Chapter 16: Fern Dapple
"What?" Fern Dapple gaped at Running Wave, her jaw dropping open, so her squirrel tumbled out of her mouth. She could not believe her ears.
The hunter nodded grimly. "It's true. The Clan of the Flowing Waters attacked the other hunting patrol." He flicked an ear to his right to where he had just emerged from the passageway to the Clan of the Morning Sun's camp. "They got back to camp a little while ago and went straight to Red Maple's den."
"Was anyone injured?" Bracken Tail leaned over Fern Dapple's shoulder, his ears pushed forward as he waited for Running Wave's response.
Running Wave tilted his head. "Sage Fur, Amber Mist, and Dawn Sky didn't appear too injured. However, both Passing Storm and Smoke Pelt had some nasty scratches, and Dappled Fur was limping. Spotted Owl also looked pretty bad."
Spotted Owl? Alarm pulsed through Fern Dapple. She took a step forward, staring into the tom's eyes. "Why was Spotted Owl with them? She wasn't assigned to that patrol."
"Yeah, I know." Running Wave shrugged. "I guess she must have heard the fighting and gone to help."
I have to make sure that Spotted Owl is okay. Fern Dapple pushed past Running Wave, only remembering to snatch up her squirrel at the last heartbeat in her haste. She rushed through the passageway, her paws clattering on the damp stone, and burst into the camp. Her eyes darted around the gorge, settling on the mouth to the healer's den as the commotion met her ears. The den was busier than a beehive as cats were clustered all around the cave; standing to the side in small groups, sitting or laying on the ground, weaving around each other, or bustling in and out of the cave. A chorus of anxious murmurs, sobs, yelps, and moans echoed in Fern Dapple's ear, making her ache. The rancid stench of blood hung in the air.
Fern Dapple searched the crowd but could not pick out a familiar black and white dappled pelt. She must be inside, then. She hurried across the camp, taking a short detour to fling her squirrel on top of the prey pile before plunging into the throng.
The silver tabby she-cat wove around Drifting Leaf and Waving Fern, who stood close together, murmuring as they watched from a distance. She passed Smoke Pelt, who sat, licking several long scratches that created an intricate spiderweb across his pelt. She paused to stare, her stomach lurching as Maple Sky bent over her son, Passing Storm, who lay with his eyes half-closed, his breathing shallow. His pelt was stiff with dried blood. Nearby, her mate, Soaring Hawk, supported their daughter, Dappled Fur, her leg a mess of scratches.
"Excuse me," a terse voice made Fern Dapple jump. Red Maple, her face set with seriousness and professionality, brushed past her, clenching a bulging bundle of herbs in her jaws.
"Oh, s-sorry," Fern Dapple stammered, her ears burning with shame. I really shouldn't get in her way while she's trying to treat our Clanmates. But I have to find Spotted Owl. She turned as Red Maple set down her bundle to crouch by Passing Storm and kept moving. She sidestepped as Sage Fur emerged from the healer's den, carrying more herbs in her mouth, presumably to help Red Maple, despite the cuts on her shoulder and ear. She was about to continue when Willow Leaf and Sharp Wind, their eyes wild with concern and terror, flew past her into the den. Taking a deep breath, she followed them.
The inside of the healer's den was just as chaotic as outside and even more crowded. Willow Leaf and Sharp Wind huddled a few tail-lengths inside around one of the spare fluffy moss nests where sick cats stayed if Red Maple needed to keep an eye on them. This one contained one very stressed Dawn Sky with her ears flattened against her head and one very rambunctious Amber Mist. Behind them, Whispering Rain was bending over another cat who was crouched in another spare nest so Fern Dapple couldn't see them, while another cat lingered in the shadows, half-hidden by a towering stack of herbs.
"Dawn Sky, Running Wave just told us that your patrol was attacked," Sharp Wind said, his brow furrowed as he addressed the hunter.
"Amber Mist, are you okay?" Willow Leaf anxiously nosed their daughter all over as Sharp Wind turned toward her. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm great," the amber-brown she-cat exclaimed, a broad smile splitting her face. "The battle was exhilarating. Cats were everywhere, all clawing and biting. There was blood everywhere. Two fighters came after Dawn Sky and me-"
"What?" Sharp Wind's face paled. He rounded on Dawn Sky. "You were attacked?"
The pale gray she-cat nodded. "Yes, but-" She started, trying to explain.
"-they were so fierce," Amber Mist went on, drowning out her instructor, her eyes gleaming. "They backed us up against a tree. Dawn Sky tried to fight them off, but they were too strong. I thought we done for, but-"
Fern Dapple slipped past them as Amber Mist continued, describing the battle. At the same time, Dawn Sky tried to explain to her trainee's anxious parents what had happened. Great stars, Amber Mist is a pawful. At least she doesn't appear to be hurt. Poor Willow Leaf and Sharp Wind, though, they look so worried. Lost in thought, she wandered across the den, stopping short as she realized that she had found who she was looking for.
