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talonslockau · 4 months

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Fire and Ice - Chapter 55

< Chapter 54 || Index || Chapter 56 >

He woke as the first rays of morning began filtering through the cracks in the Twoleg nest. Ravenspirit had left after waking Wrenfeather and Pigeonflight: They now sat stiffly in the wide entrance, watching as the Clan began to stir. Fireheart sat up, looking past them to see that the storm had passed in the night and left a clear sky behind. It was good that they wouldn’t have to travel through the rain, though the air held a chill that it hadn’t the day before.

Peppermask and Graystripe roused beside him. “Morning already?” Graystripe mumbled, sitting up with bleary yellow eyes. “I guess that means we’ll be leaving soon.”

“We could be home tonight.” Peppermask murmured beside him as she stood and stretched out. “Sleeping in our own nests for a change!”

Fireheart perked up at the thought. It was true; even if the journey to Windclan’s camp took all day, they would still be able to travel through the night back home. It felt like they had been gone for almost a moon now, though he knew in his heart it had only been a few days. “Hopefully Quickflash won’t immediately put you two on the dawn patrol.” He teased, flicking the sleepy gray tom with his tail.

Graystripe moaned at the thought. “He better not! I’d like to sleep in for a change.” Still, he straightened up, slightly more awake now. “Do you think there’s any mice left over from last night?” He wondered as he gazed around.

“I think you ate most of it yesterday!” The flame-colored warrior joked as he stood up. There was still a small pile, which Deadfoot was doling out to the rest of the Clan. “We should probably just share one. We ate plenty last night; we don’t need to eat much more.”

“Speak for yourself.” The other tom grumbled. Still, he trotted over to gingerly take one from the pile. The Windclan deputy didn’t intervene as he brought it back over. It was rather small for three cats to share, but they didn’t complain as they dug in.

Fireheart sat up and cleaned his whiskers once he was finished, savoring every last morsel. They wouldn’t get to eat more until they returned home. He sat comfortably in the dried grass, watching as Windclan began to gather themselves. They looked better today, now that they had had time to rest and good food to eat, but they were still exhausted and worn out from the long journey and the hard season they had endured. The rest of the trek back to Windclan territory would still be arduous for them.

They began to congregate at the entrance of the Twoleg nest, Tallstar standing tall in the morning light. He looked strong, Fireheart noted with pleasure; as proud and regal as the other leaders had been. He was ready to face whatever challenges awaited Windclan today.

Finally, the sleek black and white tom turned to the three Thunderclanners. “It’s time for us to set off.” He told them, flicking his tail towards Windclan territory. “Fireheart, Graystripe, why don’t you two scout ahead? You seem somewhat familiar with this area.” He nodded towards the now barren fields that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see.

“Right away, Tallstar.” The ruddy Thunderclan tom mewed, beckoning his friend to follow him. They raced away, scenting at the air for any hidden dangers. The Twolegs were finally out, apparently surveying their territory, but they could be seen coming from far away, and with the two toms alternating reporting back Windclan avoided them easily.

By sunhigh, they had reached the dirt path that separated Barley and Ravenspirit’s farm from Windclan territory. The two Thunderclan warriors waited at the top of the slope, watching for any Monsters that dared to come by, but thankfully none dared approach as the Windclan procession made its way up the hill into the grasslands beyond.

The wind rustled through the tall grass, bringing with it the sweet scent of heather. Many of the Windclanners lifted their heads and took a deep breath, smiles creeping to their faces even as the wind buffeted against them. Their tails lifted, some intertwining with their mates and their kin.

With a flick of Tallstar’s tail, the Clan took off swiftly, their aches and pains soothed by the familiar territory. Even Crowskip, the elder, was moving faster, nearly as fast as Fireheart and Graystripe could run. They wordlessly fell back towards the end of the patrol where Peppermask was, grinning to each other. They had done what had seemed impossible; Windclan was home at last!

They followed a narrow rabbit trail through the sedge and grasses. Fireheart had no idea how they seemed to find these natural paths so easily and effortlessly, but he supposed that was the benefit of living on the moors for so long. The land rose and fell, almost imperceptibly, but all the cats took it in stride as they streamed across the moors towards their home.

At last, they paused at a rocky outcropping, tall and thin rocks stretching up towards the clouds around them. “Rabbitrocks.” Deadfoot murmured near him. “I never thought I’d see them again.”

The ginger warrior took a closer look at them. The stones around them looked a bit like rabbit ears, he supposed; perhaps that was where they’d gotten their name.

From here, they had a clear vantage point over the moors, and he could see the gorse bushes that made up Windclan camp were not too far in the distance. All around him, the Windclanners’ eyes were sparkling as they recognized their home. Morningflower leaned down to her kits gathered around her and pointed it out with a paw, eliciting gasps of wonder.

Tallstar gestured for a group of warriors to approach. “Secure the camp. Make sure no unwanted intruders have moved in while we’ve been away.” They nodded and raced off, leaving the rest of the Clan to sit and catch their breath from the journey across the moors. Whitepaw and a few other apprentices giggled, launching into a rousing game of tag and bouncing around the rocks in excitement.

