CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
The pale moon illuminated a dark and ominous forest. A slender pale brown she-cat crept through the undergrowth. Her eyes were locked on a single target that stood just a few tail-lengths ahead of her. Another cat. A golden tom with ginger flecks covering his pelt. The apprentice-aged she-cat stopped for a moment and stared at the cat for a few heartbeats.
"Who are you?" was all she could ask. He looked familiar. She couldn't quite place why that was, or what she was doing here in the first place. This forest was unfamiliar to her.
"My name is Leopardheart," the tom replied. Sprucepaw's eyes widened at the familiar name. Leopardheart... that was the name of her father! Her mind was reeling with this new information as Sprucepaw stared at him for what felt like an eternity. "It is good to finally meet you, my little apprentice," he added in a purr.
"W-Why are you here?" she asked fearfully, realizing there had to be some reason behind his sudden appearance. She was all too aware of what happened to cats who had visions like these. Would she be forced to become Furzewhisker's apprentice? Leopardheart only looked at her in amusement as he saw the questioning look she gave him.
"No, your destiny lies elsewhere," he reassured her as if he'd read her mind. "I am here to give you a warning, one that StarClan would rather keep a secret." He paused and looked at her seriously. For a moment, Sprucepaw froze on the spot until he pressed his muzzle against her forehead. She felt her body relax against his warm touch.
This is what it feels like to have a father, she realized. Leopardheart had died before she and her siblings were born. According to the stories, he died in a heroic battle against ShadowClan. It was only thanks to him that the battle was finished, and ShadowClan retreated back into their territory.
"Out of Thunder, Wind, Shadow, River and Sky comes the Great Five. They have no memories of their past, but they will be reminded of who they are when they are needed the most." Leopardheart's voice was strangely distant, and a chill swept through Sprucepaw as she heard those words. It made no sense whatsoever. "Sprucepaw, I know that this may seem confusing now," he meowed after he stepped back and looked at her again. "But soon you will understand the weight that is on your shoulders. The Clans will need you, when the times comes."
Sprucepaw was ready to ask what he meant by that, but he was already beginning to fade along with the rest of the forest. Her heart was racing as she watched her father disappear right before her eyes. She suddenly wished the moment between them could have lasted longer, maybe just for a few more heartbeats. Instead she felt an aching in her chest as she woke up in the apprentice's den, surrounded by her denmates.
"You were wailing in your sleep," Antpaw muttered crossly. "Thanks for waking everyone up."
Antpaw and Olivepaw looked annoyed beyond Sprucepaw's reasoning, but at least they weren't holding a grudge against her. Instead they all decided to leave the apprentice's den after realizing the sun was up. Sootpaw and Owlpaw had already received their warrior names, and were now known as Sootfall and Owlflight. Now the three of them had the den to themselves, and it was actually lonely.
Palemist's kits won't be apprentices for another few moons, Sprucepaw thought. I shouldn't be wishing their lives away. We've got training to do ourselves.
"Sprucepaw, I'm glad to see you're awake bright and early," Wildheart purred after joining them. "Get something to eat, and we can do some battle training. Icestar wants to see how much you've progressed."
Sprucepaw looked at the WindClan leader in surprise, wondering where this had come from. Surely he wasn't thinking of holding a warrior assessment for her already? She was far from ready in becoming a warrior, and hardly knew what to think of the situation.
She tried pushing the uneasy thoughts aside as she grabbed a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile and shared it with Antpaw. Olivepaw was busy cleaning out the elder's den, much to her annoyance. Apparently she had gotten herself into trouble yet again with Ferretpelt, who was well known for his quick temper. Olivepaw herself had a feisty attitude when it came to getting her way, but Ferretpelt refused to put up with that nonsense.
"Icestar wants to watch your training?" Antpaw asked in surprise when she told him the news. "He never wants to watch me. Wish I had whatever it is he's interested in with you," he grumbled under his breath.
"I'm just really nervous that I'll mess up," Sprucepaw admitted, feeling a little guilty for being picked on. Why was Icestar taking a sudden interest in her? She was nothing special as far as she was concerned.
"Well, let me know if you do. I'd love to hear the story of his reaction," Antpaw mrrowed with laughter, earning a glare from Sprucepaw.
Once they were finished eating the rabbit, Sprucepaw got to her paws and looked at Icestar warily. He was sharing tongues with Rowantail, the deputy. She knew how close the two of them were, but Rowantail had a temper that could easily outmatch an angry badger. Sprucepaw knew to avoid her when she was angry.
"I'm ready to go," she announced after approaching Wildheart, who was sharing a few words with Palemist. She saw her kits resting nearby under a patch of sunlight. It was hard to believe they had once looked so weak and useless at one point in their lives. Now they were getting bigger, and soon Palemist would have her paws full.
