War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: GRIFFARA

I stretched and ambled out of my den, looking over my clan bustling  around camp. Dirtclaw, Mistcatcher, Poisoneye, and Blackeye were still missing, while Luna, Alena, Maya, Atlas, OJ, and Skysearcher were still on their trading expedition. 

I hoped they were doing alright. I'd noticed that Luna and Alena were being uncharacteristically cold to each other, so different from their usually comradery. I picked them both to go on the expedition in the hopes that they'd reconcile along the way as they braved the sandstorms and strange creatures of the Vast Wastelands. Plus, I think Luna is desperate for a chance to prove herself, and traversing the wastes is a tough journey worthy of praise and recognition. 

I glanced up into the sky, automatically searching the vast blue for the flash of teal that is Florence. She's currently delivering her last payment of food to Clever Clan. After this, Power Clan's debt will be paid off, and we will be safe from the sickness that has plagued our clan. 

Florence's quick thinking saved us all. Although it was a risky move to ask Clever Clan, our enemies, for help, it paid off in the end. 

I climbed to the top of my den to bask in the sun as I waited for Florence's return.

Once she touched down beside me with a fluttering of teal feathers, I called for a meeting. 

"Hey, Frozenfire!" I called to the rusty red she-cat, and she turned her lucid blue eyes toward me. "Please gather the clan, I want to call a meeting to discuss battle tactics with the Warriors and plans to reinforce the camp with the Clanmates." 

Frozenfire nodded, and with a flip of her violet cape she was off. 

"Griffara?" asks someone, coming up behind me. It's Bigears, the second medic. He's a grey tabby and a stickler for rules and traditions, but has been medic for longer than Florence so he's good at his job. "I just wanted to let you know that I'll be out gathering herbs for Quickstrike and Lightningflame. Their joints are acting up again."

Bigears gestured behind him at the two retired cats behind him. Quickstrike, a brown tabby, limped up on his wooden prosthetic front leg, and the yellow-gold she-cat, Light, favoured her malformed back left leg. 

Only Quickstrike is a retired Warrior, having lost his leg in an accident during battle in Leap Clan, long ago. A boulder fell on his front leg and crushed it instantly. He wouldn't tell me how he got free, but Bigears disclosed this information to me later. He said that, by the wounds in Strike's foreleg and damage to his teeth, he could only assume that Quickstrike had chewed his leg off in a desperate attempt to escape. 

However, Lightningflame never had the chance to become either a Warrior or a Clanmate, as she suffered a debilitating injury in kithood due to a wolf attack. 

Despite their injuries, both retired cats are determined to help out wherever they can, mostly by sorting herbs in the Medic's Den. Over the years, Quickstrike and Light had become close, developing a relationship like father and daughter. 

I nodded my head, and Bigears and the two retired cats headed off.

Soon enough, the whole clan is gathered before me.

I explain to them my plans for our next battle, and my ideas on how to secure the camp, such as building up walls and stocking up supplies such as medicine and food. 

"Next time another clan tries to take us out, or when that monster returns, we will be ready." I say, ending the meeting. "Return to your duties, and thank you for your service. The Order will help you if you have questions."

Getting down from my perch, I head over to the blacksmith's forge because I remembered that Coal had asked for my assistance with something earlier. Inside, I see Coal poring over what looks to be a shiny black rock flecked with red.