Chapter 3: Spotted Owl
The sharp scents of herbs bombarded Spotted Owl's nose like annoying Time of Green Earth flies. She sat in a pool of lazy sunlight, surrounded by the herbs on all sides—tucked into crevices in the stone, stacked against the cave walls, laid out neatly nearby—so their scents were unavoidable. But, for once, they didn't bother her as she moved her stiff muscles, keenly aware of Red Maple, the healer of the Clan of the Morning Sun, and her mother's sister, intently examining her wounds.
"How do they look?" Spotted Owl asked, anxiety buzzing inside her stomach like a swarm of bees.
Red Maple placed a paw on Spotted Owl's left shoulder, carefully parting the fur so she could peer closely at the thick scar that bisected the limb. When she seemed satisfied, she retracted her paw and moved to face Spotted Owl, a smile stretching her across her russet face. "Your wounds look well. They're almost healed, and there is no sign of infection. Quick Clouds did an excellent job."
Spotted Owl couldn't help but grin. "That's great," she said. "So, can I begin training again?"
"Hold on," Red Maple said. "I still need to check your leg."
I knew it. Spotted Owl deflated, but she nodded.
"Whispering Rain, I'll be right back. You can keep sorting those herbs," Red Maple called over her shoulder.
"Okay." A pale silver face popped up from behind a tall stack of herbs and vanished just as quickly.
Spotted Owl jumped; she'd forgotten that Whispering Rain was there.
"And when I come back, be prepared to tell me the difference between yarrow, fennel, and horsetail, and what each of them is used for," Red Maple added. She padded toward the entrance, waving her tail at Spotted Owl to follow. "Come, I'll have more space to assess you outside."
Spotted Owl stood, gritting her teeth as her stiff muscles protested, especially her leg. She shuffled after the healer, delicate wings of nervousness fluttering in her chest. She emerged from the den into the fresh air, which would usually be a relief, but all she saw was all of her Clanmates out and about. The elders, Quiet Sun, Tumbling Stone, and Shining Feather, lay in a pool of sunlight outside their den. Falling Star stood in the shadow of the Rockperch, most of the hunters and fighters clustered around her as she sorted the patrols for the day. Thankfully, no one paid Red Maple and Spotted Owl any mind.
The russet she-cat sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws. "Okay, Spotted Owl, can you walk in a circle for me?"
The dappled she-cat began to move, slowly at first. She focused intently on putting each foot in front of the other, trying to keep her gait as smooth as possible as she walked in a circle. The pain in her leg had diminished day by day until it was gone, but she could not help the lingering limp in her step. Star-cursed injury. Stupid leg. Why won't you heal right? She slammed her paw down and halted with a gasp as a lightning strike of pain whipped up her shoulder. She glanced over at Red Maple, who scrutinized her through narrowed eyes, and began walking again.
Red Maple's expression was impassive as Spotted Owl rejoined her, her eyes unreadable. "Please sit. I'm going to have you move your leg around so I can feel it."
Spotted Owl did as she was told. Red Maple put her paw on her shoulder and kept it there as she asked her to move her leg in all which ways. Afterward, the healer began to move her paw up and down, gently probing the flesh as she went. When Red Maple's paw poked one spot, pain flashed through Spotted Owl, and she leaped away with a hiss.
"Are you okay?" Red Maple furrowed her brow. Her eyes, the perceptive gaze of a healer, hadn't missed anything. "I'm sorry that that hurt."
"It's all right." Spotted Owl averted her gaze. She rolled out her shoulder, testing it. "I'm okay."
"Spotted Owl." Red Maple moved so she could look the young she-cat in the eye. "Your cuts are almost healed, and you will be back to full strength very soon, so I'm clearing you for light training. But—" she moved her right forepaw and placed it gently on Spotted Owl's. "—your leg worries me. I don't know if it will ever heal entirely."
Oh my stars. Shock rolled through Spotted Owl like waves of mist. She stood death-still, her jaw hanging agape. I might never heal fully. I might have to walk with a limp forever. How can I protect my Clan if I'm wounded? She felt a fiery flare of frustration rise within her, but she extinguished it with a dose of bleak sorrow. She hung her head. It's not like I wasn't expecting that, though. Just afraid of hearing those words.
