The Rise of Snake: Chapter Four
Characters:
BloodClan:
Fallen: Leader of BloodClan; tom; an orange cat with black ears, tail and brown tabby stripes, he has a single white paw and green eyes; lanky but muscular
Lost: Deputy of BloodClan; shecat; blue/gray pelt with silver eyes, has only half her tail; small (resembles a main coon)
Leader's Advisors: (They give out advise to the leader and help with the trainers on assessing and placing a new cat)
Diesel: tom; tortoishell of brown, hazel, and white with brown eyes; average but built
Broken: tom; pale yellow and white tabby with a broken tail tip from a battle long ago, has blue eyes; large
The Guards of BloodClan:
Cathair: Advisor of the guard; tom; dark brown pelt with gray paws and spots along his back and tail, his chest and underbelly are white and he has bright green eyes; massive, but hunched over
Baylor: Captain of the Guard and son of Cathair; tom; white pelt with a gray spot on his neck, back, and flank, he has brown paws and ears. He also has one black spot overlapped by the gray one on his shoulder, his eyes are a bright green; massive and muscular
Hail: trainer; tom; Brown with black spots and silver flecks; large
Sleet: trainer; shecat; silver tabby with one black paw and gray eyes; petite
Fang: trainer; tom; a brick red with a white chest and brown eyes; lanky
Titan: trainer; tom; calico, has ice colored eyes; massive
Jasper: tom; Black and white tabby with turquoise eyes; bulky and decently sized
Jagged: tom; brother of Jasper; Gray and black tabby cat with a white streak that goes down his muzzle, has sky blue eyes; also bulky and decently sized
Owl: shecat; dark and light brown tabby, has a black line that stretches down her back; small
Rose: shecat; sister of Rose; a yellow shecat with a red hue and a white chest and paws, she has green eyes; petite
Fox: shecat; sister of Rose; orange pelt with a red hue, has white paws and a black tipped tail, also has deep green eyes; petite
Willow: shecat; light gray shecat with a dark gray face and back, fades out into a silver under belly and she has hazel eyes; large
Quake: tom; all black with yellow eyes; massive
Stitch: tom; gray with one black paw and crimson eyes, got his name after he was caught by the cutter and released neutered; large
Frostbite (Frost): tom; brother to Ghost and Smoke; silver body with white tipped paws and nose, has ice blue eyes; lanky
Smoke: shecat; sister to Frostbite and Ghost; smoke brindled with a pale gray, has a white chest and tipped ears, also has gray eyes; small
Ghost: tom; brother to Smoke and Frostbite; pure white with a silver tipped tail and ears, gray eyes with flecks of ice blue; large but lanky
Wander: tom; brown and black tabby with a white chest and has orange eyes; massive with lean build
Vic: tom; ginger and brown marbled, has a white muzzle and rings under his eyes; small
Wolf: shecat; Persian cat with a silver and brown pelt, has blue eyes; built but short
Shade: tom; red with a darker red belly and brown eyes; average
Nettle: shecat; sister to Havoc; Siamese, has blue eyes; petite but tall
Havoc: tom; Siamese, has blue eyes; massive
Titus: tom; long black pelt with a red-ish hue, has a white chest, paws, and tipped tail with pale green eyes, large and built (recruit)
Fade: shecat; tawny short coat with a dark brown mask on her face, legs, ears, and tail. Has a white chest with bright sea blue eyes; average and lean, has a longer tail than most (recruit)
BloodClan Cats:
Mags: shecat; a light brown tabby cat with a bobbed tail and strange purple eyes; average and lanky
Butler: tom; deep gray undercoat with a black overcoat (deep gray coat catches in the sun), and a single white paw and light yellow eyes; large and lanky with some build
Salem: tom; pitch black pet with a gray paw and red spot on his tail and back, has one red tipped ear, has bright green eyes; large and built; mate to Harper
Luke: tom; white with black ears and tipped tail, has bright green eyes, average
Murk: tom; shaggy gray coat with white paws, has light blue eyes; stocky
Harper: shecat; mahogany red with a white face and underbelly, has a black spot over her left eye and on her right forepaw, has tawny eyes; average; mate to Salem
Rogues:
Blue: tom; silver gray cat with dark gray rings around his eyes and a black patch on his face, has stunning blue eyes; large and lean
Thatcher: tom; dark brown pelt with a sandy brown chest and paws, has white stripes on his face with brown eyes; large and built
Macie: shecat; light golden pelt with a yellow underbelly and light brown ears and tipped tail, has light blue eyes; average and lean
Posy: shecat; white with cream ears and tail, had a black muzzle and bright green eyes; carrying kits; average and lean
Warning: There is some minor language in this chapter
"With all due respect Fallen, I am unsure of this. The city, brutal and harsh as it may be, has always been our home. I think it unwise to move our clan a quarter moon travel into unknown territory." Diesel, one of Fallen's advisors, tentatively explained. His leader lashed his tail, pelt bristled and eyes wide from excitement. Broken turned his gaze at Lost, the previous advisor before him, searching her thoughts; she sighed quietly before tearing away from him to focus on her paws.
"Diesel, I hear your concerns but we are sending out a patrol of scouts in two sunrises. You must remember what Blue said, that the prey was so common that you couldn't walk three fox lengths without a rabbit, bird, or mouse fleeing from the underbrush, and that there were no cutters, only the occasional twoleg and his dog." Fallen had stood up now, pacing between his deputy and advisors.
"Is it wise to believe the words of a passing rogue, especially with Felicity on the move; which we still haven't found out anything about her or her cause?" Broken spoke up, voicing his concerns. The whole idea made his fur itch.
