Fallowtuft had emerged from the medicine cat's den not long after Frostpaw's conversation with Dappledpelt, and he had informed ShadowClan that he had managed to stop Autumnpaw's bleeding, binding his wounds with cobwebs, and that he was sleeping now.
"Do you think we'll be able to carry him back to the ShadowClan camp tonight?" Sedgestar asked.
Fallowtuft flicked his brown tail behind him indecisively.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "He seems strong enough to make it right now. But, it would be dire if the bleeding started again while you were carrying him, and there wasn't a medicine cat around to stop it. He can't afford to lose any more blood."
Morningstar stepped forward.
"Fallowtuft, would you be willing to join the ShadowClan patrol to help Autumnpaw until they make it back to their camp? None of our warrior's wounds are as severe, and I'm sure Pearnose would not mind patching us up while you're gone," Morningstar meowed.
"You are too generous, Morningstar," Sedgestar protested. "We could just as easily send a runner to ShadowClan to retrieve Clearstream or Elmclaw."
Morningstar shook his board head.
"Nonsense. No need for your medicine cats to run all the way here. ThunderClan is very grateful for all of ShadowClan's help. It's the least I could do," Morningstar insisted.
Fallowtuft nodded.
"That's fine with me. Let me go ask Pearnose," he said.
Sedgestar's jaw tensed, but he didn't protest again as the brown and white medicine cat turned and padded over to the elders' den. A moment later, he reemerged with Pearnose padding stiffly out behind him. Pearnose dipped her head to Morningstar.
"I would be happy to step in while Fallowtuft is gone," she said to Morningstar before raising her voice to address all the cats in the camp. "Injured clan-mates, please line up by the fern tunnel. And, StarClan help you, if your cuts aren't licked clean by the time I get to you!"
Pearnose then turned, heading towards the medicine cat's den to retrieve herbs as the ThunderClan warriors meandered over to the fern tunnel. Fallowtuft turned to the ShadowClan cats.
"I'll need two warriors to carry Autumnpaw," he meowed.
Beeclaw and Poolpaw stepped forward.
"We can take him again," Poolpaw said.
Fallowtuft nodded.
"Good. Follow me. I'm going to grab some cobwebs for the trek," Fallowtuft said.
The three cats padded down the fern tunnel, and Weaseltail stepped towards Swoopstrike's body.
"I'll carry Swoopstrike," Weaseltail meowed quietly.
"I'll help you," Dappledpelt rasped, rising to her paws.
Frostpaw stepped away from Swoopstrike to give the two cats space to lift him, and a few moments later, Fallowtuft had come back out of the fern tunnel with cobwebs stuffed in his mouth, and Beeclaw and Poolpaw behind him with Autumnpaw. Frostpaw gazed at Autumnpaw. His belly was plastered with cobwebs, but at least she couldn't see the bright red gash or dripping blood any more. His eyes were shut, although his face tense, like he was having a bad dream.
Sedgestar nodded farewell to Morningstar before turning to his patrol.
"Let's go home," Sedgestar murmured.
The journey back to the ShadowClan camp was blessedly uneventful. They had to cross the thunderpath instead of taking the tunnel because Fallowtuft was with them, but it was quiet; few monsters seemed to be out tonight. Fallowtuft had them stop a few times so he could inspect Autumnpaw's cobweb bandages, reenforcing them with more cobwebs when he felt it was necessary. But, thanks to Fallowtuft's diligence, Autumnpaw didn't start bleeding again.
When the thorn barrier of the camp was in sight, Sedgestar paused, turning to Fallowtuft but motioning for the patrol to continue ahead. In a rare sign of respect towards a non-ShadowClan cat, Sedgestar bowed his head to the ThunderClan medicine cat.
"Thank you Fallowtuft. Clearstream and Elmclaw will be able to take it from here. But, ShadowClan will not forget the debt we owe you," Sedgestar said.
Fallowtuft shook his head, his face kind.
"My medicine cat oath was to be a healer to all cats, not just ThunderClan ones," he said with a purr. "Although… once leaf-bare hits, I may need to ask Clearstream for some herbs. Catmint did not have a good green-leaf in our territory this year."
Sedgestar nodded.
"Speak to Clearstream, but I'm sure she would be happy to share. If there's anything more we can do for you, just let us know," Sedgestar said. "Goodbye Fallowtuft."
Fallowtuft turned aside, waving his tail in farewell.
"Goodbye," he meowed, walking back in the direction of the ThunderClan border.
Frostpaw ducked through the thorn tunnel as Sedgestar walked away from Fallowtuft and towards the camp. When Frostpaw emerged in the camp, she saw Grovepelt rushing over to greet the returning cats, his brow furrowed in concern when he took in the dark looks on everyone's faces. A moment later, a heartbreaking wail from Snakeeyes echoed through the clearing when Swoopstrike's body was carried through the thorn barrier. The white-furred queen rushed over to him from where she had been sitting in front of the nursery as Weaseltail and Dappledpelt carried his body into the center of the camp.
"Swoopstrike, no!" she gasped in anguish, her ears flat against her head and her eyes wide with distress as she gazed at him. "How could this have happened?!"
Weaseltail and Dappledpelt gently lowered Swoopstrike's body down, and Frostpaw padded over to them, her paws dragging in the mud.
"Paledusk killed him," Frostpaw said to Snakeeyes, her voice a low growl.
Weaseltail's eyes widened, and he turned to look at her.
"The SkyClan deputy? Are you sure?" he asked.
Frostpaw nodded stonily, gazing down at Swoopstrike as rage rushed through her, causing her to unsheathe her claws and dig them into the muddy ground. Snakeeyes' fur brushed against her side.
"He will pay for it," Snakeeyes swore, her blue and green eyes blazing as she gazed down at her brother.
