A/N: I know it's been forever since I last updated! Sorry! In this chapter we meet a few more main characters. Thanks for the reviews!
Swiftheart turned her golden eyes towards the Great Rock where Hollowstar, her leader, was stepping forward to speak.
" This leaf-bare was hard and we lost two kits to greencough," he mewed, glancing sympathetically over to Finchpool. Finchpool had lost two kits, Mistkit and Wolfkit to the horrifying illness. "But Shadowclan are recovering and we have a new litter! Haykit,Poppykit and Wheatkit were born to Antdapple, and Vineleg is moving into the nursery," Hollowstar announced. "New-leaf has come to our marshes and pine forest and prey is running well. I have nothing further to report, Shadowclan are well," The gray tabby stepped back and Redstar of Windclan padded forward to give his report.
Swiftheart turned to exchange a questioning look with her friend Fernglow. Why hadn't Hollowstar mentioned Eaglestep? Eaglestep had promised he would tell his clan that he was moving to Shadowclan before this Gathering. Fernglow shrugged and fixed her gaze on Redstar.
The leaders finished their reports and leaped down from the Great Rock. Swiftheart enjoyed listening to how the other clans were but her favorite part of a Gathering was when they were allowed to speak to cats of different clans and get to know them. She stopped by a group of Windclan apprentices who had foolishly decided to challenge two Skyclan cats to a jumping contest.
"You'd think those Windclan cats would have more sense than to challenge Skyclan cats to a jumping contest." Swiftheart jumped at the deep mew beside her ear and whirled about to find herself facing a large tom with black and grey fur.
"Uh, yes I suppose" she stammered. What was wrong with her! The way he was staring at her made the shecat uncomfortable.
"I wonder who will win!" he joked.
Suddenly Swiftheart felt more at ease "I'm sure that Windclan apprentice will!"
The tom's whiskers twitched and his eyes sparkled.
"A Shadowclan cat with a sense of humor! I didn't know that could happen!" he said. "My name is Slatewind by the way"
Swiftheart pretended to be offended "What's that supposed to mean! Shadowclan cats are funny too! I'm Swiftheart."
Slatewind opend his mouth to say something but was cut off when a cat called his name.
"Slatewind! We are leaving!" a pretty gray tabby, Doeflight, yowled to him.
"I'll be there before you can say mouse!" the handsome gray and black tom called back. "It was great to meet you Swiftheart, I hope we can speak again soon,"
The Shadowclan shecat dipped her head to him. "Yes. Maybe I'll see you next Gathering,"
Slatewind bounded off to join Doeflight and head back to camp. Swiftheart watched them go her heart giving a strange twist as she saw Doeflight laying her tail across Slatewind's back. She almost felt relieved when she saw the tomcat turn around and glance back at her, Doeflight's tail falling from his shoulders. The black and white pelted shecat shook herself. She could hear Rosepatch, Shadowclan's deputy, calling for her.
As Swiftheart joined her clan, walking back to their camp Fernglow fell in beside her.
"So who was that good-looking cat from Skyclan you were talking to," her friend teased. "Seems like you were both having a good time!"
"Shut up Fernglow! He's from Skyclan! And even if he was Shadowclan I wouldn't like him!" Swiftheart growled.
"Fine! That's probably for the best I heard from Foxflower that Doeflight's been padding after him for moons," she said.
Swiftheart chose to ignore this, and eager to change the subject said. "Why didn't Hollowstar say that Eaglestep was leaving Skyclan and joining us?"
Fernglow tilted her head and then meowed. "I think he wanted Ebonystar
to announce it because Eaglestep is still a Skyclan cat so it is her news."
Swiftheart pondered this for a moment. "Yes, that makes sense. So why didn't she say that Eaglestep was leaving?"
"Swiftheart your head must be in the clouds! Obviously Eaglestep hasn't told his clan that he is leaving yet!"
"Right. Of course that must be it. Hollowstar is going to be angry with Eaglestep for not telling Skyclan that he's leaving"
"He will be I am sure, but our leader is sensible. If a strong warrior wants to join us he won't turn that down." Fernglow reasoned.
Swiftheart nodded "Well we're home . I'm so exhausted I could sleep for a moon!
Fernglow purred with amusement "See you in the morning!"
