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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Mar 15, 2019 13:20:37 GMT -5
I ... forgot to bookmark this? And thus I missed a lot. Whooooooops!
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 16, 2019 0:30:21 GMT -5
mintedstar/fur🦇 -- it happens. don't worry about it! the story isn't going anywhere lol
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Mar 18, 2019 18:55:36 GMT -5
Good to know, good to know. XD
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 25, 2019 18:29:57 GMT -5
Just an update! Chapters are made and ready for posting but I’m having some technical difficulties while I’m away from home on business. Look for several updates this coming Sunday!
Thank you all for your continued support. If you have any questions or criticisms concerning the fanfic, I encourage you to post. I’ll only get better with your help.
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Post by Falconfrost on Mar 27, 2019 11:29:03 GMT -5
I'm only on chapter 3, but this is awesome so far!
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Post by Falconfrost on Mar 28, 2019 7:58:41 GMT -5
yay, I caught up! That was awesome. I love how you have a romantic element between Sedgepaw and Blueflower, that's something I don't normally see.
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 30, 2019 14:16:46 GMT -5
thank you so much, Falconfrost ! i appreciate you reading it all. c: standby for updates today and tomorrow!
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 30, 2019 14:39:45 GMT -5
CHAPTER NINE: DOPPELGÄNGER WHERE IS THE WORLD WITHIN?
PANDEMONIUM sunk its fangs into MarshClan camp, injecting a venom so potent it sent the cats within scattering like mice with their eyes wide and tails raised. A murderer was on the loose. When Sedgepaw set foot back in camp, she immediately retracted her step, for her eyes and ears were assaulted by all manners of chaos; the clamor of cats practically foaming at the mouth to ensure their kits, queens, and elders were unharmed was at war with the heinous, angry hisses of warriors gathered in search parties, chomping at the bit to find and kill the escaped prisoner. The ripe, acrid scent of fear was so potent it seemed to soil the pelt of every cat in MarshClan.
"I doubt we were missed," Blueflower whispered to her.
The warrior was right. When Longscar successfully escorted her and Blueflower back, not one cat seemed to bat an eye at their reappearance. Perhaps Scorchface's escape was a blessing in disguise?
"I'll see to it your mentor knows of your shenanigans," Longscar growled. Sedgepaw met his glare defiantly. The warrior went on, his lip curled back to reveal thorn-sharp teeth, "It's a curious thing that an apprentice so close to their final test would be so poor at tracking."
"What are you-"
Longscar did not allow Sedgepaw to finish her hiss. "To go in the complete opposite direction of the execution sight… Curious indeed." His voice was laced with suspicion, and its toxicity caused even Blueflower to start bristling beside her.
Before either of the she-cats could get a word in, the dark gray tabby stormed off; his scar glistened eerily in the moonlight as he passed them by, heading towards Snakefang and Otternose, where they were assembling a search party.
"That was a close one," Blueflower murmured. The warriors eyes flickered to Sedgepaw. "I could speak in your defense to Batface tomorrow if you'd like?" she offered. Her ears drooped. "I really do apologize for this, Sedgepaw; I did not think our night would end this way."
Sedgepaw shrugged her broad shoulders. "Honestly? This was the most fun I've had in awhile. So what if Batface scorns me?" She laughed heartily. "It wouldn't be the first time." Golden eyes glowing, she nodded to the warrior. "You've done more than enough for me already. Don't worry about Batface tomorrow."
Blueflower's smile was so wide the corners of her almond-shaped eyes wrinkled. "Goodnight, Sedgepaw," she whispered softly.
As the warrior left for her den, Sedgepaw watched her, heart soaring. Despite the madness surrounding her, she felt like she was soaked in a bath of milk and honey, happily drowning in the sweet sound of Blueflower's voice. "Goodnight," she rasped, seeing Blueflower disappearing behind the plumegrass and knotweed.
Trotting across the clearing, Sedgepaw made a speedy retreat for the medicine den, hoping none of the agitated warriors would spot her. By sheer luck, she made it to the fortress of marigold, only to be greeted by the putrid odor of fresh blood. Fur standing on end, Sedgepaw hissed in surprise when a bloodchilling screech echoed from the depths of the shadows. Under the slivers of moonlight shining through the roof, Sedgepaw could see a cream and white pelt, splattered with blood. The body flailed like a worm being attacked by a swarm of ants, and the cry sounded unearthly, it could cause even the sturdiest of oaks to shake in their roots.
"Egretsong?" Sedgepaw wondered, recognizing her scent.
Heronpaw was hovering over the she-cat, his eyes glazed over. His paws worked at a poultice, which was ground into the dirt. All around, herbs were scattered and tossed onto the ground. Blood dripped from the golden petals of marigold, looking like black ink droplets in the dark. Redleaf was standing over Egretsong, bracing her body with his own as she struggled against him.
"Hurry, Heronpaw," Redleaf pressed. "Her bleeding won't stop."
"I'm trying, I'm trying," Heronpaw hissed through gritted teeth. His lanky, blue-gray body impeded Sedgepaw's sight of Egretsong. "This fennel won't crush right." His knuckles mashed and rubbed into the seeds, his teeth were bared in frustration.
Sedgepaw could see the gleam of concern in Redleaf's golden eyes as Egretsong flailed again, her body convulsing as pain wracked through her muscles.
"It burns!" she wailed. "It burns!"
Sedgepaw took a step closer. The scent of blood only became more overpowering as time passed.
"Can you get her to shut up?" Heronpaw snapped.
"Heronpaw, please, just focus on the remedy."
Sedgepaw stepped even closer. Redleaf gunted as Egretsong batted her paw at his chin, wriggling and seizing. She never before saw a warrior overcome with such pain.
"I can't see!" Egretsong cried. "Oh, StarClan, I can't see!" She wailed, making Sedgepaw's fur turn white with fear. "Help! Oh, StarClan, help me!"
When Heronpaw bent over to try and apply the sticky poultice to Egretsong, he revealed the warrior's face. Sedgepaw's stomach flopped like a fish in her belly. Egretsong's face was covered in blood, and the blood came from her eyes. Her sockets were thatched with scratches so deep, Sedgepaw could decipher the new ridges in her once golden eyes; they were rippled and gushed with a gelatinous fluid and scraps of bloody red flesh. Red rivulets trickled into her mouth, so when she wailed and cried, her voice gurgled.
"Hold her still!" Heronpaw hissed.
As Redleaf calmly shushed and coddled Egretsong, Heronpaw applied the poultice to her eyes. Egretsong jerked her head back and yowled, knocking Redleaf's chin with her head. The medicine cat looked up from his ailing patient to see Sedgepaw, and the apprentice stiffened.
"Sedgepaw," he hissed. "You should probably stay in the apprentices den tonight." He grunted as Egretsong began to shiver and contort against his chest. "It's probably going to be like this all night." The gravelly rasp in his voice betrayed his fatigue.
Without thinking twice, Sedgepaw backed out of the medicine den. She scurried across the camp to a small den composed of primerosewillows and butterfly bush nearly six foxlengths in height, which blossomed with vibrant purple blooms that hung from the branches to create an arch of flowers around the entrance. Stepping within, she saw all the apprentices were already tucked away in bed. Of course none of them would be hunting down Scorchface, the mission was too risky for untrained cats. She was comforted by the sight of her comrades, curled into tight balls of fur in their nests. She spotted Yewpaw and Mudpaw sleeping side by side. Only one nest of moss remained empty: hers. It was wedged between Yewpaw and Ospreypaw, looking too fluffy with extra bird feathers and moss to be something anyone slept in for the last few days. They kept it neat for her.
Smiling contentedly, Sedgepaw set foot in her nest, curling up and wrapping her thick tail over her paws and nose. She was able to erase the sight of Egretsong's gouged out eyes by letting her mind drift to Blueflower's smile and the way the fireflies glowed against her body. Laying in her nest, she imagined Blueflower sleeping beside her, and she felt safe. It was only when Yewpaw stirred that Sedgepaw remembered she was in the apprentices den. Glancing at her sister, she blinked in surprise when she saw the glint of her verdant eyes.
"Yewpaw, you're still awake?" she whispered.
Her sister was quiet.
"Yewpaw?"
When Yewpaw glanced at Sedgepaw, she could see the sadness glistening in her eyes. Sitting up, she rasped her tongue across her sister's head, comforting her quietly. Yewpaw snuggled closer to her, sighing shakily.
"What happened?" Sedgepaw asked, pressing her nose to her cheek.
"I'm just… scared. It all happened so fast." Yewpaw's voice quivered like a leaf in the wind. "We were marching through the swamp… and then someone noticed Minnowtail, Egretsong, and Scorchface were missing. We-we spread out, and I was with Palemist."
Sedgepaw pressed closer, hoping her scent and warmth would soothe her sister.
"W-we found Egretsong in time… but Minnowtail…" Yewpaw's voice failed her.
"What happened to Minnowtail?" Sedgepaw pressed.
Yewpaw was shivering, shaking her head. "He's gone."
Sedgepaw recoiled in shock, eyes wide. "How did Scorchface manage to take them both?"
"I-I don't know," Yewpaw whimpered, shaking her head. She trembled violently.
"Maybe you should see Redleaf?" Sedgepaw suggested. "You're pretty shaken up."
"No!" Yewpaw hissed. "I don't want to see Egretsong… I don't want to think about what she went through. And Minnowtail."
Sedgepaw found it hard to believe Scorchface was able to take on two young, strong warriors alone. Her thoughts flickered to the pair of amber eyes she saw along the trail to Starlit Springs. Maybe she should have said something? Guilt wedged its way into her heart, making her chest hurt. She tried to convince herself it was an illusion. Those eyes weren't real. They did not belong to Scorchface. Sedgepaw draped her foreleg over Yewpaw, hugging her close as she began to sob softly. Is this my fault? she wondered. Unable to keep her thoughts flowing straight, Sedgepaw fell victim to sleep. She was devoured by darkness.
When Sedgepaw's eyes opened again, she was standing before the Starlit Springs. She heard whispers, and they hissed in her ears the pleasure of the water's touch. The voices slowly became omnipresent, welcoming Sedgepaw into the depths of the bubbling spring, for within its crystalline abyss was a life without pain... Smiling whimsically, she was drawn to touch its pristine surface, dipping her white toes into the water. At her touch, the water around her paw became effervescent and a strangle gurgling noise sounded from the lips of the water's ripples.
Narrowing her eyes, Sedgepaw noticed the spring was turning red, and the scarlet stains were seeping from her own paw. Yanking her foreleg back, she hissed in shock. She inspected her paw, gasping when she saw it was dripping with blood, and it was not her own. Sedgepaw backed away in a panic, gasping for air. Her scrambled pawprints in the sand were also bloody. She began to wheeze for air, eyes darting wildly for the body the blood belonged to. All she could see was her reflection in the spring, and it gazed at her, cool and apathetic while she fervently scanned the shore.
Sedgepaw's breathing slowed, but still shook when she gazed into her reflection in the spring. Her golden eyes glowed with a sinister emotion she was a stranger to. Her jaw was bloodstained, and when she raised her paw to reach out for her reflection, blood was dripping from her claws. She splashed the water, disturbing the mirror image of herself and began to back away.
The reflection followed.
Stepping out of the springs, Sedgepaw's doppelgänger was waterlogged. Her sodden fur left droplets against the sand, and her white chest and paws were stained red. A malignant aura seemed to hover over the reflection, turning every inch of her frame a shade darker, like a shadow.
"Who are you?" Sedgepaw demanded the entity.
It mimicked her voice, but sounded more shrill, with an ethereal echo to her tone. "Who are you?"
Brows furrowing, Sedgepaw hissed and shook her head. "I'm Sedgepaw… and you're... not real." This has to be a dream, she thought.
"I'm Sedgepaw," the being repeated, her bloody lips smacking as she spoke. A twisted smile broke the entity's stony features, revealing red-stained teeth. "Heed my words: keep your eyes on the blood red horizon. When the scarlet sun falls and bleeds on the earth, we rise."
"We rise?" Sedgepaw pressed. "Rise for what?!"
As the vision slowly began to fade away, a roll of thunder drowned out the final wisps of the words she spoke. Sedgepaw reached for the almost translucent image of herself, but when she touched it, the being vanished in a whirl of wind. It howled into her ears sounding more and more like a scream as it buffeted against her. Before long, she was wailing with it.
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 30, 2019 15:00:46 GMT -5
CHAPTER TEN: SEVEN DEVILS I'VE HAD TO BURN YOUR KINGDOM DOWN
BURSTING from her nest, Sedgepaw glanced around the apprentices den with wide eyes. It really was a dream, she realized.
Breathing heavily, Sedgepaw flinched as another bout of thunder rocked the sky, causing the den to tremble. She noticed none of the other apprentices were in their nests. I'm late! Launching from her mossy bedding, Sedgepaw stepped outside, and she was greeted with a drop of rain on her nose. Thick, gray clouds shrouded the sky, looking ready to burst with rain. Without the warm, golden glow of the sunlight, the camp seemed vapid. Cats milled about slowly, keeping to the cover of the flora that framed camp as raindrops gradually began to fall.
Sedgepaw noticed the other apprentices sitting quietly outside the den, formed up in a neat line. Feeling a jolt of dread, Sedgepaw took a seat beside Toadpaw, hoping she did not miss the morning muster. Only a few heartbeats passed before Sedgepaw spotted Shaleheart making his way across the clearing towards them.
"Good morning, apprentices," Shaleheart mewed. His yellow eyes scanned down the line, counting. "Glad to see everyone is present this morning." A frown cracked his maw. "As you all probably know, MarshClan is on high alert after the events that occurred last night. So, today, the apprentices will he kept in camp."
A collective groan sounded from the apprentices, save for Sedgepaw. Batface already told her the night before she would not be getting any training outside camp today. Instead, she would be getting a history lesson. She rolled her eyes at the thought. When Shaleheart's expression became more serious, she righted her posture.
"We have yet to find Minnowtail's body," Shaleheart went on, his tone was grim. "But due to the amount of blood on the scene and the fact he remains missing leads us to believe he was murdered last night. Until either Egretsong recovers from shock well enough to tell us what happened or a corpse turns up, MarshClan warriors will focus on finding our Clanmate."
The apprentices all nodded in agreement, and many of their faces were crestfallen. Sedgepaw did not know what to feel. Minnowtail never made himself known to her, or anyone for that matter; he was always very quiet. He only seemed to talk to Vinestripe. Still, Sedgepaw felt a twinge of sadness for her missing Clanmate.
"Batface suggested to the mentors today that the apprentices should report to the elders den to learn about Clan heritage," Shaleheart continued. "For the senior apprentices preparing for their test, you will be expected to choose your leader to present today."
"Ah, great." Toadpaw began blubbering beside Sedgepaw. "I am gonna fail…" he grumbled.
Shaleheart raised his tail for silence, and the apprentices stopped muttering to one another. "You are dismissed. Report to the elders immediately."
As the apprentices shuffled away, heads lowered with mumbles of discontent emanating from their crestfallen faces, Sedgepaw was stopped by Shaleheart. She huffed, not in the mood to be talking to her father, or anyone for that matter; her disturbing dream still hummed in her head, befuddling her thoughts and plucking at her nerves. The message she was given at the end… was that some sort of prophecy?
"You look a little rough this morning," he teased, plucking a scrap of moss from her shaggy pelt with his claw. "Rough night?"
"Yeah, couldn't sleep," Sedgepaw muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"Well, I suggest you take a moment to groom yourself. Cypressfang will not be impressed," Shaleheart advised.
"He's never impressed."
"Give him a reason to be," Shaleheart countered, brows furrowed. "Your test is coming up. Maybe show off what you know?"
Sedgepaw sucked her teeth, shrugging Shaleheart off as he tried to pluck at another piece of moss. "You just want me to make you look good," Sedgepaw argued. "I don't care about what he thinks… You do."
Pushing passed her father, she trotted across the clearing with her head low. She stole a glance at the warriors den as she went by, hoping to catch a glimpse of Blueflower, but it seemed empty. Growing more disgruntled with each step, by the time she was at the face of the elders den, she looked like she swallowed a piece of carrion. The musty scent wafting from the mouth of the den made her nose wrinkle.
"Hey, Sedgepaw!"
Glancing in the direction of the chipper voice, Sedgepaw spotted Foxkit bouncing up from the nursery. His dark ginger fur looked darker under the gloomy light. Followed behind him were two smaller kits, still round and fluffy with their kit fur, and their eyes were a bright blue still. She knew the little white she-cat was Magnoliakit. Bumbling behind her was a tom with brown tabby fur that was made sparse by massive white splashes, Hawthornkit.
Foxkit hopped to Sedgepaw's side, smiling smugly. "Guess what?"
"What?" she grunted.
"Jasminefur and Hollyfoot let me bring Magnoliakit and Hawthornkit to the history lesson today!"
"Oh, cool," Sedgepaw muttered, unenthused. She was too tired to share Foxkit's energy. Instead, she just envied it.
Magnoliakit and Hawthornkit bumped into one another as they waddled after Foxkit. Sedgepaw eyed them as the passed to enter the elders den. She snickered when Magnoliakit kept glancing back to stare at her with wide eyes, curious. When Hawthornkit looked back at her, he stuck his tongue out in her direction tauntingly.
"I'm gonna get you for that!" she teased, making the young kits squeal as she play-chased them into the den. The kit bounced after Foxkit, laughing, and Hawthornkit tried to jump on Sedgepaw's broad shoulder as she barged into the den, snickering.
Before long, all the kits were squealing and jumping on Sedgepaw and she had no choice but to bowl over with an exaggerated groan. The kits started laughing as she prodded at them gently. She noticed Foxkit's fur traded its fluff for a sleek sheen as he crawled onto her belly, joining in on the fun. It would not be long before he would be apprenticed.
"Ahem." Cypressfang cleared his throat, standing over Sedgepaw and the kits with a brow quirked. "I'm sorry," he grumbled. "I didn't know we were hosting playtime this morning."
Sedgepaw froze as Hawthornkit continued to chomp on her ear, she crooked her head to smile sheepishly at the elder, her grandfather. His green eyes were unimpressed as she sat up, shaking blades of grass and pieces of moss from her long fur. Magnoliakit and Foxkit were still as statues, staring at their paws guiltily. She laughed nervously as Hawthornkit started headbutting her side and growling playfully, blissfully unaware of Cypressfang's nonexistent patience. She shooed Hawthornkit away with her paw until he gave up with a pout.
"My apologies, Cypressfang. I started it. They came here to learn, and so did I." Sedgepaw bowed her head.
"You could do a better job of showing it." Cypressfang's green eyes flitted to the kits, and he sighed. "I would hope you'd want to set a better example for the kits of MarshClan."
"But—" Sedgepaw was unable to get a word in, for Cypressfang was already leading the kits into the deeper confines of the den. She hissed underneath her breath.
In the heart of the elders den, the apprentices sat, surrounded by the elders that lay in their nests. The grasses of the den's walls were dense and now air or sunlight filtered through. It was suffocatingly warm in the center, but thankfully there were breaks in the roof of ivy and jasmine vines that allowed fresh air from the outside the whistle in. The rain that started to patter more consistently now was reflecting by the vines, which diverted the water to the soft rush and bulrush that composed the bulk of the elders den. If not for the scent of fresh rain, Sedgepaw would have to suffer the musty odor of the elders.
"Oh, my!" Larkwing perked up when he saw the kits padding in behind Sedgepaw. "Jasminefur let you to come out to see your grandpa today?"
Magnoliakit and Hawthornkit ran up to the elder, bouncing and chirping all kinds of nonsense about their games of moss ball and the butterfly they found the other day.
Owleyes smiled as she watched the kits talk, taking a break from grooming Larkwing's ears. "Our daughter isn't holding them hostage, Larkwing," she scorned softly.
Their reunion was cut short when Cypressfang emerged. His dark brown tabby fur looked almost black in the dim lighting of the elders den. His green eyes flickered to the gathered apprentices, and he gave an unimpressed sniff.
"How about we get started then?" Cypressfang nodded to Russetnose, and the old, shaggy tom sat up from his best shakily with a yawn. He nudged at Vervainclaw, but the pale silver elder remained asleep, grunting in annoyance.
"Leave him be," Owleyes chided. "We can do this lesson without him."
"Fine," Cypressfang growled, shrugging his broad shoulders irritably. "Would the senior apprentices announce which leader they are intending on presenting?"
"I'll be presenting Blazingstar," Blackpaw piped up.
"And I'll be presenting Brightstar," Yewpaw mewed.
Sedgepaw realized the apprentices seemed to be going down the line, since Blackpaw started. Thankfully she was at the end. She had no idea which leader she would focus on for her test. She started rolling through her memories for names.
"I've chosen Hemlockstar." Ospreypaw's voice was serious as ever.
"U-uh… I'll do… Amberstar?" Mudpaw mumbled.
"Is that a question or a statement?" Cypressfang pressed.
"N-no. I mean. Yeah? I'm doing Amberstar." Mudpaw nodded firmly, his smiling giving away his uncertainty.
"I'll do Marshstar." Toadpaw smiled goofily as he spoke.
Damn! That's what I wanted… Sedgepaw shuffled her paws nervously. All eyes were on her. When Cypressfang approached her, she felt her face get hot with embarrassment.
"I recognize that blank stare," Cypressfang murmured. "Your father makes the same one when he has no idea what to say. It seems two of my kin cannot gather their thoughts today." Shaking his head, Cypressfang continued, his voice condescending, "You have no idea which leader to pick, do you?"
Gritting her teeth, Sedgepaw looked Cypressfang in the eye and shook her head. "No, I do not," she admitted grudgingly.
"Well, it's not the end of the world!" Owleyes interjected. "Maybe one of your peers can suggest one for you?"
It was Lilypaw who piped up next. She was sitting at the far end of the den beside Russetnose and Pebblepaw. "How about Darkstar? Or Eveningstar?"
"M-maybe Bleakstar or Smallstar?" Pebblepaw suggested meekly.
"Look at this, even novice apprentices have a handle on their heritage," Cypressfang observed. His voice was just loud enough for Sedgepaw to be the only one to hear. "How does it feel to be put to shame by your juniors?"
She glared at him, fur starting to prickle. Before she could make a snide remark, Yewpaw mewed, "Do Lightningstar."
"Ah, now there's a hero! One of the grandest leaders in our past!" Larkwing praised.
The name sounded cool enough. Sedgepaw nodded to her sister thankfully. "Okay, Lightningstar then."
"Very well," Cypressfang rumbled. He nodded to Blackpaw. "Let's begin, tell me what you know of Blazingstar."
"Blazingstar, the seventh leader of MarshClan," Blackpaw began, rattling off all her knew fervently, "He was known for creating the Warrior Code we have today. He was preceded by Hazestar, and succeeded by his deputy Fadedpetal, who become Fadedstar. It was during his rule that raiders first appeared on MarshClan territory."
Cypressfang nodded. "Very good." His eyes narrowed as he searched Blackpaw's face for uncertainty, he found none. Sedgepaw could see the apprentice's smug grin from all the way down the row. "Who was the medicine cat that appointed him?" Cypressfang went on, quirking a brow. "And why?"
