Chapter 28: Tall Pine
The atmosphere of the Clan of the Morning Sun patrol as they straggled back to camp was dejected and dismal. The sparse cloud cover had grown denser, shrouding the swollen moon, so it was just a faintly glowing disk in the night sky. The wind had picked up; the gusts frosty and bitter as they pierced through Tall Pine's thick pelt. The young tom trudged along beside Quick Clouds as they trekked up the slope of the Dawn Mountain. At the head of the patrol, Mossy Moon marched along, her gaze fixed straight ahead, but everyone else was tired and dispirited, their shoulder slumping and tails drooping. Ahead of him, Fern Dapple and Blossom Dust were padding side by side, murmuring to one another, but other than that, the patrol traveled in miserable silence.
There is no hope now. Tall Pine imagined many of his Clanmates were thinking the same thing. There is no chance that Gray Moon will stop the ambushes. The other Clans don't trust us enough to help us. We will have to go to war with the Clan of the Flowing Waters; otherwise, they will not stop attacking us. A weight as heavy as a boulder settled on his shoulders, feeling as if it was crushing his lungs. But even if we force them to stop, we will inevitably have many injured cats and even some fatalities. The incoming Time of the Frozen Earth will just exacerbate the situation and the other way around. Not to mention how both of those will weaken us when we finally have to face the Bands. But I suppose it doesn't matter. Without the other Clans' help, we have no hope...
"Tall Pine." Quick Clouds's soft mew broke through his thoughts. "I can tell that you're worrying."
"Huh?" Tall Pine blinked as his brain scrambled to catch up. "What? You can?"
"Yes." Quick Clouds chuckled. "You have that look on your face." His expression grew serious as he glanced at his trainee, studying his face. "It's not hard to guess what you're worried about. The Gathering tonight gave all of us plenty of reasons to be concerned."
The hunter trainee twitched his whiskers. "It sure did." He drew in a breath, feeling anxiety prick his chest like dozens of tiny thorns. "I can't help but worry about us going to war-I see no possibility of an alternative. I'm worried about our Clanmates getting hurt and about what will happen to our Clan once the Time of Frozen Earth and the Bands come."
Quick Clouds tipped his head. "Well, there is a chance that Gray Moon will back down."
Tall Pine shot his instructor a look. "You seriously believe that? Gray Moon has been hostile toward us right from the heartbeat he became chieftain. He has steadily become more aggressive until we got here. He is stubborn and adamant continuing the path he is on, even when it threatens the destruction of all Clans." His voice rose. "Nothing stopped Gray Moon from withdrawing from the Grand Starlight Council." Stopping in his tracks, he whirled around to face Quick Clouds. "Nothing will stop him from going to war against us. This is what he wants."
"You're right, Tall Pine," the hunter said soothingly. As his trainee began to bristle, he said, "Why don't you take a deep breath and calm down? Then we'll continue this conversation."
Tall Pine's tongue felt barbed like a tendril of thorns. He opened his mouth to retort but hastily stopped himself. What am I doing? Quick Clouds is right. I am getting worked up, but I don't know why. An image flashed through his mind of a pale gray she-cat with round blue eyes full of sorrow, followed by his chest clenching. Or maybe I do. He met his instructor's gaze apologetically. "Sorry."
Quick Clouds nodded. "It's all right." He tossed his head up the slope, gesturing for them to continue. Once they had padded for a short way in silence, he cleared his throat. "All of your points are valid. I wish that I could tell you it will all work out, but we both know that it won't, so I can't tell you to stop worrying." Pausing again, he turned to face Tall Pine, waiting as Dawn Sky and Amber Mist skirted around them. "But I want to tell you this; you may not be able to change what happens now or in the future, but you can control how you respond. If you react by worrying about every little thing, especially those you cannot control, you will get so caught up in them; you will miss other important things. It can harm your relationships with other cats, but more so yourself. Give your worries space, but don't get lost in them. Focus on what is more important. Do you think you can do that?"
That's good advice, though I don't know if I can follow it. "I'll try," he promised.
"Good." Quick Clouds turned to continue but halted and turned back. His gentle gaze held the young tom's, searching. "Tall Pine, are you okay? I feel like there's something more going on for you than just your worries about the Gathering."
