Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Seven

Rosefall's POV.

"Where did the Clan go?" Asked Breezekit with a concerned voice. "And why is Winnie sitting infront of the nursery?"

I sighed to my kits. "Oh little ones. The Clan is in a battle right now, and Winnie is protecting us."

"A battle?" Dapplekit whimpered a bit. "A-Against who..?" My kits wriggled closer to me as I heard a loud growl. Winnie hopped up and poked her head out of the nursery.

"What is it..?" I asked her. "They're back. And... Brambleheart is dead."

Shock and horror filled my chest. "What?!" I screeched. Lilly placed her tail on my back. "Its okay, shh.."

"You go see Ivysong, I'll watch your kits." Winnie offered. I nodded. "Rosefall? Rosefall don't go!" squeaked Flickerkit. "I'll be back, don't worry!"

I felt awful leaving them but I had to see Ivysong. I stepped out of the den and saw her place the dead body of Brambleheart infront of the Greatledge. I ran to her.

"Ivysong, Ivysong are you okay?" she looked somber. "I'm fine." she replied. I knew she was not fine. She was bleeding bad from the head. I knew despite Brambleheart's death I had to get these battle-struck cats to Streamsight and Nightpaw. I turned to look at my clanmates. They looked bad. Instrinctivly I started helping them to the medicine den.

Ivysong leaned on me and so did Moonwish. Thankfully she didn't look as bad. We walked to the den and as we reached there Streamsight hopped up. "Okay. Set them down here in these nests. Any other cats who can walk, bring them here, I can fit two more."

I nodded and helped Ivysong and Moonwish down into their nests. I rushed back and went to aid Frostedwing and Stonefall. They leaned on me but I struggled to hold the weight. Winnie rushed to help me hold them up.

"Thank you" I said to her and she nodded. We reached the den and helped them into their nests.

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked hopefully. Streamsight paused for a moment, then nodded. She went into the herb store and came out a moment later. "For any light wounds, chew and apply this goldenrod. Don't put it in any deep cuts. Nightpaw and I are going to see to the cats outside." Streamsight explained and passed me the goldenrod. Nightpaw appeared out of the herb store with a huge bundle of herbs and her and Streamsight exited the den.

I tended to Stonefall first as he was the closest. I chewed the goldenrod into a pulp and spread it first on the scratch on his shoulder, then the one on his wrist, then chest then tail. He sighed in relief. "Thank you," he said. I smiled.

Its at times like these I wish I had the guidance of Fallensky. StarClan, I miss him. I moved to Frostedwing who I noticed had a really deep cut on her chest. I didn't touch it. I chewed more goldenrod into a poultice and applied it to her paw, ear and cheek.

I saw another on her lower back and applied the rest there too. "Thank you so much, Rosefall." Frostedwing sighed and rested her head on the back leg of Stonefall and closed her eyes. "Thank you for fighting for us." I replied.

I then moved to Ivysong. She had mainly really deep cuts, but I saw a few light ones I could treat. I chewed the goldenrod into a poultice again. "So did we win?" I asked as I applied some of the poultice to her ear.

"I had to drag Brambleheart into Mothermouth because she was too weak to keep going, then she died of blood loss soon after. I dragged her out and I yowled very loudly and the battle ended. ShadowClan had no words and they just left." Ivysong said somberly. 

I nodded. I finished applying the poultice to her and moved to Moonwish who only had a few scratches. I finished up with her and decided to go quickly check in with my kits. I picked up the rest of the goldenrod and exited the den.

I padded over to Streamsight and gave her the rest of the goldenrod. "I finished with the light cuts. Ivysong's deep cuts are really really bad though." I told her.

Streamsight smiled at me. "Thank you so much." Streamsight continued working, she was applying cobwebs to one of Juniperbrush's deep cuts. I looked to the sky; it was early night now and Batstar still hadn't returned.

"What will we do? Our deputy is dead and you guys are occupied. I don't think we can afford to send out a patrol to look for them." I asked her.

"Well I think somebody needs to take charge until she gets back. I'll speak with StarClan tonight." Streamsight responded. I nodded. "Is there anything else I can do?" I asked.

"I think we have it from here, but I think we need to set up for the vigil." Streamsight responded. "Alright. I will do that."

***

I returned to my den in the middle of the night after my time during the vigil. I climbed into my nest, wary of my sleeping kits and curled up with them. As I begun to doze off I thought of Fallensky. I bet the kits were missing him.

He will be back tomorrow. I kept telling myself as I drifted off into a deep sleep.

I woke the next morning to my kits prodding me. "Uhh Rosefall, Streamsight wants to see you." the small voice of Flickerkit sqeaked. I rose my head. "Alright then. Aren't you hungry, kits?" I asked them. They shook their heads. I nodded, rose and exited the den. The hot greenleaf air hit me right away.

"Great StarClan.." I murmured. I looked up and noticed it was sunhigh. I slept longer than I wished.

"Ah, Rosefall, come to my den, I'd like to speak with you." Streamsight said as she approached me.

"Okay." I responded and shook out my pelt, then gave it a quick groom. I walked with Streamsight to her den.

"I received a dream from StarClan last night. They told me you are to be in charge until Batstar returns." Streamsight explained. I was shocked. "Me? Why me?" I questioned. "I have kits, I can't care for them and a whole Clan!"

"Sure you can! If you can give birth to kits, how hard is it to send out patrols?" Streamsight responded. I rolled my eyes. "Oh StarClan why me?" I asked furiously.

"You have to, the Clan needs you."