Warriors: Ashfur's Insanity

Chapter 25

It had been two days since Ashstar's dream. And since Wolfpaw left. The rogues were becoming stronger. They had attacked a border patrol last night. Thornclaw was badly injured, since he was leading the patrol. 

Brightheart came in the den. "There's a gash in Thornclaw's shoulder. It's really infected. I think he must of fallen in dirt or mud," She meowed. She dipped her head. "He might not live through."

Ashstar got to his paws. "What?! Let me see!" He hissed. He raced to the medicine den. Thornclaw lay on his side. His eyes were closed. His shoulder was patched with cobwebs.

Alderpaw was laying beside Thornclaw, his paw held to his shoulder. "It's swelling and feels hot," He meowed when he noticed Ashstar come in. "I don't think he'll make it."

"Thornclaw will make it! He's a strong warrior!" Ashstar meowed. "Thornclaw, I know you can fight off that infection!" He meowed.

Thornclaw weakly lifted his head. "It burns..." He moaned.

Alderpaw got up. "I'll get you some herbs," He meowed. He looked back at Ashstar. "He's your deputy. You need to get him some wet moss and fresh-kill," Alderpaw meowed to Ashstar.

Before Ashstar could turn, Brightheart appeared beside him. 

"I'll do it," She meowed. She turned from the den, her tail flicking. 

Ashstar turned from the den and headed for the nursery. He spotted his daughter eating a mouse near Sootkit. She was trying to get her to eat a piece of mouse. Mothkit was crouched in a corner. Ashstar flicked his tail to Jaywing, then walked over to Mothkit. He sat down and curled his tail around her. 

"Hey Mothkit, why are you alone in this corner?" Ashstar asked.

Mothkit looked up at him. "I think I have a new destiny," She whispered.

"What do you mean?" Ashstar asked.

"I've played with my sister long enough," Mothkit meowed. "She always wins our play-fights. And Softpaw came over and did a practice hunt with us. I failed that," Mothkit sighed. 

"Everyone makes mistakes," Ashstar meowed. "You'll try harder as an apprentice."

Mothkit didn't reply. Instead, she curled up for sleep.

Ashstar turned to Jaywing. "How old are they?"

Jaywing looked at him. "They're five moons old," She meowed. "One more moon and they'll be apprentices, too bad that they'll grow up without a father," She added sadly.

Brightheart appeared beside Ashstar. "It's half-moon tonight, and Alderpaw is supposed to be becoming a full medicine cat. And Thornclaw is in bad shape, so we'll stay in camp. It's dangerous anyway since the rogues are out," She meowed.

"I'll have  a warrior to go with you," Ashstar meowed. "I know Thornclaw is strong, so he can go  a few moments without you, I'm sure," Ashstar meowed to her. "Squirrelflight!" He called.

Squirrelflight padded up to him. "What?"

"Tonight is half-moon, and Alderpaw is becoming a full medicine cat," Ashstar began.

"That's great!" Squirrelflight cried.

"I need a warrior to go with them so they can travel safely," Ashstar meowed. "And that would be you," He meowed.

"I'll go with them," Squirrelfight's eyes sparkled brightly.

"Thank you," Ashstar meowed. He turned back to Brightheart. "I guess I'll have to be making the patrols for now on," He meowed. He went over to the warriors' den.