War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER THREE: LUNA

   I woke up with a gasp of pain. Lifting my head off the ground, I snapped open my eyes, but couldn't see a thing. What happened? Where was I?!

The memories from the battle all came rushing back. I remembered I had that large black cat with the white chest and brown eyes pinned, and then that other cat the size of me came flying in out of nowhere. I could vividly see his black coat with ugly brown stripes marking it, and his deep blue eyes flashing in the sunlight, all in my mind's eye. He had raked his massive claws across my face, causing even more pain than my branding ceremony, I'd sworn my revenge, then it all went dark ...

Wait... His claws on my face, causing that much pain... It could only be one thing...

I hesitantly lifted a paw toward my cheek. A sudden breeze blew across my fur, causing me to wince as it brushed my muzzle. I felt my eyes well with tears. It couldn't possibly be anything else with the hurt a little breath of air caused, but I was not willing to believe it. I will not believe that little Blarkaf ripped off half my face!

The wind was picking up, and I almost screamed. But I couldn't, because what if there were still Leap Clan Warriors out there? I couldn't do anything, but wait until our Medic, Florence, spotted me, which thankfully wasn't too long.

I heard the stirring of her wings as she landed on the ground next to me.

"Oh dear, what happened to you?" she asked, worry in her voice.

"Shmrut snuck up on me," I replied icily.

I could imagine Florence curve her beak in a frown, the way she always did when someone swore. And the thought made me smile.

Suddenly, Florence gasped and fluttered her wings.

"What?" I cried, trying anxiously to look around with my now sightless eyes, "What's wrong?"

"Sorry sorry sorry," mumbled the small blue bird, "I just... I didn't see how bad it was when I first landed..." Florence sighed, "I've seen worse wounds dear, but this one just looks... unsettling."

"Ah... Oh... " I stuttered, then came up with a joke to break the tension, "Thanks. I'll be so scary that any other clan would just turn tail and run when they see me. Good strategy, really."

"I didn't mean to offend you. Anyway, if you can stand up, please do, and I'll try my best to guide you back to my den where you can get good treatment. I'm nervous to try to do anything now, because I need a spot for you to sleep and some running water to clean up that wound."

I slowly and carefully got to my feet, almost falling over in the process. I realized how horrible being blind would be. Except I was blind. Which let me say, I really, really hated. I would never again see the emerald forest, the sapphire river, the pink-orange sunset...

Florence flew overhead as I staggered toward the Medicine den, the right half of my head raw and stinging the entire time. The Medic called out instructions to help me not bump into anything. When I finally arrived at the den, I collapsed to the ground with a sigh. The small creek that ran through her den bubbled soothingly. Her den was very interesting, as I remembered it. It stretched up high, and a huge tree grew in the middle of it. Cubbies lined the tall walls, and Florence could fly up to reach the deadly herbs that were stored up there, so no one could get ahold of them and cause some problems. There were also the most commonly used ones, near the bottom where she could get to them easily.

"Just a second dear," said Florence, "I'm going to go get a candle from the Blacksmith's Den. Burning Honeybell soothes your nerves."

Just as the Medic left, someone else rushed in. I could tell from her scent it was my war partner Alena. We had grown close over many battles where we had fought side by side.

"Hey!" exclaimed the Great Dane-German Shepherd mix, then she seemed to remember that we were in a room with a bunch of injured animals, and said her next words much more quiet, "I came as soon as I heard you were hurt. How are you?"

Just as I moved my mouth to reply, I felt a extremely painful sensation, and a piece of my shredded, crusted, bloodied mess that was somehow a face folded in on itself and stabbed me in the jaw, where I'm sure new skin was trying it's best to form. When I snapped my jaws shut in a flinch, I felt a piece flake off onto the ground. I hissed and managed to choke out what I was going to say.

"Not... Well..."

I heard pawsteps, a thump, and then and then a warm pelt beside mine, as she laid down back to back with me.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when that idiot attacked you," she sighed.

"It's okay. You can't be everywhere at once. But someday, somehow, I'm going to get him back."

"Atlas chased him off after he did... that. I was sure that cat was going to try and kill you, but- oh I'm so glad you're safe!"

Alena nuzzled the back of my neck, and I smiled.

"I'm glad you're okay too."

Then Florence alighted onto the ground of the den again.

"I'll be going now," said my friend, getting up, "I'll let the medic do her thing. See you around!"

Yeah, but I won't be seeing you... I thought bitterly as her pawsteps faded until I couldn't hear them anymore.

"She's a nice girl," Florence commented, and I listened when she set the candle next to me as it burned quietly. An incredible scent wafted through the air. So that's what Honeybell smelt like! I heard tons of stories, but I never imagined it would smell that good, "She knows what to do and when to do so. Those are things that'll get anyone far in life. Anyway, I'm going to give you some Joserose berries to ease the pain, then some ground up Limeberry seeds to put you to sleep for the treatment. Sound good hun?"

"Um... Sure. You're the Medic."

The bird laughed.

"Here, these are the berries," a familiar scent reached my nose- hey, I've been here multiple times- as Florence pushed the Joserose berries toward my muzzle, and I ate the useful medicine. The constant sting slowly faded away, "And these are Limeberry seeds."

I'd never had Limeberry seeds, because I never got a serious wound like this before now. I lapped up the odd, bitter but sweet paste from the wooden bowl Florence slid to me.

Instantly, my lifted head felt heavy, and I slowly dropped it to the floor, falling asleep as soon as it reached my paws.

"It's a miracle the bleeding stopped so soon," muttered a voice. I quickly realized it was Griffara.

"She's a lucky one," said Florence.

I sighed contentedly, -because the pain in my face had turned into a dull throb- and both creatures turned to me. It took me a moment to figure out how I knew they did, but when I got it I was overjoyed! My sight was back!

"My eyes! " I cried, "I can see again! How did you do that?"

I looked at Florence questioningly. She was an amazing Medic, but I was confused on how she could cure blindness.

"Oh, that!" said Florence with a smile, "Your eye was just crusted over with your blood dear, that's all. Some Joserose seeds fixed that right up. They cause your eyes to tear up, clearing away anything in the way. Ah, the magic of plants!"

'Just crusted over with your blood'? Just? Then I remembered the thing Florence had said right before that; 'eye', not eyes...

"Is there anywhere I could see my reflection?" I asked. The brook wouldn't work, because running water doesn't work as well as still water.

"There's a little pool of water in the corner," replied the Medic, understanding what I wanted.

   My feet quickly carried me over to the puddle, and I bent over it to see my reflection.

The entire right half of my face was a tender pink of muscles with blisters already forming, the bone showing through in some places. My lips on that side were ripped off, making it look like I was constantly baring my teeth. Where my right eye should have been was an empty socket. After all, what did I expect? Did I really think that my eye would be spared in that deadly blow? I sighed. Great. Now I have a blind side.