Chapter Thirty - Saving Sparrowfeather
Mudpaw let out a gasp, amber eyes wide, before staggering against the side of the warrior's Nest Lay den's entrance. Hazelpaw saw him look frantically around the long den - before his gaze looked straight into hers. His sunset amber eyes were huge and desperate and he shook his head at the grey apprentice pleadingly.
Hazelpaw felt dizzy, as if she was once again teetering on the edge of High Ledge like at the beginning of the season during their last mystery. The grey she cat had thought she had already made her choice, but here she was having to choose all over again. Knowing that she couldn't - wouldn't - ever choose anything else, didn't make it any less horrible.
I was always on at Daisypaw for letting her imagination run away with her in the last case we had and especially this one - and yet here I am ignoring evidence because it doesn't suit me….because I like Mudpaw so much.
Hazelpaw took a deep breath. I can't do that anymore.
"It's true," spoke up the grey apprentice, but it only came out as a horse whisper. Hazelpaw cleared her throat to try again. "It's true! We've got evidence!"
"Please!" Said Daisypaw to Gorsestep imploringly, blue eyes wide and earnest and pleading. "Listen to us! We helped you before, didn't we? Please!"
Hazelpaw didn't think she had ever heard Daisypaw saying please to anyone before, let alone a Clan Guard, but the young detective still didn't think it would have been enough, that is - if Mudpaw hadn't made a run for it.
He made a sudden break from the shadows of the warrior's Nest Lay den, darting around the surrounding cats and making a dive for the nest entrance, but as quick as a front paw blow, the deputy Guard shouted, "Hold him!"
Shrewtail scrambled after the white tom, tackling him to the ground and wrapping his gangly long front legs around him. Mudpaw gasped and sighed and soon stopped struggling, panting heavily.
"Come down the stairs." Ordered Gorsestep to Daisypaw and Hazelpaw. "You have only a few moments to present your evidence in a clear, coherent and plausible fashion. Choose your words carefully."
"It isn't true!" Shouted Mudpaw in the background. "It isn't true - it isn't -"
"Shh, don't interrupt the deputy." Said Shrewtail sternly, as he pulled the young tom up by the scruff and led him back over to the others.
"We don't need that much time." Began Daisypaw. "All the evidence is right-"
The cream she cat was cut off by the sudden sound of shouting and commotion coming from just outside the nest. "Hey! No, wait! I come in peace! I am no threat! I came here to meet two of your cats! H-hey! Get your paws off me!"
Hazelpaw looked in the direction of the nest entrance with a frown. The voice sounded incredibly familiar, and then she realised with a jolt that it was Haze. The rogue tom had come after all - and he'd been caught!
Hazelpaw exchanged a glance with Daisypaw, the grey she cat's own worry mirrored in her friend's blue eyes.
This could make things more complicated for us...being caught associating with a rogue. Or maybe this could be the last piece of evidence needed to sell Gorsestep are theory! Haze may have just arrived at the perfect time.
Sure enough, the wriggling dark tortoiseshell form of Haze soon appeared in the den entrance, blocking out the sunlight. He was led inside the nest by two guards, the thick furred grey tom Acornfur and a familiar looking light red and violet eyed she cat guard. The two guards held Haze by the scruff and half walked half dragged the wriggling and thrashing tom to just in front of Gorsestep and Blackstone. The she cat guard spoke up.
"We found this rogue skulking around the perimeter of the nest. We ambushed him for questioning and he claims to have arranged to meet with a couple of other cats here. Two clan cats." As she spoke the she cat guard seemed to give Falconflight a meaningful glance.
The yellow tabby tom narrowed his eyes, a frown of confusion apparent on his face. "Meeting two other clan cats? Here? Pebblerain, are you sure?"
Acornfur snorted. The light red she cat - Pebblerain - rolled her eyes and sighed, her lips turning upwards into a humourless smirk. "I'm positive sir, just ask him." She said before giving Haze an abrupt shove forward.
"Hey, ow!" Protested the tortoiseshell tom as he landed less than gracefully on his side. "Was that because I used that pick up line earlier?" Haze gave his head a shake and sat himself up slightly. "Look whatever. Please just listen. I'm here to see Hazelpaw and Daisypaw. They'll vouch for me! Please, I must see them! It's important!"
As Haze pleaded his bright amber gazed swept hopelessly around the den, until it came to rest on the two detectives sitting atop the stairs. His face brightened up immediately and he lunged forward for the stairs excitedly.
