Featherwing's flanks heaved. The gray she-cat was tiring herself too much, Robintail knew it. The first kit was out of her, but Robintail could tell there were more to come. The brown she-cat placed a gentle paw on Featherwing's side, hoping to stop the she-cat's thrashing.
Featherwing gave another gasp as a second kit forced it's way through.
Robintail nosed the kit until it started mewling, then she let the golden she-cat beside her begin to lick. "That's it Honeypelt, get his blood flowing."
Robintail turned back to the gray queen. Powerful ripples danced down Featherwing's side. A third kit was coming. The queen let out a painful yowl, and as the kit was born, the yowl faded quickly into a soft sigh.
Honeypelt looked up sharply. "Robintail-"
Robintail hung her head briefly, then scooped up the kit with her paw and passed it to Honeypelt. "I know she is dead. But focus on the little lives she brought here. Lick."
The golden queen dipped her head and began to lick. Her own kits watched on, their eyes as wide as moons. Both would become apprentices in two moons, but they would have to get used to sharing a nursery with three newborns.
Robintail dragged the body into the camp clearing. Cats began to surround the body to say their last goodbyes. Robintail set straight off to the leader's den. Hawkstar was watching the camp just from inside her den. Her eyes glinted with sorrow. "So it is true then," she murmured, casting a glance to her sister's body. Robintail nodded.
Hawkstar looked up. "And the three? They have come?" Again, Robintail nodded.
Her eyes lifted to Silverpelt where StarClan's warriors welcomed a new member.
"The vine is the strength, the reed is wise, and the sparrow will bear the weight of sins she herself had never made. They will reveal the truth one may not wish to know." Robintail recited the prophecy sent to her by StarClan.
Vine...Reed…Sparrow….
