Chapter XVII
The warriors and Cinderpaw helped carry Brindlepaw back to the camp. On the way, Goldenfern hastily slathered various mushed-up herbs onto the cuts on her flank and paws, while Petalflight nipped the unconscious apprentice's scruff, trying to hold her up. Cinderpaw let the back half of Brindlepaw slide over her back and held up her body.
At last, the small group of cats arrived at the camp. Blazepaw went first, with the herbs grasped in his mouth. As Petalflight, Goldenfern and Cinderpaw followed him into the camp, Fawnberry gasped, running over to them.
"Brindlepaw!" She choked out a sob as Cinderpaw and Petalflight disentangled themselves from the injured cat and laid her on the ground, right outside the medicine cat den. Goldenfern and Blazepaw got to work immediately, inspecting her once again.
"What happened to her on that patrol?" Fawnberry glowered at the two newest warriors, her blue eyes ablaze. "She fell from a tree. We couldn't save her." Feathersky meowed helplessly, looking at her friend for help.
"What was she doing in a tree?" Fawnberry made a "I can't believe it" sound that went like a "huh" and went off, probably to notify Rosestar of her daughter's state. "Cinderpaw, get me some marigold and cobwebs." Goldenfern meowed urgently to the apprentice standing awkwardly there.
Instantly, Cinderpaw rushed to get the marigold and sticky, thin webs. Giving them to Blazepaw, the medicine cat expertly slathered them on Brindlepaw's wounds. "Will she be okay?" Bramblepaw had strode up to the unconscious body of his sister and was now observing the scene with a worried look in his eyes.
"She'll be okay. Now, young apprentices, go back to doing whatever you were doing and your sister will be fine." Goldenfern meowed, not taking her eyes off Brindlepaw's broken leg.
Sighing in worriment, Bramblepaw heaved himself up and wearily headed across the camp to his mentor. Cinderpaw did the same thing, padding up to Rosestar. "Apprentices, us three mentors - and Stagpelt - have been thinking hard. We think it's time for your warrior assessment." Whitewhisker and Aspenleaf headed over to Rosestar and Cinderpaw, with Bramblepaw and Shadowpaw tagging after them.
"No." Bramblepaw meowed, looking up and standing still. "We need to wait for Brindlepaw." Aspenleaf looked warily at Whitewhisker. "Bramblepaw's right. We're all in this together, us four, and we are not going to go ahead without Brindlepaw." Shadowpaw said firmly, his tone of voice surprisingly hard and cold.
The three mentors looked at each other with odd looks on their faces. Finally, Rosestar spoke. "As you wish."
#-#-#
That night, Rosestar snuggled into her nest after eating a plump squirrel that she had caught for herself. In her mind, she played over the apprentices' reaction to their warrior assessments. I'm surprised that they would reject their assessments like that. I've never seen a sibling bond like that before. She thought, amused.
It was already late at night, almost moonhigh, and no one was awake. Rosestar turned over sleepily in her moss nest and fell asleep after only a few heartbeats.
"Rosestar." A she-cat's voice greeted her dreams. Opening her eyes with an idea of what dream she was in, she saw Brindlesky sitting in front of her. "Brindlesky… do you have something to tell me?" She asked curiously, standing up and licking her fur quickly.
Brindlesky's clear green eyes grew dark. "The one who you thought was the special kit is not." She meowed darkly.
"What do you mean?" Rosestar asked calmly, trying to keep her worry under control. "Who is the special kit?" She added, paranoia and fear starting to show in her voice. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you. You must find out for yourself." A hint of sadness crept into the edge of Brindlesky's words.
"Brindlesky." Rosestar meowed, stopping the StarClan cat in her tracks. "Thank you." Rosestar dipped her head. Brindlesky too dipped her head and walked away without a look back.
The two born into fire shall blossom into saviors
The remains of fire, and the ashes burning strong
'Til the water disappears then they will fade.
A/N: Hello! Like the omen? I got the idea of the "born into fire" part from Snowsong so shout out to her! Well, tell me your ideas, comments and criticism in your review. Also, I have two new stories so go check them out on my profile page!
I've decided on a name for my fans:
AQUA DOLPHINS!
So bye Aquadolphins, and see you next time!