Their leader stopped and turned to face the tom, anger laced in his tone, "which is why I am sending out two patrols, seven sunrises apart. I'll have Baylor choose three cats to join each one, and Cathair choose the others since he has more knowledge and connections outside of the guard." He had sat down, and inhaled the smoggy air calming himself, "I have made my choice, thank you for your council. Send for Baylor and Cathair Diesel. Dismissed." The two advisors dipped their head in respect, and padded out of the alley leaving Lost behind.
"What do you think about this? As deputy, your voice holds more meaning, though we both know it's always been that way too me." Fallen etched closer to her, almost touching his muzzle to hers, and she forced herself not to turn away.
"Fallen, you know very well how I feel about the territory. I believe only a foxbrain would try something as insane as this. But as my leader, I trust you." She forced a sly grin, before turning away whisking his face with the remainder of her tail playfully. Her long pelt hid the mangled end where some twoleg kits had cut it off when she was but a kit herself, keeping it from making her any less beautiful. Lost padded out of his den, turning towards the guard's camp swiftly, once out of sight she sped up to a lope, sighing in relief. Fallen's gaze followed her out, leaving him to his thoughts, only accompanied by the looming shadows that threatened to engulf him.
"Nettle, Vic, Jasper, and Owl you four will accompany me to scout the territory by the crumbled twoleg house. We need to find out more about this Felicity". Baylor stood over his guard, perched on the ledge his father and his father's father barked out the day's patrols and battles. His claws dug into the soil, pride flowing through him. BloodClan may be a corrupted and viscous clan but this, this was his haven. Owl's eyes lit up, since the battle on the hill she has been excluded from patrols due to an injury dealt on her flank leaving her unable to walk efficiently. Many moons had passed and it finally healed, at first Baylor was scared of losing one of his best cats but once again she proved him wrong. "Fox, Havoc, and Stitch you will patrol the north border while Sleet, Ghosts, and Titan you will take care of the east border at moonhigh. If you sense any threat do not engage, report back to camp for more troops. Dismissed." He turned away to walk back to his den, leaving his guard to return to their duties. A gust of wind blew his direction, bringing the scent of Diesel and Broken with it. Baylor turned towards the scent, and awaited their arrival.
Moments later two figures emerged from the shadows, murmuring something he couldn't make out. "State your business," he called out to them, raising his tail in greeting. Diesel and Broken padded up to him, both having to tilt their heads up to match his stare.
"We carry an important message from Fallen, he wishes for you and Cathair to report to him immediately." Diesel informed him, and then turned his gaze to the old dog house. "Is Cathair fit to travel?"
Baylor flattened his ears, "of course he is." He cleared his throat, and spoke in a controlled tone. Diesel dipped his head understandingly, and Broken flashed a sympathetic grin to his previous Co-Captain in which he fought for many seasons. Baylor returned the gesture, before turning back towards his den to fetch his father. "Cathair, Fallen requests our presence. We must heed his command; I suspect it's about the unknown territory." He recognized the familiar groan as he heard his father heave himself to his feet.
"Then let us go." He grunted while he passed his son, the sleep still in his eyes. Baylor pushed aside the concern he felt for the worn tom and he watched as the elder pushed past Diesel and Broken in the direction of Reaper's den. Baylor followed after him, and Diesel and Broken sped up to take the lead. As the toms walked through the streets and alleyways the cats of BloodClan, that had no official role but were loyal to Fallen, paused to watch them pass. Some watched in awe, others in fear, Baylor and Cathair had that effect. Diesel and Broken paused at the entrance, giving them room to pass. "Cathair, advisor to Captain of the Guard," his father spoke up, voice raspy with age.
"Baylor, Captain of the Guard," he declared once his father had finished. He strained his eyes, in attempt to spot his leader in the shadows.
"Enter; I have an important task for you two." Baylor took a deep breath, and padded in front of Cathair, his protective instinct taking hold. Cathair grunted, signaling his displeasure at being treated like a lost kit. However, he complied and hobbled after his son. Fallen stood on the dumpster that once Reaper commanded from, it was considered the proper place for the leader of BloodClan. "I'm sure you know of my plans to send out scouts to evaluate the territory shared with me by the rogue Blue," he paused for a moment, only continuing when Cathair nodded his head. "Cathair I'm leaving you in charge of choosing three cats for each of the patrols. They need to be savvy and swift. Baylor you will choose the other three, have them match up well in skill and knowledge to Cathair's cats. This will be the first patrol; I need you both to choose five cats together for a follow up patrol. I trust you will choose well. Those five, and one of the old patrol will remain if it is safe as the other five of the old patrol returns to report." He laid his tail over his reinforced claws, and if it wasn't for his color etched with dog teeth you'd almost think him docile. His mind seemed clear, and not choked with the fog he had been drowning in for the past few suns.
"Yes sir, we will not displease you," Baylor reassured his leader. He looked at his paws for a quick moment, fear prickling them as he thought of his family. "Sir, with all due respect do you think it wise to send cats out into unknown territory, especially with Felicity lurking near? I mean, wouldn't it be foolish to risk the lives of your cats?" Cathair turned his head to glare at his son, and Fallen's eyes turned cold in a flash, and he jolted up pelt bristled and claw unsheathed.
"You do not question my orders, as Captain of my Guard you execute them without question!" Fallen raised his forepaw up, claws flexed, ready to strike down at the tom. Baylor met his gaze, equally cold, with a hint of dare dancing in them. Fallen narrowed his eyes, and began to lower his paw. "I will let you go this time, but the next time you won't find yourself so lucky. Dismissed." Anger flared up in Baylor, his guard my tail! Cathair dipped his head and shouldered him, encouraging his son to follow. He dipped his head as well, and stalked off out of the alley.