Spotted Owl crouched in the nest, her belly touching the moss, but her legs were drawn close to her body, her paws still touching the ground. With her face twisted into a scowl, she looked restless and uncomfortable as Whispering Rain bent over her, examining her left foreleg-the injured one.
"How does that feel?" Whispering Rain leaned to the side so she could look Spotted Owl in the eye as she gently palpated the long scar bisecting her leg.
"I guess it hurts a little," Spotted Owl said, but neither Fern Dapple nor Whispering Rain missed the grimace that crossed her face.
"Spotted Owl, please be honest with me," Whispering Rain said. She frowned her eyes pools of concern. "I can't treat you properly if I don't know all the facts."
"Sorry," Spotted Owl muttered, wrinkling her nose. "It's just that there are injured cats who need more urgent attention."
"Spotted Owl, you are one of those cats." The healer trainee gave her a sharp look. "Now, hush. I need to finish with you so I can help Red Maple treat the other cats."
Fern Dapple let out a mrrow of laughter at Whispering Rain's rebuke and Spotted Owl's affronted expression. The black and white she-cat gave her a look like, "I cannot believe this." As she covered the remaining distance between them, Whispering Rain gave her a nod, and Spotted Owl opened her mouth to say something to the silver tabby she-cat.
"Whispering Rain." Maple Sky burst into the den, her huge belly swinging so she almost had to waddle. Her eyes were wide. "Red Maple needs more herbs for Passing Storm."
The pale silver she-cat stepped back from Spotted Owl, turning to Maple Sky, her expression unfazed. "What did she say she needed?"
Maple Sky thought for a heartbeat. "Umm, she said that she needs stinging nettles, dock, more goldenrod and cobwebs, and one more…I can't remember. It sounded like tansy?"
Whispering Rain tilted her head, frowning. "It was probably tormentil. I'll get those right away. I'm also going to get you a few thyme leaves to chew on, Maple Sky, if that's okay. All of this stress isn't good for your kits."
"Thank you," Maple Sky murmured, her shoulders slumping as she sighed.
"If you'll excuse me, I should get those herbs for Red Maple right away." Whispering Rain turned back to Spotted Owl. The young she-cat nodded, so the healer trainee hurried away, heading toward the crevice in the back of the cave that extended deeper into the mountain, which was where the healers kept a lot of their herb stores.
"Hey, Spotted Owl." Fern Dapple tipped her head, giving her friend a warm smile. "How is your injury?"
Spotted Owl bit her lip, hesitating for a heartbeat. "It's feeling better now. I just aggravated it during the battle."
"That's good," Fern Dapple said, trying for a note of positivity in her voice, though her brow was still furrowed. "So, can I ask what happened? How did you end up participating in the battle?"
Spotted Owl shifted in her nest, the moss rustling beneath her. "Well, I was out with Sharp so he could go hunting, when-"
"Wait, Sharp was in the battle?" Disbelief reverberated through her like an echo in an empty cave. Fern Dapple's head jerked up, her eyes landing on the ginger tabby tom who stood stone-still a few tail-lengths away, disguised by the murky gloom deep in the cave. His unreadable gaze met hers briefly. Her neck fur began to rise as she turned back to Spotted Owl. "Sharp fought in the battle? Against who? Why in the stars would he do that?"
"Fern Dapple, it's okay." Spotted Owl's voice was hushed. She extended a paw, placing it on top of her friend's, though she looked around them as if she was afraid someone would overhear them. "He saved Amber Mist and Dawn Sky."
The hunter recoiled, her expression morphing from a frown to wide eyes and a slack jaw. "What do you mean?"
"Red Maple." Willow Leaf's exclamation and a commotion on the other side of the den made the she-cats turn before Spotted Owl had a chance to respond. Willow Leaf and Sharp Wind had stopped the russet she-cat as she had entered the cave, peppering her with questions.
"Will our daughter be okay?" Sharp Wind's mew was tight.
Willow Leaf's ears were flattened against her head. "Should she be this cheerful and talkative? Is this normal?"
"When are you going to treat her?"
As Willow Leaf opened her mouth again, Red Maple touched her tail to her shoulder and met both of their gazes one at a time. "Amber Mist is going to be fine. Based on my initial assessment, her injuries are minor, so they will be healed before you know it. Participating in your first battle, especially if you're not trained for it, in addition to the fact that it was a surprise, can be shocking, stressful, and traumatic. Amber Mist's exuberant and incessant conversation is her way of trying to cope with what she just experienced. It hasn't been long since the battle; she will calm down soon. She will need your love and support as she processes everything that happened. I will examine her more thoroughly once I am finished with my more serious patients, so I will be able to tell you more then."
