Ice shot through Heronflight's veins. He stared down from his perch at the shadowy ground where four enemy cats stood over Petalpaw's unmoving figure. One of the rogues, a black tom, had a forepaw pressed to her throat.
What? How?
Heronflight wracked his brain trying to think of a reason Petalpaw was down there instead of safe with the rest of the patrol. He couldn't think of a reason.
"No..." Crowfrost's strained gasp came from behind Heronflight, jerking him out of his thoughts.
"She was safe. I made sure she was safe." Crowfrost's voice tightened with every word. He sounded like Heronflight felt. Helpless. Bewildered. Guilty.
Blizzardstar's calm voice rang out through the trees. "What do you want?"
The other rogue, a shaggy brown and tan tom, stepped forward. He swept the trees with his poisonous green gaze.
"Leave. This conflict does not concern you." The rogue growled.
The two WillowClan cats stood slightly away from the rogues. Their ears were laid back and they looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Heronflight strained, trying to get a better look at Petalpaw's condition. His heart jumped painfully in his chest as he saw the red of blood against the white of her underbelly.
It took everything he had not to throw himself down from the tree and attack. He could feel Crowfrost shaking beside him and knew that his brother was fighting the same urge.
"Even if it didn't before," Blizzardstar called from his invisible perch, "It does now."
"Why are we even talking?" Spat Kestrelfeather. "You have no idea how many of us there are."
The rogue with his paw on Petalpaw's throat looked up, directly at Kestrelfeather's tree. His amber eyes betrayed no fear. "Eleven." he said matter-of-factly.
Kestrelfeather was rendered speechless.
"Eleven to four? I would not take those odds." Blizzardstar said, seemingly unphased.
The brown tom drew his lips back in a snarl. "Don't waste my time. Your little medicine cat is at our mercy."
"We are not leaving here without her." Blizzardstar growled.
The black rogue's eyes glinted. "Do you really have a choice?" His claws glowed a dull yellow against Petalpaw's white throat.
There was quiet for a few agonizing heartbeats. Heronflight looked around, terrified, at his Clanmates. Kestrelfeather looked angry, but Shadowgrove was at his side, keeping the auburn warrior from leaping into action. To Heronflight's left he saw Morningsong gripping the pine with all four paws. Her eyes were wide with distress and helplessness. Hawkstrike sat behind her, shaking his head. Everyone else, Falconstorm, Cherrynose, Whiteshade, and even Brushfire looked absolutely defeated.
He turned and faced Crowfrost. The black warrior's eyes were stretched wide and unseeing. His mouth moved in a harried whisper. "She'll be okay..."
Heronflight found his last hope, Blizzardstar, sitting alone in his tree. His blue eyes were shadowed, but his shoulders were still raised and strong.
Heronflight gazed at his leader, urging the great cat to act, to save Petalpaw.
Blizzardstar's shoulders drooped.
Heronflight's blood ran cold.
The black rogue's eyes narrowed with triumph. "Well, what are you waiting for, Clan scat?" His claws clenched slightly and new blood beaded out around them.
Two things happened in quick succession; one of Petalpaw's green eyes snapped open as she swung her head backward to sink her teeth into her captor's foreleg, and Crowfrost and Heronflight both lurched forward.
Chaos erupted as Heronflight's paws hit the forest floor. The black rogue screeched in pain as Petalpaw's attack drew blood. Other CedarClan warriors were dropping from their trees as Heronflight and Crowfrost ran past.
Heart thumping and mind racing, Heronflight fixed his eyes on Petalpaw. Each heartbeat stretched on with adrenaline-induced sluggishness.
The black rogue had recovered from his momentary lapse and had wrestled Petalpaw back into submission. His claws gripped her and she let out a screech of pain. The brown rogue stepped back as Heronflight and Crowfrost drew closer. The WillowClan warriors looked like they were about to flee at any moment.
Heronflight readied himself as he drew within several foxlengths of his target.
He watched as the relief and recognition in her eyes changed to shock and terror as he was violently intercepted by the reinforcements they hadn't known were coming.
It had been a trap.
Rogues, large, well-muscled, and fierce, flooded out of the darkness. Heronflight had no time to brace himself for the attack.
He was hit hard. Enough to crush the breath from his lungs and to send him flying like a dead mouse. He landed, dazed and choking, at least a fox-length from where he had just been. He wheezed and scrabbled at the ground. It took a few agonizing tries before his cramping chest would fill with air again.
