Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 1. (The Legacy)

~The Legacy: Chapter 11~

They had gathered the warriors that had come to help in the battle with the fox.
There were no major injuries, thankfully, and so their only instructions from Fernfeather and Crookedfire was to rest.
In the meantime, Tigerfur had gone to explain everything that had happened to Specklefern, including Firpaw's disappearance.
Spiralpaw went with Tigerfur on his order.
They had told the queen everything, and Spiralpaw awaited some kind of punishment or angry outburst from her.
But instead...
Specklefern dipped her head, a tear dripping out the side of either eye. "Thank you both for telling me," she said mournfully. "Please... Let me know when you've found him."
"We will," Tigerfur said, dipping his head respectfully and beckoning to Spiralpaw to follow him outside.
"Spiralpaw," he said in a very strict voice. "I know you met a kittypet in that Twoleg nest," he said.
Spiralpaw tried to hide her surprised and pretend she hadn't met anyone. "I don't know what you mean," she said.
Tigerfur gave her a look of uncertainty. "Don't lie to me," he said. "I just want to know who it was and what you said to it."
"What for?" Spiralpaw asked.
"Because if you slipped them some information valuable to the Clan," Tigerfur said, "I will have Fernfeather and Stonestar delay your warrior ceremony, and you will clean the elder's den for three moons."
Spiralpaw didn't mind helping the elders, but even she knew a punishment when she heard it.
While she enjoyed the company of Beeflower and Rockhopper, she didn't want her warrior ceremony to be delayed, especially if her brother and sister were made warriors before her.
"Horizon, the Kittypet, helped Ashpaw," Spiralpaw confessed. "She got him out of WindClan before he was killed, and even if she didn't stay and help Whitepaw and Reedpaw fight the fox, she still saved Ashpaw. Everyone is still alive, and I told her nothing that could be used against us if she is working with the Rogues."
Tigerfur looked mildly impressed. He flicked his tail, fixing his face and looking at his apprentice.
"She doesn't know where we are?" Tigerfur asked.
Spiralpaw shook her head. She did tell Horizon about ThunderClan, but only that it existed. She didn't say the exact location or share anything that could bring their downfall or help the unknown kittypets and Clans to attack.
Tigerfur considered her for a moment. Then nodded. "Very well. We shall keep this between us."
Spiralpaw gave a quiet sigh of relief.
"Be ready, because Reedpaw and Irispaw's ceremony is soon," he added, walking off.