"Thank you, Red Maple," Willow Leaf breathed. Sharp Wind wrapped his tail around his mate as they turned back to their daughter.
With them taken care of, Red Maple continued on her way, striding over to Fern Dapple, Spotted Owl, and Whispering Rain, who had returned. Greeting the first two, she turned to her trainee. "What do you have to tell me about Spotted Owl's injury?"
Whispering Rain straightened up, her ears erect and expression serious and attentive. "Spotted Owl told me that she fell twice on her injured leg during the battle; once while fighting and the second time by stumbling. She said it hurt both times after falling. The first one was not so bad as she could still move around, but the pain got much worse after the second, and she was not even able to stand up at first. She had to get help to make it back to camp, but she told me that the pain has lessened, and she's feeling much better now."
"That's good." The russet she-cat twitched an ear in Spotted Owl's direction, but her gaze remained focused on her trainee. "What do you have to report upon examination?"
"The injury was tender when I touched it with my paw," Whispering Rain answered promptly. "The range of motion is limited, and it is hard for her to move it without pain. It appears to me that Spotted Owl's injury was aggravated because of her falls and has regressed in its healing, but no lasting damage was done."
As the healer trainee described her examination results further, Fern Dapple watched her, her head tipped thoughtfully. Whispering Rain has advanced a lot in the short time she's been a healer trainee. I suppose it helps that she spent a lot of time in the healer's den as a kit. She's come a long way from that shy, quiet kit, though. She'll make a great healer someday.
"Excellent," Red Maple said once Whispering Rain had finished. Her whiskers twitched, holding back a smile. "Now, how would you treat Spotted Owl's injury?"
Whispering Rain blinked, surprised at being given such an important task, but she smiled. "Since it is not a wound or a sickness, there is not much we can do; the injury has to sort itself out on its own. I would instruct Spotted Owl to rest for the rest of this sunrise, take it easy for the next few sunrises-no battle training-and come to us to check-in and if it gets worse. I would also give her a poppy seed for the pain."
"Well done." Red Maple's face broke into a smile like the sun coming out from behind clouds. "Now finish up with your patient by getting her that poppy seed. While you're back there, please also get me some broom, comfrey, and elder leaves. Dappled Fur has a sprained paw that we're going to treat next."
Once Whispering Rain had hurried toward the back of the den, Red Maple turned to Spotted Owl. "Did you hear everything that Whispering Rain said?" When the dappled she-cat nodded, she continued, "Good. Now, you can go straight to your nest and rest. I need more space in the den to treat the other injured cats." Her gaze drifted to Sharp, who still lingered like a shadow against the cave wall, seemingly unfazed by his presence. "How are your injuries?"
Sharp's eyes widened, but he responded. "I have a few scratches; nothing major."
The healer nodded. "I'll come by your den later to treat your wounds once I'm finished with the rest of the injured cats." She turned back to Spotted Owl and Fern Dapple. "Now, you three can clear out of my den."
Fern Dapple bent down, offering her shoulder to Spotted Owl, but the fighter trainee waved her away with her tail. Grunting, she hoisted herself to her paws and carefully stepped over the side of the nest. "Thank you, Red Maple," she called, dipping her head to the healer who had already headed to the back of her den to collect the herbs.
Fern Dapple bit her lip as she watched Spotted Owl limped out of the healer's den. Her friend held her injured leg suspended in the ground, so she hobbled on three legs. She's not looking too good. I think she's hurt more than she will admit. I hope she'll listen to Whispering Rain.
Spotted Owl glanced over her shoulder, a brow raised. "Fern Dapple, are you coming?"
The silver tabby she-cat started. "Yes." She hurried after her, very aware of Sharp's soft pawsteps behind them.
"Spotted Owl!" A cry hailed as they stepped out of the cave and into the sunlight. Tall Pine and Blossom Dust were pounding toward them, their eyes alight with alarm.
"We heard what happened," Tall Pine panted, his paws kicking up dust as he skidded to a halt.
Blossom Dust looked their sister over. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Spotted Owl placed her tail on her sister's shoulder. "Really. I fell and aggravated my injury, but the healers said with some rest, I'll be okay. Other than that, I am fine."
"Fern Dapple, were you on that patrol as well? Are you hurt?" Tall Pine turned to the blue-eyed she-cat, his yellow eyes round.
Fern Dapple's lips curved upward. Warmth swelled in her chest as if a fire was burning inside it. But she suppressed her smile and shook her head. "No, I was not. I heard what happened just a little while ago and came to check on Spotted Owl."
