CHAPTER 5
The ginger-and-black she-cat gazed down at me, worry in her gaze. She flicked her tail impatiently and I could feel my pelt heat up in embarrassment.
"What seems to be the problem, Mothflower?" Dawnpool asked. I could hear her pawsteps getting closer to us.
Mothflower looked up at Dawnpool. "Jaypaw can remember the herbs no problem, but when it comes to treating them he doesn't even remember how to make a poultice," Mothflower explained to her. She sounded worried. I wish I could tell what she was thinking.
Dawnpool laughed softly, she seemed much less serious and it made me calm down more. "That's okay, Mothflower! He's a newly made apprentice, he should struggle a little. Even I struggled! Let's not even get started about you," she joked and I heard her pad over to Mothflower's side. "Is it the battle you're worried about?"
There was a pause. "Yes. It's tonight after the Gathering, under a full moon truce. There is no way StarClan will be okay with that," Mothflower mewed in disbelief. "I don't think Jaypaw is ready to handle the stress of a battle yet."
I snickered, no longer feeling embarrassed. "Because I'm blind?"
Silence greeted me for a heartbeat. Then Dawnpool spoke, "No, Jaypaw, not because you're blind, because you're a newly made medicine cat apprentice. Mothflower, how about you just tell Jaypaw the herbs you need and if he needs to make a poultice, be calm with him. Tell him each herb that needs to be in it and then tell him what to do with those herbs, okay?"
Dawnpool must've been a very calm and patient mentor. Or, at least, that's the feeling he got from her. Didn't she have a warrior apprentice at one point? I racked my brain trying to remember who Mothflower said it was.
"Thank you for your help, Dawnpool. Sorry to pull you away from your duties," Mothflower mewed in a less confident voice.
Who was it?
There was a silence and I felt Dawnpool move, but I wasn't sure what she was doing. "Anytime, Mothflower." Then she rose to her paws and slipped out of the den.
"Jaypaw."
Did Dawnpool mentor one of Russetstar's kits? I didn't think so. Mudpelt mentored Grayclaw. Who mentored Morningtail?
"Jaypaw?"
"Firelily!" I exclaimed in excitement, jumping to my paws. Dawnpool mentored Firelily who mentored Morningtail! I knew I'd remember.
"What's wrong, Jaypaw? What does Firelily need?"
Mothflower's voice sprung me back into the medicine den and I shook my head, swinging it towards her. "Oh, nothing…" I mewed, feeling embarrassed once again. "Dawnpool mentored Firelily."
My mentor shook her head. "How about you just go check on Gorsekit, okay? She'll be apprenticed soon and I want to make sure she won't have an complications that'll push back her ceremony."
I nodded and exited the den. By this point I had the layout of our den stored into memory. The store and Mothflower's nest was in the back, there were three nests lined up against the far wall and the other wall had my nest and the rest of the herbs in it. There was a small dripping sound constantly of water. Nearby that we kept the moss so it was easy access to drinking.
I padded across the clearing, hearing our deputy talking to someone. I wasn't sure who exactly, there were a lot of scents in the clearing.
The nursery, which was just the den next to ours, was filled with noise as I slipped inside.
"Jaypaw!" Cherryheart called to the right of the den. I heard little pawsteps rushing in my direction but they went around me. "Over here."
Quickly, I padded over to the queen and heard Gorsekit's pawsteps rushing after me.
"Greetings, Jaypaw. What can we help you with?" Cherryheart asked.
"I just need to check on Gorsekit," I told them, turning to face the little she-kit. "And how're you feeling?"
Gorsekit squeaked excitedly. "I feel fine! Shadeclaw throws the moss ball for me so I can get plenty of exercise! He says it'll help me grow as big as Soulpaw!"
My ear twitched. She already wanted to be like Soulpaw. "Well that's nice of him. Remember to eat lots and get plenty of exercise so you can get as big as Soulpaw." I definitely didn't want her to be like Soulpaw. "Have you picked a mentor yet?"
There was some mumbling. "Y-Yes, we're pretty confident on who we want," Shadeclaw responded firmly and I heard Cherryheart shifted in her nest. "Anything else, Jaypaw?"
"Has your milk stopped producing?" I asked, tilting my head. Something felt wrong in the den.
There was a pause. "Oh, mostly!" Cherryheart responded quietly. "But she just started eating rabbits so I assume that's normal."
"Okay, good." I smiled at them. "I'll leave you be then. Let me know if your milk doesn't stop coming." Then I turned around and padded out of the den. Something was weird in there.
"Jaypaw?"
My ears pricked in curiosity. This wasn't a voice I was used to hearing. "Yes?" I responded, not trying to be rude but I had to return to Mothflower and ask what was so weird in the nursery.
"It's Blackfoot," the tom told me and I nodded at him. "I was just wondering if you knew where Sweetheart and Soulpaw went? I really need to speak with my mother."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "How would I know where Sweetheart is? Why don't you try asking Firelily."
I heard him shuffle his paws uncomfortably. "How are the queens doing?"
Queens? "Queens?" I repeated in confusion. "Don't you mean Cherryheart?"