"He was appointed by…" Blackpaw trailed off, hissing softly as his answer evaded him.
"Olivebranch was medicine cat at the time," Cypressfang pointed out. "She appointed him deputy after Hazestar was killed by raiders."
"What is a raider anyway?" Magnoliakit peeped, blue eyes wide with wonder.
"They're bad cats, Magnoliakit," Larkwing replied gently. "They were outsiders. Raiders tried to steal from our land, and they killed many of our warriors in fights for food and water. They even murdered our medicine cat, Dovecloud, which forced Olivebranch to take his place only a moon after being recognized by StarClan."
"Remember that for your test," Cypressfang grunted. Blackpaw nodded, appearing disgruntled. Cypressfang's green eyes slid to Yewpaw and softened. "Now, tell us about Brightstar."
Yewpaw smiled and nodded. "Brightstar, the fourth leader of MarshClan, is considered to be one of the greatest leaders of our past. Uhm… She ruled after Darkstar fell to a plague that almost wiped out MarshClan. There were so many sick and weak cats that Nightshade, the medicine cat, was running out of candidates to choose. Brightstar was one of the few healthy warriors left, so she was selected for leadership."
Sedgepaw was surprised by how confident Yewpaw sounded. Her words poured from her mouth effortlessly as she recited each factoid with ease. Envy pricked her pelt as she eyed her sister from afar.
"She helped Nightshade find a remedy for the illness. She spent many sleepless nights providing for her Clan, especially after Nightshade also fell to the plague… leaving young Dovecloud with a heavy burden. After the epidemic ceased, her rule was long and peaceful. She died of old age and was succeeded by Stormstar, previously named Stormscar." Yewpaw held her chin high when the elders gave a unanimous purr of appreciation.
"Well done!" Cypressfang rumbled. "I'm very impressed." His grizzled mug actually harbored a grin, and Sedgepaw could hardly believe her eyes; her grandfather never smiled at her like that. When Cypressfang craned his head to Ospreypaw, his smile faded. "And you?"
Straightening her back, Ospreypaw held her head high as she became the center of attention, "Hemlockstar, the twelfth leader of MarshClan, is considered to be the leader that completely rid our land of raiders forever." The unanimous nod from the elders encouraged her to continue, "His tactics were controversial, however, because he not only ambushed the raiders' tribe and left no survivors, but ordered all kits and apprentices of mixed blood to be executed-"
"Wait! No! Stop!" Cypressfang interrupted. His green eyes blazed, and his fur was standing on end. "We do not speak of that anymore. Whitestar ordered those details to be archived."
"But, wait, why?" Ospreypaw's yellow eyes were wide, bewildered.
"Just say he 'purified our land,' honey," Owleyes corrected gently. "This was a recent mandate; Whitestar only notified us a few days ago. You couldn't have known."
"It makes your presentation shorter anyway," Russetnose chimed in, making a "guffaw" of laughter. He shook his shaggy pelt. "It's for the best, I think. Those stories of Hemlockstar always spooked me as a kit."
"Yeah, I'm pretty spooked!" Magnoliakit chirped.
"What's spooked?" Hawthornkit mewed, head tilted.
"Ah, moving on," Cypressfang grunted, nodding to Ospreypaw.
"Right, uhm… Hemlockstar was preceded by Murkstar, who was also his mentor. Murkstar was the first to adopt the practice of invading the raiders' land and killing-"
"Stop!" Cypressfang interrupted. "We don't speak of that either."
"Say: 'Murkstar inspired Hemlockstar as his mentor and predecessor.'" Owleyes' mew was sympathetic.
"O-okay," Ospreypaw murmured, voice shaking.
Sedgepaw could see her friend's confidence fading. She clearly prepared well for this presentation, but she was being corrected left and right. Sedgepaw realized the gravity of Blueflower's fight to preserve history. She did not know how much and how far Whitestar was going to sanitize MarshClan's past. Blueflower's parents were fighting against this… and they got exiled for it. Sedgepaw suddenly felt nauseous. How much of what she knew was true?
"Hemlockstar was inspired by Murkstar, his mentor and predecessor, who fell to the claws of a raider." Ospreypaw's voice slowly became more resonate as she continued, "He was succeeded by Bleakstar, formerly Bleaksky. The medicine cat that placed him in power was named Twistedshadow."
"Decent job," Cypressfang grumbled. "Now, Mudpaw, let's hear it."
"Amberstar!" Mudpaw exclaimed, standing up as he exploded with energy. "Yeah! She was cool… Uh." He sat back down, shrugging. "I just know she was super religious."
Shaking his head, Cypressfang gave an exasperated exhale. "Amberstar, the fourteenth leader of MarshClan, was the first to coin the moniker "Fallen" for MarshClan cats that failed to abide by our laws and StarClan. She was preceded by Bleakstar and succeeded by her deputy, Thornface. The medicine cat that granted her leadership was Crowtalon."
"A-ah, right, got it." Mudpaw smiled sheepishly. "I'll be sure to remember all that for my test."
"You better," Cypressfang warned gruffly, "or I will fail you." His piercing gaze flickered to Toadpaw, and the stocky apprentice flinched as if the glare stabbed him. "Toadpaw, you're next."
"U-uh, right. Uhm. Marshstar, the first leader of MarshClan…" Toadpaw tapped his foot on the ground, his wide-set eyes began to wander as he pondered. "Before he became leader, he was known as Ashbreeze. He came from the Clans Beyond the Horizon, searching for a better life. When they found the marsh and Mother Lake, Ashbreeze knew they found their home. He took the name Marshstar, named after MarshClan, when he was blessed with nine lives at the Lunar Cavern."
"Who did he come with?" Cypressfang asked.
"He had his queen, Duskflower, and his mother… Softpelt? Yeah, Softpelt." He thumped his foot again, and which each tap, Sedgepaw could see Cypressfang's eye twitch; she stifled a chuckle. "And he had a few followers... as well as the medicine cat that came with him from the Clan he left, Nightshade."
"Good, good… and his successor?" Cypressfang leaned in, eyes narrowed.
"Nightshade appointed Marshstar's daughter, Eveningpool, as leader. She became Eveningstar."
"What Clans were beyond the horizon?" Foxkit asked. "I thought we were the only ones."
"I'm glad you asked, Foxkit," Cypressfang purred. Sitting back on his haunches, he sighed as he relished the nostalgia of MarshClan's tales of the past. "Though their names are lost to time, Marshstar hailed from a land that harbored five Clans that lived in wavering harmony. Marshstar wanted to find a place where cats could live peacefully under the guidance of StarClan, away from the politics of the Clans Beyond the Horizon." He nodded thoughtfully. "He firmly believed a righteous leader is a leader chosen by the medicine cat, for they have the closest relationship to our ancestors. Thus, to this day, our medicine cat chooses which of us may lead."
"Cool!" Foxkit's eyes were as wide as the moon.
"Moving on then," Russetnose mewed, stifling a yawn. Sedgepaw felt his eyes singe the fur on her back. "You picked Lightningstar, right? Let's hear it. I'm overdue for my nap."
"She doesn't know what to say. She didn't even know who to present!" Cypressfang growled dismissively.
"You don't know that!" Sedgepaw snapped. "I—uhm…" When Cypressfang glowered in her direction, Sedgepaw clammed up. She struggled to pick up the pieces of what she was about to say after her grandfather shattered her focus with his scornful glade. "I know he is… the one that succeeded Smallstar, making him the tenth leader of MarshClan. His deputy was… Murkstorm, who became Murkstar after his death."
"And how did he die?" Cypressfang presses.
"I—uh—I don't know."
"He was killed in combat!" Cypressfang smashed his paw into the floor of the elders den, visibly irritated. "He was killed because he refused to listen to his medicine cat. Do you even know how he came into power?"
"N-no, but—"
"Twistedshadow ordered he stage a coup! Smallstar was pathetic; she only cared about keeping peace and tolerated the raiders. And her main medicine cat, Cloudwatcher, was daft. When prey started becoming scarce, MarshClan had enough. They demanded a war! And what did she do?" Spittle rained from his lips as he spoke, his eyes wide with passion as he regaled the past as if he lived in that time.
Sedgepaw shrugged, lowering her head, expression abysmal.
"She did nothing! Lightningstrike had no choice… Twistedshadow gave his word and blessing. He drove out Smallstar. He became leader, but at a price… Because he let Smallstar live, he only had one life, she still had the other eight…"
"S-so Lightningstar was not really a leader?" Sedgepaw surmised.
"Wrong," Cypressfang growled. "He was one of the best. He was the one that developed the apprentice's final test, so that MarshClan would have proper warriors. He was brave and noble, but… he made a grave mistake in allowing Smallstar to live. Kits started going missing. Scouts spotted Smallstar cozying up with the raiders, helping them train the kits they stole."
Sedgepaw's mind was reeling. How could she know this was the truth. Though Cypressfang spoke vehemently, he could easily be regurgitating the words Whitestar fed him. She tried to siphon out the truth, but the past was so foreign to her she failed to grapple its meaning.
"Lightningstar had no choice. In the end, he had to set out to do what he was destined to do: kill Smallstar." Cypressfang rumbled on, his expression darkening. "He took his best warriors and his deputy, Murkstorm, to the raider tribe. At first, they peacefully asked for Smallstar to turn herself in. The raiders refused, vowing to protect her with their lives. It was Murkstorm that made the first move, he dove for Smallstar, vowing to kill her for his best friend and leader, Lightningstar. Before Lightningstar could intervene, he was slain, brought down by three raiders that overwhelmed his fighting prowess with sheer numbers."
"So he never got his eight other lives?" Sedgepaw realized, shocked.
"He died before Smallstar was killed by Murkstorm," Owleyes clarified, sounding melancholy. "But Lightningstar fought for his Clan til the end. Murkstorm had no choice but to assume leadership though he was beside himself with grief over his leader's death. They were like brothers, you see. Yes… it was bittersweet… MarshClan lost a fine young tom, but gained a leader with nine lives and a winning advantage over the raiders."
"Nothing can be achieved without sacrifice," Russetnose observed, nodding sagely. "One must always ask themselves… What would you be willing to give in order to succeed? For some, it's a long day's work… others, a good night's sleep… would you give up everything if it meant you could have anything?"
The elders den fell silent, and the cats that congregated in the shadows glanced at one another wordlessly, all collectively deciding who or what they would sacrifice. Another crash of thunder sounded, causing the bulrush to shiver as wind howled in its wake. Sedgepaw was left wondering what she was willing to sacrifice. She failed to come up with anything. She loved her family, her friends, even her mentor… she loved being an apprentice in MarshClan. What would she lose to keep the other?
"Thank you for helping me," Sedgepaw mewed, breaking the silence. "But… I just have one more question. How did Lightningstar start a revolution?"
"Another good question!" Larkwing praised. "You see—"
"Enough… we aren't at liberty to discuss that either," Cypressfang reminded him.
Larkwing blinked before chucking. "My mistake."
Cypressfang's eyes fell on Sedgepaw. "You don't need to worry about the how, Sedgepaw, just the why. Lightningstar did what he had to do to keep the Clan safe, just as Whitestar is doing for us now. Leave it at that."
Disappointment clawed at Sedgepaw's belly, and she averted her eyes from the elders in order to hide her anger. This isn't fair… I have to know! This could be the one way for me to figure out what the prophecy means! Digging her claws into the soft earth, she clenched her teeth. It seemed she was left with more questions than answers. Maybe the prophecy was a fluke? Maybe StarClan was wrong? Sedgepaw watched as the apprentices slowly began to exit the elders den, being dismissed by Cypressfang and Russetnose. How could she start a revolution if she did not even know where to begin?
Following the apprentices outside the elders den, Sedgepaw inhaled the fresh scent of rainfall, gazing around camp as the MarshClan cats went about their day peacefully—a stark contrast from the night before. The status quo did little to harm her. The way things were, she had a simple job: to serve her Clan. No prophecy was going to change that. Lightningstar had to do what was right for the time. The only thing Sedgepaw had to do was graduate and become a warrior. Just as everything began to make sense, her mind became clouded with the names of cats that did not get to enjoy a simple life. Vinestripe, Nettlefrost, Jayflight and more all became Fallen because they opposed Whitestar. The "big picture" became decidedly grim when Sedgepaw fix her family into the frame. What if she lost her parents like Blueflower? What then?
Sedgepaw kneaded the grass, ripping it out of the ground as she dug for answers. She knew what needed to be done, and she was desperate enough to go for it. The only way to know the truth was to go straight to the source. Flickering in her mind's eye like a dim candle flame was the face of the pale brown tabby with green eyes, the one she saw before falling from the Great Cypress. Maybe they knew the answers? Coming from beyond the river border, that mysterious cat had to be Fallen. No one else lived outside of MarshClan.
Under the cover of rainfall that slowly became a downpour, Sedgepaw slipped out of camp. This was the only way. She had to know. Sedgepaw realized what she was willing to sacrifice for the truth: herself.
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Post by graygoyle on Mar 31, 2019 22:41:16 GMT -5
CHAPTER ELEVEN: BLOOD RED HORIZON NOW THE NIGHT IS BATHING IN DISGRACE
THUNDER boomed above, but Sedgepaw was undeterred as she waded through the marsh towards the cypress forest. Lightning flashed, white hot, crackling through the sky with a hiss, threatening to split the heavy storm clouds in two. The rainy season had arrived, and it paraded through MarshClan with a menagerie of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning.
As it poured, Sedgepaw was slowed by the onslaught of rainfall. She had to squint to see the tree line, where the cypress branches were stripped of their wigs of moss and a mess of leaves twirled midair at the mercy of the gusts. Everything appeared dark. Sedgepaw began to wonder if her pursuit was a mistake… but she knew in the back of her mind it was too late to turn tail.
Lightning splintered the sky once more, followed by a roar of thunder. Sedgepaw broke into a sprint as the marsh thinned. She splashed peat against her pelt adding new stripes of muck to her dark brown tabby fur. Trawling herself further and further, when she finally set foot on solid earth, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Hurrying into the cover of the cypress forest, Sedgepaw was shielded from the downpour. Panting, she flinched as more lightning flashed, becoming more fierce as she travelled further and further from the safety of camp. No matter the cost, she had to find the Fallen. Her medicine cat, her leader, the elders, even her mother shielded the truth from her. If anyone was willing to share the secrets of MarshClan, it was those condemned for not keeping them.
Slithering between the cypress knees that jutted from the tender earth and leaf rot, Sedgepaw knew it would not be long before she reached the border. Hopping over ferns and ducking below myrtle bushes, Sedgepaw was able to peer through the canopy of pine and cypress branches to see the Great Cypress standing above the rest, daring to stretch its branches out towards the angry sky.
Sliding down the slope, the sodden pine needles clumped at her paws as she approached the ledge where she first spotted the mysterious pale brown tabby. Though she doubted her memory after the fall, revisiting the spot she first witnessed them only reignited her certainty. How could she forget those nearly translucent pale green eyes? Sedgepaw followed the ledge as it descended closer towards the river.
The rain was slowing now, only a few teardrops were shed from the storm clouds heavy lids. It appeared the heavens’ tantrum was petering out. Distant thunder echoed through the forest, only a faint memory of what it was. By the time Sedgepaw reached the river border, the storm stopped. All that remained was an occasional gust of wind to ruffle Sedgepaw’s long fur. Staring across the river, she felt her heart flutter. She never crossed the border before. What if she never came back?
In her hesitation, Sedgepaw nearly failed to hear the pawsteps of a patrol approaching. She dove for the nearest swathe of reeds, cursing under her breath. Her golden eyes gleamed with frustration as she peered through the broad leaves of duck potato to see a patrol consisting of Littlebrook, Snakefang, Kiteclaw, and—Sedgepaw groaned internally—Batface.
“That was some storm!” Littlebrook chirped, shaking her dappled pelt with a giggle, showering the patrol with water.
“Focus,” Kiteclaw hissed, squinting as droplets splashed against her narrow face. “We’re near the border. Keep your wits about you.”
“Roger that, Kiteclaw,” Snakefang growled, following the patrol captain’s lead. His unblinking, amber gaze skimmed the border intently.
Sedgepaw started to back away, but her paw grated the pebbles wedged between the reeds. She stiffened as the entire patrol perked their ears. Heart thundering louder than the storm, she feared she was done for.
“What was that?” Snakefang growled.
“Likely a frog plopping along,” Batface assured the younger warrior.
When Kiteclaw nodded in agreement, Sedgepaw relaxed. Thankfully, the bog from the marsh and rain from the storm seemed to disguise her scent.
“I’ll stay behind to investigate,” Batface decided. His tail swished dismissively. “I’ll meet you at the end of the border.”
Damn… Sedgepaw curled her lip in frustration.
“Batface, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Kiteclaw mewed. “There’s a potential killer on the loose. We should remain a single unit.”
Yes! Sedgepaw’s ears perked. Kiteclaw had a point. MarshClan had a warrior blinded and another lost; it was not a good time to split up. She smirked smugly.
“Whitestar may have made you captain of this patrol, but do not forget my seniority; I have seen more than you’re even capable of comprehending,” Batface growled. “As the most experienced, it would only make sense to let me stay behind to investigate strange noises and scents while you take the younger warriors on the routine path. I can handle myself… unless you doubt my strength?”
“My apologies, Batface.” Though her words were apologetic, her amber eyes were steely as she regarded Batface with a tight-lipped frown. “I’ll leave you to it.”
As the patrol went about their watch, Batface stood fast, appearing like a dark statue along the shoreline of the river. A shadow frozen in time. The rushing current, which swelled after the rainfall, drowned out the ambient noise of the forest, but above it all Sedgepaw could hear her heart beating. The glare in Batface’s orange eyes alerted her to his keen senses, and when his ears swiveled to catch the slightest noise, she winced. He was searching… Her muscles tensed when he broke from his statuesque posture, walking forward until he was out of sight.
Silence fell. Glancing fervently between the reeds, Sedgepaw failed to see where her mentor went. Parting her lips, she tasted the air; only the scents of the patrol were mixed with his, unless he ventured downwind. Sedgepaw could feel him staring, though, and she was desperate to find him.
“It’s dangerous to be outside of camp alone.” Batface’s voice rumbled through the reeds, causing Sedgepaw to burst from her hiding spot with a surprised hiss.
“Batface?” She turned, glaring into the cluster of reeds where she knew he resided. “Why didn’t you just call me out instead of sneaking up on me like that?”
“I think it’s time you became intimately familiar with the dangers of warrior life,” Batface growled, seeping out from between the reeds like a cloud of smoke. “Follow me to the shore.”
Not having much choice, Sedgepaw trailed after her mentor, pushing through the reeds to standing in the damp sand of the shoreline. She watched the water rush by, leaving a haze of mist as it passed. The river border she wanted to cross seemed so far away now, but it would only take a few pawsteps for her to reach the other side and gain the answers she sought after.
Batface stood before her, his back still facing her, and slowly tilted his head to glance back at the apprentice. “I realize I have failed you,” he began. “When I detected your scent today, I understood how painfully vulnerable I’ve left you.” He began to walk towards the flora that encircled them. “If I had been an enemy, I could’ve killed you easily.”
“But—“ Unable to protest, Sedgepaw was forced into silence as Batface slowly melted with the shadows, stealthily becoming one with their surroundings in a heartbeat.
“The knowledge I am about to give you is dangerous,” Batface rasped, voice emanating from the cover of the reeds. “It may be your boon or your doom, but you cannot be ignorant of it if you’re going to have a shot at surviving.”
“What is it?” Sedgepaw was breathless. Perhaps she would get some answers?
“The capacity to kill.”
“Wh—what?” Sedgepaw froze.
“Kill or be killed.” Batface’s rasping voice was omnipresent. Sedgepaw could feel him circling, just out of sight, eyeing her from the shadows. “That’s the kind of world we live in, Sedgepaw.”
“I know that,” she snapped, tail lashing. “Now, show yourself and fight me! That’s what this is about, right? Just come out and let me prove myself!”
There was only a faint rustle in the reeds or the sound of a steady, practiced breath that betrayed Batface’s location; as soon as Sedgepaw’s eyes flickered to the source of the noise, another one startled her from behind. Snapping twigs, shivering leaves, soft growls… they surrounded her. Claws could rake down her back. Her neck could be braced in a lethal bite. Eyes gouged out. Ear ripped. Tail snapped. Adrenaline flooded her bloodstream, pumping electricity into every inch of her body. The once whimsical cricket song became shrill, and the trilling of frogs sounded like a siren. The swamp became a livewire, charging Sedgepaw for her eventual attack.
“You know what it takes to be a warrior, but not what it means.” Batface’s voices echoed abysmally. “You think killing is so easy?”
“Come out, and I’ll show you how easy it is,” she jested.
“You don’t make cuts just to watch the blood flow,” Batface hissed. “When you go for the kill, you have to be careful and precise; one wrong move, and you’ll be the one getting buried.”
Sedgepaw flexed her claws. Batface never discussed killing in his combat teachings before. She was in unfamiliar territory, but she was hungry to learn. Her muscles ached for the fight, and her mind pumped through each word her mentor spouted, thirsting for more to fuel her thoughts.
“There are three types of killers: sloppy, angry, and keen,” Batface continued. “Unfortunately…” A sigh rustled from the reeds. “Unfortunately, you will likely encounter them all before you retire.”
Coming face to face with a killer seemed unreal to Sedgepaw. She could only imagine a shadowy silhouette with blood red eyes and dripping fangs. A figment of a night terror. And yet, she knew she lived amongst killers in her Clan. It was a warrior’s duty to protect their own, no matter the cost…
“Sloppy killers… Their movements are so erratic and untrained, they kill out of happenstance. Sloppy killers make a mess of their victims and themselves.” Batface’s voice seemed to be getting closer. “Out of sheer luck, they succeed. However, they can be just as dangerous as any other killer. Why?”
Sedgepaw imagined a lifeless, mangled body. Blood was splattered across the earth and across the face of the perpetrator. Their eyes were wide with horror, and their breathing fluttered like a broken bird wing.
“Because… they’re scared?” she guessed.
“Correct! And what makes a scared cat dangerous?”
“They’re unpredictable,” she decided, sounding confident. “They act out of fear, so they have no control.”
“Excellent…” Batface’s voice became ghostly as it grew more distant. Sedgepaw’s ears swiveled to catch each vowel he uttered. “And that brings us to the next type of killer: the angry.”
“They’re acting out of rage,” Sedgepaw piped up. “Maybe vengeance or protectiveness.”
“Correct… but you answered a question I didn’t ask.” There was a growl in his throat. “How do you think an angry killer attacks?”
“With… rage?” Sedgepaw chuckled uneasily.
“To be specific,” Batface grumbled. “They go for where it hurts. Angry killers wish to inflict pain on their victims; they want to watch them writhe and relish the tortured look plastered on their dead faces.”
The thought of encountering an angry killer sent a chill down her spine. “So they go for… the belly?”