Frostpaw nodded in agreement, the fury and grief she felt inside too powerful to allow her to speak. Their clan-mates were all flooding the ShadowClan clearing now, drawn out by Snakeeyes' cry and the sounds of the returning cats. Shocked murmurs and gasps of grief rose up from cats as they caught sight of Swoopstrike's body. Swoopstrike's prickly attitude may have kept him from having multitudes of close friends among his clan-mates, but none of that mattered because he was still ShadowClan. And, everyone was stunned and saddened by the loss of the young, powerful warrior.
Beeclaw and Poolpaw came past, carrying Autumnpaw straight to where Clearstream and Elmclaw were waiting at the mouth of the medicine cat's den, and Frostpaw heard Redclaw gasp.
"My kit!" Redclaw cried, her voice shrill. "Autumnpaw!"
Redclaw rushed over to Autumnpaw's side, trying to lick his ears as Poolpaw and Beeclaw carried him into the fern framed den under Clanrock. Elmclaw gently blocked Redclaw with his body.
"Stay outside. We will take care of him," Elmclaw said, laying his tabby striped tail over her shoulders for a moment, before turning and disappearing into the den with Clearstream, as Beeclaw and Poolpaw came back out.
Poolpaw walked over to stand at his mother's side, and Pinepaw padded up to them, a silent presence at Redclaw's other shoulder. Redclaw tore her gaze off of the dark entrance to the medicine cat's cave to rasp her tongue over both of their faces.
"Thank StarClan you both are okay," Redclaw said, her voice wavering. "And, Weaseltail? Frostpaw?"
"They're fine," Poolpaw said, his voice reassuring, as he nodded towards Frostpaw and Weaseltail by Swoopstrike in the center of the camp.
At the sound of her name, Frostpaw slowly rose to her paws, turning her gaze away from Swoopstrike, and walking over to them. She could hear the sound of Weaseltail's footsteps behind her as he came over too. Grief and shock swirled in Frostpaw's belly, her face turned downwards as she padded up to Redclaw.
"Swoopstrike too… oh, Frostpaw," Redclaw murmured.
Redclaw closed the last bit of distance between them in a few steps, leaning her body against Frostpaw's and pressing her cheek to hers. Frostpaw stood stiffly for a moment, but as Redclaw's comforting scent wreathed around her, she began to shake, and it took all of her strength not to collapse to the ground next to her and bury her face into her familiar red and black pelt to hide from this horrible, horrible reality. Redclaw gently rasped her tongue over Frostpaw's face as she had done to Poolpaw and Pinepaw.
"Shh… it's okay little one," Redclaw murmured soothingly.
Frostpaw nearly laughed. She wasn't happy, but something about her emotional fragility and Redclaw calling her "little one" when Frostpaw was bigger than her now, struck her as funny.
After a moment, Frostpaw gently pulled away from Redclaw, and Weaseltail stepped over to his mate in Frostpaw's place. His face was creased with grief, but he remained steady and supportive like a rock as Redclaw leaned heavily against his side, as she turned in an instant from a comforting figure for Frostpaw to a worried mother in need of comfort herself. Frostpaw turned to gaze back at the rest of the camp, but she kept her eyes from finding Swoopstrike's body, not wanting to feel that jolt of shock and horror over again at the sight of him dead.
Sedgestar had entered the camp, but he was still standing silently by the thorn tunnel, gazing out at his Clan with a clenched jaw. Everyone, besides Snakeeyes' and Dawntail's kits, was out in the clearing, either hunched over Swoopstrike's body, or standing a bit off to the side in small groups with shocked faces. Grovepelt padded up to Sedgestar, touching his tail-tip to their leader's flank gently.
"What happened? Did SkyClan win?" Grovepelt murmured.
Sedgestar shook his head, raising his chin to project his voice to the whole clan.
"ThunderClan and our patrol attacked SkyClan's camp as planned. SkyClan defended their camp viciously. We dealt a powerful blow to them, but Swoopstrike was killed, and Autumnpaw badly injured," Sedgestar meowed.
"For ThunderClan's sake," Marshnose snarled, rising to his paws to glare accusatively at Sedgestar.
Sedgestar narrowed his eyes at the brown and white tom, but didn't reprimand him for his insolent tone.
"We have fulfilled our promise to ThunderClan, but they still owe us a debt. One day they will repay us for this. I promise you, Marshnose," Sedgestar said. "But, for now, consider our alliance with ThunderClan over. ShadowClan stands alone once more."
"And, SkyClan?" Greytail rasped, the elder stiffly standing over Swoopstrike's body.
"I will decide what comes next for them," Sedgestar meowed, his gaze darkening.
"They killed my son," Greytail growled, curling her lip back to bare yellowed fangs.
Sedgestar bowed his head to her.
"I know, Greytail. I will not forget it, and ShadowClan will not forget him," he said.
After a moment of hesitation, Greytail nodded, looking a bit placated by his words. Sedgestar's gaze swept over all the cats in front of him.
"Tonight we will take care of our own, and grieve for the loss of a good warrior," Sedgestar said.
Sedgestar padded off with Grovepelt, and cats turned away from him to return to their activities.
Poolpaw and Pinepaw settled down by the base of Clanrock, under clumps of ferns only a few tail lengths away from the lichen covered mouth of the medicine cat's cave. Poolpaw motioned Frostpaw over with his tail.
"Want to wait here with us to hear about Autumnpaw?" Poolpaw asked as she padded up to them. "I mean…"
Poolpaw shot a quick guilty glance behind her, and Frostpaw knew he was looking at Swoopstrike's body.
"I totally understand if you want to go be with Swoopstrike instead—" he meowed.
Frostpaw was already shaking her head. Her stomach twisted at the thought of looking at Swoopstrike's stiffened, still form again after all of her memories of them together were of his fierce liveliness.
"I'll sit with you guys," Frostpaw rasped.
"Okay, of course," Poolpaw said with a gentle purr.
Frostpaw crouched down on the other side of Poolpaw, and all three of them pressed closely together like they had when they were little kits, asleep in a pile in the nursery next to Redclaw.