Blackfoot paused for a moment. "I'm going to talk to Firelily, I'll talk to you later…" Then his pawsteps hurried away.
I tilted my head, absolutely baffled. What was going on?
I hurried to the medicine den and when I slipped inside I could feel Mothflower looking at me.
"What's going on?" I questioned, trying to figure out where she was.
"What do you mean Jaypaw?"
Her voice came from the back storage part of the den. "With everyone! Cherryheart and Shadeclaw were acting so weird and Blackfoot just asked me how the queens were doing, as if there were more than one!" I exclaimed, my head spinning.
Mothflower chuckled softly. "He said queens because Dawnpool just joined the nursery, Jaypaw. I figured you heard, my bad."
"Dawnpool?" I echoed, giving her a weird look. I could hear some shuffling and the smell of herbs filled my nose. She must be sorting some herbs. "With who's kits?"
I heard her set them down. "Whitefang's."
My eyes widened. I never knew they had a thing! "Oh," I responded, completely baffled. I had noticed Dawnpool was cozying up to Mousefang, to my sister's dismay, but I hadn't noticed Whitefang.
"Jaypaw? You're daydreaming and tuning me out again."
I shook my head, snapping back into reality. "What?"
Mothflower let out a small sigh. "How are Cherryheart and Gorsekit doing?"
"Oh, right…" I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts. "Cherryheart says her milk is still coming a little, but I know that will happen for a bit longer. I told her if it continues happening she should come see us," I explained quickly. "And Gorsekit is strong and energetic, as all kits are. She looks up to Soulpaw, for some reason…"
She chuckled. "That's common with kits. They usually find someone to look up to."
"Well then why not Russetstar or Cherryheart, or Cherryheart's brother, Littlecloud?" I responded in an irritated voice. I was sick of Soulpaw getting all of the attention around here. Littlecloud was a great warrior!
Mothflower let out another small sigh. "I'm not sure, Jaypaw." She paused. "Hey, how did Shadeclaw seem?"
I thought back to the encounter. "I'm not sure?" I responded, confused. "I mean, he sounds old and Cherryheart mostly spoke."
"That's what I thought," Mothflower muttered. "I think I need to speak with him about retiring. He's rather old and he deserves to have some rest after all he's done in his life."
I'd never really thought of that. Shadeclaw, as Mothflower informed me, was the former leader of TigerClan before they were chased away. According to the tom, he'd lost all his lives besides one and StarClan took away his name. However, Russetstar had said that Shadeclaw was accepted by StarClan back into WindClan.
"Jaypaw… you're daydreaming again!"
I blinked and let out a snort at Mothflower. "Sorry!"
She nudged me with her shoulder. "Mousebrain!"
"I finally met ShadowClan's new deputy," Icepaw mewed through the food in her mouth. "It's Brackenfoot."
My ear twitched at her. "Brackenfoot, hm?" Mothflower and Dawnpool had spoken about him before. I took a big bite out of my rabbit. "Soulpaw?"
I felt the tom shift beside me. I hadn't ever voluntarily spoken to him before. "Oh, uh, yes, Jaypaw?"
"You should speak to Gorsekit," I told him, swallowing the last bit of my mouse. "She looks up to you and I think it would have a positive impact on her."
He gazed at me for a second and then nodded. "If you say so, Jaypaw."
Icepaw was gazing at us warmly, a smile on her face. "What'd you do today, Wildpaw?" she asked, turning her gaze to our brother.
Wildpaw sat up, his eyes wide as he looked up from his half-eaten bird. "Well this morning I went on a hunting patrol. Whitefang wouldn't stop talking about Dawnpool. He just went on and on and on to Cinderleaf. I think Cinderleaf is pretty excited about Dawnpool's kits."
I tuned out, finishing my prey. I didn't get to go on hunting patrols or border patrols. It was rare I would speak to warriors in the Clan about anything other than their wounds. It really wasn't all that fair.
"Jaypaw!"
My ears pricked and I watched Mothflower trot over to our little group. Everyone looked at her. "Yes?"
"We need to talk to Stonetail and Larkpaw of ShadowClan. Firelily has authorized Mousefang to escort us there. We're leaving now," she told me urgently and I quickly followed her to the entrance of camp where Mousefang was patiently waiting.
"Are you ready to go?" Mousefang asked cheerfully.
Mothflower began to walk out of camp and Mousefang hurried after. I carefully followed them and felt Mothflower fall in step beside me.
"Why do we need to speak with Stonetail?"
She shifted beside me. "I'm afraid it's nothing good, Jaypaw." I could hear the fear in her voice. "It's Shadeclaw. He isn't even a senior warrior of WindClan and yet, I think he's beginning to lose his vision. Littlebird is starting to lose her vision as well and I need to know what to say or do to help Shadeclaw. He's very old."
I knew she was scared. Not many WindClan cats went blind, let alone were born blind. Maybe it was Shadeclaw's turn to retire.
"Do you think he'll have to retire?" Mousefang took the words right out of my mouth.
Mothflower shrugged as we padded towards ShadowClan border. "I have no clue. I pray Stonetail has a way to save his vision, but it might just be his time," she responded unconfidently.
