SCREAMS echoed throughout camp, cats nearly collided with one another as they buzzed between dens, eyes wide and tails raised, exchanging fervent meows between each other. Sedgepaw was befuddled by the chaos when she returned, eyes searching for the source. Pain still surged through her muscles and wounds, pumping with vengeance deep into her bones. The acrid smell and taste of fear, the sound of her wailing Clanmates, the sight of anxiety plastered on all their faces, and the pulsating pain emanating from her wounds… all five of her senses hummed through her being, numbing her. She felt trapped in a bubble, where her feelings were constantly bouncing back against her, colliding into her body with the force of a lightning strike.
"What's going on?" she wondered drearily, eyes sliding to Batface.
Her mentor fixed her with a scornful look. "Don't you remember? You're not even supposed to be outside of camp." Her nodded to their distressed Clanmates. "They're likely looking for you."
Sure enough, when Sedgepaw returned her gaze to her Clanmates, they all seemed to take notice of her presence and rushed to her. Sedgepaw recoiled from them, unprepared for the onslaught of attention.
"You're okay!" Yewpaw was beaming, pushing passed Sandthroat and Otternose. "We were so worried about you."
Mudpaw was beside Yewpaw in an instant. "You went on an adventure without me?" He wrinkled his nose in a pout. "No fair…"
Ospreypaw and Shaleheart were also rushing to greet her, eyes wide with relief, and Sedgepaw felt a wave of surprise when she realized just how many of her Clanmates took notice of her absence; what's more, they actually were frightened for her. She felt a jumble of emotions wrack her brain. Maybe she was wrong the question them? Maybe running to the Fallen for answers was a mistake?
A growl sounded from the crowd. Longscar emerged with a fierce grimace. "You seem to be making a habit of wandering off," he observed scathingly, suspicion coloring each syllable he uttered.
Batface took a step closer to Sedgepaw, his orange eyes holding a warning. "Need I remind you, I am the one responsible for my apprentice. I already addressed her mistakes."
Longscar's tail lashed, and he met Batface's glare with a challenge.
Before he could say more, Otternose snickered. "Got a handle on her, huh?" she sneered. "It looks like she got the handle on you!"
Sandthroat also chuckled, his rasping voice sounding like he ate gravel for sustenance. "Looks like you both duked it out alright," he pointed out.
"Oh my stars!" Yewpaw gasped, face twisting in horror. "You're both bleeding! What happened?"
Shaleheart interjected before Sedgepaw could explain. "Batface and Sedgepaw probably had battle training," he assured her gently, though his eyes flashed with concern when he regarded Sedgepaw.
"I thought it best to let Sedgepaw experience the dangers of running off alone herself," Batface explained cordially. Though he spoke with pride, Sedgepaw noticed the slight slouch in his frame; she could see him wince every now and then. The wounds on his belly likely pained him the most. She felt a pang of guilt.
"That's the way it's done!" Sandthroat crowed. "You younger mentors should take note. That's how real warriors train. I know I take Toadpaw out for a good one, two quite often."
The gloating in Sandthroat's hoarse voice was as clear as the springs. However, Sedgepaw could see the dimness in his yellow eyes, the slight droop to his whiskers; he was likely up all night worrying over Egretsong… She felt her heart lurch. Batface probably saved her by interrupting her secret excursion. If she met Scorchface beyond the river, her eyes could have been gouged out next.
"Regardless," Longscar continued, still eyeing Batface, "we had to make another search party to find you." His glare turned to Sedgepaw. "Thankfully there were enough warriors in camp at the time, but you must realize what a grave waste of resources this was."
"I apologize, Longscar," Sedgepaw muttered through gritted teeth, reluctantly bowing her head. "I learned my lesson."
"Enough of this," Batface spat. "I'll be the one disciplining my apprentice unless Whitestar says otherwise."
Tension in the air was thick, and Sedgepaw felt suffocated between the glares of Longscar and Batface. Shaleheart suddenly brushed up beside her, bursting the atmosphere with his reassuring lick against her forehead. She was tempted to lean into her father, but thought better of it. She needed to look tough before Longscar. The warrior had suspected her since the last night. There was no room for her breathe when he eyed her like a hawk, ready to strike her with his talons the moment she showed weakness.
