Chapter 22: Crow Chatter
It was just the seven of us again. Apparently, mom had already taken off to let this Purdy cat know we were coming as well as return to her post. It was bittersweet that she took the time to care for us, but she also left me without even a goodbye. I was slightly upset by that, but I didn't want to visibly make a fuss. We weren't here to see my family issues.
We took off towards where Smoke indicated we could find Purdy. Due to the farmland being mostly flatlands, Crowpaw decided to take the lead with me. He looked relieved to see such a vast expanse of uninterrupted flat land. Probably because Windclan was known for its moors where you could see all the way to the horizon without a single tree to block you. He looked far more sure of himself out here despite it still being unknown territory with an unfamiliar layout.
I decided to chat with the other apprentice since we had a fair amount of time left before we'd reach Purdy. "So, what is it like to be an apprentice in Windclan?" I opened.
"Are you making fun of me for being the only chosen who's an apprentice?" Crowpaw growled.
I shook my head. "No. I'm just curious on how being a Windclan apprentice differs from a Thunderclan one. I mean a fair part of our lessons is how to climb trees and navigate the forest via landmarks. Meanwhile, Windclan is flat without any trees or big things to act as a reference point. How do you guys not get lost?"
Crowpaw actually chuckled at my last sentence. "Seriously? You think we'd get lost on our own territory? Do you get lost when you walk into your camp's center? We live there. We've got our ways to navigate it too. Our territory is actually the largest of any clan's, and we're taught fairly early on how to find our way back. Despite how it looks, there's a fair amount of danger on the moors. We get more badgers than Thunderclan as well as plenty of snakes. That's not even mentioning how easy it would be to accidentally get a paw caught in a rabbit hole and break it. There's lots of small things you miss if you're just looking at the grass. There's plenty of memorable features if you're accustomed to a place like that. Sure, we don't have some specific tree or boulder visible from a distance, but you'll never be able to appreciate recognizing a place because it's got the three burrows, or it's got a dip, so the grass grows sideways." Crowpaw elaborated.
"Huh. Never really thought of that. You said that you have to dela with plenty of snakes, but Windclan runs everywhere. How does that work?" I asked, liking that Crowpaw was opening up a bit by praising his own clan.
"That's the thing. Most snakes out there aren't wanting a fight. We're simply too big to be prey for them. They largely ignore us, but if we're getting too close, they let us know. Some have this strange tail that sounds like something rattling fiercely. Others can let out a hiss. Every once and a while, we scout around the camp for snakes. While we, the warriors and apprentices, are too big for the snakes to eat, the kits are not. Let me tell you, killing them is a tricky thing. It usually takes two or three of us to do it safely. Those things can be fast when they want to be. Usually we have someone draw their attention while another creeps up behind them. Whoever is the one sneaking up needs to catch them by the head. Otherwise, one of us might get bit. You honestly don't become a warrior of Windclan without getting bit by a snake at least once. At least our medicine cat is really good at dealing with the venom." Crowpaw seeming to enjoy bragging about Windclan.
Crowpaw looked over to me, appearing to be considering something before finally voicing it. "What about Thunderclan. What is it like?"
"Honestly, we're a clan that's a bit too into fighting. If there is a fight clan, it's Thunderclan. We've got a really good territory that accommodates our needs, but it's also a bit too tantalizing for Shadowclan and Riverclan. Riverclan always wants this riverside stretch of rock because it borders the river, but those rocks are prime water vole hunting spots, so we don't want to just give it away. Meanwhile Shadowclan wants to push into our territory. We can't let them take even a whisker length because they have a tendency to exploit any form of weakness. Thus, we're always in a fight with two clans. It doesn't help that back when Firestar just became a warrior each clan tried to invade us at least once. So yeah, Thunderclan is the fighting clan." I answered.
"Never really thought of that. Wait, does that mean you think you could take me in a fight?" Crowpaw jabbed.
"Not necessarily, but in Thunderclan, you can get away with being a poor hunter if you're an excellent fighter, but you can't get away with being a poor fighter ever. Take my father as an example. He is still one of the worst fighters in the clan, but he's still known to be able to send most enemy warriors packing in a one-on-one fight." I rebutted.
"Nah. You're lying. Smudgefoot fought Scourge to a standstill from what I heard. That same Scourge cut down two senior warriors like they were nothing. There's no way Smudgefoot is a bad fighter." Crowpaw countered.
"There were some extenuating circumstances that let Smudgefoot do that. It's not really something he can just do whenever." I replied.
"Wait… Does that mean the rumors are true that Thunderclan has some kind of secret herb that makes a cat berserk? I mean it would explain a lot, like why Tigerstar was so huge or why in general your cats are big." Crowpaw rambled.
I cut him off. "There is no berserk herb… Ok. There actually is a berserk herb. Father showed it to me once, but we don't use it. It was one of those, don't touch this, lessons. Maybe the Thunderclan of old used it, but we don't now. It's just too risky to use something like that."
At that moment, we noticed an old cat ahead. Crowpaw couldn't help but snort at the sight. "That better not be Purdy. He looks like he got dragged through a thorn bush backwards by his tail."
"Someone mention me?" The old tom mewed. Crowpaw just hung his head in reply, clearly annoyed at the very idea of working with this cat.
Brambleclaw trotted forward, attempting to take the lead. "Yes. Hi. We were told by Smoke that you knew how to reach the place where the sun drowns."
The old cat tilted his head in thought. "The ocean huh? Don't know why you'd want to go there. It's just water. Not even good water. It's so salty that it just makes you thirsty. Already seen a cat who died because they only drank that water." The tom rambled.
"Can you take us there?" Brambleclaw pressed, attempting to get the elder back on topic.
"Sure. It's not even that far, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a place to start a colony." The tom answered/
Brambleclaw looked taken aback at the thought that we'd come out here to settle down, affronted at the thought of permanently associating with those of other clans. I decided to interject before Brambleclaw could lose it.
"Actually, we're looking for someone. Goes by the name Midnight." I mewed.
"Oh, her… Must be something pretty big if you're willing to put up with that old badger. I talked with her a bit myself, but she's not too good at speaking. I got tired of it and took off." Purdy answered. He suddenly turned. "Well, you young 'uns seem to be in a rush, so I'll show you the way. I know a nice garden to wait at while I scout the route. Shouldn't take me more than a day."
"A day!" Brambleclaw decried.
"You really don't understand the city do you?" Purdy mewed, silencing Brambleclaw, who now just had to smolder on the idea that our journey would have to go another day longer.