Fire and Ice

Chapter 11

"Another day of sunshine!" Skyfall purred to Graystripe, feeling her flame-colored pelt burn bright under the weak sun. Thanks to the fine weather, Cinderpaw was turning into a great hunter; she'd even managed to catch a squirrel a few days ago. Now, she walked alongside her friend to the training hollow where Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw were waiting.

"Let's hope it stays clear for the rest of leaf-bare," Graystripe meowed. Skyfall purred in agreement; their thick pelts clung to them heavily when it rained and stayed wet for far longer than cats with shorter fur.

They arrived at the hollow just as Cinderpaw leaped perfectly on a pile of frost covered leaves, flicking them up into the air and all around her.

Skyfall and Graystripe shared an amused glance.

"At least Cinderpaw will be warmed up and ready for today's assignment," Graystripe observed, leaping down with Skyfall.

Brackenpaw jumped to his feet, looking up at his mentor with bright eyes. "Good morning, Graystripe," he mewed. "What is today's assignment?"

"A hunting mission."

"Where?" meowed Cinderpaw, dashing over to Skyfall. "What are we going to catch?"

"We're going to Sunningrocks," Skyfall replied, feeling lighter with her apprentice's enthusiasm. "And we'll catch whatever we can find."

"I'd like to catch a vole," Cinderpaw meowed. "I've never tasted vole before."

"I'm afraid everything we catch is going straight to the elders," Graystripe warned. "But I'm sure if you ask one of them nicely, they'd be happy to share."

"Okay," mewed Cinderpaw. "So off to Sunningrocks then?"

"That's right," meowed Skyfall, leaping up the opposite side. She kicked up a leaf behind her as she went.

Graystripe leaped up after her and caught it as it drifted by his nose. He pinned it to the ground with a satisfied purr when he saw Brackenpaw watching him. "Er, never miss a chance to practice your hunting skills," Graystripe meowed quickly.

The four cats made their way along the familiar trail to Sunningrocks. The sun was above the trees by the time they emerged from the trees onto the cold rocks. Ahead of them, a slope of stone rose out of the soft earth, its smooth surface lined with small cracks. The cats were forced to narrow their eyes against the blinding glare the stones reflected.

"Mrrrrr! It feels nice!" mewed Cinderpaw as she raced up the slope after Skyfall. The gray she-cat was right, the warm stone felt wonderful against the cool air rustling their fur.

They paused at the top of the slope, looking over the land for prey. Idly, Skyfall wondered just how much prey they'd be able to find when the land was still so cold despite the sun warming the stones beneath them.

Skyfall stretched, enjoying the moment of warmth as they waited.

Graystripe laid down beside her. "Come on," he meowed to the two apprentices. "Make the most of the sun while it's here. There are enough cold, damp days ahead of us." The two sank to the ground, purring as the heat sunk into their fur.

"Is this where Redtail died?" asked Brackenpaw.

"Yes," Skyfall replied cautiously.

"And where Tigerclaw avenged his death by killing Oakheart?" Cinderpaw piped in.

Skyfall's pelt prickled at the mention of the ruthless deputy. Her mind flashed to Ravenpaw's memory of the battle—that Redtail had been the one responsible for Oakheart's death and Tigerclaw killed Redtail, his own Clan deputy. Skyfall shook her head to clear the thoughts and replied shortly, "This is the place." The two apprentices fell silent as they stared down the slope in awe.