Chapter 6
Peachnose flicked her tail, silently ordering the patrol to leave. Heading towards the slope after Blueflow and Suefall, Moonpaw studied how they flattened themselves to the ground and wove underneath the leaves. She lowered herself, letting the green canopy fall over her. Ferns swept over fur, shaking as the cats pushed up the slope.
"You haven't taught her to properly slink yet?" Blueflow burst out of the undergrowth beside Peachnose, flinging a look back at Moonpaw. Moonpaw raised her head above the plants just enough to watch the two she-cats.
"She'll understand it just by watching us," Peachnose retorted curtly, turning away.
"Clearly not." Blueflow shot Peachnose a fierce look before ducking back under the thick foliage. Moonpaw closed her eyes as warmth flooded her ears. A thick pelt brushed hers as Suefall slowed to pad at her side.
"Pay them no mind," she meowed gently. "You'll learn when you learn."
Moonpaw gazed at her gratefully. She emerged outside of camp, breathing in the fresh leaf-fall scent, and looked to the deep blue sky above.
"Let's make this quick," said Blueflow, bounding ahead.
Peachnose drew her ears back, padding stiffly after.
"Who is leading this patrol exactly, Blueflow?" she muttered under her breath.
Moonpaw ignored the tension between them. Her gaze swept over the moors as she trotted happily after the warriors, tail held high. Today she was going to get a tour of Clan territory!
As the cats passed through Heatherfield, Peachnose veered off towards the distant trees.
Moonpaw hurried to pad at her flank. "Where are we going first?" she chriped, fur ruffling with excitement.
Peachnose's eyes flitted around the territory. "I'll show you the areas to steer clear of."
"Wait," said Suefall, racing up to them. "You aren't taking her to — to Bloodcliff, are you?"
Peachnose whipped her head around to face her. "Do you think I'm that idiotic?" she snapped.
Moonpaw recoiled, shocked at her mentor's outburst.
Suefall bowed her head. "Of course not. I'm sorry."
Peachnose scowled, and Moonpaw noticed her flexing her claws in and out of the soft earth.
The patrol moved swiftly until they were comfortably underneath swaying green crowns.
The smell of small animals and crisp, browning leaves tickled Moonpaw's tongue. She raised her head, gazing at stray sunbeams shooting through the tree boughs.
Peachnose sped up until she reached Blueflow's side. Suefall followed close behind, though thick brambles and gorse held Moonpaw back. She watched her Clanmates' powerful legs fly easily through the dense vegetation.
When the patrol at last slowed to a stop for her to catch up, Moonpaw sank onto her haunches, flanks heaving with effort.
Suefall wreathed around her. "Do you need a break?"
"No," Moonpaw panted, "I'm fine." She staggered to her feet and turned to Peachnose.
"We're almost there," meowed her mentor.
The warriors began to move again, slower this time, so Moonpaw could follow comfortably.
While Blueflow and Peachnose fought to be in the lead, Suefall stuck close to Moonpaw's side, guiding her through the undergrowth.
"It's easy to get lost or injured out here," she said. "I only joined mid greenleaf, so I'm still familiarizing myself with the territory."
As they neared a narrow stream, they paused to lap. Energy coursed through Moonpaw as she gulped down the frosty water.
"This stream flows all across the moors," Suefall explained. "If you can learn to recognize its shape, navigating the land becomes a bit easier."
Moonpaw nodded. Pebbles shimmered under the tumbling silver water. Raising her head, whiskers dripping, she saw that the foliage was thinning out. Beyond a sparse bed of wildflowers, a vast stone wall grew into the sky.
Peachnose gestured for Moonpaw to pad forward.
"This is the High Wall. If you follow this downwards, you'll find yourself underneath Bloodcliff. Not only does the FangPack lurk in a cave in the rocks, but above lives the Uprising."
Before Moonpaw could say anything, a rank scent reached through the chill air.
Blueflow hacked, her fur spiking. "Let's go. Dogs are close by."
She shot back the way they'd come, and Suefall followed close behind. Peachnose ushered Moonpaw after them.
Once the patrol broke through the forest and onto the moors again, Peachnose led the way to Flatstones.
Moonpaw heaved in an uncertain breath, wondering if she was in for a surprise training session. But no sooner had they reached the stones than Peachnose veered away. As Moonpaw followed, muscles pulsing under her thick fur, a crash rang in her ears.
"It's that sound again!"
"I'll take you to see where it comes from," Peachnose hollered over her shoulder.
Moonpaw parted her jaws, tasting salt and moisture on her tongue.
A steep drop arrived at their paws and the warriors plunged down it without hesitation.
Moonpaw paused on the edge, gazing beyond. Jagged rocks rose from the ground, and the grass faded into a weedy stretch of sand. Ahead of that, humongous, slippery boulders bordered a massive river. The blue water rose and fell in strange walls, breaking against the boulders with a roar.
"What is that?" cried Moonpaw. Peachnose gazed at her from below.
