Chapter 18: Spotted Owl
Spotted Owl dreamed that she was standing in belly-deep snow on the bare mountainside, the bitter winds of the Time of Frozen Earth howling in her ear. She awoke with a start, chilled to the bone as if she had been there. What in the stars? She looked around at the gloomy den, only just starting to brighten in the dawn light, her eyes landing on Tall Pine. Her brother was still curled up, sleeping as hard as a stone, with his damp fur pressing up against her. That, combined with the frosty air, had chilled her. She frowned. Huh. That's strange.
Blossom Dust, beside them both, was stirring as Spotted Owl stretched, shaking out her stiff muscles. As she headed across the cave, wincing at the coldness penetrating her pads, she noticed that Amber Mist still snored in her nest, but Whispering Rain's was empty. The healer trainee was the earliest riser in the den now—even earlier than Tall Pine (usually) was—as she liked to go to the healer's den as early as possible to help Red Maple.
The young she-cat poked her head out of the trainee's den, and a gust of chilly wind instantly blasted her. She withdrew her head, fluffing up her pelt as she braced herself to step outside. The stone gorge was serene; a hush hung over it like a bird's wing as most of her Clanmates were still slumbering and frost glittered like little fallen stars fallen in the dawn light creeping over the walls. Her paws crunched the frosted ground as she headed across the camp. Falling Star and Rabbit Nose lay with their heads bent together in the shade of the Rockperch, paying her no mind as she trotted by, while Smoke Pelt munched on a squirrel nearby, beside the prey pile, his wounds still coated with their bandages.
As she passed the leftover prey from the night before, Spotted Owl's stomach growled, but she didn't stop, continuing to stride across the camp. When she reached the most isolated corner, she finally slowed as she entered the shadow of the looming wall. Rising Water, who stood on guard beside the narrow opening, gave her a nod as she took a deep breath, only hesitating for a heartbeat before she poked her head inside the crevice.
"Sharp?" Spotted Owl squinted in the darkness, trying to make out the ginger figure in the nest at the back of the den.
"Yes, Spotted Owl?" He mumbled. "What is it? Is it even dawn?"
"It's past dawn." Spotted Owl swished her tail impatiently. "It's time to go hunting. Let's go." She waited for a few heartbeats with an impatiently swishing tail keeping time before Sharp emerged from the den. She had to stifle a laugh at his messy pelt, sticking up on one side almost as if he had smeared it against some ice. He blinked blearily at her as she arranged her features into a professional expression and turned to go. "Come on. We should get going."
Spotted Owl walked briskly as she headed across the camp and into the passageway. Sharp lagged behind at first, shaking off his sleepiness, but he picked up his pace and caught up to her as she entered the tunnel. He was close behind her as she wove through the brambles, nodding to Raven Swoop, who was on watch beside the thicket. Usually, there would not have been a guard at this time, but Mossy Moon had decided to post one as one of the new precautions, in addition to doubling the number of guards at night. The new defenses were necessary to prevent another attack from the Clan of the Flowing Waters, but they were already wearing out the fighters. To help, some of the hunters had decided to pitch in. Spotted Owl twitched her ears. That's right. I'm standing guard with Yellow Sky tonight.
Side by side, Spotted Owl and Sharp headed down the mountainside, their pads scraping against rugged stone and twisted evergreen roots until it gave way to a canopy of bare branches and crumpled leaves that crunched under their paws. At a fork in the well-worn trail, the dappled she-cat took the right path, leading Sharp far away from the border with the Clan of the Flowing Waters. She frowned, twitching her whiskers. The last thing my Clan needs is for a Clan of the Flowing Waters border patrol to accuse any of us, but especially Sharp, of trespassing or stealing prey. There's also the danger of being attacked as well if we stray too close to the border. She let out a sigh. Great stars, I cannot believe Gray Moon's idiocy. I want to flay that mange-ridden foxheart for hurting my-
"Spotted Owl?" Sharp's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hmm? What?" She glanced at the ginger tabby tom, who was peering at her, his forehead wrinkled.