Tall Pine was silent for a heartbeat as memories of chasing after a fleeing pale gray tail, blue eyes sparkling with laughter, and a warm nose pressed against his flashed through his mind. He felt as though thorny vines were ensnaring his heart. Mutely, he nodded.
"Okay," Quick Clouds agreed as they hurried to catch up with their Clanmates, though the doubt in his eyes hinted that he wasn't entirely convinced.
If it had been visible behind the thickening layer of clouds, the moon would have been not long from setting by the time the Clan of the Morning Sun cats trudged into camp. Sharp Wind and Sage Fur, who stood on guard by the entrance, along with Maple Sky, the elders, and the other cats they had left behind in camp, greeted them a few at a time with expectant expressions and hopeful eyes, only to turn to dismay at their Clanmates' gloomy demeanors. By the time Tall Pine had muttered a drowsy goodnight to his instructor and headed side by side with Blossom Dust over their den, he was nearly asleep on his paws.
The quiet, shadowy interior of the trainee's den was a welcome relief as the young tom stepped inside. Crossing the cave, he passed Amber Mist, who was already snoring in her nest, all tuckered out, and Spotted Owl, who was curled into a ball as if asleep, though the rise and fall of her flanks should have been a lot slower. Blossom Dust paused to touch her nose to their sister's head in goodnight before she stepped into her nest between her siblings'.
"Goodnight, Tall Pine," Blossom Dust whispered as she curled up.
"Goodnight," Tall Pine muttered as his legs gave way, and he collapsed into his nest. The moss was far from the lush green moss of the Time of Green Earth, but it felt more luxurious than a bed of feathers. Okay, time to sleep. With a sign, he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him. And waited. Despite his exhaustion, his mind was awake. All of the moments from the Gathering replayed through his brain as his worries returned with renewed vigor. Argh. Why can't I fall asleep? He tried shutting his mind down, but each time he did, it would wander off in a new direction, foiling his attempts. So he lay there for what felt like moons, staring at the rough, creviced texture of the roof. I need to heed Quick Clouds's advice.
Just as the black and white tom finally felt like he might drift off finally, a distant, though desperate yowl echoed in the night air. Tall Pine was instantly alert and on his paws, a chill shivering down his spine. What in the stars' name was that? A dark feeling settled deep within his gut. He could feel that something was terribly wrong.
Tall Pine's pelt prickled as if ants were crawling around in it as he crept toward the mouth of the den. Dawn was near but hadn't arrived yet, so the gorge lay in thick, twisted shadows that felt unusually foreboding. A shadow moved, making his heart leap in his chest, but he realized that it was only the shadow of the branch from a tree being tossed in the wind. Other than that, the gorge was still and silent. He frowned. Maybe I was just hearing things, he thought dismissively.
"What was that?" A voice beside him mumbled sleepily.
Tall Pine nearly jumped out of his fur. He exhaled as he realized that it was Blossom Dust who had slipped up beside him. "I'm not sure. But it seems like nothing, so I was just going to go back to sleep."
Blossom Dust murmured in agreement. They were turning to head back to their nests when a flickering shadow caught Tall Pine's eye. He watched in horror as a stream of shadows flooded into the Clan of the Morning Sun's camp. Eyes glowed in the darkness like malignant flames, and claws glinted in the fading moonlight. A heavy watery scent crashed into his nose, chilling him to the core with fear. This must be why Gray Moon didn't come to the Gathering. He was preparing for war.
Although Tall Pine was rooted to the spot as if his paws had become trees, Blossom Dust sprang into action. Wasting not even a split-heartbeat, she bounded out into the camp, lifting her muzzle to roar a summoning call. "Wake up! We are under attack!"
It seemed as though one heartbeat the camp was as still and serene as freshly fallen snow, and the next it was a raging battlefield. Woken by Blossom Dust's call, the Clan of the Morning Sun cats stumbled half-asleep out of their dens. Spotted Owl and Amber Mist, both heavy sleepers, had been startled awake as well and brushed past the black and white tom to peer open-mouthed out the entrance.
Spotted Owl only needed a heartbeat to process what was going on. Her eyes narrowed as she turned Amber Mist. "The Clan of the Flowing Waters is attacking us. Let's get you to the elder's den. That's closest, and there will be fighters there to defend the elders."
"But I want to-" The young hunter-trainee protested.