“That’s one sensitive area, yes. They also target the face, especially the eyes, lips, and ears.” Batface’s voice suddenly became apparent from behind Sedgepaw, she whirled around to face him, fur bristling. He continued to speak, voice just above a whisper, his orange eyes were glowing with eerie intensity. “Most victims of an angry killer will bleed out without needing a final blow.” Batface’s rasping voice deepened. “They will land strike after strike, wanting to bludgeon every inch of their foe… This is when killing gets personal.”
Sedgepaw took a step back, claws unsheathed. She did not trust the peculiar gleam in her mentor’s eye. “And keen killers?” she pressed.
“A keen killer is precise; they go in knowing their intentions and owning their tactics. Emotion does not play a role in this. No fear, anger, or panic… A keen killer is calm and recognizes their job: to permanently eliminate the enemy.”
Batface closed the distance between them, bringing an unsheathed claw to Sedgepaw’s throat. She froze under his touch. She could feel her pulse growing stronger and more rapid as the back of Batface’s claw pressed into her jugular.
“A swift, clean kill is achieved by going straight for the throat. Imagine painting a smile across your opponent’s neck,” Batface instructed, voice lowered.
“How could you even aim that precisely?” Sedgepaw wondered, swallowing loudly when Batface failed to remove his claw from her tremoring pulse.
“Intent. You need to pin your opponent or come at them from behind; as the attacker, you have to plan ahead and know exactly what you need to do and how, so when the time comes, there’s no room for error.” He paused, raking his eyes over Sedgepaw. “If you’re confident in your pain tolerance, you can go for a bite to the throat, but then you risk injury by placing yourself close to the victim for too long.”
“Why would I even need to kill?” Sedgepaw scoffed. “Our only enemies are the Fallen, and they rarely bother us.”
“Don’t underestimate them,” Batface warned. “They received the same training you are getting now, and they bare grudges. Never doubt their capabilities.”
“Understood,” Sedgepaw murmured. When Batface’s claw finally left her throat, she could breathe easy. “So… when would I need to kill?”
“Killing should only be a last resort,” Batface replied coldly. “When you take someone’s life… everything changes. Unless given the order to do so, you should only kill if you absolutely have to.”
Nodding, Sedgepaw flexed her claws, staring at her paw with a frown. In her dream, her paw, her chest, her face were all soaked in blood. The reflection of herself in the water seemed cool and collected. But the message the entity from her dream muttered… it still dumbfounded her. Was she really meant to spill blood? Curling her claws, Sedgepaw returned her paw to the ground with a sigh. If it was her duty, she would.
“Your final test is approaching,” Batface continued. “Before long, I will not be there to cover up your mistakes. I need to be certain you’re ready.” Voice dropping an octave, the growl that followed his words bled into what he spoke.
Hearing the faint click of his claws against the ground, Sedgepaw’s eyes flashed. Muscles wound tight, she could feel them ripple beneath her pelt as she rocked her shoulders. This was her chance to finally prove to Batface that she was ready.
“During your test day, you will be pitted against another apprentice, and you will fight with claws unsheathed,” he explained, black fur slowly beginning to bristle. “Today, I will fight against you in the same manner.”
Nodding solemnly, Sedgepaw felt her nerves tingle. This would be the closest thing to a real fight she’s gotten in her six moons of training. By the next full moon, the thirteenth moon of her life, she would be a warrior… But only if Batface allows her to test. Her career, her life, her pride were at stake. I will not lose, she decided.
The two cats began to circle each other. Only the roar of the river could be heard, and fog began to roll off the rushing water onto shore, shrouding them in a haze of gray. Sedgepaw waited, not wanting to make the first move. Her tail lashed as she challenged her mentor with a goading hiss, golden eyes alite like a flame. Batface returned the hiss. In a flash of black, he lunged for Sedgepaw’s legs, but she sprang out of reach. She knew he would try to slow her down again. She was ready.
Now that she stood behind him, she raked her claws down his back. Blood freckled her face. She was stunned by the stench and how warm it felt as it blotted against her fur. Batface took advantage of her shock and turned on her, quickly locking his fangs into her shoulder. The initial impact stung like a barrage of wasp stings, and as he dug his claws into her side, she screeched in rage as the pain assaulted her. She had to get him off. At first she shook, swinging her body to try and loosen his grip. He only clung tighter like a tick clinging to its last meal. She screeched in rage. There had to be a way. When she realized how he was able to clutch her broad shoulder without hanging off, she realized: he was smaller than her.
Trumping him in size, when she rolled to her side to crush him as he clung to her, she felt the air wheeze out of him under her weight. Seeing her mentor stunned, she lunged like a viper, striking him with her fangs against his chest and shoulders. Batface hissed in pain and kicked his legs out, clipping Sedgepaw’s jaw with his back claws. She stepped back, not wanting those vicious claws to rake her eyes.
Rising to his paws, Batface growled. Despite his age, Sedgepaw could see the light of fight in his eyes. She knew he would not last as long as she, however. Faking him out, she made it seem like she would swipe at his side only to bring her other claw against his shoulder. He stole the opportunity to swipe at her cheek as she leaned in to land her blow. Their exchange of slashes caused their blood to spatter against the sand, and as time passed Sedgepaw became immune to its stench.
The adrenaline that flooded her veins set the world on fire. Everything seemed brighter, hotter, more dangerous. Batface’s claws slashed through the air with a whistle, nearly cutting her ear, and she ducked to avoid him. In a flash of black, he sprung onto her back and sunk his claws into her. Sedgepaw roared and knew better than to try and shake him off again. Instead, she rolled onto her back, only her mentor thought better and jumped off before she hit the ground. Clouds of sound swarmed around her upon impact, and she did not have the time to stand before Batface was on top of her, free to scratch at her face and shoulders and bite at her neck.
In a panic, Sedgepaw reached for his shoulders awkwardly, getting him in her clutches. She knew she could not let him flee from her attack again. He was too fast. She had to hold him still if she was going to stand a chance. As she held him, she kicked her hind legs to land blow after blow against his soft belly. Batface hissed, spit and blood raining down on her face as he jerked his head back in agony. As he struggled to rip himself from her grip, she was able to kick again and again. She felt his blood trickle down to splatter against her belly, warm and sticky. Batface refuses to give in, however, he took the blows, eyes wide and lip curled.
Staring into his eyes, Sedgepaw froze when she noticed her reflection in the depths of his orange irises. She recognized the bloodied face from her dreams hiding in his gaze. What am I becoming? Retracting her claws, she kicked Batface off and panted. Rising to her paws, she stared at the bloodstains marring her fur. She was a sapling struggling to stand after a storm, limbs shivering as her sanity threatened to by yanked by its roots. What am I becoming? she asked herself again.
Batface rolled into the sand, panting and coughing. Sedgepaw watched as her mentor stood, shaking, as blood fell from his black fur like steady, scarlet rain drops. He regarded her with a lopsided smirk, wincing as he wheezed in pain. “You—you did good,” he admitted with a cough. “But you held back. Why?”
Sedgepaw was silent, fishing for words that avoided her lure. “I…” She narrowed her eyes. The image of herself… covered in the blood of another cat… eyes vacant… it haunted her. “I was scared.”
Batface was by her side, his smile gone. “You need to be scared,” Batface reassured her. “We are warriors. This is our life. We bare the burden of our ancestors and the blood of our enemies. If that doesn’t scare you… then I doubt you know what it means to be a warrior.”
“Right…” She pushed the entity from her dreams out of her mind. “Will I ever not be scared?”
Her mentor was making his way through the reeds and she followed after him, noticing the small trail of blood he left behind. “You will feel it less as time goes on,” he rasped. “It will always be there, though. More as a whisper than a scream. You have to numb yourself to it, or you’ll go mad. The things you may have to do… You just have to remind yourself it’s for the greater good and press on.”
As the heat of battle dulled and became a lukewarm memory, Sedgepaw felt her fear slowly fade away. She winced, feeling blood pool and drip from the deep gashes on her shoulder. Despite the pain, her fight made her feel… alive. Her ebbing fear was succeeded by her rising pride. She beat Batface for the first time. Watching the older warrior walk so carefully, almost stiffly, she realized he was trying to hide his limp. Perhaps she should have had restraint?
“Do not dwell on your past actions,” Batface went on. “Learn from your mistakes and move on. There is nothing in your past but ghosts, and they will drag you down until you’re as dead as they are.”
They continued through the cypress swamp. Around them, the shadows grew, threatening to engulf them in darkness. Birdsong and cricket song mingled in a rare chorus that only harmonized during sunset. Sedgepaw followed her mentor out of the woods to the marsh. They stood side by side, watching the blood red horizon bleed across the sky in angry shades of scarlet.
“Do you speak from experience, Batface?” she asked quietly.
Her mentor wordlessly approached the marsh, grunting as he stepped into the peat and bog. “I’ve done things in life that I regret. Sometimes I can’t sleep at night,” he confessed. “It’d be unfair to ask you to live a life with no regrets when your life is not even yours to live.”
“What do you mean?” Sedgepaw pressed, wading through the muddy water behind him.
“You live to serve Whitestar, and by extension, StarClan,” Batface reminded her. “Your duty is greater than yourself. The things you may have to do along the way… think of them as collateral for the eternal life you will have in the stars.”
“But—“
“It’s a hard plum to swallow, I know,” Batface interrupted. “But if you strive for a life of greatness, you’ll be remembered as such. Who knows? Maybe they’ll tell stories about you one day.”
If only Batface knew… Sedgepaw gazed toward the horizon, remembering what her reflection uttered: “When the scarlet sun falls and bleeds on the earth, we rise.” What could be waiting, just beyond the horizon? What was in store for her? It seemed StarClan already wrote her story… she and her siblings were destined to give rise to revolution. Would she go down in history like Lightningstar and be remembered as a hero? Or would she become the villain?
Sedgepaw felt like she was treading water in a massive lake, waiting for either a wave to bring her under or a current to bring her to shore. Powerless. Hopeless.
“I don’t think I’m destined for greatness,” Sedgepaw admitted solemnly as they continued to walk through the marsh.
“It’s not about what you think, it’s about what you do,” Batface countered. “Do what you’re supposed to do to the best of your ability, the rest will fall into place.”
“Well what if I’m doomed for failure?” Sedgepaw protested.
“Living a life as if you’re doomed for failure just seals your fate,” Batface spat. “That’s just an excuse to give up or not try.” He turned on her. “If I was destined to fail, I’d still try to succeed as often as I could.”
Sedgepaw’s head drooped as they approached the wall of sawgrass and maidencane that bordered the camp. Her mind was a whirlwind of dread.
“No matter what,” Batface rasped softly, “you need to promise you won’t give up.”
Raising her eyes to gaze up at her mentor, she frowned.
“You’re going to be a warrior, and a fantastic one at that.” He chuckled. “I should know… I trained you.” Sobering up, his tone became serious. “The worst thing you can do in life is doubt yourself. No matter what StarClan has planned, or what Whitestar wants you to do, the only one that can fail you is you… So... Just promise me you’ll try and never give up.”
Sedgepaw smiled softly, bringing her head up to stare level with him. So… he did believe in her. All this time. He never doubted her. The only one that ever doubted her… was herself. Reinvigorated, she nodded eagerly before they stepped into the grasses that framed camp.
“I’ll never give up, Batface,” she vowed. “I promise.”
deltra of gangnam style
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Post by Falconfrost on Apr 1, 2019 7:35:30 GMT -5
Uh-oh...that last line seemed like foreshadowing....!
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 4, 2019 19:50:25 GMT -5
CHAPTER TWELVE: EYES ON YOU OUR MOUTHS ONLY LYING
SCREAMS echoed throughout camp, cats nearly collided with one another as they buzzed between dens, eyes wide and tails raised, exchanging fervent meows between each other. Sedgepaw was befuddled by the chaos when she returned, eyes searching for the source. Pain still surged through her muscles and wounds, pumping with vengeance deep into her bones. The acrid smell and taste of fear, the sound of her wailing Clanmates, the sight of anxiety plastered on all their faces, and the pulsating pain emanating from her wounds… all five of her senses hummed through her being, numbing her. She felt trapped in a bubble, where her feelings were constantly bouncing back against her, colliding into her body with the force of a lightning strike.
“What’s going on?” she wondered drearily, eyes sliding to Batface.
Her mentor fixed her with a scornful look. “Don’t you remember? You’re not even supposed to be outside of camp.” Her nodded to their distressed Clanmates. “They’re likely looking for you.”
Sure enough, when Sedgepaw returned her gaze to her Clanmates, they all seemed to take notice of her presence and rushed to her. Sedgepaw recoiled from them, unprepared for the onslaught of attention.
“You’re okay!” Yewpaw was beaming, pushing passed Sandthroat and Otternose. “We were so worried about you.”
Mudpaw was beside Yewpaw in an instant. “You went on an adventure without me?” He wrinkled his nose in a pout. “No fair…”
Ospreypaw and Shaleheart were also rushing to greet her, eyes wide with relief, and Sedgepaw felt a wave of surprise when she realized just how many of her Clanmates took notice of her absence; what’s more, they actually were frightened for her. She felt a jumble of emotions wrack her brain. Maybe she was wrong the question them? Maybe running to the Fallen for answers was a mistake?
A growl sounded from the crowd. Longscar emerged with a fierce grimace. “You seem to be making a habit of wandering off,” he observed scathingly, suspicion coloring each syllable he uttered.
Batface took a step closer to Sedgepaw, his orange eyes holding a warning. “Need I remind you, I am the one responsible for my apprentice. I already addressed her mistakes.”
Longscar’s tail lashed, and he met Batface’s glare with a challenge.
Before he could say more, Otternose snickered. “Got a handle on her, huh?” she sneered. “It looks like she got the handle on you!”
Sandthroat also chuckled, his rasping voice sounding like he ate gravel for sustenance. “Looks like you both duked it out alright,” he pointed out.
“Oh my stars!” Yewpaw gasped, face twisting in horror. “You’re both bleeding! What happened?”
Shaleheart interjected before Sedgepaw could explain. “Batface and Sedgepaw probably had battle training,” he assured her gently, though his eyes flashed with concern when he regarded Sedgepaw.
“I thought it best to let Sedgepaw experience the dangers of running off alone herself,” Batface explained cordially. Though he spoke with pride, Sedgepaw noticed the slight slouch in his frame; she could see him wince every now and then. The wounds on his belly likely pained him the most. She felt a pang of guilt.
“That’s the way it’s done!” Sandthroat crowed. “You younger mentors should take note. That’s how real warriors train. I know I take Toadpaw out for a good one, two quite often.”
The gloating in Sandthroat’s hoarse voice was as clear as the springs. However, Sedgepaw could see the dimness in his yellow eyes, the slight droop to his whiskers; he was likely up all night worrying over Egretsong… She felt her heart lurch. Batface probably saved her by interrupting her secret excursion. If she met Scorchface beyond the river, her eyes could have been gouged out next.
“Regardless,” Longscar continued, still eyeing Batface, “we had to make another search party to find you.” His glare turned to Sedgepaw. “Thankfully there were enough warriors in camp at the time, but you must realize what a grave waste of resources this was.”
“I apologize, Longscar,” Sedgepaw muttered through gritted teeth, reluctantly bowing her head. “I learned my lesson.”
“Enough of this,” Batface spat. “I’ll be the one disciplining my apprentice unless Whitestar says otherwise.”
Tension in the air was thick, and Sedgepaw felt suffocated between the glares of Longscar and Batface. Shaleheart suddenly brushed up beside her, bursting the atmosphere with his reassuring lick against her forehead. She was tempted to lean into her father, but thought better of it. She needed to look tough before Longscar. The warrior had suspected her since the last night. There was no room for her breathe when he eyed her like a hawk, ready to strike her with his talons the moment she showed weakness.
“How about we let these two go to Redleaf, hm?” Shaleheart suggested, glancing between the two warriors as they remained deadlocked in their glares.
“Very well,” Longscar relented with a small growl.
“I don’t need your permission,” Batface snapped, tail lashing. His scarred muzzle spasmed with a grimace as he pushed by Longscar and the other warriors, and Sedgepaw followed close behind.
As Sedgepaw made her way through the crowd of cats, she caught a glimpse of hurt in Ospreypaw’s eyes. She felt her heart rot with guilt. She always told her friend everything, but lately… she felt a divide between them. The gorge of secrets threatened their closeness. The last thing Sedgepaw wanted was to lose her best friend.
“I’ll talk to you about it later,” she mouthed to Ospreypaw, and the other apprentice nodded slowly.
Of course, Mudpaw materialized beside the black and white she-cat, and Sedgepaw refrained from rolling her eyes. Hesitating, she knew her brother noticed their exchange.
“Talk about what?” Mudpaw whispered eagerly.
The horde of secrets she was harboring threatened to burst from her jaws. The prophecy was not just about her, it affected her siblings too. Maybe she was being selfish by keeping everything to herself? She ducked her head in silent defeat, knowing time was not on her side. If she was going to tell them, she would need to do it soon.
“Meet me by the Great Cypress, tonight.” Sedgepaw murmured to them. Her voice was grave, and it seemed to spook the apprentices, for they exchanged a wary glance with one another. “Bring Yewpaw too.”
“Sedgepaw!” Batface hollered. “Get your tail over here before I come and drag you.”
Leaving the crowd to follow after Batface, Sedgepaw realized how much her body ached as she entered the shadows of the medicine den. The familiar scent of fresh marigold and herbs tickled her nose, but the faint odor of blood wafted through the warm air. She knew where it came from. Egretsong’s bloody face haunted her memory as she was greeted by a weary Heronpaw. The lanky tom regarded her and Batface with a somber nod; his blue eyes glistened with fatigue.
“Training?” Heronpaw asked listlessly. His eyes grazed their wounds slowly.
Batface nodded once, eyes narrowed. “Where’s Redleaf?”
“He went to escort Whitestar to the Lunar Cavern.” Heronpaw turned for the herb store, nodding towards a pair of unoccupied moss nests. “Something about needing to consult the stars…”
Sedgepaw was not sure if she was relieved or concerned about Redleaf’s absence. She was freed from his oppressive presence, but the more time he spent with Whitestar, the more opportunities he had to tell her about the prophecy. Why he was waiting to say anything perplexed Sedgepaw. Regardless, she was grateful for his confidentiality. Anxiety pricked her heart. Perhaps the secret was unveiled? Was that why Whitestar needed to meet with StarClan?
Crawling into the bed of moss, Sedgepaw struggled to get comfortable. Millions of questions ran through her head, bouncing in her skull like a rabbit as they remained unanswered. With the Clan on high alert because of Minnowtail’s disappearance and both Longscar and Batface keeping an eye on her, going to the Fallen was near impossible. Her only other option was to confront Fernstream… Her mother would be upset, but if Sedgepaw remained in the dark any longer, she would go insane.
Slumping onto her side, she sighed loudly and stared at the ceiling of verdant stems and golden flowers. Her wounded shoulder seared with pain. Tilting her head, she was able to see Batface getting settled in beside her, grunting as she adjusted himself in the moss. She could see the faintest twitch in his muscles and winces in his face that betrayed his pain. Though he praised her fighting prowess, Sedgepaw could not shake the nagging feeling that she had gone too far.
“Here,” Heronpaw mumbled through the herbs in his mouth. His small paw pushed forward a poultice that smelled faintly of sweetbriar and willow, it rested on a duck potato leaf in a glistening clump. “This will help prevent infection.”
Heronpaw sat the herbs in his mouth down on the same broad leaf, kneading at it with claws unsheathed in silence. The thick, waxy leaf handled Heronpaw’s crushing well, but the concoction of cattails and primrose petals was quickly reduced to a pulp. He eyed Sedgepaw critically, shaking his head.
“You need to clean your wounds before I can apply the medicine,” he mewed shortly. “All that mud and blood in your scratches is going to stunt your healing. Fix it.”
Sedgepaw wrinkled her nose at the touchy medicine cat apprentice. However, she held her tongue from lashing out a biting remark. Heronpaw shuffled off to tend to Batface, for he was studiously licking his wounds with his eyes half-shut. Watching Heronpaw begin to apply the pulp to his cuts, she wondered if he even took joy in healing other cats. His face always seemed either twisted in a scowl or void of emotion. Redleaf may be the bringer of her doom, but at least he managed a smile every now and then.
When a familiar sweet scent lingered at the entrance to the medicine den, Sedgepaw stiffened. Mid-lick, she found herself staring into Blueflower’s bright blue eyes as the she-cat burst into the den to hurry to her side. Her face burned with embarrassment as she realized how disheveled she looked to the pretty warrior. Her dark fur stuck out at odd angles, slicked with mud and blackened with blood.
“Sedgepaw!” Blueflower gasped. “You’re hurt.” Her eyes lingered on the tears into her shoulder. “What happened? I--I mean we’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Uh... training,” Sedgepaw replied lamely with a lopsided grin. She winced after making the mistake of shrugging her shoulders. “We had battle training, me and Batface. It’s not a big deal…” Blueflower was looking for her?
Blueflower sighed. “Training with claws unsheathed, it never made sense to me,” she murmured softly. A smile dawned on her soft face. “At least you’re okay. When I heard you were missing…” The warrior shook her head, rolling her eyes. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.”
“Yeah…” Sedgepaw smiled back. Blueflower was worried about her? She was not sure if she should feel elated or guilty. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
“Forget about it.” Blueflower giggled. “I should’ve known you would be alright.”
Now under Blueflower’s gaze, Sedgepaw hesitated to continue cleaning her wounds. She felt self-conscious, especially considering how messy she looked. The silence that stretched between them threatened to engulf the she-cats in a permanent atmosphere of awkwardness.
Heronpaw was the one to break it. “Hey, instead of a staring contest, how about you help clean that apprentice’s wounds?” he suggested wryly. “It seems Sedgepaw forgot how to work her tongue today.”
The chuckle that emerged from Batface only made Sedgepaw’s face burn hotter. As Blueflower closed the distance between them, she felt her heart nearly burst from her chest. Drowning in her sweet scent, Sedgepaw felt suspended in midair by the time Blueflower rested behind her. Feeling her gently lick at her bloody shoulder, Sedgepaw relished the bittersweet sting as her wound was cleaned. Her body felt stiff around Blueflower at first, but she slowly began to let her muscles unwind as she was immersed in her warmth. Feeling Blueflower pressed against her back, with her hot breath against her shoulder, sent shivers down her spine. Sedgepaw was devoured by a mass of emotions that she was unable to put into words.
Eyes half-shut, she clenched her teeth as Blueflower quietly licked at her cuts and scratches along her shoulder. “So… you were looking for me?” Sedgepaw asked.
She could hear the smile in Blueflower’s voice. “Me and a few other warriors, yes.”
Sedgepaw glanced back at the warrior, her heart fluttering wildly. She wondered if Blueflower would be upset if she found out why Sedgepaw left in the first place. With Batface in earshot, she could not be honest with the warrior. Instead, she settled for silence, enjoying Blueflower’s closeness.
“Molefoot and Mothfur came with me.” Blueflower’s voice was as smooth as a rose petal as she continued. “We looked everywhere for you. Why did you leave?”
Sedgepaw stiffened. Maybe she would not be able to keep her secret after all? She could not bare the thought of lying to Blueflower.
