1How are you today, Brightstar? All right? That's good. I'm glad you feel well. Me? Oh, I'm fine. Why did I want to talk to you without Wingfoot? Well, you see, it's a long story. Remember that badger that we all though killed Foxpelt? Well, he's here. Don't worry, he's perfectly harmless. You see, Brightstar, the badger didn't kill Foxpelt. At least, not on purpose. I saw what really happened. For some reason, Wingfoot was angry at Foxpelt. I don't know why. While Foxpelt was talking to Scars...that's the badger's name, Wingfoot snuck up behind and bit him. Scars ran forward and slammed Foxpelt into the rocks. Scars is really sorry. If you want his side of the story you can...
Riversong nodded to herself. She was sitting outside of Brightstar's den while he was talking to some warrior or another. It wasn't Wingfoot; Riversong could see him watching her from outside the warriors' den. She had rehearsed her speech to herself ever since she woke up that morning to Creekflow and Sunpaw talking. It was almost foolproof. Riversong could be persuasive if she wanted to, either with words or blows. She could sway diplomatically or through intimidation. Her thoughts were interrupted by the warrior stepping through the ivy that covered the den entrance. "Thanks, Brightstar," the warrior meowed over her shoulder and walked straight into Riversong.
"Whoa!" Riversong mewed, toppling backwards.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying atten–" She paused. "Riversong?" she mewed.
"Hey, Radiantpaw!" Riversong greeted her.
"Radianteyes," the warrior corrected, swelling with pride, "Did Sunpaw find you okay? Where is he now?"
"Sunpaw's fine. He's off talking with Creekflow, Radianteyes." Sunpaw's sister swelled even more at the sound of her warrior name. She skipped off to find her brother.
"Riversong," came Brightstar's meow from his den, "You may come in now."
Riversong jumped and padded into the shadowy lair. She sat on the floor across from Brightstar. The yellowish tomcat stretched lazily, yawning. "Good to see you again," he murmured.
"How are you today, Brightstar?" Riversong asked.
"Mm, can't complain. Felt better, felt worse. Yourself?"
"I'm fine. You're probably wondering why I asked for Wingfoot not to come, right?" Brightstar nodded. "Well, it's because I found the badger we think killed Foxpelt.."
Brightstar's brown gaze flickered for a moment. "You idiot," he growled, "That monster will devour our kits if it wasn't for his guards!"
"Brightstar, please," Riversong pleaded, "May I speak?"
"All right, continued."
"Scars, that's the badger's name, is innocent. Wingfoot is the real murderer. You see, when Foxpelt was talking to Scars, Wingfoot came up behind Scar's back and bit him. Scars ran because of the pain and he hit Foxpelt." Brightstar was silent, so Riversong kept going. "I've talked with Scars. He was very close to Foxpelt. He called him 'Reddy.' He told me that 'Reddy' was his only true friend in the world and that he never would have killed him if he had the choice."
"Wait, wait, wait," Brightstar meowed, getting up, "You mean to tell me that this badger can talk? Like a cat?"
"Sort of. He has a thick accent and his sentences are short, but you can get the main idea of what he's saying."
Brightstar padded to the entrance of his den. "Bring him in. Tell the guards to stay where they are. I wish to speak to this creature."
Riversong told Scars to come and Trueheart, Sleetfur, and Firebelly to stay. Brightstar walked in a circle around Scars. "Can you speak?" he asked.
"I can," Scars grunted. Brightstar looked surprised.
"Tell me about when you...er, I mean..." He faltered, catching Riversong's stare. "When your friend Reddy died. How did that all happen? What brought you there?"
"I once had master. A foul she-cat called Bone Marrow. She was mercenary, like father before her. We got visit from brownish tomcat with white fur on feet. Called himself 'Wingfoot.' He said he needed cat 'taken care of.' Bone Marrow told me to follow him and do as he said." Scars blinked his little eyes a couple of times. Riversong saw deep sorrow in them. "He told me to do as usual for me: ambush patrol of cats and growl. He told me he would point out cat to kill. I did not wish to kill another creature, but Bone Marrow would kill me if I disobeyed her."
"What happened next?" Brightstar pressed gently. Riversong had never heard him sound so compassionate before in her life.
"Cat-Wingfoot led patrol to me. He flicked his tail at one cat in patrol. I look and see my cat-friend Reddy. I would not kill him. I would not. I refused. Reddy spoke to me, telling me to leave now. I was going to listen; I always listen to Reddy, when cat-Wingfoot bites me hard. It hurts, so I run. I run without thought. I run into Reddy. He goes to the ground, whispers something to Bluey, then goes still. I hide. Bone Marrow finds me, says I did good job, then scratches me over and over, saying how I should have not needed any provocation."
Brightstar's mouth hung open. He was still, scarcely breathing. The initial shock of being talked to by a badger was made worse by this same creature saying his trusted deputy was a murderer. He looked first at Scars, then his stare shifted to Riversong. His brown eyes were wider than Riversong would have thought they could go. Finally, he spoke. "Is it...Is it all...true?" he mewed hoarsely.
"Every word, cat-sir," Scars rumbled.
"Brightstar," Riversong corrected under her breath. Scars nodded.
"Every word, cat-Brightstar."
Brightstar sat down hard on the floor of his den. He was gasping. "A murderer," he whispered, "I've trusted a murderer to be my successor. Riversong, please, fetch Healingtouch. Scars, go with her."
Riversong bent down. "Brightstar, are you–?"
"Get her!" Brightstar snapped. He sank down lower. "Ohhh..." he moaned softly.
Riversong fled the den, running straight into a young apprentice. "Hey, what d'you think you're–?" he began.
"Is Healingtouch in her den?" Riversong demanded.
The young apprentice was none other than Froststare's other adopted kit, Summerkit. He was Summerpaw now. The gingery-brown he-cat shivered at the tone of the gray she-cat's voice. "I-I-I th-think she's h-h-ere," he stuttered. Riversong nodded.
"Thanks, Summerkit." She raced away.
"It's Summer–...Aww, forget it," Summerpaw muttered, "Crazy she-cat..." He rolled his eyes and went on his way.
"HEALINGTOUCH!" Riversong roared. The calico queen came running.
"What is it, Riversong?" she asked. She could tell from the queen's body language that this was no time to say 'It's been a while since I saw you last.'
"It's Brightstar, he's–"
"Say no more," Healingtouch meowed, pulling her supplies together, "I'm on it!" She bounded away. Riversong sat panting. Healingtouch returned a few moments later. "Shock," she told the warrior, "He's fine now. Whatever you said is between you and him, but I'll warn you of this: he's on his last few lives. Go easy on him."
Riversong nodded. "Come on, Scars," she meowed, "Let's go find all the new warriors. I want to know all their names."