"Good. I'm glad that you're all right." His face broke into a grin, and she couldn't help but smile back. "So, Spotted Owl." Tall Pine switched his attention back to his sister. "Can you tell us what happened?"
Yes, it would be good to hear the full story in more detail, Fern Dapple agreed silently, recalling what Spotted Owl had said back in the healer's den. As she turned toward, she caught a glimpse of Sharp slipping in the direction of his den before she joined Tall Pine and Blossom Dust, clustering around their friend and sister as she told them the full story.
That's interesting, Fern Dapple thought, a frown tugging at her lips, as Spotted Owl described how she and Sharp had been hunting together when they'd heard a cry and gone to investigate it, stumbling on the battle. I'm getting the feeling that she's leaving out some details. But she quickly forgot her suspicion as the Spotted Owl went on to describe the battle, more obviously this time glossing over the details of how she had reinjured her leg. Oh, my stars. It is true. A sense of foreboding dread came with a certainty that settled like a stone in her stomach. She hadn't wanted to believe it earlier.
"My stars," Tall Pine whispered, his brow furrowed, speaking for all four of them once his sister had finished. "The Clan of the Flowing Waters attacked our Clan, and not just that; a peaceful hunting patrol who was far from the border. They sought out that patrol intentionally. They're trying to provoke us into starting a war."
"Yes." Spotted Owl's expression was grim as she nodded. "That's exactly what I concluded."
Fern Dapple shook her head. "I cannot believe that they would do this. And now, of all times."
Spotted Owl and Tall Pine murmured their agreement.
"But why is Gray Moon doing this?" Blossom Dust spoke up, her ears laid back. "It couldn't be because Mossy Moon refused to tell him more about Sharp or the Clans pushed him to agree to their plan. Could it?"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Spotted Owl muttered darkly. "Gray Moon has refused to work with the other Clans despite the imminent threat to all of us, broken our Clans' seasons-old alliance, and withdrawn from the Grand Starlight Council. I wouldn't say he's anywhere near reasonable or rational."
"But it's a huge escalation," Blossom Dust protested. She held her sister's gaze for a few heartbeats before her eyes dropped down to her paws. "I want to believe that there could be a different cause for the attack that could offer us some hope of resolving the problem. Because I don't think that there is any chance of fixing either of those."
Fern Dapple hurried over to her friend's side, draping her tail over her shoulder. "I know. We all wish that things were different than the way there are right now. That the Bands weren't seeking revenge. That the Clans could cooperate. That there was hope."
"Agreed." Spotted Owl's ears twitched.
"Hey." Tall Pine cut in. He had remained silent for a while, his face scrunched with its telltale expression of when he was deep in thought. He scanned their faces as he continued. "Have any of you thought about how strange it is that Mossy Moon refused to tell Gray Moon more about Sharp? And about how she also refused to tell her us-own Clanmates? What could she have to hide?"
Spotted Owl flicked an ear in his direction, but she averted her gaze. "Yeah, I guess. But there are more important things to think about right now, such as the attack."
Tall Pine tipped his head, looking her in the eye. "If this is what provoked the attack, don't you agree that it is important?"
"Uh-I-I think-umm," Spotted Owl stuttered. She glanced over her shoulder, her wide, pleading eyes meeting Fern Dapple's.
What's that all about? The hunter wanted to frown, but she stepped in anyway, lifting her chin. "If Mossy Moon hasn't told us more, she must have a good reason. She is a strong, loyal, and wise chieftain, and she's never given us a reason to doubt her, so why should we start now? As her Clanmates, we need to trust her and stand by her. Whatever she is doing, I know that she has the best interest of our Clan in mind."
"Well said." Blossom Dust ginned as she bumped Fern Dapple's shoulder with her own.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Tall Pine said, though he still looked skeptical.
"So," Blossom Dust said, glancing over her shoulder, her gaze meaningfully directed at the chieftain's den beside the Rockperch. "What do you think Mossy Moon will do about this?"
"What can she even do?" Spotted Owl's gaze was a muddy pool of confliction. She gave a half-hearted shrug. "The Clan of the Flowing Waters invaded our territory and ambushed one of our patrols, injuring several of our Clanmates." Unsheathing her claws, she sank them into the ground. "I want to flay their pelts for what they did. But-" her voice wavered. "-if we retaliate, we risk starting a war that will weaken us, making it even easier for the Bands to triumph."
"I hate to say it, but I think that we should attack them." Tall Pine shook his head sadly. "From what I know of Gray Moon, if we don't respond, he will just continue to attack, and more of our Clanmates will get hurt."
Blossom Dust flattened her ears against her head. "We can't start a war right now. Like Spotted Owl said, we will only make it easier for the Bands to vanquish us."