Frostpaw felt the grief in her heart soften a bit as she lost herself in the memories for a moment. The comforting press of Autumnpaw's and Poolpaw's long fur on either side of her. And, Pinepaw, even as much as she would hiss and growl and mock Frostpaw when she was awake, Frostpaw remembered she would still occasionally wake up to find the prickly black-furred kit cuddled up to her side, her face serene as she slept with her chin on Frostpaw's back.
But, right now of course, their group was three instead of four, and Frostpaw felt Autumnpaw's absence as if someone had chopped off one of her legs. Frostpaw screwed her eyes shut, the little bit of comfort she had found in her happy memories fading as pain, grief and worry came surging back. As much as losing Swoopstrike crippled her, she wasn't sure she would survive it if she lost Autumnpaw too.
Ever since she first stepped foot in ShadowClan, he had been a constant. Her first friend. Her biggest supporter and defender. How could she go on without seeing his bright amber eyes and friendly face every day? Laughing at all his dumb jokes? Being dragged into his silly pranks with Poolpaw? And, breaking up his endless arguments with Pinepaw?
Frostpaw sighed, opening her eyes again to stare forlornly out at the camp. Redclaw was pacing anxiously a little ways away from them, the fur down her back rippling with worry, while Beeclaw and Weaseltail stood shoulder to shoulder near her. The toms wore identical mournful and concerned expressions on their faces as they also waited for news from the medicine cats.
Frostpaw carefully kept her gaze from wandering to where Swoopstrike's body lay in the center of camp. She lowered her gaze to stare down at her paws, pressing herself closer to Poolpaw's fluffy side and feeling a small amount of reassurance from the warmth his pelt provided. Poolpaw wrapped his tail around Frostpaw, and Pinepaw leaned her head against Poolpaw's shoulder, also seeking comfort in her brother's touch. Frostpaw sighed, closing her eyes for a moment and focusing on the grounding feeling of Poolpaw's warm side against hers. Her eyes flickered back open at the sound of paw-steps, and she saw Dewleaf padding up to the worried group, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Any news about Autumnpaw?" she asked in a hushed voice to Poolpaw.
Poolpaw shook his head.
"Nothing yet," he meowed.
Dewleaf gazed at the three apprentices with sympathetic eyes.
"Have any of you eaten? Do you want me to fetch you some fresh-kill?" she asked.
"I could eat something," Poolpaw said, glancing over at his sister. "Pinepaw?"
"Maybe something small. Like a mouse," Pinepaw said in a subdued voice.
Poolpaw glanced over at Frostpaw.
"Frostpaw?" he asked.
"I'm not hungry," Frostpaw mumbled, staring blankly down at the ground in front of her.
"I'll go grab two pieces of prey then," Dewleaf said. "And, let me know if any of you need anything else."
"Thanks Dewleaf," Poolpaw said, blinking gratefully at the grey she-cat.
"Of course," she said with a soft purr as she padded off towards the fresh-kill pile.
As Dewleaf padded away, a familiar, but unwelcome scent took her place. Frostpaw tensed up as she lifted her gaze from the ground to see Dampfang walking over to them. She clenched her jaw, feeling her blood already growing hot with anger.
Although Dampfang hadn't tried to bully Frostpaw too much in the past couple of moons, Frostpaw dearly hoped that he wouldn't be so frog-brained as to try to start something with her tonight. In this moment, she felt so raw and torn apart, if he so much as looked at her the wrong way, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to stop herself from doing something horribly rash… maybe even outright attacking him.
But, to Frostpaw's surprise, Dampfang's gaze was focused on Pinepaw. He didn't even spare a glance towards Frostpaw.
"Hey Pinepaw," he said in his deep voice.
Pinepaw shot him a look out of narrowed eyes, her face carefully guarded.
"I saw you fighting during the battle. You were brilliant," he meowed.
Pinepaw continued to stare at him with unresponsive silence.
"Like, I mean, the way you so easily unbalanced that ginger tom," Dampfang continued. "You'll have to show me some of those moves sometime. Your speed was unbelievable. I was…"
Frostpaw quickly stopped listening to Dampfang because as he continued on, Frostpaw noticed the guarded look on Pinepaw's face being washed away by a wave of rage, the long black fur down her back rising. Frostpaw's eyes widened in surprise at the intensity of the anger in her expression.
"Are you serious?!" Pinepaw burst out, ears pinned back to her head and fangs flashing.
Dampfang jolted at the interruption, blinked in shock and took one step back from the bristling she-cat. He gazed down at Pinepaw in bewilderment.
"Uh— what—what do you mean?" Dampfang stuttered.
Pinepaw curled her lip up in a furious sneer.
"You really think I don't see what you're doing here? Let me spell it out for you then. So, you've barely said two words to me in moons because you're always too busy with 'uh, warrior stuff,'" Pinepaw spat, putting on a mocking deep voice. "But, now that I'm getting my warrior name tonight, you've decided I'm important enough for you to talk to again. And, out of all things, you've decided that it's acceptable to chat about this dumb battle! While my brother is passed out in the medicine cat's den, so injured, he won't even be awake for the ceremony!"
"I just—" Dampfang began to protest, but Pinepaw exploded to her feet, cutting him off.
"What? You just what? Did you really think I wouldn't care? Or, that I wouldn't notice? Do you think I'm stupid, Dampfang?" she hissed in his face, her tail lashing.
Dampfang stood there in stunned silence, his jaw clenched.
"Get lost," Pinepaw spat derisively, taking a seat again and turning her head to the side, refusing to look at him.
Dampfang glared at her for a moment longer before his gaze flickered over to Poolpaw and Frostpaw. Poolpaw had been staring at Dampfang with wide eyes, but he looked away as soon as the dark tom glanced at him, clearly not wanting to get involved. But, when Dampfang looked over at Frostpaw, she didn't look away. Instead Frostpaw raised her chin, her blue eyes steadily meeting Dampfang's green ones.
With her gaze, she dared him to challenge her too.
Dampfang's eyes narrowed. He hissed in anger, whipped around and stalked away without another word.