The Clan had been quite lively since they got back. Russetpaw was no longer angry. At least, not in sight of her Clanmates. The kits in the Nursery were playing around Beeflower and Rockhopper while the Queens chatted away with some of the warriors.
Crookedfire, to Spiralpaw's surprise, seemed in a suspiciously good mood, too. Whatever he was up to couldn't be good.
She knew it was a bad idea, but she decided to walk over to the Medicine Den, where Russetpaw and Crookedfire were sorting herbs.
Crookedfire looked up. "Hello, Spiralpaw," he said. "Have you come to check on Stonestar?"
"Yes," Spiralpaw said. "I wanted to speak to him for a moment."
Russetpaw gave her a very small nod, as though the meeting was urgent.
"He just woke up," Russetpaw said. "We can leave you two alone for a minute if you want privacy."
"Thank you," Spiralpaw said, bowing her head in respect as the Medicine Cat and his apprentice left the den, probably to tend to any minor wounds that had not yet been treated.
Spiralpaw thought Crookedfire to be careless. Russetpaw had offered help to Spidertail and Voleroach if they needed it, and then to Ashpaw, who was the only one to accept it.
Crookedfire, on the other hand, had not offered any treatment to any of the warriors, not even to Tigerfur. Though, he didn't need any, it was still Crookedfire's responsibility to tend to any warrior that needed it.
If I were a Medicine Cat, I'd make sure all of my Clan was healthy, and I'd check for any wounds if they had them, Spiralpaw thought bitterly, walking through the den toward her father's nest.
"Spiralpaw," Stonestar said.
"Stonestar? Could I ask you a question?" Spiralpaw said.
Stonestar nodded.
"Specklefern said you and Runningstar were once mates," she began.
Stonestar nodded again, staying silent.
"If she is not my mother," Spiralpaw said, "then whose?"
Stonestar hesitated for a moment before answering. After a few moments passed, he said, "The answer will reveal itself in time, Spiralpaw. Runningstar had kits to another, do not forget. While we may have been mates, I can not tell you whether we had any, or who they belong to."
That wasn't the answer Spiralpaw had expected. But she had a fair idea of who was Runningstar's kit.
"And..."
Stonestar sat up and looked at Spiralpaw.
"Who do you think is leading the band of cats that attacked RiverClan?"
Stonestar was silent for a short time. "I believe it to be Half-Sight," he said, "but I do have my doubts. Half-Sight was a traitor, very much so. But I know he is not the only one in that group seeking danger to the Clans."
"You suspect Crookedfire still?" Spiralpaw asked, and her father nodded.
"How is Ashpaw?" Stonestar asked after a good few seconds of silence.
"He's fine. Russetpaw gave him poppy seeds and tended to the few scratches he had."
"She is a bright one," Stonestar commented. "She is not easily manipulated by her mentor. If only all of us were the same."
"But that would be more dangerous," Spiralpaw pointed out.
"Indeed."
Stonestar looked tired now. He also seemed slightly slimmer, now that she looked at him again.
"I will leave you to rest," Spiralpaw said, walking out of the den right in time to see Fernfeather call a Meeting.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge!" called the brown she-cat.
Everyone went quiet, walking forward, while Reedpaw and Irispaw sat in front.
Tigerfur sat in Fernfeather's usual spot, while Fernfeather took over Stonestar's position.
"As you can all see, Stonestar is still unwell," Fernfeather said. "Which is why I am temporarily taking his place until he gets better. Now...
"I , Fernfeather, Deputy, and acting-Leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to defend and protect their Clan, and respect the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."
She looked from the moon, for night had fallen already, and turned her gaze to Reedpaw and Irispaw.
"Do you, Reedpaw, promise to uphold the Warrior Code, and to defend your Clan at any cost?"
Reedpaw's tail shook eagerly, though her voice was steady when she spoke. "I do," she said.
"And Irispaw? Do you promise to protect ThunderClan with the help of your Clanmates, at any cost?"
Irispaw nodded. "I do," she said.
Fernfeather smiled at them both.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Irispaw," Fernfeather said, gazing at the young she-cat, "your warrior name will be Iris-Eye. StarClan honours your thoughtfulness and compassion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
The Clan chanted Iris-Eye's new name happily. Voleroach looked like she would cry, now that her daughter was a warrior.
"Reedpaw," Fernfeather announced, raising her tail for silence.
Reedpaw sat up.
"Your warrior name will be Reedtail. StarClan honours your intelligence and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
Russetpaw, Spiralpaw and her littermates, and all their mentors were the only ones to chant Reedtail's new name. Specklefern looked as though she was torn between pouncing on Reedtail and clawing the ground.
Although Fuzzyear called her name, it was very quiet and uncertain.
Reedtail hunched slightly.
Fernfeather, evidently sorry for Reedtail, jumped from the Highledge, placing her muzzle on their heads. "You will both sit a silent vigil tonight, standing guard as we rest. When this is done, I will come at dawn to relieve you of your duties."
Reedtail looked back at Spiralpaw, Ashpaw and Whitepaw happily.
Iris-Eye beckoned Reedtail to follow her to the camp entrance.
Spiralpaw watched as the two new warriors sat and gazed directly ahead, not making a sound.
"Reedtail seems sad," Ashpaw pointed out. "Not everybody called her name when she got it."
"Because they probably still think she's evil," Whitepaw scoffed. "She's harmless to her Clan because she's loyal. If she does attack anyone, it'll be because she was provoked, or she knows what that cat's been doing."
"You're right," Spiralpaw said. "And I bet I know who's been spreading lies about her."
Spiralpaw looked first at Crookedfire, then to Spidertail who was frowning at Reedtail as he spoke with Fernfeather.
"Spidertail?" Ashpaw asked, following her gaze. "What would he have to do with it?"
"He doesn't like apprentices," Whitepaw observed. "Not us, anyway."
"Reedtail isn't an apprentice anymore," Ashpaw pointed out.
"Maybe that's what they're afraid of," Spiralpaw mumbled.
Tigerfur walked over to the three apprentices, nodding to the apprentice den. "You three have work tomorrow," he said.
"What will we be doing?" Ashpaw asked.
"Deliveries," Tigerfur said simply.
"What are we delivering?" Whitepaw said.
"And where?" Ashpaw added.
"You'll see tomorrow," Tigerfur shrugged, padding off. "Get some rest. It's going to be a long day."