Firetalon's Destiny

Chapter 32

"I'm an idiot. I truly am an idiot," standing alongside the banks of this mad river that wildly lashed out against the ground that contained it, the ginger apprentice twitched his tail nervously. He most definitely had no clue on how to swim and this river isn't exactly the best start to learning. Not to mention that the water would be beyond frigid. If he survived the swim, he'd surely die of hypothermia. Yet he was still determined to enter this 'River Kingdom'. He had to learn the truth behind Honey's death. He had to avenge her.

Technically, you don't have to do such a thing. I told you to travel, I didn't tell you to foolishly give up the life I worked so hard to preserve. The ever helpful voice of his teacher filled his mind. His eyes narrowed, wanting to ignore that voice of reason. But if you so desperately want to sacrifice your life for a dead cat, than by all means go ahead. I'd quite like to see how pathetic you'd look while drowning.

"Moon I'm going to cross," his blue gaze narrowed, determination boiling inside of him. Running away had only caused him problems. He had fled from the fox and ultimately met Crimson. He had fled when Tailfur learned the truth and was ultimately carried away by the bird. If he didn't run away like the coward he was, than he'd never have met Honey. He wouldn't have lost another he cherished. So no more! No more running away! From now on, he'll be a changed cat.

His paws somewhat shook as he slowly approached the water. It's roaring drowning out the outside world. It was just him and the river. With a deep breath, he briefly imagined her. Her smiling face. Her gentle but stubborn green gaze. Her soft reddish fur. Swiftpaw, sorry. From now on, please just forget. Forget about everything. Even if he does survive, even if he does miraculously return to the Clans. He'll no longer be the same Firepaw she knew.

"Here goes. Today, my life is going to change," without another thought, he plunged into the river. The frigid cold waters instantly sucked the breath out of him, the current relentlessly battering him. His fur grew heavy, pulling him down and his paws struggled to paddle against this untamable force of nature. It didn't take long before he was dragged under, tossed and turned by the currents. He lost all sense of direction.

You're such a needy Learner. Moon's disapproving voice echoed through his fading mind, her flickering form appearing beside the half drowned cat. But I've already invested too much into you. I'll bring you to shore but from now on, I'm no longer going to give you my assistance. From now on, you'll have to deal with all troubles on your own.

The last thoughts that flickered through the fading mind of this young apprentice was that it was quite interesting how Moon knew how to swim.

~~~

"This scrawny piece of fur is the illegal border crosser?" a doubtful voice was what roused Firepaw from unconsciousness. "And through the river no less? You sure you aren't making this up?
"Hmph I was there. I saw it with my own eyes. I figured that there was no way such a runt could win passage so I just made up some lie to try to chase him away. Never thought he'd be stupid enough to actually try to cross," that was the voice of the border guard. Hah. Should have known there was a safer way to enter. "But he sure caught his Majesty's attention. Never would have thought that something that's barely older than a kit would be so interesting."

His Majesty? From the sounds of it, this guy must be their leader. Or at least, someone high in power. This is his chance. He'll gain permission to stay here and then begin his investigation behind Honey's death. Despite the exhaustion that hung over his body, how travel weary his muscles were and how much his paws stung, he forced his brilliant blue eyes open. He slowly sat up, staring intently at the guards that had just been talking. There was that creamy-white cat from before and beside him sat a dark brown tiger striped tom. They were both muscular and both were quite large, reminding Firepaw of those Hunters. Are they Hunters as well?