When Heronpaw returned to her, she sighed with relief. “Alright, let’s get that wound tended to,” he muttered.
Heronpaw dexterously applied the poultice with such swiftness, Sedgepaw did not have the time to react to the sting before he was gone. Watching the apprentice slink away, she felt a pang of sympathy for him. He was about the same age as her mother, and he was still considered an apprentice despite his knowledge and skills.
“Thank you,” she meowed after him, only to receive a short tail flick of acknowledgement from the medicine cat apprentice.
Feeling Blueflower press closer to her, her breath caught in her throat. The she-cat’s nose gently grazed the ruffled fur framing the gash in her shoulder. When she sighed gently against her fur, Sedgepaw nearly shivered. Whatever enchantment was cast over Sedgepaw when Blueflower was around, it had the strength of the stars themselves.
“The wound already looks like it’s healing nicely,” Blueflower observed. “You’ll be fine.” The relief in her voice made Sedgepaw feel warmth rise inside her.
“I’m sorry I sent you on a wild goose chase.” Sedgepaw chuckled, shaking her head. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“Longscar was pretty upset,” Blueflower pointed out in a whisper. Worry painted her words.
“I know… I’m getting the feeling he has it out for me.” Though there was a jest in her tone, Sedgepaw’s eyes were serious as she stared back at Blueflower. They were speaking softly enough not to be heard by Batface. When Sedgepaw glanced his way, her mentor appeared to be asleep.
“I’ll keep an eye out for you then,” Blueflower assured her. Sedgepaw was surprised by the protectiveness in her tone, and how she leaned in close to accentuate her promise. “It’s my fault he got onto you in the first place.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to.” Blueflower smiled. “If it means it’ll keep you safe.”
Sedgepaw forgot how to speak. Blueflower really did care… The notion made her heart soar. She felt an unbridled tenderness toward Blueflower that was so deliciously foreign to her she felt every nerve on her body thirst for another taste.
“Why do you want to keep me safe?” Sedgepaw wondered; she was breathless.
“Because the Clan needs cats like you now more than ever. You care about others, I can see it. And… I can’t bare the thought of losing someone like you.”
Sedgepaw blinked, dumbstruck. She scrambled for words, but they skittered out of reach like startled mice. “I…”
Blueflower rose to her paws. “Let me grab you some fresh-kill,” she offered. “It’s been a long day for both of us, but you can’t go to sleep on an empty stomach.”
Sedgepaw watched Blueflower leave with a heavy heart. So, did she care about her or just cats like her? Confusion muddled her thoughts. She grunted in frustration, shifting on her side to sprawl her legs out of the mossy nest. Why were these feelings so confusing? Batface’s rasping yawn caused her ears to perk, and she looked to see him staring right at her.
“Well, that was touching,” he meowed dryly. “I never knew you fancied Blueflower.”
“Wha-what?” Sedgepaw snorted, ears burning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about… I don’t ‘fancy’ anyone.”
“There’s no shame in it,” Batface pointed out with a deep chuckle. “So long as you don’t let it distract from your training.”
“Whatever… I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“So you don’t have feelings for her?” Batface clarified, head tilting.
“I mean… Yeah, of course.” Sedgepaw sputtered as she spoke, struggling to keep her cool under her mentor’s keen stare. “She’s smart and brave and well-spoken and pretty and--”
Batface’s shrewd grin wrinkled his scarred face, and Sedgepaw shut her yap quickly in response. “Have you thought about weaving a promise wreath?”
Sedgepaw frowned, shaking her head. “She probably thinks of me as a kit.” The idea of presenting Blueflower with a promise wreath made her bones become supple. If she stood now, she would surely topple over. “There’s no way she would accept my proposal.”
“Not with that attitude,” Batface rasped scornfully. “The Blossom Festival is the best and most respectable time to take a mate, according to tradition. You’ll be a warrior by then, and you have time to weave your wreath for her.”
“I don’t even know how to do it,” Sedgepaw rebuked, gritting her teeth.
Batface hissed, shaking his head. “Of course not! You’ve never done it before. Typically, the proposer in your family would be your teacher. Did Shaleheart of Fernstream initiate their relationship?”
“I don’t know,” Sedgepaw mumbled.
“Well… ask!” Batface prompted. “You’re too young to ignore love. When it’s there, you embrace it and never let go.”
As a kit, Sedgepaw was told stories of the illustrious Blossom Festival. Warriors willing to attend would travel south, beyond the cypress forest, to a grove of orange trees in bloom. The sweet scent of citrus filling the warm air, wafting through the branches decorated with full white blossoms and plump orange fruits, Sedgepaw could see it clearly in her mind’s eye. Suitors willing to propose to their potential mate would present orange blossoms entwined with jasmine vines, a promise wreath, in hopes of their acceptance. Sedgepaw imagined Blueflower sitting below the branches, her blue-gray fur stained with the scarlet rays of sunlight, and her bright blue eyes framed with a crown of white flowers. She found herself smiling.
“You’re right,” Sedgepaw admitted softly. “Maybe I should…”
“Should what?” Blueflower mewed from the entrance, a pair of mice between her teeth. She crossed the shadows of the den putting a mouse before Sedgepaw and the other before Batface, sitting between them with a smile. “I know you were asleep when I left, but I figured you’d wake up hungry.” She glanced between them, brow quirked. “Did I interrupt something?”
“It’s n-nothing!” Sedgepaw piped up, laughing nervously. She scooped the mouse up vigorously, scarfing it down as her nerves ate away at her.
Blueflower laughed, watching Sedgepaw devour the fresh-kill with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m sorry, I would’ve brought more, but Grayjaw and his patrol are still getting double portions because of capturing Scorchface the other day.”
“N-no, no, it’s fine. Thank you.” Sedgepaw offered a small smile, licking her lips as she relished the taste of her meal. Her stomach did hunger for more, but she refused to let Blueflower know that.
“Yes, thank you, Blueflower,” Batface added.
“Don’t worry about it!” Blueflower purred. “I’m happy to help.”
“What’s all the racket in here?” Heronpaw hissed, stepping out from the far side of the medicine den. “Egretsong is still in recovery. She needs peace and quiet.”
“Sorry, Heronpaw,” Blueflower mewed, standing and taking a step toward the entrance to camp. “Has Egretsong said anything yet?”
Sedgepaw stared at Heronpaw, just as curious. She was the last one to see Minnowtail alive besides Scorchface. With the warrior still missing, she could be the key to his discovery.
“No,” Heronpaw replied quietly. “She’s still resting.”
As if summoned by their whispers, emerging from the shadows behind Heronpaw was a petite figure. Her cream and white fur was shrouded in darkness, but it was her blood-stained face that stole Sedgepaw’s attention. Streaks of crimson stained the white fur on her cheeks as if she cried rivulets of blood last night. Loose swathes of plantain leaves were wrapped around her eyes and she smelled strongly of earthy sumac, which hid the scent of her bloody wounds. Sedgepaw did not need to remove her bandages to know the gore they hid. The sight of her last night still sent chills down her spine.
“I’m here,” she mewed shakily.
“Egretsong!” Batface was on his paws in an instant, regarding his Clanmate with horror. “How did this happen?”
“Are you okay? Who did that to you?” Blueflower asked anxiously, making a move toward the warrior.
Heronpaw bristled, standing between the concerned warriors and his patient. “Give her space,” he hissed.
Sedgepaw was frozen as she watched the she-cat begin to shake. Her lips trembled as she lowered her head; Sedgepaw did not need to see her eyes to understand the defeat radiating off the warrior. Her heart lurched when she realized just how horrid the she-cat may have felt.
“I… I failed,” Egretsong mewed, her once lilting, bubbly voice sounding as dismal as the growing darkness. As sunset fell to nightfall, the shadows of the den only hugged the cats tighter in their embrace.
“Shh,” Blueflower mewed, “you mustn't think such things…”
“I did!” Egretsong wailed, sinking. Heronpaw was by her side, supporting her with a grunt as sobs wracked her body. “I--I let my guard down. Scorchface… she got away.”
“Did she blind you?” Batface demanded in a growl. His orange eyes burned with a vengeance.
Egretsong started shaking her head, sobbing softly as she seemed to shrink into a babbling kit. “No, no, no…”
“Who did this?” Batface pressed, growling still.
“Silence!” Heronpaw spat. “She’s still in shock.”
“Minnowtail!” Egretsong cried. “He--he did this.”
Sedgepaw’s jaw dropped. All her Clanmates were frozen, fur bristling and eyes wide, petrified by Egretsong’s cry. Their own Clanmate was responsible? She felt her blood run cold. That would mean… he betrayed MarshClan in order to let Scorchface escape. She shook her head. It just didn’t make sense.
“Impossible!” Batface snapped. “He was a loyal warrior! Why would he do this to you?”
Sedgepaw stole a glance at Blueflower, only to be shocked once more. The warrior appeared… angry. At a time like this, Sedgepaw expected her to be overcome with grief or sympathy for Egretsong. Instead, she looked furious. Her blue eyes burned brighter than the stars. Sedgepaw almost felt scared by this unfamiliar face.
“I don’t know, I… don’t know,” Egretsong whined. “We… were walking, and he turned to me. He apologized and--and after that… Just pain. Darkness.” The she-cat was consumed by her sobs now. Her voice shook with such severity, Sedgepaw was surprised she even managed to speak.
“Enough of this,” Heronpaw hissed. “Egretsong,” his voice softened as he mewed, “let’s go back to bed.”
As Heronpaw ushered Egretsong to the back of the medicine den, Sedgepaw was left with Batface and Blueflower, stunned. She could not move or speak or think. Minnowtail was alive, but he attacked Egretsong and probably blinded her, all to set Scorchface free?
“If Egretsong is speaking the truth and not out of delusion,” Batface murmured gravely, “then we have not one, but two fugitives on our paws.” He shook his head, stepping out of his nest. Though he had a slight slimp, he moved across the den hastily. “We must alert the Clan,” he mewed to Blueflower.
Blueflower was glaring at her paws. “Right, of course.”
As the warriors turned to leave, Sedgepaw stood. Though her shoulder felt stiff, she was willing to help in any way possible. “What about me?”
Batface glanced back at her, hesitating outside the entrance to camp. “Your wounds were superficial. I’d suggest sleeping with the other apprentices tonight. This medicine den is about to become very popular.”
Though Sedgepaw was disappointed by being sent to bed, she heeded the warning in her mentor’s voice. Following behind Blueflower, she could see the slight bristle in the fur along her spine. She had never seen the warrior so upset.
“Are you okay?” she whispered to her as they stepped out of the medicine den and into camp.
Moonlight shone against Blueflower’s bristling fur, and when the warrior glanced back at her, she was taken back by the coldness in her blue eyes. “Yes, I’m fine,” she assured her. “Get some good rest, okay?” The strain in her voice was obvious, but Sedgepaw did not press more.
Scampering across the clearing, Sedgepaw decided she did not want to be out and about when Batface and Blueflower reported the news. Though Whitestar had not returned, she saw Spiderfang rushing to greet her mentor and Blueflower, likely noticing their disturbance.
Pushing through the entrance to the apprentices den, she saw that every nest was occupied. Pebblepaw and Toadpaw were already asleep, while Lilypaw fluffed at her moss, yawning. Yewpaw and Blackpaw were grooming each other, purring loudly. Ospreypaw was blankly staring at her paws while Mudpaw rattled on and on about a peculiar caterpillar he found by the elders den. Once Sedgepaw stepped in, the awake apprentices all stared her way.
“What’s got you looking spooked?” Lilypaw chirped, whiskers twitching with amusement. “Did you get caught sneaking out again?”
“Egretsong woke up,” Sedgepaw meowed, brushing off Lilypaw’s attempt at humor. “She said… Minnowtail was the one that attacked her.”
“What?!” Blackpaw bolted to his paws.
“That’s awful!” Yewpaw squeaked.
Ospreypaw and Mudpaw both shared an alarmed glance as Sedgepaw made her way over to them and her nest. “Spiderfang is being notified now.”
“This isn’t good,” Ospreypaw muttered. “The whole Clan is going to be in a panic.”
“What if this means they’ll delay our test?” Blackpaw fretted.
Mudpaw scoffed. “No way! Whitestar and Spiderfang said we new warriors now more than ever. Longscar said so.”
As the other apprentices went about discussing the unfolding events, Sedgepaw lowered her voice for only Mudpaw and Ospreypaw to hear. “This may be our only chance,” she whispered. “I have to talk to you guys. We need to go to the Great Cypress tonight. Did you tell Yewpaw?”
“Yes,” Ospreypaw mewed. “She knows we’re leaving. Just give the signal and we will head out.”
“Guys, this is so exciting… You don’t even know,” Mudpaw gushed.
Rolling her eyes, Sedgepaw settled in her nest. Outside the den, she could hear the warriors stirring and congregating in camp. Their hurried pawsteps patted on the ground like raindrops; it sounded like all the warriors were awake as news spread throughout camp. Before long, she could hear the caterwauls of pain and anger as the truth rang clear. Minnowtail betrayed them. The thought caused Sedgepaw’s stomach to do backflips. Minnowtail betrayed them, and MarshClan was out for blood.
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 9, 2019 17:17:32 GMT -5
Several chapters upcoming within the next few days. Will also be inputting a table of contents.
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 9, 2019 22:40:48 GMT -5
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
TELL THE TRUTH, SHAME THE DEVIL
I'LL USE YOU AS A WARNING SIGN SILENCE hung heavy in MarshClan camp. As Sedgepaw lay staring at the ceiling of the apprentices den, she heard not a whisper from anyone outside. In her mind, she wrestled with a haze of fatigue and confusion. Minnowtail betrayed the Clan. He seriously wounded Egretsong and consequently let a convicted killer free. Sedgepaw rolled to her side, sighing. The weight of it all threatened to crush her skull. What did this mean?
The soft breaths of the other sleeping apprentices sparked a wave of envy in Sedgepaw. If only she could sleep so easily. When she was graced with shut eye, she was subsequently haunted by hellish dreams of blood and gore. She sat up in her mossy nest, staring at her paws. She felt surrounded by the unknown. So many questions. The prophecy, Vinestripe’s fate, Blueflower’s parents, Scorchface’s innocence, and now, Minnowtail’s betrayal… all the jagged pieces built a dagger that struck Sedgepaw’s heart, dousing her with dread and doubt until she feared her chest would corrode. That’s why she had to talk. She needed to tell her siblings and closest friend what clouded her mind, or risk losing herself to the storm forever. Maybe if she unshackled these words boggling her brain she would break from the bog.
Mudpaw was practically snoring in his nest while Ospreypaw and Yewpaw were nestled close, curled up in a peaceful slumber. Sedgepaw prodded at each of them, stirring them from sleep. If she was going to tell them the truth, she needed to do it now. Ospreypaw blinked her yellow eyes open first, staring up at Sedgepaw sleepily, before she shot upright and nodded. Yewpaw woke next, yawning softly, before carefully stepping out of her nest, not wanting to disturb Blackpaw as he rested beside her. Sedgepaw frowned when Mudpaw failed to wake. She glanced at Ospreypaw, only for her to shrug and roll her eyes. With a grunt, Sedgepaw poked at Mudpaw’s face, watching her brother screw his face up in annoyance and open his eyes grudgingly. When his bright green eyes finally focused, he seemed to remember what was happening and rose to his paws eagerly.
“We’re still doing this?” he whispered excitedly.
Sedgepaw nodded. “I need to tell you what’s been going on… but I can’t do it here.”
Yewpaw and Ospreypaw followed Sedgepaw out into camp, with Mudpaw assuming the rear. Keeping to the shadows, they stalked along the outskirts of camp. The moon was only a small sliver of its full glory, looking like a tiny scratch in the vast indigo sky. The dark of night was almost at its most dominant, and it gave the apprentices plenty of shadows to stick to. Sedgepaw hesitated by the warriors den, keeping to the fringe of the plumegrass and knotweed that composed it. She could feel Ospreypaw, Yewpaw, and Mudpaw freeze behind her. They all stared at the guards posted outside the wall of sawgrass and maidencane that led to the marsh: Otternose and Dewpelt.
Sedgepaw gritted her teeth. Dewpelt would be easy to surpass, but Otternose? Her keen sense of smell could jeopardize their escape. She watched the dark brown she-cat as she slowly stalked along the entrance, amber eyes burning. Meanwhile, Dewpelt was busy grooming her dappled gray fur, likely taking a break from her watch.
“What do we do?” Yewpaw whispered fretfully.
“Distract and evade, duh,” Mudpaw teased.
“Okay.” Yewpaw huffed. “But how do we do it?”
Ospreypaw spoke up, “Maybe one of us could sneak into the sawgrass and make some noise to distract them?”
“You’d need to be fast to do that,” Sedgepaw added, eyes narrowed as she tried to visualize the plan in her head.
Before long, Sedgepaw realized she and her siblings were all staring at Ospreypaw. The black and white she-cat glanced between them in surprise and then annoyance. “You can’t mean me?”
“You are the fastest,” Yewpaw pointed out apologetically.
“Don’t be a wimp.” Mudpaw prodded at her hindquarters, snickering. “The worst thing Otternose will do is talk your ears off about how mousebrained you are for trying to outsmart her.”
“You can do it.” Sedgepaw encouraged her friend with a smile. “Because if you don’t, we’ll all be in trouble,” she deadpanned.
The apprentices all shared a soft laugh before Ospreypaw broke away from them. She nudged Sedgepaw playfully as she passed, prompting a smile from her. As Ospreypaw stealthily tiptoed into the sawgrass, she felt Yewpaw and Mudpaw come to stand by her side and press close. Sedgepaw strained her ears for Ospreypaw’s movement within the grasses, but could only hear the croaking of a nearby toad and the gentle snores from the warriors den. Before long, all she could hear was her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Did Ospreypaw give up? She could feel Mudpaw growing restless beside her.
Then, a splash sounded from the grass, followed by the loud rustling of reeds. Sedgepaw stiffened. Mudpaw and Yewpaw were frozen against her. She could see Otternose’s dark pelt prickle while Dewpelt hurried to her side, ears and tail raised in alarm. The two she-cats murmured to each other. Sedgepaw realized she was holding her breath while they coordinated. The earth seemed to stand still as the guards went silent, becoming dark statues in the night, gazing intently into the mass of grasses.
Sedgepaw flinched when Otternose crashed into the sawgrass, disappearing into the thick fronds. Dewpelt followed quietly, melting into the darkness, tail tip flicking like a metronome. It seemed like Otternose was trying to spook the source of the noise out while Dewpelt remained silent and hidden in the darkness. Otternose really was clever…
“We will have to be quick,” Sedgepaw murmured.
Yewpaw and Mudpaw nodded in tandem. Briskly, Sedgepaw maneuvered toward the wall, pushing into the sawgrass with a grunt. The serrated edges of the foliage combed through her thick fur, snagging at the knots and tearing into her, slowing her. She could hear her slimmer siblings managing to slip through the blades with ease. Stifling her envy, she pressed on ardently, panting softly as her limbs fought the thickening mud. Closer, closer, faster, faster, she chanted in her head. Sedgepaw dared not freeze when a growl sounded nearby. She was unsure if it was Dewpelt or Otternose, but she knew she would not stay to find out. Yewpaw and Mudpaw were ahead of her now, plunging and jumping through the mud and maidencane, weaving and whipping along. Sedgepaw crashed through the thicket with a hiss. She could not be left behind! This was her own damn idea. The grasses grew taller as she trodded through the heart of the sawgrass field. Above, she could not capture a glimpse of the indigo sky. Nothing but black bog and ragged reeds surrounded her.
“I think I hear something!” Otternose hissed from behind. She sounded close.
Heart threatening to burst from her chest, Sedgepaw lunged through the thicket. She could feel her muscles scream for a break, throwing a tantrum as they spasmed, but Sedgepaw refused to give up. She needed to talk to her siblings and friend. She needed them to listen. The grasses bent and leaned to form a tunnel before her, and at the end she could see a dim light. Her escape! Sprinting for the end of the tunnel, she burst into the murky water with a splash.
Freed from the cover of the grasses, Sedgepaw could breathe easy again. Yewpaw and Mudpaw were both staring at her, wide-eyed, and Sedgepaw snorted at them. Snaking through the lily pads and water to come close to them, she relished the cool of it as it soaked halfway up her legs.
“Did you have a hard time getting through?” Mudpaw teased.
“Shut up,” Sedgepaw snapped before snickered. “Let’s just get out of here before Otternose realizes what’s up.”
“But what about Ospreypaw?” Yewpaw fretted.
Sedgepaw glanced back to the thicket. It was quiet. Then, a faint snapping noise. Sedgepaw’s ears perked and eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out the source. When a slim, black and white she-cat peeked out from the stalks, she smiled.
“Ospreypaw!” Sedgepaw hissed, waving her feathery tail for her attention.
Her friend’s yellow eyes glinted under the pale moon and she began to slowly make her way toward the group. Sedgepaw felt pride glow in her heart for her friend. No one could outrun Ospreypaw! When the apprentice regrouped, they all collectively shared a sigh of relief, followed by bouts of nervous chuckles.
“We made it!” Mudpaw crowed.
“Keep it down!” Ospreypaw hissed. “Otternose was not far behind me.”
“What about Dewpelt?” Yewpaw wondered nervously.
“She probably noticed her own reflection and stopped to groom herself again,” Mudpaw mocked, proceeding to pretend to see his own reflection in the gloomy swamp water with a prim look on his face and drag his paw along his whiskers to fan them out all fancy-like. “Great StarClan, I just can’t defend the camp looking like this!” he mewed in a high-pitched voice.
Sedgepaw laughed, shaking her head. “Come on, the Great Cypress isn’t too far away.”
As the apprentices turned to leave, a loud crash sounded from the thicket. From the corner of her eye, Sedgepaw saw the sleek frame of Otternose. Even from afar, her amber eyes burned bright in the night.
“Get down!” Sedgepaw hissed.
She and the others lowered their bodies into the water so that only their heads and the ridge of their backs remained unsubmerged. Under the cover of darkness and the shroud of swamp water, they probably looked like clumps of peat among the bog. Sedgepaw barely breathed when Otternose scanned the marsh, her eyes roving over them keenly. She could see her lips parted to taste the air, and her tail was lashing with frustration. Dewpelt appeared behind her, yawning.
“It was probably just a marsh rabbit.” Sedgepaw heard Dewpelt’s annoyed mew and stifled a chuckle. “I don’t know why you have your tail in a twist over a little splash.”
“It was more than a little splash.” Otternose’s growl bordered on a snarl.
Sedgepaw remained still as a stone. It felt like moons passed before Otternose finally turned back to the wall of sawgrass. Tension released from her body in ripples. Dewpelt followed after her with a loud sigh. When the sound of their rustling retreat faded, Sedgepaw rose from the water with a loud exhale. Yewpaw, Mudpaw, and Ospreypaw followed her lead.
“That was close,” Yewpaw squeaked timorously. “My tail was shaking so much I thought it would fall off.”
“They’re gone now, that’s all that matters,” Sedgepaw reassured her.