"Look, there it's them! They'll vouch for me. I was going to meet them to help them help you guys."
"Whoa. I don't think so pal." Said Acornfur as he calmly and quickly leapt up, grabbed Haze's scruff and then dragged him back down again.
"No wait! Stop!" Called Daisypaw as loudly and commanding as possible. It seemed to work and every cat soon all stopped and stared at her. "This rogue isn't a threat! We've been meeting him and he's been helping us!"
Hazelpaw nodded her head vigorously, backing her friend up. "He really has! He's been helping us with our case!"
Meanwhile, Falconflight frowned up at the two cats, brows knit close together in a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "But Daisypaw, Hazelpaw? How on earth does this rogue know you? Have you really been meeting him? Why? Please explain yourselves."
"Exactly what I want to know." Said Gorsestep, his dark amber gaze betraying more curiosity than anything else.
Daisypaw rolled her blue eyes and gave a huff of exasperation. "Really, uncle didn't you listen? Well if you didn't I suppose that'd fit the theme of the rest of these celebrations."
Before the yellow tom could comment, the cream she cat went on. "This isn't just any rogue. This is the same rogue that we first met supposedly fighting with Spiderstreak. The same rogue that has been poking around the nest all celebrations. Who made the scent markers we saw and has been meeting with Spiderstreak."
Daisypaw paused to catch her breath among the murmurings and exchanged glances of confusion, curiosity and surprise that started as a result of this startling revelation. Daisypaw gave a grin of appreciation before continuing on.
"We can indeed confirm that Spiderstreak was in fact a traitor working with the very same rogues which have been terrorising PineClan this past quarter moon. And this rogue is who he has been meeting with all this time!"
The murmurings then gave way to gasps of surprise and shock from most of the guests with exception to Falconflight….and Whitefur. Most of the Clan Guard, too, were nodding slowly as if this all made perfect sense.
"Yeah and the rogue has a name you know!" Called said rogue from the background. "It's Haze! It's Haze every cat, if you still care!" Cried the tom, giving his tail a dramatic lash of annoyance.
"Well yes his name is Haze." Spoke up Daisypaw again. "But that's hardly important. Anyway," continued on the cream she cat with a grand sweep of her tail.
"Not only does Haze's testimony prove that Spiderstreak was working with the rogues, it proves he was here in Cardinal Nest for villainous reasons. To take it over for a new base for the rogues. But that's not all, Spiderstreak has in fact been doing this for quite a while, when PineClan had other rogue trouble some seasons ago. He has stolen territory before for the same rogues too, from a young mother and her kit. Haze can attest to everything."
The tortoiseshell rogue was now sitting up straight and tall, his chin raised high as if trying to make an impression of importance. "Um, yes Daisypaw." The tom cleared his throat.
"That is correct. I can in fact attest to all of that. Spiderstreak's involvement as our informant, his mission to take over this place and info I've personally uncovered on taking over another place for us season's ago." Haze finished this small, official sounding speech with a grand toss of his head. If Hazelpaw didn't know any better, she'd say the tom was actually enjoying all the attention.
"Precisely." Said Daisypaw, her tail flicking slightly with annoyance. Hazelpaw couldn't help a slight grin appear on her face. She figured the cream she cat wasn't appreciating having to share the spotlight.
"But, it wasn't just any cats who were chased out of their home. The queen was actually Mudpaw's mother and the kit was Mudpaw, himself. Spiderstreak had sidled his way into Mudpaw's mother's affections so she then went and dumped Mudpaw's father and went with Spiderstreak instead, inviting the dastardly tom into her home. Meanwhile, Spiderstreak, along with his rogue friends, murdered Mudpaw's father - Servalleap - and stole his white swan feather. Then Spiderstreak went and kicked Mudpaw and his mother out of their territory to give to the rogues to use. That's why Mudpaw has a grudge against him - for ruining his family, killing his father and taking his home - and that's why he killed Spiderstreak - to get revenge. We found the swan feather under Mudpaw's nest in the older season's den. We even found the ripped half of a cardinal leaf he had used to hold the deathberries in. It had been ripped from a small cardinal plant growing right next to his nest. It's a perfect match. They all prove that Mudpaw is really the murderer!"
A stunned pause followed after Daisypaw finished her speech (Hazelpaw swore she saw the cream she cat give a slight bow at the end). Everyone was staring up at them with the same expression - as though they couldn't fully comprehend what they're ears were telling them.