"I'll be back as soon as we're finished," Wildheart promised, giving his mate a lick between the ears. Palemist only nodded in response and returned to her kits, watching the pair longingly as Wildheart led the way outside.
Wildheart was leading her to the training area. The sun had barely risen and it was already warm out. Sprucepaw welcomed the warmth as she realized it was getting close to greenleaf. Soon prey would be abundant and their bellies would always be full. She couldn't wait for that day when she could chase down a rabbit without a care to the world.
"Wildheart, do you remember anything about my father?" she suddenly asked before they could start anything. Wildheart blinked in surprise as she mentioned her father.
"What's with this sudden interest?" he questioned, looking a bit stunned that she had only just brought him up.
"Well, everyone always talks about how he was this great cat and..." Sprucepaw sighed as she tried to form the right words. "I just want to know what my father was like." Wildheart's gaze softened as he realized where Sprucepaw was getting at. She knew that he had told her the stories of her father always getting into trouble. But she knew that there was so much more to him than that.
"Where would I even start?" he wondered out loud as he sat down in front of her. "Your father was probably one of the bravest, loyal warriors I'd ever seen. He would do anything to protect the Clan, and even go out of his way to help the other Clans when they needed it, even if they didn't want his help. That was just the way he acted - he wanted to make sure everyone he cared about was safe."
Sprucepaw closed her eyes as she imagined her father doing everything he could to keep the Clans safe. That sounded a lot like what he was doing now. She had seen him in her dreams. He had told her that she had a great destiny. And while she didn't know what that destiny was, she knew that it was important to the Clans.
"I wish I could have met him," she sighed after realizing that despite the fact that she hadn't met him while he was alive, she had seen him. "Mother always says that he was one of the greatest warriors WindClan had."
She flinched when Wildheart suddenly pressed his muzzle against her forehead, but she realized that he was just trying to comfort her.
"You're more like him than you realize," he reassured her. "Now, why don't we see what you've learned since our last training exercise? Icestar should be here soon to see just how much you've improved."
She nodded in agreement and began to immediately practice her battling skills. One paw jabbed to the left while another jabbed to the right. Wildheart had seen the attack coming though and was jumping to the side so that he avoided her relentless attacks. Sprucepaw held back a knowing grin and suddenly leaped into the air. That took Wildheart by surprise as she landed on his back and jabbed at it with her sheathed paws.
"Antpaw's been teaching me that move," she purred with triumph after letting him up. Wildheart only rolled his eyes as he licked his chest fur.
"I see you've been learning from the other apprentices," he retorted, sounding a bit annoyed. "Come on, let's try that again."
They continued practicing well into the afternoon until Sprucepaw's muscles were aching. By the time she was finished, Icestar had arrived and was watching them practice. Antpaw and Harewhisker had joined them as well, but were practicing farther away from the training area.
"I see you have improved since I last watched your training session," Icestar meowed after they were finished. "You'll make a fine warrior indeed."
His statement only made Sprucepaw feel more confused than ever. Why in StarClan's name was this suddenly more important to him now?
He's hiding something, she realized with a start. Icestar shot Wildheart a knowing look before leaving the clearing. Sprucepaw narrowed her eyes as she watched him disappear over the hill. Something was definitely off.
"What's going on with him?" she wondered to no one in particular.
Wildheart was already leading the way back to camp when Sprucepaw saw Icestar sitting with Rowantail again. Sprucepaw glanced over at where Wildheart had disappeared and crept along the thick patch of grass until she was just a few tail-lengths away from the pair. If they were hiding something, the Clan had a right to know what that something was.
"... preparing for the battle," she heard Rowantail say. "The apprentices are ready, and so are the warriors."
"Good," Icestar sighed in relief. "I want ShadowClan to pay for their actions. For too long we have hidden under the fear they will attack us again. And soon we'll prove to them that we are not weak cowards who will run away."
Sprucepaw's eyes widened in alarm at that. She had never fought in a real battle. But from what she heard, they were dangerous. And if Icestar was planning a battle against ShadowClan, she knew it would only end in disaster.
"Should I rally the Clan together?" Rowantail asked, flicking her tail in amusement at the thought of the Clan getting excited for battle. "After all, they have a right to know what they are fighting for."
"No... as far as I am concerned, you and I are the only ones who know the real reason behind this battle," Icestar replied with a shake of his head. "We mustn't alert the Clan to what I am planning."
But I will, Sprucepaw decided as she managed to slip away unnoticed. This battle couldn't happen. If Icestar was planning what she had in mind, than the Clans would all have a say in this. When one Clan was affected, all of them were.
She bounded across the territory until finding her way towards the border leading into ShadowClan. Maybe Russetstar would listen to reason if she told him the truth. They had every right to be prepared for the onslaught Icestar was planning. Sprucepaw stiffened when she picked up the stench of ShadowClan, every hair on her body standing on end at the prospect of crossing the border.