In the moments that Heronflight was incapacitated, the rest of the CedarClan patrol had clashed with their enemy. The clearing had transformed into a writhing knot of screeches and snarls. He watched from where he lay on his side as his Clanmates fought their shock and faced their foes.
Familiar pelts were surrounded on all sides. Falconstorm and Hawkstrike were fighting side-by-side, shadows of one another. Kestrelfeather was grappling with a hefty tabby rogue. Blizzardstar had been engulfed by what looked like a dozen cats but was still managing to wreak havoc on his own.
As Heronflight watched, Hawkstrike took a blow to the side and disappeared into the chaos. Heronflight's belly lurched. A heartbeat later, Blizzardstar was downed by four cats at once, and Kestrelfeather was knocked to the ground.
I have to get up! Heronflight screamed inwardly. I have to help them!
He forced his limbs to move. He drew in a deep, painful breath and pushed himself to his paws. His first steps were unsteady but he regained his composure and began to run.
He searched the fray, overwhelmed by the amount of fighting. Who should he help? What should he do?
He caught sight of something that made his blood run cold. Petalpaw was being dragged backwards into the boulders. Blood stained her face and she was limp. Heronflight's paws turned towards her without thought.
"Heronflight!" A desperate call made him turn to see Kestrelfeather struggling against his attackers. His fearful gaze wasn't on Heronflight, but on Blizzardstar. The great cat was barely visible under the swarm of rogues assaulting him at every side. Blood and fur flew as the leader lashed out, bit, and screeched.
For a moment, Heronflight didn't know what to do. No one else was near enough to help Blizzardstar, but Petalpaw was being taken away. Panic flooded Heronflight's senses as more blood stained the ground where Blizzardstar was fighting for his life.
A flash of black fur brought Heronflight to himself. Crowfrost was making a break for the crack in the rocks where Petalpaw had vanished. Heronflight saw his own determination in his brother's face as the black warrior ducked and weaved around fighting cats.
His decision made and his trust placed in Crowfrost, Heronflight threw himself into the fight.
. . .
White hot anger spasmed through Crowfrost's paws, spurring him forward. He knocked aside a rogue who tried to get in his way. The cat's cry of pain was cut short as Crowfrost shot past. He dodged one final attack before slipping between the boulders and out of sight of the battle ground. He slowed and took in his surroundings.
Blood spattered the ground at his paws. He looked up and locked eyes with the rogue at the other end of the chasm between boulders. The rogue's eyes rounded with fear and he began struggling to drag Petalpaw around the edge of another stone.
Crowfrost bared his teeth and dashed after them. As Petalpaw's limp tail disappeared behind the rock, a shadow dropped down from above Crowfrost and forced him to skid to an awkward halt. He almost lashed out at the newcomer before recognition stayed his claws. He dropped his paw to the ground and stared.
Cranewing, still holding a slightly defensive stance, looked Crowfrost up and down. His shoulder fur relaxed a bit.
"Not so fast." He said in his calm mew.
Crowfrost balked in disbelief. He tried to shove past Cranewing but was rebuffed by the black and gray warrior's surprising strength.
"I said, slow down." Cranewing tsked. His yellow eyes were void of the slight humor in his voice.
"But Petalpaw-" Crowfrost protested.
Cranewing shook his head. "Her part to play is not done."
Frustration pricked at Crowfrost's paws. "She's injured."
"Trust her vision."
Crowfrost held his tongue. He knew what Cranewing meant by 'her'. Songbird's plan must still be in motion. He fixed Cranewing with what he hoped was an intimidating stare. "She has control over the rogues?"
Cranewing rolled his eyes but nodded.
Crowfrost forced himself to relax. "What should I do?"
Cranewing turned his face towards the sounds of the ongoing fight. "Sounds like they need you," he said casually.
As if to emphasize his words, a screech split the air. Crowfrost flinched. Cranewing turned to leave.
"Wait!" Crowfrost blurted out.
Cranewing paused and looked over his shoulder. Crowfrost hesitated. His head hurt. He didn't understand anything. For a moment he hadn't known whether Songbird was going to let Petalpaw die. Her life had been hanging by a cobweb and Crowfrost hadn't been sure.
"What is this all for?" He managed.
Cranewing's eyes darkened. "Why do you think you deserve to know?"
Crowfrost swallowed but didn't respond.
Cranewing flicked his tail, turned, and vanished behind the rocks.
Crowfrost watched the spot where he had disappeared, wondering why he had let Petalpaw go, and yet not allowing himself to go after her.
. . .
The scent of blood clogged Heronflight's nose as he slashed and fought to free his leader. The cats around him were relentless. As he tore one attacker away, two more would replace it.