"Thank you," she murmured. "I suspected this might happen."
Red Maple touched her tail to Spotted Owl's shoulder. "I'm not totally certain, so there is still a chance that your leg will heal entirely. But even if it doesn't, it doesn't mean that you are damaged or worthless." Her stern yet gentle gaze bore into Spotted Owl's. "There are lots of things I can have you do to help your leg and make yourself stronger."
Spotted Owl nodded. "Thank you very much, Red Maple." She dipped her head to the healer. "May I go now?"
"Yes," Red Maple replied. "Just remember to take it easy," she called after Spotted Owl as the dappled she-cat trotted away.
Spotted Owl hurried across the camp and plunged into the crowd of her Clanmates that was just beginning to break up. She returned Soaring Hawk's smile and called a hello back at Dappled Fur, but she didn't stop her search for who she wanted to find.
"Yellow Sky," she greeted her instructor as she found her, at last, at the front of the crowd, conversing with Falling Star and Rising Water.
Yellow Sky glanced over her shoulder. "Spotted Owl, don't interrupt," she scolded.
"Sorry." The black and white she-cat shifted her weight from foot to foot as she waited. Red Maple's news weighed like a boulder on the back of her mind, but she pushed it aside. Instead, she turned her emotions into an eagerness to sink her claws into something. Her paws itched to move, to run, and her claws begged to be unsheathed.
"I'm glad you're here," Yellow Sky said as she finished her conversation, and turned to her trainee. "How was your visit to Red Maple?"
"Fine. She cleared me for training." Spotted Owl bounced on her toes. "So, what are we doing today?"
"We're on a hunting patrol," Yellow Sky replied.
"Oh, come on. Seriously?" Spotted Owl made a face. "I was hoping to do some sparring."
"Falling Star assigned us to guard the hunters while they hunt for food to feed our Clan, so that's what we're going to do." Yellow Sky's tone left no room for further argument as she began walking away.
Spotted Owl sighed, but hurried after her instructor.
. . .
I can't believe that the Clans couldn't come to a decision last night, Spotted Owl thought. The wind buffeted her whiskers as she stared vacantly out at the Valley of Hidden Stars splayed out below her, not seeing the brilliant foliage of the trees which look as if they were touched by fire, nor the shimmering water of the lake at the valley's heart from the sun suspended over the Dusk Mountain, nor the eagle circling high overhead. Just when we need to act quickly to make a plan, we have to start fighting amongst ourselves. I hope that Gray Moon can see that we need to unite and attack the Bands now. It's our best chance to win this war. If we don't—
"Spotted Owl, look out." The warning call came too late for the dappled she-cat to react as a sleek brown shape flew passed her. She blinked rapidly, her brain feeling as if it was drowning in a mud pit. She tried to set aside her worries and focus on what was happening around her.
Fern Dapple skidded to a halt, her flanks heaving. "Mouse-dung. That plump rabbit would have been excellent food to feed the Clan, but I lost it."
Guilt twisted like an earthworm in Spotted Owl's belly. "Sorry. I was distracted, and I didn't react in time."
Fern Dapple shook out her fur and smiled at her friend. "Don't worry. You're on guard duty; it's not your job to catch the prey. I can find more." She trotted away and vanished into the undergrowth with a swish of her tail.
Spotted Owl turned her attention back on her surroundings. Despite what Fern Dapple had said, she still felt responsible. I need to pay attention. She let out a growl, stamping her paw on the rough stone of the rock where she had stood. I'm so out of practice. And with my leg, how will I ever be able to fully recover? How will I become a good fighter? How will I defend my Clan against the Bands—
The young she-cat's thought was cut off as a solid form crashed into her flank, toppling her off the boulder. She slammed into the ground, pain erupting throughout her shoulder and leg. She screamed like a pack of frenzied foxes.
Once the initial shock of pain faded into a steady throb, she dared to crack her eyes open. A tall blurry shape stood over her. "Why in the name of the Bright Stars did you do that?" She snarled just as her vision cleared, and she saw that the figure was Yellow Sky. "Oh. Sorry," she mumbled, but Yellow Sky whirled around and sped away without replying.
What in the stars is happening? Spotted Owl propped herself up on one paw, but she didn't dare try to move anymore. She watched Yellow Sky as she sprinted up an incline, dodging around a few evergreens before she leaped into the air. The young she-cat's blood ran cold as ice. Oh, stars.