Swiftheart yawned and stretched in her comfortable nest made from bracken, moss and pine needles. Rosepatch, stuck her head into the warriors den.
"Swiftheart,Firefoot. Your joining Hornetstorm and Twilightpaw on a hunting patrol. Try over by the Skyclan border no cat has hunted there for a while." Rosepatch ordered
Swiftheart nodded, yawning again as she prodded Firefoot with a front paw.
"Firefoot! Wake up you great lump we're hunting," she mewed sleepily.
The red tom sprang to his paws, looking about wildly. "What's going on! What happened!"
Swiftheart snorted. "Firefoot calm down! I just woke you up to go hunting,"
"Well it felt like a Riverclan attack the way you sliced me with your claw!" the Shadowclan tom mewed indignantly.
"Whatever, we'd better get going or Rosepatch will have our tails," Swiftheart meowed.
The pretty black and white she-cat shook out her pelt, blinking in the sunlight. She spotted Hornetstrom striding towards her with Twilightpaw right behind him.
"You took your time," the large,cream colored tom huffed.
Swiftheart and Firefoot rolled their eyes, every cat in the clan knew that Hornetstrom had a good heart, however stern he may seem. The four cats headed towards through the pine forest to the Skyclan border.
"Now, Twilightpaw, what can you scent?" Hornetstorm said to his apprentice.
Twilightpaw parted her jaws and mewed. "Vole under that holly bush,"
"Well scented," Her mentor praised her. "Now see if you can catch it,"
The young cat nodded vigorously and dropped into a hunting crouch.
"Hornetstorm, I'm going to try by the King Pine," Swiftheart said.
"Okay, sounds good. We will meet back here at sunhigh," The big tom instructed her.
Swiftheart nodded and slipped away into the undergrowth headed for the largest pine in the forest, nearer to the Skyclan border. She spotted a large squirrel in the King Pine and immediately dropped into a crouch. She slunk to the base of the tree and stealthily started to ascend. The pretty shecat glanced upwards, she could see the fluffy tail of the squirrel bobbing just above her. Swiftheart leapt from branch to branch, following it. The furry, gray creature paused, and triumph swelled in her. Then, she heard a loud crunching noise below her and a black head appeared on the ground.
"Swiftheart! I didn't know Shadowclan cats could climb that high!" It was Slatewind, the Skyclan tom.
"You made that squirrel go even higher!" She yowled angrily.
"Sorry, looks like you lost it," He mewed
Suddenly Swiftheart heard branches clatter above her head, it was the squirrel! It must be one dumb squirrel to hang around, but she wasn't complaining. Shooting a sharp look at Slatewind she jumped to the next branch following it. She was going faster and faster, feeling more and more confident. The thrill of chasing prey was coursing through her blood and she barely heard Slatewind yowling to her to slow down. All at once she caught up to the squirrel and pounced on it. Her eyes widened with alarm as the branch below her started to crack.
"No! Swiftheart! Jump down to the next branch!" Slatewind called to her desperately.
But Swiftheart was frozen in panic. Slatewind realized this and gave a mighty jump into the tree, leaping again and again with his powerful hind legs to reach her. He reached her grabbed her by the scruff dragging her to safety.
She shook herself. "T- Thank you. I would have fallen.." the Shadowclan she-cat trailed off.
Slatewind just nodded. "It's fine, I take it's all right that I crossed the border to save your tail,"
Swiftheart nodded dumbly, following Slatewind down the pine tree. When they reached the bottom Slatewind crossed back over to his side of the border and Swiftheart padded away in search of the rest of the hunting patrol. Slatewind glanced behind him and just before the undergrowth swallowed her up she glanced back as well. He shivered at the strength of her burning,golden gaze. Slatewind wrenched his gaze away and bounded off deeper into his own territory.
Swiftheart opened her mouth, letting the squirrel fall, and tasted the air, searching for Hornetstorm and the others. Catching the scent of Twilightpaw she followed her scent trail until Swiftheart found the young apprentice and her mentor uncovering their prey from earlier. Firefoot came bounding into the clearing his eyes shining with pride as he dropped a long, inky-black snake in front of them.
Swiftheart gasped with alarm. "Firefoot! Did it bite you? How did you catch it?"
