Warriors: Poisoned Loyalty {COMPLETED}

Chapter 20

The morning sun cast a pale light over the moorlands, the crisp scent of dew lingering in the air. Poppypool padded through the grass, her eyes scanning for herbs, but her mind was elsewhere. The tension in the camp was suffocating, with every cat on edge from Newtflake's attack. Sparrowstar's warning at teh Gathering had only heightened the unease, and now every warrior patrolling seemed more focused on spotting enemies than the duties of everyday life.

Behind her, four warriors, Pikedive, Nettlefoot, Sorrelfur, and Ivorywhisker, followed at a distance, their gazes sharp and their bodies tense. The four had insisted on accompanying her today, all unwilling to allow the medicine cat to roam without an escort after the camp raid and Newtflake's attack.

Pikedive grumbled under his breath. "Can't believe we're out here picking plants when the rogues are lurking around."

Sorrelfur's tail flicked in agreement. "They'll be back, I can feel it. Shouldn't we be focused on fortifying the camp instead of wandering this far out?"

Popypool kept her focus on the ground, unwilling to engage in their conversation. She knew they were right in a way- the rogues could strike at any moment- but the Clan's supplies were low, and if another battle broke out, they'd need far more herbs than they had now.

As she knelt to gather a bundle of broom, the sound of a twig snapping echoed through the quiet clearing. Instantly, all four warriors bristled, their claws sliding out as they darted toward the sound.

Poppypool froze, her heart racing. She slowly turned, expecting to see a rogue ready to attack, but instead, she saw a small, ragged cat at the edge of the clearing. The young rogue was trembling, their thin body riddled with dirt and a few half-healed wounds.

Pikedive bared his teeth. "Another rogue!" he hissed, stepping forward aggressively. "You've got some nerve showing your face here!"

"No!" Poppypool's voice cut through the tension as she moved between Pikedive and the rogue. The cat- barely more than an apprentice- flinched at the warrior's hostility, backing away with wide, fearful amber eyes.

"Get out of the way, Poppypool!" Nettlefoot growled. "We should drive them off before they cause more trouble."

Poppypool turned to face the rogue, her voice soft but firm. "Who are you?" she asked, her eyes studying the young cat. "What are you doing here?"

The rogue's eyes flicked nervously between the warriors and Poppypool. They swallowed, their voice shaky. "I'm... I'm Dusk," they whispered, barely loud enough to hear. "I... I didn't hurt anyone during the raid, I swear. I ran... I was too scared to fight."

Poppypool blinked, surprised by the admission. This was no hardened rogue warrior- this was a frightened, skittish cat who looked more terrified of her Clanmates than ready to fight them. She glanced down, noticing fresh wounds on Dusk's legs and flank, likely from the escape during the raid.

"You were with the rogues?" Nettlefoot snarled, taking a menacing step forward. "And now you think you can just slink back here? Your group killed my brother and sister!"

Dusk flinched and pressed themselves against the ground, their entire body trembling. "I-I didn't think they'd kill anyone," they whimpered. "I don't want to hurt anyone. Please... I'm just trying to survive."

Poppypool's heart clenched. She could see the fear in Dusk's eyes, and the pain from their injuries. This cat was no threat- they were a victim of the rogues' violence, too.

"The four of you, stand down," she ordered, her voice leaving no room for argument. The four warriors hesitated, exchanging glances between each other before reluctantly stepping back.

Poppypool knelt down beside Dusk, speaking gently. "You're hurt, let me help you."

Dusk's eyes widened in disbelief, as if they couldn't understand why the Clan's medicine cat would offer them kindness. "You... you want to help me?"

"Of course," Poppypool said softly. "I'm a healer. It's my duty to help all cats in need."

Pikedive's tail lashed behind him. "We can't trust a rogue, Poppypool! You know that. What if this is a trap?"

"It's not," Poppypool said firmly. "Look at them. They're terrified. They didn't attack us- they need help."

Nettlefoot growled low in his throat. "And what will you do? Take them back to the camp? You want to walk in there with a rogue at your side?"

Poppypool straightened, her eyes sharp. "Yes. I'm taking Dusk back to camp, and they're going to get the treatment they need." She turned to Dusk, her voice soft again. "Come with me. You'll be safe in GlacierClan."

Dusk hesitated, clearly unsure, but eventually gave a small nod. As they stood, wincing from their injuries, Poppypool gestured for the young rogue to follow her. Pikedive and Sorrelfur watched with narrowed eyes, their hostility clear, but they said nothing more.

The walk back to the camp was tense, the silence heavy with unspoken words. Poppypool kept glancing over at Dusk, noticing how the rogue's eyes darted nervously around, as if expecting an attack at any moment. Every time their gaze landed on one of the warriors, they flinched.

When the camp came into view, Dusk slowed, their fear intensifying. "I... I don't think I should-"

"You'll be safe," Poppypool reassured them. "Trust me."

As they entered the camp, the Clan cats quickly took notice. Whispers broke out among the gathered cats, and all eyes turned to the small rogue trailing behind the medicine cat. Poppypool could feel their suspicion and anger, but she held her head high, leading Dusk toward the medicine den.

"What is this?" A sharp voice called out. Poppypool turned to see Sparrowstar stalking toward them, her eyes flashing with alarm. "Why is there a rogue in our camp?"

"Sparrowstar, this is Dusk," Poppypool explained quickly, stepping in front of the young rogue. "They're injured, and I'm treating them."

"Are you out of your mind?" Sparrowstar's voice was low but full of fury. "We've just been attacked, and you bring one of them into our camp?"

"Dusk didn't hurt anyone in the raid. They ran before the fighting started," Poppypool said firmly. "They need help, not more violence."

Sparrowstar's tail lashed behind her. "How do you know they aren't spying for the rogue group?"

"I don't," Poppypool admitted. "But I know they're injured, and it's my duty as a medicine cat to help them."

The tension in the camp was palpable as more cats gathered, murmuring angrily amongst themselves. But Poppypool stood her ground, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Let me do my job, Sparrowstar," she said quietly but resolutely. "Dusk isnt' a threat, they're just scared."

Sparrowstar eyed her for a long moment before turning her gaze to the trembling rogue. Finally, she flicked her tail with an irritated sigh. "Fine. But if they cause trouble, it's on you, Poppypool."

Poppypool nodded gratefully, quickly guiding Dusk into the safety of the medicine den. Once inside, she could see the relief in the rogue's eyes as they sank down onto a nest of moss, their body sagging with exhaustion.

"Thank you," Dusk whispered, their voice small and full of disbelief.

Poppypool smiled gently as she began preparing herbs to treat their wounds. "You don't have to thank me. You're safe now."

But even as she spoke those words, Poppypool couldn't shake the unease creeping through her fur. The rogues were becoming an incredibly dangerous threat, and bringing one into the heart of the camp was a risk she wasn't sure she could afford.

And yet, she couldn't turn Dusk away, not when she saw the fear and pain in their eyes. But what would the rest of the Clan think?

What would Newtflake think?