Chapter Eleven
It had been a quarter moon since the Gathering and tensions were still high on the borders. There were a few spats with ShadowClan here and there, mainly just Burningeclipse saying something every time she saw a ThunderClan cat and hurling insults across the border. Now Flowstar sat outside the medicine cat den, his tail twitching as he waited for Hazelpaw and Burntpaw to finish visiting their kin.
The infection was taking its toll on the elder, refusing to give way under Appleblossom's rigorous treatment she had learned from Alderberry. To make matters worse, her memory was failing quickly. Every time she saw her young grand-kits, she was confused on how grown up they were. They were nearly warriors now and Acorncloud couldn't figure out where the time had gone. The Clan could feel the elder's time was drawing near and it felt like a dreary cloud hung over the camp on the new-leaf day.
Flowstar lifted his head when the bramble curtain was pushed back and Hazelpaw and Burntpaw pushed their way out of the medicine cat den, head and tails low as they left. Flowstar felt his heart break for the two young cats as he watched them trudge away. They were losing the last kin they had besides each other and the last link to their mother who had fought hard against greencough to stay with her kits.
"Hazelpaw!" a voice echoed through the clearing and the young she-cat weakly lifted her head.
Flowstar looked over his shoulder to see Coalpaw bounding over to his denmates, his features reflecting the pain he saw in Hazelpaw and concern for her. The dark brown-black tabby she-cat padded over to Coalpaw and pushed her face into his shoulder with a soft whimper. Burntpaw came up behind his sister and brushed his pelt against hers, trying to comfort her as Coalpaw soothingly licked between her ears and murmured to her softly.
Flowstar watched the show of affection from the usually bitter tom a moment before he turned and pushed his way into the medicine cat den. Appleblossom was redressing the infected wound on Acorncloud's shoulder, trying desperately to make one last effort to try and save her. Though, Flowstar could tell by the reek of infection in the den his mother's efforts were futile.
Acorncloud lifted her head and squinted at Flowstar through the dim lighting in the den. "Oh look, little old me has earned a visit from the great Flowtail, ThunderClan's mighty new deputy."
Flowstar blinked, feeling a little awkward and uncomfortable as he cleared his throat. "Uh, it's Flowstar now, Acorncloud." He said softly, casting his mother a confused look. She simply gazed back at his son with a sad, hopeless expression and shook her head. Flowstar rested his tail on her shoulder before looking back at Acorncloud who grumbled as she tried to sit up. "I was coming to see how you're feeling."
"I'm feeling fine!" Acorncloud spat as Appleblossom quietly urged her to lay back down. "If it wasn't for those blasted WindClan warriors I'd still be out there tearing them up and shredding them to mousedust!." She huffed, causing her to start coughing and she rested her head on her paws with a groan. "This blasted wound…" She muttered as she heaved a sigh. "If you're leader now, who's deputy? Risingstorm right?" She wrinkled her nose slightly. "Personally I would have chosen Wanderingcrow…"
"Glidingstorm is deputy." Flowstar said calmly, feeling slightly uncomfortable still as he explained the current Clan to the elder that was there to bury both the warriors she mentioned and was present at Glidingstorm's appointing ceremony.
Acorncloud looked genuinely surprised. "Really? That's odd, making your mate your deputy." She mused but shrugged her acceptance for it.
Flowstar nearly choked on his own breath he had been inhaling and looked at Acorncloud with wide, surprised eyes. "Uh...Uhm… Glidingstorm and I aren't mates?" He sputtered out. "What in StarClan's name gave you that idea?"
"Please, I may be half blind but I'm not mouse-brained. I see the way she looks at you and the way you look at her. You'd have to have bees in your brain to miss it." Acorncloud mewed, sounding amused.
Flowstar gapped at the elder, unsure how to respond as he looked at his mother for help. Appleblossom simply purred in amusement and gave a soft chuckle. "I think that's enough for now." She mewed softly to her kin. "Acorncloud needs her rest, you can come back later Flowstar."
Flowstar nodded curtly and touched his nose to Acorncloud's ear lightly. "Thank you for your service to this Clan." He said softly, earning him a soft grunt from Acorncloud as she got herself comfortable to sleep. The ThunderClan leader turned and made his way out of the den, followed by Appleblossom.
"I doubt she will make it through the night." Appleblossom mewed with a heavy sigh. "I've done everything Alderberry taught me, but she just isn't responding. Her body is too weak to fight off the infection, even with the help of herbs."