They all but ignored Heronflight. Any injury he sustained seemed to be by accident as the cats tried desperately to claw at some part of Blizzardstar's exposed fur.
By some miracle, Blizzardstar was still fighting. He thrashed and bucked wildly beneath the throng of cats. The sheer amount of them was causing their attacks to be blocked or miss their target. It was madness.
Panic moved Heronflight's claws. He dragged cat after cat off of Blizzardstar but to no avail. A feral light of bloodlust shone in their eyes. There was something about the way these rogues fought that sent Heronflight's blood running cold. He had never seen a Clan cat do the same.
A piercing pain shot up his back as a set of claws dug into him from behind. He shrieked and twisted, trying to throw his attacker off. The claws dug deeper and, with a mighty wrench, yanked Heronflight to the ground.
His head hit the stone with a dizzying thump. He blinked, trying to regain his bearings, and found himself eye-to-eye with Blizzardstar. The great white cat's blue eyes burned as they met Heronflight's
The contact lasted less than a heartbeat. Then Blizzardstar kicked out with his hind legs and a she-cat went flying. The retaliation from the rogues blocked Heronflight's view.
With rising fear and dawning realization, Heronflight knew that he couldn't help alone. He scrambled backwards and raised his voice to a keening howl.
"CedarClan! To Blizzardstar!"
He didn't know if his Clanmates could even heed the call. He had no idea how many others were being swarmed and ripped apart by these savage cats. He raised his head to StarClan and held his breath, readying himself to dive back in and fight for Blizzardstar's life.
In two short heartbeats Falconstorm and Kestrelfeather were at his side. Without a word the three warriors launched themselves at the backs of the attacking rogues.
Falconstorm dug his claws into the backs of two rogues and ripped them away with a mighty heave. Kestrelfeather shot into the gap and began raking his claws at the underbellies of the other cats. Heronflight, almost weak with relief, threw himself at whatever unfamiliar pelt he could find and began tearing and biting.
More CedarClan cats heeded Heronflight's call. Hawkstrike joined him while Brushfire and Whiteshade threw themselves into the fray. Shadowgrove and Cherrynose appeared moments later.
As one, the CedarClan warriors fell on the rogues. They grasped pelts in their jaws and dragged claws through fur.
The rogues screeched and wailed, disorganized. They had had chaos on their side for a moment, but now CedarClan's coordinated attacks were proving to be too much. Hope soared in Heronflight's chest as the brown and white she-cat he tossed aside turned and ran instead of reengaging. The enemy was fleeing in earnest now.
As the last of the rogue fighting force managed to disentangle themselves from the fight, Heronflight sought his leader's pelt.
The last cats were driven away, revealing a bloodied heap on the forest floor. Blizzardstar's white fur was stained a dark, almost blackish red. His pelt hung in shredded clumps off of his shoulders and spine, and one of his ears was gone entirely. He was curled up with his back to Heronflight. He might've been sleeping.
Heronflight was at his leader's side without knowing how he got there. He stared down.
Blizzardstar looked so small. His eyes were shut as if he was dreaming. Blood ran from his nose and from his mouth. As Heronflight watched, a single droplet fell from his fang and onto his paw.
"Father!" Morningsong's devastated cry shook Heronflight to his core. Other yowls of shock and fear were muted by a loud buzzing in his ears. He barely noticed as the rest of the patrol gathered around the fallen leader.
Blizzardstar's body shivered.
Heronflight drew a sharp intake of breath.
"He's losing a life." Whiteshade said quietly.
"How many does he have left?" Morningsong demanded. She pressed herself close to Blizzardstar's head and began murmuring in his ear and stroking his back with her tail.
Heronflight looked up at Whiteshade. The others were looking at the deputy expectantly. He shook his head.
"Petalpaw will know." Morningsong said in a cracked mew. "Where is she?"
Heronflight's belly lurched and he looked around. There was no sign of Petalpaw or Crowfrost. Horror crept up his spine. Had he been wrong to trust his brother?
"He's reviving!" Shadowgrove said in a hushed whisper.
The warriors drew closer. Heronflight watched as Blizzardstar opened one blue eye. It stared into the sky overhead without seeing.
"Father?" Morningsong cooed.
Blizzardstar's eye drifted to Morningsong's face. He said nothing.
"Don't worry," Kestrelfeather muttered, "It takes him a moment."
The CedarClan warriors held their breath as Blizzardstar's lacerated flank rose and fell shakily. He gave another little spasm, his eye rolled back into his head, and he fell still.