Dark Destinies {Book 1}

Chapter 40

ECHOBREEZE

As promised I woke early the next morning to visit the rogue tom. To my surprise I had actually slept through the whole night; perhaps it was because I felt safe for not only me but for everyone for once and I could finally rest. Whatever it was I was happier.

When I woke dawn was still clinging to the tree tops and only Hollyheart was awake staring intently into the forest; eyes wide and tail brushing the ground softly. She turned when she heard me rousing.

“When did you wake up?” I asked.

“I watched the sunrise” she stated. “Are you going to speak with that tom now?”

“Yes” I nodded.

“Would it be a bother if I came?” Hollyheart asked.

“I suppose not” I said after a moment of slight hesitation; the tom was in a hole what could he really do?

Together we padded into the woods towards the hole in the ground. When we reached it and peered inside the tom was pacing and muttering crossly to himself. In the morning sunlight the tom was handsome; lanky but well-muscled with a clean, unblemished pelt and blazing green eyes.

Probably catching our scent the young tom glared up at us; “What do you kittypets want?” he spat.

“We’re not kittypets!” Hollyheart meowed. “And we’ve only come to talk with you”

The tom or Jag laughed mockingly; “Yeah come to talk; with you way up there and me stuck down in this hole! You’re so cowardly you can’t even talk to me face-to-face! You have to use this stupid hole for your protection” he growled.

I flattened my ears; “You better remember that we have the power to kill you or not”

Hollyheart placed her tail gently on my flank as a caution but the calico could not see.

“Well then go ahead! I don’t see why you’re keeping me here anyway!” Jag spat again “Kill me or set me free so I can tell Chaos to skin you alive, kittypet”

This time I growled and before I could say anymore Hollyheart stepped in.

“Relax” she smiled easily “We’ve come to tell you why”

“Go on then” he meowed impatiently.

“We are leading a rebellion for our ancestors against Chaos’s forces so finally the four clans will meet Fallenclan in battle!” she stated proudly “We are here to convince you to join our side; the side of justice and prosperity, the side of love and happiness; the winning side”

Jag laughed again; “Listen here she-cat. That’s all very lovely and all but Chaos has a more cats than any ‘clan’ combined; cats who were born and bred to kill; cats that frankly love killing clan-cats like you!”

Hollyheart turned me with a desperate look on her face. With a reluctant sigh I started talking to the tom again.

“You say you’ve got us out numbered” I meowed “But tell me what number is bigger; five or one”

Jag narrowed his eyes; “Five”

“One army; a real army, united behind one leader, fighting for one purpose”

Jag lifted his chin as I fixed him with a powerful stare.

“Our clans want to win and our clans are prepared to fight for Starclan and their ancestors. What does Fallenclan want; truly? I am sure you all have different prospects for your futures”