Jupinerbush suddenly sat down with a thump, shaking all over. Rosethorn eyes were narrowed and her face in a frown as if she didn't quite understand what was being said at all.
Beeflight and Mintpelt had identical expressions of disbelief, their mouths both agape like landed StormClan fish, though Hazelpaw thought she could also detect a slight relief shining in Mintpelt's eyes. And Gorsestep appeared to have a slight, almost proud, grin creeping up on his face.
"Great Starclan!" Said Falconflight to Whitefur. "I thought you were supposed to be keeping them busy with training?"
….
"All right," Said Daisypaw, "let me begin."
All the gathered cats had moved into the warrior's Nest Lay den courtesy of Gorsestep. The deputy guard had ushered everyone inside after the two young detectives had made their announcement. Coloured twoleg pelts and tree stumps had been shifted to make room, with Rosethorn laying grandly on her side in the middle of the den as if she were a clan leader, and the rest of the warriors surrounding her.
The rather strange den arrangement had suddenly made things feel very unreal to Hazelpaw. Almost as if the grey she cat had fallen into an alternative reality in a different twoleg nest where a different Daisypaw and group of family members were celebrating.
Haze was there, too, sitting between Acornfur and Pebblerain. The two guards seemed content enough for him to be there without having to hold him, even though the tortoiseshell tom appeared to keep trying to flirt with Pebblerain. Thankfully, the light red she cat didn't seem to mind too much, seemingly mildly amused by it, however, Hazelpaw absently noticed Acornfur's tail tip flick in irritation and his green eyes narrow at the rogue tom.
Gorsestep and Blackstone nearby were no longer holding Spparrowfeather's scruff, however, they still tightly flanked the brown tom where he was sitting on either side. But Shrewtail still maintained his heavy grip on Mudpaw. The white and brown pawed tom looked like he wanted to weep - Hazelpaw felt the same.
The grey she kept on thinking of Mudpaw as her friend before remembering with a painful jolt - as if being pricked by a hedgehog or stung by a bee - that he was not her friend at all. All the nice memories she had of being with Mudpaw had already twisted up and turned sour.
It makes me feel sick and angry just thinking about it, as though I've been tricked. I feel as though the cat I'm staring up at is a complete stranger - someone I have never met before or ever truly known. In a way he probably is.
The grey she cat was brought back to the present by a hard nudge from Daisypaw. "Hazelpaw!" Hissed the cream she cat. "I need you for the denouement."
Hazelpaw rolled her eyes. "It's not a denouement. We're not in an elder's story. We are only explaining what happened."
"Well then," said Daisypaw with a twitch of her whiskers, "I need you for that. Help me explain."
Hazelpaw sighed. "Where are we up to?" As usual the grey she cat thought her friend was enjoying this part way too much. Daisypaw always seemed the happiest when she was standing up and talking, the complete centre of attention, with everyone else listening to her intently.
"Haze and I were just explaining in more detail about the incident with Spiderstreak and Mudpaw's parents and how he tricked Mudpaw's mother into stealing her land from her," said Daisypaw, "just like he was trying to do here! He kept poking his whiskers around the nest, and then he tried to persuade Rosethorn to run away with him and let his 'rogue friends' use the nest." *
Hazelpaw nodded. "Whether or not Mudpaw recognised Spiderstreak as soon as he arrived in PineClan and has been planning his downfall ever since is still unconfirmed." The grey she cat paused and swallowed at the horrible thought, before continuing on.
"Whatever the case, there would have been no question about who Spiderstreak was once he began flashing Mudpaw's deceased father's feather around. Perhaps that was what spurred him on to do something. That and the tensions between Rosethorn and Sparrowfeather all these celebrations. Mudpaw was with me while we were playing prey pile and saw Spiderstreak trying to get Rosethorn to run away with him. He must have felt like everything was happening all over again - I could see that he was terribly upset. We then ran down to the stairs and - Oh!"
Hazelpaw gasped as she remembered running towards the stairs and seeing the wet pawsteps made by Spiderstreak and Rosethorn. She then remembered waiting for Mudpaw until she felt his presence beside her. *
I hadn't turned around to see him though. I didn't turn to see what he was holding.
The grey she cat then remembered sprinting into right here - the warriors Nest Lay den - without looking back, and finding Beanpaw and Lilypaw. It wasn't until a few heartbeats later that Mudpaw finally arrived as well, panting heavily and sitting near a small twoleg sofa. It had all seemed perfectly innocent at the time, but now Hazelpaw knew what he had been really doing.