"Are you okay? You look worried."
"I'm fine," Spotted Owl said shortly, brushing off his concern. Turning her attention back on their surroundings, the burble of a brook reaching her ears. As they rounded a bend, the swift-flowing water came into view, bouncing over rocks in an irregular channel on its journey down the mountain. Sheets of cracked ice lined its sides, sparkling blindingly in the morning sunlight. Opening her mouth, Spotted Owl searched for the scents of prey underneath layers of decaying leaves and sharp frost. Sure enough, she detected the musk of water voles and mice, just as Quick Clouds said she would when she had asked him for suggestions of good places to hunt a few sunrises before.
Spotted Owl halted and turned to Sharp. "This is where you can hunt for today. Quick Clouds told me there should be some mice and water voles around here. Remember, you can only catch one piece of prey and don't try anything."
"Thank you." Sharp gave her a nod before turning and padded away, following the brook's curve with his nose to the ground.
The dappled she-cat watched him for a few heartbeats before she chose a sunny rock and sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws as she withdrew into her thoughts again. I wish I had a definitive answer about Sharp. I don't like all of this guessing and waiting. She stamped her paw. I know Mossy Moon, Tall Pine, and everyone else thinks that Sharp is here as a part of the Bands' revenge plan, that he's up to no good. They're probably right. I mean, after everything he's done to us, why should we trust him? Half a moon ago, I would've thought any different. I have no proof for why we should trust him, but I can't shake the feeling I've had ever since the attack. Sharp risked his life without question to save my Clanmates. That's something. But does it mean that he's trustworthy? Will I ever be able to trust him again? I also can't shake the feeling that no matter what, he is hiding something. If he came for asylum, then why? What made him leave the Bands? Her eyes widened as something dawned on her. She recalled the dark cave, Sharp staring at her with wide, conflicted eyes after she blurted out her question before he turned away. Could it be-
"Spotted Owl," Sharp said suddenly from nearby.
The young she-cat jumped, startled out of her thoughts. She leaped to her paws and spun around to see him standing a few tail-lengths away, clutched prey in his jaws. "You're back already?"
"Yeah." Sharp shrugged as he dropped two water voles onto the ground. "Prey wasn't too hard to find. It was an excellent idea to hunt here. Thank you."
Spotted Owl didn't hear him. She clambered down off of her rock, fury brewing like a thunderstorm inside her. Behind it was the fear that had coalesced in a lump in her throat. She swallowed, then lifted her gaze to his face, eyes narrowed. "Sharp, why in the stars did you catch two pieces of prey? You're only supposed to catch one. Do we have a problem?"
Sharp's ears instantly pulled back. "N-no. No problem. I'm so sorry. I only meant-"
"Spit it out."
"I heard your stomach rumbling earlier. I figured that you hadn't had time to eat before we left camp, so I thought I'd bring you a piece of prey." He looked shyly at her from out of the corner of his eye.
"Oh." Spotted Owl took a step back. She blinked several times, her mind numb, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Oh. My. Stars.
"If you don't want it, you can take it back to camp for your prey pile," Sharp said quickly. "I'm sorry again; I never meant to break the rules."
"No, no," the fighter trainee said hastily. "I'm sorry. That was very thoughtful of you." As if on cue, her stomach grumbled nearly loudly as a metalbeast's roar. "I am hungry."
"Oh, good." Sharp gave her an awkward half-smile. Bending down, he picked up one of the voles and dropped it at her paws.
"Thank you," Spotted Owl murmured as she settled down to eat. This was surprisingly kind of him. As she chewed and swallowed a few mouthfuls, the tender meat filled her empty belly, soothing her grouchiness. Once she had finished about half, she looked up, watching Sharp as he ate. He's making an effort to rebuild our relationship. I think...I think that I should try as well—and not just because my Clan is relying on me.
The dappled she-cat cleared her throat. "So, how did you catch the prey so fast?"