Yellow Sky soared into the air, her outstretched claws piercing the flailing cedar-brown wing of an eagle, tearing out several feathers that fluttered to the earth like dead leaves. Jagged Path, his bristling pelt splattered with crimson, landed with a thump, only to bunch his muscles and jump again. He twisted mid-air and scored his claws across the eagle's chest. The eagle shrieked and flapped its wings harder to dislodge Yellow Sky, who released it after a heartbeat and dropped to the ground.
Spotted Owl watched the eagle fly away. The memory of gazing upward as claws swooped down on her from above from her first day as a trainee flashed before her eyes. That almost happened to me again. An eagle could have taken me, or someone else because I wasn't paying attention.
She didn't have much time to reprimand herself as Jagged Path stalked toward her, his eyes blazing blue fire. "What in the stars were you thinking? You cloud-brained fox-hearted incompetent fool. You're supposed to be helping us stand guard, but you can't even get this right. Your negligence could've cost someone their life."
Spotted Owl opened her mouth, fury igniting in her stomach, but she found that she didn't know what to say. Everything he said is true.
"Jagged Path, why are you doing?" A voice as sharp as claws cut in. Spotted Owl looked up, her eyes widening as she saw Fern Dapple rushing toward them. The rest of the patrol, Yellow Sky, Smoke Pelt, Bracken Tail, and Maple Sky, stood nearby, looking on. Fern Dapple halted beside Spotted Owl and turned to face Jagged Path, glowering at him. "It's not Spotted Owl's fault—she's still injured. Besides, she was the one almost taken by the eagle. You should make sure that she's okay instead of criticizing and yelling at her."
Jagged Path lashed his tail, his unsheathed claws sinking into the tough grass. "But she's supposed to be the one watching for threats," he said. "If she's not fully recovered, why is she even out here? Her negligence could have cost you your life. I've always known that Spotted Owl is a mouse-brained incapable—"
"Shut up."
The tabby tom blinked. "What?"
"I said, shut up," Fern Dapple repeated, baring her teeth at him. "You're a mean fox-hearted bully, Jagged Path. You've haven't changed since we were kits. I never dared to stand up to you then, but I've had enough of it. You will not ever speak that way to Spotted Owl or anyone ever again."
A long silence followed Fern Dapple's words. Everyone stared at her, including Spotted Owl. Emotions warred across Jagged Path's face, but he stepped back as his sister turned to Spotted Owl.
"Are you okay? Does your shoulder hurt?" Fern Dapple nosed Spotted Owl's pelt, her cornflower-blue eyes soft as the petals of a flower.
"I'm all right." Spotted Owl grunted as she eased herself into a seated position. The silver she-cat moved to help her, but another form pressed against the young she-cat's back, helping her up.
"I'll handle this," Yellow Sky said to Fern Dapple. She stood behind Spotted Owl so she couldn't see her, but she could feel her gaze weighing on her back. "You should get back to hunting."
Fern Dapple nodded, but she held Spotted Owl's gaze for a long heartbeat before she padded away, the other cats trailing after her.
Spotted Owl shifted her weight over her front paws so that she could sit up by herself. She grimaced as she rolled her shoulder out, holding her breath as she waited to feel if she had injured it further. Though it ached, she was relieved that it wasn't any worse than it had been.
Yellow Sky stepped around and took a seat in front of Spotted Owl so that she could look her in the eye. Her ears pricked as she examined her trainee's face. "What happened back there?" Her tone was measured.
The dappled she-cat studied the lush blades of grass and crumpled leaf poking up from between her claws. "I don't know." Her voice was as small as a mouse.
"Well, something happened. You were supposed to be on guard, but you didn't notice Fern Dapple's rabbit or the eagle. It nearly carried you off." The senior fighter's voice was tight. She gritted her teeth and held her tail stiffly as if it took all of her willpower not to lash it. "I've never seen you this distracted."
"I'm sorry, okay?" Spotted Owl burst out. She sprang to her paws, ignoring the pain in her shoulder as she began to pace. "I know that I was distracted. I know that I lost the Clan valuable prey. I know that I could've cost someone their life. It's my fault. I was cloud-brained and selfish and negligent—"
"Spotted Owl."
