Wasp's Orchid

Chapter 3. An old freind

Orchid walked around the camp, she looked at the faces of her clan mates. She looked at all the cats, some were old faces, that she'd known since she was an apprentice, but some others were newer. 

She looked at the newest recruit, Rattle, otherwise known as Rattle'sPaw.  They were having some trouble adjusting to their new life, but Orchid could understand. 

The change from Loner to clan cat was a big difference, afterall he went from a lonely lifestyle to being surrounded by more, bigger, and stronger cats. 
Orchid knew that an unhappy cat was an untrustworthy cat, she knew that from experience. 
Orchid thought to herself, who could help their newest  apprentice feel more welcomed..?

The answer hit her like a car slamming into a field mouse-  HER.
Orchid needed someone to send a message to HER.
She had to think to herself..

Who should go?  Who could go? Who WOULD go. 
Two of her questions were obvious, all hemlock warriors COULD make the journey, and no one would disobey the commander.  After a day of thinking she had an idea, a brilliant idea, to kill two birds with one stone. 

Obviously she'd send Rattle'sPaw.  That way she wouldn't waste another member's time on this side quest.  And if they didn't come back, obviously they were either weak or a traitor. 

Orchid sat patiently in the camp for the scrawny cat to return from his first patrol.   The patrol came in, Rattle'sPaw was panting like they were just chased by rabid dogs with rabies.

The pitiful sight had Orchid rethinking her decisions, could this cat really make it so far to HER home?
"Rattle'sPaw." She said, her chin up and her eyes raining daggers onto the scrawny Tom.  He looked up with a startled, awkward expression on his face.

"Ye...ss..?" He elongated the single word as the she's firm gaze shot his widened eyes. 
"I have a special mission for you." She announced looking up at the other patrol cats. 

"Really..?" They looked up confused, it was obvious why, a new recruit wasn't exactly special mission material.

"Yes, you are to go to the spring stones with an escort, and bring the cat that lives there to our camp." Orchid explained, glancing at Wasp'Whisker who was coming into the camp with prey.

Behind Wasp'Whisker was an elegant Tom, Moth'sWing. He held a large rabbit in his jaw his large paws leaving an obvious path in the dirt behind him.

"Your escort will be Moth'sWing, I expect you to leave by sundown." Orchid finished walking off, Moth'sWing had overheard and he knew he was to escort the feeble Tom.

Orchid felt her chest swell with pride as she turned and looked at the clan she had helped create, for a moment she almost felt at peace, but the delivery of HER was more than just getting Rattle'sPaw situated.  She knew the war would come soon, at her own paws were the lives of many cats, both her enemies and her allies alike. 

She watched Moth'sWing and Rattle'sPaw leaping out of the camp and bounding north towards springs stones. 

Rattle'sPaw had never been athletic, but he felt pressured to keep up with Moth'sWing.  He paused to catch a breath, each one burned with his own exhaustion, as Moth'sWing slowed to a walk and soon to a stop as he waited for them to catch up. 

"I'm- Heehhh.. sorry!" They shouted panting, walking up to Moth'sWing's side, still panting.  "Sorry for -Heigh-  taking so long.. and.. -huff- slowing you down.." he slowly regained his breath and they continued in a walk.