Sharp's head jerked up, his ears swiveling before pulling forward as his posture relaxed. He shrugged. "As I said earlier, the prey wasn't too hard to find. I followed my nose to the burrow in the bank of the brook that belonged to these two voles. When I realized that there were two entrances, I filled one in with some rocks and then waited for them to come out the other."
"Wow," Spotted Owl gasped. "That was very clever. You're a great hunter."
Sharp ducked his head. "I'm not so sure of that."
"No, seriously, you are. I'm a horrible hunter. I'm way too clumsy to stalk prey—or at least stalk prey successfully—and I am too impatient. If prey doesn't jump into my claws, there is no way I can catch it."
Sharp chuckled. "That's true. Do you remember when we tried to catch that rabbit?"
"Oh, yeah," Spotted Owl giggled. "That was a disaster. Thank the stars I'm a much better fighter than I am a hunter."
The green-eyed tom smiled at her. "That you are."
Finishing the last bite of prey, Spotted Owl stood and arched her back, relishing the stretch in her powerful muscles. "I prefer fighting over hunting any day. I love the technique and precision of battle moves. The rush that I get whenever I spar with other trainees is the best thing ever. I always feel brave and graceful and powerful, and as if I can do anything. As if I don't have to fear anything."
"I understand that. I prefer hunting over fighting, though."
"Tall Pine does too, which makes sense because he's a hunter, as does Fern Dapple. They're both swift, agile, and a lot more patient than I am, so they make good hunters. I'm actually not sure what Blossom Dust prefers, but she is a very talented fighter." Spotted Owl tipped her head. "What about your sister?"
"Sage?" Sharp blinked. "She always liked to fight." He pricked his ears. "When I was hunting earlier, I saw this huge rocky outcrop a bit further downstream where the banks of the brook get steeper."
"Oh, yeah." Spotted Owl flicked her tail in the direction. "I know where that is. I bet you noticed it because it's a little out of place down here on the lower slopes of the mountain. It formed as a result of an avalanche several moons ago. When I was younger, I came here once on a hunting patrol with my siblings, and I dared them both to climb it. They both were too much of scaredy-kits, and Yellow Sky caught us before I could try. But I've wanted to ever since."
Sharp let out a short laugh. "I was thinking that too." His eyes glimmered. "Do you want to give it a try?"
"Absolutely."
. . .
"Wow, I'd forgotten how tall it is," Spotted Owl said, craning her neck to peer up at the jagged cliff. The rocky outcrop was not as steep as other cliffs higher up on the Dawn Mountain that she'd climbed before with ease, but its side was rough and covered in loose rubble, and it towered countless tail-lengths above her head.
Sharp glanced at her, a brow raised. "Do you still want to do this?"
Do I? Red Maple did say to rest. Spotted Owl glanced at her shoulder and foreleg and then back up at the cliff. Anxiousness twisted inside her chest like an earthworm. Nah, I'll be fine. And there is no way I'm backing down now. She looked him square in the eye. "I could do this in my sleep."
Sharp grinned. "Okay, then. I'll race you to the top."
She smirked, swishing her tail. "You're on."
"One…two…three." No sooner than the final number left Sharp's lips than the pair took off. Spotted Owl bunched her muscles and leaped onto the ledge closest to her, about three tail-lengths off the ground. As she flew through the air, she scanned the slope, planning out her path. By the time her paws hit, she was already readying to leap again. Air rushed in and out of her lungs as her breath quickened. Her muscles burned, but she smiled, savoring the feeling. The rough stone scratched her paws as she made jump after jump, barreling up the slope in a zigzag path.
As her breath ran short, she paused for a brief heartbeat on a crag that jutted out from the cliffside. Her eyes caught a ginger blur as it whirled past her, turning his head to give her a sly smile. Immediately, Spotted Owl was on her paws again and reaching for the next ledge. There is no way that I'm letting that furball beat me.
