Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 8

"Wait, what!" Minnowtail yelped, gasping for air. Her chest was heaving with the effort to stay alive, and she wondered if she'd been breathing.

Willowshine touched her nose to her ear. "You weren't breathing, Minnowtail. And your fever is very deep. I've already told your closest friends and family to prepare for the worst. You should, too." she confirmed Minnowtail's worst thought.

"No! I can't-" she choked out. How can I leave right now? Oh, StarClan curse Breezepelt! She wailed inwardly, her claws flashing in and out and her breathing growing more and more bated.

Willowshine's leaf-green eyes glittered with alarm and worry. "Don't exert yourself, Minnowtail! It'll quicken the spreading of infection," she warned sharply. Taking a deep breath, Minnowtail finally stilled, though her heart was pounding with terror.

"Good. Now, just rest. It'll be the best for you," the young pale gray tabby medicine cat advised. Before her amber eyes closed, Minnowtail whispered, "What about herbs?"

"Too late."

Minnowtail opened her eyes hesitantly. Strangely, she couldn't feel any pain-at all. Rotting trees loomed overhead, and she let out an inward groan. Of course I ended up here when I died!

"No, Minnowtail. You aren't dead...yet." A large dark brown tabby tom was sitting nearby, his orange eyes full of malice. "I can make you survive...on one deal." It was Brokenstar, one of the leaders in the Dark Forest-and a fearfully respected one too. 

Relief flooded her. "Yes, Brokenstar! Anything!" she gasped, meaning every word she said. The tip of his mouth twitched in a grin. "All right, you said it. So if you don't keep your word, I'll take your life back. I just want your full loyalty in anything I do, no matter how crazy it sounds."

Flinching at the words 'take your life back', Minnowtail considered the deal. It sounded pretty easy, just train here every day...wasn't it? 

"Yes, I'll do it."

And it was a deal she would come to regret.

Brokenstar touched his nose roughly to her forehead and pain seared through it. In a blink, Minnowtail was back in the RiverClan camp, gasping. But the miraculous fact was that all her wounds were sealed. She felt cool for the first time in a quarter moon, and could move easily without getting dizzy.

Dawnflower leapt up. "Mothwing! Willowshine! Leopardstar....she's alive!" The joyous call was heard by every single one of the RiverClan cats, who let out yowls of acclamation. The pale gray she-cat buried her nose in her daughter's dark gray-and-white fur, purring uncontrollably. Pebblefoot pushed his way in, his yellow eyes bright with happiness. Two bundles of fur bounded in, their tails waving excitedly in the air as they flung themselves against Minnowtail.

Last of all came Leopardstar. The leader's amber eyes were wide, and she settled beside Minnowtail. "Minnowtail, when you were sick, Mistyfoot and I realised something. We couldn't ever let you die without an apprentice, when Pebblefoot had Rushpaw. So, when the time comes, you will mentor Mossykit."

Pure joy flooded Minnowtail's heart. Mossykit looked up at her with wide light green eyes. "I promise to be the best apprentice in the world!"

Letting out a short purr of laughter, Minnowtail nuzzled the two tiny kits. "Go back to your mother, little ones," Dawnflower guided them out.

Below, the RiverClan camp was bursting with relief. Above, Tigerstar, Brokenstar, Mapleshade and Hawkfrost watched them, cackling at the ingenious deal Brokenstar had made with Minnowtail.

And soon, Brokenstar's words would be reinforced by blood, death and a warning.