Raven's Cry

Chapter 1

 A light breeze swept through the forest as Dreampaw padded among the lush greenery. Greenleaf was in full bloom, and a perfect time of year to stock up on herbs. Passing underneath a large fern the silver tabby she-cat looked up at the fronds and noticed the browning ends of the flower. Let's hope it rains soon, or the herbs will start to dry out too. Making her way down the mountain she hopped down the stones to make her way to the lower parts of the mountain where yarrow grew.

Stumbling, the she-cat caught her paw in one of the cracks between the rocks and winced as pain shot up her leg. Dreampaw twisted her head around and used one paw to push the rock away. Pulling it out, she inspected her paw before gingerly setting it down on the ground. A shot of pain flew up her leg again but it wasn't as bad as before. Plus, she needed to get Yarrow.

Making her way down the rocks, more slowly this time, she pricked her ears as she heard the patter of many pawsteps nearby. Pricking her ears she turned her head she watched Owlpaw and Foxpaw tumble out of the nearby woods. They were apprenticed two days ago along with their denmates. Their mentors came trotting out of the forest behind them, Firescourge's eyes sparkled with amusement but Stormflash was as grumpy as ever. Dreampaw chuckled as she watched the younger apprentices but shut up as soon as Stormflash shot her a glare. "At this rate you'll scare all the prey away!" He snapped and both apprentices jumped off of eachother.

"Hey Dreampaw! You need any help?" Asked Firescourge more good naturedly and she shook her head.

"I'm good. Just getting yarrow done at the shore."

"Okay!"

Dreampaw turned and hopped down the last set of stones before sighing in relief when she felt her paws sink into the grainy sand of the shore. Padding down the water line she paused to sniff at a clump of yew before nipping off a bunch. You can never have too many herbs. She thought as she picked up the stem in her mouth and carrying it with her.

At one point she swerved towards the shore when she spotted the long spindly plant. Pulling it down with her paw she pulled off a few of the fuzzy green leaves before turning and heading back to camp.

Once she reached the cave she ducked inside, the darkness consuming her for a few moments. Coming out into the hollow she shook her fur out and shivered. She had never liked the darkness, although she was unsure why. It could be just her, or because Demos was her deity.

The four gods who ruled the forest were named Pandora, Demos, Galaxia and Solstice. Galaxia owned the empty space and the shining lights. Solstice owned the sun and the other planets. Their two kits were Pandora and Demos. Pandora was a little devil, she always was causing trouble. Demos, on the other hand, was good and perfect. Their father, gave them one planet. Pandora and Demos called it "Earth". Pandora decided she was the chaos. So this left Demos to take the pure and good. Demos was Dreampaw's deity and the two siblings always rivaled against each other. Dreampaw respected Pandora, but respect didn't mean like.

Sliding out into the open hollow her breathing became more steady as she made her way over to the other side of the clearing. Halfway there a thick-furred tom came rushing over to her, his blue eyes bright. "Hey Dreampaw! You wanna play? My mentor told me I have the afternoon off."

"Sorry Sunpaw." The silver tabby mumbled around the stalks of yarrow she held in her mouth. "Drowningsun asked me to clean out the herb storage."

Dreampaw's brother's face fell but he nodded, "okay. I'll go ask Vipertail if I could hunt. Maybe Grimpaw and Acepaw will come with me." At that the ginger tom brightened and dashed off towards the spot where the two apprentices had appeared. Grimpaw was a blue-grey tom, and Acepaw black but each were gifted with deep red optics. Grimpaw's eyes swept around the clearing and they landed on Dreampaw. The silver tabby she-cat's chest fluttered, and she figured it was just from her not eating anything this morning. Dreampaw turned and pushed the feeling away before walking into the medicine cat den.