Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 17

The sun glowed on his back but his blood was cold like ice, his lips curled back in a snarl as he stared at his paws in disbelief. Water vole blood was sloshed on the ground, remains of fur and bones were scattered about. A windswept scent clung to the area, making him want to vomit. 

"H-H-How d-dare th-they?" He snarled, tail lashing. 

Wildclaw let out a growl, his claws flexing, "BreezeClan scum!" He spat, eyes glowing in contempt. "This is the third time we've found remains on our territory since we apparently lied to Cedarstar about it." 

Troutpaw opened his mouth, scenting the air. His fur bristled in anger,  "This is recent." He meowed, "They must have smelled us and took off like cowards! 'Haven't set a paw in your territory' what a load of badger droppings!" He spat. 

Emberspirit had let the sunhigh patrol and had scented BreezeClan. He rushed to the border but the mouse-hearts had fled, leaving warm blood and scraps of fur littered about. 

Ever since the Gathering, BreezeClan thieves had been more and more frequent but with Emberspirits knowledge of Lynxstars last remaining life and the certainty that the she-cat would most definitely lead her Clan into battle the deputy had refrained from telling the leader. 

Swiftwhisper, who had stayed ominously silent, now spoke up. "We must tell Lynxstar, this is getting out of control." His blue eyes glowed with anger as he turned them to Emberspirit. 

The deputy, though angry, still hesitated but Wildclaws growl spurred him on. "Emberspirit, have some courage! They're taking prey we need." 

Spinning on his heels, he glared at Wildclaw, "Are you saying I'm mouse-hearted Wildclaw?" his fur bushed out in anger as he snarled at his Clanmate. "Come closer and call me a coward." He snapped, tail lashing.

Wildclaws jaw tightened as he stared at his deputy with surprise at his attitude, "Emberspirit," He mewed slowly, "I know better than any cat that you aren't." The deputy felt a stab of regret but his anger and pride crushed it as he glared at Wildclaw. "This can't go on, you know that." Wildclaw stared back at the younger cat with a blazing look. 

Emberspirits anger ebbed away and his fur relaxed. He let out a slow shaky breath, "You're right.. I-I know y-you're ri-right." He glanced at his apprentice then at Swiftwhisper before turning.

"Let's go." 

The trek home was short and filled with ruffled fur, Emberspirit stayed quiet as his Clanmates mewed angrily to one another. The deputy zoned them out as he padded along the familiar territory. He glanced around and saw the Great Willow, naked and bare in the freeze of Leaf-bare. Emberspirits eyes glowed with contempt as he padded into the tall frozen grass. Ice clung to his fur as he and his patrol moved through the greenery and he took a moment to shake it off before he swiftly made his way through the reed tunnel leading into camp. 

There was a hubbub of activity, Crabfoot was sharing tongues with his mate, Riverpaw and Redpaw wrestled in the clearing. Heronpaw was chatting with Darkpoppy, the calico she-cat for once had a smile on her face and glow in her eyes. They seemed to be talking about battle techniques as Darkpoppy mad slashing motions and Heronpaw nodded in understanding. Raggedpaw and Lilycloud were no where to be found but Emberspirit had caught his mates scent going towards the Island and guessed they were training. 

Emberspirit yowled, catching the attention of everyone in camp. "W-Where's Lynxstar?" He asked, tail lashing. "I-I have to di-discuss s-something with her." 

Tigershade was the first to answer, "She said she needed to think, I think she's at the Fallenrocks. Why, what's up?" He caught sight of the grim and angry faces of his patrol.