Chapter 20: A Pit Digger's Irony

Blood-red fluid dripped from Jaggedshadow's claws as he prepared his last dose of bloodberries. He would need to gather more when he could, if his next attempt failed.

Apparently, Rainfur had eaten the shrew that Jaggedshadow had intended for Cedartail.

Jaggedshadow flicked his tail tip dismissively. It was not his fault that she ate some other cats' prey. While she had been one of his greatest supporters, he needed to set his past aside. He could not let his past loyalties or sentiments distract him. Only his revenge mattered.

A breeze entered the guardian's cave, cooling Jaggedshadow's face. He stuffed the last of the bloodberry pulp into a pheasant. With that done, he set the pheasant aside.

Jaggedshadow laid his head on the cave floor. He was about to rest, when the sound of pawsteps alerted him to Stormwind's approach. He stood from his nest.

Stormwind stopped before the cave entrance. "Hi."

"Hello," Jaggedshadow meowed cooly, "what can I do for you?"

"I missed you," Stormwind told Jaggedshadow.

"I have not gone anywhere," he lied.

"Oh, but you have."

"You got me there."

Stormwind sat beside Jaggedshadow. "Where have you been?"

"The day before yesterday I was gathering herbs for the store in the guardian's den." While it was true that Jaggedshadow had not initially gathered herbs, he had doubled back to fetch some marigold flowers and leaves.

"There's a herb store in here?" She asked Jaggedshadow.

"Yes," Jaggedshadow said, nodding toward a rock shelf that had dried leaves and flowers atop it, "it was Leafwhisker's idea. I wish I could take credit for it."

"Cool."

"Do you want to talk over a meal?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Jaggedshadow grabbed the pheasant while Stormwind ran to the prey den. She returned with a wood pigeon.

"What's on your mind?"

"You have been distant since that hunting patrol we went with."

"I know," Jaggedshadow said, "I just have to settle some things with a few cats."

"Can I help you?"

"No. I must bear this. . ." he paused, searching for the right word. "Burden on my own."

Stormwind nodded thoughtfully. "So," she said, changing the subject, "what do you think about kits?"

"I don't think I would be a good father." Jaggedshadow bit into the pheasant.

"That does not answer my question."

Jaggedshadow chewed, mulling over the question. He swallowed. "They're cute, I suppose. I would love to be a mentor someday."

"That's good to hear. "

"Some things must change before I can do anything of the sort, however."

"What things?"

"Well firstly," Jaggedshadow said, "A change in leadership."

"Cedartail is ancient. I doubt that he will survive the next leafbare."

"That isn't soon enough."

"What are you saying?"

Jaggedshadow shook his head. "Nothing," he said, "I'm just angry."

"Why?"

"Cedartail killed Icefang and hawkflight, and maimed and banished Riverpelt and Æri."

"You have no proof that he did such things."

"I saw Cedartail kill Icefang," Jaggedshadow snapped, "The whole clan saw Cedartail mark Æri. And who else hates me and all skydwellers for some reason unknown even to Caelum?"

Stormwing glared at Jaggedshadow. "I don't appreciate you talking to me with that tone."

Jaggedshadow flinched. He gave his chest fur a few embarrassed licks. "I'm sorry. I let my anger get the best of me."

Stormwind nodded. "I trust that you will show better judgement in the future."

Before Jaggedshadow could respond, a cold, numb sensation spread throughout his throat and face. As fear began to cloud his judgment, he looked down at the freshkill that he had been eating. Horror set his heart racing.

He had eaten the poisoned pheasant.

Jaggedshadow's legs collapsed. He fell onto his side. His body spasmed violently as another wave of fear coursed through his veins. This can't be how I die! Jaggedshadow tried to scream for help, but all that he could utter was a pathetic squeak.

"Quick! Go fetch Nightsong!" Jaggedshadow tried to yell, but he couldn't be sure Stormwind understood him. He strained, trying in vain to fight off the toxins that were coursing through his bloodstream. After what felt like hours of agony, Jaggedshadow relaxed. His consciousness faded.

Am I dead? As sensation returned to Jaggedshadow's vessel, Nightsong's long fine fur pressed against his side. He tried to stand, but Nightsong pushed him back onto the medicine den's patent nest. Is my vessel dead? He corrected himself.

"Rest, brother," Nightsong urged Jaggedshadow.