Flowstar nodded and lightly brushed his muzzle against her shoulder in comfort. "You've done everything you can." He said softly. "This isn't your fault and I will make sure ShadowClan pays for this." He said firmly, flicking his tail as he looked at Appleblossom, trying to reassure her when a sudden yowl broke out in the camp.
Flowstar jumped and whipped around to see Weaselpaw standing just inside the thorn tunnel, bloodied and panting as his breath heaved in and out of his lungs. "It's RiverClan and ShadowClan." He mewed between puffs of breath, his eyes wide. "They've both sent cats and they're attacking our camp!" His eyes were wild with terror and he looked at Flowstar with desperation. "It's like they brought their whole Clans with them! They even have new warriors with them. It's like they're trying to wipe us out completely! You gotta come help us!" he begged, stumbling towards Flowstar as he spoke. The pain and desperation in his voice broke the ThunderClan leader's heart and he felt his blood roaring in his veins.
Flowstar felt his fur bristle and his hackles rise. Even without new cats, ShadowClan and RiverClan together was a formidable force of warriors. He had no idea how many new warriors each Clan had managed to acquire, making this a perilous situation for WindClan. He looked around and flicked his tail as he made a quick decision. "Glidingstorm, you stay here with Soul, you two will watch and guard the camp. If Adderstar has taken the whole of his Clan and RiverClan to attack WindClan, I highly doubt there's anyone left to come here but just to be safe, I'm leaving you two here." He mewed and Glidingstorm gave him an understanding nod. He dipped his chin to his deputy before looking around as the rest of his Clan gathered, their eyes bright with the fire that told them to fight for their Clan. "Everyone else, come with me to WindClan. We will not stand for this and we won't let our allies fall!"
A cry went up among the gathered cats and Flowstar looked at Weaselpaw, who seemed about to faint with relief. "Take us to your camp." Flowstar mewed to the young tom. Weaselpaw nodded and shot out of camp, Flowstar and the rest of ThunderClan hard on his heels as they tore through the thorn tunnel.
The group of cats thundered through the forest, following Weaselpaw as he wove his way through the trees and undergrowth. They skillfully ducked through brambles and ferns, leaping over roots and over stones with ease. Soon they reached the border and leapt over the stream, clearing the ribbon of water with grace. Flowstar powered after the WindClan apprentice, glancing over his shoulder to see his Clan bristling and rushing forward like a wave towards battle. He felt his heart race with a thrill that coursed through him as his legs carried him across the moor. If ShadowClan and RiverClan thought they could force WindClan and ThunderClan into submission, they were sorely mistaken. Neither of them were going down without a fight.
"We're almost there!" Weaselpaw called as wind ripped across the moor, buffeting the cats as they powered forward. The sky that was just a little cloudy before was now black with storm clouds that rolled overhead, following the ThunderClan cats with a whip of lightning that bolted across the sky and split the air with thunder. A yowl followed the rumble as the ThunderClan cats reached the ridge of the hollow in the ground that lead to the WindClan camp. The sight below filled Flowstar's chest with pure fury and his heart hammered in his chest.
ShadowClan and RiverClan cats mixed with WindClan in a tangle of writhing bodies and flashes of fur. Flowstar spotted Adderstar with Smokestar, the older tom trying to pin the younger leader who struggled to gain the upper hand against his larger opponent. Morningstar and Mistwalker were teaming up on Hazedawn. The WindClan deputy writhed under the two, hissing and spitting her fury as she lashed out and landed a blow on Morningstar's cheek, startling the Riverclan leader and sending her reeling back with a hiss. Weedsong and Sunstrike were back to back, surrounded by Waterfrost, Ashfall, Stormdawn, and a warrior Flowstar didn't recognize, the four of them taking turns lashing out at the two she-cats. Emberpaw was battling two apprentices Flowstar didn't recognize as well, and Briardawn was in a tousle with Willowwhisper, who had the upper hand on the WindClan medicine cat. Weaselpaw gave a yowl and Flowstar echoed it as his Clan lined up on the ridge beside him, standing shoulder to shoulder as they unsheathed their claws. As one, they raced down the incline to the entrance to WindClan's camp, pouring through the trampled entrance as another clap of thunder sounded across the open moor and the skies opened, unleashing a downpour onto the raging battle below.
Flowstar was the first of the ThunderClan cats through the entrance and he went straight to Adderstar, who had pinned Smokestar and had a paw on his neck with his claws pricking the soft fur under the WindClan leader's chin. With a snarl he threw himself at the ShadowClan leader, knocking him aside as Flowstar helped Smokestar to his feet with a nudge to his shoulder. Adderstar picked himself up and turned, hissing at Flowstar as he lashed his tail.
