So, there have been some major fires where I live (Oregon), and we have all been warned to stay inside as much as possible. I'll take this opportunity and write as much as I can for you all before I go stir crazy...
While I'm at it, I'll update the allegiances. It'll be at the end of this chapter.
I hope you enjoy the chapter!~
Chapter 20
Fernpaw
Pride bubbled inside her chest as the ForestClan cats called her name, even though if Larkblossom and Kindlestrike had to lead them in it. Fernpaw smiled at Cloudecho as she stepped forward to Brownfeather. Am I their Clanmate now? I mean, I'm the medicine cat apprentice...
Fernpaw shook the thought away- her heart belonged to FireClan, and she knew she was a FireClan cat through and through. But she would be as loyal as she could and learn as much as she could for now. Now what, Dawnkit? She asked mentally but got no response from her sister. The Clan had broken up into groups, so she turned to her new mentor.
Brownfeather drew in a deep breath. "Well, I'm glad you have chosen this path. The forest herbs are much different than FireClan roots...we'll see what StarClan says when we travel to the Falls." Fernpaw nodded silently.
"Let's go and begin with the basics. I'll show you what herbs are which, and maybe later we can look at the territory while gathering herbs." Brownfeather mewed as she headed towards the medicine cat den. Fernpaw trailed after her and listened to talk about the differences of herbs and roots. Her mind wandered to thinking about her best friends Tigerkit and Lilackit who were still stuck in FireClan. She hoped they were ok.
"Fernpaw? Fernpaw!" Brownfeather's voice snapped her back into attention. She blinked and looked up into the she-cat's face with shock. She flattened her ears with discomfort.
But when she paid attention, she was able to look inside the medicine cat den. It was rather large compared to what it looked like from out in camp. There were herbs in crevices in the tree walls and was water in the bark outcrop on one of the sides of the den. There was also an exit on the opposite side of the den.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" Fernpaw asked quietly after she gazed around the den. Brownfeather sighed and pushed some leaves towards her. She pointed at one with her paw.
"This," she mewed and pushed the leaf in a pile of similar looking leaves," is a Daisy leaf. Blueflower had been complaining about aching joints lately, so what do you think this herb does?" The medicine cat looked at her and waited for a response.
I'm not stupid. "It helps treat aching joints?" She answered and smiled when Brownfeather nodded.
"Her eyesight is getting worse also, so we are going to bring her the Daisy leaves and some Celadine to help treat her eyes." She mewed and slid another leaf that was much bigger than the Celadine and Daisy leaves.
"This is just an oak leaf; we use them to carry other herbs." She said and placed the Celadine and Daisy onto the oak leaf and picked it up. She flicked her tail behind her as she exited the den back into camp. Fernpaw followed her towards what she believed was the elder's den, but before they could enter, an old silver she-cat came out of the den and nearly bumped into Brownfeather.
The silver she-cat's gray eyes were shadowed with uneasiness.
"I was just about to fetch you. It's Blueflower- she says StarClan is calling her." She ducked back into the den and they followed her with concern. In the den, Fernpaw saw a blue and silver she-cat splayed on her side in her nest. She was taking in shallow and uneven breaths with her eyes partially closed. A reddish-brown tom was sitting beside her nest and watched her with fear.
Blueflower opened her eyes a little more and gazed at Fernpaw and Brownfeather.
"I hear Moonwillow's voice. She has Sparrowkit with her in StarClan. Mother didn't forget our brother, Silversnow." The old she-cat mewed to the silver she-cat. Brownfeather sighed and looked down at Fernpaw.
"Towards the end of our den are black seeds that are called Poppy seeds. Will you get three of them for me?" Fernpaw's mentors' words were more of an order than request, but she quickly exited the elder's den and raced towards the medicine cat den. Cats stared after her as she raced past them and caught bits and pieces of them muttering to each other.
"...she's not one of us..."
"...doesn't deserve that position..."
"...Blackpaw would have been the best choice..."
Fernpaw flattened her ears against her head and tried to ignore their words as she searched inside for the Poppy seeds. She found them in one of the crevices in the bark wall towards the end of the den and picked three up in her mouth and sped back to the elder's den.
The scent of death hit her like a blow as she entered the den. Fernpaw was too late. She slowed down and set the seeds onto the floor. Oh no...