Quietly, Sedgepaw turned and led the way towards the cypress forest. Above the treeline that touched the stars, one dome stood higher than the rest: the Great Cypress. Its branches built a staircase toward the stars. Sedgepaw could remember how it felt to be at its peak. The wind in her fur, the sky in her eyes, and the taste of the heavens on her tongue. If not for her seeing that mysterious cat beyond the border, she may have stayed up there forever. Her stomach tightened when she realized that if she never fell, she never would have discovered the prophecy kept secret from her. How different would her life be?
Stepping onto the shore, Sedgepaw curled her toes in the supple sand with a sigh. Flanked by Ospreypaw and Mudpaw, she had to glance back to make sure Yewpaw was not far behind. Her sister seemed hesitant, hugging the shadow of the cattail reeds with a sullen look on her face.
“What’s wrong, Yewpaw?” she asked.
Yewpaw’s eyes searched the sandy shore for an answer. She shuffled her paws nervously. “I’m scared,” she admitted. “I… don’t like being out at night.”
Yewpaw’s tawny fur appeared almost black under the cover of night, and it hugged her petite frame, making her appear small and helpless. Sedgepaw’s chest twisted with the need to protect her sister. “It’ll be fine, you have us here to protect you,” she promised.
“Yeah! I’ll fight anyone that dares give us trouble!” Mudpaw piped up with a broad grin. “I got this one move that Longscar taught me, and hoo-ah, it’ll bring a whirl of--”
“Mudpaw, please,” Ospreypaw hushed.
Sedgepaw neared Yewpaw gingerly, pressing her nose to her sister’s head. She felt rotten for dragging her out at night. Not only was it against the rules for apprentices to be out without a warrior at this time, Yewpaw had always been afraid of the dark. Her memories travelled back to their moons as kits, when Yewpaw never wanted to sneak out of the nursery after the sun went down, and Mudpaw would end up being Sedgepaw’s only playmate under the stars.
“Just stick close to me,” Sedgepaw murmured softly. “Nothing can harm you with us around.”
Yewpaw nodded solemnly, eyes wide. Sedgepaw felt confused as she watched her sister’s eyes dart from the bushes, to the corners of the forest, and to the shadows of the reeds, as if she was searching for something that obviously was not their. Her ears were trembling too, but Sedgepaw was not sure if it was because her sister heard something, or if she was trembling out of fear.
“We are here for you,” Ospreypaw assured her, the words stiffly waddled off her tongue.
Sedgepaw stifled a chuckle. Watching Ospreypaw attempt to be comforting was like watching a turtle try to sprint. Rasping her tongue over Yewpaw’s quivering ear, she nudged her onward into the forest. Frogs periodically screeched a reverberating solo as a chorus of crickets sang in the night. The air hung heavily, full of moisture. Sedgepaw grimaced against the humidity as it clung to her fur, an unwelcome passenger. The smooth, silvery trunks of the cypress trees glowed under the moonlight. Sedgepaw watched as Mudpaw weaved effortlessly through the forest with Ospreypaw close behind.
“Th-the Great Cypress… Why do we have to go there?” Yewpaw wondered, sounding spooked.
“It’s far enough from camp that we will have privacy, and the sentinels rarely scout the Great Cypress at night,” Sedgepaw explained as they ducked through a myrtle bush.
“There’s a reason no sentinels go there at night,” Yewpaw mewed frightfully.
“Oh, stars, not this story again!” Mudpaw groaned, gagging dramatically. “Please don’t tell me you think they were serious?”
Ospreypaw blinked in confusion, staring back at Yewpaw curiously. “Story?” She slowed to walk beside Yewpaw. “What story?”
Sedgepaw frowned, she remembered Ospreypaw’s mother rarely allowed her to listen to the nursery tales the queens shared. Kiteclaw was as stern a warrior as she was a mother. “It’s not that exciting,” Sedgepaw assured her, not wanting Ospreypaw to feel left out.
“It’s said that the Great Cypress is possessed,” Yewpaw mewed shakily. “By… Marshstar himself.”
Ospreypaw snorted. “What? That’s complete mousedung! Marshstar is in StarClan with the rest of our ancestors.”
As they walked through the woods, Sedgepaw noticed the shadows growing. Gazing above, Sedgepaw could see the sky darkening through the tangled canopy of branches and moss. Clouds were gathering. In the dark of night, it was impossible to tell if a storm rested in their bellies.
“Marshstar is said to have given his last life to the Great Cypress,” Yewpaw went on, voice just above a whisper. “He wanted to be sure that a piece of him remained in the forest, to stay close to the Clan forever.”
Mudpaw stopped and turned, his toothy grin glinting in the dark. “And if any one dares to venture to his final resting place at night,” he interrupted animatedly, “he will possess the roots of the Great Cypress and drag you down to stay with him forever!”
Yewpaw shivered against Sedgepaw. When she spoke, her voice was stronger, holding a warning, “Mudpaw, you shouldn’t make fun of the legend. Remember what Fernstream said: there’s a bit of truth--”
“In all the tales,” Mudpaw interrupted again, finishing their mother’s saying while rolling his eyes.
Ospreypaw was giggling, glancing between the siblings with amusement. “Good story, Yewpaw.” She smiled. “Even if it’s true, I think being near Marshstar is the safest place to be.”
Sedgepaw nodded. “Marshstar always wanted the best for his Clan.”
Yewpaw shrugged, not looking convinced. “I guess we are about to find out.”
Emerging from the ferns, the apprentices entered the clearing that surrounded the Great Cypress. With the moonlight suffocated from the sky by the clouds, light was dead. A miasma of blackness cast its claws from the shadows all around. The massive cypress tree stood strong against the dark, its gnarled roots casting claws of their own deep into the earth. Everything was so fierce and sharp and bleak. Sedgepaw doubted if this was the right place, the right time… No! She shook her head, stepping out into the open with a soft sigh. This was her time. She had to.
“It’s quiet,” Ospreypaw observed.
Mudpaw and Yewpaw followed sitting between the roots as Sedgepaw perched herself on one. Ospreypaw sat beside them, gazing up at the vast cypress with wide eyes. Sedgepaw remembered the last time she and Ospreypaw were here, she nearly plummeted to her death from the crown of the Great Cypress.
“Thank you guys for coming,” Sedgepaw mewed. A bundle of nerves unfurled within her, causing her tongue to feel heavy. As the apprentices all stared at her with curious and concerned eyes, she struggled to find the courage to continue. “I… know I’ve been acting distant lately, and I’m sorry, but there… there’s just been so much on my mind!”
“Is this about the test?” Mudpaw wondered, eyes narrowed.
“Not at all.” Sedgepaw stared at her paws, and with a sigh, she found the resolve to continue. “When I fell from the Great Cypress, I was in the medicine den for a few days. In those days, I… I learned something.”
Sedgepaw noticed Yewpaw was staring at the base of the trunk, shivering. Sedgepaw felt a pang of hurt. Was her sister even listening?
“Go on,” Ospreypaw encouraged sternly. “Don’t leave us hanging.”
“I… overheard Fernstream and Redleaf talking about a prophecy.”
“Oh! Cool!” Mudpaw hissed excitedly.
Sedgepaw shook her head. “No, it wasn’t cool… It was a prophecy... about us. Me, you, and Yewpaw,” she explained, gesturing to Mudpaw before flicking her tail at Yewpaw.
Ospreypaw seemed resigned as she went on, her face twisted in contemplation.
“The birth of three who were not meant to be will give rise to revolution,” Sedgepaw recited the prophecy carefully, not wanting for leave out a single word.
“Not meant to be… meaning us?” Yewpaw mewed, sounding bewildered. “We weren’t meant to be born?”
“Not in StarClan’s eyes. Our mother, Fernstream, was supposed to become medicine cat, according to Redleaf. By having us, she went against StarClan.”
“That’s complete mousedung!” Mudpaw was seized by a fit of chuckles, but Sedgepaw could see the growing fear in his green eyes. “Fernstream always has and always will be a warrior!”
“It was not always this way, Mudpaw,” Sedgepaw argued, face feeling hot. She did not think she would have to debate with her siblings about the prophecy. “Redleaf got into a bad argument with our mother about it… She used to be his apprentice.”
“So… she defied StarClan?” Yewpaw’s pelt was prickling with unease. Sedgepaw could smell the rank scent of fear emanating from her. “Does… does this mean we are doomed?”
Ospreypaw remained silent, when Sedgepaw looked to her friend, she looked away. Her heart lurched. Maybe this was a mistake? She dug her claws into the root she sat on, scratching at it.
“I think you guys are missing the point. Who cares if we weren’t meant to be born, it happened. We are here now, there’s nothing StarClan can do about it,” Sedgepaw growled in defiance. She gazed at the gloomy sky above, but the stars that condemned their birth were hidden.
“They could kill us,” Yewpaw fretted.
“Ugh, would you shut up?” Mudpaw snapped. “Get a grip! Sedgepaw is clearly making this up to scare us.” His glare fell on Sedgepaw, his chuckling growing hollow. “Come on, you got us. Good one. Let’s just go to camp and pretend this never happened.”
Sedgepaw stood fast. “It’s not a joke, Mudpaw.” Her tone was serious, but laced with frustration. “Forget about the ‘not meant to be’ bit, it’s the revolution that’s been on my mind! Doesn’t that concern you?”
Mudpaw shuffled his paws, avoiding Sedgepaw’s stare. “This is dumb,” he muttered. “I’m not going to start a revolution. And I am meant to be here.” He shook his head. His voice was hardened by his resolve, but the words broke in his throat. “The prophecy is wrong. You’re a fool for letting it bother you.”
Ospreypaw spoke up, her voice calm, “Lightningstar began a revolution. He was a hero. Perhaps you are destined to be heroes?”
Her sentiment stirred hope in Sedgepaw. “I just want to know where we stand,” she reiterated solemnly. “This has been on my mind for days… I was hoping speaking to you guys would help me.”
“You’re wasting your energy,” Mudpaw mewed, shaking his head. “This prophecy isn’t worth worrying over. We’re as normal as Ospreypaw and the others. There’s nothing special about us.”
“You’re not listening!” Sedgepaw snapped. “Don’t you understand what a prophecy is? We are going to fulfill it whether we choose to or not. We can’t choose our fate when it’s already been mapped out by the stars!” She was screeching now, growing desperate as her siblings and friend seemed to be shying away from the truth.
“You’re letting all this get to your head,” Mudpaw growled. “We are normal cats, and we will have a normal life. If Fernstream wasn’t supposed to have us, she wouldn’t have. She is a good and loyal MarshClan cat!”
“How could you say that?” Sedgepaw demanded. “She loves us more than anything. You think she’d choose to be medicine cat over a mother?”
“I—I don’t know what she would do. This… this isn’t making sense to me,” Mudpaw admitted through gritted teeth. “I wish you never told me this.”
Sedgepaw flinched back from her brother. A shadow was cast over his face, but she could see the pain in his eyes. What have I done? she asked herself.
Sedgepaw looked to Yewpaw. “Do you feel the same way?”
“I… don’t know how I feel, Sedgepaw,” Yewpaw admitted shakily. “This is a lot for us to handle.” She looked to the sky. “Whatever StarClan has planned for us, I believe with all my heart we are destined to do good.” Yewpaw brushed against Mudpaw, comforting him, but he shrugged her off. “We are good cats. All of us. But I don’t think we would need to start a revolution to prove it.”
Ospreypaw cleared her throat, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. “I think you gave us all a lot to think about.” She smiled nervously at Sedgepaw. “I’m not good with all this… spiritual stuff, but I feel like StarClan saying that you shouldn’t have been born is a little… weird.”
“It’s ‘weird’ because it’s not true!” Mudpaw spat. “Sedgepaw, you’ve got to snap out of it. You cooked all this up in your head while you were bedridden in the medicine den. Don’t you see?”
“No, Mudpaw,” Sedgepaw growled. “I know it’s true. I know it is because… because Redleaf tried to kill me.”
A small whimper escaped Yewpaw.
“Great StarClan, you’ve lost your mind!” Mudpaw mewed in disbelief.
Ospreypaw leaned in close to Sedgepaw. “Do you know what you just said?” she hissed, eyes wide with shock. “Any cat, let alone the medicine cat, could be seriously punished for making an attempt on a Clanmate’s life.”
“But he had good reason to.” Sedgepaw’s rebuttal was accented by a firm stomp on the root she sat upon. “The prophecy! Redleaf represents the will of StarClan! Maybe he tried to carry out their wishes?”
“Sedgepaw… you’re scaring me,” Yewpaw whined, backing away from her.
“Please,” Sedgepaw begged. “You have to believe me. When I began vomiting, I saw small white flowers in it—flowers that were never in the remedies he gave me before!”
“You reacted to a new herb. So what?” Mudpaw countered, shrugging his shoulders. “You’re going crazy. I should’ve listened to Longscar…”
“What?” Sedgepaw snapped, eyes narrowing.
Mudpaw rolled his eyes. “He said he caught you hanging out with Blueflower, asked if I knew anything about you two, and I said no… because I don’t.”
“Sedgepaw settle down,” Ospreypaw whispered.
Sedgepaw’s pelt was bristling and her golden eyes blazed like fire. Longscar was the one! The one placing doubt in her brother’s mind… He was stealing Mudpaw’s trust in her.
Mudpaw continued, “Blueflower is a shifty she-cat, Sedgepaw. You can’t trust her. Her parents were traitors. She’s probably the one confusing you.” Her brother stepped closer. “She’s probably the reason you’re acting this way!”
“This has nothing to do with her,” Sedgepaw bellowed. “You’re the one being fooled. Your mentor is a paranoid freak!”
“Better than a batty fool like your new friend,” Mudpaw retorted, spitting.
“Take it back!” Sedgepaw hissed.
“Please, calm down!” Yewpaw pleaded. “Don’t fight.”
“Yeah, enough of this.” Ospreypaw stood between them, her eyes hard on Sedgepaw. “We need to sleep on what’s been said and retire for the night, before you two do something you’ll both regret.”
“I already have,” Sedgepaw mewed sadly, voice breaking. “I should’ve never told you any of this. I just wanted someone to talk to.” She felt like her insides were being corroded away, melting to puddles of bile that sat heavy in her stomach. “I thought you all, out of anyone, would believe me.”
Mudpaw backed away, towards the forest. “I’m sorry, Sedgepaw, but this… this just can’t happen.” He was shaking his head. “I love you, I really do, but I can’t accept what you believe. My life was just fine before you said this!” He wailed, shutting his eyes as if to blind himself from the pain. The truth. “Don’t talk to me about this again.”
Turning for the woods, Mudpaw ran off into the shadows. Yewpaw watched him go, forlorn. Sedgepaw gazed at her sister feeling her heart break all over again as she moved to go after their brother.
“Sedgepaw…” Yewpaw mewed softly. “I want to believe you, but I don’t know how. Please, forgive me.” She slowly backed away. “I… should go after Mudpaw. He shouldn’t be alone right now.”
As Yewpaw left the clearing, a warm breeze filtered through. The Great Cypress shivered, sending small patches of low-hanging moss to its knees, which jutted out like fangs from the earth. Sedgepaw felt suffocated by the heat, and she gazed at the sky for answers, but all she could see was a mass of dusky gray. The heavy clouds rumbled with thunder, and large, warm drops fell from their faces as they cried on the earth.
Ospreypaw remained standing before Sedgepaw, staring at her with an unreadable expression. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” she confessed, sounding tired.
“You could leave,” Sedgepaw offered. “Just like everyone else.”
She shook her head. “Then I’d be alone too.” She glared at the sky as the rain slowly fell. “I know this prophecy is not mine… but whatever it means, it’ll never stop me from being your friend.”
Sedgepaw nodded slowly before she collapsed into Ospreypaw with a heavy sigh, pressing her head into her chest. Ospreypaw stiffened and cleared her throat before she allowed her chin to rest on Sedgepaw’s neck.
“I don’t know what to do,” Sedgepaw admitted softly.
“That’s okay,” Ospreypaw murmured, sounding uncertain but still pressing close. “Just be you?” Her words of comfort were phrased like a question.
“I feel like the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars are all going to collapse on top of me. How can I fight them all?”
“I’m sure you’ll manage. You’re pretty tough,” Ospreypaw joked. Her awkward laugh tapered off and she sighed; Sedgepaw could feel her warm breath on her shoulders. “You don’t need to defeat the force of nature or rival the power of the stars. You don’t have to conquer it all, Sedgepaw. Sometimes, the answer is not to fight.”
“But if I don’t fight, how can I win?”
“Knowing when not to fight is the greatest victory of all.”
“Tch,” Sedgepaw sniffled. “Since when did you get so wise?” She leaned back and was surprised to see Ospreypaw looking melancholy. Raindrops slid from her whiskers to the ground. When they locked eyes, it faded, and she mustered a smile.
“I’ve always been like this. You just never shut up and listen to me,” she pointed out curtly, raising her chin.
“Thank you.” Sedgepaw whispered after a break of silence emerged between them.
Ospreypaw shrugged. “What are friends for?”
A loud snapping noise sounded from behind the Great Cypress, causing both apprentices to nearly jump out of their fur. Sedgepaw unsheathed her claws first. The snap was followed by a rustling noise. Sedgepaw thought she could hear whispering.
“Alright, no games,” she warned in a growl. “Come out before I make you.”
Ospreypaw was beside her, glaring into the shadows.
“Rats!” A voice squeaked. “We’ve been found!”
“Told ya this was a shoddy hiding spot,” another grumbled.
“W-we’re coming!” A third’s voice sounded like the peal of a bell. “J-Just don’t eat us! It was Hawthornkit’s idea!”
“Hawthornkit?” Sedgepaw echoed, bristling. Her heart sunk. So they were followed… but not by the guards. No, worse. The kits. Sedgepaw groaned. “Get out here, you three.”
Magnoliakit tumbled over the roots first, her stark white fur sticking out in the darkness. She was followed by Foxkit next, then Hawthornkit. They all bumbled toward the apprentices, looking sheepish.
“It’s Hawthornkit’s fault. He chose the worst hiding spot,” Foxkit complained, glaring at the smaller tom.
Hawthornkit’s brown and white fur fluffed out in offense. “Hey! We didn’t ask you to come!”
“Ugh, enough squabbling. I’ve had more than my share of it tonight,” Ospreypaw ordered.
“Sorry,” Hawthornkit mewed, ducking his head.
“What are you doing out here?” Sedgepaw demanded.
“Spying,” Foxkit admitted. “We saw you guys sneak out… We wanted to come too!”
“I didn’t!” Magnoliakit clarified. “I just wanted to make sure no one got hurt.”
Ospreypaw and Sedgepaw exchanged glances. How much did these kits hear? Sedgepaw lowered herself to the kits level, eyes glowing.
“So, how did your spying mission go?” she asked conspiratorially. “What did you learn?”
All the kits snickered and exchanged glances. They seemed to like that Sedgepaw was playing along.
Foxkit spoke up, “We saw you two cuddling!”
Hawthornkit giggled. “Yeah, being all mushy and stuff! Gross.” He stuck out his tongue. “When I’m an apprentice, I’m just gonna be the best fighter! I’m not gonna be all lovey-dovey like you two.”
“Wh-What?” Ospreypaw wheezed, coughing after swallowing the wrong way. She bristled. “It’s definitely not like that!”
Sedgepaw sighed in relief. At least that’s all they seemed to notice. Even if it wasn’t true, Sedgepaw would rather have them believe she was going out with Ospreypaw than being a part of a prophecy.
“But we don’t know where Yewpaw and Mudpaw went… so our mission wasn’t that good.” Magnoliakit’s ears dropped as she mewed.
“Forget about them!” Foxkit laughed. “This is way funnier. Just wait til I tell Hollyfoot!”
Sedgepaw nudged Ospreypaw with a chuckle, seeing her friend’s face spasm in embarrassment. “Look at that, we’re rumored lovers,” she teased.
“You’re incorrigible,” Ospreypaw hissed, shaking her head. “Come on, let’s get these guys back to camp before they’re missed.”
“Awww, do we have to go back?” Hawthornkit whined.
“Yeah! This place is way cool at night!” Foxkit protested.
Magnoliakit was already hopping beside Ospreypaw as she made her way toward the forest. “I think it’s creepy!” she called back.
“Go on,” Sedgepaw ordered, nudging Foxkit forward with her paw. The older kit growled and ran off, his short ginger tail sticking straight up. Hawthornkit followed after him, smiling goofily at Sedgepaw as he passed.
Shaking her head, Sedgepaw smiled as she watched the kits go after Ospreypaw. Another breeze rolled through the clearing. Sedgepaw’s ears flicked when she thought she heard a whisper carried in it. Rain and thunder sounded around her, but the whisper was louder.
“Sedgepaw,” it seemed to say. She turned to the Great Cypress when the whisper sounded closer. “Sedgepaw.”
Narrowing her eyes, Sedgepaw thought she saw a face in the ripples and whorls of the tree trunk. It looked like a cat with long, drooping whiskers and half-shut eyes.
“Marshstar?” she murmured, fur prickling.
“We’re always watching,” the voice uttered softly, sounding like a wheeze in the breeze. “Do… not… doubt… us.”
A flash of lightning flickered above, followed by the roar of thunder. Sedgepaw’s fur turned white as snow when she thought she saw a gray silhouette of a cat against the tree trunk, its stormy blue eyes burning like the lightning that crashed above.
Backing away, Sedgepaw nearly bowled over herself when she tripped on a root. She turned to run for Ospreypaw, and the voice echoed from the tree.
“Let us help.”
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Post by embertuft on Apr 10, 2019 2:32:41 GMT -5
Aaahhh! im loving this story so far!
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Post by Katanaheart on Apr 10, 2019 11:05:54 GMT -5
Apologies for more issues with the coding. But the spoiler tags are incredibly difficult to see on mobile, and I only saw they were there when I accidentally clicked one when scrolling.
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 10, 2019 11:26:12 GMT -5
no worries Katanaheart . i noticed the issue too, but was not sure how to tackle it. i moved the spoiler on my most recent chapter, and it's still a lighter color, but not completely invisible, on mobile. i hope this helps a little bit? i'll try to find a more permanent solution, but i hope this helps for now--i'll be editing the rest of my chapters as well. thank you for letting me know!
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Post by Katanaheart on Apr 10, 2019 13:45:59 GMT -5
Thank you! It’s still hard to see on mobile unfortunately!
(Hmmm, I wonder if you could change the color of the tag itself entirely? I’m not good with color codes on mobile though...)
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 13, 2019 2:50:05 GMT -5
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: GWAS-Y-NEIDR
MY PRECIOUS DISGUISE MAKING their way toward MarshClan camp, Sedgepaw felt a pit of dread in her stomach. She did not expect the night to end this way. She thought her siblings would be rallying to find the truth, or at least support her. Instead, she felt a fissure dividing them, shaking the earth at its roots and causing her bones to perpetually rattle with the feeling of loneliness. At least she was able to walk beside Ospreypaw. At their paws, Hawthornkit was hopping around, blissfully unaware of the hurt inside Sedgepaw.
