River and Shadow

Chapter 3

Swiftpaw was sitting in the medicine den. She was staring out at the sky, per usual as of the past moon. Ever since Rapidstar closed the borders to everyone, even other Clans' medicine cats, Swiftpaw and her mentor, Falconbreeze, had ceased to speak to Rapidstar.

Just that morning, Swiftpaw had overheard Gorsepelt bragging to Rabbitfur about how he had managed to keep two RiverClan cats off their territory. Swiftpaw had clenched her jaw and stabbed her claws into the dirt, knowing exactly who Gorsepelt had stopped.

"Swiftpaw!" Falconbreeze called from the center of camp. Swiftpaw bounded out and met her mentor by the prey pile.

"What is it?" Swiftpaw asked. She tilted her head to one side in curiosity.

"We need to go get herbs," replied Falconbreeze. "Come on. I also have some things to teach you while we are out and about."

Swiftpaw nodded and followed her mentor. They walked across the windswept plain. The apprentice was scenting for herbs, but Falconbreeze stopped her. "We aren't exactly looking for herbs. I'm afraid Rapidstar doesn't trust you or I anymore."

"Is... is it because of Rapidstar closing the borders?" Swiftpaw asked. "He doesn't trust us... because we disagree with him?"

Falconbreeze nodded. "It has unfortunately come to that. I heard from Snowsplash and Emberstreak that Smokestar distrusts them, too."

"I can't believe this," growled Swiftpaw. "How can they do this to us?"

Falconbreeze shrugged before she said, "they're leaders. They can do what they want as long as they don't break the warrior code. There's nothing that says they can't distrust their medicine cats."

Swiftpaw gave her mentor a grim face before freezing when she smelled RiverClan scent. "What are we doing here?"

Falconbreeze sat down. "Waiting for Rushleaf and Marigoldpaw to give us updates on what's happening in RiverClan. If they don't show up by sunset, we're going home.

~~~~~

After a long time of waiting, the two medicine cats eventually went home. On the way back, they grabbed some watermint.

"I'm worried for RiverClan," muttered Falconbreeze. "Rushleaf said he and Marigoldpaw would meet us there but they never came. What if something terrible happened to them?"

Swiftpaw shrugged. She didn't want to assume the worst, but she knew she couldn't assume the best either. "I worry for everyone, especially Rapidstar and Smokestar. They seem to be going mad."

Falconbreeze nodded. "Come on. Maybe we can catch some gossip from the queens."

Swiftpaw listened intently at Robinsong and Flamepool's conversation. The two expecting queens didn't notice the apprentice lurking.

"I heard a ThunderClan apprentice killed a RiverClan warrior today," whispered Flamepool. "I think the poor thing was urged by Smokestar himself."

"How terrible!" Robinsong gasped. "I can't bear the thought of one of my own kits, when they're apprentices, killing a warrior while being urged by Rapidstar."

"I suppose there's nothing we can do," said Flamepool with a shrug. "I feel like someone's eavesdropping. We'd better be careful about what we say..."

Swiftpaw had heard enough. She darted back to the medicine den but was stopped by Gorsepelt.

"You spying for Falconbreeze?" Gorsepelt hissed. He was masking his true emotions quite well. Swiftpaw couldn't tell if he was joking or not. "I'm not joking. If I arch you eavesdropping on anyone again, I'm telling Rapidstar and you're going to get it trouble. You hear me?"

"Y-yes Gorsepelt," stammered Swiftpaw as she stumbled trying to get away. She felt Gorsepelt's malevolent gaze watch her return to the medicine den. Gorsepelt scared Swiftpaw, despite being her kin. He was her father's brother and Swiftpaw had no doubt that her father, Flintfleck, was murdered by Gorsepelt. Flintfleck was the deputy before Gorsepelt and he had died in a tragic accident by the Thunderpath.

Gorsepelt can't become the leader after Rapidstar, thought Swiftpaw. I feel like our lives will become misery if he does.