Pinepaw settled back down in a crouch next to her brother, and Poolpaw slowly turned to look at her, his amber eyes still wide.
"I don't want to hear about it," Pinepaw growled.
"I didn't say anything," Poolpaw responded.
Dewleaf passed Dampfang as she padded back over to them with two mice in her mouth. She dropped the prey in front of Poolpaw and Pinepaw before turning to glance after her littermate, her brow furrowed. Poolpaw eagerly took a bite of his fresh-kill, while Pinepaw just rolled the mouse between her paws.
"Woah, what's got his tail in a twist?" Dewleaf asked, taking a seat in front of Poolpaw. "I haven't seen him this upset since I told him his torn ear made him look ugly."
Poolpaw made a choking sound as he laughed while trying to swallow a chunk of meat. Frostpaw gave his side a thump with her paw, and he managed to swallow the food, shooting Frostpaw a grateful look from the corner of his eye. Dewleaf watched Poolpaw with an amused gaze, her expression softening as if she was pleased that she had managed to make him laugh.
Dewleaf must really like Poolpaw if she can manage to look at him like that when he almost spit up half-chewed meat in front of her…
Frostpaw shook her head, feeling a pin-prick of amusement herself, despite the dark cloud that hung over her.
"We didn't insult his appearance," Poolpaw said between bites. "But, he and Pinepaw did get into a fight."
Dewleaf's ears pricked in interest, and she glanced at Pinepaw. But, Pinepaw continued to stare silently down at the mouse in front of her, not responding.
"Ah… Well Dampfang can definitely be a frog-brain sometimes. I'm sure he'll get over it," Dewleaf meowed. "Eventually, of course."
The lichen covering the medicine cat cave rustled. Elmclaw came padding out, brushing though the ferns with herbs and cobwebs in his mouth, and everyone tensed up at once.
"How is he?" Redclaw asked, desperately searching the dark tabby's face.
Elmclaw carefully lay the herbs at his paws.
"He's stable. Fallowtuft did a good job stopping the bleeding," Elmclaw said in a deep meow. "He's in and out of consciousness right now. When he's awake, he seems disorientated, but that's probably just from the blood loss. Clearstream is monitoring him now. We will keep turns watching him through the night."
"Will he be okay?" Redclaw demanded, sinking her claws into the ground.
"If he makes it until morning, he should be," Elmclaw murmured. "As long as infection doesn't set in afterwards, of course."
Frostpaw felt a heavy weight fall into her stomach at the grim words. Poolpaw's jaw was clenched, and Pinepaw was gripping the ground underneath with her claws so hard, it looked like she was trying to keep herself from flying off of it. Weaseltail padded over to Redclaw, leaning a supportive side against his mate. Redclaw closed her eyes, taking a trembling breath.
"Autumnpaw's a fighter," Beeclaw said, setting his jaw determinedly. "He'll make it."
Redclaw nodded vigorously, her eyes opening. Her green gaze burnt like fire.
"Of course he will," she said forcefully, turning back to Elmclaw. "Can I see him?"
Elmclaw nodded, glancing around at the crowd of cats around him.
"Just one at a time though," he meowed. "I don't want to crowd Clearstream."
Redclaw nodded and padded into the den. Sedgestar strode across camp to walk up to Elmclaw.
"Autumnpaw?" was all he said.
"We're doing all we can for him," Elmclaw said. "Clearstream's with him, but I need to treat the other warriors now."
Sedgestar nodded, and Elmclaw picked the herbs and cobwebs back up, heading off to make the rounds to any injured cat.
Sedgestar glanced over at Poolpaw, Pinepaw and Frostpaw.
"We will proceed with the warriors ceremony tonight," Sedgestar said in a quiet voice. "Autumnpaw will still get his name as well."
Sedgestar inclined his head to the side.
"Frostpaw, a quick word," Sedgestar said.
Frostpaw slowly pulled herself to her feet, following Sedgestar out of earshot of the group. Her paws dragged against the ground as she padded after him. After Elmclaw's grim warning about if Autumnpaw made it through the night, she felt completely drained. She didn't even have the energy left to wonder what her leader wanted to talk about. Sedgestar brought her to a more isolated corner of the camp, before turning around, and staring back into the camp's center. Frostpaw stood next to him, and she could tell from the direction of his eyes that he was gazing at Swoopstrike's body. Frostpaw still couldn't make herself look at her mentor, so she stared quietly down at her paws instead. Frostpaw jolted slightly when she felt a soft brush against her fur. She lifted her eyes to see that Sedgestar had gently touched his tail-tip to her shoulder.
"I'm sorry about Swoopstrike. I know you two were close," Sedgestar said softly, his amber gaze flicking from Swoopstrike's body to Frostpaw.
Frostpaw felt her throat close up in grief. She bowed her head again.
"He was a good mentor," she whispered to the ground.
Sedgestar nodded, and Frostpaw glanced back up at him.
"And, a good warrior," Sedgestar added. "Taken much too soon."
Sedgestar sighed, and for a moment, the smooth and collected expression he always wore as leader dropped, and Frostpaw could see deep sadness in his face as he grieved for the potential life stolen from a young warrior.
"I thought one day I might even name him my deputy," Sedgestar murmured.
Frostpaw must have looked surprised because Sedgestar continued quickly.
"Not for a while, no. Not for a long while. I'm in no rush to replace Grovepelt," Sedgestar meowed. "And, Swoopstrike would not've been ready for a while either."
Sedgestar gave his head a small, sad shake.
"Such a talented warrior. But, by StarClan, did that cat have short temper and a sharp tongue. He's always been too quick to jump to conflict and aggression, be it physical or verbal."
Sedgestar sighed again, looking back over at Swoopstrike.
"I'd hoped with enough time, I'd be able to temper him. Make him a bit more level-headed. A bit more compassionate."
Warmth flickered in Sedgestar's amber eyes when they shifted back to Frostpaw.
"I think by training you, you helped teach him that," Sedgestar murmured.