They wouldn't hesitate to kill her if they saw her as a threat. Sprucepaw needed to make it seem like she wasn't. If only there was a way to make it seem as if she was just there to reveal some secret. Maybe that would entice them enough to let her in.
She looked over her shoulder in time to see Olivepaw and Ferretpelt checking the border out. Fear suddenly wormed it's way into her belly as she padded further into the territory. If she was caught now, they would surely punish her for her foolishness.
Why do I care so much about one Clan? she wondered.
Because that is who you are, little one. Sprucepaw stiffened at the voice that spoke in her head. Do not be alarmed, I am not going to hurt you. But you must act quickly. When one Clan falls, all the Clans will follow. This battle must not happen.
She nodded in agreement, realizing that the voice in her head was right. Determination pushed her forward until she picked up an even stronger sent that would have knocked any other cat out on the spot. Her fur stood on end with fear as she heard the low growl of a badger. And heartbeats later, the pointed snout of said badger had suddenly turned to face her.
Sprucepaw let out a wail of surprise at the creature's sudden appearance. She'd heard far too many horror stories of badgers attacking cats without question. This one was no different. The badger was in a threatening position as it reared up and snarled.
"I thought I smelled something bad!" Sprucepaw felt her heart racing when she saw a lithe shape erupt from the undergrowth and leap onto the badger's back. "Nightclaw, get that kit out of here, we've got this!" yowled the light brown tabby tom.
Before Sprucepaw could say anything, she felt someone guide her away from the badger and deeper into the dark forest. Sprucepaw's fur was standing on end with fear as she realized too late they had noticed she wasn't just an ordinary rogue or kit.
"You're a WindClan cat," the black tom growled in an accusing tone. "Knowing WindClan, you probably led that badger right into our territory!"
"N-No! I would never do something like that on purpose!" Sprucepaw protested, her eyes widening in fear when the tom rounded on her. "I-I came because I wanted to warn Russetstar of what my Clan is planning!" The black tom only looked at her suspiciously.
"What sort of apprentice goes behind her Clan's back to warn an enemy Clan of what they're planning?" he demanded.
"The sort of apprentice who cares about all of the Clans!" Sprucepaw retorted, letting anger draw in the edge of her voice. "Please, just hear me out. I will leave the minute I share this news with Russetstar, and I promise I won't take any of your prey."
Not that I would want a frog or anything, she added silently.
The black tom looked surprised that she might actually provide some useful information. In the distance, Sprucepaw could hear the other cats yowling at the badger they were chasing away. She sent a silent prayer to StarClan that this Clan would listen to reason.
"Alright, fine. I'll let you in, but if you try doing anything suspicious, I will not hesitate to kill you," the tom growled in a warning tone.
Sprucepaw held back a sigh of relief as she was led deeper into ShadowClan territory. At least one cat trusted her. If what Icestar said was true, than she would need the whole Clan to trust her. That alone was going to be a difficult task.
...
Russetstar was just as intimidating as Sprucepaw imagined him to be. The black-furred tom, who she later learned was Nightclaw, had told him everything she told him. Russetstar listened through narrowed eyes that told Sprucepaw she was anything but welcomed here. She struggled to keep her fur from standing on end when she felt accusing glares burning through her pelt.
"So, we are to believe an apprentice, who looks as if she has barely left the nursery?" Russetstar scoffed with a shake of his head. "And here I thought taking in a rogue was bad enough. But to hear an outright lie from an enemy apprentice... this goes beyond all reasoning."
"But I'm not lying!" Sprucepaw protested, her eyes widening as she realized what Russetstar could easily do to her. "You have to believe me - I heard everything Icestar was saying to Rowantail. They're planning a battle, and I'm afraid it's a battle that will end ShadowClan, forever!" Russetstar only rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"So, Icestar believes his Clan is more powerful than mine?" he asked, almost sounding as if the thought was amusing. "Well, we shall see about that." Russetstar glanced at a gray and darker gray tom, who was watching the pair through narrowed eyes. "Grayshadow, do you believe the Clan is ready for battle?" he asked.
"We are more than ready," Grayshadow replied with a confirming nod.
A shiver ran through Sprucepaw as she realized what Russetstar was about to do. She was ready to run when she felt someone hold her down. Sprucepaw held back a hiss of pain as she felt claws scoring down her back as the attacker kept her from running.
"I think the Clan has a right to know who their traitor is, don't you?" Sprucepaw shuddered as the pale tabby tom who held her down sneered those words. "I wonder if they'll even let you back in the Clan once this is finished?"
They're going to war against WindClan, Sprucepaw thought bitterly. And it's all my fault!
...