"You are a fool Baylor, sometimes I think you beg for your demise." Cathair mewed hotly at his son. Baylor grunted, his tail lashing against the ground. "What's been eating you? I've noticed a change for many moons, but I always concluded that it was because of your gained position. Now, I can see it is something else."
Baylor flattened his ears, and picked up his pace. Cathair kept up with the tom, eyes studying his son's face. "Son, I'm old. I've walked too many paths and seen too many things not to know when my own son is holding out on me." Baylor sighed, and slowed to brisk walk.
"You are not wrong father, to suspect me of holding out on you. But it is not something I wish to discuss, in time maybe... but not now." He looked back at his Cathair, and the aged tom avoided his gaze. Baylor could tell his mind was elsewhere, so he looked to the alley end, and the future of his mate and kits.
"Titus, control your blows, you fight like a crippled kit!" Titan slammed his paw against the new recruit's mandible, leaving him dizzy. Titus attempted to counter the attack by spinning around and bashing the trainer with his forepaw like he had seen Baylor teach Sleet. Titan easily blocked the attempt and barreled into the burly tom knocking him off his feet. "Do not attempt an attack you have not learned yet," the trainer pressed his paw onto this tom's head holding him down. "Try to get out of this."
Titus rolled his hind legs up and heaved them into Titan, its brute force shoving the trainer off of him. He swiftly leapt to his paws and swatted at his head, forcing the seasoned fighter back up against the sandy walls. Titan ducked his head to dodge the unrelinquishing claws and rammed it into Titus's abdomen. "Oof," the tom crumpled on top of the trainer, digging his claws into his shoulders to avoid crashing to the stiff dirt ground. If it wasn't for the massive tom's strength, Titan would've buckled under the weight of the brute. Instead, he reared up on his haunches with great effort and came crashing down onto Titus. He withered and hissed beneath his opponent, unable to free himself.
"Didn't think I was going to let you win did you kit?" Titan chuckled hoarsely, forcing the words between heavy breaths.
"Get off, you're bending my leg the wrong way!" Titus struggled beneath the tom, his leg shooting pains up his spine leaving him to bite his tongue to avoid crying out in agony. Titan chuckled again, and pulled himself up, freeing the cat. "I almost had you," he choked out, trying to hide the pain nagging at him.
"You underestimated your opponent, leaving your abdomen and flank vulnerable. It allowed me to gain advantage very easily. Although, I will however admit that you are improving." Titan licked his paw and swiped it above his eye, where a scratch oozed blood into his eye.
"Give me time yet, and I will be a cat not so easily defeated, even for Baylor." Titus stood up, his tail held high. Titan burst out in laughter, his deep voice echoing through the grounds.
"Keep thinking like that; see where it gets you in this place! Your training is finished for today, report back tomorrow at sunrise for your next lesson with the other recruits," he padded off, sides heaving with laughter. Titus sat down on his haunches, favoring his sore leg as he turned to groom the ruffled fur on it.
"Titus," A soft mew reached his ears from the shadows above the grounds. He jerked his head up, eyes scanning for the cat belonging to the voice. "Meet me by the creek at sunfall." A grin broke on his face.
"See you there, Lost." His eyes brightened with eagerness, and he jumped up to finish his duties for the day. Every Guard in training has to complete certain tasks, like retrieving food from the more dangerous bins (usually the ones guarded by dogs or on highways), moving concrete blocks or debris out of the way, or sometimes collecting bedding for the higher ranks.
The she cat looked down onto the training grounds, her eyes following the handsome to be guard, and a good one at that… If he ever loses that ego of his, she laughed to herself. The sun caught her silver pelt, eliminating a soft blue hue to it.
The flash of color caught Quake's eye and he detached himself from a battle with Havoc, throwing him onto the ground next to him leaving the tom confused. "Lost, why do you lurk in the sha-" Havoc, true to his name, lunged at Quake catching him off guard, slamming him into the packed sand. "The hell Havoc!" Quake spit out some blood from his bitten tongue at the tom. Havoc grinned and brang his raised paw down to bash the tom's head but due to moons of intensive training the black tom threw Havoc off of him with an instinctive surge of his hind paws. The tom tumbled into the ground, and quickly rolled onto his feet. Quake hissed at Havoc, blood trickling down his chin.
Lost watched them with amusement. Havoc ran at Quake barreling him over into some sand bloodied and stained from other cats. The darker tom yowled in pain as he felt his shoulder wrench, desperate to relieve himself of the tan cat he hooked his claws into his pelt and forced Havoc to churn in the dirt with him until he gained position and threw the tom into the ditch below, where some twolegs never finished running pipes. Havoc yowled as he fell, twisting so that he could land on his feet. He landed with a thud, "Didn't expect that from you Quake, usually you're for more blood than defense."
Quake hissed at his old friend, half with good humor and the other with anger. "You wrenched my shoulder asshole." His pelt bristled when he heard Havoc snicker, "If a fight breaks out I'll be excluded!" Havoc pulled himself back on the grounds, eyes hungry for blood at the mention of battle. Lost snickered to herself then she backed into the foliage and padded off unnoticed by the guards.
"Never stopped you before, don't let the other guards know that your growing soft." Smoke walked up to them, her coat matted with blood and maimed with scratches from training with her brother Ghosts and a shecat Vic. The cocky shecat swayed her tail back and forth and flicked some blood of her talon like claws.
"Don't look now but scourge walks among us," Havoc muttered quietly to Quake, who acknowledged it with a flick of his ear.
"Better believe it too, oh Quake… If you're done mooning after that pathetic newcomer, Fade, I'll be with my kin taunting the dog." She flashed him a tempting smile.
"Leave the recruit out of this. Don't wait up for me," He meowed flatly. Quake sat down on his haunches, and stretched out his shoulder uninterestedly.