Frostpaw bowed her head, not knowing what to say. Sedgestar let out a low, sad purr.
"Forgive me. If Emberflower was here, she'd say I'm rambling on like an elder. Dwelling on 'what if's'," Sedgestar said, looking away from Frostpaw. "…That's no way to lead."
There was a heartbeat of silence before Sedgestar continued.
"There is another thing I wanted to talk to you about. Dampfang spoke to me a little while ago. Something about you protecting a SkyClan elder," Sedgestar said.
Frostpaw's eyes widened. In her grief, she had almost forgotten about that confrontation with Dampfang. Frostpaw opened her jaws to defend herself, but Sedgestar raised his tail to halt her.
"It's okay, Frostpaw. You're not in trouble," Sedgestar said. "I already had ordered that no elders were to be harmed, and you are a compassionate cat. When you saw a weak elder in need, I'm sure you were just doing what you thought was right by getting her out of the fighting. And, I also saw you fiercely fighting SkyClan warriors for us during the battle. I don't doubt your loyalty to ShadowClan."
"I'm glad," Frostpaw murmured. "Thank you Sedgestar."
Sedgestar nodded, and rose to his paws to leave.
"I will hold your warrior ceremonies soon," he said over his shoulder as he began to turn away.
Those words sparked a thought in Frostpaw's mind.
"Wait— uh, Sedgestar?" Frostpaw meowed hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"
"You already did," he said, but when Sedgestar turned to look at her, his eyes were kind. "Yes, what is it?"
"It's about my warrior's ceremony, actually," Frostpaw murmured, looking down at her paws. "About my warrior name. I was wondering if I could make a request."
Sedgestar tilted his head at her.
"Traditionally leaders pick out the names, in conference with the warrior's friends and families if the leader wishes. But, the warriors themselves don't normally request one," Sedgestar said, his voice soft but firm.
"I know," Frostpaw insisted, lifting her eyes from her paws to look at him. "But, I've been thinking about something Snakeeyes told me a long time ago, when I was just a kit. She saw me being teased for being a rogue and for looking strange. She told me that no matter how much I tried to fit in, I'd always be seen as different, an outsider. But, if I could make my difference my strength, no one could hurt me with it anymore. She told me when she was young, she was sometimes bullied too because of her eyes. But, she asked you to name her Snakeeyes because it let her claim her difference. I was wondering if you'd let me do the same… It would mean a lot to me."
Sedgestar was gazing at Frostpaw kindly. There was maybe even a hint of pride in his eyes.
"So, what do you suggest?" Sedgestar asked.
"Frostmask," she said, raising her chin as she steadily met his gaze.
Sedgestar started nodded slowly.
"When Snakeeyes asked me about her name, I remember thinking, that I was proud to be the leader of such a fearless warrior," Sedgestar said, giving a soft purr. "I find myself now thinking the same about you."
Frostpaw raised her tail, her eyes brightening a bit. Despite the grief that weighed her down, she couldn't help the rush of warm pride in her chest.
"Very well, Frostmask," Sedgestar said, with a nod of his head to her. "I think Swoopstrike would be proud too."
Frostpaw felt a shiver run up her spine. Sedgestar touched his tail to her shoulder again.
"One more thing," he said in a gentle voice. "Once the sky has cleared enough for us to see Silverpelt, we will hold Swoopstrike's death ceremony. If you have any goodbyes left to say to him, you should do them soon."
Frostpaw blinked, a bit confused by his words, but she nodded. Sedgestar turned and padded off. Frostpaw waited at the edge of the camp for a moment longer. Elmclaw was heading her way with herbs in his jaws, flicking his tail to call Frostpaw to him. Frostpaw padded over to the medicine cat.
"Sit," Elmclaw rumbled around the herbs in his jaws.
Frostpaw obeyed, and Elmclaw placed the herbs on the ground in front of them with a great amount of delicacy and care for such a large cat. Elmclaw then turned to Frostpaw, carefully nudging her all over with his muzzle to find all of her wounds. Frostpaw gazed down at her chest and paws, feeling a flash of embarrassment as she realized she was still splattered with mud and blood from the battle, her cuts hidden under a layer of filth.
"Lick your cuts clean," Elmclaw ordered, his deep voice firm but still gentle.
While Frostpaw cleaned her wounds, Elmclaw chewed some of the herbs he brought over into a poultice, and once she had finished, he slathered them on her cuts.
"How are you feeling?" Elmclaw asked, peering at her with serious green eyes when he was done.
"I mean, the cuts sting a little from the herbs. But, none of them are that bad…" Frostpaw began, but her voice trailed off as Elmclaw shook his head.
"I mean, emotionally," Elmclaw said, his face empathetic. "Swoopstrike's death. Autumnpaw's injuries. Do you need something to soothe you? Help you sleep tonight?"
"Oh. Uh… I'm okay…" Frostpaw muttered, her gaze flashing down at her paws.
"Alright," Elmclaw said softly. "Come find me if you need anything. Or, just need to talk. But, especially if any cuts get inflamed or start oozing in the next couple of days."
Frostpaw's gaze flickered back up to his, and she dipped her head to him.
"Thank you Elmclaw," she said, sincerely meaning the words.
Elmclaw nodded, silently picking up the herbs he had left and heading over to the next wounded cat. Frostpaw watched him go. She had always wondered the reason why such a large and powerful cat had chosen to be a healer instead of a warrior. But, after seeing the empathy on his face just now, she was finally starting to see why.
Frostpaw sighed quietly to herself as Sedgestar's strange last words began to echo in her ears again. Swoopstrike was already dead, so why did Sedgestar tell her to say her goodbyes to him now, before his death ceremony. Why did this death ceremony matter? Shouldn't he be in StarClan by now? All Clan cats went there when they died, right?
Frostpaw shook her ears.