"We will still be weakened if we allow the Clan of the Flowing Waters to keep assaulting us," Tall Pine pointed out.
Fern Dapple sighed, an ache beginning to coalesce in her head. She fought the urge to scream or sink her claws into something or to just flop down in her nest. I hate how helpless we all are to do anything about this horrible situation. I wish that there was something I could do. "This is an impossible situation, no matter the way you look at it." She cast a glance over her shoulder. "But I can't imagine that Mossy Moon will decide to attack them in retaliation. That's not the kind of chieftain she is."
Tall Pine flicked his tail at the Rockperch, where several of their Clanmates lingered in small groups. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Mossy Moon has been inside her den for a while now, talking with Falling Star and the council cats. Everyone is anxious to know what is going to happen, so I'm sure she'll call a meeting soon." He turned back to them. "While we're waiting to hear Mossy Moon's decision, don't you all think it is strange that Sharp decided to help our Clanmates in the battle today? Why would one of our sworn enemies help us?"
That's exactly what I was wondering, Fern Dapple thought, furrowing her brow. However, before any of them got the chance to respond, Mossy Moon's summoning call announced the Clan meeting. Cats, energized by the anticipation, leaped to their paws or poked their heads out of caves before hurrying over to the Rockperch if they weren't amongst those already assembled there, waiting. Spotted Owl and Blossom Dust began to make their way over with their brother trailing behind. Fern Dapple followed, but not before she noted the relieved expression on Spotted Owl's face and the disgruntled look on Tall Pine's.
Mossy Moon sat on the pinnacle of the Rockperch, her head lifted regally, and her pelt, as dark as the earth after rain, was highlighted in gold by the light from the setting sun. Fern Dapple raised her head as she sat down between Blossom Dust and Tall Pine near the left side of the crowd, trying to catch her grandmother's gaze, but Mossy Moon was staring out over the camp, her expression unreadable. Quiet Sun and the other elders were sitting in front of Fern Dapple, while Yellow Sky and Smoke Pelt, his wounds patched up, sat to their right. Further away, Sharp Wind and Willow Leaf sat with their heads bent together, murmuring to each other, a now much more subdued Amber Mist beside them. Anxious and restless murmurs rustled through the crowd like the wind through dry grass.
"Cats of the Clan of the Morning Sun." Mossy Moon's voice rang across the camp, quelling the murmurs. Cats hushed as they turned their gazes on their chieftain. Even Red Maple, still on the other side of the gorge, busy cleaning up after she had finally finished treating the injured cats, paused. Maple Sky, who was watching over Passing Storm, poked her head out of the healer's den to listen.
"I'm sure you all know by now why I've called this meeting," Mossy Moon began, her gaze traveling across the crowd. Her tone gravely serious, reflecting her steely gaze and set jaw. "Just past sunhigh-not too long ago-the Clan of the Flowing Waters attacked one of our hunting patrols. Our cats fought back, but they were no match for a patrol of well-trained fighters. Everyone on the patrol was injured, but Red Maple reported that they all should be fine, including Passing Storm, though she will keep an eye on him. However, it could have been much worse had Spotted Owl and Sharp not arrived in time to help drive them off."
The chieftain paused as murmurs rippled through the crowd; some surprised as they were hearing the full story for the first time; others congratulatory of Spotted Owl; a few suspicious.
Blossom Dust nudged her sister, who sat on her other side, with her shoulder. "Nicely done, sis."
Fern Dapple reached around Blossom Dust and touched her tail to the dappled she-cat's shoulder. "Congratulations. I didn't get to say it earlier, but I think you were very courageous."
"Thank you." Spotted Owl flashed her a smile, though her expression quickly morphed back to its troubled look.
"Now," Mossy Moon continued, signaling with her tail for the cats to quieten. "I'm sure you are all also wondering what we're going to do about it."
"Yes, we all would like to know, Mossy Moon," Dewy Grass called, rising to her paws from where she sat near the center of the crowd. "The Clan of the Flowing Waters have crossed a line by trespassing on our territory and attacking a peaceful hunting patrol. Gray Moon is pressing his luck. We need to send him a message that we won't tolerate this any longer." A chorus of murmurs of agreement followed her declaration.
"I may just be a hunter, but I would love to sink my claws into some watercat flesh for what they did to us," Smoke Pelt rasped. He shifted, the dressings on his wounds flashing in the dying sunlight.
"They crossed a line by attacking hunters who aren't trained for battle, including an innocent trainee who is practically still a kit," Sharp Wind growled. His reddish fur was fluffed up, his tail lashing.
"Sharp Wind," Amber Mist squawked, affronted. "I'm not a-"
"We cannot let this slide," the tom finished, ignoring his daughter.