"I ran quickly back to the main stairs," spoke up the grey she cat, ignoring how rough and trembling her voice sounded, "but Mudpaw didn't come straight away - not for a few heart beats. Enough time for him to have ripped half the cardinal leaf in his den and take it with him. When I heard him on the stairs next to me, I didn't turn around, so I didn't see him holding the leaf. Then I ran into the warrior's Nest Lay den and saw Lilypaw and Beanpaw. I didn't see Mudpaw come in until another few heartbeats later either. He burst into the den all shaking and panting and now I know this is when he had the time to fetch some deathberries from Beeflight's store in the stair den."
Hazelpaw paused for a heartbeat, something else occurring to her. "Mudpaw had actually been hunting with Beeflight and was there when she told us to stay away from the deathberries and where she had put them.* And I suspect he hid the berries inside the cardinal leaf, before hiding the leaf behind the small twoleg sofa."
I must have spotted him just after. He had been right there, so close to me! He had already been sneakily plotting his villainous doings right in front of me...but I hadn't seen it.
Hazelpaw clenched her fangs feeling absolutely sick with furry.
Meanwhile, Daisypaw nodded her agreement to Hazelpaw's assessment. "Yes, it wouldn't have taken him too long to fetch the berries. The stair den is quite close. And he could have simply left his stash behind the twoleg sofa until it was time to use them in the meal den," the cream she cat explained. She gave her tail a decisive flick, head tilted thoughtfully.
"I believe Mudpaw must have got his paws on a shrew early and pre-stuffed it with the deathberries. Most likely in the meal den just before evening meal as to not look too suspicious playing with prey anywhere else. All he needed to do after was find an opportunity to slip the shrew to Spiderstreak."
Another memory flashed in Hazelpaw's mind.
The homesickness and sadness she had felt just as she had entered the meal den for evening meal. Gazing around the dimly lit room until her gaze looked on Mudpaw's. The white tom crouching, amber eyes wide, in the dark shadow of a twoleg object looking out of place and nervous and in hindsight rather suspicious - and perhaps….even a little frightened? *
Had he been worried that I had spotted him? Thought Hazelpaw as her mind tried to put the other pieces together.
The tom had been crouched covertly beside a twoleg object - a blue twoleg object. The same blue twoleg object which Hazelpaw had found the deathberry stained cardinal leaf next to. *
Hazelpaw blinked before turning to look at Mudpaw, studying him through an intense brown gaze. The white tom looked almost pitiful at the moment, hunched low beneath Shrewtail's grip, ears dropping and head hanging, but almost as if he had felt her gaze, Mudpaw suddenly looked up, amber orbs meeting brown. Amber eyes which no longer seemed so majestic and bright like a sunset. Rather they now seemed as dim as fading embers, but with a flicker of hidden rage beneath, capable of igniting into a furious fire - unpredictable and dangerous.
A shiver ran down Hazelpaw's spine, and her mouth felt dry but she kept her gaze locked on his. "You were there," she said. Her voice seemed quiet, but at once the grey she cat could tell she had the attention of every cat in the room.
"You were there in the meal den next to the blue twoleg object. That was when you had the time to secretly stuff the shrew full of your deathberries." Hazelpaw spoke slowly and deliberately, keeping her gaze fixed on the white apprentice in front of her. His breathing quickened and his eyes widened, but, surprisingly, he didn't look away.
The grey she cat continued. "It was also exactly the same place where I found the cardinal leaf when we returned later that night. And, I saw you crouched there," Hazelpaw noticed Mudpaw flinch and close his eyes briefly, "but it was dim and you were hiding in the shadows where you wouldn't be seen. But you knew I had seen you and you were scared that I had seen what you were doing - that you had been caught." It was then that Mudpaw turned away, amber eyes cast down at his paws and ears flattened like a scolded kit.
It was then Hazelpaw knew she was absolutely - sadly - correct.
Daisypaw nodded once more in agreement. The grey she cat thought she even detected a proud gleam in her friend's blue gaze. "Exactly. And so, as I was saying, the next thing Mudpaw needed to do was slip Spiderstreak the poisoned shrew without anyone noticing. He must have thought his luck had come when Rosethorn actually asked for some prey for Spiderstreak. Everyone was already eating their own, so he passed his poisoned shrew down knowing it would get to Spiderstreak and of course the person he gave it to was Sparrowfeather."
