Snowdrifts on the Ice

by Jaydomination

The Tribe of Rushing water were not the only Tribe to survive: we fled, and are the Tribe of Ice. We are the thick-furred cats of the tundra, the unfreezeable fighters of the glacier. But nowhere is free of pain. Is free of bitterness. For there are some here with hearts as cold as this land we now walk. But when none are guiltless, which side, which cause, is truly in the right?

4. Sibling secrets

Tundrapaw and the other apprentices sat listening to Blizzardtail's little speech.

"Okay, I have no idea what you know, so let's start with a test of sorts. Firstly, Why do we have a scout and a leader?"

Nightpaw sat up and noted, "So if the leader dies we still have someone to make sure we are't all dead."

Blizzardtail glared at her. "No, that's the deputy. The reason is, so that the leader has someone to seek guidance from. Secondly, what is a scout and what is the difference between a scout and healer scout?"

From the scout's cave, Rabbitpaw called out, "He runs around all day, I do all the work!"

"No you don't!" Turning back to the group, he said,"Answers? Sparrowpaw?"

"The scout looks for water, herbs and where the rabbits are... And the healer-scout is the scout's apprentice, who keeps the Tribe healthy. Both do each-other's job sometimes, depends."

"Good. Now! One final thing. Why do keep track of who was born in the Sunmoons, and who was born in the Snowmoons?"

Tundrapaw knew, but didn't want to say it.

I don't want to scare Sparrowpaw! He doesn't know...

"This one is important! Does anyone know why?"

"Because... Because the Sunborns sometimes disappear... And one even turned up dead."

Sparrowpaw snapped backwards in shock at Tundrapaw's words. Why had he never heard of this? He was older than the others!

Blizzardtail sighed. "Unfortunately, you are correct." He hung his head in shame. "Falconskies. Owlpelt's sister. Tundrapaw and Nightpaw's mother. Found dead on the glacier with her two newborn kits nine moons ago. It was the first day of winter... Wolfstep, her mate, took off to find out who did it and never came back."

Nightpaw turned to Sparrowpaw, a solemn look in her eyes. "No one likes talking about it, but yeah. No kit has been named after a bird of prey since."

"Don't want to provoke whatever's causing this... Nightpaw's right."

Blizzardtail spoke up. "We don't have to start training today if this... um, put you off, Sparrowpaw."

"No, It's fine... Can you show us the Rabbitholes, Blizzardtail?

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The plot unfolds... Now, question time!

1. What do you think is making all the Sunborns disappear?

2. Do you think Wolfstep is still alive?

3. Who's your favorite apprentice?