Spotted Owl silenced her with a glare. "You've barely begun your training as a hunter. A battle like this is too dangerous for even a fighter trainee with twice your training. Let's go." Amber Mist didn't complain anymore as the dappled she-cat herded her out the entrance. "And you-" she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes as hard as pebbles. "-stop gaping like a startled squirrel and go help our Clanmates. But don't be mouse-brained and get in the middle of the fray. You're a hunter, not a hero." With a flick of her tail, she and Amber Mist vanished into the shadows.
Right. Tall Pine shook himself, ignoring the sting of his sister's insult. I need to help, but don't die. She has such helpful advice. But as he hurried out of the den, he couldn't ignore the niggling feeling that she still cared about him. At least, she didn't want to see him die.
Despite his sister's warning, Tall Pine leaped aside to avoid a swipe and, turning around, found himself sucked into the battle. His senses felt overloaded as wild fray, and a frightful cacophony bombarded them. He ducked as Raven Swoop's stray foreleg whisked past his flank as he reeled from a blow but shook his head, spitting out blood, and retaliated against his opponent. He sidestepped as a sandy-brown tom toppled to the ground right where he had been standing a heartbeat before. His heart pounding, he watched with wide eyes as Sage Fur pinned the tom down and delivered fierce bites to his chest and neck. If I had still been standing there, I would've been crushed. Oh, my stars. This is really happening. The Clan of the Flowing Waters has attacked us, and we're fighting for our lives.
A paw struck Tall Pine's shoulder, knocking him off balance and shaking him out of his daze. Mouse-dung. I'm in the middle of a battle; I can't get distracted. I have to help. The young tom whirled around, sliding his claws out, only to freeze again when he saw a longhaired black she-cat. Holly Blossom. His heart tugged painfully with the memories of the cat she reminded him of. "How-"
But he didn't even get to finish his sentence. With a low, warning growl and her ears flattened against her head, Holly Blossom lashed out a paw and raked her claws across his muzzle. What in the stars- Tall Pine gasped in pain and hurriedly retreated a few paw-steps. Staring at the Clan of the Flowing Waters fighter, he searched her gaze but found nothing other than a cold mask of resolve. She doesn't care who I am. She has to follow orders. Sorrow flooded into him, but he brushed it aside. "Holly Blossom-"
But she cut him off, swinging a blow at his shoulder, which forced him to roll out of the way, using his superior hunter's agility like he had the last time. Tall Pine sprang to his paws on her left side. "Why are you-" But she spun around and tried to cuff him over the ear, making him duck and dodge once more. Tall Pine stood again, only to sidestep as Holly Blossom rear up on her hind legs and slammed her forepaws down where he had been standing a heartbeat before. He rolled to the right this time, coming up with his flanks heaving. His limbs were sluggish, and his mind was slow with a lack of sleep. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Planting his paws, he lifted his chin. "Holly Blossom, why is your Clan attacking mine? You're breaking the sacred truce tonight, and both of our Clanmates will be injured. Do you really want that?"
With a roar of exasperation, Holly Blossom rounded on him. Her eyes blazed, though something he couldn't quite grasp glimmered behind that mask. But that didn't matter as she stalked toward him all the same, unleashing a flurry of blows. The black and white tom couldn't do anything but tuck his head to his chest in an attempt to protect himself. He couldn't see or move or do anything to fight back. He couldn't hurt someone he counted as a friend. He found it hard even to breathe. Pain bloomed inside him as cuts appeared on his shoulder, forehead, flank. He gasped as she scoured her claws down his chest. Why are they doing this?
Just when he thought it would never end, the blows vanished, and the pain lessened. Tall Pine's eyes flew open as a grunt rang in his ears. A silver blur charged past him, launching itself at Holly Blossom. He gasped again, this time in surprise, as he saw Fern Dapple assailing the enemy fighter, her blue eyes hard as they matched each other blow for blow. "Thank you," he called.
"Go, get out of here," Fern Dapple growled as Holly Blossom slipped to the side and scratched her muzzle.
Stumbling backward, the hunter trainee did as he was told. He jumped back as Rabbit Nose rolled by, grappling with a pale gray tabby she-cat, and tripped on something-maybe another cat's paw-tumbled head over tail. His body hit the frozen camp floor, adding to his bruises and numerous cuts. He groaned as he skidded to a halt, untangling his legs and pushing himself wobbly to his paws. His tumble had sent him careening almost into the camp wall a few tail-lengths from the nursery.
