Legacy: Timeless (Book 2)

Chapter 17: Taste of Stars

Chapter 17: Taste of Stars

"Well, there's the border," Scorch mewed in a hushed voice as the ThunderClan border finally came into view.

"About time," Boulderpaw grumbled, he kept looking over his shoulder. He had clearly been irked at being caught by the two RiverClan cats.

Scorch glanced sideways up at him. His blue eyes didn't look melancholy anymore, or at least not as much as they had been. He seemed refreshed, relaxed even though they were in enemy territory. As if he had managed to forget what had been depressing him, for awhile at least.

"Well, its been quiet an adventure," Scorch gave a faint laugh as they crossed the border, a slight sheen of silver starlight gleamed off of Boulderpaw's stone-gray coat, catching her eye. Suddenly she realized she didn't want to leave him just yet. Wasn't ready for a goodbye for a friendship that had barely begun.

She jumped in front of him and faced him. He looked surprised for a moment, then sighed. "What is it now?" he grumbled, his chest heaving an exaggerated sigh.

"What's the Moonpool?" she just had to ask. The name had been sparking in her mind since Flickertail had whispered the word to her. She didn't know if Boulderpaw would know, but it was a perfect excuse to talk to him more.

Boulderpaw seemed startled, backing up a pace and blinking at her several times. "Where did you hear that name?" his tone was guarded and wary. Strange since he had never seemed surprised before at anything she'd said.

"Flickertail whispered that I should go to it, and I don't know why, but it gives me the chills every time I hear it," Scorch shuddered as she remembered the icy trills down her spine.

Boulderpaw paused, looking back at the ShadowClan border that was still in site. "Lets put more distance between us and ShadowClan, then I'll tell you," he muttered, as if he was purposefully trying to peak her curiosity.

He brushed past her and started off quickly. Scorch had to lengthen into a lope to keep up with his swift jog. The fallen leaves crackled underpaw and the dry browning grass failed to catch any beauty from the faint light of the night sky. A brisk breeze flowed over them, not as nipping cold as some other breezes, but enough to make her shiver and fluff up her fur some more.

Boulderpaw finally slowed down and hopped up onto a large, knobby root that arched above the ground. Scorch sighed in exhaustion and hoped her paws could manage the small jump. She heaved in a breath and jumped up, rocking back and forth as she tried to find her balance.

"Okay, so tell me about this Moonpool before I fall asleep," Scorch yawned, almost falling backward but Boulderpaw wrapped his tail around her shoulders and held her up. He kept his tail there and Scorch didn't shrug him off, since his tail was warm and protected her nose from the cold.

She peered up at him a little shyly, but he wasn't looking at her, he was frowning at the ground. "I've never been to the Moonpool, but Skypool has told me about it."

"So its a place?" she asked, she'd thought it was since Flickertail told her to go to it, but she'd supposed it could have been a cat or some kind of herb.

"Yes, its a very special place," Boulderpaw nodded, raising his head and looking up through the branches to the star speckled sky. "It is the place where Medicine-cats and leaders can speak to StarClan."

StarClan, another word that sent chills through her. She shivered, and snuggled closer to Boulderpaw for warmth. She huffed as he shifted away and drew his tail away. She crouched, hoping to hold in her warmth better and shivered. "Hurry before I freeze," she hissed through chattering teeth.