"A few moons ago you wouldn't hesitate to put a few marks into that dog's mangy pelt… or to be with me." She hissed at the tom, anger radiating from her bristled fur. Quake lifted his gaze at the shecat, he recalled previous times where he admired her fire and beauty and even considered becoming mates with her, but he knew better than to entwine tails with her. "I'm not going to waste my time on you Quake, you're blind. If you realize your mistake you know where to find me." Smoke flicked her tail over his muzzle, leaving him to wrinkle it, and stalked off briskly.
Havoc roared with laughter after she walked out of the camp, "Asshole," he murmured as he swiveled around and struck the tom in the jaw with his forepaw. Havoc continued to laugh at the burly tom, regardless of his aching jaw.
A dark blur pushed past the long blades of grass.
The wind whipped at his face, flattening his whiskers and ears. He tore through the moor, with no specific destination. Behind him, he could hear the soft but swift pads of his sisters. He branched right, turning sharply to throw them off. He heard the surprised gasp of Soot as she swiveled hard to follow, and he heard Snake skid and launch herself after him. He lengthened his stride, picking up speed. Soot's sets of paws fell behind, and Snake's followed ever so persistently. He then pivoted and braced himself to meet her head on. She didn't bother to slow herself down, and barreled into him. They both tumbled into the ground in a whirl of fur and dust. Soot pumbled her brother's stomach and he threw her off with ease and she disappeared behind stalks of grass. He meowed with laughter, until Snake hurled herself at him, hooking her forepaws on his shoulders as she twisted over his body pulling him down with her. She barely managed to roll out from under him before he collapsed onto her small frame. Soot bursts through the stalks ready to rejoin the fight. She leaped onto Ace batting at his eyes, Snake jumped up and placed her paw on his throat while Soot distracted him.
"Shecats win!" Snake yowled into the Moore victoriously, followed by Soot. Ace stood up, making Soot lose her balance and tumbled in the dirt. She sat up, a scowl on her face. She had just cleaned her coat, and now she'd have to start over again.
"Only 'cuz I let you win!" Ace raised his tail, in attempt to disguise his shame of being defeated by two she cats.
"Kits! Get back here, you were supposed to stay with me! Don't make me regret this outing." Maple called out to them, obviously annoyed by her kits wandering off. Despite them being 5 moons old now, she still acknowledged the ever present danger of BloodClan.
"Relax Maple; they hardly ever get to get out of that stuffy barn. Kits will be kits." Nook soothed the anxious shecat ahead of him. She lashed her tail, still filled with worry.
Snake perked her ears up, "Ace, Soot… We better hurry back to mamma. She sounds mad." Ace flashed his sister a taunting grin.
"Bet I can beat you there!" He pelted off towards the sound of his mother's voice, Soot closely after him, leaving Snake to race after the two, as always.
"There you are, don't leave my side again. I agreed to take you guys to the creek today if you behaved." Maple meowed sternly to her three kits as they bursted through the grass and skidded to a stop beside her.
"We won't mamma, we'll be good," Soot flattened he ears, worried that she might have to go back home.
"Yeah mamma, don't worry!" Snake spoke up with her sister, Ace nodded. Maple, satisfied, took the lead and continued towards the creek, which flowed down from BloodClan a good quarter suns trip. Nook took his place by Snake, the shecat had grown to about a third his size, but was still small. She flashed him an eager smile, eyes bright with excitement and anticipation.
"When will we be there?" Ace mewled, also anxious to get to this creek. He had never seen a creek, and he was jealous of Snake because she had crossed one on her journey back home almost four moons ago.
"We're almost there, it won't be long now." He sighed, and bit back a remark at Soot who looked like she was dancing from excitement. Humor pricked at his tongue, pushing him to say something but he knew that a comment will earn him a bat from his mother.
Near sun high Maple stopped and turned back to her kits. "Ok, we're here. Before you to run off there are a few things you need to know." She watched her kits, amusement and affection warming her pelt as she watched her kits shiver with eagerness. "The water is low and gentle right now because it is a dry season, but the more rain we have the faster and stronger the current becomes, which makes it dangerous. Also, watch for snakes that live on the banks. And most importantly, don't go howling off downstream. Understood?" When her kits nodded eagerly, she flicked her tail signaling to them that they may go.
Snake squealed with joy as she turned and bolted to the edge, hurling herself off it and plummeted into the cold water. "Snake be careful!" Ace dashed after his sister, worried the fall could've hurt her. The chilled water flowed through his pelt pricking at his flesh, he felt Soot land beside him. Snake bursted out of the water and tackled him before jumping off hissing playfully. "Nook, come join us!" Snake called up to her old friend, who sat comfortably on the shore with her mother.
"No, I think I'm good Snake. Not a big fan of water you know." His eyes lit up with humor as he took in her sagging pelt that clutched at her delicate frame, usually fluffed up, and chuckled when Ace pounced on her dragging her into the water.
"Careful!" Maple called out to her kit, Nook tapped her shoulder with his forepaw in attempt to reassure her. Soot giggled and climbed onto her brother's broad shoulders, clearly favoring Baylor's frame. Snake danced around him, kicking up water in her wake.
"They have Baylor's blood, water won't do anything to hurt them." She sighed, and sent her friend a half hearted, but grateful, smile. Soot yelped as Ace fell back in order to shake her off. She leapt off of his shoulders and slid out of the water climbing onto a large and warm rock to bask. Snake was splashing Ace in attempt to blind him so that she could tackle him again. Instead he swerved and ran up to the bank by Soot and shook the water from his drenched pelt onto hers. She hissed at him, swiping at his muzzle with annoyance. He ducked it and grinned at her before sitting down. Snake joined them, not wanting to be alone in the creek.