Mossy Moon dipped her head, acknowledging her Clanmates' opinions. "I hear what all of you are saying, and I understand. I share your anger with the Gray Moon and the Clan of the Flowing Waters for attacking our Clanmates. I am appalled that he would be so senseless as to provoke a war when we are facing a much greater threat. I agree; this is an offense against our Clan that we cannot ignore. We have to answer."
Fern Dapple pricked her ears. Oh, my stars. Is she going to agree to attack?
"But-" Mossy Moon tipped her head. "This is also a delicate and difficult situation, and we need to tread carefully. The best way to answer may not be with another attack. Violence only leads to more violence. We cannot get involved in a war with another Clan right now. The Bands pose a much greater threat to all of the Clans, and they have wronged us in more ways than the Clan of the Flowing Waters." She paused, her gaze scrutinizing the dead-silent crowd. "If we retaliate against them, we will incite a war that will lead to nothing but more casualties and suffering; that will weaken us, so when the Bands come, we will be no match for them. Without the other Clans' support, the only hope we have is to conserve our strength and prepare ourselves to fight the Bands." She raised her tail for silence as murmurs rose like flocks of birds launching themselves into the sky. "But that does not mean I am going to leave our Clan helpless. I have asked Falling Star to increase patrols on all of our borders, but especially with the Clan of the Flowing Waters. We will not let another patrol cross our borders. We will show Gray Moon that we are strong, and we will not tolerate any more offenses."
Raven Swoop cleared his throat. "Mossy Moon, if I may, how are we supposed to show Gray Moon that we are strong if we do not retaliate?" He flexed his claws. "He won't see our lack of response as anything but cowardly. And increased border patrols will not prevent another ambush-they'll be handing him more cats to attack."
"Exactly," Dewy Grass exclaimed, slamming her paw down on the ground. "The only way to send him a message is to do it by force. There is no other way to warn the Clan of the Flowing Waters not to mess with us."
"But like Mossy Moon said, retaliating will only incite a war," Soaring Hawk said evenly. "Violence does not prevent more violence; it creates a cycle."
"There will be more violence anyway," Dawn Sky objected. Her expression was stony, and her shoulders were squared, masking the fear-scent that clung to her. "I was one of the cats on the patrol. I had to watch our Clanmates be viciously assaulted by the Clan of the Flowing Waters fighters. They even went after Amber Mist, an inexperienced trainee. Increasing the number of border patrols will not stop them; they are out for blood. There is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to attack. But perhaps if we retaliate firmly, we can put an end to this."
"If you are so concerned about protecting our young, starting a war is not the right way to do that," Waving Fern pointed out.
"You don't get to talk about protecting our young. Neither of your kits were on that patrol," Sharp Wind hissed, wrapping his tail around Amber Mist.
"If we start a war, it won't matter whose kits get attacked-we'll all be," Waving Fern retorted.
"We wouldn't be starting a war." Dewy Grass's fur stood on end, as spiky as a thistle. "We would be stopping them before they could hurt anymore of our Clanmates."
Yellow Sky rose to her paws, her dark gray pelt like a long shadow cast over the crowd. "Cats are going to get hurt either way, Dewy Grass. But right now, we have to choose between retaliating to save our pride or restraining ourselves to save our Clan later. The Bands are coming-"
"But they are not here right now," Jagged Path interrupted, lashing his tail. His eyes were alit like dancing flames with the fervor of the argument. "The Clan of the Flowing Waters are posing the most imminent threat. We need to fight."
Yellow Sky swung around, her piercing yellow gaze making Jagged Path wilt like a dried flower. But before she could say anything more, more cats opened their mouths, voicing their opinions at the same time, so it all blended into a furious uproar. Dewy Grass and Cloudy Water stared each other down as they went back and forth, trading jabs. Sharp Wind and Waving Fern stood nose-to-nose, their pelts bristling. Dawn Sky leaned against Running Wave, her shoulders slumped, exhausted. Willow Leaf wrapped her tail around Amber Mist as Red Maple herded Whispering Rain back into the healer's den, and Maple Sky ducked inside after them. Soaring Hawk tried to be the voice of reason, and Bracken Tail tried to remind their Clanmates that they had to work together, but both of them were drowned out.
My stars, Fern Dapple shook her head as she stared around herself. Sadness churned inside her at the sight of her Clanmates' bristling pelts as they fought amongst themselves. If there ever is a time that we as a Clan need to work together, it's now, and yet they are all at each other's throats. This is a challenging situation, and everyone does have different ideas of what we should do about it, though, she reminded herself. They can express their opinions, but they need to respect Mossy Moon's decision. It is the right decision; if we attack the Clan of the Flowing Waters, we will be starting a war, and our Clan won't survive it. She glanced up at Mossy Moon, who sat with her tail wrapped around her paws at the tip of the Rockperch, waiting. Is she going to do anything?