The idea of StarClan always made her a bit uncomfortable. She believed that the leaders and medicine cats could speak to them from time to time; it had to be true, Sedgestar, Clearstream and Elmclaw wouldn't lie to them like that. Their prophecies were also held in high regard by cats of all the Clans, but, to Frostpaw, the whole concept of StarClan seemed so unfair. Why did the clan cats get to go somewhere when they died, but not rogues or kitty-pets? What made them so special? Did May get to go to StarClan?
Frostpaw felt a rush of cold inside her. Would she go to StarClan? Or, would they not accept her for her rogue blood?
Frostpaw gave her head a brisk shake like she could shake out the dark thoughts. She was a loyal ShadowClan apprentice, about to be a ShadowClan warrior! If that wasn't good enough for StarClan, then maybe she didn't want to spend her afterlife there anyway.
Frostpaw swallowed. But, that would mean she'd never get to see Swoopstrike again…
Frostpaw finally made her eyes look over at his body. Slowly, she padded over to him, walking to a free spot by his side. Around her, some cats crouched silently near him, others were gently grooming his fur, and some, like Dappledpelt, were even murmuring under their breath, as if they were talking to him. Frostpaw crouched down next to Swoopstrike, gazing down at his black and silver pelt, feeling the empty hole of grief ache in her chest.
I guess… I should say my goodbyes then. Like Sedgestar said.
Frostpaw cleared her throat lightly, tilting her muzzle down to his pelt. He didn't smell like death at least. The grooming as well as the fragrant herbs the medicine cats had laid around him masked any scent of blood or decomposition.
"Uh— hey Swoopstrike," Frostpaw began, her voice a whisper. "I just wanted to say thank you for being my mentor. You did a great job at it, and I really learned a lot…"
Frostpaw's voice trailed off as her pelt warmed with embarrassment. She felt very foolish, and it felt all wrong! Firstly, she was talking to a corpse. How could he even hear what she was saying. And, secondly, and maybe even more importantly, she would never talk like this to Swoopstrike, or say things like this to him when he was alive.
Frostpaw was certain that one thing that Swoopstrike absolutely didn't care about was gratitude. He never cared what other cats thought of him… how could he, with an attitude as prickly as his? When he did good things, it wasn't because he wanted thanks or praise. It was simply because he was a cat with a good heart.
Frostpaw sighed softly, closing her eyes, and an image of Swoopstrike, alive and well, formed in her mind. She saw him looking at her with a furrowed brow and his muzzle wrinkled up as if he was disgusted by her icky attempt at gratitude and a goodbye.
Frostpaw purred quietly to herself.
"Sorry. I'm not good at this," she murmured.
Swoopstrike's face smoothed, his whiskers twitching as a hint of amusement appeared in his green eyes.
At the sight of that familiar look, Frostpaw's heart twisted in pain.
"I'll miss you," she whispered.
Swoopstrike blinked at her, his expression softening. He didn't speak, but Frostpaw could see in his eyes that he would miss her too.
Frostpaw's eyes flickered back open, the image of Swoopstrike in her mind evaporating like fog on a sunny day. She shivered slightly, gazing back down at his body.
…Had she actually spoken to his spirit, or was it just her imagination providing her with the picture of him that she wished she would see?
Frostpaw shook her pelt like she was shaking off cold water. There was no way to tell either way. But, regardless, her heart did feel a bit more at peace.
Frostpaw rose to her paws. She spotted Redclaw a little ways away, apparently having emerged from the medicine cat's den. Frostpaw padded over to her.
"How's Autumnpaw?" she meowed.
"He was sleeping when I was in there," Redclaw said. "But, he's looking okay. Weaseltail is seeing him now"
Frostpaw nodded, trying to reassure herself with Redclaw's words.
Autumnpaw will be alright.
Frostpaw's ears perked as quiet muttering suddenly filled the camp.
"The clouds have parted. I can see the stars."
"StarClan's blessed us. Swoopstrike will be able to journey tonight."
"Safe passage, Swoopstrike."
"The light of Silverpelt guides you."
Frostpaw turned as the three elders of the Clan walked purposefully over to stand together by Swoopstrike's head. The quiet murmuring that had filled the camp silenced as every cat turned to look at them. Mourners that had crouched next to Swoopstrike's body rose to their feet, respectfully taking a step back so that the elders were the closest cats to him.
"What's going on?" Frostpaw murmured to Redclaw.
Redclaw swiped her tail comfortingly down Frostpaw's side.
"It's Swoopstrike's death ceremony," Redclaw whispered. "It is the elders' duty to preform a death ceremony on the first night we can see the stars after someone dies."
Frostpaw cocked her head in confusion.
"Why do the stars matter?" she asked.
"The ceremony sends a cat's spirit to StarClan," Redclaw explained gently. "Without the stars visible above us, they may get lost on their way. You, Poolpaw, Pinepaw and Autumnpaw have been blessed that you've haven't had to witness a death ceremony yet."
Frostpaw's brow furrowed.
"…Except for May's death," Frostpaw mumbled, stepping away from Redclaw's touch.
Redclaw's green eyes widened.
"Of course. I'm sorry Frostpaw. I had been thinking about ShadowClan cats. I didn't mean to exclude your mother…" Redclaw murmured.
Frostpaw's ears flattened. But, she couldn't really be mad at Redclaw. May hadn't been a ShadowClan cat, after all. She had only been in the ShadowClan nursery for a few days before she died.
What had been done to May after she died? The last time Frostpaw had seen her body was when she was taken out of the nursery. Had she been given a death ceremony? Probably not, given the way Redclaw had said it.
…So that answered her earlier question then. May wasn't in StarClan. She hadn't had the proper ceremony for it. Where was her spirit then? Lost somewhere? Here on Earth still? Or, just… gone?
Frostpaw was pulled out of her grim thoughts as Greytail took a step towards Swoopstrike, her gaze heavy with sadness.
"Swoopstrike," she said in a voice that was quiet, but clear, carrying all throughout the camp. "You've died a warrior's death, fulfilling your duties to the clan by giving your life for your friends and family. For this, we will be forever in your debt…"
Treefur stepped forward to her side, his cloudy grey eyes looking down at Swoopstrike.