The cliff grew steeper as Spotted Owl and Sharp continued their climb. The ledges shrunk to little cracks and crags, so they had to pull themselves up paw-over-paw. Spotted Owl kept her gaze fixed on her route, moving more cautiously now. She didn't want to admit it, but bees were starting to form in her stomach, buzzing with nerves. She was all too aware of the fluid air behind her, nothing in between her and the long drop to the babbling brook below. Her stomach flipped as a loose rock gave way under her paw, hurtling to the ground below, but she kept going.
As she hauled herself up by a crack in the rock, she dared to sneak a glance at Sharp. He had slowed as well but was moving himself up steadily, pulling ahead of her. No, he cannot win. The fighter trainee's gaze snapped to the top of the outcrop, where she could now see brittle brown grass peeking over the edge. She was getting close. Determination flared like a fire inside her, and she swung her forepaw up, sliding it into a paw-hold above a large rock. She was pulling herself up when it suddenly gave way, crashing into her shoulder before tumbling down the slope, crashing to the ground. Spotted Owl gasped in pain as the injury in her wounded shoulder flared. Panic rose inside her as she swung, dangling from only two paw-holds.
"Spotted Owl!" Sharp's alarmed shriek like an eagle's cry came from above, startling the young she-cat, so she lost the paw-hold she was trying to grab and swung even more wildly back and forth. "Hold on. I'm coming."
Spotted Owl's muscles screamed as she hung from the rocky outcrop, her tail and right back leg swinging in mid-air, her injured leg pressed against her side. Oh no, oh no, oh no. This was a horrible idea. I can't get a grip. I can't hold on. I'm going to fall. Stars curse my stupid injury. Her panic swelled higher and higher like a flooded river. Blood roared in her ears, and her heart thudded against her chest. She moaned as pain flashed through her, but she curled her back leg up, claws scrabbling against the stone, trying to find a perch. Her paw slipped, adding to her panic. I'm going to fall.
"Spotted Owl." Sharp's breath was warm against her ear. He was beside her, having worked his way down the slope quickly but carefully. "I'm here."
"I'm going to fall," she said, her flanks heaving.
"No, you're not." The ginger tom's confident voice cut through the dark, swirling clouds of panic and pain. "You're going to be fine. I'll help you." He touched his nose to her back leg, sending tingles through her body, as he guided it to a firm paw-hold.
Spotted Owl's chest continued to heave as she pressed her paw down in the crack, expecting it to break beneath her, but it held firm. It's okay. I'm going to be okay. Her panic settled as she forced herself to take deep breaths.
"There you go," Sharp murmured. "Just breathe." He smiled at her as she turned her head to look at him, her vision clearing as she calmed.
"T-thank you," Spotted Owl stuttered. The fear that had frozen her to the bone was just starting to wear off, so she was still numb, unfeeling.
Sharp nodded. "Of course. Whenever you're ready, we can head down. Just let me know."
The dappled she-cat took in another breath, steadying her nerves before she nodded. Working together, Sharp and her slowly but surely worked their way down the cliff. At first, Sharp guided each of Spotted Owl's paws to firm places to grip on the trickier, steeper part. As they reached the lower slope with wide ledges, Spotted Owl felt confident enough to navigate down herself, but the ginger tabby tom was close behind her.
Spotted Owl let out a huge sigh as she made the final leap to the ground. Unsheathing her claws, she dug them into the dirt. I never thought that I would be so glad to touch the ground again. She looked back up the rocky outcrop, her ears flattening against her head. That was a bad idea. A horrible idea. How can I be so mouse-brained and irresponsible? I almost fell. And my leg… She shifted her weight, realizing that she was still holding her leg off the ground. She held her breath as she slowly set it down on the earth and put weight on it, her shoulders sagging as the pain in it didn't flare. Thank the stars. It could've been so much worse.
"Spotted Owl." Sharp hopped down beside her. "Are you okay?"
The young she-cat pressed her lips together as she turned her back on him, trying to stifle a whimper as sorrow swelled inside her. I can't do this right now—not in front of Sharp. But it burst through her clenched jaw, coming out in a sob.
