And being the cruel person I am, I cut away from the action back at the clans *Mwuahaha!* But I promise the next chapter will dwell on that. For now we must return to our beloved travelers, as they finally find what they think they've been seeking…or have they?
Chapter 11
Pineleaf was silent as she awoke beneath a large boulder. The pale sky threatened to snow, but not a breeze stirred the cold ground. Pineleaf glanced at Feathertail, and noticed she was awake. Feathertail smiled, "Good morning."
"Morning." Smiled Pineleaf.
The two she-cats had grown close since they had reached the mountains, mainly because Squirrelpaw only talked to Brambleclaw, Troutstar was usually busy explaining new battle moves to Foxpaw, and Stormfur was nice but could be a little too protective sometimes. Feathertail was kind and fun to be around. "Do you think we could get there today?" Pineleaf breathed.
Feathertail padded to her side, and admitted, "I'm not sure…I can only hope."
"Ready to head out?" Asked Troutstar from atop the boulder.
Pineleaf smiled. She could tell the leader enjoyed the clear mountain air, maybe he hoped to see the clans from up here. Stormfur and Brambleclaw padded over as well, the apprentices following last. Troutstar yawned, "A good day for traveling; cool skies, no winds."
Feathertail smiled and agreed, "StarClan shine down on us today!"
Stormfur growled, "We should keep moving."
Rolling her eyes, Feathertail teased, "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!"
Pineleaf met Stormfur's gaze, and realized he wore a hurt expression. Troutstar leapt down, and led the way down the path again. Pineleaf took up the rear, and Stormfur held back to walk with her. His eyes were clouded with loneliness, and Pineleaf asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
She flashed him a look that showed she didn't believe that. Stormfur sighed, "Well…not nothing. I just…why have you stopped talking to me? Was it something I said?"
"What? No! I've just been a bit independent recently…ever since Tigerfang…" Pineleaf trailed off, not wanting to think about her brother again, "But I still like spending time with you!"
Stormfur smiled, "Really? Thank StarClan…I was afraid I was boring you."
Pineleaf laughed, "Boring me? Honestly Stormfur! The only thing that bores me is T-r-o-u-t-s-t-a-r."
"I can spell too you know." Snapped Troutstar angrily.
Stormfur and Pineleaf stifled their purrs as best they could, but Pineleaf could tell the leader was smiling too. "Look there!" Yowled Squirrelpaw from her perch atop a large boulder, "I can see…sand!"
Pineleaf followed her gaze, and realized, "You're right!" She only just realized that they had reached flat ground, and had left the mountain far behind, "We made it to sun-drown-place!"
The younger cats squealed with excitement, but Troutstar raised his tail, "The journey isn't over yet."
Troutstar led the way carefully through the flat sand. He had instructed the cats to stay well away from the water, and to keep going straight. We can't take any risks now! Not after all we've been through! Troutstar reminded himself, and pushed harder against the growing wind. As they reached a small dune, Troutstar decided, "We'll rest here for a bit."
The winds had grown worse, and the cats huddled together for warmth. Soon, it was dark. Troutstar squinted in each direction, but between the sandy winds and the moonless night sky, he couldn't see where they were going. Suddenly, he heard a voice. "You cats…come!" He glanced behind him to see a terrifying sight: a huge badger.
After a long pause, during which the warriors had instinctively unsheathed their claws, the badger laughed, "No need for claws…my name is Midnight. I am friend of cat, friend of Star Cats."
She must mean StarClan! Troutstar rose to his paws, and yowled over the wind, "Will you give us shelter?"
Midnight replied, "Yes, follow."
The female badger turned and began to slowly lumber in the way she'd come. Troutstar beckoned to the others, "C'mon!"
Foxpaw yowled, "You're not serious! That was a badger! Those beasts can't be reasoned with!"
Normally, Troutstar would be willing to agree, but they couldn't survive a night out here, plus the badger had spoken their language. Stormfur yowled back at Foxpaw, "It spoke! And it said it was 'friend of Star Cats'. Star Cats must be StarClan!"
Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw, Stormfur, and Pineleaf were already falling in line, following the badger. Foxpaw shook his head and yowled, "You're all mad! I'm going home!" He turned and tried to leave.
"No!" Troutstar surged forward, blocking his path. Practically touching their noses together, "You cannot turn back now! Not after all we've been through! Do you want to be remembered as the coward who turned back rather than share a den with a badger? Or do you want to be remembered as the hero who saved the clans?"
Foxpaw hesitated for a long moment, before gritting his teeth and bounding back over to Feathertail. Troutstar sighed with relief, and followed them. Once all of the cats were inside the badger set, Midnight softly growled, "Sleep. Tomorrow, talk."
Troutstar could tell that even if this were a trap, they would die either way. If we rest, we'll have more strength. He decided, and nodded at the others. Soon, they were all asleep.
The next morning, Troutstar blinked open his eyes. It was still windy and stormy outside, but inside it was warm and comfortable. Midnight had brought them a dead rabbit and was busy digging a hole. The other cats awoke soon after their leader, and hungrily devoured the prey. Once they had finished, Troutstar turned to Midnight. The badger finished her hole and pointed into it, "Fresh water."
Instantly, Foxpaw darted over and verified that it was safe to drink. Troutstar waited his turn, and afterwards nodded his thanks. Midnight settled down, and growled in her soft voice, "Now, cats come here from forest and moor, from river and shadow?"
Troutstar nodded, "We traveled along way to get here. Through mountains and across plains."
Midnight smiled, "Did not expect badger? Does not surprise me. Cat is hostile towards badger because they fear badger. Fox hate badger because badger test fox's strength. Badger hate fox, because they are ignorant and foolish."
"Do you speak fox too?" Asked an impressed Squirrelpaw.
Midnight wryly replied, "I speak many tongues, though the hardest to master was cat."
Troutstar pressed, "But you spoke with StarClan? Er…Star Cats?"
"Yes, they speak to me, tell me you must return to your homes and bring your families to their new home."
Stormfur shot to his paws, "We what?"
Brambleclaw snarled, "There must be some mistake. We can't go all the way back!"
