Chapter 38: Tall Pine
A blast of cold air to the face stirred Tall Pine from a light slumber. He jolted to full wakefulness, his heart leaping like a startled deer in his chest. Aw, fox-dung. I'm so mouse-brained. How could I let myself fall asleep? This is my hunter's vigil. He swallowed as he lifted his muzzle to scan the sky. I better not have been asleep for too long. To his back, the sun's first rays were breathing life into the dead-black sky as it rose over the shapes of foreign hills. Somewhere beyond the strange lumps, he knew the Land of Shadowed Stars lay. Before him expanded his homeland, all lines and shadows beneath a starlit sky. Tall Pine's shoulders slumped. Thank the stars it wasn't for too long.
Tall Pine closed his eyes as he tried to force his mind into a state of deep reflection like he knew he was supposed to be doing. Okay, breathe. Think. Focus. But as most of the night, his brain was as restless as a moon-old kit eager to explore beyond the walls of the nursery. One eye peeped open, then the other. His gaze wandered before alighting on the Dusk Mountain, where he imagined he could see the rabbit-warren-like cave and tunnel openings dotting its rocky slope. I wonder how often Clan of the Dark Caves cats get lost in their own tunnel system? What do they do then—ack, mouse-dung. I have to stop getting distracted.
The young tom tossed his head with a snarl but froze. Oops. I need to be quiet. Great stars, I am awful at this. I'm supposed to be reflecting on my new status as a full hunter right now and come away with a deeper understanding, but I can't maintain the silent vigil, let alone do that. A bramble bush of frustration and anxiety had ensnared his chest.
Hold on, his inner voice of reason ordered. Stop. You're doing yourself no good by thinking like that. Remember what Quick Clouds said; don't get caught up in your worries so much. Is there even a right way to do this?
Shutting his eyes again, Tall Pine inhaled. Then exhaled. Then repeated until a tranquility settled in his mind like leaves after the wind drops. Opening his eyes again, he let them travel out across the Valley once more, tracing the curve of the lake to the swooping wings of the mountains. His head turned as his eyes roamed toward the peak opposite him, where he knew his sisters were keeping their vigil, then out into the unknown. Oh stars, Tall Pine gasped. The swollen-round sun was perched on the horizon like a bird on a branch, its ember-gold light spilling out across rolling hills, grassy meadows, and the faint jagged shapes of the Twolegplace in the distance, to reach his gaze. The breeze brushed his cheek, soft but cool. The air was clear, but everything was quiet as a delicate forest pool.
Maybe that's what this is supposed to be, the black and white tom mused. This would be the first glimpse for almost all Clan of the Morning Sun cats of the outside world. It's beautiful. It's not my first look, but it is a reminder for me— he turned back toward the Valley of Hidden Stars, just starting to be touched by the paws of dawn. —of what lays out there, good and bad. And how many precious things there are to protect in here.
Tall Pine sat for a while longer. But as the sunlight gained new strength, enough to melt the stiffness frozen into his limbs, he slowly stood up. He groaned as he stretched and rolled out his muscles. I don't know how anyone who becomes full hunters or fighters in the middle of the Time of Frozen Earth does it. It's cold enough now as it is.
With a final shake of his pelt, Tall Pine began the trek down the slope. He stepped carefully as to not slip on the glistening ice but hurried at the same time. I can't wait to get somewhere warmer—slightly warmer at least.
It felt like it took a thousand moons, but finally, the young tom reached the base of his peak as the dawn began to creep into the Valley. He huddled in a shallow crevice between two rocks for a heartbeat, steeling himself for more cold, before darting toward the meeting place—which, just his luck, was in the center of the Dawn Pass where winds blasted between the twin peaks.
His sisters had already arrived and waited beside a small boulder laying in the middle of the otherwise barren pass, the remnant of an ancient avalanche. Spotted Owl was pacing back and forth, her tail twitching, while Blossom Dust perched on top of the boulder. The small fighter's face brightened as she saw him before leaping down and trotted over to bump his muzzle with hers.
What took you so long? Asked the glimmer in her eyes.
Tall Pine shrugged, his ears swiveling.