Hazelpaw remembered something else Jupinerbush had said when he recounted what he thought was Sparrowfether poisoning the shrew and handing it to Spiderstreak.
"The white young'un handed a shrew to Sparrowfeather and then, aye…..I saw him put something else into the shrew."
It makes sense. Jupinerbush had said a young'un - the white young'un - had passed the shrew to Sparrowfeather. An apprentice - Mudpaw.
But then something else then occurred to Hazelpaw.
"But then what did Jupinerbush see Sparrowfeather doing if he wasn't putting the poison in?" Asked the grey she cat, a frown etched on her face. "I saw his face straight after he gave Spiderstreak the shrew - he looked so guilty! That's what Jupinerbush thought too."
"A yes, such an excellent question," commented Gorsestep with a twitch of his whiskers, "and certainly one I've been wrestling with." He glanced at Sparrowfeather right beside him, his dark amber eyes gleaming curiously. "So Sparrowfeather, would you care to explain your actions?"
The brown tom in question gave a slight cough. "I…." he said. His ears twitching nervously. "I...I hardly think I need to explain myself! Er - can't you just take my word for it that I didn't do the murder?"
"Unfortunately not." Said Gorsestep.
"Oh, come on Sparrowfeather, don't be a gigantic mouse brain!" Said Daisypaw with an exasperated sigh. "We all know you've done some absolutely flea brained things in the past. We're all quite used to it."
Hazelpaw winced. Poor Sparrowfeather. I do think Daisypaw can be rather cruel to her parents at times.
The brown tom's tail had started to flick nervously and his ears had gone very red. He looked down at the floor appearing rather sheepish, his ears flattened slightly.
"Er..yes...well if you must know I - I tipped a bit of mouse dirt into the shrew before I handed it to him."
"Sparrowfeather!" Shrieked Daisypaw.
"What in StarClan were you thinking?!" Cried Rosethorn.
Jupinerbush put his paws over his eyes. "Aye..for the love of the stars….."
"Well it seemed quite funny to me at the time," said Sparrowfeather, lifting his chin up and trying his best to look dignified. "But now in retrospect I see that may have not been quite…..well - quite the thing to do. In my defence though, there are some things a tom can simply not take lying down! And someone coming uninvited into the middle of their family's celebrations and stealing their mate is one of them."
"Great StarClan, Sparrowfeather, no cat stole me!" Snapped Rosethorn. "I'm not a piece of prey or territory. I can do whatever I like."
"I know." Replied the brown tom with a weary sigh. "I do see that. Now."
"But Sparrowfeather," said Daisypaw, "if that was it - you've had every cat thinking you were guilty of murder! Look, Jupinerbush is weeping poor thing!"
"Aye! I ain't doing none o' that!" Said the brown tabby tom, quickly whipping the wet off his face with a paw. "Simply yawnin' youngin'. Aye must be..er..tired..er somethin'. Certainly too old for this 'ere drama."
Daisypaw rolled her eyes. "Anyway," she said looking back towards Gorsestep, "then Spiderstreak ate the shrew and expired. Mudpaw must have felt pleased. But then he remembered something - the shrew remains were still there no doubt with deathberry residue still on them and if the Clan Guard was called in after all, they'd know at once it was a murder. The swan feather was still there too, which he absolutely wanted as it was his fathers and by his rights. He waited until the house was quiet before sneaking down stairs via the secret staircase in the corner. Then he came to the meal den, which of course was blocked with-"
"Oh Hazelpaw!" The cream she cat cried suddenly, jumping up where she had been sitting. Her blue eyes flashed with excitement. "What utter mouse brains we've been! Do you remember how the meal den was blocked with the wooden rectangle? You thought it would stop us from getting in but I spied a small, narrow hole which was just big enough for us to squeeze through."
Hazelpaw did remember, very much. "Yes," the grey she cat breathed, now understanding what her friend was getting at, "we- well, you were fine, but I - just fit in. There was certainly no way any warrior could have fit through the gap being much too broad shouldered." *
"Exactly. Unless they were super, super skinny which, no offensive, none of you warriors really are. However, being that he was an apprentice and already of quite lean stature, Mudpaw could. Probably even easier than Hazelpaw and I had."
The cream she cat continued on. "So, after he slipped through the apprenticed sized gap, Mudpaw went into the meal den to clear the shrew remains and steal Spiderstreak's feather. Quite by mistake, we surprised him. And of course, as she already mentioned, Hazelpaw found the cardinal leaf in the exact same spot where Mudpaw had been sitting quietly stuffing the shrew with deathberries before evening meal." *
Hazelpaw glanced toward the white tom and shuddered.