"I hope Baylor comes back soon, I miss him." Nook looked towards Maple, and recognized the longing in her eyes, it reminded him of his ache for Feathermist's teasing tone and gentle words. "I'm so worried about the move he keeps bring up. Last time he visited he said that Fallen would probably be moving to send out the patrols by next moon. What then? How will we follow my mate without getting caught?"
"StarClan knows how we will do it, but we will make it. It will be ok, now clear your head of those thoughts. Feel how refreshing the air is, won't be but a few sunfalls before leaf bare begins."
The leaves had begun to turn into an array of yellows, browns, reds, oranges, and many other variations. And there was no mistaking the cooler winds at night, or the way squirrels rushed to fill their storages.
Maple nodded in agreement, and smiled to herself as she thought back to her time in BloodClan with Snipe and Baylor. They would huddle together out of the clan's reach and talk of it and other things, such as training and Baylor's future position as Captain of the Guard. It was funny to her, because when they were younger he didn't want his father's position, he wanted to be free. But things change. And that was a whole different time and they were different cats.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Snake jumped back into the water, and ran upstream, her brother letting her get a head start. Nook cleared his throat, before she could call them back. Maple took a deep breath and nodded at Nook, then moved to watching her kits anxiously. "You know, I discovered a new hunting spot by my den. It will be useful for when leaf bear does come." Nook called her attention.
Maple turned to him "Really? What ails there?"
"Mostly field mice, some quail, and the occasional dove," he thought back to the hunting ground, a vast field a ways away from his den near a farmer's home. However, it was conviently in between the old barn Maple lived in and his den.
"I'll let Baylor know, he and I could go hunting together. Maybe the kits could come along and practice their hunting skills, you know Ace needs work on his hunter's crouch."
"He has more of a warrior's build, Soot is well suited for hunting. Snake would be good too, as long as she doesn't have to hunt larger prey like rabbits. She still has time to grow, didn't you say Baylor had oversized paws like hers, and that he grew into them?" Nook tilted his head to her direction slightly, taking his attention off of the creek the kits ran down momentarily.
"Yes, he is so sure that she will be one of the best fighters, but she's so small I- I just don't know." Maple looked down at her paws, embarrassed that she doubted her kit.
"Don't let her size fool you, she is still young. I can feel it in my bones, Snake will become a very skilled cat, she keeps up with her siblings very well." Maple smiled, and nodded at Nook.
She parted her lips to comment but Soot's yowl of fright stopped her. "Mamma! Look at Snake and Ace!". Soot leapt into the water and swam across as quickly as she could to the safety of the two cats resting on the bank, mewling in fright.
"What? Where?!" Maple jumped up, scanning the area for her kits, fearing the worse. Nook strained his eyes, until he could make out the form of a cat. After a moment more his eyes stretched out horrified.
"Snake!" Nook yowled and jumped into the water, surging himself towards the tiny shecat who laid across Ace's shoulders, who's eyes were filled with fright and confusion. Both of their coats clung to their frame, matted and clumped with blood, some dripping off diluted by water.
"What happened?" Nook reached the kits, Maple not far behind him, her eyes wide with terror.
"There was this huge thing, with gashes and bite marks, lying dead in the water… Snake and I, we didn't mean too, but we ran into it! Snake tripped and hit her head on a rock, mamma I'm scared." Nook Looked down at his paws, and noticed the water was beginning to run crimson.
"Take the kits home Maple, I'll catch up with you in a bit. I'm going to see what's up." She nodded and turned towards her unconscious kit, rasping her tongue along her forehead trying to wake her up.
"Give her to me Ace, I'll carry her."
As she moved to take Snake ace Backed away shaking his head, "no mamma I'll be ok. Dad wouldn't let you carry her." Maple forced a small smile, and flicked her tail for him to follow. Soot was still on the bank, her body stiff from fright. She flinched back as Ace walked passed her and ran up to her mother, their pelts brushing up against each other.
Nook watched them leave, and then he began to pad upstream cautiously, scenting the air. BloodClan, the wretched scent burned his nose and almost choked him as he came near the thing Ace was trying to describe. A dog, a smaller one, laid limp with blood gushing out of its neck from a deep gash. Can't be more than an hour old, Nook wrinkled his muzzle in disgust, and turned back to catch up with Maple as promised. Those mangy BloodClan cats expanded their territory, Felicity is holding back her cats for now… What for though?
He found the shecat mooning over her kit in the Moore, who had woken up. "Mamma it wasn't that scary! Remember when I took on that dog with Nook? It was at least three times its size!" He smiled, the kit's spunk clearly wasn't damaged.
"Oh Nook, I was beginning to worry. We waited here for you; my paws are itching to be back in our barn." Maple smiled at him, and Snake flashed him a toothy grin. Ace was grooming the blood off her pelt, and Soot was cowering by her mother's flank.
"Mamma, don't you know that you shouldn't worry about Nook? He is one of the smartest and fastest cats we know!" Snake lifted herself onto her haunches, grinning at Nook. He flashed her a grin in return.
"Let us head back then, I wouldn't mind some shelter from this chill." Maple eagerly rounded up her kits and joined Nook, who had to step carefully to avoid trampling on the spritely kit who danced about his paws.
"Nook did you see it? What happened to it? Tell Soot about the dog we fought because she doesn't believe me… oh! Nook were you scared of the dog by the creek? Because I wasn't!" He glanced over to Maple who was shaking her head in defeat, and he bit back his laughter.
Nook hushed the kit and began answering her questions and more, as they head to the barn.
"Ha! Did you hear the way it yelped when we jumped on it, forcing it down in the mud!" Smoke laughed, brushing her pelt against Quake's, eyes bright. He joined in with her, his laugh echoing with hers through the alleyway back into the camp.
