Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 14

The air was crisp and cold, causing the red tom to shudder as wind kicked up. His whiskers, the tips frozen, twitched as he eyed the reed and gorse tunnel leading to the heart of camp. 

Beside him a fluffy white she-cat with black ear tips was stirring, shivering. She eyed the Warriors den with tired hungry eyes, probably wanting to get out of the cold Emberspirit guessed.

A rabbit-hop away was two light brown tabbies, one with smooth stripes, Tigershade, and the other with jagged stripes and a long scar on his left shoulder, Lionscar. The brothers were sharing tongues, to Emberspirits delight, the feud that had torn them apart seemed to be no more.

His ears flicked as he heard pawsteps approaching the four, he glanced up, a smoke black tom was padding past, pausing as he looked at his new warriors.

He was the deputy, big and strong, but his golden eyes were friendly, "Have you been up all night? It's a bit early, but no warrior deserves to be in this cold. You all may go." He dipped his head before calling out to Elmstripe, who was leading the dawn patrol. "I'll come with you!" He was saying but Emberspirit stopped listening as he stood.

He shook himself free from the frost that clung to his pelt like a burr, and began to pace around, getting the blood moving to his legs. He glanced at the three and noticed they were all doing the same thing. 

Lilycloud, his mate, yawned. "Well, I'm going to bed." She mewed, turning towards the Warriors den, Tigershade and Lionscar on her heels.

Emberspirit was half tempted to go with but he shook his head as he felt excitement tingling in his paws, he couldn't sleep now. He was a full DeltaClan warrior!

"Well you look bright this morning." He turned and smiled as Lynxstar padded down the stepping-stones leading to her den. "In that case, you should hunt. Prey will be tired." He frowned as he realized that he could see the leaders ribs. He glanced around as the cats emerged from there dens that all DeltaClan cats were thin. 

He flinched as hunger clawed at his belly, "We need to get back Sunningrocks." He mewed to Lynxstar before he could stop himself, "We'll starve if this goes on!" 

Lynxstar sighed, there was a sad glimmer in her pale eyes, "I know," She murmured, "We'll tonight. But I have a mission for you," She turned to Emberspirit and he drew himself up. "It is of the upmost importance."

"Yes Lynxstar?" He asked, tilting his head.

"You're too go into StormClan territory and spy on them. See if you can count how many guards they send at a time," The red tom bristled with excitement as the leader went on, "I want you to take Swiftwhisper and Eagleeyes, yowl if you get caught turn tail and run like you've never ran before." Her eyes grew serious, "I don't need you dead."

Emberspirit felt a chill run down his spine, he nodded and turned. "I won't let you down Lynxstar." He promised as he began to make his way to Swiftwhisper. 

"I know you won't." She called softly as the tom moved away.

Emberspirit felt light and anxious as he and his two other Clanmates found there way toward FallenRocks. Emberspirit tested the wind, "We're downwind." He told his Clanmates, "That'll make things easier."

"Yowl if you need back up. I scent Elmstripes patrol and Nightfrosts hunting patrol nearby." Eagleeyes told him, "Be careful!"

Nodding Emberspirit raced away in a brisk pace, keeping himself low as though he was hunting birds. His tail flicked nervously as he passed the border between DeltaClan and StormClan. His fur rippled at the unfamiliar scents and the smell of enemy warriors on seemingly every bush. He moved his way into the bushes, keenly aware that his dark ginger fur would show like a badger in a fox den. He silently thanked the shadows and the bushes-even if they were snagging his fur in an uncomfortable manner- for hiding him.