"Enough!" Falling Star shouted, her command rising above the clamor. Her eyes blazed like the breaking dawn. "Be quiet."
"You would do well to remember that Mossy Moon is our chieftain, and as that, you owe her your loyalty and allegiance," Cloudy Water growled, his ear laid back as he glared at Dewy Grass. Fern Dapple missed her reply as the cacophony, which had hushed for a heartbeat, rose again like a raging river.
"How dare you all," Spotted Owl burst out, making the silver tabby she-cat jump with the force of her shout. The cats stilled, quieted, more from shock than anything else. Spotted Owl leaped to her paws and raked the crowd with her gaze. "How dare you all even think about going against our chieftain's orders and attacking the Clan of the Flowing Waters. Have you forgotten the Bands? Have you forgotten what they did to Scattered Leaves? To Rabbit Nose and me? To all of us? Have you forgotten the threat that they pose?"
"No." The crowd parted to let Dewy Grass stride forward, her whiskers twitching and her expression solemn. "I have not forgotten what they did to Scattered Leaves. That is why I will never forgive any of the Band cats-" She swung around, turning her gaze on Mossy Moon. "-none of them, no matter if they are asking for asylum or not. No matter what, Sharp is still one of them. He is the one who killed my brother. It is long past time that he left. If you hadn't allowed him to stay with our Clan, Gray Moon would not have attacked us in the first place. And he is only attacking because you have refused to tell the truth. We want to know the truth now. It's time for this to end."
Mossy Moon held the fighter's gaze for a few heartbeats before she scanned the rest of the crowd as if asking a question. The cats of the Clan of the Morning Sun remained quiet, and the group shifted as they began to settle down again, waiting. No one raised their voice in support, but no one objected, either.
"I understand that you all want me to tell you." The chieftain's tone was hushed. "But I cannot." She paused. "For there is nothing to tell."
I wouldn't be so sure of that. Fern Dapple furrowed her brow, glancing around her. Mutters rose like morning mist from the cats around her, and from the thundercloud of tension still hanging in the air, she guessed it might erupt at any moment. But we need to trust her. Our chieftain knows what she is doing.
"Now." Mossy Moon rose swiftly to her paws. "I have already told you my decision regarding our response. It is my final decision. This meeting is over." Before anyone could open their mouths, she turned and strode down the back of the Rockperch, slowing as she leaned down to carefully leap down from the base and vanished into her den.
"My stars," Tall Pine murmured, shaking his head slowly, the first one of the four to speak. Around them, the throng was beginning to break up as cats broke off into small groups, made a beeline for the fresh-kill pile, headed for their respective dens with weary sighs, or returned to their duties. Disgruntled, unhappy, confused, worried, and many other mutters and murmurs filled the air like a swarm of bees, but no one protested. Fern Dapple's eyes followed Dewy Grass as she stalked away, a knot of cats around her.
Blossom Dust turned to her sister, placing her tail on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Spotted Owl drew in a shaky breath, swallowed, and then nodded. "Yeah. I think I will be."
"Can you believe that?" Tall Pine turned to the three she-cats.
Blossom Dust took a deep breath. "At least we won't be starting a war with the Clan of the Flowing Waters. Mossy Moon made a wise decision. You were right, Fern Dapple." The golden patched she-cat glanced at the blue-eyed she-cat, but her attention was trained on the mouth to Mossy Moon's den, where the chieftain had vanished. That must have been hard. I hope she's okay.
"No, I mean about-" Tall Pine started.
"If you all will excuse me-" Fern Dapple abruptly broke herself out of her daze and turned back to the siblings, a sudden certainty settling inside her. "-there's something I have to do."
Blossom Dust nodded, though she looked a little bit surprised and concerned. "Of course."
Fern Dapple flashed her friend a smile to show that she was okay. "Thanks." Before the word had even finished leaving her mouth, she was bounding across the camp as if her paws had wings. She wove through the dispersing crowd, only slowing once she reached the lengthening shadow of the towering camp walls. Should I be doing this? She began to doubt herself for a heartbeat as the black abyss of Mossy Moon's den yawned before her like a sleepy predator. But she pushed through it and padded up to it, pausing as she heard voices coming from inside.
"...going to ask Red Maple to make a visit to the Starfalls," came Mossy Moon's voice, much more noticeably strained now that she was in private. "If we ever need guidance from the Clan of the Bright Stars, it's now. Once, of course, Passing Storm is stable enough for her to leave." Quick pawsteps pattered across, then paused, before sounding again as if she was pacing. "She'll need an escort, too. I can't imagine that Hawk Moon would allow any of his cats to attack a healer, but we can't be too sure. I'll send two fighters, maybe three; enough to protect her, but not look like an invasion."
