Omen - Book #2 The Warriors Quest

Chapter Eight

Sandpaw padded alone through the forest. Her paw steps silent on the ground. When she neared the old oak tree she caught the scent of a loner on the wind. Sandpaw crouched and crept past the tree. She spotted the loner and leaped, tackling him to the ground.

"Why are you on StormClan territory, loner!?" she hissed.

"Please! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to trespass!" The loner struggled to get free.

Sandpaw leaped off him and eyed him with suspicion.

"My name is Smokey, my mate and kits died last Snow Fall, I lost my family! I have no one left and so I wish to join a clan," the loner explained.

Sandpaw felt remorse for the old tom. "Maybe you can join my clan?"

"Thank you," Smokey smiled and she smiled back.

As they walked Smokey talked about his kits and his backstory. He told Sandpaw about his daughter, a ginger she-cat just like her, and his sons, two silver toms.

When they got to camp the clan gazed in shock and curiosity at Smokey. Then Pantherroar and Bramblefur padded over.

"Pantheroar! This is Smokey, a loner, he wants to join our clan," Sandpaw mewed.

Pantherroar looked disappointed at his trainee, and Queen Bramblefur fixed Smokey with a cold gaze.

"If he can prove himself worthy, then he can stay. Sandpaw, Pantherroar, will you take him and assess his skills? Make sure he is a good hunter," Queen Bramblefur mewoed. "And Sandpaw, think twice before you let strangers into camp," she whispered to the trainee.

"Yes your majesty," Sandpaw mewed.

Pantherroar dipped his head and led Smokey and Sandpaw out of camp.

They padded through the forest towards the lake. Smokey padded ahead while Pantherroar and Sandpaw trailed behind.

When they got to the lake Smokey found tracks leading along the bank and back into the forest. Pantherroar sniffed them and his eyes widened.

"A lynx," he growled.

The three cats followed the tracks to a den. Pantherroar sniffed around the entrance, while Smokey and Sandpaw watched. The cats were all on edge now, knowing the lynx was hidden in the den. And if they did not do something it could kill them or harm the clans.

"I have an idea," Smokey leaped into the bushes and emerged a few heartbeats later with a vole.

He placed the vole at the entrance to the den and padded away. The three cats hid in the bushes, waiting for the lynx to emerge. When it did, they leaped out and began circling, hissing and snarling.

The lynx snarled and swatted at the cats as each of them ducked in and out, striking blows and dodging claws. Smokey yowled and all three of them leaped and grabbed onto the lynx. Sandpaw sank her fangs into the predator's shoulder and then leaped back. Smokey and Pantherroar leopard away too and chased the lynx away from its den. They nipped at its tail and legs, urging it on. Until it was far away from the territories of the clans.

When they returned. Pantherroar told Queen Bramblefur everything. And she called all the clan together.

"There is a new cat joining our ranks today, Smokey, who helped Pantherroar and Sandpaw drive off a lynx. His quick thinking and battle skills helped save our clan from a dangerous enemy. And so from this day forward, he shall be known as Lynxscar!"

Sandpaw smiled with pride at her friend's bravery. Smokey's eyes shined with happiness and he was welcomed by yowls and comments from the clan. They all circled him and brushed their heads and pelts against his.

"Tell us how you did it, Smokey!" one cat asked.

"How many lynxes have you killed?" another asked.

The warriors and Smokey sat by the freshkill pile. Eager to hear the loner's story.