"No it didn't touch me!" the orange tom paused for a heartbeat. "Uh I'm not sure how I caught it exactly. What happened is really scary though. I was stalking this fat mouse and I think it was too! So me and the snake lunged at the same time and its head hit my neck so I flung up a paw and well killed it!"
Twilightpaw's eyes were wide with fear and she pressed against Hornetstorm.
"Do you think there are more in the forest?" she whimpered
" If there are they are nowhere near camp and no cat has ever seen one before know. I think if we do not antagonize them then we will be fine," the cream-coloured tom reasoned.
Swiftheart threw a doubtful glance at Hornetstorm, but seeing Twilightpaw's scared face she decided to save her fears for later.
"I suppose we should take it to camp to show everyone what it is and tell them to keep on the lookout for more," Hornetstorm mewed.
" Do you suppose you can eat it?" Firefoot wondered
"You first," scoffed Swiftheart.
"Hmph" he snorted
Swiftheart looked closely at Firefoot, usually he loved to bicker with her. Oh well he was probably just tired from fighting that snake.
The hunting patrol arrived back at camp and Rosepatch greeted them. The cream and yellow splotched she-cat that was also Hornetstorm's littermate nodded in approval to Swiftheart.
" Swiftheart, that looks like a healthy squirrel. Where did your patrol hunt?" The Shadowclan deputy directed her last question at Hornetstorm.
"Around the Skyclan border," her littermate answered.
"It's good to know that the prey is back over there too but try to stay clear of that border for a little while. There is going to be some tension with Eaglestep coming to join us," Rosepatch meowed. "Oh Firefoot's here at last. Are you carrying a snake? Did you kill that!?"
The handsome tom strutted proudly to the center of camp. "Yes! It was I Firefoot the Great that killed the snake who threatened our existence!"
Rosepatch snorted. "Firefoot the Great? Ok you're weird and delusional but we already knew that. I am assuming you did not get bitten?"
Suddenly serious Firefoot nudged her shoulder. "No I'm fine just tired,"
Rosepatch frowned. "Are you sure you're Ok? I know seeing and fighting the snake must have been horrifying but you were not gone long. Go to your den and get some sleep, I'll send Thorndust to check on you in a while."
Swiftheart stepped forward. "Rosepatch. Do you think Hollowstar will really let Eaglestep join Shadowclan? Eaglestep has kits and Ebonystar is his mate! Won't that give Ebonystar reason to hate us? Because we stole her mate and a good warrior from her?"
Rosepatch glared at her. "You should not question you leaders decisions so openly! Hollowstar knows what he is doing,"
Swiftheart dipped her head. "Should I ask Thorndust to check on Firefoot?"
Rosepatch gave a sharp nod. As Swiftheart padded away she glanced over her shoulder and saw unease glimmering in her deputies eyes. Shaking her head the golden-eyed shecat pushed through the tall grass at the entrance to the medicinecat den.
"Thorndust!" she called.
Condorpaw, the medicine cat apprentice trotted towards her, a bundle of sweet-smelling leaves in his mouth.
The apprentice dropped the herbs. "He's in the back, by the store. We are cleaning out the old herbs, be careful not to step in any piles on the way there,"
"Thanks," Swiftheart meowed.
Thorndust looked up from the herbs at her yellow paws. "Swiftheart. What can I do for you?"
"Firefoot was out on a hunting patrol with Hornetstorm,Twilightpaw and I when he came across a snake," the warrior explained. "We weren't out long at all and Firefoot told us he wasn't bitten by the snake. When we arrived back at camp though, he told us he was really tired. Rosepatch wants you to look at him,"
"You should have come straight to me! Did the snake touch him at all? Even the slightest scratch can transfer poison," Thorndust said worriedly.
"He said the snakes head hit him on the neck!" Swiftheart groaned.
"We must check him immediately. Condorpaw!"
"Yes Thorndust?"
"We may have a very ill cat. Make a nest in our den," The medicine-cat ordered.
Condorpaw nodded seriously and hurried to collect moss.
Swiftheart pattered anxiously beside Thorndust to the warriors den. They ducked under the spiky bramble bush where the den was built. Firefoot was asleep at the back of the den his tail curled tightly tightly around his front paws. As she and Thorndust weaved their way through the nests Firefoot was racked by a violent shiver. It was greenleaf! He shouldn't be cold! Swiftheart exchanged a worried look with Thorndust.