"How about we let these two go to Redleaf, hm?" Shaleheart suggested, glancing between the two warriors as they remained deadlocked in their glares.
"Very well," Longscar relented with a small growl.
"I don't need your permission," Batface snapped, tail lashing. His scarred muzzle spasmed with a grimace as he pushed by Longscar and the other warriors, and Sedgepaw followed close behind.
As Sedgepaw made her way through the crowd of cats, she caught a glimpse of hurt in Ospreypaw's eyes. She felt her heart rot with guilt. She always told her friend everything, but lately… she felt a divide between them. The gorge of secrets threatened their closeness. The last thing Sedgepaw wanted was to lose her best friend.
"I'll talk to you about it later," she mouthed to Ospreypaw, and the other apprentice nodded slowly.
Of course, Mudpaw materialized beside the black and white she-cat, and Sedgepaw refrained from rolling her eyes. Hesitating, she knew her brother noticed their exchange.
"Talk about what?" Mudpaw whispered eagerly.
The horde of secrets she was harboring threatened to burst from her jaws. The prophecy was not just about her, it affected her siblings too. Maybe she was being selfish by keeping everything to herself? She ducked her head in silent defeat, knowing time was not on her side. If she was going to tell them, she would need to do it soon.
"Meet me by the Great Cypress, tonight." Sedgepaw murmured to them. Her voice was grave, and it seemed to spook the apprentices, for they exchanged a wary glance with one another. "Bring Yewpaw too."
"Sedgepaw!" Batface hollered. "Get your tail over here before I come and drag you."
Leaving the crowd to follow after Batface, Sedgepaw realized how much her body ached as she entered the shadows of the medicine den. The familiar scent of fresh marigold and herbs tickled her nose, but the faint odor of blood wafted through the warm air. She knew where it came from. Egretsong's bloody face haunted her memory as she was greeted by a weary Heronpaw. The lanky tom regarded her and Batface with a somber nod; his blue eyes glistened with fatigue.
"Training?" Heronpaw asked listlessly. His eyes grazed their wounds slowly.
Batface nodded once, eyes narrowed. "Where's Redleaf?"
"He went to escort Whitestar to the Lunar Cavern." Heronpaw turned for the herb store, nodding towards a pair of unoccupied moss nests. "Something about needing to consult the stars…"
Sedgepaw was not sure if she was relieved or concerned about Redleaf's absence. She was freed from his oppressive presence, but the more time he spent with Whitestar, the more opportunities he had to tell her about the prophecy. Why he was waiting to say anything perplexed Sedgepaw. Regardless, she was grateful for his confidentiality. Anxiety pricked her heart. Perhaps the secret was unveiled? Was that why Whitestar needed to meet with StarClan?
Crawling into the bed of moss, Sedgepaw struggled to get comfortable. Millions of questions ran through her head, bouncing in her skull like a rabbit as they remained unanswered. With the Clan on high alert because of Minnowtail's disappearance and both Longscar and Batface keeping an eye on her, going to the Fallen was near impossible. Her only other option was to confront Fernstream… Her mother would be upset, but if Sedgepaw remained in the dark any longer, she would go insane.
Slumping onto her side, she sighed loudly and stared at the ceiling of verdant stems and golden flowers. Her wounded shoulder seared with pain. Tilting her head, she was able to see Batface getting settled in beside her, grunting as she adjusted himself in the moss. She could see the faintest twitch in his muscles and winces in his face that betrayed his pain. Though he praised her fighting prowess, Sedgepaw could not shake the nagging feeling that she had gone too far.
"Here," Heronpaw mumbled through the herbs in his mouth. His small paw pushed forward a poultice that smelled faintly of sweetbriar and willow, it rested on a duck potato leaf in a glistening clump. "This will help prevent infection."
Heronpaw sat the herbs in his mouth down on the same broad leaf, kneading at it with claws unsheathed in silence. The thick, waxy leaf handled Heronpaw's crushing well, but the concoction of cattails and primrose petals was quickly reduced to a pulp. He eyed Sedgepaw critically, shaking his head.
"You need to clean your wounds before I can apply the medicine," he mewed shortly. "All that mud and blood in your scratches is going to stunt your healing. Fix it."
