Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Fourteen

Ivysong's POV.

"Warriors who are not too terribly injured must help patch the Clan walls and dens, you may see to Nightshade at a later time," I ordered.

My shoulder was bleeding pretty badly however I ignored it and focused on my Clan.

"Quartzshine, Batwing, and Frogsong, you may fix the warrior's den," I called out. "Domino, Sweetwish, Fallensky, and Frostedwing, you may fix the camp walls."

I looked around. In the distance, I noticed Oakleaf padding into camp with a mouse clamped in his jaws. "Good, Oakleaf. Want to go and search for more prey?" I asked him as he padded toward me.

"Sure. I caught a dove that's buried by Mothermouth." Oakleaf nodded as he set down his mouse.

Oakleaf and I padded together toward the border that lead into the unknown. "I don't mean to pry... but shouldn't you be taking care of your kits?" Oakleaf asked, opening his mouth to taste the air for scents of prey.

My fur bristled. "That is not your business, Oakleaf." I growled, tasting the air for prey.

Oakleaf sighed. "I'm going to check those rocks for something." Oakleaf leaped behind the stones.

I rolled my eyes. Cats tend to get in the way of my business! I turned toward Highstones, letting the rocky-moor scents roll over my glands. My ears pricked as I scented a lapwing not far from here.

I trotted toward the scent then crouched down. It was pecking at the ground for worms. I started to stalk toward it, keeping my tail and ears low and finally I pounced. It sqwaked a bit and I cursed myself for a sloppy kill.

I scraped dirt over my kill and trotted further toward the base of Highstones. I scanned the plains, it was nearly approaching leaf-fall, a cold breeze ruffled my fur. Out of the corner of my eye, a chaffinch landed on a stone.

I crouched and stalked toward it, the swiftly pounced and killed it silently. I should make a few more catches then head back. I thought to myself. I buried my catch and continued on.

***

Evening came quickly as Oakleaf and I padded through the prickly camp entrance. I was happy to see the Clan was working well with one another especially after such a terrible demise.

There was still no sign of Skywing, Cinnamonsky, Batstar and Rosefall. I wondered if they were okay. Satisfied with the camp working well, I trotted over to the nursery to see my kits.

"Hello my loves," I said to them as I padded into the warm nursery. My kits were a moon old now, which was hard to believe.

"Ivysong!" Thymekit bounced up to me and shoved her muzzle into my chest fur.

"Hi!" I exclaimed, licking each kit on the head. They must have been so worried about me.

"We want a story!" squeaked Astridkit

"Tell us about the battle!" Goosekit meowed, shivering with excitement.

"Hush my kits!" I whispered, flicking my tail to Rosefall's and Lilly's kits, who were both sleeping soundly. "Come and lay down and I'll tell you all about it."

But before I could get to the middle of the story, I heard muffled snores coming from my kits. I laughed and laid my head down on my paws and fell asleep quickly.

I awoke in the Dark Forest. I haven't been here in ages. I wonder where Crowflight and Shadowheart are.

"Behind you." The familiar voice of Shadowheart startled me and I jumped, turning to face him.

"Welcome back, Ivysong." The muscular black tom smiled. "You bring good news, you've achieved one of your wishes," Shadowheart ran his tail along my back and I shivered.

He lifted my chin with his long tail. "But you're not done yet."

I laughed nervously. "I seem to be interrupted by.. a burden." I gulped, feeling saddened that I called my precious kits a burden.

"Ah yes.. but you shall not be delayed for much longer." Shadowheart grumbled, speaking the words in an icy tone.

"I've given you time off. It is soon time for you to pay your dues." He growled, unsheathing his claws.

"Yes Shadowheart, of course." I replied, knowing that I will have to make up by training twice as hard.

"Training begins tomorrow." Shadowheart said as he faded into nothingness.

I woke the next morning feeling more exhausted than when I fell asleep the night prior.

I carefully climbed out of my nest. Rosefall and Lilly were still sleeping and so were all of the kits.

Careful not to wake anyone, I exited the warm nursery into the hot morning air. Batstar was sitting atop the Greatledge with her eyes closed.

I padded toward my place beneath the Greatledge where I organized patrols and waited for my dawn patrol.

Around me the Clan was beginning to stir. Oakleaf exited the warriors den with a yawn and trotted toward me.

"G'morning Ivysong," Oakleaf smiled. "Sweetwish, Quartzshine and Larkfeather will be out shortly."

I nodded. "Beautiful day to exist isn't it?" I mewed whistfully.

Oakleaf nodded. "Sure wish it could be like this all the time."

My heart sank thinking about how leaf-fall was only about a quarter moon away. Leaves would die, prey would hole up and sickness would spread.

"Let's enjoy it while it lasts!" Sweetwish meowed brightly as she, Larkfeather and Quartzshine padded up to join Oakleaf.

The dawn patrol trotted off and I eyed the rest of the camp. The apprentices den is still a mess. I thought to myself. I'll get some warriors on that.

"Earth to Ivysong?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I turned to see a small group forming around me. "Sorry, what's up?"

"We're gathered for patrols," Moonwish murmured.

"Right, sorry I was thinking about the apprentice's den." I replied, ears hot with embarrassment.

Moonwish chuckled. "Skywing and I will hop on that." She turned away and flicked her tail for Skywing to follow.

My fur prickled with annoyance. She didn't even ask if that was okay. She took a deep breath and focused on her task.

"Okay, Batwing you can lead a hunting patrol, take Frogsong and Dewfeather." I nodded to each warrior.

"Stonefall please replace Cinnamonsky as guard and Domino, please fetch the remaining prey for the queens and our medicine cats." Those named nodded and went to attend to their duties.

"You certainly run the Clan well." Batstar commented as she spooked me. What is with you all and scaring my fur off today?

"Thank you, Batstar, I try my hardest." I bowed my head to her in acknowledgement of her praise.

The rest of the Clan members who weren't chosen for patrols dispersed to conversate. I sighed. The battle we fought had been won, however I'm sure it was a declaration of war.

ShadowClan had made the decision to join with a band of rogues and now they were retaliating.

This really isn't good, she thought. Is StormClan strong enough to defend its water?