Everything in WindClan camp was peaceful. Wildheart had dedicated the rest of the afternoon by spending time with Palemist and his kits. He hadn't even noticed that Sprucepaw was missing until her mother mentioned something. Larksong looked more worried than ever.
"She should have been back by now," she growled irritably, pacing outside the nursery. As her only kit, Wildheart could see why she was so worried. "I thought it was your job to look after her!"
"I thought she would have followed me back to camp," he admitted, suddenly feeling guilt stab his chest as he wondered where she could have wandered off to this time. "Sprucepaw is strong enough to take care of herself, though. I'm sure that wherever she is, she's fine."
Wildheart was ready to return to his mate when Larksong suddenly glared at him. "Do you not care about my only daughter?" she demanded, her lips curled in annoyance. "She-" Larksong was cut off by a yowl of alarm sounding from outside the camp.
"ShadowClan! They're attacking the border and on their way!" Wildheart's fur stood on end with shock at the sound of Olivepaw's voice. He whirled around in surprise to see her pelt now covered in scratches and stained with blood.
"Furzewhisker, get the den ready, and treat Olivepaw's wounds," Icestar ordered as he leaped into action immediately. "Wildheart, Whitebirch, Rowantail and Larksong, I want you all to go with me. The rest of you must guard the camp, if all else fails."
Worry clouded Wildheart's mind as he bounded after his leader. Did that explain why Sprucepaw wasn't back? Either way, he needed to clear his head before rushing into battle. This was one battle he wasn't going to lose. Not after what had happened to Leopardheart.
...
Sprucepaw was crouched beside Nightclaw and an apprentice she knew as Snowpaw. Her stomach twisted with anxiety as she watched Russetstar hold down Ferretpelt, who was spitting with fury as he struggled free from his grip.
"I thought WindClan was more intelligent than this, sending just one warrior to defend their territory," he sneered. "Well, lucky for us, your traitorous Clanmate told us all about your leader's plan."
"What?" Ferretpelt snarled in surprise, glaring coldly at Sprucepaw.
"Icestar was planning an ambush against ShadowClan," she explained, her throat feeling hollow as she spoke. "I overheard him talking with Rowantail."
"Icestar would never do such a thing!" Russetstar only pressed his paw against Ferretpelt's neck, ignoring the tom's screeching protests.
"Actually, he would." Sprucepaw's heart nearly skipped a beat at the sound of Rowantail's voice. The WindClan deputy was glaring coldly at both Sprucepaw and Russetstar. "Icestar was planning a hostile takeover, but it's clear that something bigger is needed to show that this will not be tolerated."
For the first time since meeting him, Sprucepaw could see realization dawning in Russetstar's eyes. This was more than just a battle. This was much worse.
Time seemed to slow down as Rowantail and Russetstar began fighting. More and more cats were drawn into the heat of battle. Nightclaw had forgotten about watching Sprucepaw as he defended himself against Whitebirch, who was fighting with an equal amount of rage.
"This isn't what the Clans should be doing!" Sprucepaw wailed, nearly getting her ears clawed off by a ShadowClan tom.
"We have always fought over territory!" Icestar snapped, leaping onto her and holding her down. "This is what the Clans do, and my word is law!" Sprucepaw struggled to squirm free under his grip, yowling in surprise as he dug his claws deep into her shoulders. "And if you can't take my law, than you have no place within my Clan."
"Leave my daughter alone!" Sprucepaw felt her heart nearly skip a beat at the sound of Larksong's yowl.
She didn't have time to react as Larksong charged after Icestar, shoving him off of Sprucepaw. In just that short amount of time, Sprucepaw realized that Icestar was on top of her mother. And faster than she could blink, Icestar had delivered a killing blow.
Sprucepaw felt her stomach lurch with horror when her mother stopped moving. Blood now stained Icestar's white fur, and when he jumped off, he glared down at Sprucepaw. If she could, she would have retaliated by killing him herself. But Sprucepaw was too terrified to move or do anything for that matter.
"You don't belong in this Clan, Sprucepaw. From here on, I am banishing you," he snarled once the battle had come to an abrupt end.
For a moment, Sprucepaw wasn't even sure if she had heard Icestar correctly. She glanced around and saw the looks of surprise flashing in her Clanmate's eyes. It was than that she realized what Icestar was saying.
"Icestar, this isn't fair and you know it!" Wildheart growled after shrugging off a light brown tabby tom.
"My decision stands firm," Icestar snapped. "Leave now, before I decide to kill you as well."
Sprucepaw felt her blood run cold as she realized too late that this was her fate. Icestar's eyes were narrowed with hate as she fled the area, refusing to look over her shoulder. A combination of grief and fury swept through her as she made her way through the territory, trying to get as far from WindClan as possible.
You killed my mother, you monster! she thought bitterly. I'm going to make you pay for this, one way or another.