"What are you doing here?" He spat, his leafy green eyes dancing with rage and madness as he glared at Flowstar. "You are only prolonging their demise! Leave now while we put this pathetic excuse of a Clan out of its misery!"
"We're a pathetic excuse!" Smokestar hissed, favoring his front leg slightly as blood poured from the wound Adderstar had inflicted. "You're the one breaking the Warrior Code, everything we stand for, in your mad plan!"
"There isn't any other way!" Adderstar countered, curling his lips back. "Look at my Clan! We have a strong, growing kit and a queen expecting more any moon! We have loving and loyal mates among us, ensuring we will have more kits coming! We are thriving under my plan! Plenty of territory between the two Clans to support us both, we are prospering while your Clans wilt and weaken under your lead!"
"You're mad Adderstar!" Flowstar snarled, digging his claws into the slick mud under his paws. Rain drops dripped off his whiskers and his sodden pelt clung to him. "Do you not see the chaos the future will bring you if you keep following this path?"
"All I see in my future is a strong, thriving Clan with trusted allies and peace! No one challenging us because they all fear our strength and size!" Adderstar growled, his tail lashing wildly behind him. "The only thing standing between me and that future are two pathetic excuses for Clans who would rather perish slowly then join me!" With a snarl he lunged at Flowstar with his claws unsheathed and aiming for his throat. The ThunderClan leader rose on his hind legs with a snarl to meet Adderstar as their front legs locked together and the force of the older tom lunging at Flowstar sent the two tumbling through the mud in a hissing, spitting ball of fur. Flowstar growled as pain split across his head as Adderstar tore one of his ears, shredding the side of it with his teeth as they broke apart and scrambled to their paws.
Flowstar lashed his tail and glared at Adderstar as he felt blood mix with rain and trickle down the side of his face, warming his cheek. He took a moment to take a quick glance around to see how the Clans were faring.
Appleblossom had gone to Briardawn's aid and was now standing off against Willowwhisper, the two she-cats circling each other as they squared off and waited for someone to make the next move. The apprentices had teamed up, Weaselpaw and Hazelpaw taking on a light smoky cream she-cat apprentice while Emberpaw and Coalpaw teamed up and were taking on a larger light brown tabby tom. Burntpaw was with Jak, battling Stormdawn while Arroweye and Ashfall rolled around in a screeching mess through the mud. Weedsong was squaring off against Waterfrost while Sunstrike was pinning Mistwalker and was latched onto her shoulder as the RiverClan deputy yowled in pain. Morningstar was still with Hazedawn and the two struggled against the other to gain the advantage.
"Look at your great Clan Adderstar!" Flowstar spat as he turned his gaze back to the older tom. "If you keep this up, you will fall! You may be growing, but you can't match the numbers WindClan and ThunderClan have on you!" He took a few paces forward, his tail lashing and his eyes flashed in warning. "Take you Clan back while you still have cats to take with you." Flowstar snarled, his fur slick with rain and mud as droplets dripped off his whiskers. "End this battle while you can still walk away yourself!"
Adderstar hissed and crouched down, making a move to lunge but paused when Smokestar came to stand beside Flowstar, the two leaders standing side by side as they stood tall together. "If you continue this battle your warriors will be carrying you back to you territory in tattered pieces." Smokestar hissed, his form and Flowstar's form outlined by another flash of lightning that struck the ground. Adderstar jumped slightly as the air seemed to tremble as thunder roared across the sky. He snarled and trembled with barely contained fury as he gave the call, signaling for ShadowClan's retreat. Confused looks ripped through the RiverClan and ShadowClan cats as they paused and looked at each other. Morningstar snarled hesitantly echoing Adderstar's call. The clearing went silent, only the sound of rain beating the ground filled the air as the two Clans slowly backed away, nursing wounds as they hissed and snarled over their shoulders, calling out insults and promising to be back.
"Thank you Flowstar." Smokestar mewed when the cats had finally left the camp and disappeared over the ridge. "Hazedawn, take Sunstrike and Weaselpaw to make sure they leave our territory."
"Jak, Arroweye, Hazelpaw, and Appleblossom go with them so they get the message. Send someone to get us if they try to come back." Flowstar ordered and the patrol set out, stalking through the long wet grass after their enemies to make sure they left the territory and didn't stick around.