"It's alright, she died peacefully." Brownfeather mewed as she watched Silversnow and the tom grieve over Blueflower. Fernpaw's ears perked at this.
"What do poppy seeds do, Brownfeather?" She asked curiously. Her mentor cleared her throat.
"They alleviate pain." The medicine cat replied coolly and started towards the den entrance. She wanted to protect me from seeing Blueflower die...
"Let's inform Thornstar. Make sure to put the poppy seeds back where you found them." She meowed and left the den. Fernpaw quickly scooped the little black seeds and followed her as fast as she could. She padded past the cats that were talking about her earlier and put the seeds back where they belonged before running after Brownfeather.
Her mentor was headed up to the leader's den which was behind the ledge where Thornstar had conducted the ceremonies from. She stumbled her way up the tangle of branches and was met with the sound of hissing.
She stood behind Brownfeather who was watching Jayfrost and Thornstar standoff head to head. She noticed Ravenpelt from her Clan standing nearby Jayfrost, and he seemed very worried.
"Why should I trust this tom? It might be one of Witherstar's tricks!" The large dusty brown tom hissed at the golden tom. Ravenpelt looked past them and noticed Fernpaw. His gray eyes widened.
"Fernkit- I mean, Fernpaw!" He exclaimed happily, eyes shining. Fernpaw smiled awkwardly- she didn't necessarily know the tom very well even though he was her..."father's" best friend. Thornstar and Jayfrost stopped fighting and looked between the FireClan cats.
"What interest do you have in Fernpaw, Ravenpelt?" Thornstar asked suspiciously and backed away from Jayfrost. But the golden tom followed him and snarled.
"Don't ask him now! I already told you, you piece of fox-dung!" Jayfrost snapped. Thornstar's eyes flashed and he quickly raised his paw and slashed at the warrior. The camp went silent and looked up towards the commotion on the ledge.
"THORNSTAR!" A white and black she-cat came thundering her way through the camp and up the ledge. Jayfrost stood in front of him, his sides heaving was the only telltale sign he was furious. The black and white she-cat glared at the leader.
"What in StarClan's name have gotten into you, Thornstar?! How dare you attack my kit?" She roared and stepped in between the toms. Thornstar drew in a deep breath.
"Your kit. Yes, Swiftwind. That thing, that pile of useless mousedung, is your-" Thornstar was unable to finish his sentence as Jayfrost let out a furious cry and flew at him. The toms grappled up on the ledge and nearly knocked Fernpaw and Brownfeather off the edge. Suddenly Thornstar started ripping away at Jayfrost's flank, but Jayfrost shoved him aside. They grew eerily close to the edge, and Fernpaw opened her mouth to warn them, but Jayfrost gave a final shove at Thornstar before she could get any sound out.
The leader toppled over the edge and landed onto the ground with a sickening crack! Swiftwind gasped and backed away from Jayfrost.
"Oh StarClan..." She breathed. Fernpaw's eyes widened as all sorts of commotion happened about her. Two large warriors raced onto the ledge and grabbed Jayfrost and dragged him down to the camp floor. Fernpaw watched on with fear- why isn't he fighting back? He didn't mean to kill him, it wasn't his fault! Swiftwind followed them and stood nearby Thornstar. Fernpaw numbly followed after Brownfeather to see the body.
Brownfeather stopped Fernpaw with her tail.
"You might not want-" Fernpaw shook her head.
"If I am going to be a medicine cat, I may as well get used to things like this." She mewed and walked around her mentor. But what she saw was burned into her mind forever:
The dusty brown tom had fallen into an awkward position and his body seemed to be convulsing. His paws were splayed, and one of his legs was unnaturally bent. His head was stuck sideways, and a bone was sticking out of his neck and blood oozed out of the wound. His body finally stopped twitching and he lay still.
"All nine lives lost in this fall. StarClan couldn't save him." Brownfeather murmured and looked at Swiftwind. The she-cat was staring blankly at the dead leader. Suddenly there was a loud yowl. The whole camp seemed to turn in unison as Owlflight, which Cloudecho had told Fernpaw was the deputy, entered into camp.
"What happened?" The white tom demanded as he marched towards the dead body. Fernpaw gulped.
"He and Jayfrost fought up on the ledge, and-" A blue-gray she-cat interrupted her.
"Jayfrost pushed Thornstar over the ledge." Fernpaw stared at her, mouth agape.
