BLOOD AND DEATH

Epilogue 🩸

Bloodstar sat impatiently in the center of the camp, looking out of the entrance, where seven guards stood. "Where is that idiotic piece of mouse dung!?"

Beside her, Hurricanepool tensed. "They must be coming along soon."

"They'd better." Bloodstar growled. "Or some cat is losing its head."

"Ah there they are."

Bloodstar swiveled her head in the direction that Hurricanepool had nodded at.

Darkheart appeared out of the tree line, three cats following.

Bloodstar stood up to meet them. "Took you long enough." She hissed. "What happened?"

"It seems that the cats have.. Er.. escaped from the cave we were holding them in." Darkheart mewed, if not a bit sheepishly.

Bloodstar inhaled sharply. "Show me."

The group padded back in the direction that they had come

As they arrived at the cave, Bloodstar surveyed the scene, she hissed, turning on Darkheart.

"I knew it wasn't secure enough!". Darkheart didn't flinch as Bloodstar snarled at her.

"Don't forget that Deathclan was my idea," She reminded Bloodstar coldly. "I let you be leader,"

"You mouse-brained fool!" She spat at Darkheart. "I am the leader because I am way more powerful!"

Darkheart narrowed her eyes but didn't dare argue with Bloodstar.

"Ahem," Hurricanepool interfered. "It seems like we're getting a bit off topic,"

Bloodstar glared at Hurricanepool but listened.

"We need to fight Gemclan, if those prisoners are free," She shot a dark look at the Deathclan deputy. "The first thing they're going to do is warn their leaders,"

Hurricanpool nodded thoughtfully. "That's right, fighting them is the only way we can control the forest,"

"The best way," Bloodstar corrected. "Once we round up our warriors, Gemclan and Oceanclan will roll on their backs surrendering before even trying,"

"Um, are you sure..." Darkheart stammered. "Bloodstar I can see it your way, but think about how much cats are going to die, we should start with the safer option-"

"THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION!" Bloodstar screeched, her tail puffing up in anger.

"Are you questioning your leader?" Hurricanepool asked calmly but menacingly.

"No, but-"

"There are no buts!" Bloodstar growled. "Tell me, what is the plan?"

"I will listen, but just hear out my pla-" Darkheart didn't get to finish. Bloodstar leaped onto Darkheart's back, pinning her down. Darkheart shrieked as her leader teared off her ear, Darkheart's claws scratched uselessly at Bloodstar, with a final blow of Bloodstar's paw, Darkheart lay unmoving.

"Unquestioning obedience. That's really all I ask," Bloodstar's cold voice cut through the silence, Hurricanepool sat unmoving, still gazing at the blood-stained grass with no emotion on her face.

Darkheart was dead.