Warriors - Times of Anarchy (Book 1, The Flame)

Chapter 6

The small leader looked down upon his clan, and most certainly, his new camp. Molestar flicked his ears, the satisfaction drawn on his face into the shape of a toothy smile.

Cats jostled around, carrying twigs, moss and leaves as the two other leaders gave orders. This new camp, unlike anything he'd ever seen, was perfectly located. A tall, curling cliff surrounded them, making any assault practically impossible, unless the enemy came through the entrance, which the small leader guarded constantly with two vigilant cats.

He knew Proudclan might desire revenge someday, and even if he knew they had come out worst from the fight than Flameclan, Molestar wouldn't dare take any risks.

He padded around camp, watching cats run around, building up the nursery, medicine cat den, and warrior den to fit the large amount of Flameclan cats. Two of his medicine cats were talking calmly, as Shatteredleg and Fallinghope discussed like old friends.

"One of the clan's elders -Amberpool, was it?- told me she lived here when she was hardly a kit. She also said something about an abandoned twoleg nest somewhere nearby with lots of catmint growing in it's gardens." Mewed the delicate black she-cat, blinking her blue eyes at the senior medicine cat in front of her.

"That must be why Proudclan never weakened in the harshest seasons. They had a large supply of catmint stashed away." said this one in reply, as Fallinghope nodded in agreement.

"I'll send my apprentice to collect some of that catmint right away..." Molestar didn't hear the rest of the conversation as he padded away, whiskers twitching. It seemed as if there were only positive responses to the battle. Sure, a sky-clan warrior had been badly injured, and every cat bore fresh wounds, but Molestar had been lucky to see that only one life had been paid for this battle, and the cat that had lost was still walking on her two feet.

Wishstar was discussing with her ex-deputy, Wyverncry, in a low voice. Molestar, curious, came up to them with a small, smug smile.

"Good day to you, oh Wishstar," he said smoothly, as the white queen replied with dignity, stopping her conversation short with Wyverncry as the small leader approached them.

"Hello, Molestar. What is the importance of your stop? You must be busy with all the construction going on." she replied, a bit stiff, as hesitation read across her face.

She's hoping I didn't overhear their conversation, thought Molestar as his grin widened.

"Oh nothing important, I'm just here for a bit of a nice chat. What were you talking about?" he asked lightheartedly, as Wishstar's eyes flashed with anger, fear and uncertainty all at once. In a blink, Molestar realized it was gone.

"I was asking Wyverncry to report how much the hunting patrol had brought in," meowed smoothly Wishstar, trying to calm down so her neck hair would lower. Molestar huffed softly, flicking his tail.

"That's very nice of you to worry, but my deputy Ravenskies takes care of all of that. I suggest you help out your clan mates with den-building." he said, finishing the conversation with that and spinning around on his heels to pad off.

Wishstar flicked her ears, turning to Wyverncry, who had his teeth curled up in a ferocious snarl. "How dare he talk to a clan leader like that! That scrawny half-of-a-cat should learn a bit of respect towards others!"

Wishstar flicked the tip of her tail over her deputy's mouth, her eyes thin yellow fragments as she stared at the leader's back. "Let him mock as he wishes. We have more important things to discuss. I believe I have received a message from Starclan."

Wyverncry stood shocked, his pelt bristling. "Starclan hasn't made contact with the clans since the death of Firestar, and neither has the Place of No Stars for that matter. What could be the reason of this?" he asked, puzzled.

"What I haven't told you, Wyverncry, is that I had a special bond with Starclan. So did my brother, Lucidpaw. Sadly, he died when he was stolen in a fox attack." Wishstar's eyes clouded with sadness as old grief overwhelmed her.

"We both were able to communicate with Starclan as kits. Although, since the day he died, this special link with our warrior ancestors went away. I thought it was gone forever." she continued, as Wyverncry listened attentively, and made sure no cat was hearing in on the conversation.

"Recently, in the fight between Proudclan and Flameclan, I felt the strength of the heavenly warriors by my side, guiding my paw steps, and when a life was torn away from me by Fangstar, I saw them all, clear as day, and I heard their voices, warning me of a danger I do not yet understand."

"What did they tell you, Wishstar?"

"They told me Molestar's omen was fake, that The Place of No Stars had found a way to reach out and transmit the message because of his greedily ambitious nature." She replied calmly.

"They said they had contacted the true omen to only two cats that could receive it. I don't know the other cat who received it. Perhaps the destined cat..."

"What is the omen?" hushed softly Wyverncry, attentive.

"The Flame will burn about the forest, rising to power, under the vigil Red sky. The blazing fire must be controlled, for the ambition of a tiny flame can turn into a forest fire. Then, destiny will befall as all cats will choose their side; To end the Times of Anarchy, or not."

*****

Okay, so this was a slightly smaller chapter, but I promise you the next one will be longer.

So yay! Revelation! Molestar's prophecy was a mean joke from the Place of No Stars. Or, were they intent to make a prophecy that would aid in their connection with the living world? You'll have to find out in the next chapters!

That's all for now!

Meow meow~

P.s.: Christmas is coming up and that means I'm going to write more!