Tales of the Twolegs
Adventure and Fear
2015, October 30, North Clan, Frostheart's point of view…
"Frostheart!" "Dippledot!" "Frostheart!" "Dippledot!"
"Frost, wake up!"
I awoke with a start. Only a quarter Bright Moon had passed and they were already calling me Frost. And a quarter Bright Moon had already passed and I could still not forget the thrill of finally being made warriors.
Almost everybody had refrained from calling me Frostheart because they knew I was actually pretty nice. Ambitious, yes, but nice. Really, I didn't really mind the Name because I knew who I am. I also knew why our Wiseteller, Tangledburr, had Named me that. Her son Bigthlew seems to really detest me, for some weird reason, even though I try not to mess with him. He's the one who actually tries to create bad blood. But he's Tangledburr's and Crook's son, so she listens to him, even though a great Wiseteller would have been fair.
Anyways, I'm really excited for what's going to happen soon. Apparently, nine days ago, some clouds came to me and said that he was Cloud, my great x3 grandfather and guardian, and that I was a Chosen One, and so were three others, even though I have no idea who they might be. Even though I have constantly seen stars in the clouds, which no one believed until lately, that came as a surprise for me.
And then the prophecy. Tangledburr unwillingly told us about a prophecy (which I think the Spirits made her say) that concerns me defeating some evil force or whatever.
I paused in my thoughts. Poolcloud, who is my slightly bossy but gentle and lovable aunt, had called me up. She knows me well enough to know that I'll snap out of my thoughts whenever I'm ready.
"So, what is it, Poolcloud?" I asked calmly.
She sighed with impatience. "Seriously, boys today."
I mimed her sighing with impatience. "So what is it?" I repeated with an amused look.
Poolcloud studies me for a moment and then, clearly deciding that it wasn't worth arguing, or that her point was too important…
I'm se excited! But all those herbs…
"Training to be a Healer," we both said at the same time. Poolcloud gave me a wry look, then nodded and left. Ever since I was a Mitl, I had this gift for guessing other people's thoughts. In fact, sometimes, if I let myself focus it's like I can almost hear their actual thoughts…
Which just totally convinces me that the prophecy is true.
"I'm coming!" I yowl into the bright dawn sky. There ought to be a ceremony if she's going To-be a Healer.
I saunter into Tangledburr's majestic ravine and there she is. Monkey, my sister and littermate, sidles up to me. Mokronkrace, our current Healer is growing old, so she chose well in taking up with a To-be. But shouldn't we eat breakfast first…
"Let's eat breakfast," Tangledburr decided. She recited the list of ranks. When she calls "Warriors", I race forward and grab a fat red Forest Mokronk and settle down.
After breakfast, Tangledburr does the ceremony that makes Poolcloud a Healer To-be. I decide to go on border patrol with Maklotlove, Freshfern, and Freshfern's To-be. I don't know why. Just sensed that it would be important. Maybe destiny.
As we near the Point, which is, well, basically the point that meets with all the other territories, I feel the the West, South, and wet East point urging us to… to… well, it's strongly calling me, and I can't ignore that.
And of course, Freshfern and Maklotlove won't be too pleased with me starting a patrol skirmish for crossing onto an unfriendly, neighbouring Clan territory. Duh.
Distraction… distraction…
Of course! That's it! I'm used to ideas strangely popping into my head, by the way. I scan the area and quickly scale a tree before Freshfern and Maklotlove, panting, reach the Point. Their getting quite old by now. Another fifteen years and Freshfern will have to join the Elders. Sad.
I perfectly imitate a wolf's howls and the women look around, claws unsheathing. I howl once more then quickly drop off the tree as Maklotlove, Freshfern, and her To-be race off to see the matter.
I go to the edge of the Point, heart beating fast, and decide that I'm brave enough to set foot on South territory just as some shape hops onto North territory first.
The shape whirled around, noticed me, and then rolled and clawed my legs. I wince with pain. What the… I've never see a move like that, and so swift, I wouldn't have been able to prepare for it even if I guessed that it wouldn't be lunging. A clever fighter, then.
Use something it's never seen before!
I know that, I thought angrily. What am I, stupid? I pretended to lash out with my left arm and tilted on my right flank to claw more of the intruder. The person ducked, leaped, twirled, and clawed my ears so nimbly, in just a second, that I could barely register what had happened. I gave an angry battle yowl and instinctively turned around, but the person had gone. Suddenly, under the bright Sun, what looked like a flying swan leaped, double-twirled, clawed, duck-slided, and clawed again with such grace that again I was reminded of one of those skilled dancers that entertain the Wiseteller.
I lashed out and missed, my chest heaving. So far, I had spilled quite some blood and the mysterious warrior was unscathed. The warrior leaped so high that it could only be a South Clan warrior, and it would be embarrassing to admit defeat, but even though my combat skills were quite good, she was too skilled. It could only be one of the revered senior warriors. The person saw my raised palms, flashed by, and ended up on top of me.
