Chapter 16
"Fire!" I yowled loudly, coughing on the smoke. I raced up to Fernpaw and shook her violently. "Fernpaw! I yelled. She blinked open her eyes to reply, but when she saw the fire she jumped up. "Nursery and Elders den!" I told her. "I got warriors and medicine den!" We rushed out of our den. I didn't watch Fernpaw, only concentrating on my task.
"Fire! Get out, head for the river!" I yelled. I hurled myself into the warriors' den. "Fire! Evacuate the camp!" I yelled. Most of the warriors were awake at my yell. They streamed out of the den, helping every cat that needed it. I saw Frostwhisker shaking Webpelt awake. I noticed Spashspot and Wetfoot run for the Elders' den. Good. Fernpaw would need help with them. I saw Shadepaw and Watersong, jaws crammed with herbs, running for the entrance. I checked Rainstar's den, but it was empty.
Frostwhisker and Webpelt joined Spashspot, Wetfoot and Fernpaw in helping the elders. Graymist! I ran to the nursery. She was at the entrance, struggling to carry her kits. She held Thrushkit and Reedpelt had Icekit. When Cloudkit saw me, she hurled herself at me. I grasped her by the scruff, and with Graymist and Reedpelt, dashed to the entrance.
The fire had spread to engulf almost the whole camp. The dens were destroyed, and any fresh-kill left on the pile was inedible. I saw Shadepaw and Watersong at the entrance, unmoving. Were they in shock? I ran ahead of Graymist and Reedpelt and saw why they didn't rush for the safety of the forest. There was a fallen, burning tree blocking the entrance. I look around wildly for some way out of camp. A wall of fire blocked the dirt place tunnel too.
I wasn't sure what we were going to do to get out. I suppose we could find an unburned tree and try to climb out. I looked around, but all the trees were either black and burned or lit with fire. The kits were terrified, screeching in fear. The fire roared on. Our survival looked bleak.
Fernpaw's head poked out of a tangle of bracken. "Guys! Crawl through here! It's safe!" Watersong ran to the hole in the bracken, followed by Graymist Reedpelt and Shadepaw. Fernpaw made sure all of us were safely in before crawling through the hole after us.
The kits were whimpering now. Since we had left the flames behind they weren't as scared but I knew they were still worried. Cloudkit, still safely in my jaws, had fallen asleep. She seemed worn out. We reached the end out of the tunnel and padded out, the threat of the fire left behind at the ruined camp. Fernpaw was padding out when a burning tree fell on her! "Ow! Shadepaw, Silverpaw! Help me!"
I looked back at her and yowled to Starclan, dropping Cloudkit, "No! Fernpaw!"
Shadepaw was already at her side. I could see that the tree wasn't hurting her as much as the fire that was burning her. We had to get her out! Gently I grasped her shoulder fur, and Shadepaw grabbed her scruff. I wasn't even thinking about the hazard of the fire. Together we pulled as hard as we could. She popped out after a few hard tugs. The fire had barely touched us, but I had burned my paws. Watersong and Shadepaw inspected her. "Where does it hurt?" Watersong asked.
My blood froze as I took a good look at her. Her front legs were burned, scorched black. It didn't appear like she could move them. I wasn't surprised when she said, "My front legs! I can't feel them!" she coughed. I licked her, murmuring to her softly.
Cloudkit, whose white pelt was stained with grey soot, looked scared stiff. Her eyes were round and wide with surprise. Her siblings had the same expressions. Watersong said, "I'll carry Cloudkit, while you and Shadepaw help Fernpaw." I nodded, and Shadepaw and I took up positions beside her.
Watersong abandoned the herbs so she could carry Cloudkit. Fernpaw struggled to her feet, stumbling again and again. She was too big to carry by her scruff. Shadepaw and I exchanged a quizzical look. What were we going to do? I had an idea. "Place her front legs on my back." I told Shadepaw. She gently nuzzled Fernpaw legs onto my back. "Now walk behind her, and make sure she doesn't slip or fall." Together the three of us walked with Watersong, Graymist and Reedpelt.