"What?" She whirled to face Yellow Sky, blood roaring in her ears as she glared at her instructor, who was…smiling?
"It's okay," Yellow Sky said, cracking an amused half-grin. "It's not your fault. I know that there is something bigger going on for you. I just needed to get you talking." She sobered. "Will you finally tell me what it is?"
Spotted Owl sunk to a seated position where she stood. Her anger drained away as quickly as it had flared up, leaving her with a mix of annoyance at Yellow Sky, but also a relief. "I don't know. I guess...I guess it's just everything that's going on. I was so hopeful last sunrise that the Clans were going to use the information we gathered to make a plan to defeat the Bands, but then we just started fighting amongst ourselves. How are we ever going to defeat them, when we can't even make one decision? The Bands are more of a threat than ever, and who knows what they're planning. When they come, how am I going to be able to defend our Clan? I'm out of practice with my duties, and I've been distracted. I'm still not fully recovered, and—" she paused to draw in a shuddering breath. "—Red Maple told me this morning that my leg might never fully heal."
"I'm sorry," The dark gray she-cat murmured. She scooted over to her trainee, pressing herself against the smaller cat's side. She touched her nose to her head. "That is difficult news to hear. But you shouldn't worry about the Bands. Mossy Moon and Falling Star are working their hardest. The other Clans are ready to unite. Gray Moon knows deep down what is the right thing to do. We will make a plan to defeat the Bands."
Spotted Owl let her body relax, and leaned against her instructor's hard-muscled side. She inhaled Yellow Sky's familiar scent from her short charred-gray fur. A sob brewed in her throat like a thunderstorm, and she let it out. Yellow Sky's tail curled around her like a mother's tail around her kit as Spotted Owl allowed herself to cry.
Yellow Sky gently shifted away as Spotted Owl's tears dried. She stood, let out a long sigh, and turned to face her trainee. "I don't talk about this a lot, but I think that you need to hear it." She sat down, spreading her forelegs and puffing out her chest to reveal a long scar that bisected her stomach, usually hidden by thick belly fur.
Spotted Owl gaped at it, her eyes round. I've never seen this scar before. It's huge.
Yellow Sky glanced down at her belly, and then up at the dappled she-cat. Her expression was grave. "I got this scar in my first battle. I was just a new trainee; I had had only a few training sessions. I wasn't supposed to be fighting in a battle, but the Clan of the Dark Caves attacked the border patrol I was on. I did my best, but a Clan of the Dark Caves fighter struck me down quickly. He gave me this scar on my stomach. The wound was deep, and it wouldn't stop bleeding, so my Clanmates had to retreat to rush me to the healer's den. It took me over a moon to recover."
The dark gray she-cat paused for a long heartbeat. Her eyes stared off into the distance, not looking at anything in particular, lost in thought. "Though recovering was hard, it was even more challenging to go back to training." Her voice was so soft Spotted Owl could barely hear. "I had fallen far behind my sister, Maple Sky, and the other trainees. I fell even further behind as I did everything I could to avoid training. I was afraid of learning to be a fighter because it would mean fighting in a battle again one day. I didn't want to admit it, but I was terrified of getting hurt again."
Yellow Sky seemed to snap out of her trance as she strode to stand nose-to-nose with her trainee. "But Cloudy Water, my instructor, did not allow me to give up. He helped me work through my fear and pushed me hard in training so I could not only catch up but excel to become a great fighter." Her fierce eyes bore into Spotted Owl's. "You will get better. You just need to believe it."
Spotted Owl released a long breath, her gaze drifting down like a falling leaf to her paws. "I don't know. It's not certain yet if I will recover or not," she mumbled.
"No." Yellow Sky shook her head. Her eyes were narrowed, and expression stern as stone. "Say it like you believe it."
Spotted Owl met her gaze. "I will get better," she repeated, putting enough conviction into it to convince her instructor. I will get better. But as she repeated it to herself, a warmth coalesced in her chest, and spread throughout her entire body. I will get better. A smile stretched across her face. I believe that I will get better.
Yellow Sky returned her smile. "I will do everything I can to help you," she vowed. "I will give you extra training to help you readjust and catch up, and work with Red Maple to find the best ways the strengthen your leg." She leaned down to meet Spotted Owl's eyes, so close that their whiskers brushed. Her eyes gleamed. "And you know what? I am one of the best fighters in the Clan. I will not let any trainee of mine be anything less than exceptional."