Spotted Owl stomped over to them. Although she didn't break their silent vigil, her flattened ears and tense jaw made her displeasure at waiting in the freezing cold exceedingly clear. Her belly growled as if to emphasize her point that she wanted to get to the Star Falls as quickly as possible.
Tall Pine blinked in what he hoped was an apologetic way.
Blossom Dust tossed her head and padded a few steps as if to say, what are we waiting for then? Let's go.
Wasting no more time, the new Clan members set off at a rapid pace down the mountain. The cold and their impatience fueled their quick journey despite their empty bellies and half-frozen bodies. As they traipsed along, the sun inched higher in the sky, thawing the frosted evergreens, snow-covered boulders, and the siblings' muscles along with the vigorous exercise. As they entered the woodland of the lower slopes, the branches were bare of leaves and birds, so the only sounds were the occasional creak of wood and the whistle of wind. On one paw, it felt eerie to travel with the absence of almost all sound; on the other, Tall Pine was grateful for the silence as it lent space for his thoughts. I can't wait to reach the Star Falls. It'll be good to see Hawk's Cry again. I've got so much to share with him, and I would love some advice as I begin my new role.
Other than the fresh scents that told them the dawn patrol had passed that way not long before, Spotted Owl, Blossom Dust, and Tall Pine encountered no other living cats as they reached the base of the Dawn Mountain, tramped across the Valley floor, and crossed the border into the Clan of the Dark Caves. I know we're allowed to cross since we are traveling to the Star Falls, but this still makes me nervous. His ears pricked as a branch hit another with a loud clatter, his neck fur rising. The forest around him was shadowy despite the rising sun. Wild and tangled, it seemed a haven for ghosts.
"Hey!" A cry shattered the silence as a gray blur as dark as storm clouds burst out of the undergrowth and threw itself at Spotted Owl. The dappled she-cat nearly jumped out of her fur but recovered quickly and put out a paw to stop the blur, which had turned into a tiny dark gray she-cat.
The she-cat bit Spotted Owl's paw, then squirmed out of her grasp before proceeding to bounce around the siblings, assaulting them with a vicious onslaught of questions. "Who are you? What are your names? Don't you know that this is the Clan of the Dark Caves' territory? What are you doing here?"
Oh, great stars. Tall Pine sighed as he rolled his eyes. We're being interrogated by a ball of fluff which can't be much more than a kit. We can't waste time; we need to keep moving.
Blossom Dust exchanged a look with him, her eyes sparkling in good humor.
"Are you three deaf?" The little she-cat demanded. "I said, what are you doing here? Or are you just dirt-brained?"
"Wolf Howl!" Came another call as another cat, a silver tabby she-cat this time, hurried toward them. Her eyes were narrowed as she ground her teeth. Bits of twigs and pine needles stuck out of her fur as if she'd run halfway across the territory, adding to her exasperated look. Blossom Dust's eyes lit up as Tall Pine recognized Dappled Feather of the Clan of the Dark Caves.
Dappled Fur skidded to a stop with a huff. "Wolf Howl, get your tail over here."
The dark gray she-cat—Wolf Howl—bounded over to the other she-cat. "I caught these three fox-hearts trespassing on our territory," she announced cheerily. "They're refusing to answer my questions, and they're acting very suspicious." Her eyes shone. "Can we chase them off our territory?"
Dappled Fur sighed. "No, we won't be chasing them off. We're hunters; that's a fighter's job unless we really have to. Besides, you wouldn't be more than a mouthful for any of them." As Wolf Howl pouted, she turned to the siblings, expression brightening. "Oh hey, Blossom Dust and Blossom Dust's siblings. I'm so sorry about that. This fluff-brain here is my new trainee, and I was just giving her a tour of our territory when she decided to take on two fully-grown fighter trainees and a hunter trainee. What are you doing here?"
Blossom Dust glanced at Tall Pine and Spotted Owl before looking back at Dappled Feather helplessly. She pointed with her muzzle ahead of them, in the direction of the Star Falls, but didn't know how else to communicate it.
Thankfully, the hunter seemed to understand. "Oh, I'm sorry, I should've said two full fighters and a hunter," she exclaimed. You three finally had your assessments. And if you're here, you must be going to the Star Falls, which means you passed. Congratulations."
Blossom Dust nodded vigorously.