Flowstar sighed and shook his head, feeling a few droplets of blood run down the side of his face where his torn ear still bled. He felt his shoulders sag slightly as his legs began to burn from running across two territories then jumping straight into battle.
"Here, let Briardawn take a look at your warriors before you head back." Smokestar mewed. Eyeing Flowstar's wound. "And you and your warriors that are still here should head back to your territory, in case Adderstar had something else planned. I didn't spot Burningeclipse or Brackenstorm here and I'm sure there were other cats that came with that new apprentice they have."
Flowstar sighed and flicked his tail in acknowledgment to Smokestar's words, letting the WindcCan medicine cat lead his cats to her den so she could treat them. "Where did Morningstar and Adderstar find new members?" He growled, looking at Smokestar with a burning gaze.
"I don't know, but Sunstrike mentioned that many loners and rogues have been searching for Clans to join, which is how she found RiverClan in the first place." Smokestar mewed as he shook his head. "I don't know how many rogues and loners were looking for Clans, but I'm guessing that's how those two managed to get new members. That's how Sunstrike and Briardawn got here, they followed the directions of other cats that were trying to get here or avoiding us. Because they probably weren't kittypets, Morningstar and Adderstar were probably more than happy to welcome them in."
Flowstar flicked his tail back and forth, deep in thought. "These cats searching for us, let's hope they find us soon." He mewed, looking at Smokestar as thunder rumbled in the distance, the rain starting to thin out. Both toms were streaked with mud and their pelts were slicked down from the rain. It was hard to see if either had any serious wounds, but Flowstar doubted it. After ThunderClan had arrived, the battle came to a quick end as Adderstar realized he was outnumbered and outmatched.
"Flowstar, your warriors are all treated." Briardawn mewed as she padded towards the ThunderClan leader, looking at his torn and bloodied ear. "Do you want me to treat that?" She asked with concern in her hazel eyes.
Flowstar shook his head. "No, but thank you." He said softly, looking around WindClan's camp. A few dens and nests were damaged with moss and brambles scattered in the clearing. The camp entrance had widened from the force of multiple cats forcing their way through and had been trampled down. The place was a mess, even with a fully functioning Clan it would take days to completely rebuild and strengthen everything to how it was before.
"Don't worry about it." Smokestar mewed, looking at his friend as he gazed around camp with a dark expression. "It's nothing my warriors can't fix." He gave Flowstar a reassuring smile, and Flowstar looked at the WindClan leader with tired eyes. Only then did it really hit the ThunderClan leader how young this cat was. He was the youngest of the four leaders and Flowstar had thought he himself was rather young when he became leader all those moons ago. He felt a sense of relief when he realized that this battle had not caused Smokestar to lose a life. The young tom deserved all of them and to live out his first life as long as possible before he lost it.
Both leaders turned to look at the entrance when it rustled as Hazedawn came back with the WindClan and ThunderClan cats that chased off the attackers. Most had minor wounds and looked haggard after running across the moor.
"Briardawn, treat Flowstar's cats before they leave." Smokestar mewed to the long legged white and gray she-cat. As she moved to help them Appleblossom stopped her. "I have enough herbs back home to treat everyone." She said with a warm smile. "But thank you for being willing to help us."
"We should be getting back." Flowstar mewed, flicking his tail and motioning for his Clan to gather around him. "Let us know if they try anything again and we will be back to help you." He mewed to his fellow leader, giving him a curt nod.
Smokestar dipped his head, gratitude welling up in his blue eyes. "Thank you Flowstar, I can never repay you enough for this." He said quietly. "And though I don't have much, I will lend you all that I can to help you when you need it."
Flowstar nodded and gave his friend a grateful look before leading his Clan out of the damaged WindClan camp, slipping slightly up the muddy slope to the ridge at the top of the hollow in the ground. Flowstar paused and looked over his shoulder down to the camp below him. Every cat was busy working to restore the dens and Briardawn was looking over each and every one of them as they did, applying herbs and cobwebs where they were needed and forcing cats to eat the herbs she gave them as they worked. There was no time for them to stop and nurse their wounds. If one cat was down, the work would not get done. The ThunderClan leader sighed, wondering ever so slightly if Adderstar was, in some way, right about how they should go about saving the Clans. He let it settle in his chest, then shivered and shook it away. No, he would not begin to doubt himself now, not after everything he's done for his Clan to stand against Adderstar. It was doubt that led Morningstar to the ShadowClan leader and look where she was now. She was hardly even the leader of her Clan anymore, taking orders from Adderstar like his little minion.
Flowstar would not fall to that level of desperation.