she called to Etharpaw and Eaglepaw. "Which means we can truthfully answer Snowstar and our clanmates when they most certainly will ask us 'Where are Etharpaw and Eaglepaw?'. 'We don't know! Why?'. I've got it all planned out."
"Should work like a charm!" whispered Winterpaw.
"What's a charm?" Lilypaw asked.
"I don't know. It just sounded right in the sentence." he answered. "Like 'the early bird catches the worm.'"
"I thought it was 'the early cat catches the prey."
"Say! What do you call a frozen volcano?"
"What's a volcano?"
"A giant heap of rock that spews forth hot stuff."
"You've been listening to Shortwhisker's nonsence tails."
"What! They're not nonsense, they're awesome! Anyways, the answer is an icebox!"
"Ha ha ha." she mewed, rolling her eyes. "That's so funny I forgot to laugh. It sure would help if I knew EXACTLY WHAT AN ICEBOX WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"That's easy. It's a thing twolegs store food in."
"Who'd you hear that from?"
"Guess!"
"Shortwhisker"
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!"
"Where'd you get that from? Oh, let me guess, Shortwhisker."
"Yeah! Shortwhisker may be cranky, but she sure was adventurous when she was young. She told me she had heard that from a talking picture box in a twoleg nest-"
"She understands twoleg? Anyways, speaking of adventurous, where did Etharpaw and Eaglepaw go?" Lilypaw hissed at Winterpaw. "They were just here a minute ago!"
"They must have left while we were chatting." he replied.
"Oh well." sighed Lilypaw. "Now we'll be SURE to be telling the truth when Snowstar asks us 'Where are Etharpaw and Eaglepaw?'. 'We don't know! Why?'. I've got it all-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You explained that already."
"I did? Oh, yeah. Quick," she hissed to Winterpaw. "Let's get back in the apprentice den before the guard notices we are gone." And with that, they both slipped quietly into the apprentice den.
"How?" questioned Lilypaw. "I would have guessed Eaglepaw was dreaming."
"No." answered Etharpaw. "I'm sure I saw two tom cats. Was one fiery red and one ashy gray?"
"Yes!" replied a stunned Eaglepaw. "Exactly right."
"I was there the whole time, right behind you." she meowed. "You were so focused on what was happening in front of you that you never saw me. What do you think those cats were waiting for?"
"I - I don't know." stammered Eaglepaw.
Etharpaw sighed. "You need to learn how to read between the lines. Or should I say... LISTEN between the lines. One of them said 'If one of them comes, then yes.' We must be one of 'them'. After all, we were the ones who dreamed of them, not Lilypaw or Winterpaw."
"Yeah!" exclaimed Eaglepaw. "Now I... kinda get it." he finished, his voice dropping at the end.
Etharpaw sighed again. "You really DON'T understand, do you." Eaglepaw opened his mouth to respond, but Etharpaw continued. "I'm stating a fact. And, one of them said they were waiting for adventure. Who are we? We love adventure. This is why it must be us."
"And what do you suggest? Snowstar would hardly let us get out of camp free to find two strange cats in who knows where!" Eaglepaw meowed.
"And that, is why we need to sneak out of camp!" announced Etharpaw triumphantly.
* The * next * night * ... *
"Quick, this way!" hissed Eaglepaw, noticing that the camp guard padding off around the camp perimeter. "The entrance is clear!"
"How's it over there, Winterpaw?" whispered Etharpaw. Winterpaw and Lilypaw had decided to help their littermates sneak out of camp.
"All clear," he whispered back. "What's up over by you, Lilypaw."
"Nothing I can see." she called back quietly. "Okay, so we don't know where exactly you two are going," she called to Etharpaw and Eaglepaw. "Which means we can truthfully answer Snowstar and our clanmates when they most certainly will ask us 'Where are Etharpaw and Eaglepaw?'. 'We don't know! Why?'. I've got it all planned out."
"Should work like a charm!" whispered Winterpaw.
"What's a charm?" Lilypaw asked.
"I don't know. It just sounded right in the sentence." he answered. "Like 'the early bird catches the worm.'"
"I thought it was 'the early cat catches the prey."
"Say! What do you call a frozen volcano?"
"What's a volcano?"
"A giant heap of rock that spews forth hot stuff."
"You've been listening to Shortwhisker's nonsence tails."
"What! They're not nonsense, they're awesome! Anyways, the answer is an icebox!"
"Ha ha ha." she mewed, rolling her eyes. "That's so funny I forgot to laugh. It sure would help if I knew EXACTLY WHAT AN ICEBOX WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"That's easy. It's a thing twolegs store food in."
"Who'd you hear that from?"
"Guess!"
"Shortwhisker"
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!"
"Where'd you get that from? Oh, let me guess, Shortwhisker."
"Yeah! Shortwhisker may be cranky, but she sure was adventurous when she was young. She told me she had heard that from a talking picture box in a twoleg nest-"
"She understands twoleg? Anyways, speaking of adventurous, where did Etharpaw and Eaglepaw go?" Lilypaw hissed at Winterpaw. "They were just here a minute ago!"
"They must have left while we were chatting." he replied.
"Oh well." sighed Lilypaw. "Now we'll be SURE to be telling the truth when Snowstar asks us 'Where are Etharpaw and Eaglepaw?'. 'We don't know! Why?'. I've got it all-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You explained that already."
"I did? Oh, yeah. Quick," she hissed to Winterpaw. "Let's get back in the apprentice den before the guard notices we are gone." And with that, they both slipped quietly into the apprentice den.
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