Magnoliakit and Foxkit were quietly walking side-by-side, gazing at the storm clouds as they flashed with lightning and bellowed. Magnoliakit was dwarfed by Foxkit, her stumpy legs struggling to plod along as the earth began to soften with rain water. Sedgepaw smiled to herself, remembering when she would wander out with Mudpaw in the middle of the night.
The echo of Mudpaw’s laughter reached Sedgepaw’s ears and she sighed forlornly. If only she could walk back in time, to the days when they would run through the forest with the warm breeze in their fur and sunshine in their smiles.
The thunder booming above reminded Sedgepaw of where she walked. Her reverie was cut short by the storming sky, and she felt alone. At least she had Ospreypaw. She glanced at her friend, watching the she-cat gaze sullenly into the underbrush, head low. Sedgepaw frowned and nudged her with her shoulder as they passed side by side. Ospreypaw glanced her way and smirked but remained silent. Sedgepaw’s frown deepened as they continued to retreat to camp. Rain was starting to fall faster, the splashes filling the air with ambient noise, loud enough to qualm the rolling tide of questions still assaulting Sedgepaw’s brain.
For better or worse, tonight, everything changed.
Thunder rolled above. Sedgepaw moved faster as rain began to pour, following Ospreypaw through the marsh. There was at least one more cat that could help Sedgepaw: Fernstream. She delayed the confrontation long enough. It was time to get answers straight from the source. Since Mudpaw and Yewpaw were in denial, she would have to go to their mother alone.
As they snuck back into camp, Sedgepaw skirted the warriors den, glancing back to make sure all three kits remained. Foxkit led the troop, nudging Magnoliakit along as she yawned. Sedgepaw smiled. He cared well for his Clanmates. She hoped he would be given a mentor that nurtured his gentleness, not squash it.
“Be careful when you return,” Sedgepaw warned as the kits walked passed her. “You don’t want to wake your mothers.”
“We will!” Hawthornkit squeaked.
“Shhhhh!” Foxkit hushed, eyes narrowing.
“Oh, I mean… We will,” Hawthornkit whispered, nodding.
Sedgepaw smiled and shook her head, waving them on with her feathery tail. As the kits ventured back to the nursery, Sedgepaw’s eyes glinted when she realized the trio were going around the back of the den--likely escaping through a hole before. She would remember to “suggest” the nursery be re-fortified at a later time. It was not until she was sure that the kits were back in their den that she began to make her way toward the apprentices den with Ospreypaw at her side.
Camp was oddly empty. The guards were likely making their rounds within the wall of sawgrass, for not even they haunted the clearing. Sedgepaw felt a strange sense of unease overcome her. It took Ospreypaw flicking her shoulder with her tail tip to snap her out of it. Blinking slowly, she shook her head and followed Ospreypaw to the apprentices den. When she entered, she could see everyone was still sound asleep, and Mudpaw and Yewpaw were curled up close together.
As she stepped into her nest, she felt hollow. Though her siblings and Ospreypaw laid close to her, she felt like they were far away. Did she drive a stake into their relationships? Though Ospreypaw attempted to comfort her, she could still very well turn her back on her. Sedgepaw pressed close to her friend and squeezed her eyes shut, silently praying for her continued support.
For once, Sedgepaw did not dream. Instead, she was swallowed by sleep, and Sedgepaw relished the darkness. Thunder continued to rumble through the night, and the sound of rainfall lulled the apprentice into a deep slumber.
When Sedgepaw opened her eyes again, she could see pale sunlight filtering through the den. Stretching her legs, she felt her muscles unwind and smiled contentedly. It was not until her golden eyes blinked away their fatigue that she realized she overslept… again.
Bolting out of her nest, Sedgepaw felt clumps of moss sticking to her pelt. Mud flaked from her toes and legs as she ran outside the den, still caked onto her fur from her excursion the night before. The clearing in camp was lit with pinkish hues that were speckled with orange as dawn matured into day. Silvery clouds remained suspended in the pastel sky, lingering from the storm that ravaged the night. Tamed by time, the clouds slowly crawled across the rays of sunlight, dimming their brightness. Sedgepaw’s eyes widened with confusion when she noticed the buzz of commotion hum in the warm morning air, for cats were gathering enmasse before the Fallen Cypress. Did she miss something?
Looking like a muddy dandelion, she stepped toward the crowd of MarshClan cats, but halted in her advance when she heard a bout of giggles. Pebblepaw and Lilypaw were staring at her with laughter in their eyes. She bristled, making her already spiky and unkempt fur look more severe.
“What a looker,” Lilypaw teased, green eyes glinting. The she-cat’s white fur was sleek and prim; she was just as well-groomed as her mother.
“Sheesh, Sedgepaw, did you wake up on the wrong side of the nest?” Pebblepaw chuckled, his whiskers twitching. When she glared at him, he choked up with a nervous snicker. “Kidding… kidding….”
Before Sedgepaw could manage a retort, Fernstream was upon her. Sedgepaw hissed in surprise when her mother started grooming her and tending to her fur vigorously. Hissing in surprise, Sedgepaw backed away, frazzled.
“Fernstream! I can groom myself you know,” Sedgepaw snapped.
“There’s no time.” Fernstream’s eyes were wide. She rasped her tongue over her white chest anxiously. “Whitestar has moved up your test. You will be taking it today!”
Sedgepaw felt the ground give way beneath her. The test was today? Her golden eyes flashed with alarm when she realized what that meant. By sundown, she could become a warrior. But… She still felt soreness in her shoulder, and despite her deep sleep, she wasted a good night’s rest on her failed meeting with her siblings.
As Fernstream resumed grooming her, Sedgepaw joined in the fervent licks. She felt a rattle in her brain that turned to drone and then a holler. Today was the day. Today was the day! It felt like eternity before she was clean and presentable again. When Fernstream regarded her, there was a soft smile on her mother’s face and relief glistened in her eyes.
“You look tired,” she murmured gently.
Sedgepaw shrugged. “My nest is getting too small.”
Purring, Fernstream touched her nose to Sedgepaw’s ear. “Well, tonight, you will have a warrior’s nest.” Her mother sighed, her eyes grazing over her daughter. “How do you feel?”
“Uhm… confused, honestly.” Sedgepaw shuffled her white paws. “Batface made it seem like the test would not be for a few more days.”
“I know.” Fernstream’s features darkened. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but we got the word this morning.” Shaking her head, she nudged her shoulder. “There’s no use dwelling on it now, though. Today is your day, and I know you will do well. Go join your siblings, they’re waiting near the Fallen Cypress.”
“Okay.” Before Sedgepaw went too far, she hesitated. “Fernstream…”
Fernstream paused, for she was about to join the group of MarshClan cats gathering before the Fallen Cypress. “Yes?”
“Can… can we talk later?” Sedgepaw asked. “It’s important.”
A small smile crossed Fernstream’s face. “Of course. You can always talk to me.”
Smiling, Sedgepaw nodded before scampering across the clearing to the Fallen Cypress. She could see her siblings assembled as the upturned roots that fanned out like spider legs. Dust and mold collected at their tips, revealing the tree’s age. Many apprentices before them sat beneath these roots, waiting to be called to the center of the Clan to accept their test, and many more would come to await the same challenge. As Sedgepaw took her place beside the apprentices, she felt of rush of pride surge within her. Despite her misgivings from the night prior, she felt ready to take on the world today. To think, this moment was within arm’s reach… She made it.
Yewpaw looked like a viper sat before her, for she was frozen in terror. Her green eyes bulged with such fear that Sedgepaw thought they would pop out of her skull. Before she could offer reassurance, Blackpaw was by her side, rasping his tongue across her shoulder. Sedgepaw bristled, eyeing him suspiciously. Perhaps he did care for her? Watching Yewpaw lean against him, Sedgepaw’s heart longed for the same closeness. Her mind immediately went to Blueflower. She began to look for her long, blue-gray fur in the crowd of MarshClan cats congregated before the fallen tree where Whitestar slept, but did not see her.
Sedgepaw turned her attention back to the gathered apprentices, seeing her brother chucking alongside Toadpaw. He seemed to sense her stare, for he glanced up and they locked eyes. Sedgepaw opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but words escaped her. She did not know where to start. Mudpaw pulled his eyes away from her, ears flattening. Toadpaw did not seem to notice his change of expression, for he continued chortling and making fun of Blackpaw for his closeness to Yewpaw.
When she felt a tug at her tail, Sedgepaw bristled, spinning to see Ospreypaw grinning at her with a Her face softened. At least someone managed a smile.
“Can you believe this?” Ospreypaw asked, sitting beside her.
“No,” Sedgepaw murmured. “But… I am glad this day has come. I’ve been waiting for it my whole life.”
Ospreypaw purred and leaned against her. “Did you know this was going to happen?”
“Batface told me it would not come for a few more days… Fernstream told me this came as a surprise to everyone.”
“I wonder what could be the cause of it…”
Sedgepaw refrained from speaking again, for emerging from the curtain of moss that framed her den within the Fallen Cypress was Whitestar. Her sleek white fur gleamed like an ivory fang under the pale sunlight, and her eyes burned bright. Sedgepaw felt a shiver go down her spine as the leader scanned the apprentices lined up for the test. A ghost of a smile appeared on her muzzle, and it vanished as she leapt from the ground to the fallen tree silently.
“Good morning, MarshClan,” she greeted proudly. “I thank you all for meeting me this morning. I am sure many of you are curious as to what today shall entail and why, and I assure you, all will become clear.”
As she made her announcement, Sedgepaw noticed Spiderfang making his way to the foot of the Fallen Cypress, and he was followed by young Foxkit and his mother, Hollyfoot. Sedgepaw’s eyes narrowed in confusion. Was he in trouble?
Whitestar sounded solemn as she continued. She sat, poised, with her tail wrapped neatly around her paws. Her amber eyes gazed down at her Clan astutely, and her lips were pressed thin in a tight frown. “My Clan, we gather under the morning sun with heavy hearts and troubled minds. I can see the pain and confusion in your eyes.” She bowed her head. “After returning from the Lunar Cavern, I was greeted by abhorrent news regarding Minnowtail’s whereabouts. Our warrior and friend, Egretsong, revealed that it was Minnowtail that attacked her and consequently let Scorchface walk free.”
From the crowd, restless murmurs and angered hisses arose. Sedgepaw watched her Clanmates’ faces contort in hatred at the mention of Minnowtail and Scorchface. She felt unease prickle along her spine. Though she understood why Whitestar would need to discuss the bloody truth, she did not like having to hear of it on her test day. It felt almost like a bad omen.
“It took the night for me to sleep on this revelation, and I’ve come to realize…” Whitestar paused, her amber eyes flashing. The Clan was silent as their leader spoke. Her voice was strong and clear, glacial. The words she spoke were undeniable, for she carefully articulated each syllable, and they rolled off her tongue like droplets of silver. “Our Clan is infested. For Minnowtail to act with such precision and coordinate so carefully, I have no doubt that he did not act alone. There is descenters in MarshClan, and they collude with the Fallen.”
Alarm and fear arose, bubbling over from the gathered cats, forming a wave that crashed into Sedgepaw, tainting her tongue with the saline brine of fear. She shriveled as it dehydrated her of her composure. Spies? Her golden eyes flashed. Who would turn against the Clan, and why? Sedgepaw harkened back to her vision of Vinestripe, the scarlet smile against his throat, and the nightmares that haunted her as she slept. Maybe there was a reason to betray MarshClan… Sedgepaw could not shake the suspicion that something was amiss. She was beginning to think the prophecy had something to do with it.
“Alas!” Whitestar continued, her voice silencing the crowd. “I now must call on my loyal Clanmates to remain vigilant during these uncertain moons. When our friends and family are willing to turn against us, now is the time, more than ever, to show good judgment and character. Now is the time to strengthen MarshClan, so we may persevere against those that dare to rise against us.”
As the whole of MarshClan murmured in agreement, Spiderfang began to nudge Foxkit into the center of the clearing. The apprentice’s yellow eyes were wide, and when he gazed up at Whitestar, he shrunk back. He appeared confused, looking to Spiderfang for guidance. The deputy nodded slowly, amber eyes blazing with an eerie eagerness that made Sedgepaw feel nauseous. She did not like the way her deputy stared at the kit.
“As a temporary initiative, we will star training kits when they are five moons old, rather than six. However, if the parents of said kits are willing, and my senior warriors see fit to agree, they can start their training earlier.” A sharp grin cut across Whitestar’s muzzle as she spoke. “Hollyfoot and Claytooth agree that Foxkit is strong enough to begin his training now, and I know in my heart StarClan will accept this decision, for it will make MarshClan a stronger, safer place.”
Sedgepaw glanced at Ospreypaw, noting her friend’s uncertainty. “At least it’s only temporary,” Sedgepaw whispered to her reassuringly. “He’s a tough little mite! This’ll be a stroll for him.” Though Whitestar’s initiative was unsettling, there was little that could be done to oppose it. The leader’s word was law.
“Right,” Ospreypaw agreed. “Foxkit is strong and mature. He’ll do well.” She shook her head. “Whitestar is a wise leader,” she murmured. “She always knows what’s best for our Clan.”
Though Ospreypaw sounded resolute, Sedgepaw did not feel so certain. Though Foxkit was bright and thoughtful, he was still young, and Sedgepaw was familiar with the dangers he could face as an apprentice. She only hoped he received a mentor that was considerate of his age. At least when Lilypaw and Pebblepaw became apprentices they were on the cusp of their sixth moon. Foxkit only just turned four. Sedgepaw sent a silent prayer to StarClan that he would be safe.
Whitestar lifted her chin and proclaimed the preface to all apprentice ceremonies proudly, “The desire to achieve, the ambition to succeed, these are the traits of a warrior. MarshClan thrives on the will of its members to serve the stars, protect the code, and defend our livelihood.”
From the crowd, Sedgepaw spotted the broad shoulders and gleaming yellow eyes of Grayjaw making his way around the group to come alongside Spiderfang at the foot of the Fallen Cypress. The permanent grimace on his face remained as he locked eyes with Foxkit. Sedgepaw’s heart sank. Of all the warriors to choose…
“Foxkit, from this day until the consummation of your warrior ceremony, you will learn our ways and uphold our beliefs with every fiber of your being. You will learn to wield your strength and execute your knowledge in the name of MarshClan.”
Doe-eyed, Foxkit nodded, and Grayjaw slowly stepped forward to the ginger kit. As Whitestar watched from above, her smile grew more prominent. “Grayjaw, you are one of my most reliable warriors, for your determination to serve and succeed trump your whims and fears. I entrust Foxkit to you so he may share your strength and willpower and become as great a warrior as you are.”
“I accept this duty with honor,” Grayjaw rumbled. Leaning in, he moved to rest his head on Foxkit’s, and the young tom rasped his tongue across the warrior’s massive shoulder without hesitation.
“MarshClan, let us celebrate our newest apprentice: Foxpaw! May his training be full of success!”
“Foxpaw! Foxpaw! Foxpaw!” MarshClan chanted their newest apprentice’s name proudly.
Sedgepaw joined in, but her voice fell short when she noticed a pair of dragonflies, spiraling in midair. At first, she was entranced by their grace. One gleamed a golden brown, the other was a deep red, and in their dance they resembled an ember lapping at the ridge of the sky where pastel pink bled to pale blue. As she continued to admire their dance, her eyes widened when she realized they were not dancing at all… instead, she realized the red dragonfly was striking at the golden one, for it pulled back only to twirl and collide once more. The golden one seemed to only want to escape to the heavens, flying persistently higher, but it too eventually fell to violence, clashing with the red dragonfly persistently until both were embittered in a knot.
The chanting began to fade, and Sedgepaw was forced to return her gaze to Whitestar, she was nodding appreciatively at her Clan. The white she-cat raised her tail for attention once more. “A new apprentice is not all we have to celebrate today.” Her amber eyes fell to the gathered apprentices, and Sedgepaw averted her stare, instead gazing into the crowd of MarshClan cats with a sudden spark of adrenaline. This was her time now.
“As we strive to strengthen MarshClan, we call upon our youth to embellish our ranks and kindle our fire. Our need for warriors has only grown. With the Fallen at our borders, wanting to take what StarClan has so graciously blessed us with, we need to go to sleep knowing that we are safe. So, I have decided to expedite the final test for our senior apprentices.”
Sedgepaw watched as Blackpaw moved forward, moving towards the center of the crowd. He sat before Whitestar with his chest raised and chin held high. His green eyes were gleaming with pride. Yewpaw followed gingerly behind him, sitting close by his side. Her eyes were on her paws.
Sedgepaw realized they were to all take their place before Whitestar. Her heart fluttered. This was it. She stood, watching as Toadpaw lumbered out from under the branches, followed by Mudpaw. She swallowed her excitement, though is jostled her frame with electricity. As Ospreypaw moved to the clearing, Sedgepaw hurriedly trailed her. Together, the apprentices sat, staring up at Whitestar, awaiting their fate.
“StarClan hear my words,” Whitestar began the hallowed welcome all leaders make to apprentices accepting their final test. “It gives me great joy to announce that today these young cats will be embarking on their final test as apprentices of MarshClan.”
Sedgepaw could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She dug her claws into the dirt, gazing with anticipation as Whitestar continued.
“They will be tested on their scholarship, speed, strength, and spirit. Having trained with their partner and mentor for six moons, this test will be their final challenge, and should they succeed, they shall be dubbed warriors of MarshClan.”
From the crowd, their mentors emerged, filing through the gathered cats in an organized line. Leading it was Shaleheart, and his golden eyes were bright with joy as he sat before Blackpaw with a smile. Palemist was close behind him, and Sedgepaw was taken back by the beauty of her pale silver fur and icy blue eyes. She calmly sat before Yewpaw with a reassuring grin on her fair face. Sandthroat shuffled passed her with a lopsided grin, which turned into a toothy smile when he sat before Toadpaw; his creamy fur maintained its scruffiness despite his obvious efforts to slick it down with several licks. Longscar shrugged passed with a soft grumble, his dark gray fur gleaming, and he regarded Mudpaw with a nod, but not before sliding his amber gaze passed him to glare at Sedgepaw. She met his glare defiantly. She would not forget what he told Mudpaw about Blueflower. If Longscar wanted to make an enemy of her, Sedgepaw was up to the challenge.
When Molefoot stepped forward towards Ospreypaw, Sedgepaw broke her glare from Longscar. Their grizzled muzzle held a smile as bright as the sun as they sat before Ospreypaw. Finally, Sedgepaw was able to see Batface’s scarred muzzle and rugged frame. She noticed he stole a glance at Blackpaw as he went by. He was not smiling, but Sedgepaw noticed faint warmth in his orange eyes as he sat before her. She opened her mouth to speak, but her mentor shook his head, brows furrowing.
“Before the test begins, I must lay out the rules,” Whitestar resumed speaking once the mentors took their places. “Mentors shall supervise their apprentices during the test, however, any efforts to intervene or assist any of the apprentices will result in the failure of that apprentice and their partner. Understood?”
The mentors gave a resonate: “Yes, Whitestar.”
“Apprentices, you have four skills that you will be tested on. If you fail two of those categories, you will not be allowed to complete your test, and you will remain an apprentice until I believe you are ready to test again. Your failure will also cause your partner to fail you and join you in remedial training. Understood?”
“Yes, Whitestar,” the apprentices mewed, almost robotically. Sedgepaw felt a lump in her throat as she spoke.
“Apprentices, it is your responsibility to ensure your success as well as your partner’s. You must also work to ensure one another’s safety.” Whitestar paused, her expression growing more grave. “If one of you dies during the test, your partner will fail. Mentors, if your apprentice dies during the test, you will never again receive a new apprentice; the mentor of your apprentice’s partner will be absolved of their role, and the remaining apprentice will be given to the deputy or myself. Understood?”
Both mentors and apprentices were staring at one another as they spoke: “Yes, Whitestar.”
Sedgepaw felt her resolve blossom within her. She did not allow her doubts to cloud her vision, before her she could see success, and it was her time to take it. She breathed in slowly, exhaling as she release all her tumultuous thoughts. Her whole life revolved around this very moment. As she held Batface’s gaze, she only grew more determined to prove herself.
“By the power bestowed upon me, I commend these cats to StarClan in hopes of their victory. May they return to us as warriors by nightfall.” Whitestar bowed her head in silent prayer, and the rest of MarshClan followed suit.
Sedgepaw joined in the prayer, but her ears were ringing with the sound of her heartbeat. She could only muster a silent wish that she and her siblings were successful today. She did not even know if StarClan was willing to listen to her. Was it even in Their plan for them to succeed?
“Mentors and apprentices, I hereby order the final test to commence at sunhigh. You have until then to make any final arrangements.” Whitestar sprang off the Fallen Cypress and regarded her Clan with a nod. “The morning gathering is adjourned. Spiderfang will be taking charge for the remainder of the day while I prepare and observe the test.”
As the MarshClan cats slowly broke away to go about their daily duties, Sedgepaw remained sitting before Batface. They continued to hold their gaze. She was not sure where to start. Thank you? I won’t let you down? I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest? Sedgepaw was mute.
It was Batface that spoke first. “To think, you started as a scruffy, hotheaded ball of mischief.” A smile crinkled his graying muzzle.
“That’s not true!” Sedgepaw protested, laughing.
“You’re right… you’re not that scruffy.” Batface chuckled.
“The temper I got from you.” Sedgepaw stuck her tongue out at him. Though Batface often frustrated her, she did not realize how close they had become until their relationship as mentor and apprentice was coming to an end. She grew sullen, wishing she had listened to him more. “Thank you…”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Batface warned, growing serious. “You haven’t passed your test.”
Sedgepaw scoffed, “I know I will!”
“I admire your spirit.” Batface nodded. “Remember your training, and you will do just fine.”
Sedgepaw returned the nod, smiling. “I won’t let you down!”
As Batface rose to leave, Sedgepaw watched as he was joined by the other mentors. They all seemed to be heading toward the fresh-kill pile, likely wanting a meal before the test began. Sedgepaw watched them go; her belly was too full of butterflies for her to even think about food. Her eyes scanned the dispersing crowd of cats for the other apprentices, but instead she met a familiar pair of deep blue eyes.
“Blueflower?” she breathed.
“I was on the dawn patrol,” Blueflower mewed as she rushed to her. Her face held a mix of emotions, surprise being the most noticeable to Sedgepaw. “I heard the news. Congratulations?” She laughed. “I know you’re ready… I’m just sure it came as a shock.”
“It did…” Sedgepaw mewed, scratching at the grass with a smirk. “But you’re right, I’m ready. I’ve never been more ready for anything.” She smiled at Blueflower, stepping closer to the warrior. “Did you come to wish me good luck?” she mewed coquettishly, brow quirked.
Blueflower purred and rolled her eyes. “Like you need it.” She closed the distance between them, rasping her tongue against her cheek. “But just in case...” she murmured gently against her face. “Good luck.”
Sedgepaw was speechless as Blueflower brushed passed her, her long, blue-gray fur intertwining with her dark tabby pelt as she went by. Her scent soothed her, and she watched the warrior go to Spiderfang, likely meaning to report her findings with the rest of the dawn patrol. Entranced by the she-cat, Sedgepaw almost failed to notice a glare burning into her pelt, and when she turned, she saw Longscar, staring at her from the fresh-kill pile.