My pelt prickled with unease. If Shadeclaw lost his vision, he would be just like me. Would they make me retire too? I tried to picture the look on Mothflower's face. It was very unclear.
"So, Icepaw…" Mothflower purred, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I've noticed you've been hanging out with her a lot, Mousefang." There was a hint of mischief in her voice.
I could tell Mousefang was embarrassed. "Well, she's very talented and, of course, apprentices are always up to something so I've just been keeping an eye on her…" he trailed off, obviously knowing it was clear he was mooning over my sister.
There was a small rumbling under paw and I felt panic settle in. I'd heard about Pinepaw, Russetstar's apprentice who fell into a giant crack in the ground. I couldn't even see if that was what was happening.
"Don't worry, Jaypaw," Mothflower mewed suddenly. "It's just the Thunderpath, up ahead. We're almost to ShadowClan."
I continued forward, trusting my mentor not to lie to me. The Thunderpath was were twolegs got inside the bellies of their monsters and the monsters walked down it. It was loud and rumbly but the monsters never left the path, or so I'd been told.
The rumbling only got louder until finally, Mothflower stopped me with her tail. "We're here, Jaypaw. We must cross into ShadowClan territory. I need you to stay by me and be as fast as you can," she ordered me in the most serious voice.
We all fell into a crouch ad I waited for Mothflower to say we could go. The rumbling continued and then it fell quiet.
"Go!" she yowled and I took off, my paw landing on the hard hot surface. But I pushed through until grass greeted me on the other side. "Good work!" Mothflower was just beside me and I felt relieved.
"Mothflower!" an unfamiliar voice called and I could hear the pounding of pawsteps against the ground coming towards us. "Are you okay?"
"Archeye!" she greeted cheerfully. "I must see Stonetail at once!"
There was a moment of silence and then Archeye must've agreed because Mothflower took off next to me and I hurriedly padded after her.
We padded in silence and I let my pelt brush against Mothflower to guide me. This was unknown territory. I hadn't even went to the Moonstone yet. Tonight would be my first Gathering.
"Why do you need to speak with Stonetail?" a softer voice asked. It was a she-cat, but I didn't know who she was either.
"Fawnpelt, that's medicine cat business. We're warriors, who cares what they want," Archeye responded to her, probably a little more aggressive than he wanted to.
Fawnpelt let out a huff in response.
"Mothflower!" a powerful yet unfamiliar voice called out and Mothflower purred in response and padded forward excitedly.
"Stonetail!" she squeaked back and I swung my head in the direction Stonetail had called out in. "Meet my apprentice, Jaypaw."
The tom let out a purr. "Greetings Jaypaw! I'm Stonetail and this is my apprentice, Fernpaw."
"Hi!" I assume Fernpaw, squeaked happily.
"Hello," I greeted back and shifted uncomfortably. I wonder if they could tell I couldn't see them.
"The reason I came is because I need to know what to do about a cat losing their vision. Shadeclaw is getting old but I'm not sure how to tell him," Mothflower explained quickly.
Stonetail nodded at her. "Well, with Littlebird, she already knew what was happening before I found out. Shadeclaw is a strong and proud cat, he may be in denial, however, the wisdom of his medicine cat will probably help him."
My mentor nodded and there was a small mumble but I couldn't catch what it was. "Yes, Jaypaw is blind," Mothflower mewed, some anger in her voice. "However he's an outstanding medicine cat with a superb memory for herbs and mixtures. I've never had a problem!" she snapped and turned around. "Thank you for your help, Stonetail!"
I raced after her, hearing Mousefang rushing to catch up. I'd never saw her so furious.
"Thank you, Mothflower. I mean, for sticking up for me," I mumbled as we exited the ShadowClan camp.
I felt her warm gaze fall on me. "Anytime."
Shadeclaw padded into the den, the scent of Gorsekit on his pelt. He must've come from the nursery.
"Mothflower? Grayclaw said you needed to speak with me?" he mewed loudly.
"Oh, Shadeclaw, good!" Mothflower mewed, setting down an herb next to me. "Come with me to the back of the den." They padded around me and slipped into the storage part of the den.
I pricked my ears, eager to hear what my mentor would say to the warrior.
"What's this about, Mothflower?"
"Well, Shadeclaw," she began, I could hear her nervousness, "I believe that you are losing your sight. I think it might be time for you to retire…"
There was a moment of silence. I was sure Shadeclaw would lose his temper but then I heard very quiet sobs.
"I told Cherryheart that I thought that was what was happening and she tells me constantly to come and tell you but I was scared. I didn't want to be forced to become a medicine cat like Jaypaw!" he spat, like it was the worse thing ever. "But I do agree my time is coming to retire. Should I speak to Russetstar?"
She hushed him a little to quiet down from his sobs. "Yes, you should tell Russetstar. I think tonight will be your last Gathering as a warrior…" She paused for a heartbeat. "But in the future, Shadeclaw, do not speak poorly of my apprentice. He's very capable and highly intelligent."
I smiled a little to myself. Finally, someone would always stick up for me.
