Chapter eight
Talonclaw was awakened by a terrible wailing. It was the sound of a cat in ultimate pain. She leaped out of her nest and raced into the clearing.
Mossflower was leaning on Weedwhisker's shoulder, her wails loud enough to sound to Highstones. Talonclaw immediately knew why the old she-cat was so upset.
An unmoving bundle of gray black fur lay beside the brown and white elder. The bushy tail was wrapped neatly over it's nose, and Talonclaw caught the scent of rosemary.
Greeneye. The new warrior felt as if her heart had stopped. The elder was dead.
Talonclaw padded slowly up to Mossflower, tail down. "I'm so sorry Mossflower. He was an honorable clan mate."
Mossflower looked at her with deep blue eyes. "We grew old together. I feel as if part of me has left forever. It doesn't make sense when some one has been with you forever, for them to be suddenly swept away." The queen lay down beside her dead mate, her chin on her paws. "We were born on the same day you know. Our mothers were so pleased. We were made apprentice's together, as well as warriors.
"Oh Greeneye," she murmured. "What will I do without you?"
Talonclaw turned from the sad sight to see Snowowl directly behind her. His eyes were large.
"I could never imagine losing any one so close, like that." His tail brushed the ground.
"Nor I." Talonclaw glanced instinctively towards Swiftbreeze and Adderfang.
Snowowl brushed his tail along her back. "We'll always be together, right Talonclaw?"
"Always." she murmured.