Warrior Cats: Beyond the Clans

Autumn's Promise - Chapter 3

Three moons later...

Snow crunched under Autumn's paws as she padded through the woods above the crack in the ground, Snow at her side. Or, the ravine.

It was leaf-bare and greencough was raging through the camp. Half the cats in the Dynasty had it, including Emberstorm. Storm was extremely busy trying to save every cat's life, as he had Sand, Cloud, Emberstorm, Flash, Sparrow, Ash, Sky and Oak in the healer's den, suffering from greencough.

Autumn was extremely worried for Emberstorm, who had caught a cough similar to greencough when he was less than a few moons old. While she and Wild Wind were still considered kits in the eyes of the Dynasty, they were working hard as their respective roles of hunter and guard. Autumn was up at dawn every day to hunt with Snow while Wild Wind would always be seen guarding the ravine.

"Autumn, there's an eagle overhead. I'll have no trouble blending in, I'm worried about you." Snow hissed.

"What's our plan, then?" Autumn mewed.

"I was thinking we lure it to the ground. Then we attack it and kill it." Snow growled.

"Good thinking." Autumn purred. She strode out of the thick trees and let the eagle see her.

Immediately, the eagle circled Autumn and swooped down, its talons outstretched. Fear swept over her even though she knew Snow was nearby to intercept it. No sooner than she had had that thought, her friend leapt onto the eagle, her claws unsheathed.

Autumn joined in, hooking her claws into its body and bringing it down. She finished it off with a quick snap of the neck. Satisfied, she dropped the eagle.

"How will we bring it back to the camp?" Autumn queried.

"You haven't learnt this yet. Most hunters will only learn it at 10 moons of age." Snow explained quickly.

Autumn watched as Snow tapped a rock with her claws unsheathed. They sat around for a bit, exchanging idle conversation, when Fawn led Mountain and Shadow towards them. They eyed the eagle letting out joyful purrs.

Picking it up with their large claws, the guards bore the weight of the eagle together, taking it down into the camp.

"Let's continue hunting, Autumn. We don't want to waste any time." Snow suggested.

"Good idea," Autumn agreed.

In the end, they didn't manage to find much prey, but Autumn caught two rabbits and Snow caught a squirrel and a shrew. They brought their prey into the camp with bright eyes and cheerful flicks of their tail.

Upon entering the camp, Autumn froze. A thick scent of grief hung in the air, clouding up the unmistakeable scent of death.

"Who died?" Snow demanded; worry etched on her face.

"Sand died," Sun sighed, his pelt ungroomed and dull.

"Oh no," Autumn breathed, letting go of her rabbits immediately.

"I must name a new deputy," Sun's eyes flashed with unease. "Truth, listen to me. Sand has passed into your realm, so I declare that Snow will be our new deputy. She may be young but I believe she can serve us to the best of her ability."

Autumn bounded over to where Snow had been sitting neatly and nuzzled her friend. "Congratulations!"

"Snow! Snow!" the Dynasty cheered for their new deputy.

"Deer, Violet and Cloud, you were the closest to Sand, so you may bury her body." Sun gestured to the lifeless body behind him.

The three she-cats tenderly picked up Sand's body and carried it out of the camp.