His eyes were unblinking, aflame. A snake in cat’s fur, coiled and ready to strike. It seemed that Sedgepaw would have more than one test to overcome. She smirked.
Let him test me. I am ready.
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Post by mintedstar/fur🦇 on Apr 15, 2019 13:56:43 GMT -5
How's life going?
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 15, 2019 17:48:32 GMT -5
Well, thanks for asking. c: I'll be staying in Japan for awhile, so I hope to get more inspiration while I'm there. And you?
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Post by embertuft on Apr 16, 2019 5:24:32 GMT -5
Dang I missed the current chapter. Well at least I have something to read now <3
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Post by phantomstar57 on Apr 16, 2019 13:11:02 GMT -5
Catching up slowly but noticed an issue in this scene "Feeling Ospreypaw struggle, Sedgepaw clung to her shoulders as best as she could with sheathed claws. Suddenly, Ospreypaw writhed, arching her narrow back to slip from Sedgepaw's white toes. Ospreypaw, once freed, spun around to swipe at Sedgepaw's muzzle. She snapped her neck back to jerk away from the strike, and she felt Ospreypaw graze her whiskers. However, she failed to dodge the next blow and felt the smack of her paw against her face. If Cloudpaw unsheathed her claws, Sedgepaw knew the wound would have cut deep. Giving a hiss, she reared up on her hind legs and crashed down towards Ospreypaw, knocking her across the shaded clearing. Mud stained her black and white fur, and Sedgepaw noticed the burning ferocity in her friend's eyes. She was not surrendering easy, and Sedgepaw began to worry she would not have the energy to endure the battle much longer. Stealing a glance at her mentor, she saw a peculiar gleam in Batface's orange eyes. Struggling to decipher his expression, she almost lost her opportunity to react to Cloudpaw's offensive move. The apprentice faked her out, for her eyes were locked on the side of Sedgepaw, but she land. . " I thought it was Osprewpaw and Sedgepaw competing. Where did Cloudpaw come from?Read more: wcrpforums.com/thread/67621/rise-beginning-end?page=1&scrollTo=2546618#ixzz5lHbUFTlu
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 16, 2019 17:17:27 GMT -5
Cloudpaw was Ospreypaw's original name in my first draft from three years ago. Thank you for point out what I missed. I'll fix the error.
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Post by Falconfrost on Apr 19, 2019 17:41:37 GMT -5
ooh I can't wait to find out what their warrior names are! (assuming that all the apprentices pass the test!)
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 20, 2019 14:37:23 GMT -5
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE CRUCIBLE, PART ONE
NO RIVERS AND NO LAKES CAN PUT THE FIRE OUT THE blue sky burned bright with the sun. The clouds that lingered at dawn had all but evaporated in the heat of day. Sedgepaw was waiting beside the Fallen Cypress, where the roots gathered, her pelt itching with anticipation. As Whitestar instructed, the apprentices and their mentors gathered for their test beside the Fallen Cypress at sunhigh to await their test. Surrounding her, she could see the other apprentices hosting a mix of emotions on their faces. Excitement. Wonder. Fear. Determination. While their mentors sat studiously, talking amongst themselves about the trials to come.
Turning to Batface, Sedgepaw followed his intense stare to Blackpaw and wrinkled her nose in confusion. “What’s eating you?” she asked lightly, smiling.
Batface blinked, clearing his throat and shaking his head. “Nothing… nothing. I was just checking out your competition is all.”
Sedgepaw snorted. “Competition?”
“You will not only have your skills tested, you will also be ranked against the other apprentices testing with you.” Batface nodded to the pairs of apprentices in the small crowd. “Toadpaw, Mudpaw. Blackpaw, Yewpaw. You will be facing off against these rival pairs in competition for the title: honor graduate.”
The term “honor graduate” did ring a bell. Sedgepaw’s ears flicked. The last honor graduates were Snakefang and Juniperheart, having bested Vinestripe and Minnowtail as well as Littlebrook and Blueflower during their test. Sedgepaw never imagined being an honor graduate, but once Batface spoke of it, her soul thirsted for the title. To be the greatest? Who would not want that victory?
“Blackpaw is a more than capable apprentice.” Sedgepaw was taken back by the wistfulness in Batface’s voice. “He could very well overcome you, if you’re not careful.”
She snorted, raising her chin. “I’m bigger and stronger than him. It doesn’t matter who his ancestors are. The only reason anyone cares about bloodlines is so we don’t lay in bed with our cousins.”
“You need more than brute strength to win,” Batface grumbled, eyeing her sternly. “Keep your head on straight.”
Sedgepaw sobered her expression, regarding her mentor with a nod. She would heed his warning, if that would mute the manner. Blackpaw did not scare her, he could not even intimidate her. Sedgepaw’s gaze fell on rhe apprentice, watching as he laughed with Shaleheart. Envy speared her heart, staining it green. Digging her claws into the earth, she bit her lip and forced her eyes to leave the sight of Shaleheart smiling so brightly; she was left wanting the twinkle in her father’s yellow eyes to be on her.
Locusts trilled their song, and it rung in Sedgepaw’s ears like a siren, alerting her to Whitestar as she crossed the clearing from the medicine den with Redleaf by her side. They were discussing something, talking in hurried sentences as they approached. Sedgepaw narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher their words, but the ripples of heat in the air distorted their faces. Sucking her teeth, she averted her eyes as they arrived
“I see you’re all gathered,” Whitestar observed. Her narrow smile tightened. “Let us not burn daylight any longer. The sun is at its brightest; the test will commence now!”
The mentors rose to their paws, bowing their heads to Whitestar. She bowed her head in return. Redleaf kept his chin high, and Sedgepaw felt his gaze fall on her. She locked eyes with him for a heartbeat, feeling her blood chill. He offered a curt smile, but Sedgepaw looked away, pretending not to see.
“The first test, a test of scholarship,” Redleaf began. His golden eyes were brimming with anticipation. The stocky medicine cat shook with laughter. “I hope you all remember the leaders you intend to present to the elders. Your knowledge of their history will be your bane or your boon.”
“The apprentices will enter the elders den with their partners. Mentors remain outside with the rest of us. Apprentices will recount their leader to the elders, and should they be succinct and accurate, will pass their first test,” Whitestar explained. “Blackpaw, Yewpaw, you two will go first.”
Without hesitation, Blackpaw padded toward the elders den with Yewpaw scurrying behind him. Sedgepaw leaned forward, wanting to offer a “good luck” or kind words, but Yewpaw passed too fast for her to manage anything. Cypressfang and Russetnose waited outside the den, sagely nodding to the apprentices as they entered. When their tails were swallowed by the shadows, all went quiet.
Sedgepaw shuffled eagerly, going through and through her memories of Lightningstar’s past, not wanting to miss so much as a mouse’s tail of information. Ospreypaw sidled up beside her, sighing. Her presence broke Sedgepaw’s concentration, and she glared at her friend.
“Quit giving me that look,” Ospreypaw mewed. “I’m only sitting.”
“I’m trying to recall what I know about Lightningstar, but I keep drawing up blanks.” Sedgepaw groaned. She heard Batface growl with displeasure; he was eyeing her from the group of mentors that stood off beside the elders den. “I don’t do well under pressure,” she whispered so her mentor wouldn’t hear.
Ospreypaw laughed. “You’ll be fine. Lightningstar had a short reign; you won’t have to cover much.”
“Lightningstar,” Redleaf echoed, meandering over to the two. “A peculiar choice.” His eyes fell on Sedgepaw. “Would that be yours?”
Sedgepaw shifted in her seat, eyeing Redleaf defensively. “Yes… uhm… how is it peculiar, exactly?”
“Well, some historians within our Clan argue that he was never truly a leader at all.” Redleaf seemed to stare through Sedgepaw as he spoke. She felt oddly exposed by his eyes. “After all, he was never blessed with nine lives.”
“I hope I am not hearing you speak ill of our ancestors,” Whitestar warned, coming to stand beside the husky medicine cat. “Anyone blessed with a star in their name is a leader and should be remembered as much.”
“Of course,” Redleaf blubbered, ears flicking. He bowed his head apologetically. “I was only making observations.”
“Lightningstar is remembered as a hero for good reason, Redleaf.” Whitestar’s glare was venomous. “His only vice was his one virtue… mercy.”
“Mercy?” Sedgepaw peeped.
“Those that show mercy are destined to be overcome.” Whitestar stared down at Sedgepaw with a deep frown. “Lightningstar would’ve served long and well had he not shown mercy… but such is fate for any revolutionary. Those that incite change, whether it’s needed or not, are doomed to a short life and a shorter rule--like the waves on the shore, for every push the pull comes back twofold.”
Sedgepaw met her leader’s stare, feeling an unspoken challenge between them. The air turned to ice, but their stares burned like fire. A revolutionary? Sedgepaw had the sneaking suspicion that her leader knew the prophecy. She felt like prey being held at bay. A mouse in a viper’s path. She started to bristle as Yewpaw and Blackpaw returned from the elders den.
“They asked for Ospreypaw and Sedgepaw next,” Yewpaw murmured, head bowed to Whitestar.
The leader flicked her long tail. “Very well.” She nodded to Sedgepaw and her partner. “Good luck you two.”
As the hurried to the elders den, Ospreypaw pressed against Sedgepaw. “Why did Whitestar look at you like that?” Her voice lowered. “Does she know?”
Sedgepaw shrugged her broad shoulders. “Not sure…” She shook her head as they stepped into the musty entryway of the elders den. “Let’s not think about that for right now. We need to focus on our test.”
Ospreypaw’s eyes glowed with determination. “Right!”
As they entered the center of the elders den, sunlight filtered through to shine light on their grizzled faces. Cypressfang sat at the heart of the den, where the sun was at its brightest, and his green eyes regarded the apprentices with a sagacious glint. “Welcome to the first step of your test, senior apprentices,” he greeted formally. “I, Cypressfang, will be proctoring the examination of your scholarship. Russetnose and Owleyes will be assisting me.” He gestured to the elders by his side with his bushy tail, and they nodded in tandem, murmuring their welcomes.
Sedgepaw’s heart fluttered as she registered the gravity of her ordeal. Her first step!
“You two were ordered to pick your leader for presentation before today,” Cypressfang went on. “You reviewed your leader with us for approval prior to, and henceforth will recount them to us.”
“Be blunt but thorough,” Owleyes added, her voice warm and sweet like amber. “Time is your enemy; the longer you take to present, the less likely you are to pass.”
“But most of all, have fun!” Russetnose added, whiskers twitching. Upon receiving a glare from Cypressfang, the shaggy elder laughed. “I jest! I jest!” He righted his jovial expression, becoming solemn. “This is serious…” His eyes still held laughter.
“I’ll be going first,” Sedgepaw rasped, clearing her throat so her voice became clearer. “I will be presenting Lightningstar. He was the tenth leader of MarshClan.”
The three elders were watching her intently, Cypressfang most of all. Sedgepaw glared at her grandfather, not allowing her eyes to flicker elsewhere despite the judgment in his eyes. She rose her chin, wanting to appear strong though she felt anxious under their eyes. Ospreypaw’s tail twined with hers encouragingly as she spoke, and it soothed her thoughts from a rushing river to a gentle stream.
“He was… a hero. A revolutionary.” Sedgepaw scoured her thoughts for the right words. “He… drove out Smallstar, the ninth leader of MarshClan. Lightningstar and his supporters thought she was too soft on the raiders. He let her live though; she fled to the land beyond the river and kept her nine lives. Lightningstar was recognized by Twistedshadow, the medicine cat, but because Smallstar lived, he did not receive his nine lives from StarClan.” Sedgepaw’s voice dropped an octave. “He died in battle, slain by raiders that grew close to Smallstar and defended her. He was succeeded by Murkstorm.”
Once Sedgepaw finished a pause ensued. She glanced at the elders, finding their expressions unreadable. Shuffling her paws, she felt her anxiety climb through the roof of the den when the elders leaned in to speak to one another, her pelt prickled. Just tell me how I did!
“Well done, Sedgepaw,” Owleyes purred. “You’ll have your results after Ospreypaw finishes.” The elderly she-cat’s eyes flickered to Ospreypaw, and she gave a nod.
“I will be presenting Hemlockstar, the twelfth leader of MarshClan,” Ospreypaw mewed.
“Very well,” Cypressfang rumbled. “Go ahead.”
“Mentored and preceded by Murkstar, Hemlockstar looked up to and was inspired by his former.” Ospreypaw spoke mechanically, her eyes downcast as she recited what she was supposed to. The elders were nodding and smiling appreciatively, clearly impressed with Sedgepaw’s articulate counterpart. Sedgepaw smirked, knowing Ospreypaw was easily one of the smartest cats in the Clan. Who wouldn’t admire her? “He made MarshClan stronger and better…”
A sudden pause made the air thicken. Sedgepaw tilted her head at Ospreypaw when she seemed to hesitate. Her friend had her eyes shut, and she was frowning deeply. Sedgepaw tugged her tail with her own, eyes narrowing. Did she draw a blank?
“Stronger and better by his standards,” Ospreypaw continued, prompting the elders’ eyes to widen. “Hemlockstar was cruel and prejudiced.” Her voice was calm but curt, she spoke with a quickness, like the words would escape her if she did not speak fast enough. “He believed his Clan was dirtied by kits born from mixed blood and saw his ranks divided by sympathizers for the raiders. So, he initiated a ‘purification’ that he believed would make MarshClan return to divinity… He ordered kits that had raider blood to be killed, apprentices too, and the parents that stood against him were to face slaughter as well.”
Sedgepaw felt like her eyes were about to pop out of her skull. Ospreypaw’s chin was raised as she spoke, and her eyes glowed fearlessly. The elders mirrored Sedgepaw’s expression, save for Cypressfang. His face was twisted in a scowl so frigid, it exposed his fangs, and his eyes burned straight through Ospreypaw.
“Under Hemlockstar, bloodlines were severed and families were destroyed. He is, without a doubt, the worst leader of MarshClan… put into power by Crowtalon. He was succeeded by Bleaksky.”
Finishing her presentation with a soft sigh, Sedgepaw felt her anxiety swell. The murmurings between the elders were hushed but intense, their words hissing through their yellowed, cracked teeth, and their eyes were fervid. Stealing a glance at Ospreypaw’s face, Sedgepaw noticed that she was resigned.
“What are you doing?” she whispered through her teeth. “The elders told you not to talk about Hemlockstar in such a way…”
“It didn’t feel right,” Ospreypaw muttered. “Our past deserves to be known for what it is, not what we want it to be.”
“Thank you, apprentices,” Russetnose mewed stiffly, casting a wary glance at Cypressfang. “We’ve reviewed your results, and they are as follows…”
“Sedgepaw, you’ve passed,” Owleyes purred, smiling softly. “You did well explaining how Lightningstar came to power and how he died. Very professional.”
Sedgepaw sat a little straighter after receiving the praise. Though she knew her friend may not be so lucky. Ospreypaw remained still, staring at the elders without the slightest hint of fear in her face. Sedgepaw found herself growing jealous of her bravery. If Sedgepaw was presenting Hemlockstar, she was not sure she would have the guts to put her final test on the line in the name of truth.
“Ospreypaw,” Cypressfang rasped, “you did yourself a disservice by disobeying us. Though what you spoke may be the truth in your eyes, as keepers of our Clan’s history, we cannot give you a passing grade for your presentation. Hemlockstar is to be remembered as our leader commands.”
Ospreypaw nodded once, turning to leave for the clearing where the others sat. Sedgepaw watched her go, feeling sympathy for her partner. She only just started the test and failed… Sedgepaw sighed softly. One more failure and Ospreypaw would not become an apprentice, which meant Sedgepaw would not become one either.
“You may go now, honey,” Owleyes mewed, her expression sorrowful. She too was watching Ospreypaw storm out of the den. “We wish you good fortune on the rest of your test.”
Sedgepaw bowed her head respectfully, stiffening when she looked up to see Cypressfang approaching her. “I’ll be following you out,” he rumbled.
As they exited the elders den, Sedgepaw promptly found Ospreypaw sitting to the side of the elders den beside Blackpaw and Yewpaw. Her eyes were downcast as a dragonfly danced around her ears, hovering. She shook her head, flicking it away, and it darted over to Toadpaw, landing on his supple rump as he lounged out in the shade of the Fallen Cypress while Mudpaw was sleeping beside him.
“Hey, are you okay?” Sedgepaw asked gently.
“I’m fine.” Ospreypaw glanced up at Sedgepaw and offered a small smile. “I’m sorry… I screwed everything up being stubborn…”
“Yeah, what gives? That’s my job.” Sedgepaw snickered. When Ospreypaw failed to laugh, she sat beside her and nudged her gently. “You did what you thought was right. Who cares what those grumpy lumps of fur think?”
Ospreypaw nodded, eyes flashing sadly, and she leaned against Sedgepaw.
Sedgepaw sighed and allowed her friend to press close. While they sat in silence, she noticed Cypressfang was approaching Whitestar and Redleaf. Eyes narrowing, Sedgepaw noticed the elderly tom muttering to the leader and medicine cat, his brows furrowed. Whatever he said caused them to prick up their ears and glare daggers at the group of mentors. Sedgepaw followed their stares to Molefoot, heart sinking. Could it be they blamed them for Ospreypaw’s failure?
“I’ll be taking Toadpaw and Mudpaw now,” Cypressfang announced, leaving Whitestar and Redleaf to continue glaring at Molefoot.
Mudpaw and Toadpaw started at the sound of their names being called. Sedgepaw giggled, seeing her brother’s bungled attempt to jump over Toadpaw, for the hefty apprentice sat up right as Mudpaw was over him. Toadpaw chortled, blatantly dragging himself over Mudpaw as he lay on the ground, chin implanted in the dust. Mudpaw hissed a slur and nipped at Toadpaw’s mottled brown tail, dragging him back with a tug so he could run ahead of him and passed Cypressfang. The elder rolled his eyes and ushered Toadpaw in after him with a growl.
“Do you think Mudpaw will forgive me?” Sedgepaw asked suddenly, feeling longing in her heart for her brother to laugh with her rather than Toadpaw.
“He’ll come around,” Ospreypaw assured her. “You guys were thick as thieves when you were kits. I don’t think a prophecy could change that.”
Sedgepaw smiled and nodded. “Yeah, remember how much we’d annoy Kiteclaw?”
“You annoyed me too.” Ospreypaw side-eyed her sardonically. “Like when you would shove mouse bones in Kiteclaw’s nest and tell her that you ate me? She would end up getting mad at me!”
“Hey, I remember that!” Blackpaw chimed in, chuckling. “Shellshine was so distraught at the idea of kits conjuring up such tales.” He eyed Sedgepaw with laughter in his eyes. “She insisted on calling you cretins after that.”
“Yeah, and Fernstream nearly ripped her ears off,” Yewpaw added, giggling softly.
“Oh! And remember when Yewpaw was convinced there were ghosts in the nursery?” Blackpaw added, ears perking up. “Shellshine was ready to line everyone’s bedding with sage.”
“That’s not funny…” Yewpaw mumbled, eyes downcast.
“Yeah, and Kiteclaw banned nursery tales before bed.” Sedgepaw laughed, nudging Ospreypaw playfully.
“Look at us, swapping stories of our kithood like elders,” Ospreypaw scoffed, snorting. “We’ll be sprouting gray hairs before we know it!”
“Wait, really?” Yewpaw sat, pressing her paw to her cheek with a frightened expression.
They all shared a laugh once more. Sedgepaw relished the feeling. She felt light. For once, the chatter in her skull was replaced with peach fuzz and pink clouds; sweet, soft, featherweight. If only she could suspend moments like these and live in them a little longer, for it ended too soon. Toadpaw and Mudpaw both pranced out of the elders den with smiles on their faces.
“Well, that was fast,” Ospreypaw mused.
Cypressfang followed the two tomcats out of the den, giving Whitestar a nod. The leader approached the elder and they swapped a few words before he returned to the shadows and she moved to face the apprentices and their mentors.
“Congratulations, apprentices, you’ve completed the first step in your test.” The leader dipped her head to the gathered cats appreciatively. “Cypressfang gave me the results, and I will keep them in mind to tally at the end.”
Redleaf moved to stand beside Whitestar, bowing his head to the cats. “Next, will be the test of strength. Apprentices, come forth.”
Sedgepaw scrambled to her paws and obeyed the command, hurrying before Redleaf and her leader. She tried to keep her expression flat though she was bubbling with excitement. Strength! She rolled her shoulders. This was her specialty. Ospreypaw sighed as she stood beside her, looking cool and collected.
As the other apprentices took their place, Redleaf scanned them thoughtfully. “Those feeling ill or injured should speak now before the test begins. No one will shame you for yielding a match that cannot be fought.” The silence was Redleaf’s answer, and the medicine cat nodded in turn. “Very well. Heronpaw and I will be standing by with herbs for injuries at the end.” He craned his head to the leader. “Whitestar…”
“The matches are as follows: Mudpaw and Ospreypaw. Yewpaw and Toadpaw. Blackpaw and Sedgepaw!” Whitestar proclaimed the matches proudly, a smile on her face.
Sedgepaw felt her muscles come alive when her opponent was announced. Blackpaw. Perhaps Batface was hinting at their match earlier when he mentioned not to underestimate the apprentice? They both excelled in their training and were similar in size. Their battle was inevitable in hindsight.
As the apprentices took their positions before one another in the center of MarshClan camp’s clearing, Whitestar jumped for the Fallen Cypress. She sat on her perch with her chest held high and chin raised. Redleaf and the mentors sat at the base of her pedestal, and Sedgepaw smirked when she saw Batface give her a nod of encouragement. Before, he would have been gritting his teeth and berating Sedgepaw for mistakes she had not even made yet. Now, there was a silent agreement between them, and it said “I know you’ll do your best.”
A crowd quietly gathered around the paired up apprentices as they began to circle one another. Cats that were not occupied with patrols or hunting parties soon came to witness the duels to ensue. Excitement and wonder were in their eyes as they hissed to one another eagerly, likely waging bets and picking favorites. Sedgepaw glanced to see if Blueflower was among them, and sure enough, she sat beside Littlebrook, smiling her way with light in her blue eyes. Reinvigorated, Sedgepaw’s blood roared to life, pulsing through her body, feeding her nerves and muscles with energy to fight.
“May the best apprentice win,” Blackpaw mewed to Sedgepaw as they continued their cycloidal dance. “By best, I mean me, of course.”
His jab only stirred Sedgepaw’s determination more. “I’ll make you eat those words,” she spat.
Sedgepaw could only hear her heartbeat as time slowly passed. Sunlight gleamed onto the grass, bright and strong, heating the air and shedding enough light to chase all shadows from existance. Her thick fur soaked in the warmth, bringing her blood from a simmer to a boil.
“Unsheathe your claws” Whitestar yowled.
Sedgepaw dug her claws into the grass, breathing steadily. The muscles in her shoulders were twitching with anticipation.