Tall Pine was steadying himself when a piercing scream split the air. His ears shot up, alarm blaring inside him. Who was that? Is someone hurt? He swung toward the noise, catching sight of Sharp Wind. The powerful fighter was defending the nursery from two cats at the same time. Blood coursed down his flank in tiny rivers, but he aimed a mighty strike at one of his attackers, sending the cat reeling so he didn't appear to be too injured. It hadn't been him.
Another scream sounded, so loud and shrill it felt as if it had sliced through his skin. Where is it- Oh stars. Tall Pine's eyes widened. It's coming from inside the nursery. Maple Sky must be going into labor. Mouse-dung, this is the worst time.
Sharp Wind spat, panting, as he got less than a split-heartbeat to take a breath before his opponents launched another attack. He turned his head, his amber eyes narrowing as he saw Tall Pine. "Hey! Come and help-" His mew was cut off as a cat crashed into him, bowling him over. With the way clear, the other cat moved to head into the nursery.
No. Alarm shot through Tall Pine. Without thinking, he threw himself at the Clan of the Flowing Waters cat, whacking them away from the entrance. Oh, mouse-dung. He thought a little too late. What have I gotten myself into? Beneath him, the cat went limp, allowing his momentum to carry them, so his opponent landed on top. The young tom collapsed on the ground, the wind knocked out of him, with tom above him. He swallowed as tom bared his teeth and leaned down, only to freeze. Then Sharp Wind was there, hauling the enemy fighter away.
"Thanks," Tall Pine meowed between heavy breaths as he got shakily to his paws. His ears flattened against his head. I am not made for battle.
Sharp Wind gave him a curt nod before he whirled to face the brawl, dropping into a crouch. Tall Pine rushed to join him. The two toms stood shoulder-to-shoulder, making a barricade of flesh, fur, and fierce claws in front of the nursery. Another shriek came from within, drawing Tall Pine's attention inward.
The black and white tom could hear Maple Sky's labored pants from the rear of the deep cave. He imagined her laying on her side in a thick mossy nest, her chest heaving as contractions rippled across her swollen belly, trying to push out the little lives nestled inside. Quick paw-steps pattered around her, and then he heard Red Maple's taut mew. "Okay, Maple Sky," she was saying. "You're doing great. Just breathe for me. That's it, take deep and slow breaths."
"Will-my kits-be okay?" Maple Sky asked from between ragged breaths.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure they are," Red Maple promised. She turned to a second, small pair of paw-steps. "Whispering Rain, I need you to fetch me some burnet, chervil, and fennel." As Maple Sky screeched again, she added. "Better grab some chamomile as well and a stick."
Tall Pine ducked as an enemy fighter swung a blow at his ear. He imagined Whispering Rain nodding as her paw-steps hurried toward the entrance. "Right away, Red Maple."
"Where are you going?" Sharp Wind growled as his daughter's scent met his nose. He shook his head to shake off a blow, then retaliated with a strike to the shoulder that made his opponent trip.
"I have to fetch herbs from the healer's den." Whispering Rain halted just inside the entryway. Out of the corner of his eye, Tall Pine could see her tail flicking impatiently. "Red Maple needs them for Maple Sky."
"Absolutely not," the reddish-brown tabby tom objected, multitasking as he dodged a jab. "We are in the midst of a battle. It's way too dangerous, especially for a trainee."
Whispering Rain narrowed her eyes. "I know that. But Maple Sky is in labor, and she needs the herbs-"
"Red Maple will have to do without them or send someone else." Sharp Wind set his jaw. "No daughter of mine-"
Maple Sky's scream was deafening even over the clamor of the battle, interrupting him.
"Where are those herbs?" Red Maple shouted over her shoulder.
Whispering Rain squared her shoulders, her tail swishing impatiently. "Sharp Wind, I may be your daughter and a trainee, but I am also a healer. I have a duty to my Clanmates that nothing, not even you nor this battle, can get in the way of. I am going to get those herbs for Maple Sky because she is giving birth to kits and needs them, or she could die."
