~ RiverClan ~ Clever and Strong |☾☼ ϟ ≈ ☁|

The burst of laughter she let out slowed her for a heartbeat and she felt Swanflight gaining on her. Her ears flicked forward and she put a little more power in her step, only for her reeds to get caught in the underbrush and yanked out from under her. She let out a little cry and whirled to recollect them, but lost her lead in the process.

Swanflight gasped and laughed at the same time as Birchtail fell into a stumble in the underbrush. The reeds had caught her up, and Swanflight tried not to laugh out of her fur as she circled back to check on her friend. The race forgotten, she breathed deeply. "Oh, Starclan! Are you... aha! Sorry, sorry! I swear, I'm not laughing! Are you alright, Birchtail?" She placed her own materials down, breathless and thrumming with delight.

Swiping his tongue around his jaws, Sheeppaw's eyes sparkled with interest. "That's a kind offer!" he said. "As long as the kittens an' mamas ain't hungry, an' the elders are fed o' course!" His fluffy tail flicked happily, remembering one of the first parts of the Code he'd learned.

(I got you!)

(Thanks!)

As the scent of blood filled the air, Alder's hackles raised in horror. He stood stunned for a moment, eyes filled with horror as the Prey Mauler tore into the clan's leader, then raised a growl at him.

He wanted to fight, to help, to do anything to stop the blood flowing from Earthstar's broken fur. But fear acted for him and he bolted, up through the darkness and the tunnel he'd stepped through before, imagining hot breath on his heels at every twist and turn. Too late, he realized that strange scent had been that of a prey mauler.

Alder panted for breath as he hurtled through the open passageway. He swiftly checked to see if the monstrous creature was following, but as the heavy air turned fresh, he realized it had stayed behind. Alder gulped down mouthfuls of air, not quite caught up to the moment. Earthstar was dead. He had to be. How could a cat survive... that?

And if Earthstar was gone, he gulped, then that was it for him. How could he possibly return to Riverclan after their leader's passing? How could he break the news to them? What sort of medicine cat would run and not try to save his leader?

He glanced back at the small tunnel. It had to be too late - far too late by now. Even if Earthstar had -

A thought struck him, and his orange ear flicked. Nine lives. He had yet to see it for himself, but the clan had assured Alder of their ancestor's power, and of the nine lives of their leader. If it was true - and if Earthstar wasn't on his last life, then maybe, maybe there was hope. Alder still skittered away from the entrance, finding a spindly tree growing out of the rocks and climbing it to get a little distance. If the reports and the name 'Prey Mauler' meant anything, it was likely the beast hunted for sport - to destroy rather than consume.

And if Earthstar could return... then maybe there was something Alder could do. The tunnel they had taken was rather narrow - it was possible the Prey Mauler couldn't fit through it. If he just waited, then maybe there was a chance he could drag Earthstar to safety. Bind his wounds and hope he healed. He just had to wait a while, see if the prey mauler would leave on its own.

So he hunkered down into the tree, pressing his short pelt into the limb and digging his claws into the bark. He would wait a short while, long enough for the Prey Mauler to think him long gone, and try the only thing he dared.

(I think I just needed the couple week's break that I took! I'm feeling much better about it now, things got a little overwhelming in my personal life but things have calmed down and I think I still have the time and interest in this! Sorry for the scare!

But also I do love that idea! Exciting that Specklecreek is returning, both for the rp and the drama. It'll also give Alder a feeling of does he have a true place here and I think there's fun conflict there. Especially if Quietpaw loves Specklecreek more and not knowing how Specklecreek will feel about Alder being like a replacement.)

"Of course you will." A sparkling breeze passed by the brown tom as the outline of a cat slowly appeared before the leader. In the stream-washed meadow, a ginger and black she-cat with frosty blue eyes gazed at the leader with a sense of empathy and determination. Rosefrost approached her dear friend, the cat she had once had feelings for many, many moons before she had given her heart to Phantomspots. She swished her tail.

"You're losing a life. But it won't be the last one. And another one can be avoided thanks to your friend." She referred to Alder with a whisper of promise. "He's a good one. Riverclan needs him, and they'll need you too. You will receive more healing soon than you can imagine, and those lost to you will return, sooner than you think. Steel your courage, Earthstar. Starclan is always watching." She mewed cryptically. 

"Not enough time, I'm afraid." Rosefrost mewed, though her eyes betrayed her love and hope, not so much for Earthstar alone, but because she knew her daughter was coming back home. "Take care of him, and of her, and they will care for all of the Clan. Together. Wake up, Earthstar. Alder needs you, and Starclan will welcome him when he's ready." She promised, padding forwards to press her muzzle to her former leader's shoulder, warm and rejuvenating as the life he lost seemed to seep out of him and towards her side, before floating away. "Wake up."

"'Bye, Rosemist!" Sheeppaw called around a mouthful of fish. "What a nice molly," he commented to himself. He finished the fish, noting that the Clan had been fed so it was fine. Belly comfortably full, he took the bones away before passing down to the gravelly shore, staring up the river to where it snaked away to the gorge. Pondering his life now, he thought back to the barn. He missed his companions there, but he loved life by the River and under the Stars.

He flicked one ear, wondering how long he could go shirking his training with Turtlefrost. He'd been here for a few moons now, but he hadn't progressed as much as an apprentice usually should. He was a fine hunter, sure, but he had no fighter's instinct. He'd rather stay in the camp and care for their dens and the queens, elders, and kittens directly, but that didn't seem to be how the warrior life worked. He continued to gaze at the River.

After a short while had passed and no sign of the Prey Mauler surfaced, Alder straightened. He reached further into the tree, where a faint gleam of moonlight reflected some cobwebs. He bundled them and plastered them to his own pelt, then scurried back to the tunnel. Now, not only Prey Mauler scent, but blood scent carried on the dank air. Holding his breath, he silently slipped forward, keeping an ear out for the sound of scrabbling paws or throaty growls.

Nothing.

He delved deeper, back to the chamber with every sense straining. And yet, when the passage opened to reveal Earthstar clamboring to his feet in an empty, bloodied room, he couldn't contain his surprise. Alder sprang forward, worry overwhelming him. "Earthstar?"

He approached the tom's sides, sniffing for wounds. If he could just find out where it was worst, maybe they could make it out quickly. But as he examined, he found the wounds had healed. Nine lives indeed.

"Are you alright?" He finally thought to ask, once his triage was complete. "Do you need help walking? We have to get out of here before that... that thing comes back."

Quietpaw groaned. Were all warriors this clumsy? Seriously, they always get hurt in the most ridiculous ways possibly. He glared at Reedleaf. "Stop itching them. It might make it worse." The apprentice made his way over to the warrior. He crouched down to examine his legs further. In all honesty, his mind went blank. He had no idea what was happening. Maybe it was some sort of virus in the water? Or an allergic reaction to something? "I'm gonna be honest," he breathed, "I've got no idea what's wrong."

(What's wrong with Reedleaf? Cause I actually have no idea. All my medicine cat knowledge is gone right now. 😭)