Silverwing's Story: The Prophecy Begins

Chapter Six

Silverpaw tossed and turned in her nest. Two sunsets had passed since her apprentice ceremony, and she couldn't sleep. Sparrowsong had shown her the rest of the territory that day, in addition the process of collecting moss for the elders. Silverpaw thought for sure she'd fall asleep immediately like she had the day before, but she couldn't, no matter how drowsy she was.

Stretching, Silverpaw got up from her nest and looked around the den. Sharpaw was snoring softly next to her, while Crescentpaw slept silently across the area. Moonlight filtered in through the entrance of the den.

Sighing, Silverpaw plopped her head back down in her nest. Am I ever gonna fall asleep?

After a while longer, Silverpaw finally drifted into a well deserved rest.

*

Silverpaw woke up in warm green-leaf sunshine. Blinking open her eyes, she recognized the place immediately. This was Starclan territory, the same place where she met Soulsilver five moons ago. Why was she here now?

Getting to her paws, Silverpaw looked around. The clearing was empty in the pale moonlight. I didn't know it was ever night in Starclan, Silverpaw thought, shaking her pelt.

She tasted the air. No sign of Soulsilver. Why was she here if the Starclan cat wasn't? Maybe if I check that stream I found before.

Padding through the shadows, Silverpaw padded to the ferns she'd found when she was only a kit. However, when she stepped through them, the stream was nowhere to be seen. Tilting her head, Silverpaw sniffed the ground where the river had once been. There wasn't even a puddle.

Silverpaw stopped herself from yowling for Soulsilver, suddenly hearing something. It was a voice. Following the sound, Silverpaw found herself creeping into thicker trees and undergrowth. The thick plants blocked any moonlight from reaching into the territory. Silverpaw felt uneasy here, her pelt pricking. Her silver pelt would no doubt give her away in the penetrating darkness.

The voices became louder, clearer. Silverpaw crept under a shrub, ears flat on her head. She peered into the shadows beyond. Two silhouettes stood in the darkness, conversing quietly. Silverpaw had to strain her ears to hear.

"If we wait, this cat will only become stronger. If we don't act now, we may never succeed." a tom whispered.

"Patience, if we act now, we won't accomplish anything. Leave, I need to think," an echoey-voiced she-cat growled.

The tom left, luckily leaving Silverpaw unnoticed, hiding within the bushes. Turning her attention back to the she-cat, her next remark was even more peculiar.

The she-cat knelt down before nothing, and growled loudly, "Starclan will not win this war. They will fall, all of them, even their pathetic chosen one. I will finish what you started..."

*

Silverpaw woke to find early morning sunlight filtering into the apprentices den. Questions buzzed in her mind. What was that all about? Who were those cats? Where was Soulsilver? However, the memory of the dream was already fading away. I guess if it was really important, it would stay fresh in my mind.

Standing up, Silverpaw practically hopped out of the cozy den. The crisp morning air delighted her, signaling the start of a new day. She was especially excited for training that morning. Sparrowsong had promised Silverpaw they would start real training today.

Climbing out of her nest, and careful not to wake Sharpaw, Silverpaw crept out of the apprentices den. Blinking against the morning sunlight, Silverpaw scanned the clearing for her mentor. There! Sparrowsong was exiting the warriors den, obviously relieved that she didn't have to go on any patrols that day.