"How about when the dog howled as Frost slit its throat, too bad those clumsy twolegs couldn't hear him!" Ghost padded up beside him, Frost matching his step obviously proud.
"Don't forget when Quake took him head on first, the beast didn't know what hit him," Frost giggled. He flashed her a grin, Smoke nipped his shoulder bringing his attention back to her. He sent the fiery shecat a wink, which she returned. Her eyes were full of promise, as her tail entwined with his. The tom did the same, pushing down the nagging thought of the recruit. He pressed his muzzle against Smoke, replacing the memory of her scent with Smoke's.
Baylor caught sight of the pair walking in camp, and lashed his tail in annoyance. "Quake, you'll have time for that later! Get back into your position with Wolf, Fox, and Hail!" Baylor barked his order at him, Smoke flattened her ears. "Welp, duty calls." He detached himself from Smoke to carry out Baylor's orders.
"You three, you can go hunting for Fallen and Lost, since you seem so eager to take time out of camp without permission. Afterwards you will report back to me for intensive training, maybe next time you will get my permission." He stared down Smoke, daring her to say otherwise. She flashed him a glare before padding off stoutly with her siblings close behind.
Quake lowered his head respectfully as he passed Baylor, and leapt down onto the camp grounds. He spotted his assigned training group and trotted up to join them, tail raised in greeting. Wolf flattened her ears; she wasn't fond of the tom.
"Quake, nice for you to join us," Hail greeted him. He sent the tom an apologetic smile, Fox sighed and shook her head.
"You and me, Hail what do you want me to do?" The trainer observed the two, sizing them up.
"Show me what you got, and I'll evaluate your weaknesses and strengths, begin." Fox surged at the tom but at the last minute she jumped to his left and as he turned to match her she swerved and rammed into his side sending him rolling in the dirt. Fox pounced at him meaning to claw above his eye and retreat but he regained enough ground to bat her aside sending her flying.
The shecat hissed as the she crashed up against a tree, sharp pains jolting up her spine. Quake leapt to his feet and ran at Fox and before she could do a counter attack he pounced on her, latching onto Fox's pelt, rolling with her until he flung her off towards the brick wall. Fox turned in mid air before she could hit the wall, jumping off of it and ramming into Quake tackling him into the ground.
"Enough!" Hail yowled at the two, "I've seen enough. Wolf you pair up with Quake, don't go easy on him." He grinned at the shecat; she glared at Quake briefly nodding at Fox when the two passed each other. "Begin."
Wolf caterwauled at the tom as she hurled herself at him. Quake quickly bunched up his muscles and launched himself over the shecat. Wolf leaped up into the air mid run clawing his abdomen as he passed. He yowled in agony as he collapsed on the ground, his blooding soaking the sand. Wolf fell to her paws, lashing her tail.
"Good as always, Wolf. Quake you underestimated your opponent. You rely on your size and strength in a battle, a fatal error, don't you think?" Hail turned with a knowing smile at the shecat, who shook her paw in turn, flicking the blood off of it. Hail smiled and looked up on the ledge overlooking the camp and winked at Baylor. Baylor grinned and dipped his head at his trainer. That should teach the stupid crowfood not to break my rules again. Quake raised his gaze to Baylor, anger bristling his pelt. He tied to stand up on his paws, but his abdomen wrenched in pain making him double over gasping, before he fell back onto the wet sand.
"Fox, fetch Lost. She knows a little about herbs and such things." Hail looked to the amused shecat beside him.
"I'll hurry back sir." She leapt to her paws, muscles taunt and ready to bolt.
"Oh no, you're tired from an intense day of training. Take your time, he's not going anywhere." Hail chuckled, Fox bit back her laughter, and set off to Fallen's alley.
Quake forced his eyes open to look around the camp, he felt his pelt grow hot when he noticed half the guard was watching him, a few were snickering. He caught Fade's gaze, and he turned away to embarrassed to hold it. Quake groaned as he pulled himself up, his forelimbs shaking from the effort. Blood continued to ooze out of his stomach, and he dared a look. It wasn't a fatal gash, but he knew it might as well be since he would have to take time off to recover. Shit, the whole clan will be laughing about me. What guard, hardened by seasons of training and fighting, takes time off because of a shecat a third of his size? He glanced back at the shecat, and she gave him a sympathetic smile. He quickly turned to Baylor, catching the smug look on his face.
"Ok what idiot needs my help now?" Lost padded into the camp with authority, Baylor acknowledged her but said nothing. He didn't need to, with Quake being surrounded by a pool of blood and clearly on the verge of passing out though he hid it well. "Ah, Quake. Why am I not surprised?" Lost walked up to him, and pushed him back down into the dirt with her forepaw. He grunted as he made contact, but did nothing to protest.
She examined the wound closely, and began grooming it to clear out some of the blood. Quake moaned as she put pressure on it, testing to see how swollen it was or if there was damaged nerves. Satisfied, she stepped back and turned to address Baylor who was still on the ledge over looking his grounds. "It's not too serious, give him a moon to rest and make sure he keeps the wound clean. It might help if he tried using that yellow flower; you know chewing it and spreading the pulp."
"Thank you for your advice Lost, I will have him put off duty until next moon." He dipped his head respectfully at his deputy, and held back a chuckle when she stuck up her chin and padded off.
"Report to me at sun fall for a vital meeting, those who do not show will be punished. As you were!" Baylor's voice boomed through the camp, and his cats quickly carried out his orders. He padded off the slope to his and Cathair's shared den. It was dark and stuffy inside, and Cathair laid curled up in the far right corner. He was now showing his age if haven't before. Baylor cleared his throat to catch the tom's attention. Cathair grunted in return, inviting his son in, Baylor slid in and curled up beside the weary tom.
"Have you chosen your cats yet?" Cathair pried open his eyes, which were marked with sleep.
