Warriors Deadly Echoes: Dimming Starlight

Chapter 4

"Foxstar, I've been thinking and the apprentices must make the journey to the mountains as soon as possible." Bramble meowed.
"If my apprentice is going, I'm going." Beetail meowed firmly.
Foxstar nodded. "That is a true point. Their mentors will all go with them." He meowed in agreement.
"Who will take out hunting and border patrols while you're gone?" Rowanfoot asked.
"You're one of the finest hunters I've seen Rowanfoot." Copperwhisker meowed to his clanmate.
"And Blackpelt is a good tracker." Oatheart pointed out.
"So it is settled." Foxstar meowed.
"But when do we depart?" Songcloud meowed.
"Tomorrow night." Bramble replied.
"It may be best that you need a cat or two for protection." Dewfoot put in. "All of us can't go with you.." Brackentail rumbled.
"I shall decide on that." He looked at the white she-cat.
Dewfoot swung his muzzle at Brackentail in a snarl. "Cedarpaw is blind and Olivepaw was nearly killed.. Hold your tongue before you'll be nothing but teeth and claws and a few bits of fur." She hissed and padded back in the direction of the camp. The bracken colored tom snapped his jaws shut.
"That should give you a warning." Foxstar purred.
"You like her." Bramble teased.
"Right, so by the next sunrise's moon, we go." Beetail meowed.
Bramble nodded her head. "Mhm." She looked at Foxstar, Beetail, Fernatripe, Songcloud, Rowanfoot, and Copperwhisker.
"Alright." Fernstripe meowed. Foxstar nodded. "Let's head back to camp." He curled his tail over his back and led the way.
"So Bramble, let me see if this is correct, our apprentices are to bring back a tribe that has faded from memory?" Songcloud meowed as she padded by her side.
"Yes." Bramble replied.
Songcloud nodded her head. They entered the camp through the thicket-hedge like entrance.
Spottedheart was eating a bird beside Mistwater. The clan buzzed with life. Curlkit and Emberkit were batting at a pine cone, kicking up pine needles as they played.
"Mine!" Oakkit tumbled in and snatched one.
Sootkit followed and did the same. "Take that enemy!" He squeaked. Oakkit smiled as she and her siblings scuffled around.
Copperwhisker padded to the nursery to check on Darkpoppy. She was sleeping in the nursery.
He gave her ear a gentle lick.
Rookpaw and Olivepaw were practicing battle moves with each other.
Cedarpaw was practicing his crouches. "Keep your tail lower."
Cedarpaw obeyed Shortfur who had helped him while Beetail had left, his blind eyes concentrating.
"Tail still. Good body posture." She observed padding around him.
His tail was still.
"Good. Now on my command leap." Shortfur meowed.
He nodded his head.
"Now!"
He leaped towards a flower in the camp.
Shortfur purred. "That was excellent!"
Cedarpaw purred as he saw Beetail smile.
Chara played with the kits in a part of the camp.

Later in the day as Foxstar saw the sun set, he looked at his clan from the rock.
Beetail appeared by his side. "It's nearly time for us to go." She meowed. The clan buzzed murmuring.
"Of course." Foxstar dipped his head. Beetail nodded and padded away. He yowled for a clan meeting. "Cats of AshClan! As you all know, a journey to the mountains must be made,"
Suddenly, Wind in the crowd yowled:"Do we know why?" His tail twitching.
"Yes." The AshClan leader replied.
He sat down.
"Cedarpaw Olivepaw Rookpaw. Please step foward." Foxstar ordered to the three apprentices.
The three littermates stepped forward. "You three and your mentors will be going on this journey." He told them. Rookpaw's eyes brightened. Olivepaw's mouth gaped opened. Cedarpaw blinked through blind green eyes. Their mentors padded up.
The sky slowly began to darken.
"You will leave in the morning." He meowed.
"Aspenspark, Sharpfrost and Heronfeather will accompany you. Blackpelt will handle Beetail's duties as temporary deputy." Foxstar meowed. Cats started departing to their dens. Beetail padded up to Foxstar. "Has Yellowheart heard anything from StarClan?" She asked her leader.
"No. I'm afraid." Foxstar replied.
"Bramble?" She looked at him.
He shook his head in reply.
"We're not giving up.." Beetail meowed. Foxstar nodded his head in agreement. "Foxstar! We scented a raccoon near the border!" Smokeclaw yowled as he and a patrol ran into camp.