Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ 24 ]

Halfway through the night, Frecklesky was feeling like her old self again. It had taken some convincing, but by the next morning, Fallowstep reluctantly allowed her to join a hunting patrol near Carrionplace.

Frecklesky noted how the blanket of snow was already beginning to melt, turning the entirety of ShadowClan territory into a dense mud that was always sucking at her paws. She could hear the strange machinery that was only a few hills away as strange twoleg monsters devoured the piles of carrion.

Occasionally, a distracted rat would scuttle across her path, but they were far too swift for the large warrior to catch, slowly ticking her frustration nearer to its breaking point.

Mossfleck, one of the Clan's newer warriors, was hunting a ways back with his father, Adderspring, while Fallenbreeze and Rainpaw edged nearer to the strange metal fencing.

Frecklesky flicked an ear as the silver she-cat slipped through a puddle of mud. "Can't we try to hunt inside of Carrionplace?" The tortoiseshell warrior grunted.

Fallenbreeze glanced over. "No, not until Larkstar gives us the go-ahead."

"Like that will ever happen." Frecklesky shook grime from her pelt as her mood only soured, watching the warrior as she trailed her apprentice nearer to the Carrionplace.

Rainpaw excitedly poked her head above some cordgrass, her silvery ears flicking around. "Fallenbreeze!" She exclaimed. "Look, it's a big mouse!"

With a swing of her haunches, the freshly appointed apprentice lunged onto the rodent, squealing in surprise as it lurched around and fastened its teeth into her leg. Fallenbreeze bolted forward, ripping the rat away and fiercely snapping its neck, swiftly silencing its cry of death.

Frecklesky padded over as the silver warrior gently sniffed the nasty bite on Rainpaw's leg.

"You'll need to get that looked at by Fallowstep," the tortoiseshell commented.

Rainpaw fidgeted uncomfortably, drawing her leg closer. "Will it be fine?"

"It should be, as long as it stops bleeding." Fallenbreeze glanced at Frecklesky. "You use cobwebs to stop bleeding, right?"

Frecklesky blinked in surprise. "Why are you asking me? I'm no medicine cat."

"Yeah, well your sister is," Fallenbreeze retorted.

"That doesn't mean I know!" Frecklesky snarled, whipping her tail behind her. "I'm going back to camp. You can stay and take care of your kit."

"No, Frecklesky, you need to stay with the patrol," Adderspring cautioned, having rejoined the group. Mossfleck came scampering over a few heartbeats later with a swathe of cobwebs over his paw, and the older warrior quickly wound it around Rainpaw's leg. "Does it hurt?" He asked gently, nosing the covered injury.

Rainpaw nodded urgently. "A lot."

"Right then. Son," Adderspring turned to Mossfleck, who blinked, eager to please. "Take Rainpaw back to camp and get her seen by Heronwing and Fallowstep."

Mossfleck dipped his head and padded forward. "You ready to head back?" He mewed tenderly. When Rainpaw simply stared up at him, he offered his shoulder. "You don't have to walk on your own. I can help you."

Rainpaw, tenderly keeping her foot above the ground, hobbled over to the tom and leaned up against him. She mewed her thanks, and the two cats slowly began the trek back to camp. Frecklesky twitched her whiskers quietly.

"Can we go inside the Carrionplace now that those two are gone?" She glanced to Adderspring.

Adderspring's grayed muzzle curled with mirth. "As eager to fight as always, I see. No, we're not going inside of Carrionplace. Let's continue hunting."

Frecklesky sighed reluctantly, and slipped back into the marsh grass, her eyes flitting occasionally back to the noisy Carrionplace, teeming with rats.