Fireheart turned his head back towards the gorge, searching for the bush Tallstar had told him to go to. It took him a few moments before he spotted it. He forced himself to go faster, throwing himself down the hill and towards the gorse bush. He could still hear the dog's howls behind him as he fled away from the pack.
He could begin to hear the rushing of the river as he drew nearer to the gorge, he glanced back at the dogs again. They were falling further behind him; he would need to slow down. Fireheart slowed in his pace warily. He turned his attention to the gorse bush, he needed to get there, then Tallstar would finish the run. They would be able to get the dogs over the edge and all would be fine. WindClan could return home.
As the dogs drew closer, Fireheart increased his pacing again. His muscles burned with newfound energy as he made the last few fox lengths to the gorse bush, sliding quickly under it as the pack leader snapped at him.
The giant creature stuck its muzzle into the bush, large teeth bared as it tried to bite at him. As it did, Fireheart spotted Tallstar. There was nothing more than a flash of black and white as the WindClan leader erupted out of the tunnel situated beneath the bush and out into the open moorland towards the gorge. He let out a yowl, catching the dog's attention away from the cat under the bush. The large tan muzzle disappeared as the pack leader turned its attention away, continuing the chase after Tallstar.
Fireheart panted as he moved to the side of the bush Tallstar had left from. His head spun and muscles ached as he watched the rest of the pack follow their leader after the cat. He was safe, the dogs had all gone after Tallstar, he should start on his way back to the farm. Fireheart looked out towards the gorge and where the WindClan leader would lead the pack. Horror filled him at the sight before him.
He could see to the gorge's edge, there was nothing but open land. Fireheart had thought there would be trees to escape into, like there were on the other side of the gorge. He had thought Tallstar would be able to escape at the last heartbeat, but no. There was nothing but barren snow-packed land all the way to the gorge's edge.
There was no escape for the WindClan leader, he had the gorge on one side and the pack on the other. Fireheart had to save him. He had not realized this was what was going to happen, he could not let Tallstar die. Fireheart shot out from under the bush to where the pack and the other cat had gone. The blood in his ears pounded as he forced himself forward.
What would he do once he got there? He had to protect Tallstar, he could not fight the pack off himself. That would be impossible, it would achieve nothing but killing them both. A thought occurred to the warrior; would he have to throw himself over the edge instead? Become the prey item for the pack again? It appeared to be the only option he had, he had to get the pack over the edge and get Tallstar out of danger.
If it means saving WindClan and Tallstar, I will do it, Fireheart vowed. Tallstar was getting close to the edge now, the pack leader was not far behind him. It bared its teeth, eyes glimmering as it ran after the cat in front of it. What if the dog caught him? What then?
Fireheart forced himself further down the hill, gasping in air as the scent of dog became overwhelming. Filling his nose and throat again. He needed to distract them, long enough for the attention to be taken completely off of the WindClan cat. He was gaining on the pack now.
The ginger tom let out a yowl as he raced into the group of dogs, kicking up snow as he ran. The dogs around him let out surprised yips and barks before going after him. He swerved around one of the giant creatures, which stumbled on its paws as it snapped at him. Another dog lunged for him but instead bit the dog that had stumbled. The bitten dog let out a yelp of pain and the two dogs began barking at one another.
There was another yelp of pain and even more barking amongst the group. They're fighting each other! Fireheart realized. This was not every dog, however. He still needed to distract the pack leader. He slipped away from the arguing dogs and towards the cliff. This was his chance, he just needed to get to the pack leader and Tallstar.
He turned his attention to where he had seen them last, eyes widening at the sight before him. They were at the edge of the gorge. The dog had grabbed the WindClan leader by the back in its massive jaws, it lifted its dark head as the cat clawed at its face, hissing and snarling. The pack leader ignored his attempt to free himself and began to shake Tallstar. His movements began to lessen under the creature's strength.
Fireheart felt a flash of fury at the sight. All the fear he had felt disappeared as he made his way to the dog and Tallstar, throwing himself into the dog's side. The black and tan creature seemed surprised by this, dropping Tallstar on to the ground in front of it. It turned its head to look at Fireheart. Fireheart unsheathed his claws, glancing to Tallstar. His black and white coat was drenched in blood. He was not moving. Panic filled Fireheart. No! He can't be dead!
As the pack leader turned its attention on to the orange cat, the clumsy creature moved its back paws, stepping back, further towards the edge. The soil came out from under its paws, and it let out a bark of alarm as it started to slide into the gorge. Fireheart could hear the other dogs coming behind him. He kept his attention on the pack leader as it fell into the gorge, letting out a yowl as it slammed into the rocky wall. A moment passed before there was a splash in the water.