That was when I saw it was a girl. About my age, really. How… I could feel my cheeks burning. She grinned at me.
"Not so clever after all, aren't you?" she taunted in a silky voice. "Still, you're better than most, who can barely even see me." She eyed me carefully. "You should have faked defeat and claw me now. That's what I would have done. Go on, try to claw me."
For some unknown reason, I kept my claws sheathed. She noticed this, but didn't jeer.
"You're on North territory," I spat. "Get out and I may spare you!"
"Really," she looked at me with amusement. "Technically, I'm in the stronger position, or have you forgotten, idiot boy?"
"I'm a warrior," I snarled.
She eyed me again. "I feel something unusual. Are you part of the prophecy?" She shot at me suddenly.
I tried to look braver than I felt. She really was fierce. "Yep, so that means you have to show some more respect!" I snapped at her.
She glared at me. "Actually, no. I'm part of the prophecy too, and since I'm the representative for the South, you'll have to listen to me!"
I scowled. After seeing her fight, I wasn't surprised, but that doesn't mean I have to like the fact that I'm going to be fighting alongside her.
She stood up, rich lavender Queda silk flowing like a river. That was when I realized that she was as tall as me, which meant taller than average people her age. She wore an expression of sheer arrogance, a smooth mane of long black hair and dark brown, sharp, dangerous eyes. Quite cute, actually. Stop thinking that! I scolded myself hurriedly. She stared at me and a pink tinge appeared in her cheeks.
"What's your name?" She asked me.
"Frostheart, but just call me Frost. Everyone does. You?" A sudden image of a strong breeze appeared in my head.
"Nightwind, but just call me Wind," she mimed me playfully and smiled at me. I decide she isn't so bad after all.
"So, do you know who the other two are?" I looked at her in surprise. Usually I would have sensed that she was about to ask that, especially such a big question. Even though it felt wrong, I tried to snoop into her thoughts. Nothing. It was like trying to leave a clawmark in mist. Maybe because she was another Chosen One, though I had a feeling it was an unique skill.
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh OH MY GOSH!" We both turned around sharply. A young brunette girl about my age too wearing a look of over-exhilaration was the one that had yelped. "Are you part of Prophecy of Warriors too? I am sooo excited to finally meet you, my friends!"
Friends? I thought. We've barely met. But of course I don't actually say this. Nightwind just snorted. But I believe the stranger, because in her thoughts she genuinely got her sign about the prophecy. So I guess it's just Wind that is skilled at blocking out brain-intruders.
"My name is Feather, you?" She said all this very quickly. Before waiting for us to reply, she called out, "So like, I came to the East Point 'cause it, like, called me, which is so cool!"
Wind gave her a wry look, and we both introduced ourselves like before.
"I think she's the 'feather' of the prophecy. Though I don't think she's very peaceful at the moment." We both laughed.
If Feather overheard, she didn't react. "Let's go find the West dude!"
"Now?" I asked. Maklotlove and Freshfern would wonder where I've gone.
"Yep!" For some reason, that and her enthusiasm convinced me. Maybe that's her power.
Nightwind still looked doubtful. "I'm supposed to lead a patrol with Dawnheart, Streamsong, and Bluebird."
"Woah, you get to lead a patrol? You must be an extraordinary warrior!" Feather exclaimed. That convinced her. -
The sun was setting by now, making the sky turn a pink-blue like someone took some pastels and smudged on the skies. I have no idea how the mangy West Twolegs even manage to live in such an uncomfortable place. I mean, the desert is horrible. At least I got to know sassy, snide, sarcastic Wind and friendly, sympathetic Feather better.
The cruel Sun beat on our backs, making me sweat alot, even though it's already When BloodJags fall. There were painfully big blisters in my feet for just walking on the burning, blistering sand. Some of the Elders told me that they stick sand on themselves for camouflage. I have no idea how that's possible without at least inflicting some serious scorch marks.
Suddenly, two men, a lean woman, and a young boy about 14 appeared. So the sand-camouflage does work! Nightwind pulled Feather and me and we ducked down behind a small dune of sand. We would have been caught for sure, but no one was any match for Wind's wind-like speed. They chose her name too well.
The men and woman carried on their patrol, but the boy had a strange look in his eyes. Or really, his eye. A band of cloth that he wore around his head covered the left eye.
Or maybe he only has one eye. I can sense that he was rejected alot in his life, ever since he was a Mitl.
I had never been really superstitious, but many of my Clanmates believed that if you lose an Eye, you are branded as Tabu, or Evil, which is a very low rank, because the Near-Spirits, who are really old and wise people that are about to die, or more formally in Clans, Rest, say that there are two Paths to take in Life. Being part of a Clan is said to be good, so a Clanmate that loses an eye is said to be only able to see Evil because of losing the Clan eye. Both eyes taken means you suffer from blindness/ignorance, and your Clanmates put you to Rest to end your suffering.
I always found that a little confusing-
"WHAT ARE YOU INTRUDERS DOING HERE?" The Tabu boy yelled at us.