. . .
"Hey, Spotted Owl. Hey, Fern Dapple," Blossom Dust called to them as they and the rest of the hunting patrol emerged from the passageway. The deep ember-orange glow of the dying sunlight set her golden-brown pelt on fire as Tall Pine and her bounded over to greet them.
"How was your patrol?" Tall Pine asked. His gaze lingered on Spotted Owl.
"It wasn't that great," Fern Dapple said before Spotted Owl could stop her. She tipped her head at the black and white she-cat. "Spotted Owl almost got carried off by an eagle, and she took a hard fall when Yellow Sky pushed her out of the way."
"Oh my stars," Blossom Dust breathed, her eyes growing round.
"Are you okay?" Tall Pine circled Spotted Owl, nosing her shoulder. "How's your leg?"
Spotted Owl let out an internal huff of frustration. Why did Fern Dapple have to tell them like that? It's not that bad. "I'm okay—" she tried to say.
"I knew Red Maple shouldn't have let you go back to training yet," Tall Pine muttered, slowly shaking his head. "You're not fully healed. You'll just get worse."
"Tall Pine." Spotted Owl leaned in close to him, her whiskers brushing his face. "I'm okay. Red Maple cleared me for training. I didn't notice the eagle because I was distracted. I didn't fall that hard, and my leg isn't worse." She sighed. "I'm out of practice with my duties like the rest of the patrol, and I've been worried about the Bands, but I'm fine. Can you believe me?"
"I do. I'm glad you're okay." Blossom Dust nodded, her gaze empathetic. Fern Dapple murmured in agreement.
Spotted Owl glared at Tall Pine until he nodded as well. But she shifted her paws. "There's something else I should tell you." She took a deep breath, feeling her siblings' and friend's expectant gazes on her. "Red Maple told me this morning that my leg might never fully heal."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Fern Dapple murmured, her brow furrowed.
"Oh, Spotted Owl." Tall Pine's eyes widened. "Are you okay?" He touched his nose to her ear as Blossom Dust pressed herself against her sister's side.
Spotted Owl remained still, basking in her siblings' embrace for several long heartbeats. But then she eventually moved, gently nudging them, so they stepped back. "I'm okay, really. I talked with Yellow Sky to help myself process it, and she said she would help me. Now, I'm still feeling a little restless. Do you want to play tag?"
Tall Pine's expression shifted from concerned to confused, but gradually cleared like the sun from behind dark clouds. He swished his tail. "Okay."
"You're it." Spotted Owl only caught a glimpse of her sister's sparkling yellow eyes before Blossom Dust took off across the camp. Fern Dapple laughed and shot an amused glance at Spotted Owl before she dashed away too.
A laugh bubbled from Spotted Owl's lips as she gave chase. Her heart soared as high as an eagle on updrafts. For the first time in a long time, she felt lighter than a feather on the wind as she was finally able to let go of her worries. There is a chance that my leg will heal, but no matter what, Yellow Sky, Red Maple, Blossom Dust, Tall Pine, and Fern Dapple are here to help me. The Clans will unite to defeat the Bands. Maybe we can get back to normal.
Thank you for reading another long chapter! We got some troubling news about Spotted Owl, but it led to a sweet instructor/trainee moment. Anyone else loooove Yellow Sky? If I were a trainee in the Clan of the Morning Sun, I would want her as my instructor. She's tough, serious, and gruff, she's an excellent fighter, and she has high expectations of her trainees, but she's fiercely loyal and protective. You wouldn't want to cross her or anyone she cares about. She knows how to keep Spotted Owl in line, and when something's wrong, and she's become a little bit of a surrogate mom/role model. She is one of my favorite characters.
Next chapter, we switch to Tall Pine, at last! I didn't mean to have three long chapters about Spotted Owl to begin with, but there were a lot of important things I wanted to explore with her. I'm excited to get back to Tall Pine again though!
Fun Fact: Spotted Owl's favorite color is yellow because it reminds her of the Time of Green Earth, where she made some of her best memories, and they are the colors of her siblings and instructors' eyes.
- A Warrior At Heart