"We release you from your vows to ShadowClan," he rasped. "Although no recompense can make up for the life you've lost, the evergreen hunting grounds of our ancestors await you."
Now Flymask padded forward to join them. He tilted his head back, his eyes searching the small slivers of stars that peeked out between the clouds.
"Journey to them now with claws sharp, eyes bright, and tail held high! Go, and receive your warrior's welcome!" Flymask yowled.
Frostpaw noticed that everyone in the camp was slowly rising to their paws.
The elders all threw their heads back, beginning the chat.
"Swoopstrike! Swoopstrike!" they yowled, shouting his name like they would for a newly named warrior.
"Swoopstrike! Swoopstrike! Swoopstrike!"
The clan joined in, stomping their paws to the beat, and instead of gazing down at his body, cats threw their chins up so their gazes could search the sky.
"Swoopstrike. Swoopstrike." Frostpaw murmured along with them.
She couldn't help but lift her eyes to the stars too. She almost desperately searched the tiny pin-pricks of light that she could see between the clouds, glimmering in the darkness. But, they all looked the same to her as the night before. She could not spot a new star to show that Swoopstrike had made it there.
The chanting and stomping quieted down, and now Elmclaw stepped forward.
"Swoopstrike runs with StarClan now," Elmclaw said in his deep, rumbling voice. "The body he left behind will be buried at dawn."
Cats murmured to each other, some now turning to their dens to sleep. A few, like Dappledpelt, Snakeeyes and Greytail returned to crouch back down near Swoopstrike's body. Frostpaw's ears pricked as she heard Sedgestar bounding up the Clanrock.
"Before we return to our dens for the night, please come gather beneath Clanrock for a clan-meeting," Sedgestar meowed.
Cats stopped in their progress towards the dens, turning away and padding back over into the center of camp.
"I know today has brought tragedy," Sedgestar began, his tail swishing slowly behind him as cats settled down again in the camp. "Swoopstrike will be sorely missed by all of ShadowClan. But, you all know as well as I that we must continue to move forward. The wind, the rain and the seasons have no care for our grief. And, our prey and our enemies will not lie down at our feet simply because we are sad."
Sedgestar bowed his head for a moment.
"In times like these, we need our warriors more than ever. You are the life-blood of the clan. And, I am proud to announce four more additions to our ranks tonight," Sedgestar meowed. "Pinepaw, Poolpaw, and Frostpaw, please come to the base of Clanrock."
Frostpaw swallowed. It was finally time for her ceremony. Frostpaw slowly walked over to stand at the base of Clanrock. Poolpaw and Pinepaw joined her only a moment later.
Sedgestar tilted his head back to search the stars again.
"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on each of these apprentices. They've trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn," Sedgestar meowed.
His gaze now flickered back down to the three apprentices in front of him.
"Pinepaw, Poolpaw, Frostpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend ShadowClan, even at the cost of your life?" he asked solemnly.
His words weighed heavily on Frostpaw's shoulders, especially after she had just seen Swoopstrike pay that price.
"I do," Frostpaw said, echoing Poolpaw's and Pinepaw's confirmations.
Sedgestar nodded somberly, accepting their vows.
"Ancestors, I ask you too to look down on Autumnpaw. He has learned the warrior code and has been wounded in the service of his Clan. Let him receive his warrior name alongside his littermates, so if he is received by StarClan tonight, he will be welcomed as a warrior," Sedgestar meowed.
Frostpaw's heart twisted at the mention of Autumnpaw's injuries, but she didn't have much time to dwell on it when Sedgestar bounded down from the Clanrock, approaching Pinepaw first.
"By the powers of StarClan, give you your warrior names. Pinepaw, from this moment you will be known as Pineshade. StarClan honors your determination and your independence," Sedgestar said, touching his muzzle to her forehead.
Pineshade licked his shoulder respectfully in response, and stepped back, her eyes shining with pride. Sedgestar turned to Poolpaw.
"Poolpaw, from this moment you will be known as Poolcloud. StarClan honors your enthusiasm and your kindness," Sedgestar meowed.
He touched his nose to Poolcloud's head, and Poolcloud too licked his shoulder. As Poolcloud stepped back, he squared his shoulders, holding his chin high. Sedgestar finally reached Frostpaw. Frostpaw dipped her head to him, waiting for him to give her her new name.
"Frostpaw, from this moment you will be known as Frostmask. StarClan honors your loyalty and your thoughtfulness," Sedgestar meowed.
Frostmask felt his muzzle brush her head, and she leaned forward, quickly rasping her tongue on his shoulder before stepping back. Frostmask raised her tail, setting her jaw and staring forward confidently. She imagined her new name resting on her, enveloping her like the hard armor that insects wore, and protecting her.
Sedgestar paused for a heartbeat before continuing.
"Autumnpaw will now be known as Autumnleap. StarClan honors his energy and his strength," Sedgestar said.
He then turned to dip his head to the newly named warriors in front of him.
"We welcome you all as full warriors of ShadowClan," Sedgestar meowed.
"Pineshade! Poolcloud! Frostmask! Autumnleap!"
The clan chanted for all of them. Frostmask raised her chin in pride, turning to sweep her gaze across her clan-mates, before her eyes rested on Swoopstrike's body. Her gaze flickered up to the stars.
Can you see me Swoopstrike?
"Congratulations, all of you," Redclaw said, purring despite her worry for Autumnpaw.
Weaseltail had emerged from the medicine cat's den at Sedgestar's summoning before the ceremony, and he and Redclaw padded up to them. Redclaw twined herself around each of them. Frostmask purred as she rubbed her face against Redclaw's. Weaseltail purred loudly for them as well, laying his long tail over Frostmask's back before turning to also congratulate Pineshade and Poolcloud similarly.
Once Redclaw and Weaseltail had finished, Poolcloud took a step towards Clanrock, inclining his head in the direction of the medicine cat's den.