Sedgepaw wrinkled her nose at the touchy medicine cat apprentice. However, she held her tongue from lashing out a biting remark. Heronpaw shuffled off to tend to Batface, for he was studiously licking his wounds with his eyes half-shut. Watching Heronpaw begin to apply the pulp to his cuts, she wondered if he even took joy in healing other cats. His face always seemed either twisted in a scowl or void of emotion. Redleaf may be the bringer of her doom, but at least he managed a smile every now and then.
When a familiar sweet scent lingered at the entrance to the medicine den, Sedgepaw stiffened. Mid-lick, she found herself staring into Blueflower's bright blue eyes as the she-cat burst into the den to hurry to her side. Her face burned with embarrassment as she realized how disheveled she looked to the pretty warrior. Her dark fur stuck out at odd angles, slicked with mud and blackened with blood.
"Sedgepaw!" Blueflower gasped. "You're hurt." Her eyes lingered on the tears into her shoulder. "What happened? I-I mean we've been looking all over for you."
"Uh... training," Sedgepaw replied lamely with a lopsided grin. She winced after making the mistake of shrugging her shoulders. "We had battle training, me and Batface. It's not a big deal…" Blueflower was looking for her?
Blueflower sighed. "Training with claws unsheathed, it never made sense to me," she murmured softly. A smile dawned on her soft face. "At least you're okay. When I heard you were missing…" The warrior shook her head, rolling her eyes. "It doesn't matter. You're here now."
"Yeah…" Sedgepaw smiled back. Blueflower was worried about her? She was not sure if she should feel elated or guilty. "I'm sorry I worried you."
"Forget about it." Blueflower giggled. "I should've known you would be alright."
Now under Blueflower's gaze, Sedgepaw hesitated to continue cleaning her wounds. She felt self-conscious, especially considering how messy she looked. The silence that stretched between them threatened to engulf the she-cats in a permanent atmosphere of awkwardness.
Heronpaw was the one to break it. "Hey, instead of a staring contest, how about you help clean that apprentice's wounds?" he suggested wryly. "It seems Sedgepaw forgot how to work her tongue today."
The chuckle that emerged from Batface only made Sedgepaw's face burn hotter. As Blueflower closed the distance between them, she felt her heart nearly burst from her chest. Drowning in her sweet scent, Sedgepaw felt suspended in midair by the time Blueflower rested behind her. Feeling her gently lick at her bloody shoulder, Sedgepaw relished the bittersweet sting as her wound was cleaned. Her body felt stiff around Blueflower at first, but she slowly began to let her muscles unwind as she was immersed in her warmth. Feeling Blueflower pressed against her back, with her hot breath against her shoulder, sent shivers down her spine. Sedgepaw was devoured by a mass of emotions that she was unable to put into words.
Eyes half-shut, she clenched her teeth as Blueflower quietly licked at her cuts and scratches along her shoulder. "So… you were looking for me?" Sedgepaw asked.
She could hear the smile in Blueflower's voice. "Me and a few other warriors, yes."
Sedgepaw glanced back at the warrior, her heart fluttering wildly. She wondered if Blueflower would be upset if she found out why Sedgepaw left in the first place. With Batface in earshot, she could not be honest with the warrior. Instead, she settled for silence, enjoying Blueflower's closeness.
"Molefoot and Mothfur came with me." Blueflower's voice was as smooth as a rose petal as she continued. "We looked everywhere for you. Why did you leave?"
Sedgepaw stiffened. Maybe she would not be able to keep her secret after all? She could not bare the thought of lying to Blueflower.
When Heronpaw returned to her, she sighed with relief. "Alright, let's get that wound tended to," he muttered.
Heronpaw dexterously applied the poultice with such swiftness, Sedgepaw did not have the time to react to the sting before he was gone. Watching the apprentice slink away, she felt a pang of sympathy for him. He was about the same age as her mother, and he was still considered an apprentice despite his knowledge and skills.
"Thank you," she meowed after him, only to receive a short tail flick of acknowledgement from the medicine cat apprentice.