"Should I leave?" Swiftheart asked.
"Stay for one more moment I will send you out to tell Hollowstar and Rosepatch if I think he is sick," the medicine cat replied.
Swiftheart nodded fear for her friend making her nauseous. Thorndust crouched beside Firefoot listening to his breathing, which, to Swiftheart's relief sounded strong,steady and clear.
"Firefoot," Thorndust mewed, softly shaking his red-pelted shoulder.
The young tom blinked his eyes open and rasped. "Wow. I have definitely felt better,"
Thorndust was searching for any sign of a snakebite in Firefoot's neck fur. Suddenly she heaved a sigh and beckoned Swiftheart over with her tail. Swiftheart felt sick as she spotted a thin red line across Firefoots neck.
"It's so small and shallow he must not have felt it when the snakes fang scratched him," Thorndust murmured softly so only Swiftheart could hear. "He has a fever and is tired, but other than that nothing is wrong yet. Would you please tell Hollowstar and Rosepatch?"
Swiftheart swallowed hard. "Will...will he die?"
Thorndust met her gaze sorrowfully. "I don't know. I will do the best I can, but I've never had to treat a snake bite before."
Swiftheart walked slowly into the clearing, her tail tip dragging on the soft bed of pine needles. Hollowstar's den was beneath the roots of a large oak tree. The oak tree was where he called clan meetings and at the base of the oak tree was where Rosepatch organized patrols. Hollowstar was talking with Fernglow about Petalpaw, her apprentice.
"Yes I agree Petalpaw is almost ready to be made a warrior her training is coming along great. I watched her battle training yesterday and she was excellent. We can arrange final assessments soon," her leader was saying.
Fernglow nodded happily to Hollowstar and trotted off calling for Petalpaw. Swiftheart approached the gray tabby tom wearily.
"Hollowstar we need to speak,"
"Swiftheart! I heard Firefoot caught the snake that is lying in the clearing,"
"Yes. He did. Hollowstar." the words caught in her throat. Firefoot was his only son and Hollowstar's mate had died last greenleaf in a vicious Skyclan attack. The red toms pelt was the exact same shade as his mother's and he had the same deep blue eyes. "The snake's fang grazed his neck and Firefoot has fallen ill," she blurted out. "Oh Hollowstar I'm so sorry,"
"He reminds me so much of Duskfeather, she looked so much like he does and she had the same light-hearted spirit," Hollowstar sighed. " I'm sorry saying that must make you miss your family,"
Swiftheart flinched as her mind dove into a memory she had tried so hard to forget. It had been the dead of night when Skyclan invaded. Swiftheart had just been made an apprentice that day and it was her first night in the apprentices den with Firefoot, Beetletail and Fernglow. Then they had been Firepaw,Beetlepaw, Fernpaw and Swiftpaw. It was so hot during that greenleaf that the prey was dying of dehydration and there was precious little water. Skyclan had been trying to steal territory from them in hopes that the marshy land held more water and prey. They would have been successful had Beaverfang and Hornetstorm not been night hunting; The two warriors had darted back to camp to alert the clan. Shadowclan drove them out in the end but both sides had lost cats. Swifthearts father,Spiderface, had been killed by a Skyclan warrior in the battle but her mother,Mintwhisker, had died of her wounds after the battle.
Swiftheart shook herself out of her memories. "That was many moons ago," she mewed firmly
Hollowstar nodded "Yes, but that doesn't mean we forget the warriors who have joined Starclan. He was silent for a moment before asking. "Do you know what Thorndust is going to do?"
Swiftheart hesitated. "She's never had to treat a snake bite before, but she will do everything in her power to save him."
Her leader nodded. "I must go see him, thank you for telling me."
Swiftheart watched him go. Asking about Eaglestep could wait until Firefoot made a recovery.
The sun was sinking in the sky as Hollowstar climbed into the oak tree above his den. The cats of Shadowclan settled themselves beneath the oak and fixed their eyes on their leader.
