The Wounded Compass #1: Deepest Shadows [Warriors Fan Series]

~Chapter 5~

Darkness gripped the edge of Deadpaw's vision as he opened his eyes. Pain shot through him, sending his body coiling. Coldwing was examining Goldenfoot's injuries while she was sleeping peacefully in a quickly put-together nest.

"C-... Coldwing.." Deadpaw mewed, closing his eyes again. The medicine cat's gaze met him and Deadpaw saw the relief flattening his fur.

"Deadpaw, you're awake!" He purred, nosing the apprentice. "Thank Starclan.. Are you in pain?" He asked.

"Yeah... my face hurts more than anything and I can't see out of my left eye. Did you put something over it?"

He saw Coldwing squirm uncomfortably and turn to his storage to avoid the question. "Let me get you some poppy seeds. They should help." He dropped some black seeds into a leaf and pushed them to Deadpaw, who licked them up compliantly.

Coldwing spoke as Deadpaw ate. "I hate to say this, but you've lost sight in one of your eyes." 

He froze, blinking. "Wait... There's nothing over my eye?" He meowed. "What even happened?"

"Apparently you were attacked by a Skyclan patrol." Coldwing meowed sullenly. "They wanted you gone, for whatever reason."

Deadpaw's blood ran cold. They wanted me dead? What did I do wrong? His mind began to whirl with all sorts of horrors and anxieties. His thoughts were interrupted by a tail running down his back. Deadpaw looked over to see Hollypaw, eyeing his face with shock. 

"Oh Deadpaw!" She gasped. "What happened?!" 

"Someone from Skyclan tried to kill me.." He said just above a whisper. "I can't see from my eye anymore.." She pressed her muzzle into his cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Deadpaw.. I'm glad you're safe now." She pulled back. "You look even tougher than ever, though."

Deadpaw tried to purr a bit, though his mind was still heavy. Coldwing was in the distance, arranging another mix of herbs. "I'm going to put some oak leaf poultice on your eye to keep it from getting infected, okay?" He meowed, approaching Deadpaw. The apprenticed braced himself, reaching his tail to Hollypaw's to hold onto it. She took it and he winced away from Coldwing's touch a bit as he spread it.

"All done. Since you're strong and young, you should heal well. I'm sorry about your eye." Coldwing said. "Rainstar is taking a patrol to Skyclan as we speak."

Deadpaw gulped, pressing against Hollypaw, who flattened her ears. "My mother is in that patrol... What if it doesn't go well?" She asked, whiskers quivering.

"We can only pray that Deerstar didn't condone this and those responsible are punished. Until then, get some Rest, Deadpaw." The medicine cat returned his gaze to him. He nodded, saying a goodbye to Hollypaw as she made her way out. He curled up, feeling drowsy from the poppy, and tucked his nose under his tail.

The cool newleaf night breeze filtered into the medicine den where Deadpaw laid. He gazed around the empty den, trying to get used to his new state of being.

Wait. Where's Coldwing? Deadpaw heaved to his feet and padded out, looking around the camp. It was completely empty, barren of all life. Moss scraps were scattered as if they were ripped from each den, rooves were caved in with fallen branches and debris. Even Rainstar's den was hollowed out. A chill ran through Deadpaw's blood as he called out.

"Coldwing! Rainstar!," He yowled, panic rising as he raced around to every empty and deserted den. "Tanseyheart! Hollypaw!! Anyone! Please, Goldenfoot!"