“And, begin!” Whitestar’s command shook the earth.
Blackpaw did not hesitate. He lunged forward, aiming for Sedgepaw’s sore shoulder. Though Batface had her best interest in mind during their final lesson, it potentially endangered her in this battle. Sedgepaw rolled out of the way, but Blackpaw quickly change direction, hovering over her for a heartbeat before lunging at her neck with his fangs. Sedgepaw hissed at his advance, raking her claws against his muzzle, making the first blow.
Blood spattered against her face as his drizzled from his snout and dripped off his long whiskers. Blackpaw bellowed, rearing back, and she seized the opportunity to tackle him. With a thud, she pinned the apprentice to the ground, ensnaring her claws in his thick black fur. Hissing in frustration, she tore at his chest, leaving rivulets of red. Blackpaw howled, but his green eyes glinted with satisfaction. Before Sedgepaw could surmise his intentions, she felt his hind claws rake against her belly.
Sedgepaw tilted her head back and screeched. She was tethered to his pelt by the tangles in his fur, which clung to her claws like roots to the earth. Sedgepaw’s eyes darted wildly as she began to panic. Yanking her claws back, she felt them begin to tear as Blackpaw repeatedly scored his claws against her soft belly. She could feel her warm blood begin to trickle down her legs.
Across the clearing, she saw her siblings were also struggling against their opponents. Toadpaw was crushing Yewpaw into the earth under his weight. Mudpaw was trapped with Ospreypaw’s jaws clenching his tail. Sedgepaw’s heart hammered against her chest. Maybe Batface was right? She underestimated Blackpaw.
No.
Sedgepaw ripped her claws away, tearing one in the process, causing more blood to spurt. She hissed as Blackpaw rose to his paws, blood dripping from his face and chest. She rushed him, a mass of dark brown fur and fury. He dodged her, as she suspected, and Sedgepaw kicked her hind legs out to where he stood, striking his shoulder. He growled and sprung, landing on Sedgepaw’s back to sink his teeth in her wounded shoulder. Sedgepaw snarled, bucking and shaking as she attempted to throw him off, but he only sunk his claws in deeper.
As Blackpaw went to sink her teeth into Sedgepaw’s shoulder again, she rolled, slamming him into the ground. Hearing her opponent gasp as the wind got knocked out of him, she turned and raked her claws across his face again. Blackpaw spat, rising to return the swipe, scoring across her cheek with a firm strike. Sedgepaw returned the blow, and soon they were both on their hind legs, forearms outstretched, trading scratches across one another’s face. Sedgepaw felt blood begin to pool in her eye from a torn ear, but she could see how Blackpaw’s face was marred with scratches across his muzzle and ears.
Circling one another again, the apprentices let their blood flow. The grass that once shone with sunlight now twinkled with red dew drops. The clearing was consumed by raucous cheers and jeers as the gathered MarshClan cats continued to rally for their favorites. She could hear the hisses and screams from the other pairs locked in battle, Yewpaw’s in particular was shrill with fear.
Sure enough, Blackpaw’s eyes shifted, looking for Yewpaw. Sedgepaw stole her chance, lunging for the side of his face. She sunk her teeth into the base of his jaw, scrabbling at his shoulders with her paws. Blackpaw yowled in surprise, his claws blindly searching for Sedgepaw as she kept his jaw locked in her teeth. She pushed him back and pulled him forward, prompting shocked gasps and murmurs from the gathered cats that were paying attention to their fight.
A haze of red consumed Sedgepaw’s vision. The taste of Blackpaw’s blood stung like acid on her tongue, but her throat thirsted for more. She tried to blink away the shroud, but it only grew deeper and darker. Her eyes sought for the sun as her teeth seemed to grate Blackpaw’s jawbone. She felt herself slipping. What was happening?
She heard screams.
Who did they belong to?
Her ears started ringing, and Blackpaw felt limp as she dragged him.
“I yield!”
Sedgepaw growled, eyes narrowing. The haze would come and go, like clouds over the sun, and when the sky became a bright blue once more, she was able to hear the voice again.
“I yield!”
It was Blackpaw. He was hanging limp in her jaws, coughing and spitting as Sedgepaw maintained her grip. She blinked quickly, feeling her surroundings sharpen once more. She dropped Blackpaw, and he collapsed onto the ground with a gasp. He shakily stood, his eyes rolling up to glare at Sedgepaw.
“What is wrong with you?” he snapped. He began shifting his jaw as blood pooled within the puncture wounds.
Sedgepaw backed away, noticing Jasminefur shooing her kits back into the nursery. Hawthornkit in particular was staring at Sedgepaw with wide blue eyes. As Sedgepaw glanced around, it seemed as if everyone was staring at her. She could see Gingerstep’s look of horror, and the oddly eager gleam in Claytooth’s eyes. Juniperheart and Shellshine were murmuring to one another with looks of concern on their faces. When Sedgepaw saw Blueflower, her eyes were lowered, and she felt a tug in her chest. What have I done? The other apprentices had already finished their fight, and were having their wounds tended to by Heronpaw and Redleaf. It seemed their battles were long over. Sedgepaw and Blackpaw were the center of attention.
Blackpaw rose shakily to his paws, spitting at her. “Are you deaf or just crazy? Yield means I give. You won.” The grudge in his voice was evident, and Sedgepaw met his glare with her chin raised.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.” Her apology was stiff as she tried to put into words what came over her. Nothing came to mind.
“Damn you,” Blackpaw muttered.
As Blackpaw approached Redleaf and Heronpaw, he was greeted with apologetic and sympathetic mews from the gathered cats. Sedgepaw could feel her eye swelling as she began to limp towards the medicine cat and his apprentice, head low. She won, but it didn’t feel like it.
“The test of strength has ended!” Whitestar announced. Sedgepaw was surprised to hear joy in her voice. “Our winners: Sedgepaw, Ospreypaw, and Toadpaw, shall be rewarded for their victory by having a head start in the speed competition!”
Coming down from the Fallen Cypress, Whitestar snaked towards the apprentices with an odd light in her eyes. Despite the shock and awe from the MarshClan body, Whitestar seemed deeply satisfied. There was a smile on her snout and a purr in her throat.
Her amber eyes were zoned in on Sedgepaw. “I have not seen fighting like that in many moons. Well done.”
Sedgepaw was sitting beside Heronpaw, wincing as he catered to the scratches on her face. “Thank you, Whitestar.”
The leader smiled, nodding. She glanced at the sky, noticing the sun beginning to make its descent toward the horizon. “I’ll allow your bodies some time to recover before the next step in your test. You will all be chasing the sunset, making a race for the Starlit Springs. I will be waiting for you all by the wall of sawgrass.”
As Whitestar left for the wall, she was joined by the mentors, and they grouped together in a semicircle. Sedgepaw assumed they were mulling over the apprentices’ performances thus far. She growled when Heronpaw applied a poultice to her shoulder that stung, and the medicine cat apprentice hissed in response.
“Sit still,” he ordered.
Grumbling, she returned her gaze to the wall, and her eyes narrowed as she struggled to focus on a peculiar form within the swaying grasses. The tabby fur was dark, blending with the reeds as they twirled around its broad shoulders. Sedgepaw’s fur began to prickle when she saw the glint of golden eyes. The figure stood behind Whitestar, and Sedgepaw opened her mouth to warn her, but words failed her when she recognized the face. It was her own. The hollow, empty eyes resembled that of the entity in her dream. The blood on her face was fresh, dripping from her jaws. A warm breeze filtered through the clearing once more, shifting the sawgrass and cane to reveal the figure’s small, satisfied grin. Sedgepaw’s blood ran cold, and she flinched back from the sight, causing Heronpaw to hiss again.
“What’s got you fidgeting?” he growled. “I’m trying to help you out.”
“Sorry, I…” Sedgepaw glanced at the wall. The figure of herself was gone. “I thought I saw something.”
“You didn’t lose enough blood to be hallucinating,” Heronpaw murmured. “It’s probably just leftover nerves from the fight… Simmer down, you’ll be okay.”
“Right…” Sedgepaw lowered her gaze, staring at her bloody paws. Her nerves were frayed, and they sparked in her mind like tiny bolts of lightning, forcing her to relive the fight in bloody snapshots. Did I lose myself back there? she wondered. Her heart sank. The haze that blinded her… it made her feel invincible. She glanced over to Blackpaw, watching as Yewpaw and Toadpaw were talking to him softly. His jaw was swollen, but bandaged well. Sedgepaw felt sick to her stomach. She could have really hurt him…This guilt that was born inside her was fresh and new, and it made her feel rotten to her core.
Gazing at the sky, Sedgepaw began to wonder. What was she to become?
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Post by Falconfrost on Apr 20, 2019 15:32:35 GMT -5
ooh, interesting start to the test... good that Sedgepaw won, but bad that she lost control. At least she gets a head start in the speed test, since she isn't the fastest cat. I think Ospreypaw will win the speed test, and hopefully neither will fail the final test, so that they can both pass. I wonder what the "spirit" test will entail?
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 20, 2019 15:56:29 GMT -5
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE CRUCIBLE, PART TWO
NO RIVERS AND NO LAKES CAN PUT THE FIRE OUT SCARLET painted the sky as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. The crown of the clouds that gathered was golden, their fluffy bellies blue-gray. What remained of the pale blue sky was chased by pastel orange that ran from the rays of sunshine. Soon, sunset would arrive… then twilight.
“Apprentices, you’ve had your time to heal,” Redleaf began. He was sitting beside Whitestar with his back to the vast wall of sawgrass. The grasses and reeds hissed and rustled behind him, whispering inaudibly between their blades. “This is the final half of your test, and the hardest. Your third challenge is speed.”
Whitestar picked up where Redleaf left off. Her voice was clear and sharp, cutting through the humid air like a claw. “During this challenge, you will be racing alongside your fellow apprentices to the Starlit Springs. It is there you will meet Redleaf and I, and we will travel to the Lunar Cavern together for the final challenge.”
With the first half of the final test over, Sedgepaw already felt like her mind and body were beaten to a pulp. As she sat alongside the other apprentices, she felt an unspoken coldness emerging between them. They all seemed to sit decidedly further from her and Ospreypaw, purposefully avoiding her stare. Clearly, her assault on Blackpaw unsettled them, and Sedgepaw could hardly blame them. Her whiskers drooped; the only one that seemed impressed by her ferocity during the test of strength was Whitestar, for she stared at Sedgepaw with a gleam of pride in her amber eyes since Blackpaw’s surrender.
She shuddered as a warm breeze ruffled her long fur, carrying with it the scent of fresh herbs and blood. All the apprentices were slathered in poultices and gauze of cobwebs, knowing very well the remedies would be peeled and ripped from their fur during the mad dash that was about to ensue.
“However,” Whitestar continued, “you cannot run through the territory on a whim. There is a set path you must take that will also display your knowledge of our territory. First, you will cross through the marsh, taking the route to the palmetto field, from there you will travel to the rim of pine trees that flank the cypress forest, passing under Oakbridge and through the training gully until you reach the Great Cypress, from there, you will make your way to the Starlit Springs where we will be waiting.” She paused for a breath. “The last apprentice to arrive… will lose this challenge; everyone else will claim victory.”
Sedgepaw scrambled to remember each landmark spoken by her leader. It became painfully obvious that the route was long and arduous as she mulled over the distance.
“When you return to camp, you will either be warriors… or failures,” Whitestar promised, amber eyes alite. “Do keep in mind that we have warriors scattered along the route to ensure you are taking the proper path. Though Redleaf and I are relying on your integrity, if we return to camp and are told by one of the warriors standing by that you failed to pass their benchmark—you will fail this entire test.”
Sedgepaw rose to her paws, meeting her leader’s stare. The other apprentices stood as well, readying for the impending race. Just two more challenges. She only had to overcome two more challenges! She shoved her guilt over her battle with Blackpaw to the back of her mind. If she let him cloud her thoughts, she could lose focus and fail. I will not fail, she told herself.
“The apprentices that won their battles will have a head start in the race,” Whitestar mewed. A smile cracked on her muzzle. “Sedgepaw, Ospreypaw, and Toadpaw.”
Sedgepaw stepped forward with her partner. Toadpaw, at the end of the row of apprentices, also took a pace forward. With the victors awaiting the signal to begin, Redleaf pushed through the wall of sawgrass, likely beginning his venture to the Starlit Springs. Sedgepaw watched him go, mistrust coloring her features. Their eventual journey into the Lunar Cavern hung heavy over her head. Within the holy cave was the plinth on which the medicine cat or leader convened with the stars. Only cats of the highest ranking were allowed within its depths unescorted, for the cosmic energy within the cavern was said to be too overpowering for the common cat. Sedgepaw knew setting foot in the cavern could unveil her ancestors’ true intentions; butterflies flooded her stomach at the thought of it. The Starlit Springs were sacred enough, but to be in the Lunar Cavern… it meant Sedgepaw would finally come face to face with StarClan.
All she had to do was complete this race, and she would meet Them.
“Ready!” Whitestar called out.
Shaken from her reverie, Sedgepaw’s muscles wound tight. Her eyes honed in on the narrow pathway hidden within the wall of grass. She could feel Ospreypaw tense up beside her, and she licked her lips with anticipation. She knew her sure-footed partner would smoke the competition. Their victory was imminent! She gave a snort as Toadpaw rolled forward, his hefty body shaking in preparation to bolt.
“Begin!”
Launching forward, Sedgepaw scrambled into the sawgrass. A rush of black and white fur overtook her, and Sedgepaw watched as Ospreypaw assumed to lead only a heartbeat into the race. Following close behind the apprentice, Sedgepaw crashed into the cane and grass, burrowing into the blades that combed through her thick fur and scratched at her face. Wincing, she refused to slow her charge, for behind her she heard the bustle of Toadpaw at her heels. The stocky apprentice was breathing heavily, and when Sedgepaw glanced back, she could see a twinge of fatigue on his broad face.
By the time Sedgepaw broke into the marsh, she could hear the three other apprentices crashing through the sawgrass in a mad dash to catch up. Sedgepaw took a moment to breathe, scanning the marsh for the clearest route to the palmetto field. Debris clouded the murky water. Driftwood and pondgrass floated just below the surface, lying in wait to trip her up if she was not observant. Long swathes of eelgrass also lurked; Sedgepaw knew if she got tangled in their long, spongy blades, that she would be weighed down until she escaped the water. She could see Ospreypaw prancing far ahead, her serpentine motions kept her clear from the peat and mud, and her tail wove high in the air with confidence.
Loud splashing sounded as Toadpaw entered the marsh. Sedgepaw gritted her teeth. Her time to assess her surroundings ended as soon as he arrived. To her surprise, he was joined shortly after by Blackpaw and Mudpaw; the two toms were neck and neck, matched in speed and determination with their green eyes pining for victory. Blackpaw’s long fur was slicked back with all manners of poultice, and his swollen jaw was encapsulated by reddened cobwebs. And yet, he sped passed Sedgepaw without so much as a glance in her direction. Mudpaw followed shortly after, hampered by a wound on his hindleg from Ospreypaw.
Hissing, Sedgepaw launched after them, determined not to fall too far behind. However, the paw that harbored her torn claw was slowly being set aflame by pain. It pulsated up her paw and into her leg with each step, but if she let it hinder her too much, she would fall into last place.
Suddenly, Yewpaw seemed to manifest from across the marsh, springing like a startled rabbit over reeds and lily pads. The shallow water she disturbed splashed across her tawny pelt, sparkling with the fading sunlight. Before long, she disappeared far ahead, catching up to Blackpaw.
Mudpaw a little ahead of Sedgepaw, flopping into the water as he stumbled into a mud paddy. She eyed his hind leg, noticing blood begin to trickle from the cobwebs as it reopened. As he rose to his paws again, his legs began to shake. It would not be long before she overtook him.
Charging forward, her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she came close to Mudpaw. He was just starting to run again, and Sedgepaw could see the blood dripping from his wound turn into a steady trickle. Sedgepaw slowed as she got a tail-length away from him, feeling sympathetic for Mudpaw as he lumbered ahead. Though she wanted to succeed, she felt bad passing her brother so callously.
“Are you okay, Mudpaw?” Sedgepaw called out to him, panting.
Her brother started before glancing back at her with a scowl. Mud was splashed across his chest and face, darkening his features, and his eyes seemed to glow. “Don’t worry about me!” he snapped. “I’m fine.” He began to push ahead, forcing his legs to run faster.
Sedgepaw was able to keep close to him with ease, for has leg labored each movement. “Mudpaw, let me help you! Once you get out of the mud, it won’t be as hard.”
“Get away from me!” Mudpaw hissed. “I can do this on my own.”
Rolling her eyes, she knew her brother remain set in his ways. She was already walking on thin ice around him after last night, but she refused to let him struggle. “Just because you can do this on your own doesn’t mean you have to,” she reasoned, falling into step beside him. She nudged him forward as his paws fought against a slimy patch of pondweed, and he growled.
“Stop!” he protested, shrugging her off. “I don’t want your help.”
Before Sedgepaw could counter, Mudpaw sprang away, kicking up weeds and mud into her face. She hissed at him. “Why are you so stubborn?!” She pushed through the shallow marsh, her long fur collecting more peat with each step. “I’m your sister! I want to be there for you!”
Though she called after him in desperation, Mudpaw did not slow as he drug himself towards the shore. Sedgepaw could see Gingerstep waiting patiently on the sandy bank that flanked the palmetto field. They were almost out of the marsh! As Sedgepaw raced ahead, she caught up with Mudpaw again in no time. However, she froze when she noticed movement in her periphery. Craning her neck to a cluster of dead reeds that slouched in the marsh, she spotted two beady eyes hovering at the surface of the water. Submerged was a long, thin body that wriggled through the shallow mud pools with ease. Its scales gleamed in the burning sunlight, a warning to all that dared cross it.
“Mudpaw,” Sedgepaw hissed, her breath caught in her throat. “Don’t... move.”
Her brother hesitated, turning on her with a curled lip. “What? You’re playing tricks on me now?” He chuckled humorlessly. “You realize I’m not so helpless, so you’re trying to trip me up?” He shook his head, taking a step forward. As the bog rippled from his movement, the viper stilled in the water, its tongue flickering to taste the air.
“Mudpaw… listen to me… there’s a viper…” Sedgepaw whispered, her entire body trembling as she stared ahead at the amber, unblinking eyes of the water moccasin.
Scoffing, Mudpaw turned from her, and Sedgepaw could see the muscles in his back legs coil as he prepared to spring away from her. In a panic, she lunged for Mudpaw, sinking her claws into his back legs. With a snarl, he began to splash and flail at the water, and she whined in response when the viper coiled back, its lips parting to reveal an alabaster mouth.
“Mudpaw! Stop!” she begged.
“Let go of me!”
Mudpaw took a swipe at her face, slicing across her nose. Though her eyes watered with pain, she refused to release him to the waiting jaws of the startled viper. In their struggle, loud splashing sounded from behind. Sedgepaw glanced back to see Toadpaw bungling through the marsh. Upon seeing Sedgepaw shackling Mudpaw, he chortled and shook his head.
“What’s got you guys tangled up?” He laughed, passing them by with his nose turned up. “I’ll be sure to let Whitestar know you both are playing dirty!” His jest was followed by loud splashing as he flopped passed them sloppily.
Sedgepaw tensed, digging her claws into Mudpaw even deeper as he tried to yank away, screeching after his partner. “You mousebrain!” he snapped. “Help me!”
“Toadpaw! Stop!” Sedgepaw called after Toadpaw, but her cries were silenced when Mudpaw landed a kick against her face. Toadpaw only chuckled, overtaking them as they remained entwined in their struggle. Sedgepaw’s shoulders screamed as she maintained her grip on Mudpaw. She opened her mouth to warn Toadpaw once more, but was silenced by his blood curdling wail.
As he jumped near the patch of reeds, the viper struck like lightning. Its fangs dug into his neck as it launched itself at Toadpaw. As he careened into the mud, the snake slithered off briskly, hiding far off in the deep marsh away from them. The apprentice’s wail was shrill enough to startle a flock of snowy egrets. White feathers fell to the marsh in their wake, for they flew far into the heavens, becoming one with the clouds. Below, they left a tragedy. Sedgepaw released her brother, and he limped to his friend, eyes wide in terror. Sedgepaw followed him, speechless.
Toadpaw was writhing in the marsh, his jaw locked as spit foamed from his lips. His eyes darted wildly, and his head jerked back. Mud slathered his body as he seized and convulsed, darkening his fur. Sedgepaw saw blood beading at his neck, dripping into the bog relentlessly.
“Toadpaw!” Mudpaw shrieked, pressing his paws into his chest. “Toadpaw!”
Sedgepaw shut her eyes and bowed her head. “He got bit, Mudpaw,” she murmured somberly.
“Shut up!” Mudpaw spat, squeezing his eyes shut. “This is my fault… Why didn’t you just let me go?” He turned on her. “I could’ve… I could’ve killed that snake!”
Sedgepaw shook her head, knowing her brother was going mad with pain. “Mudpaw… it couldn’t be helped--”
“You let him go! You saw it, and you let him go!”
“I tried to stop him!” Sedgepaw protested, taken back by her brother’s rage.
“Just shut up!” Mudpaw cried, burying his face into Toadpaw’s flank.
Sedgepaw glanced up when she saw Gingerstep racing into the marsh. Her golden eyes were full of fear when she came upon the wailing, convulsing Toadpaw. Her ginger fur began to prickle as she realized the gravity of what occurred.
“Calm down,” she urged the apprentices, voice shaking. “We need to get him back to camp as soon as possible.” She turned to Mudpaw. “Help me drag him.”
Sedgepaw leaned forward, but Gingerstep shook her head. “No, the only other apprentice that can help Toadpaw is his partner. You need to continue.”
“But--”
Gingerstep’s eyes softened, but her mew was firm. “No, Sedgepaw. You must go.”
Sedgepaw turned from them, taking a step toward the palmetto field. Hesitating, she glanced back as Mudpaw helped hoist Toadpaw onto Gingerstep’s back. The ginger she-cat noticed Sedgepaw’s misgivings and hissed. “I said go, Sedgepaw!” The warrior was adamant. “Run! Keep running! You must finish your test.”
Shutting her eyes, Sedgepaw shot forward. Though her body felt numb, her heart came alive. Dread and determination and fear flooded her senses. Before long, she was crashing through the palm fronds of palmettos, kicking up dust onto her damp, muddy fur. Daylight waned, staining the territory red as she pressed on. Sunset arrived against the blood red horizon, and the further Sedgepaw ran, the more the conclusion became clear… Toadpaw was dead…
Toadpaw was dead. Mudpaw failed.
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Post by Falconfrost on Apr 20, 2019 16:08:00 GMT -5
oh no not Toadpaw! I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of the partner aspect of the apprentice test. I suppose it assesses them on working together too, but now Mudpaw hasn't really done anything wrong, he only failed because his partner died.
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Post by graygoyle on Apr 20, 2019 16:31:09 GMT -5
i understand why you wouldn't. the process is meant to be flawed. everything happens for a reason! mudpaw has a lot to deal with.
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