Sharp hurried around to face her. There were deep creases in his brow as he bent his head to meet her gaze. "What's wrong?"
As she stared into his deep green eyes, round with genuine concern, something broke inside her. "It's my leg," she explained in between shuddered breaths and stray tears. "I have a limp now, but you've probably noticed that. It's because of the wound on my shoulder." She turned to show him the long scar. "I got it—I got it while I was a prisoner. From—from the interrogation." She squeezed her eyes shot to push away the memories and the nightmares. Her paws trembled. "My injury has taken a long time to get better, and it might never heal fully. It made me behind in my training and has forced me to work twice as hard to do half as much. If I even do basic things—stuff I used to do all of the time—like fighting in the battle or trying to climb the cliff, it acts up. I feel so weak and useless." She hung her head, sobs wracking her sides. "My biggest fear is that it will never heal. That I will always be like this. Feeble. Worthless. Imperfect. A burden to my Clan. How can I ever become a great fighter? How will I ever protect my Clan now?"
"Spotted Owl…" Sharp breathed. "I'm so sorry. But you can't think like that."
Her head jerked up, eyes widening as her tears dried.
"You can't." He shook his head. He took a step closer, so close she felt his breath against her whiskers. He stared deep into her eyes, his gaze holding so many emotions. "Because you are not a burden, and you are anything but useless and weak. You are courageous and strong, much stronger for going through this."
"Sure, I'm strong," Spotted Owl muttered, turning away. "That doesn't change the fact that I'm broken. Damaged goods."
Sharp caught her shoulder with his tail, stopping her. "You are not broken. But if you keep thinking that way, you will begin to believe it so that it will come true. You have to believe that you will get better. You have to believe in yourself."
As Spotted Owl gazed into his eyes, full of conviction, she got the feeling that he was speaking not only to her but to himself as well.
The green-eyed tom titled his head, the ghost of a smile on his lips. "You are not broken. You are not weak, useless, or worthless. You are the strongest, bravest, and most aggravatingly stubborn cat I know. You are beautiful and perfect just the way you are."
Spotted Owl's heart swelled with warmth until it was so full she thought it might burst. Her lips tugged upward, so she smiled back at him. Everything—the frosty air ruffling her fur, the burble of the brook, the hard dirt between her toes—faded away until it was just the two of them standing there. She forgot the past, everything that had happened between them, so it was only the two of them in that moment, right then. A lake of tears brimmed in her eyes.
Sharp frowned, his brow furrowing again. "Why are you crying?"
The black and white she-cat shook her head. "No reason. But thank you, Sharp. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."
"Of course." His eyes brimmed with warmth as he gazed at her for a long heartbeat.
Spotted Owl tipped her head, a thought tugging from the back of her mind. "Hey, I've meant to ask you something. During the skirmish a few sunrises ago, I noticed some scars on your belly that I don't think I've ever seen before. How did you get them?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Sharp froze, his face paling. His chest heaved as his breathing became ragged. Abruptly, he whirled around and bounded a few steps away. Spotted Owl took a step back, blinking a few times as alarm pulsed through her. Every sense was on high alert as all at once, everything snapped back into place. All at once, she remembered where she was, who she was with, and everything that had happened between them.
Sharp halted, his head bent and back turned to her. After several heartbeats, he seemed to calm down. She waited as he turned and trotted back to her. He met her gaze with round eyes. "I'm sorry for reacting like that. I didn't mean to frighten you. If it's okay, I'd rather not talk about it. Not yet."
Spotted Owl's stomach twisted with guilt. She nodded hurriedly. "Of course. I understand." She tossed her head in the direction of the trail. "Shall we return to camp now?"
. . .
"So-" Mossy Moon's tail twitched as she tipped her head thoughtfully. "-you took Sharp to hunt at the banks of the brook near the Clan of the High Peaks border, he caught a piece of prey for you, and you both talked while you ate, then you climbed the rocky outcrop together before returning to camp?"