It took us a long time to get to where our clanmates were waiting by the river. Gasps arose from the whole clan when we reached them. Willowshadow and Rockshade hurried over to us, Sandclaw right behind them. Rainstar followed behind Sandclaw. Willowshade groomed Fernpaw vigorously, worrying aloud about her. Rockshade just stood there, as though he couldn't believe it. Fernpaw coughed. Watersong gave her a dose of honey to help her throat. She and Shadepaw saw to the rest of the clan, using the few herbs they managed to save.
If we crossed the river, we'd be safe from the fire. But then we would have to face the threat from Thunderclan. I wondered what Rainstar would do. Whatever the case he would have to make a decision quickly; the fire would not wait for him.
"Smallflower!" He called. The deputy bounded up from where he was lying down with Shinewhisker and Wetfoot. "Take a patrol to the border and ask if we may stay on their land for a few days. Don't lie about the fire, but don't give the impression we are weak." She nodded and groomed the soot out of her fur, before flicking her tail at Shinewhisker and Wetfoot. "Take Oakstorm and Rockshade too." She nodded, and the two cats fell in behind her. The look Oakstorm gave me before he left made me swell with hope.
"Silverpaw, get Shadepaw and Willowshadow. I have… to leave." I looked at my beloved sister, and could hardly nod. I ran to Shadepaw, who had just finished with the elders. Frostspot and Furrypelt looked to be asleep at their denmate's feet.
"They didn't make it." She meowed somberly. I looked down, sure I was going to break her heart. "Fernpaw's… leaving…She wants you." Shadepaw nodded and followed me to our sister. Willowshadow saw our faces, so she didn't need our explanation.
Rainstar was standing over Fernpaw. He said, "Fernpaw has earned her warrior name."
Willowshadow protested weakly, "But she's dying, without a chance to have her ceremony."
Rainstar said, "There is one for a dying apprentice if they are worthy. And Fernpaw is certainty worthy." Fernpaw looked at Rainstar, brimming with emotion.
She coughed, "Nothing… would make me happier." She smiled.
"I, Rainstar, call my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has given her life in the service of Riverclan, and I commend her as a warrior in her turn. She will be known as Ferntail. Let Starclan receive her as Ferntail." She looked around the circle of cats, all of whom loved her.
She smiled and murmured, "Thanks." Her eyes drifted close, still smiling. I crumbled to the ground next to her, pushing my muzzle into her fur. Shadepaw sat next to us, our pelts touching for comfort.
When the patrol returned I rushed up to Oakstorm, forgetting the distance between us, and pushed my muzzle into his shoulder fur, sobbing. He licked my ear tenderly, and wrapped he tail around my back, pulling me closer to him. I was lost in the warmth of his gaze. "She's gone." I sighed.
He licked my cheek and said, "I know. But you have me. I'll help you through this."
"Riverclan! The fire isn't out and is raging faster toward us. We will be safe once we cross the river. Honeystar hasn't allowed us on his land. So we must ask Heatherstar if she would allow us on her territory." The patrol set off again, faster this time. "I wish the whole clan could be here to witness this ceremony, but Silverpaw is more than ready for her warrior name. It is her who warned the clan today, and made sure everyone was out. More than that, she helped Graymist with her kits. She will be a fine warrior."
"I, Rainstar, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn, Silverpaw, do you promise to upload the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" I trembled excitedly, my whole body quivering with joy. I took a deep breath, "I do." Rainstar continued, "Then by the powers of Starclan, I present to you your warrior name. Silverpaw from this moment on you will be known as Silverheart. Starclan honors your strength and forethought. We welcome you as a warrior."
The clan cheered, calling out my name, and congratulating me. Sandclaw, Shadepaw, Willowshadow, Sandclaw, Oakstorm, and Cloudkit surrounded me. I meowed, "I shall hold my vigil in Ferntail's honor." The patrol returned a moment later, and Smallflower announced, "Heatherstar has given use permission to stay on Windclan land!" Thank you Starclan for Windclan's generosity! And not a moment too soon! The fire had risen up to the beach where we were.
We crossed the river, leaving home behind for a barren, hostile land.