Chapter Seven: Fade, Part One
As morning broke, a patrol set out from StoneClan. They were led by a young grey warrior named Mossfall, who was very proud to finally be leading a patrol.
"The only thing that could make it better would be if Sparrowstrike were here too," Mossfall thought.
Sparrowstrike had been Mossfall's best friend when he was an apprentice, and even after they had been made warriors. However, several moons earlier, Sparrowstrike had been executed under strange circumstances. Mossfall didn't know what his friend could have done, but he knew that whatever it had been, it must have been a mistake.
"Sparrowstrike was one of the most loyal cats in StoneClan. Whatever they think he did, it wasn't true."
"Or maybe…maybe he did do something," Mossfall mumbled. "He could have done something to help the FlameClan cats find Bigstorm. He wouldn't be the first StoneClan warrior to help them out."
Mossfall himself had lent a paw to FlameClan on at least one occasion. When the FlameClan medicine cat, Fivefur, had been imprisoned in StoneClan, along with Mossfall's former mentor, Campionstripe, Mossfall had helped them escape…in a small way. He could have turned them in when he caught them trying to get out, but he didn't. As it turned out, Campionstripe had stayed anyway, and had actually gotten his position as deputy back, to Mossfall's relief.
"I knew he couldn't be a traitor."
Mossfall firmly believed in his former mentor. He had known Campionstripe his whole life, and he was sure that there was no way that anyone could sway his loyalty.
"Mossfall, are you okay?"
The grey warrior blinked. He looked down at a small tortoiseshell she-cat, who was staring at him anxiously.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," he said, "Sorry, Sweetpaw. Is everyone ready to go?"
The apprentice nodded.
"Yes. Foxpaw and Chervilclaw just got here."
"All right," Mossfall said. He glanced anxiously at the rest of his patrol-two toms and a she-cat. Two of them were senior warriors, and he wanted to give a good impression.
One of the older cats smiled at him encouragingly. She was a golden-furred she-cat named Sunwhisper. She was notable in that she was one of the few female warriors in StoneClan, and showed a determination equal to that of any of the toms. Mossfall greatly admired her, but he was more concerned about impressing the other senior warrior in this patrol. Chervilclaw.
The brown tom was glaring at him even now, anxious to get going. Chervilclaw had been Sparrowstrike's mentor, and since Sparrowstrike had never had the chance to lead a patrol, Mossfall was going to do it for both of them. He smiled.
"Let's go."
Later that day, Mossfall trotted out of camp for the second time, now smiling proudly. The patrol had gone well, and there had been no injuries and no losses, for once. So many patrols these days ended with some cat being brought back dead or wounded.
Suddenly, he stopped. He thought he had heard something not far away, but he didn't know what.
As he listened, he heard it again. A young cat's voice. A she-cat, by the sound of it.
Curiosity drew him closer. He couldn't help but wonder who would be out right now. There were no other patrols scheduled…at least, not that he'd heard about.
As he peered through some bushes, he spotted the last two cats he would have expected. Icewrath…and Larkpaw.
"What's she doing with that creep?" Mossfall thought, "Where's Nightheart?"
"Thank you for bringing me here, Icewrath," Larkpaw mewed politely, "But why did you want to see me?"
"I have a special surprise for you," Icewrath said silkily, "Just wait here. I'll be back in a minute."
"All right," Larkpaw mewed.
"What kind of surprise?" Mossfall thought, "What is that freak doing?"
He was just about to reveal himself to Larkpaw and try to convince her to leave, when Icewrath came tearing back into the clearing with another cat following close behind him. The second cat was about the same size as Icewrath, but with grey fur and darker grey stripes. His eyes were pale blue. Mossfall thought he had seen him before, but he couldn't be sure.
"Who's this?" Larkpaw asked.
"This," Icewrath said with a twisted smile, "Is your surprise."
The grey cat jumped forward, pinning Larkpaw to the earth. Mossfall nearly leapt from his hiding place, but even if he had, it would have done no good. Larkpaw would have been dead before he could have reached her. She was dead before he even moved. Whoever the grey cat was, he knew how to kill.
Mossfall stiffened.
"What is he playing at? Everyone in StoneClan will know she's been killed by another cat."
In the clearing, the grey cat turned to Icewrath.
"That's done," he said, "If you need anyone else out of the way, you know where to find me."
"Indeed," Icewrath said silkily, "Someday I may need your help again…Ice."
"Ice?" Mossfall thought, "I could have sworn that cat was the banished FlameClan warrior…his name wasn't Ice."
"I never expected to find you alive," 'Ice' said. "If I had known, I would not have used your name."
"Someday, you will rule as Swiftstar," Icewrath laughed, "And I will finally be a medicine cat."
The other cat smiled.
"We always thought alike…brother."
Mossfall hadn't been able to stay for the rest of conversation. The grey cat knew who he needed to talk to, and he needed to talk to him now.
"Idiot…idiot…idiot…" Mossfall thought, "You had time to save her…"
"Campionstripe!" he yowled as he tumbled into camp, "Where are you?"
"Mossfall, what's wrong with you now?" Chervilclaw grumbled, "Campionstripe is over there."
The grey cat dashed over to the older warrior, who was staring at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Icewrath…murder…Larkpaw!" Mossfall panted.
"No!" Campionstripe growled, "He wouldn't."
"He did," Mossfall said, "And…"
"Listen, Mossfall," Campionstripe said, "Was there anyone else with you? Did anyone else see?"
"No, but…"
"Mossfall, we're going to tell Bloodstar," Campionstripe said, "But don't expect it to do any good. It's your word against Icewrath's."
"But…I'm a warrior!" Mossfall protested, "I've spent my whole life in StoneClan!"
"I know," Campionstripe said, "But Icewrath's smart. He's gotten Bloodstar to trust him. Even with me to back you up, I don't think anything good will come of it."
I told you guys he would come back... The "mystery" cat, I mean. Anyone remember him from the first book? Hmm?