"Yes, that's everything that we did." Spotted Owl confirmed with a nod.
"Good. Do you have anything else to report? Any clues or hints that Sharp might have given that could have even the slightest thing to do with your mission?" Mossy Moon asked hopefully, studying the black and white she-cat closely.
Spotted Owl was quiet for a heartbeat. Is there anything else that I should report? She shook her head firmly. "No, that's it."
The chieftain pursed her lips. Spotted Owl's eyes followed her as she rose and padded toward the entrance to her cave, gazing out at their Clanmates who were carrying out their nightly duties about the gorge bathed in soft gray twilight. "You did a good job today, Spotted Owl." Her voice was soft, strained like rough gravel. "You have made a lot of progress with Sharp. I can see that in your report. I know that this hasn't been easy, and I appreciate your dedication to serving your Clan." She let out a weary sigh before turning back, her intense gaze boring into Spotted Owl's. "I know that I'm asking a lot of you, but I need you to work harder. You and Sharp are our best hope of discovering the Bands' plan, but we are running out of time. Violence between the Clans is imminent, and the Bands have been silent for far too long. We need something conclusive from Sharp, and we need it soon if we are going to survive."
Spotted Owl nodded solemnly. "Of course. I understand. I'll do my best." But she couldn't help but feel a little indignant. I'm doing the best I can with Sharp. It's not easy.
"Thank you." Mossy Moon's posture relaxed, though her brow still contained deep furrows. Her muzzle was looking grayer. She flicked her tail toward the entrance. "I've kept you long enough. You should go and get some rest before your watch tonight."
Spotted Owl nodded. "Thank you, Mossy Moon." She dipped her head to the chieftain before she padded toward the entrance.
The chilly night air blasted her in the face as soon as she stepped outside. Fluffing up her fur, the young she-cat shivered as she hurried across the camp. Her tail tip twitched as she walked, keeping time with her restless thoughts. Mossy Moon looked stressed and worried. She's right to be. We've seen no sign of the Bands other than Sharp, and that can't mean anything good. We are running out of time. We need to find something, but I'm doing the best I can. It's not like I can ask him straight out without revealing everything. Also, after today— Warmth bloomed like early Time of Thawing Earth flowers in her chest as she thought back to her time with Sharp. —I'm not sure anymore that he is a part of the Bands' plan. Maybe he really is telling the truth about asking for asylum. If so, is spying on him worthwhile or the right thing to do? Guilt twinged in her stomach.
Spotted Owl shook her head, pushing that thought aside. Another took its place. Why didn't I tell Mossy Moon about Sharp's scars? About how he reacted when I asked him about them? I guess it's not a big deal. She shrugged. I don't even know if it has anything to do with the mission. And it seems like a personal issue. She bit her lip. But Mossy Moon did say that I should tell her everything, even if it is small and seemingly insignificant. Oh, stars. She stopped in her tracks. What if I made a mistake? What if it actually could be something important, and my failure to tell the chieftain could end up with the Bands defeating us? Maybe I should go back and tell her. She looked back over her shoulder. I should.
The dappled she-cat was picking up her paw to turn around when a grave voice behind her stopped her. "Spotted Owl."
It was Tall Pine.
Hi everyone, here is chapter 18! I meant to announce that we were about halfway through the book two chapters ago, but I kept forgetting, so now we are more than halfway through the book! I can't believe it! To me, it feels like a lot has already happened, but there's still a lot to come. The stakes are getting even higher after this chapter. What do you all think about Sharp and Spotted Owl, and about what's going to happen next? I guess we'll have to wait and find out!
Reviews:
Theoneandonlyloneypotato - Thank you! Yes, it is a nice way for Tall Pine to be able to work through his worries, even if it is against the code. Though, after that chapter, they will be using it for something good! Frosted Leaf is a very interesting character, and I do like her a lot as well.
Fun Fact: Sharp's favorite color is green. Can you guess why?
- A Warrior At Heart