Some yips of alarm came from behind him as the rest of the pack seemed to have realized what was going on. He heard the dogs skid to a halt when a body barreled into Fireheart. Alarm filled him; he dug his claws desperately into the earth beneath him, scrambling for a grip, but it was to no avail. Fear overtook Fireheart as the dog that had slammed into him sent them both over the ledge and towards the raging rapids below.
Suddenly he was falling, he could hear the panicked sounds of the dog next to him. The icy winds roared around him. Fireheart looked down; the rushing current of the river sped by. The dog hit the water first, sending up a spray as it yowled. Fireheart hit the freezing water a heartbeat later, knocking the air out of him.
He was underwater, he could not breathe. He needed to get to the surface. Fireheart clawed blindly upwards, his heart racing. Everything Mistyfoot had taught him raced through his mind as he was tumbled by the rivers flow. His lungs screamed as he raised his chin towards the surface, forcing his legs to continue kicking out into the water.
Suddenly his muzzle broke the surface. He gasped, gagging and coughing as a wave filled his mouth, clogging his throat. He forced his head out of the water again, spluttering before he gulped for air. As he did, he spotted something brown a few tree lengths down the river.
Branch!
There was a large branch stuck between two jagged rocks on the opposite side of the river, he needed to get to those rocks and out of the river. Fireheart turned his body in the direction of the branch, holding his breath as another wave overcame him. A burst of energy was supplied to him as he paddled in the direction of the opposite cliff, letting the river carry him the tree lengths needed to reach the rocks.
He grew calmer as he got closer to the rocks, the trees above the cliff blurred as he grappled for a grip on the stuck bough. He got his claws dug into its damp surface, his muscles screamed as he dragged himself out of the rivers' grip and on to the tree limb. He pulled himself further onto it, climbing away from the roaring river.
Fireheart coughed and gasped for air. He was out of the water, praise StarClan! He should be thanking Mistyfoot, he noted. He would be sure to thank the RiverClan warrior when he made it back to the barn.
The rocks would be too slippery to attempt to stand on, he would need to stay on the branch. Looking around himself, Fireheart saw that he was stuck. There was no way to any sort of shore. He gazed up towards the cliff face, there was about a fox length between the branch and the steep slope. If he could make the jump, he might be able to climb up the side of the cliff.
That would be dangerous, he could easily fall off the side and land on the rocks he was clinging to. It was also the only option he got.
Suddenly Fireheart felt movement behind him, he turned his head to see that one of the dogs had made its way over to the branch as well. It was trying to claw at the branch, its dull claws doing nothing to help it. Fireheart's fur bristled with alarm; it was too heavy; it was going to break the branch. He let out a yowl, "get off! You're not going to be able to get on!"
The creature's brown eyes were filled with terror as it continued to try and pull itself on. Fireheart was going to have to get it off himself, he slashed at its muzzle with one hind paw. The dog let out a yelp of pain, snapping at his leg. He jerked himself further on to the stick as he hissed at the dog.
Suddenly the branch was slipping, being pulled into the rapids by the dog's struggle. The end of the branch the dog was on broke, Fireheart saw fear in its eyes as it was swept away, towards the waterfall. His end of the limb was slipping into the water. Fireheart dug his claws into the bark, panic filling him. Stupid furball! You've made crowfood of us both!
The branch was washed away from the rocks with Fireheart clinging to it. A wave overtook him and the branch, when the branch bobbed its way to the surfacing, reemerged the cat, he was gasping. He looked wildly around, panicking as he searched for someplace to get to before the river washed him over the waterfall.
There was nothing but sheer cliffs around him. Fireheart looked towards the waterfall; he would be going over, there was nothing else to be done. The ginger tom pressed himself against the branch, tightening his grip on it. He prayed that the branch would not break under him. The waterfall's thundering grew louder as he was swept towards it. He took in a gulp of air before being washed over the edge of the waterfall.
He was falling again, the spray of the waterfall soaking him further as he fell. The branch hit the water as Fireheart clung to it, both went underwater before reemerging a few fox lengths downstream. He gasped as he reemerged, gulping for air as the rapids continued to carry him further down the river.
Fireheart closed his eyes, they stung from the freezing water sprayed into his face. The branch knocked into a rock, causing the cat to jerk. He felt as though his heart froze as the branch was knocked around between rocks before shooting further down the river. Fireheart pressed himself closer to the limb, blood roaring in his ears.
As the raging river began to calm around him, Fireheart opened his eyes. He had made it further down the river, the sound of the waterfall was beginning to fade. The slope of the cliffs which surrounded the gorge were disappearing, gradually becoming smaller as he floated by.