"After we ran out and back up the secret stairs, Mudpaw must have followed us out carrying both the feather and prey remains and hidden them under his nest. Then all he had to do was slip into the prey store den the next day when Beeflight was out and put the prey remains into the snake infested small dens for them to dispose of it. The deathberry residue managed to kill the snakes and Beeflight noticed it wasn't one of her baits, which wasn't part of the plan, but of course she didn't know who had put it there. We didn't either."
Hazelpaw felt the fur along her spine prick as she remembered watching the beady eyed snakes wriggle around frantically before lying completely still - dead - and Beeflight's terrified expression.
"When Rosethorn was pushed," continued on Daisypaw with a nod to her mother, "we thought we could rule Mudpaw out. He had no motive that we could see, and we saw him on the first floor coming out from near the apprentice's Nest Lay den after she fell and Falconflight raised the alarm. But of course he must have crept up the secret stairs, pushed Rosethorn, crept back down the secret stairs again and come out near the apprentice's Nest Lay den as innocent as anything. He must have thought that if Rosethorn talked to the Guard she would say something that could incriminate him…...but how could you?" Daisypaw asked, suddenly turning on Mudpaw and glaring at him fiercely through flaming blue eyes.
The cream she cat lashed her tail. "Spiderstreak really was a criminal, but Rosethorn never did anything to you. She didn't deserve to be almost murdered!"
Mudpaw shook his head listlessly. "I...I thought," he rasped, "I thought Rosethorn was actually Whitefur. She had spoken to me earlier that day - she had threatened me, and I realised she suspected me. It was so dark at the top of the stairs and she had her back to me. I would never have pushed Rosethorn if I had known."
Rosethorn's jaw clenched in anger and her blue eyes flashed. The cream warrior looked absolutely outraged.
And perhaps, thought Hazelpaw, slightly put out. Like Daisypaw she likes to be the reason for everything.
"Really, I don't believe that for a heartbeat. You wanted to murder me!" Cried Rosethorn, tail flicking dramatically. "And after I had invited you to our family celebrations - to our lovely nest!"
"Never mind that," said Falconflight smoothly with a twitch of his whiskers, "I think we've heard enough. Deputy Guard don't you agree?"
Hazelpaw noticed a look pass between the tom toms, and Whitefur caught the tail of it. The white warrior straightened her posture where she was sitting, cleared her throat and said, "Indeed."
Of course! Whitefur really does know Falconflight! If she is a Clan Guard herself and Falconflight is - whatever he is - they must both be on the side of the warrior code along with Gorsestep. Figured Hazelpaw.
That's why Falconflight didn't want to contact the Clan Guard, because they were actually already there! And now the two must be desperate to cover up the truth of who Whitefur is and what she is really doing here in this nest - in this clan.
Hazelpaw saw that Daisypaw was also scrutinizing them through narrowed eyes. She glared knowingly at the two warriors and Gorsestep, but thankfully she seemed to decide it was best to stay quiet. Hazelpaw huffed a sigh, feeling both glad and a little relieved.
"And that's it you see," continued on Daisypaw as she turned to face Gorsestep. "That's how Mudpaw committed both crimes. The evidence is all there. Haze's testimony, the cardinal leaf, the feather. It's all there! So do you believe us? You must. It all makes sense!"
Gorsestep blinked his dark amber eyes, his brow raised higher in astonishment than Hazelpaw had ever seen it before. "I….." he said. "Well as a matter of fact, I do believe you two."
Falconflight gave a grave nod in agreement. "It all makes too much sense. Servalleap." He murmured softly. "Such a dedicated young warrior, but often quite a bit distracted at times. Now I know why." His piercing blue eyes meet Mudpaw's.
"I can remember the day he died quite vividly. It was, funnily enough, Spiderstreak who brought his body home claiming he had found him on the thunderpath most likely hit by a monster. The injuries did seem to imply that," for some reason Hazelpaw couldn't gather, the grey she cat noticed Mudpaw flinch and lower his gaze, "that said though, I also recall his body being littered with brutal cuts and wounds. Why if it simply was an unfortunate, yet innocent accident with a monster would Servalleap have these? Why indeed... I did look into it, but I never could find the perpetrator. And I never in my life suspected Spiderstreak."
