Dark Destinies {Book 1}

Chapter 35

Chapter 35 

"What are we going to do?" Minnowpaw meowed. 

"It's impossible to cross" Pounceclaw growled. 

"It can't be impossible if Starclan knew we could cross it to finish our journey" I meowed calmly.

"You're right" Echobreeze agreed.  

"Well you and Echobreeze can swim it but I'd rather not die this early on" Pounceclaw growled. 

"Shalelight go down the that way and search for a way across, if you don't mind" Echobreeze meowed "and Pounceclaw go the opposite direction" 

"OK!" Shalelight bounded down the right bank into the bushes and Pounceclaw turned more hesitantly but left all the same. 

 After a moment both warriors returned. 

"I found a fallen tree" Shalelight announced. 

"Great!" Echobreeze nodded. 

"But half of it's broken; we'll have to jump to the other side from the broken tree" 

"That should be fine" Echobreeze meowed; his voice calm. 

Pounceclaw snorted a laugh. We looked back at him confused. 

"You can't be serious?" He meowed, shocked "I'd rather swim then jump from a broken tree over hazardous waters" 

"Find then you can swim" Minnowpaw said with a flick of her white tail "you big scaredy cat" 

"Scaredy cat?!" Pounceclaw growled "what are you talking about?" 

"Well you're obviously afraid of the water" 

With a glare Pounceclaw stomped off towards the tree bridge. Minnowpaw fixed the group with a knowing look and I smiled; what a smart she-cat I thought. 

The group padded after Pounceclaw; as we got closer to the river I realized how loud it was and it seemed even more violent, I was starting to doubt our plan now. 

"Let's get going" Shalelight seemed to gulp. 

Echobreeze leaped up onto the fallen tree; his paws seemed unsteady and I found myself fretting for the tom. He took a moment to steady himself by digging his claws into the tree's bark before padding slowly forward; as he neared the broken edge he settled on his haunches and sprang forward. My heart only seemed to start beating again when Echobreeze landed on the other side and then padded slowly to the end of the tree and jumped down onto the bank. 

"It's sturdy" Echobreeze yowled from the other side "but it's slippery from the river's spray" he warned. 

"I'll go next" Shalelight meowed bravely. 

She jumped up onto the tree and with nimble paws seemed to make it across in half of Echobreeze's time and making it safely to the other bank. 

I breathed in a deep breath of air trying to steady my nerves before leaping up onto the tree bridge. Just like Echobreeze said it was slippery and I had to creep along the tree with my belly tight against it's trunk. Owlclaw had never taught me much about balance so I wanted to be safe. My heart started to hammer as I prepared to jump but with a daring leap I managed to land safely and cross to the other side. I let out a sigh as I felt grass beneath my paws and not slippery wood. 

Pounceclaw was the next cat to brave the tree. Even though his eyes were reluctant and unhappy he jumped up onto the fallen tree. He padded slowly and carefully and jumped with precision and landed gracefully. He shook out his fur and sighed when he settled beside us.