Feeling Blueflower press closer to her, her breath caught in her throat. The she-cat's nose gently grazed the ruffled fur framing the gash in her shoulder. When she sighed gently against her fur, Sedgepaw nearly shivered. Whatever enchantment was cast over Sedgepaw when Blueflower was around, it had the strength of the stars themselves.
"The wound already looks like it's healing nicely," Blueflower observed. "You'll be fine." The relief in her voice made Sedgepaw feel warmth rise inside her.
"I'm sorry I sent you on a wild goose chase." Sedgepaw chuckled, shaking her head. "I wasn't thinking."
"Longscar was pretty upset," Blueflower pointed out in a whisper. Worry painted her words.
"I know… I'm getting the feeling he has it out for me." Though there was a jest in her tone, Sedgepaw's eyes were serious as she stared back at Blueflower. They were speaking softly enough not to be heard by Batface. When Sedgepaw glanced his way, her mentor appeared to be asleep.
"I'll keep an eye out for you then," Blueflower assured her. Sedgepaw was surprised by the protectiveness in her tone, and how she leaned in close to accentuate her promise. "It's my fault he got onto you in the first place."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to." Blueflower smiled. "If it means it'll keep you safe."
Sedgepaw forgot how to speak. Blueflower really did care… The notion made her heart soar. She felt an unbridled tenderness toward Blueflower that was so deliciously foreign to her she felt every nerve on her body thirst for another taste.
"Why do you want to keep me safe?" Sedgepaw wondered; she was breathless.
"Because the Clan needs cats like you now more than ever. You care about others, I can see it. And… I can't bare the thought of losing someone like you."
Sedgepaw blinked, dumbstruck. She scrambled for words, but they skittered out of reach like startled mice. "I…"
Blueflower rose to her paws. "Let me grab you some fresh-kill," she offered. "It's been a long day for both of us, but you can't go to sleep on an empty stomach."
Sedgepaw watched Blueflower leave with a heavy heart. So, did she care about her or just cats like her? Confusion muddled her thoughts. She grunted in frustration, shifting on her side to sprawl her legs out of the mossy nest. Why were these feelings so confusing? Batface's rasping yawn caused her ears to perk, and she looked to see him staring right at her.
"Well, that was touching," he meowed dryly. "I never knew you fancied Blueflower."
"Wha-what?" Sedgepaw snorted, ears burning. "I have no idea what you're talking about… I don't 'fancy' anyone."
"There's no shame in it," Batface pointed out with a deep chuckle. "So long as you don't let it distract from your training."
"Whatever… I still don't know what you're talking about."
"So you don't have feelings for her?" Batface clarified, head tilting.
"I mean… Yeah, of course." Sedgepaw sputtered as she spoke, struggling to keep her cool under her mentor's keen stare. "She's smart and brave and well-spoken and pretty and-"
Batface's shrewd grin wrinkled his scarred face, and Sedgepaw shut her yap quickly in response. "Have you thought about weaving a promise wreath?"
Sedgepaw frowned, shaking her head. "She probably thinks of me as a kit." The idea of presenting Blueflower with a promise wreath made her bones become supple. If she stood now, she would surely topple over. "There's no way she would accept my proposal."
"Not with that attitude," Batface rasped scornfully. "The Blossom Festival is the best and most respectable time to take a mate, according to tradition. You'll be a warrior by then, and you have time to weave your wreath for her."
"I don't even know how to do it," Sedgepaw rebuked, gritting her teeth.
Batface hissed, shaking his head. "Of course not! You've never done it before. Typically, the proposer in your family would be your teacher. Did Shaleheart of Fernstream initiate their relationship?"
"I don't know," Sedgepaw mumbled.
"Well… ask!" Batface prompted. "You're too young to ignore love. When it's there, you embrace it and never let go."
As a kit, Sedgepaw was told stories of the illustrious Blossom Festival. Warriors willing to attend would travel south, beyond the cypress forest, to a grove of orange trees in bloom. The sweet scent of citrus filling the warm air, wafting through the branches decorated with full white blossoms and plump orange fruits, Sedgepaw could see it clearly in her mind's eye. Suitors willing to propose to their potential mate would present orange blossoms entwined with jasmine vines, a promise wreath, in hopes of their acceptance. Sedgepaw imagined Blueflower sitting below the branches, her blue-gray fur stained with the scarlet rays of sunlight, and her bright blue eyes framed with a crown of white flowers. She found herself smiling.