"That's great." Dappled Fur smiled as she stepped forward to touch noses with her friend. "Well, best of luck and safe travels." She stepped aside, half dragging her trainee with her, to let them pass. "See you at the next Gathering?"
Blossom Dust nodded with a smile in response. She waved her tail in goodbye as she and her siblings continued into the Clan of the Dark Caves's territory, leaving Dappled Feather and Wolf Howl behind, though their voices trailed after them.
"I can't believe you let them go," Wolf Howl said indignantly. "Aren't they trespassing?"
"Normally, yes." Dappled Feather sounded like she was trying very hard to be patient. "But Blossom Dust and her brother and sister just completed their hunter and fighter's assessments, which means they're traveling to the Star Falls to be received by our ancestors. Every Clan cat makes that journey when they become a full Clan member. I did, and you will one day. We'll also be traveling to the Star Falls soon since you became a trainee and I became an instructor."
"That's so cool," Wolf Howl gushed. "Can we go right now?"
"No," Dappled Fur said firmly. "We need to continue our tour of the territory."
But Wolf Howl was undeterred. "Where are the Star Falls? What is the Clan of the Bright Stars like? Are all those dead cats creepy…"
Oh my stars, Tall Pine thought as the Clan of the Dark Caves cats' conversation finally faded out of earshot. Were we ever like that? The start of our training feels like it was seasons ago, not merely a few moons. So much has happened since then, and so much has changed. His gaze alighted on Spotted Owl, who strode ahead of them, her posture confident though her gait was a little uneven before he turned toward Blossom Dust, who padded beside him, an introspective expression on her face. We're all changed so much. I almost wish things didn't have to change anymore. I'm sad that our trainee days are behind us. He lifted his chin to stare ahead of them, where the narrow glade before the Star Fall had just come into view between the trees. But change is inevitable. And we are headed for great things as fully-fledged hunters and fighters.
Shadows were beginning to gather like spiderwebs around the trunks of trees and the mouth of the tunnel as the new Clan members entered the glade. Tall Pine, Spotted Owl, and Blossom Dust came to a stop beside the cave entrance and rested as they waited for the burnt orb of the sun to dip below the horizon. Once the dove-gray wings of night had settled over the Valley, they rose and slipped into the tunnel.
The rich scent of earth clogged their noses as the siblings began the last length of their journey deep into the recesses of the Dusk Mountain. Blind and mute, they relied on the touch of their whiskers against the rough, sloping walls, each other's scents, and Blossom Dust's footstep in the lead to guide them along the passage. Spotted Owl huddled close to Blossom Dust, practically clinging to her sister's tail as her anxious scent rolled off her in waves. Tall Pine kept pace with them, doing his best to reassure her with his solid presence.
The tunnel would travel in a straight path for several tail-lengths before curving again and again just when the young tom would think they were almost there. The stone floor scraped under their unsheathed claws as they tried to get traction since it kept slanting down and down. After a while, the pure darkness became oppressive, swallowing everything and invading their minds and bodies, so Tall Pine almost believed they were doomed to wander beneath the mountain for a hundred seasons. Then narrow walls of the tunnel gave way around them like a bird spreading its wings into a vast cavern. The roar of tumbling water echoed in the distance, getting louder as they clinked closer. Excitement shivered through him. Any heartbeat now. We're so close. The touch of cold water at his paws made him leap back, and all too late, he realized that the waterfall was now roaring in his ears. We're here.
Tall Pine smiled, a sense of calm washing over him as he scanned the pool, so clear at the edges it reflected the starlight from above. Looking up toward its counterpart, he peered through the hole in the roof, catching a glimpse of a patch of the starlit sky. Hello, Hawk's Cry. Hello, Bramble Foot and Setting Sun and Tumbling Stone and all of our other ancestors. I'll see you soon. A small smile tugged at his lips as he settled down to wait.
As the heartbeats stretched on, Tall Pine's smile slowly faded. What's going on? He and his sisters waited a while longer, but still, there was no blaze of light from the moon, no surge of power that sent tingles through his limbs, signaling his ancestor's presence. Shivers, not of excitement this time, rippled through him. Something feels wrong.
