On the next darknight meeting, in which cats of the TreeClans met at the Moonpond, Mosscurl and Bumblebounce were met with a surprise. The StoneClan healers had also attended, with Fernflutter of RockClan and Silversong of CliffClan present in the hollow when the two ForestClan cats peered over the edge. Even though the moonless night was dark as ever, it was clear that the two healers were doing more than just talking. The two were arguing wildly.
"What are they fighting about?" Mosscurl muttered softly, crouched besides her friend as they spied.
"I don't know. I thought the StoneClans always got along. They're the most similar out of all nine, aren't they?" Bumblebounce suggested.
"True," Mosscurl narrowed her eyes, thinking as she studied the two she-cats. "But they are still two separate cultures. CliffClan are more rugged but flexible in nature, and RockClan are more diplomatic but strict in their rules. For many years they followed Leopardleer's Law, based on an early RockClan tyrant who created a system of superstitions to control his cult. CliffClan, however, accepts all beliefs and ways of life."
"That sounds like a good place to be yourself." Bumblebounce commented.
"If you take out how hostile the cats are and how gruesome their terrain and weather is, yes." Mosscurl confirmed. "Some are notably aggressive, like Onyx-eye and Shattersweep, before he died in the Battle for the Moonpond. But others are known for being compassionate and agreeable, like the heroic Lightshine and Smokesight, who recently became a Seer."
"Wait. I can hear what they're saying." Bumblebounce suddenly pricked his ears at the two cats as Silversong stepped closer, Fernflutter following closely.
"What do you mean, Indigo broke into RockClan caves?" Silversong snapped. "I'm not buying it. There's no way that stupid rogue could be part of some big important prophecy."
"But he is!" Fernflutter nearly roared. "I Saw it! Did you think Palespeckle had an important destiny before she was given Sapphirestar's gift? You did have visions of the Blue, didn't you?"
"Wait. You did say he went somewhere northwest, right?" Silversong's annoying voice suddenly fell an octave.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Where the dogs are? The Field?"
"...I guess?"
"By the bitter winter winds!" Silversong exclaimed. "Why didn't you say so? This is life or death. I need to show you something, but I don't know when it'll be safe. Meet me here at sunset tomorrow." the gray-and-white healer spontaneously slid away into the deepest shadows, lashing her tail with urgency.
"...Um..." Fernflutter took one step towards the edge, then seemed to deflate as the usual eerie quiet settled over the hollow once more. She shuffled over to the Pond, then sat down beside it and growled something to the water. "Stupid Lichenpaw. What in the western warriors is going on? We already had enough drama with an entire epidemic and the prophecy of the Gilded Rose, but why reach into the future when we've got enough to chew on now?"
"Who's Lichenpaw?" Bumblebounce whispered. Mosscurl shrugged, then inhaled deeply and stepped forwards.
"Hello, Fernflutter. Are you here for the darknight meeting?" she said professionally.
The RockClan healer's head shot up, then her brief expression of surprise assumed her vicious resting face, which looked even more fearsome with her new scar. "No, I just had a message I needed to give to Silversong. I know she's one of the CliffClan cats who hang around here the most."
"Fernflutter!" Lentilleaf suddenly burst out of the darkness, striding quickly towards the pugnacious she-cat. "How are you? How is Cinnamonsweep? And Pricklepelt and Silkpaw? Actually, how is RockClan in general?" they demanded amiably.
YOU ARE READING
Valley Cats: Of Sky and Stone 3- Golden Fire
Fiksi Penggemar(Book Three in "Of Sky and Stone") Everyone knew of a mother and kit who were slain one night on an uncertain border, but not many knew of the lone survivor. Bumblebounce feels like he doesn't really belong anywhere, but he has bigger things to wor...