Despite his even tone and carefully unreadable gaze, Hazelpaw could see through Falconflight's clenched jaw and tense shoulders, feelings of detest, frustration and anger - at Spiderstreak - and if it was even possible - himself - at not being able to figure out the truth behind a clanmate's death and prevent the terrible events which had soon followed many moons later.
"Yes, I remember that case quite well too." Spoke up Gorsestep suddenly, amber eyes distant as if relieving the memories. "It was one of my first. It was supposed to be a simple open-and-shut case - tragic victim of the thunderpath - but there was always a nagging at the back of my mind about the brutal cuts, I swore they were claw marks - that there was more behind the supposed accident that met the eye…"
The deputy Guard then shook his head suddenly, seemingly trying to clear away old memories, before clearing his throat and turning to Mudpaw expectantly. "So, Mudpaw of PineClan, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The white tom opened his mouth emptily. His voice, when it came out, was all empty and hollow too. "I am sorry," he eventually whispered, "I'm sorry about Rosethorn. I didn't mean to hurt her and I would never hurt anyone else."
Hazelpaw frowned and she felt a wave of anger wash over her pelt. Suddenly the grey she cat knew exactly what she wanted to say.
"That's not true!" She said severely, turning to face Mudpaw. "You would have let Daisypaw's father be punished for what you did. And me, you made me think you were a good cat. How could you?"
"I thought I was," said Mudpaw miserably.
Hazelpaw thought that was the first true thing he had said to her all celebrations.
.
And there you have it folks. All laid out nicely by our fav clever detectives for all to see. Hello everyone and I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! Now all the reasoning behind Mudpaw's conviction is fully explained, the clues cleaned up and Sparrowfeather's utter mousebrained moment releveled! Aaannndd finally another scene with our favourite adorably charming rock-headed rogue – Haze! And for once Falconflight shows some emotion… :O and unfortunately shows that he isn't quite the best detective around…poor Jupiner is too old for this mousedung drama, Beanpaw can't quite cope, Lilypaw's having a gossip drama field day, Rosethorn is trying to save face and act all queenly (while being weirdly upset for being mistaken for the utterly dull sheepface Whitefur no less. Gasp! Oh the horror!) who in turn is trying to protect her true identity as one of the three musketeers, Sparrow dreadfully embarrassed but no doubt very relieved, poor Minty needs a lie down, Beeflight a holiday, Gorsestep a comforting pat on the back, Hazelpaw a hug and Daisypaw a medal. Meanwhile, Haze is just causally flirting with one of the kitty cops…cuz, he's Haze. Mudpaw just wants a big as hole to appear and swallow him up and Lionmane is just wondering what the heck in Silverpelt is going on?! Well, we are certainly nearing the end folks but we're not done yet! Tune in next week for more explanations, particularly from the three amigos, and to see some of the fallout from the mystery's conclusion.
-Fastbreeze37
PS: And as you can see below is a list of all the clues referenced and where to find them in the story if you want to go back and have a peek.
PPS: Check out my profile for a killer (I'm sorry ;.) pic of Mudpaw.
* This is all portrayed in the prologue. The black cat hunting in the pine forest with the white stripe on his back is obviously Spiderstreak. And his pursuer is Mudpaw. Mudpaw is the one having the memories as well. It's hard to tell for sure what point of view the memories are from - either the brown tom or possibly the kit - but it turns out to be from the kit's point of view which is Mudpaw. The brown tom is his father, Servalleap, who also has the white feather in his ear, and the white she cat is Mudpaw's mother. You see lovely memories until Spiderstreak shows up on the scene. He is sort of threatening/blackmailing Servalleap in a way mostly due to it being a forbidden romance and all. And the rogues of that time from the same group have already been mentioned to be causing trouble, keeping Servalleap busy, and Spiderstreak used this opportunity to sidle into Mudpaw's mother's affections much to the then kit's disgust. Servalleap clearly wasn't pleased with this and tried to warn Spiderstreak off but in doing that, got into an argument with his mate who was upset that he was too busy to spend as much time with her. She dumps him and then goes with Spiderstreak. In the next scene, Servalleap and Spiderstreak are battling, surrounded by the rogues Spiderstreak was helping. Servalleap is thrown under the twoleg monster and killed by Spiderstreak. He then steals his white swan feather. Mudpaw witnesses it all, huddled and scared beneath a small bush. His mother believes Spiderstreak will protect them but instead he and his rogue 'buddies' chase her and Mudpaw out of their home. She runs into PineClan territory and leaves Mudpaw there to be found by a PineClan patrol. Mudpaw snarls at this last memory, his rage at Spiderstreak building, but he doesn't attack upon seeing the form of another cat with bright amber eyes slinking out of the shadows. It's Haze. It's his first meeting with Spiderstreak and the creepy, hatred filled eyes of some other cat he felt on him was actually Mudpaw glaring at Spiderstreak.