"Mossy Moon." Cloudy Water's deep rumble came from inside as well. His mew was soft, gentle, but the chieftain didn't seem to notice.
"Soaring Hawk would be a good choice," Mossy Moon mused. "Maybe Sage Fur as well, if her wounds are healed enough. Perhaps Sharp Wind as well. He disagrees with me right now, but he would never let any harm come to his Clanmates. Probably Rabbit Nose as well."
"Mossy Moon," Cloudy Water tried again.
"I am also going to ask that Falling Star keep a close eye on Dewy Grass and not assign her to any of the border patrols for our border with the Clan of the Flowing Waters." Her pawsteps continued to pace. "She is a hotheaded young cat still mourning the loss of her brother-I don't blame her for that-but the last thing we need is for her to pick a fight with one of their patrols."
"Mossy Moon," Cloudy Water said for a third time, much louder.
"What?" The chieftain seemed to stir out of her thoughts.
I shouldn't be here. Fern Dapple took a step backward, her ears burning with guilt at having intruded on a private conversation, but she stumbled and let out a grunt.
"Who's there?" Mossy Moon and Cloudy Water's gazes flew to the entrance. The dark brown tabby she-cat's neck fur lifted, but she relaxed, smiling, once she saw who it was. "Fern Dapple, come on in." She and Cloudy Water shifted around to face Fern Dapple as the hunter slipped inside. Mossy Moon tilted her head. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, nothing," Fern Dapple said as she sat down. "I mean, I wanted to come and check-in. Between the attack and the meeting, it has been a hard sunrise for everyone."
Cloudy Water chuckled lightly. "That's exactly what I was just trying to ask her." Though his tone was teasing, his eyes shone with affection as he gazed at her.
Mossy Moon smiled graciously. "Thank you both for your concern. I am not going to lie; these coming sunrises are going to be dark. Gray Moon has all but declared war, the other Clans are in disarray, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Bands will be arriving soon to execute their plan for revenge that we are entirely unprepared for." She heaved a sigh. "I hope with the increased patrols, we can ward off the Clan of the Flowing Waters for now and catch any Band cats before they enter the Valley. I pray that-"
"Yes, Mossy Moon, we all know how the Clan is doing," Cloudy Water interrupted. "We are in a dire situation right now, but that's not what we're asking about." He leaned over and pressed his nose to her cheek. "How are you doing?"
Mossy Moon heaved another sigh. She was quiet for a few heartbeats, her eyes downcast. "I'm doing okay," she said at last. "This is a hard time for everyone. But no matter what, I will be okay. My Clan needs me."
Fern Dapple's lips tugged downward into a skeptical frown as she studied her grandmother; exhaustion present in the haggardness of her face and the slump in her shoulders; the gray on her muzzle becoming more prominent. She does so much, cares so much about our Clan. She gives everything she's got. To be a chieftain is to bear a heavy burden. I can't imagine that she's okay with everything going on, but she's never going to give up. Her eyes flicked between Mossy Moon and Cloudy Water as the latter whispered something into the former's ear, and she smiled and nodded. I should probably give them some privacy.
Fern Dapple rose to her paws and dipped her head to her chieftain. "I'm glad you're okay, Mossy Moon. I'll leave you two alone."
Her grandparents glanced at her and murmured their goodbyes as she turned to leave. At the entrance, Fern Dapple paused and glanced over her shoulder. Mossy Moon leaned against her mate; Cloudy Water was resting his muzzle on top of her head. Smiling softly, Fern Dapple left them in peace, but a thought kept nagging her from the back of her mind.
I'm baaaaaacckk! And not dead, I promise. I've been writing this very looooonng chapter, so, surprise? I totally didn't mean for it to be this long, but it ended up being this way because I just couldn't find anything I wanted to cut. There is quite a bit of fluff in this chapter, but I think it's good fluff because it is giving some background characters development-and it was fun to write. I did try to see if I could make it into two chapters, but I couldn't find anywhere that felt like a satisfying ending, so here it is. If you are reading this, it means that you took the time to read it, so thank you! I hope you enjoyed it!
Reviews:
Theoneandonlylonelypotato - Yes, Spotted Owl was going through a lot of inner turmoil in the last chapter. I guess we'll just have to see how things turn out! Thank you very much! Your review made me smile :)
Fun Fact:
Amber Mist and Dawn Sky were paired as instructor and trainee because Amber Mist's bubbly and adventurous personality will help Dawn Sky loosen up, and Dawn Sky's discipline, ferocity, and brash honesty will push Amber Mist to grow.
Stay safe and healthy!
- A Warrior At Heart