"You're right," Sedgepaw admitted softly. "Maybe I should…"
"Should what?" Blueflower mewed from the entrance, a pair of mice between her teeth. She crossed the shadows of the den putting a mouse before Sedgepaw and the other before Batface, sitting between them with a smile. "I know you were asleep when I left, but I figured you'd wake up hungry." She glanced between them, brow quirked. "Did I interrupt something?"
"It's n-nothing!" Sedgepaw piped up, laughing nervously. She scooped the mouse up vigorously, scarfing it down as her nerves ate away at her.
Blueflower laughed, watching Sedgepaw devour the fresh-kill with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm sorry, I would've brought more, but Grayjaw and his patrol are still getting double portions because of capturing Scorchface the other day."
"N-no, no, it's fine. Thank you." Sedgepaw offered a small smile, licking her lips as she relished the taste of her meal. Her stomach did hunger for more, but she refused to let Blueflower know that.
"Yes, thank you, Blueflower," Batface added.
"Don't worry about it!" Blueflower purred. "I'm happy to help."
"What's all the racket in here?" Heronpaw hissed, stepping out from the far side of the medicine den. "Egretsong is still in recovery. She needs peace and quiet."
"Sorry, Heronpaw," Blueflower mewed, standing and taking a step toward the entrance to camp. "Has Egretsong said anything yet?"
Sedgepaw stared at Heronpaw, just as curious. She was the last one to see Minnowtail alive besides Scorchface. With the warrior still missing, she could be the key to his discovery.
"No," Heronpaw replied quietly. "She's still resting."
As if summoned by their whispers, emerging from the shadows behind Heronpaw was a petite figure. Her cream and white fur was shrouded in darkness, but it was her blood-stained face that stole Sedgepaw's attention. Streaks of crimson stained the white fur on her cheeks as if she cried rivulets of blood last night. Loose swathes of plantain leaves were wrapped around her eyes and she smelled strongly of earthy sumac, which hid the scent of her bloody wounds. Sedgepaw did not need to remove her bandages to know the gore they hid. The sight of her last night still sent chills down her spine.
"I'm here," she mewed shakily.
"Egretsong!" Batface was on his paws in an instant, regarding his Clanmate with horror. "How did this happen?"
"Are you okay? Who did that to you?" Blueflower asked anxiously, making a move toward the warrior.
Heronpaw bristled, standing between the concerned warriors and his patient. "Give her space," he hissed.
Sedgepaw was frozen as she watched the she-cat begin to shake. Her lips trembled as she lowered her head; Sedgepaw did not need to see her eyes to understand the defeat radiating off the warrior. Her heart lurched when she realized just how horrid the she-cat may have felt.
"I… I failed," Egretsong mewed, her once lilting, bubbly voice sounding as dismal as the growing darkness. As sunset fell to nightfall, the shadows of the den only hugged the cats tighter in their embrace.
"Shh," Blueflower mewed, "you mustn't think such things…"
"I did!" Egretsong wailed, sinking. Heronpaw was by her side, supporting her with a grunt as sobs wracked her body. "I-I let my guard down. Scorchface… she got away."
"Did she blind you?" Batface demanded in a growl. His orange eyes burned with a vengeance.
Egretsong started shaking her head, sobbing softly as she seemed to shrink into a babbling kit. "No, no, no…"
"Who did this?" Batface pressed, growling still.
"Silence!" Heronpaw spat. "She's still in shock."
"Minnowtail!" Egretsong cried. "He-he did this."
Sedgepaw's jaw dropped. All her Clanmates were frozen, fur bristling and eyes wide, petrified by Egretsong's cry. Their own Clanmate was responsible? She felt her blood run cold. That would mean… he betrayed MarshClan in order to let Scorchface escape. She shook her head. It just didn't make sense.
"Impossible!" Batface snapped. "He was a loyal warrior! Why would he do this to you?"
Sedgepaw stole a glance at Blueflower, only to be shocked once more. The warrior appeared… angry. At a time like this, Sedgepaw expected her to be overcome with grief or sympathy for Egretsong. Instead, she looked furious. Her blue eyes burned brighter than the stars. Sedgepaw almost felt scared by this unfamiliar face.