The hunter turned his head, catching Blossom Dust's eye in the faint light of the stars. She looked just as confused as he was but shrugged and padded to the edge of the pool. Okay. Even though the moon hasn't appeared, I imagine we can still speak with our ancestors. Right? He followed. It's worth a try.
Tall Pine, Spotted Owl, and Blossom Dust spread out as they bent down to lap the frigid water. It was metallic and earthy on the young tom's tongue, tasting of starlight and countless seasons. He swallowed before sinking to his belly, the stone like ice against his belly fur. Closing his eyes, Tall Pine waited to drift off, holding a prayer close to his heart.
But nothing happened. Try as he might, he couldn't fall asleep. There was nothing whisking him away to the lush meadows of the Clan of the Bright Stars. A deep, raw, urgent panic took hold of him. No, no, no, no. This can't be happening. Frustrated but determined, he rose to his paws, not seeing Blossom Dust and Spotted Owl stir as well, and leaned forward to drink the water once more. But as he tried again, it was with the same result. What is going on?
Thunder boomed overhead, echoing in the cavern. The young hunter and fighters jumped, their eyes flying open as lightning crackled before the rain started to pour down. They scrambled back out of the way of the gap in the roof just in time. What in the stars? Tall Pine gaped at the torrential falling water. His mind could hardly comprehend what was happening on top of everything else. Where did that thunderstorm come from?
Spotted Owl exchanged glances with her siblings, her lips twisted into a hateful snarl. "Mouse-dung." She began to pace back and forth, her pelt bristling like a porcupine's quills. "Stinky, grimy, rotten mouse-dung. Crow-food-eating—"
"Spotted Owl," Blossom Dust gasped, her eyes wide. "What are you doing? The vigil—"
The dappled she-cat rounded on her. "Oh, who cares? It doesn't matter now anyway. You know what's going on. We all tried with the same result. We're not going to get to meet with our Spirit Guardians tonight, so we aren't able to complete the vigil."
"No." Tall Pine shook his head, unwilling to believe. He felt himself begin to tremble like a leaf in a storm under the weight of the revelation. "No, you can't mean—"
Spotted Owl shifted her gaze to meet his. Something seemed to break inside her as her fury quickly snuffed out, her expression morphing into one of intense sorrow and regret. "Yes. I am afraid so. We were wrong. We—my patrol—I—failed. The Bands accomplished their plan after all." She hung her head, a muffled sob shaking her frame. "They stole our ancestors. They took what is most precious to us."
"No." Blossom Dust's eyes were round with horror as she shook her head. "This can't be possible. How in the stars did they do it? There must be something we can do to fix it. What do we do?"
Spotted Owl's eyes glowed with rage, the likes of which Tall Pine had never seen before in her. "There is nothing we can do. Darkness will descend upon the Clans without the light of the Clan of the Bright Stars." She unsheathed her claws. With the hard stone preventing her from sinking them into the earth, they stretched long and curved and as dangerous as her following statement. "This means war."
Heh, heh, heh, I warned you that there was going to be a twist. I forgot to mention there was a cliffhanger as well. If I did this right, all of your minds are blown right about now. So, wow, this is the last chapter of this book. There's still one more update coming soon (hopefully) with the epilogue, so I'll save all of the reflecting back of the writing process of this book for the next chapter. But…wow what a ride this has been, and now we're here, to the final chapter and the final update (coming next). I hope you all don't hate me too much for what I'm leaving you with.
Fun Fact: Each Clan has their own trial for trainees after they have their ceremonies to become full Clan members in the eyes of their Clan. Trainees from the Clan of the Flowing Waters have to swim to the center of the lake by themselves and keep vigil on a tiny island. Cats from the Clan of the Dark Caves cats are guided by their instructors to the deepest cavern where they keep a vigil, and then they have to navigate their entire system of tunnels by themselves to get out. The Clan of the High Peaks cats have to cross a perilous canyon and then keep a vigil for a night in the windiest section. Trainees from Clan of the Morning Sun cats have to climb to one of their peaks in the dark and keep vigil for a night until the sun rises. After each trial, the trainees then travel to the Star Falls to see their Spirit Guardian and officially become members in the eyes of the Clan of the Bright Stars.
Bye for now! - A Warrior At Heart