"Yes, I will announce them at the meeting. You, son?"
"Yes sir I have… and we still agree on the five?" Baylor questioned his father, who forgot things and changed his mind at times.
"As long as you haven't changed your mind." The old tom croaked the words out.
"I haven't, well then it's agreed… we're actually doing this." A cool breeze swept in, and whipped at Cathair's whiskers and matted fur adding almost an ancient appearance.
"Fallen wishes it, and we are low on prey, if it meant more food and room for our forces to grow then why not? And son, new places means new cats, which always leads to new recruits." Baylor nodded, the one good thing coming out of this. Him and his father continued to debate on the expedition even thought they both knew it was pointless.
Sunfall came quickly, all of his patrols had returned with no news of Felicity and Smoke, Frost, and Ghost had returned from their hunt. Every cat sat beneath the ledge, even the cats who made up the majority of BloodClan even though they didn't have a position, the camp overflowed with cats, some had to perch on the scraggily trees on the edge of the training grounds.. Quake sat beneath the ledge, Smoke curled up next to him nurturing his wounded pride. Out of the guard, only one cat remained absent and that was Titus.
"Come on Cathair, it's sunfall and the guard is waiting to hear our news." His father flicked his ear, and hoisted himself up grunting from the effort. Baylor turned away and buried the pain he felt swell up inside of him. Cathair strolled out in front of the young cat to greet the clan first.
Cathair didn't have to speak up to quiet down the cats, everyone had great respect for the elder, even Fang who usually took every opportunity to stir up trouble clamped his jaws shut in awe of the elder above him. Baylor stood next to his father, the moon lighting up his pelt and highlighting the muscles carved into his frame. His gaze seared down onto every cat present, taking in the scene before him. Baylor was quick to notice a new recruit, Titus, wasn't present.
"Fallen has assigned Baylor and I to choose and appoint three worthy cats each to join each other on a patrol, in order to scout the new territory the rogues spoke of." Cathair spoke with authority and dignity, his voice reaching every cat's ears clearly. He twitched his tail, and Baylor cleared his throat.
"My three cats will be Wolf, Jagged, and Sleet. You have been chosen for your experience, wisdom, and loyalty." Baylor switched his gaze to the three cats, noticing with amusement at how Wolf's eyes sparked with purpose and honor. He knew he chose well on his part. He looked to his father, signaling his turn to speak.
"I have chosen Butler, Mags, and Havoc. I realize only one of you is a guard, but I am well aware of your knowledge of healing and foreign lands and what comes with them Mags. And Butler, old friend, I have complete faith that your years have made you a wise choice for this mission. Also, Mags you are to lead this patrol." Butler and Mags dipped their heads, shocked that they were given such an honor. Fang flattened his ears, and leaned in to whisper to a BloodClan cat, who nodded his head in return, eyes pooling with judgment.
"For the second patrol, who will reside in the territory with one of the original cats, if suitable of course, are cats both Cathair and I believed best. Smoke, Shade, Wander, Fox, and Salem, you five will make up this patrol. Fox will lead it."
"First patrol, you will leave in two suns. We'll send out the second patrol in half a moon, talk with Fallen before you head out." Cathair cleared his throat, forcing back a cough.
"Dismissed, and if any of you see Titus send him to me." Baylor flicked his tail and turned around, leaving the cats to talk and disperse. Baylor searched for Salem, who usually took to the sidelines. Cathair cleared his throat catching his son's attention, and with a nod of his head to a corner of the camp, beneath a ragged tree.
The secretive cat was quietly speaking with the new recruit, Fade, a look of caution on his face. Baylor nodded at his father and leapt down from the ledge and onto the camp grounds.
"Baylor!" A beautiful Siamese shecat pushed her way through the mass of bodies to him.
He smiled at the shecat, "Nettle." Her eyes brightened, and her tail stuck straight up in the air.
"Havoc and I wanted to invite you on a hunt later tonight, I have a good feeling that there will be a few mice on the edge of the north border," her eyes danced with hope.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, I'll meet you there after I take care of some business." He mewed warmly at his old friend, she had been the only cat to stand up for Viper when she was tortured after the fight. The shecat dipped her head at him before turning to engage with Hail who had padded up behind her, Baylor could sense the hope radiating from him.
Baylor grinned at the tom, before taking back his commanding air to shove his way to Salem. He found the tom still whispering to Fade, who was hunched over with her ears flattened against her cranium. Salem looked as if he was trying to comfort her. Baylor patiently waited for his presence to be noticed, not wanting to intrude.
Salem quickly scented the tom and snapped his head up. "Baylor, what can I do yah for?" The shecat popped her head up, and her pelt burned with embarrassment.
"oh- I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hold you up, I'll go." The shecat jumped on her paws, and winced slightly when she put pressure on her forepaw, which was obviously injured from battle training.
"No, sit. What happened to your paw?" The shecat obeyed, and laid her tail over it in attempt to hide it.
"Well, I was training under Fang with Vic, Willow, and Stitch today… while I was attempting to skid underneath Fang he caught me off guard and tripped me his forepaw, I fell and twisted mine… It was all my fault, it won't happen again." The shecat lowered her head, avoiding her commander's intimidating gaze.
"Fang is known for being harsh, this was a good lesson for you. I know you will learn from it and improve yourself, go and soak it in the creek. It'll ease the swelling." The shecat dipped her head and limped off along the outskirt of the camp.
"Do you think she was a wise choice for a recruit Baylor?"
"She shows promise; she just needs to gain some confidence. That comes in time. Now Salem, do you know what you're supposed to do?" The tom's eyes turned hard and serious, as he nodded curtly in response.
"Good, I know I can rely on you to keep this between us, and be discrete?" Baylor leaned in, searching the tom's eyes for any uncertainty.