"Whoa. What are you doing here? That dune doesn't mark your border with the South, and we don't want your territory, which is the epitome of even-worse-than-this-prickly-guy-yelling-at-us," snapped Wind.
I thought that was pretty funny. You seldom meet a Twoleg with such a sharp tongue and snap, but people don't say such bold things to borders guards for a reason.
Feather winced. "South people," she whispered to me with an exasperated sigh. But Wind had a point about the Tabu boy being prickly.
"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND COME WITH ME. TWISTEDTWIG WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS, I ASSURE YOU," he boomed.
"He expects us to think that we're going along for tea," Wind told us. Feather made faces like she was trying not to giggle.
The Tabu boy turned around like a tornado. "I HEARD THAT."
"Oh, right, at least you have both of your ears," Wind was biting back.
The Tabu flinched. I knew then that she had hit a weak spot.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" He regained some of his old temper quickly.
Luckily, calming Feather stepped smoothly in front of them. "Losing an eye doesn't mean that you can't be a good person. Who cares if nobody else notices? You're still you." She scowled at Wind.
"And anyway, you can't bring us back. We're part of the Prophecy," I added.
The Tabu looked surprised but then grumpiness flooded all over his expression again.
"What prophecy?" He mumbled.
"We're looking for 'thorns that claw'. We assumed he's from the West. Do you know that person?" Feather inquired.
He unsheathed his claws and shook his head at us.
He has really unusually long and sharp claws, as sharp as a thorn…
"You're eye's not the only unusual thing about you," I said to him, indicating his deadly claws.
This time he really looked surprised. "Instinct," he muttered to himself. Then he turned to us. "So you are from the prophecy?"
"Duh," grumbled Wind, but he took no notice. I didn't think we were supposed to answer anyways.
"In that case…" he mused to no one in particular. "I'm Thornclaw."
"Ohhh… HI! I'm Feather, this is Nightwind, just call her Wind, and this is Frostheart, but he's really nice, don't worry, call 'im Frost…" she said in her super-speed excited manner, indicating each of us as she said our names. Thornclaw the Tabu repeated our names under his breath.
He glared at Wind. It was pretty clear that those two would be on a bumpy relationship. Of course, Wind held his gaze until he was forced to look away. "In that case, what are we supposed to do now? Search every nook and cranny until we find the 'darkness' or whatnot and kill it?"
"Of course not, but maybe…" I was cut off as a mystic look entered Nightwind's expression as she stared into the night sky.
Some mist descended like it usually does at this time. Wind stared at it for a long period of time and was moving her lips as if she were talking to somebody, even though there was no sound.
Finally, she turned around and said, "Mist just told me that the one with blood in their eyes lurk in the Clans as four, growing more powerful by the second, but as for where exactly they are-"
A bloodcurdling shriek was emitted from behind a nearby dune. At once, I knew what it was.
"Death Eagles!" Thornclaw's toughness immediately vanished as his eyes turned as round as colivre berries. I wonder why he was so frightened.
"Death Eagles!" Wind spat. "Let's show them who's boss!"
A human scream echoed from behind the dune too. Feather froze as if it was even more blood chilling than anything.
Behind the dune, a massive Death Eagle had a woman cornered. It's muscles ripple in the moonlight. The person was lashing out with her claws, but like everyone knows, seldom anyone is a match for Death Eagles.
"Mintmarigold!" Thornclaw exclaimed. "Stay back!"
But Mintmarigold was in a state of shock. The Death Eagle saw us and advanced on us. It was flying a little lopsided, probably due to the fact that it had lost half his left wing. Wind seemed to realize that too, and spat out, "You!"
The Death Eagle was wearing something strange around his neck. From my angle, it looked an amulet of some sort with a triangle stone with an 'X' on it, the symbol of Evil, the colour of blood. The next thing that the mutant did totally shocked us. It talked.
"Yes, me," he mused. "You put up quite a fight for a Mitl. But I was just warming up."
I gaped in confusion. Had they met before?
"Yeah, right," scoffed Wind. "You still have the scar! Ha!"
The Death Eagle flinched. "Cheeky warrior. I'll make you pay," he snarled.
He hurtled himself at us, talons outstretched, wearing a malevolent look of pure hatred. At the same time, Thornclaw shouted, "Aim for the amulet!"
I remembered alot of speed, clashing, blood, screaming, pain, yeling, moans, you name it. It all happened so fast; I bet that Nightwind was the only one who could keep up with the whirl of images.
Suddenly, by instinct, I lashed my claws to my left. It connected with flesh and I hear a mutt-like scream. I just knew that the Death Eagle was above me, and I jumped up to attack. I missed, but at least I didn't get injured.
The Death Eagle came swooping at me and I did the duck-slide move that I remember Wind did on me. There was a yelp that confirmed that I found my target. Then the mutt swooped up into the moonlight.
The Death Eagle looked even bigger up there, and it was prepared to kill. -
