ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 36

"Mintpool."

Mintpool glanced up from where she'd been sorting herbs. Her mind had been in a daze since yesterday, when Mamba accused her and Cobrastrike had done nothing. She'd returned to her den after talking with Holly, too tired to even check on the patients, and promptly collapsed into her nest. Right now, the only mental energy she had was to mindlessly sort herbs.

Cobrastrike was the cat who'd spoken. The tom stood at the entrance, face emotionless, the twitching of his tail-tip being the only thing that betrayed his attempt in hiding all feelings.

"Cobrastrike." Mintpool stood up, flicking her ears. After thinking about it overnight, she knew that the tom had a point, but she still couldn't help but be mad at him. If she could get rid of it, she would, but she still had a flash of annoyance looking at the leader. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you'd prefer to fight in the war tomorrow or stay in the medicine den." Cobrastrike shifted from one paw to the other, awaiting for her answer; he didn't have to wait long, as Mintpool spoke as soon as he'd finished.

"Fight. And you can leave the den unguarded," the gray tabby added, as Cobrastrike nodded and opened his jaws, no doubt to suggest to leave some cats to guard. "Clan cats are weakhearted. They won't kill cats that can't fight back."

"Very well." Cobrastrike twitched his ears in indication towards Rage's empty nest. Mintpool had cleared the ginger she-cat for training in the morning. "Would you like to do some training as well? It may be useful for tomorrow."

Mintpool scoffed. "I think if I start training Mamba will just use it as a reason to accuse me." She spoke, tone sarcastic, and barreled on before Cobrastrike could say anything in reply. "Yes, I'd like to do some training. Is Holly here?"

"She's out on patrol."

The gray tabby nodded. "Okay. I'll do some training on my own later, then. I'll finish sorting out these herbs before I do so." However, after her words, Cobrastrike didn't move. Mintpool blinked at him. "Yes? Can I help you with something else?"

"Er-" The tom hesitated. He seemed like he wanted to talk, but didn't know where to start. Because of it, he changed the topic swiftly. "How are Frost and Python doing?"

"They're alive," the gray tabby offered. "That's the best I can do. I'm giving Frost as much thyme as I can without hurting her, along with some poppy seeds. As for Python..." Mintpool paused. "All I can do is force-feed him prey and water, to keep him alive."

"Still unconscious?"

"Yeah." Mintpool twitched her ears. "I wonder who it was. Python keeps whispering Green eyes. Green eyes mean death in his sleep, but it makes no sense. In fact, it's kind of starting to creep me out."

"He doesn't seem to be doing it now," Cobrastrike meowed kindly. "That's good, right?"

"Yeah, he stopped last night. It was a peaceful night for me."

The realization clicked as soon as those words came out of the gray tabby's jaws. She jumped up, rushing over to the black tom's side, heart pounding out of her chest. She heard a fuzzy, "What's wrong?" from Cobrastrike, but her mind barely processed it as panic took over. Mintpool pressed her paw gently to Python's nose. Nothing.

He wasn't breathing.

A gasp came from the gray tabby as she staggered backwards. "Dead," she croaked. "He's dead."

Cobrastrike didn't rush to comfort her. He didn't rush to check if what she said was true. All he did was turn around swiftly and trot out of the den to inform the rest of the rogues.