My stars. Surprise echoed through the young tom. I've never heard Whispering Rain talk like that to anyone, let alone Sharp Wind of all cats. That took guts. He nodded, impressed, and glanced at the senior fighter.
Sharp Wind reared up on his hind legs, bringing his paws crashing down on the attacking Clan of the Flowing Waters cat as Tall Pine lunged low, tripping them up. Stepping back to let the cat flee into the fray, he turned to Whispering Rain. "All right. I'll escort you to the healer's den." He turned to the black and white tom. "Tall Pine, stay and guard the entrance to the nursery."
Whispering Rain nodded and darted out into the camp, Sharp Wind following close behind. As quick as fish, the father and daughter slipped around the peripheral of the battle and vanished. Tall Pine's stomach flipped as he turned to face the fighting. They're gone. It's up to me to protect Red Maple and Maple Sky. I can't let anyone get past me. Unsheathing his claws, he planted himself in front of the entrance.
Before him, the battle raged on more fiercely than ever. A chorus of snarls and shrieks filled the air above the cats as they clashed and wrestled, struck, and dodged. The Clan of the Morning Sun cats' shock had long since worn off, and they fought like all of LionClan and TigerClan to defend their home and their Clanmates. However, the Clan of the Flowing Waters was rested and ready and matched them blow for blow. Tall Pine fought with tooth and claw to protect the nursery, but as dawn broke, gray and dismal, over the bloodstained camp, he felt himself grow more and more tired. His paws were sluggish as if trapped in mud, and his strikes were sloppy. Despair curled inside him as he saw his Clanmates struggling but failing to push back their enemies. Gray Moon got what he wanted; a war with our Clan. And just like we feared, we might not survive.
Once he had driven off yet another attacker, Tall Pine paused to take a breath. His gaze was traveling across the skirmishing cats when between them, he saw something that made his blood turn to ice. Mossy Moon was locked in a ferocious and deadly battle with Gray Moon. The brown and gray of their pelts blended as they traded strike for strike, jab for jab. Mossy Moon's moons of experience and sheer skill were evident as she scoured her claws across Gray Moon's forehead. She ducked a swipe before twisting and rolling, coming up directly beside him and slamming her flank into his shoulder, which sent him tumbling. But Gray Moon was on his paws in an instant, narrowing his blue eyes in determination as intense as a storm. He was less experienced but younger and dangerously determined. Time seemed to slow as he dodged a powerful strike before lunging to meet a split-heartbeat opening. He plunged his claws into Mossy Moon's neck, stopping her mid-blow.
Everything seemed to stop as Tall Pine watched Gray Moon gaze deep into Mossy Moon's gaze before he yanked his claws free and let her body fall to the camp floor. It hit with a thud that reverberated throughout the entire camp. Then everything happened at once. Gray Moon stepped back, his claws gleaming with scarlet blood. Bile filled the young tom's throat, and heart sank like a heavy stone dropped to the bottom of a bottomless pool. No. He whimpered. Cats nearby stopped fighting to turn and stare in utter shock at the chieftain's body. The angry-gray clouds that had been accumulating all night finally broke, spilling torrential rain like tears down onto the Clan of the Morning Sun's camp. Thunder boomed, and lightning split the sky, making the cats cower.
"It's a sign from the Clan of the Bright Stars," a yowl Tall Pine didn't recognize rose above the rumble of thunder. "They are angry."
"Stop," a voice commanded. This one Tall Pine knew and brought him immediate relief. Falling Star stood at the pinnacle of the Rockperch, her wet fur plastered against her frame, revealing several long cuts like red tabby stripes. Lightning flashed above her, illuminating her broad, muscular shoulders trembling with rage. "Stop your fighting. This battle is over.
Wow, what a chapter! What a cliffhanger! I am very pleased with myself, but you might not be so happy. Alas, you'll just have to wait until my next update *wink*. Anyway, I cannot believe that I have now been writing this book for almost a year! It was two days from today when I published the first update. There are only ten chapters left now! Wow!
Fun Fact: Whispering Rain was always a shy and soft-spoken kit; the exact opposite of her sister, Amber Mist. But as a trainee, she has grown up a lot and become more confident in herself and her abilities. She is empathetic and has a strong sense of duty, so she doesn't let anyone or anything come between her and doing her job healing cats.
- A Warrior At Heart