Fireheart heaved a sigh of relief, letting his muscles relax. He unsheathed his claws from the branch, letting his legs relax into the chilly water. He watched the landscape change into forest around him, "thank you, StarClan!"
The branch continued further down river; Fireheart recognized where it would be heading. It was not long before he would be at Sunningrocks. He needed to get off and go back to the moors. Fireheart slipped off the branch, reentering the freezing water. He swam towards ThunderClan's side of the shore, dragging himself up onto the hard ground. Fireheart shook his wet coat as he surfaced, turning to lick it a few times.
He forced himself to his paws, there was no time to rest. He was in TigerClan territory, they certainly would not take it nicely finding out that he had washed up here. As well, he had to make sure the dogs were gone and check on Tallstar. He prayed the WindClan leader was still alive.
He followed the river back up towards the gorge. He moved quickly through the undergrowth, his ears pricked for any sound of movement or any sign of a patrol coming. Fireheart made his way further up along the ridge of the river, the sound of the waterfall was becoming stronger again.
He leaped over a small stream that led from the river, further into ThunderClan territory. He let out a hiss as he stumbled on his landing. His legs felt numb in the cold air and he was exhausted. Fireheart forced himself to his paws and continued, moving quickly towards the moors.
His mind raced. What if Tallstar was dead? How was he going to explain this to WindClan? It would be rather obvious that it was a dog that killed him, but Fireheart knew they would blame him. What would happen to the WindClan cats? So many had already left to join TigerClan, Deadfoot was missing and with Tallstar dead there would be no leader. If the WindClan leader died, then Tigerstar would get what he wanted; complete control over the forest.
He would probably get it, either way, WindClan would not be able to hold on to the moorlands with the forces they had. TigerClan had more than three Clans worth of cats, even if Fireheart and the other cats at the barn aided WindClan he doubted they would be able to hold the territory for too long.
What was left of WindClan would scatter or join TigerClan and there was nothing else they could do about it. There would be one Clan in the forest: TigerClan. Hopeless fear filled Fireheart, he had tried and failed to assist WindClan. The dogs were dealt with, yes, but not before killing and injuring a good number of WindClan warriors. StarClan had told him that he would save the Clans, but how? How could that work? There were no more Clans left to save. Why did they think he could do it? He did not understand. He hadn't done it.
Fireheart spotted the start of the open moors through the trees, he sped up his pace. It was not long now. There was a chance that Tallstar was still alive, there was a chance that WindClan could reclaim the moors. With, at least, WindClan, it would be a start in the right direction.
The ginger warrior made his way to where he had seen Tallstar last, the scent of dogs filled his nose and throat. It was slightly faint as if the dogs had not been there for a short while. Fireheart searched for the WindClan leader; he was nowhere to be seen. He spotted a trail of blood leading away from the cliff and further into WindClan territory. Fear filled Fireheart, what if the dogs had taken him?
He proceeded cautiously after the blood trail. He could not smell the WindClan leader over the reek of dog. He could not smell anything. The trail led Fireheart away from the cliff, further into WindClan territory. He scanned the ground for any sign of the WindClan leader desperately. One of the dogs could have still been sniffing around, and he would not be able to tell from smell alone. Tallstar himself was disguised by the scent of blood and dog that filled Fireheart's nose.
Suddenly, the outsider caught sight of a stained black and white shape. It had to be him. Fireheart quickened his pace towards the cat. Tallstar was laying on his side, eyes closed. The foul scent of blood almost became overwhelming; There was blood staining the ground around him as well as covering his shredded black and white pelt. Fear and sadness shot through the flame-colored cat as he made his way to the WindClan leader's side. He had lost so much blood, he could not be alive.
He padded over to Tallstar, touching his nose to the stained coat as grief came to him. He couldn't feel the cat breathing, there was no sign of life. How many lives did he have left, Fireheart wondered. Barkface had mentioned something about it earlier but Tallstar had cut him off, Fireheart hadn't a clue. This could be the WindClan leader's last life. It most likely was his last life. Guilt filled Fireheart; how could he not have realized what would happen? He should have been the last cat; the Clans would be fine without him. What WindClan needed was Tallstar. He murmured, "I am so sorry. I wish there was more I could have done."
Suddenly the body twitched, Fireheart's eyes widened with alarm as Tallstar gasped, life filling his body. His eyes shot open. Fireheart jumped back, startled by the sudden movement. Tallstar gasped again, lifting his head from the ground weakly. His ragged side heaved as his clouded yellow eyes gazed at the surroundings.
He's alive! Relief overtook Fireheart. This was fantastic, WindClan still had a chance. The WindClan leader's gaze landed on Fireheart. Tallstar's eyes rounded with shock.
"Fireheart?"