"The ocean! Come see!"
While reluctance tingled up her legs, Moonpaw obeyed. As her paws met soft sand, the smell of salt became even stronger.
Blueflow stuck close to the hill, her fur ruffled. "I don't much like this place. Peachnose, you can take Moonpaw closer, if you'd like, but I'm staying here."
Peachnose sniffed. "I was going to take her anyway."
With Suefall drifting after, mentor and apprentice arrived at the water's edge.
Overhead, a white bird sang. As a wave burst against the shore, wet droplets splashed Moonpaw's face.
A thrill burst in her chest as she ogled at the vast blue expanse.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Suefall purred quietly. "My kits loved coming down here to play. 'Be careful of the crabs,' I'd tell them, but they didn't listen."
"Especially Jasminekit," agreed Peachnose. "She just about got her tail snapped off."
A weak laugh escaped Suefall's throat before she rested her head on Peachnose's broad shoulder.
Moonpaw flattened her ears as sorrow thickened the air. "Your kits," she meowed. "Are they… ?"
Peachnose whirled on her. "Moonpaw! Don't ask such questions!"
"No, no, it's alright," Suefall whispered. "I make it quite obvious, I'm afraid."
Peachnose's face softened. "That's why young cats must be mindful of danger," she said, sitting down. "Even in a Clan, we are not invincible."
"You sound like Creststar." Suefall was cast in watery blue light as another wave rose against the sun.
"Really?" Peachnose scoffed. "I don't consider myself to be a gentle cat like her."
"Now you sound like Bobbywind."
"Bobbywind? He's your mate, right?"
"Yes. You know, I worry for him sometimes…"
It was clear that the two older she-cats had forgotten Moonpaw was there. As she listened silently to their conversation, she picked through many small stones strewn across the shore.
"Why?"
"After Jasminekit and Opalkit… Well, a certain ambitiousness has overcome him. He tells me that many cats are taking issue with Creststar's soft heart, and think someone else would make a more suitable leader."
Peachnose suddenly straightened. "That's ridiculous," she growled. "Try talking some sense into him when you get the chance. Moonpaw, Blueflow, it's time to go!"
At Peachnose's command, Moonpaw rose, casting one last look at the ocean. It glinted and swam under the sunlight, filling her with excitement for what was to come. Every day, the Clan became more magical. Moonpaw was filled with warmth and optimism, a certainty that here, she was protected, so what was this danger the Clan spoke of?
A twilight later, Moonpaw was sprawled outside the apprentice's den, sharing a sparrow with Bootpaw.
While he droned on about his stiff leg and how much Canarypelt's medicine stung, Moonpaw relived the day's exciting events. After going on hunting patrol with Pinefoot, Brambyleaf, Pebblefur, and Ivystrike, Peachnose showed her more of the territory, taught her two more battle moves, and informed her on dangerous things to stay clear of: underground dens, large paths of flattened plants, and sour scents. All of these things were signs of foxes and badgers.
Tomorrow, Moonpaw would go on dawn patrol, and afterwards Ivystrike was going to show her Silver Falls while Peachnose entertained Bootpaw. Moonpaw wasn't looking forward to the mentor-switch, but Peachnose promised it was just going to be for a day so Ivystrike could get some action. With Bootpaw condemned to the medicine den, it was like she didn't even have an apprentice.
"Moonpaw? Are you listening?"
Moonpaw gasped. She blinked a few times, then chuckled apologetically. "Sorry, Bootpaw, I must be tired."
Bootpaw pushed aside the sparrow carcass, then rested his chin on his paws. "I bet," he muttered. "You must be having a lot of fun."
"Oh, Bootpaw —" Moonpaw started, but she didn't know what to say.
Canarypelt appeared at the entrance of the medicine den just on time. "Is Bootpaw ready to return?"
She glanced at her brother, but he was already lifting himself upwards. She and the medicine cat slowly guided him back to his nest.
"I'm sorry for not showing you any moves today," whispered Moonpaw in his ear. "Tomorrow night, I promise I will."
Bootpaw shrugged tiredly. "It's okay. Goodnight."
Murmurs from the camp tickled Moonpaw's ears. Eager to see what the commotion was, she briskly said farewell to her brother before bounding into the open.
Beanstalk was at her side in an instant.
"What's going on?" Moonpaw asked, watching cats gather around CrookedTree.
"I don't know yet," said Beanstalk. "Pebblefur saw something behind CrookedTree — I think he's looking for it."
"Oh." Moonpaw's body relaxed. Probably just a mouse.
Pebblefur sprang onto CrookedTree as if he were leader, his eyes wild with shock. "Suefall! Bobbywind!" he screamed, every hair on his gray pelt standing on end. "Come here!"
The mates leaped up from where they were sharing- tongues and rushed over.
"What is it?" Bobbywind demanded. His amber eyes flashed with annoyance.
"Your kits! They're here, and alive!"