"Come on Pineshade and Frostmask," Poolcloud said, giving a soft purr as he tried out their new names. "Let's go see Autumnleap before we have to start our vigil."
"Good idea," Frostmask meowed.
Pineshade nodded in agreement, and they followed Poolcloud over to the lichen covered cave. Poolcloud went in first, calling a greeting to Clearstream while Pineshade and Frostmask waited for their turn outside.
Pineshade padded a little ways away to sharpen her claws on the Oak Tree as they waited, but Frostmask didn't follow her, her gaze instead being drawn to a flicker of movement in the deep shadows of the Clanrock. Dampfang's inky black form padded out, his green gaze burning with anger as he approached Frostmask. Frostmask tensed up, digging her claws into the muddy ground.
"What do you want?" Frostmask said, growling a warning. "I'm not in a great mood, and Pineshade still isn't either. If she sees you again, she might claw you up with more than just her words this time."
Dampfang's lip curled up furiously.
"Very funny, rogue. But actually, I came here to talk to you. To tell you that you may have Sedgestar and everyone else fooled, but I know who you really are," Dampfang hissed in a low voice.
Frostmask's eyes narrowed, and her tail started twitching.
"And, what is that, Dampfang?" she growled, allowing some of her fangs to flash threateningly.
Dampfang dug unsheathed claws into the muddy ground.
"You're the rotten pine," Dampfang said with a snarl.
"For obeying Sedgestar's orders to not hurt an elder? Don't be ridiculous," Frostmask scoffed.
Dampfang narrowed his harsh green eyes, his tail sweeping slowly behind him.
"It's not just that," he growled.
"Then what?" Frostmask shot back. "Because your accusations are baseless. In fact, I know what's really going on here… You're just angry about Pineshade rejecting you. And, you're displacing that anger onto me."
Dampfang spat furiously for a moment before he seemed to compose himself. He stretched himself up to his full intimidating height, looking down his muzzle at Frostmask with his face wrinkled up in disgust, ignoring her last comment.
"You don't belong here. And, you will be ShadowClan's downfall, I can sense it. But, I'll stop you," Dampfang rumbled in a low voice.
Frostmask derisively curled up her lip, about to laugh at the absurdity of his threat, but Dampfang was already padding past her, heading off.
"Watch your back, Frostmask," Dampfang hissed over his shoulder.
End of Book 1
Author's Note:
Thank you all for reading and reviewing!
A little world-building background if you're interested: in my version of the clans, there are more rituals around death than there are in the canon, which is why we see a death ceremony. Perhaps the traditions seen here have since been lost through the years since the canon takes place far after this… Anyway, each clan does the death ceremony slightly differently, and it is also tailored to fit the cat that died/how they died. Like for example, unlike the other clans, ShadowClan specifically releases their dead from their vows as ShadowClan warriors. Because ShadowClan values both utter loyalty and independence, when a cat's job of being loyal to their clan is completed through death, in the afterlife, their warriors are free to completely embrace the independent side of their nature, having friends/lovers in other clans or even wandering through the cosmos outside of StarClan.
But, the general idea is that words need to be said over a dead cat's body encouraging them to go to StarClan (traditionally done by the elders, but any cat can do it in a pinch,) so that the cat's spirit can safely travel there. If there is no corpse or remains to say the words over, or if the ceremony isn't preformed, it's thought that the cat's spirit will be trapped on earth or lost forever. This adds on to the idea of why banishment is seen as such a terrible punishment— if a cat dies in exile, they will not make it to StarClan.
Reviews:
SavvySpirit: Well, since my very first outline of the story, I always intended Swoopstrike to die (although I didn't expect how attached to him I'd get,) and his death serves a purpose to drive the plot forward. Unfortunately though, Dappledpelt and Frostmask won't get any more closure than what they've already gotten. And, I did decide on Pineshade for her name :) thank you for the suggestion!
Simitria: Yeah, poor Swoopstrike :( Well, Dampfang was smart enough this time not to argue with Frostmask in front of the Clan about it. But, I think Pineshade ripping him a new one took some wind out of his sails lol.
Shimmerbreeze: Thank you! I'm glad you've been reading and enjoying it :)
Brian.H.H: Thank you! Yeah I haven't described Fennelstar's body type really, but I think he's pretty beefy like Morningstar, although maybe slightly smaller than the ThunderClan leader.
Hm I didn't really expect people to see Swoopstrike's death coming. It was supposed to be rather sudden and traumatic for Frostmask, and right when she was finally starting to feel comfortable with her life in ShadowClan. So, there weren't too many hints about it besides Frostpaw having a bad feeling about the battle, before it begins.
Haha Dampfang has gotten a bit smarter, so he knows enough not to try to object so publicly about Frostmask. But, imagining him doing that is pretty funny.
Oh, Frostmask's got plenty of righteous fury, but it wasn't the right time for that yet…
Also, I thought about including Frostmask/Pineshade teamwork, but felt like I'd share the limelight with a few other cats instead of Pineshade this time. Poolcloud got some more moments this chapter though. (You may have not predicted Swoopstrike's death, but you are good at calling things like that haha, and Swoopstrike being groomed for deputyship!)
And, yeah, I don't give Weaseltail as much attention as he deserves (unfortunately it's tough to share the attention on so many characters without risking bogging down the plot, so people end up being pushed to the background,) but he's a good guy.
Guest: Thank you so, so much. That honestly means a lot to me to hear. I am so pleased (and a bit shocked too haha) to know that you've been reading for so long, and that you've been enjoying my stories so much! And, the name I ultimately picked for her wasn't given in direct reference to Swoopstrike, but I hope you like the reasoning behind it anyway. Thank you again for the very nice review!
Avalanche: Thanks for the review! Froststrike is a very cool name haha. I still think Swoopstrike would approve of her spunky choice of Frostmask though, because that's her way of sticking up for herself and telling everyone "I am who I am, rogue blood and all. But, that doesn't take away for me being a ShadowClan warrior."