Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 18

Splashpaw woke, smelling the air. His tail swished. He felt beads of sweat roll down his face. He smelled two unfamiliar scents, but at the same time, he felt deep down, like he knew them. He felt Brightshine tense beside him.

"Whats wrong?" Brightshine asked gently. Splashpaw shook. his eyes were wide as he gulped.

"I saw a vision," He whispered. Brightshine's eye widened as he went on. "And I have received a prophecy. 'The lake of blood will grow with every strike. Kits will drown in rivers of endless blood and pain and the clan will be wiped out. Only the ringed tail and the dappled turtle can deliver us from the fatal morning star!'" Splashpaw carefully recited, and Brightshine looked down, her face darkening.

"What does it mean?" She whispered. Splashpaw shook his head.

"I don't know. But I saw it, Brightshine. A shadow, wiping out a line of kits one by one... I saw them die... And when I woke, I smelled two familiar scents, but I don't know them..." He whispered. "What does it all mean?"

Brightshine looked into his eyes seriously. "I don't know. But I do know our kits may not be safe. We have to find the ringed tail and the dappled turtle before it's too late!"

Splashpaw opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by a screech of grief from the direction of the camp, rising up to their ears with the dawning sun. "Let's go!" Splashpaw scrambled up and ran out of the cave, leaping gracefully over the river to the bank and pelting in the direction of camp.

Brightshine followed closely behind. The screech echoed through their ears again. Splashpaw recognized it.

"It's Venomrain!" He puffed, pushing himself faster. He burst into the camp, and skidded to a halt in horror. There, laying in a heap, was a white body. As Splashpaw got closer, he noticed a red paw in the tangle of limp limbs.

"No!" Splashpaw breathed, staring at the body. Brightshine puffed up behind him, looking at him in concern.

"Whats wr- oh StarClan no..." She interrupted herself when Redstrike's body caught her eye. Venomrain's agonized wail cut through the air once more, and Splashpaw bowed his head.

*****

The moon had rose high in the sky when Nightgaze touched Splashpaw's shoulder. "Burial... Its nearly moonhigh..." He whispered. Splashpaw's head shot up.

"Nightgaze! Is Aquastar well enough to appoint a new deputy?" He whispered.

Nightgaze shook his head. "She cannot get up on her own. But she has told me her choice." He said. "I will announce it. You must bury Redstrike with his loved ones."
Splashpaw nodded. Touching Venomrain's shoulder, he nodded to her.

"Time for burial, Venomrain." He whispered. Venomrain nodded. Rounding up the kits, she gave Redstrike a kiss on his stiffening cheeks.

"I love you, Redstrike..." She whispered. The kits bowed their heads.