"I don't know, I… don't know," Egretsong whined. "We… were walking, and he turned to me. He apologized and-and after that… Just pain. Darkness." The she-cat was consumed by her sobs now. Her voice shook with such severity, Sedgepaw was surprised she even managed to speak.
"Enough of this," Heronpaw hissed. "Egretsong," his voice softened as he mewed, "let's go back to bed."
As Heronpaw ushered Egretsong to the back of the medicine den, Sedgepaw was left with Batface and Blueflower, stunned. She could not move or speak or think. Minnowtail was alive, but he attacked Egretsong and probably blinded her, all to set Scorchface free?
"If Egretsong is speaking the truth and not out of delusion," Batface murmured gravely, "then we have not one, but two fugitives on our paws." He shook his head, stepping out of his nest. Though he had a slight slimp, he moved across the den hastily. "We must alert the Clan," he mewed to Blueflower.
Blueflower was glaring at her paws. "Right, of course."
As the warriors turned to leave, Sedgepaw stood. Though her shoulder felt stiff, she was willing to help in any way possible. "What about me?"
Batface glanced back at her, hesitating outside the entrance to camp. "Your wounds were superficial. I'd suggest sleeping with the other apprentices tonight. This medicine den is about to become very popular."
Though Sedgepaw was disappointed by being sent to bed, she heeded the warning in her mentor's voice. Following behind Blueflower, she could see the slight bristle in the fur along her spine. She had never seen the warrior so upset.
"Are you okay?" she whispered to her as they stepped out of the medicine den and into camp.
Moonlight shone against Blueflower's bristling fur, and when the warrior glanced back at her, she was taken back by the coldness in her blue eyes. "Yes, I'm fine," she assured her. "Get some good rest, okay?" The strain in her voice was obvious, but Sedgepaw did not press more.
Scampering across the clearing, Sedgepaw decided she did not want to be out and about when Batface and Blueflower reported the news. Though Whitestar had not returned, she saw Spiderfang rushing to greet her mentor and Blueflower, likely noticing their disturbance.
Pushing through the entrance to the apprentices den, she saw that every nest was occupied. Pebblepaw and Toadpaw were already asleep, while Lilypaw fluffed at her moss, yawning. Yewpaw and Blackpaw were grooming each other, purring loudly. Ospreypaw was blankly staring at her paws while Mudpaw rattled on and on about a peculiar caterpillar he found by the elders den. Once Sedgepaw stepped in, the awake apprentices all stared her way.
"What's got you looking spooked?" Lilypaw chirped, whiskers twitching with amusement. "Did you get caught sneaking out again?"
"Egretsong woke up," Sedgepaw meowed, brushing off Lilypaw's attempt at humor. "She said… Minnowtail was the one that attacked her."
"What?!" Blackpaw bolted to his paws.
"That's awful!" Yewpaw squeaked.
Ospreypaw and Mudpaw both shared an alarmed glance as Sedgepaw made her way over to them and her nest. "Spiderfang is being notified now."
"This isn't good," Ospreypaw muttered. "The whole Clan is going to be in a panic."
"What if this means they'll delay our test?" Blackpaw fretted.
Mudpaw scoffed. "No way! Whitestar and Spiderfang said we new warriors now more than ever. Longscar said so."
As the other apprentices went about discussing the unfolding events, Sedgepaw lowered her voice for only Mudpaw and Ospreypaw to hear. "This may be our only chance," she whispered. "I have to talk to you guys. We need to go to the Great Cypress tonight. Did you tell Yewpaw?"
"Yes," Ospreypaw mewed. "She knows we're leaving. Just give the signal and we will head out."
"Guys, this is so exciting… You don't even know," Mudpaw gushed.
Rolling her eyes, Sedgepaw settled in her nest. Outside the den, she could hear the warriors stirring and congregating in camp. Their hurried pawsteps patted on the ground like raindrops; it sounded like all the warriors were awake as news spread throughout camp. Before long, she could hear the caterwauls of pain and anger as the truth rang clear. Minnowtail betrayed them. The thought caused Sedgepaw's stomach to do backflips. Minnowtail betrayed them, and MarshClan would be out for blood.