* Chapter 10 - A Game And A Threat. This is when I imagine Mudpaw ripping the cardinal leaf and using it to hold the deathberries from the store den. It might be a bit tight, but still doable since the stair den is on the side closer to the warrior's Nest Lay place. I also imagine him making a split second, slightly impulsive decision, after seeing the argument between Spiderstreak and Rosethorn.
* Chapter 9 - Commotion in the Cardinals. Mudpaw was helping Beeflight with hunting when she told Hazelpaw and Daisypaw to stay away from the deathberries in the stair den.
* Chapter 11 - Dinner.
*Chapter 11 - Dinner, Chapter 13 - Caught With A Killer. In the shadow of a blue twoleg object is where Mudpaw was and then the ripped cardinal leaf he left behind.
*Chapter 13 - Caught With A Killer. Daisypaw and Hazelpaw slip through the narrow apprentice sized gap and into the meal den. It is mentioned that Hazelpaw doubted a fully grown warrior would be able to fit through it.
* Chapter 14 - Someone Stalking In The Shadows. That someone turns out to be Mudpaw, hence the flash of white.
Reviews:
Hissing Mist – You certainly were! I could tell you were starting to get suspicious of him when you mentioned you thought he was the kit from Haze's sad story and caught him seeming a bit angry when Hazelpaw questioned him. I'm glad it still surprised you a bit in the end though and I'm also very glad you think it makes sense and hope it does even more so now. Sorry about Foxheart but there certainly will be more of him next chap for better or worse… ;.) I'm glad you were interested to know about Sparrowfeather's part. And now you do! A little bit anticlimactic isn't it, but it does show Sparrow's character a bit (and why he was looking all mischievous and like he was trying not to laugh, and why the shrew did taste so foul. Imagine! That was like Spiderstreak's last meal but I do believe he deserved it ;.) And I appreciate you seeing the hints in the Thunderboom backstory! Can't wait for that impression lol :.) Thank you, and hope you've enjoyed!
Beetlefur – Thank you, I hope you liked it! And yes that pretty much does sum up all the main important clues and I hope this chap helped explain a little bit more. As for the warning with the sludge…well 'Beware the pure white feather which hides a hidden grudge…' was all about the white feather's history of Spiderstreak killing Servalleap, leading Mudpaw to having a grudge against Spiderstreak for killing his father, and seeking revenge. '…danger and death will come out from the sludge.' Okay not a very creative backstory...he, he. Basically sludge is just a synonym for mud and refers to mudpaw. I literally just googled another word for mud I could tack on the end there because using mud would have been waaayyy too obvious, so there you go. I know kinda cheesy…but anyway, hope you enjoyed!
thephantomreader - Yes our lil muddy a murderer and very much poor Hazelpaw! Yes the Thunderboom scene! I'm glad peeps can reference that as place where there are clues. And I could tell you were thinking there was more behind what Mudpaw was going to say to Beeflight which the detectives should have followed up and may have been crucial to the mystery. And it turns out you were right! I'm glad you think it makes sense as well. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed today's chap and Mudpaw's reaction :.)
AwesomeIvystar – Lol, Mud from the Sludge indeed! I see why you weren't sold on Jupiner's innocence and thought Sparrowfeather was too obvious. But what was he doing? Well I hope you like the explanation even though it was little more than a mousebrained moment… But glad you think both Mudpaw as murderer and Whitefur as Clan Guard makes sense. A very fine list of evidence there and funnily enough I do have it at the back of my mind that Mudpaw seeing his father killed in front of him didn't help his mental stability. And as you see above you were right about the flash of white being Mudpaw. And yes Hazel saw him in the shadows of the apprentice's Nest Lay den and even though Hazel confirmed it in her head, she never actually saw him come out of there. And yes chap moonlight was complete and utterly shameless foreshadowing! Lol, you don't like mudxhazel ship but Hazel will learn to move on. Glad the mystery solution was satisfying and hoped you enjoyed Daisy's smooth performance in this chap!