"As I am sure many of you have already heard, Firefoot was injured by a snake. WIth the help of Starclan and Thorndust we hope that he will make a full recovery. When you are in the part of the forest by the King Pine watch for snakes that look like the one in the clearing," Hollowstar announced. "On a happier note we have a new apprentice to be named! Oatkit come forward,"
Oatkit's mother's ,Finchpool, eyes glimmered with pride, but there was sadness in her amber gaze as well. Oatkit's littermates Mistkit and Wolfkit should have been made apprentices beside him. The little tabby was clearly working hard to contain his excitement. His eyes swept the crowd of warriors as though trying to guess which one would be his mentor.
"Oatkit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this moment on until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Oatpaw. Your mentor will be Beetletail. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you,"
"Beetletail, you are prepared to take on your first apprentice. You were well-mentored by Beaverfang and you have shown yourself to be intelligent and brave. You will be the mentor of Oatpaw and I expect that you will pass down all you know to this apprentice.
Both Beetletail and Oatpaw had identical expressions of delight and excitement as Oatpaw stepped forward to touch noses with his new mentor.
"I'll listen to everything you tell me! I want to be the best warrior ever!" the new apprentice was bursting with eagerness.
Beetletail purred with amusement. "Good. We are going to make you the best warrior Shadowclan has ever seen!"
It was a quarter moon later when the storm winds howled as if they were fighting each other. The sky cracked open and rain slammed down onto the earth. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed so near and bright that it illuminated the camp.
Swiftheart was lying in her nest when she heard him. It was Firefoot. The ill tom-cat was thrashing in his nest his eyes wide and wild. Fernglow, who had the nest next to her awoke. When she spotted Firefoot she flew to her paws.
"Swiftheart hold him down so he doesn't hurt himself I'll fetch Thorndust," the blue-furred shecat ordered.
By this time all the cats in the den were up. Aspenfleck helped her half-carry, half-drag Firefoot into the clearing, so he didn't hurt himself on the bramble bush that was their den. Flashes of lightning lit up the terrified faces of the cats gathered in the clearing and Thorndust hurrying beside Fernglow towards them. Hollowstar was racing from his den, desperate to help his son. Thorndust had sunk down beside Firefoot and instantly leaped away again as the red tom's paw caught her, claws out, on the side of her face.
"We have to hold him down!" Rosepatch yowled as she lunged for Firefoot's forepaws. Beetletail charged forward and snatched his denmates hind paws.
"What's happening!?" Hollowstar screeched at Thorndust.
The medicine cat shook her head frantically. "The snake venom must have finally reached his bloodstream. The scratch was so shallow and small that it must have taken time to sink in!"
Swiftheart stared at her as the realization struck her like a kick to the belly. Firefoot was going to die. The poison was in his blood. The tom was fighting against Rosepatch and Beetletail now his salivating jaws snapping at them.
"Hollowstar, there is nothing we can do," Thorndust touched laid her tail over her leader's shoulders.
Firefoot's muzzle flew open in a chilling wail of agony that made Swiftheart shiver. For a moment the handsome tom relaxed though pain was etched on his face.
Swiftheart made out one last word. "Father." he groaned.
Hollowstar put no sorrow or fear into his last word for Firefoot only love and pride. Firefoot had nothing to fear where he was going. "Son."
The red tom gave a shuddering gasp before he lay still.
Hollowstar collapsed to the ground next to Firefoot, pushing his nose into his fur. Swiftheart padded over to Thorndust. "We should sit vigil with Hollowstar."
"Yes I suppose we should," Thorndust's eyes glistened with sadness.
"It's not your fault that Firefoot died,"Swiftheart said sorrowfully. "There was nothing you could do to save him,"
The pale yellow she-cat nodded. "I know. I am so sorry that I couldn't though,"
Swiftheart settled onto the ground beside Firefoot. Those who were closest to the cat that died were spending the night beside him; keeping vigil. Other warriors padded by them pushing their noses into Firefoot's cold fur.
Swiftheart heard Swirltooth murmur to Firefoot. "You were such a great friend. When someone was feeling down you knew what to say to lift them up."
"Oh my friend." It was Beetletail who had been an apprentice alongside Firefoot and Swiftheart. The three had been very close "I will miss you so much."
The black tom settled beside Swiftheart and rested his head on his paws.
"Firefoot will never be forgotten Beetletail. He will live on in Starclan and in our hearts," vowed the black and silver shecat.
It seemed as though Starclan themselves was mourning Firefoot as the rain pounded down even harder upon the three cats who lay in the clearing beside the dead Shadowclan warrior.