He tore his gaze away from them as the leader approached, his golden eyes shining in joy. “My Clan is grateful for all you have done.” He spoke to all three of the Thunderclanners. “You have shown yourselves as warriors worthy of Starclan’s blessing, and Windclan will never forget what you have done for us.”

Fireheart dipped his head respectfully. “Of course, Tallstar. We are glad we were able to accompany you.”

He flicked a black ear in acknowledgement of the Thunderclan tom’s words. “Now that Windclan has come home, it is time for you to return to yours. Deadfoot and Thrushwing will escort you to Fourtrees.” He gestured for the deputy and a tawny and gray warrior to step forward.

The ginger warrior glanced hesitantly towards his companions. Surely they didn’t need a warrior escort when they were just returning home?

Peppermask stepped forward with a graceful dip of her head. “Thank you, Tallstar. We are grateful for the aid navigating your territory.” The other two toms quickly murmured assent to her words.

“Think nothing of it.” The black and white tom mewed with a purr. “All three of you have served Windclan well. Tell Bluestar that Windclan will not forget it was Thunderclan who brought them home.”

Deadfoot began padding towards Fourtrees as soon as they said their goodbyes, waving his tail for them to follow. He led them through a worn path in the sedge bushes, walking carefully but purposefully. Fireheart hadn’t gotten a chance to look at the deputy walk until now, but he was surprised to see that despite his twisted leg the tom moved just as swiftly and smoothly as the rest of his Clan.

“I hope Pebblestrike and Cloudjump can see us now.” The molly mewed from behind the three Thunderclanners as they walked. He glanced behind him to see her gaze wistfully looking up to the sky. There were no stars yet, as the sun was still blazing brightly in the sky, but that didn’t seem to bother her. “They didn’t sacrifice their lives for nothing.”

The deputy tilted his head slightly, a small frown on his face. “Yes.” Deadfoot agreed, not elaborating further as he turned his attention back to where they were going.

Fireheart could sense the tension in the air as they walked, his fur prickling despite himself. Still, he didn’t see any reason to interrupt or mediate; this wasn’t his Clan or his argument to intervene in.

They walked silently, their pace slower than the race to Rabbitrocks but swift all the same. The ruddy tom appreciated it; though he didn’t complain, his muscles fiercely protested having to move at all. He couldn’t wait to sink into his nice, soft nest next to Graystripe, and sleep until the sun rose the next morning.

The sun lowered further and further behind them, until it was nearly touching the horizon. He was just beginning to wonder if they would reach Fourtrees before sunset when he saw the branches of the towering oaks in the sky in front of them. Deadfoot’s pace quickened slightly, evidently eager to get rid of his charges.

At last they reached the slope up to the hollow, and the black tom turned to face them. “I trust you can find your way home from here?” He mewed, his nose wrinkling against the Shadowclan scent that still lingered in the air.

All three of them nodded quickly in assent. “Good.” The deputy mewed, turning to the other Windclanner. “Let us mark the Shadowclan border on our way home. Regardless of who leads now, they must know that they are no longer welcome on our moors.”

The Thunderclanners waved their tails in farewell as they trudged up the slope, turning for a moment to watch the two Windclanners leave. “It’s finally over.” Peppermask mewed softly as she looked on. “For all his bluster, Brokentail failed.”

Fireheart nodded. “Quite miserably, too.” He added with a small grin to Graystripe. “‘Don’t waste my time, apprentice!’” He growled in an admittedly poor imitation of the former Shadowclan leader, the other tom chuffing in amusement.

“Come on, the sooner we get going, the sooner we can sleep!” Graystripe mewed, bounding across the slope of Fourtrees with renewed energy. Fireheart and Peppermask followed quickly, the thought of sinking into their mossy nest filling them with new vigor. They might even return before moonhigh, at this rate!

It took no time for them to cross the grassy clearing and up the slope to Riverclan territory. The water sparkled orange in the setting sun, but the depths beneath the surface were a deep crimson red. The fur along his spine prickled uncomfortably at the sight, too much like the blood that had been spilled in Windclan’s camp. Still, he tried not to let it get to him as he chased Graystripe down the slope to the large fallen tree that joined each bank of the river.

“Hurry up, slowpoke!” He yowled as the gray warrior hopped up and began crossing. “Do you want to get home or not?”

“Why don’t you hurry up, then?” The other tom teased as he began walking across. “Seems to me you’re the one slowing us down!”

“Why, you!” Fireheart growled, jumping up on the tree to follow the tom. He ignored the water below him as he hurried towards Graystripe, eyes sparkling mischievously. “I’ll show you slow-”

A sudden gust of wind rushed past them, stealing away his words and throwing him off balance. He instinctively flexed out his claws, but before they could find purchase in the wood, he felt the tree shift below both of them. Before he could even cry out, the log rolled over, sending both warriors plunging into the depths below.

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