"It was an accident though, they didn't see!" She protested, but Owlflight shoved his way past her and Brownfeather and headed towards Thornstar's body. He whipped around and glared at Jayfrost.
"You...you did this?" He asked in a quiet rage. Jayfrost glared straight back at him from where he was held by a red tom and a black tom. He did not reply and simply let his hateful gaze speak for him. Fernpaw shuddered.
"As the new leader, I am now in charge. You are exiled! If you are found in the territory, I will kill you myself!" Owlflight snarled at Jayfrost. The gold tom didn't even flinch and merely flicked his ears in reply as he padded to the camp entrance. The whole camp watched him leave without any ounce of emotion.
Ravensong let out a wail. "No! He didn't mean it! It wasn't his fault! Make him come back!" She cried out hysterically and began to race after the tom. Fernpaw watched Loudswipe quickly go after her and pulled her away from the camp entrance.
"Your brother is a traitor to the Clan, Ravensong. Do not grieve over him." Owlflight told her and turned back to Thornstar's body. The blue-gray she-cat opened her mouth to speak, but Owlflight waved his tail.
"Do not think that just because you told me what happened that your son will become deputy. He had said several times over he doesn't wish that position, and Thornstar dealt with you about that." Brownfeather cleared her throat to grab Owlflight's attention. He didn't move but pricked his ears.
"Yes, Brownfeather?" He asked over his shoulder. Fernpaw recognized the reddish-brown tom that was in the elder's den earlier as he walked up to Owlflight from the crowd of cats and hung his head.
"Blueflower has joined the ranks of StarClan also." The elder tom rasped. An even heavier quiet settled over the Clan. Owlflight stared at the elder and sighed after a moment.
"I've not even gotten my name..." The white tom muttered. He turned and slowly made his way up to the leader's ledge and looked down at the Clan.
"We have faced two horrible deaths today. We shall grieve tonight when Silverpelt appears. At that time, I will go with Brownfeather and her apprentice to the Falls to receive my name." He announced, though the sense of authority didn't necessarily reach his voice.
"But now I must choose a new deputy." Owlflight said and looked up to the skies.
"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. Shadowtail will be your new deputy." A tabby tom stepped forward from the crowd and dipped his head to Owlflight.
"I am honored to be chosen for this position. I will serve the best I can." He meowed and stepped back to his mate, Rosesong. She watched him with deep pride in her eyes.
"Then everyone, go about your duties. The elders will care for both bodies. Brownfeather, prepare travelling herbs and make sure to get your rest before we leave." With that said, he called to Shadowtail and walked inside what was now his den.
Brownfeather dipped her head after Owlflight.
"I'll sort the herbs this time. Next time you can help me. But for now I want you to get something to eat and sleep to make sure you're ready to meet StarClan." Brownfeather instructed curtly. Fernpaw dipped her head and watched her mentor head back towards the medicine cat den.
What a great first day as a medicine cat apprentice, Fernpaw thought wryly. Bet you can't beat death or murder; can you, Tigerkit and Lilackit? She sighed as she headed to where the fresh-kill was and grabbed a mouse. I hope this gets better...
