The Fire Prophecy/Book 1

Chapter 22

It was the day before the battle and Cursedfire was helping Blackpaw practice his battle moves. Blackpaw pounced forward, however, his mentor stepped to the side making him fall to the cold ground. Blackpaw got up, rubbing his head.

"Remember Blackpaw, don't let them know where you're going to attack. Surprise them. Here, block my attack." Cursedfire got down, his belly almost touching the ground.

Blackpaw got ready, watching his mentor's every movement. Cursedfire glanced at Blackpaw's ears, pouncing. Blackpaw went into a crouch, trying to block Cursedfire's attack. However, before he knew it Cursedfire had him on the ground. Blackpaw didn't see it coming, it was so fast. Cursedfire stepped off of Blackpaw, backing away.

"See, I tricked you. Now you try." Cursedfire sat down, licking his paw.

Blackpaw crouched, his eyes glancing around, looking for a good way to attack. Blackpaw glanced at Cursedfire's chest, pouncing. I know what you're doing. Cursedfire stepped to the side, knowing Blackpaw was actually going for his paws. Cursedfire's eye widened as he felt a heavy impact knocking him down. He opened his eye, finding Blackpaw on top of him.

"I tricked you!" Blackpaw purred, his eyes bright.

"Good job Blackpaw. Now, would you mind...could you get off?" Cursedfire tilted his head, making Blackpaw let out a mrrow of laughter.

"Sorry, Cursedfire. I didn't...." Blackpaw stepped off, not finishing his sentence as his eyes widened in shock.

Cursedfire turned around, looking out of the little hole in the tree trunk. His eye widened as he saw small white specks coming from the sky. Blackpaw pushed himself through the entrance of the training hollow, looking at the snow in awe. Cursedfire purred, chuckling at his apprentice's actions.

"What is this?" Blackpaw asked, poking at one of the small specks of snow, shaking his paw at the feeling.

"This is snow. It comes around every Leaf-bare." Cursedfire meowed, scrunching his nose at the smell of the snow.

"Come on, let's get back to camp. If this snow keeps up we won't be able to get out of the training hollow." Cursedfire began walking back to camp, Blackpaw following him

They got back to the camp quickly, Blackpaw grabbing a mouse from the cooked pile before it froze. Cursedfire watched as the kits looked at the snow in amazement. The gray warrior looked over to Emberstar, walking over as his father flicked his tail. Cursedfire sat down next to him as Ashblade walked over.

"Do you think the snow will stop our attack?" Emberstar asked, glancing at Cursedfire.

"No, not at all. We will continue this fight no matter what." Cursedfire meowed, looking at his leader.

Emberstar nodded and looked around the camp. The camp was thriving, every cat was getting ready for the battle and they had caught a good amount of prey. By Sunhigh they will attack, every cat needs their rest.

"Cursedfire get up, it's time," Burnwing growled, nudging the young warrior.

Cursedfire opened his eyes, sitting up. He stood up, shaking out his pelt. He looked around, noticing the rest of the nests were empty. They let me sleep the longest? Cursedfire smiled at the thought and walked out of the den. He quickly grabbed a vole, eating it instantly. I'm coming, Halfpelt, don't worry. Cursedfire watched as Emberstar walked to the huddle of cats.

"It is time. Let us go." Emberstar announced, his clanmates bowing their heads.

They walked out of camp, all of them ready for the fight ahead. Cursedfire looked back, seeing the worry in his mother's eyes. He bowed his head at Hethermoth making the worry disappear. Cursedfire looked ahead again, running alongside Blazefang. Blazefang looked over, his eyes glowing with pride.