"You have my word Baylor, and what about my mate, Harper?" Salem flicked his tail, burying his emotion.
"She will be safe, no cat will harm her Salem. Now rest up and prepare yourself, you'll need all of your cunning and strength for the next half moon. I would like to assign you to train under Sleet and Titan. I'll also have you work with Mags some, she is very knowledgeable. You start tomorrow at sunhigh." Salem nodded, and dismissed himself in the direction that Fade went.
Baylor had began to head to meet up with Nettle and Havoc when he heard a familiar caterwaul cry out. What now? He looked over his shoulder, to see a ring of cats surrounding Fang and some random tom who were pacing around Mags and Butler. He groaned, and strode towards the scene.
"Who do you think you are crowfood, to be put head of the patrol?" Fang spat at Mags, who crouched down ready to dodge a blow.
"Stay off her Fang." Butler hissed at the tom, and Fang's friend- a white cat with black ears and tipped tail who went by Luke, struck at his flank. Butler spun around and hissed at the tom warningly.
"I know who I am Fang, but you do not. You feed off of other's pain and think yourself a god because of it. Leave me be, I have no quarrel with you." Mags narrowed her eyes, and tensed her muscles ready for any attack he'd make. Fang grinned, and the moons lit up his brown eyes, leaving them to emit a reddish glow.
"You should think before you speak," Fang growled at Mags, before he lunged at her with his lengthy claw outstretched. Butler yowled and launched himself at Fang, catching him before he landed on Mags. The two hit the ground with a thud, and Smoke began to yowl from excitement. Other cats joined in, feeding off of each other's energy. Mags became fixated on the fight before her, evaluating the situation. Luke saw his chance and hurled himself at her, she yelped in surprise and then howled in agony as she felt his claws tear through her pelt. Some of the cats screeched and cried, her cry adding elation.
Butler remained tangled with Fang, as the cat lashed out at his face tempestuously. Another BloodClan cat, Murk, dethatched himself from the ocean of cats and rammed into Fang. He tumbled into the ground, before rolling onto his feet, poised and ready to strike. Mags managed to bunch her hind quarters under Luke and pummel his abdomen until the tom cried from pain and relinquished his grasp on her. He regrouped with Fang, who's eyes where lit with fire. Butler pulled himself to his feet, and shook his head, sending drops of crimson onto the ground and cats around him.
Baylor had enough of the onslaught, and forced his way through the last row of cats, breaking out onto the circle. "That is enough, this gathering is dismissed." Fang, trembling with adrenaline, lashed his tail infuriatingly.
"Who are you to stop a fight, when you used to challenge other cats or bet on them?" He spat at Baylor. Baylor growled low in his throat, his pelt bristled and claws unsheathed warningly. The cats fell silent as a mouse.
"I am your Captain of The Guard! And the cats you were assaulting were ordered by Fallen himself to be organized into patrols." Baylor lashed his tail, and anger flared up in his eyes. Fang growled, and kneaded the dirt temptingly. "So much as meow on more word to me Fang and I will rip your jugular out of your flea bitten throat!" Baylor hissed at the tom. Fang narrowed his eyes, and his muscles tensed. Baylor recognized the rebellious fire that began to flare up in his eyes, the same as Snipe's had. "Come on, try me." He unsheathed his massive claws, and after a moment Fang backed up and shook his pelt, sheathing his claws.
"It's not worth my time, I have better things to do." He turned to Mags and Butler flashing them one more glare before stalking off slowly to the dens. Luke, seeing that his friend had backed down, sheathed his claws too and flicked his tail once more before melting into the group of cats.
"Damn right you do Fang," Baylor called after him. He looked towards the battered BloodClan cats, and Mags sent him a small grateful smile. He returned the smile, and dipped his head at Butler. After assessing their conditions and deciding that it wasn't life threatening, he padded up the slope leaving the remaining cats to themselves.
Baylor sighed, and jumped into the brush towards the North border. A good hunt is just what I need, to clear my mind.
Nettle was stretched out beneath the glow of a street lamp, beside her brother, who was murmuring something to her. She bristled and sat up, swatting at his ear.
"Don't believe everything you hear Havoc!" He snickered, and Nettle dug her claws into the dirt to avoid scratching him, the shecat's pelt was heated with embarrassment.
"Smoke didn't have to tell me, I can smell his scent on you right now Nettle." The tom held a smug look on his face, which Nettle had to restrain herself from whipping it off. As if right on cue, Baylor trotted up. The crisp night air whipped through his thin pelt, leaving him to shudder. I wonder how Maple and the kits are fairing. I bet that loner Nook is keeping Snake up filling her head with stories again. Nettle scented him before he left the shadows of the alley into the light of the lamp, and he quickly cleared his thoughts.
"Finally, what kept you man?" Havoc question his captain.
"Just some business, but I don't want to talk about it. Nettle, where was that place you mentioned?" The shecat sent him a sympathetic smile.
"Those bins before you reach the forest line, I was patrolling that area earlier and I swear I heard scuffling around the roots of the trees; thought they would abandon the safety of their holes for a midnight snack." She stood up, and shook out the dust from her pelt.
"Let's go find out then, I don't have all night you know." Baylor stretched out his forearms, loosening up the tendons for a run.
"Where do you go?" Havoc inquired the burly tom.
"Just for a run, patrolling off territory, it's an opportunity to wear off stress and search for information about Felicity." Baylor stood up and shook his pelt, "ok I'm ready." Havoc nodded, even though he didn't entirely believe him. However, Baylor being his Captain he didn't question him, and set off at a steady lope to the bins Nettle described. The shecat followed her brother, matching him paw for paw. Baylor looked out in the direction of the moor, he briefly pictured his family before turning to take off after his friends.