Allegiances
ForestClan
Leader: Owlstar- white tom with one brown paw
Mate: Twigclaw
Deputy: Shadowtail- tabby tom with a black tail tip
Mate: Rosesong
Medicine Cat: Brownfeather- brown she-cat with green eyes and black flecks on her flank
Apprentice: Fernpaw
Warriors
Featherfoot- pretty light gray she-cat with dark gray paws and tail tip
Sunpelt- Handsome bright red tom with darker stripes running down his back
Littlewing- black tom with patches of white in his fur
Apprentice: Flarepaw
Shallowpuddle- blue-gray she-cat with white paws
Swiftwind- black and white she-cat with brown eyes
Berryfur- pale blue tom with dark blue paws and tail
Rosesong- blood red she cat with yellow eyes
Twigclaw- thin albino she-cat with red eyes
Apprentice: Skypaw
Eagleshadow-dark brown tom with black paws
Sapphirecloud- small gray she-cat dappled with different shades of gray
Apprentice: Blackpaw
Kindlestrike- light red tom with white paws, underbelly, and soft blue-green eyes
Fawntail- pretty calico she-cat with amber eyes
Jayfrost-light gold tom with bright blue eyes
Heatherspring- white she-cat with cream paws and pretty blue eyes
Apprentice: Blossompaw
Larkblossom- pretty reddish-brown she-cat with bright light brown eyes
Apprentice: Redpaw
Nightwhisper-beautiful black she-cat with a white stripe running down her nose
Ravensong: light golden she-cat with amber eyes
Loudswipe- pale cream tom with long fluffy fur
Smallberry- cream she-cat with dainty white paws
Queens
None
Apprentices
Skypaw- white she-kit with gray tabby patches, blue eyes and is very small
Redpaw- cream-colored she-cat with a red tail, ear tips, paws and muzzle with one blue eye and the other green
Flarepaw- blood red tom with white paws, chest, ears, muzzle, and tail tip
Blackpaw- black tom with white paws, a white tail tip, and a white locket of fur on his chest with green eyes
Blossompaw- A light red tabby she-cat with yellow eyes
Fernpaw- small red she cat with lively and mischievous green eyes
Elders
Pinefoot- tall reddish-brown tom that is blind in one eye
Silversnow- older she-cat with light fluffy silver fur and piercing gray eyes
FireClan
Leader- Witherstar- ghostly white tom with unforgiving dark black eyes
Deputy: Badgerswipe- large black and white tom with one very large tooth
Medicine Cat: None
Apprentice: None (Streampaw- blue gray she-cat with a fluffy silver tail) (Gone)
Warriors
Berryheart- ginger tabby she-cat with patches of black (in ForestClan)
Palefoot- black tom with a gray foot
Rushtail- brown tabby tom with green eyes
Fallowfern- pale brown she-cat (Gone)
Apprentice: Lichenpaw (Gone)
Tornfoot- sandy gray tom with a nasty scar on foot
Dappledleaf- dark gray she-cat with pale gray spots (Gone)
Ravenpelt- pure black tabby tom with bright gray eyes
Apprentice: Dustpaw
Longfur- dark brown tabby tom with long fur
Bushytail- ginger she-cat with a long furred tail (in ForestClan)
Crowcloud- black and white tom with striking yellow eyes and long fluffy tail
Runningheart- white and gray tabby she-cat (in ForestClan)
Windfur- brown tabby tom
Molenose- dark brown tabby tom with bright amber eyes
Cherryfeather- light ginger she-cat with shiny gray eyes (in ForestClan)
Dustclaw- sandy gray tabby tom
Shrewpelt- black and brown patched tom
Queens
Grayshadow- gray she-cat with deep blue eyes Kits; Stonekit- silver and black tom with white paws, Stormkit- white she-cat with silver paws (Gone, left with kits)
Nightheart- black she-cat (Mother of Crowcloud's kits: Sandkit- ginger she-cat, Cinderkit- gray tabby she-cat, and Whitekit- all white tom with one black hind paw)
Mousefoot- musty brown she-cat kits; Lilackit-light brown she-cat with gray and black paws
Emberheart- dark ginger she-cat (Mother of Windfur's kits: Dewkit- light grey-silver she-cat, Orangepaw- ginger tom, Sunkit- bright ginger and brown tabby she-cat, and Nettlepaw- light brown tabby tom Tigerpaw-light ginger tom with a black stripe running down his nose and eartips) (Gone; abandoned kits)
Creekfall- blue-grey she-cat (Expecting Longfur's kits) (Gone)
Icewing- pure white she-cat, blind; expecting Witherstar's kits
Apprentices
Orangepaw- ginger tom
Nettlepaw- light brown tabby tom
Tigerpaw-light ginger tom with a black stripe running down his nose and eartips
(Lichenpaw- brown and white she-cat) (Lichentail) (Gone)
Elders
Blacktail- grey tabby tom with a shredded black tail
RiverClan
Leader- Splashstar- light silver and gray she-cat with soft brown eyes
Deputy- Ripplesong- dark black she-cat with bright silver eyes and white paws
Medicine Cat- Snow-whisper-pretty snowy white she-cat with blue eyes
WindClan
Leader- Echostar- dappled white and silver she-cat with green eyes
Deputy- Gustclaw- dark blue tom with bright yellow eyes
Kittypets
Sophie- small, young white she-cat with black stripe running down her nose with bright yellow eyes, has a little red bow on her tail
Mitzi- Yellow she-cat with dull green eyes, has a small pink collar with a little bell
Dusk- mottled black and brown she-cat