Falconstar's Hope

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Mumbleheart dug his nose even deeper into his brother's fur. Two more hours then the Elders would come and take him away just like they had done to Leopardspot who had died of Whitecough. He still did not understand why his brother would just leave him like that. He had not told anyone what he was doing when he ran in front of the dog just before it ran over the hill. Mumbleheart had an idea but it was a pretty lame one.

His idea was that Grayfoot had done it for Honeypaw. Grayfoot had loved Honeypaw ever since he was made an apprentice and it was clear that the apprentice liked him just as much. This thought only made him dig his nose into the stiff cold fur trying to get deeper, trying to bring the warmth back to his brother. That was when he noticed that there was frost on the ground. No! He thought the clan was not ready for fall leaf.

"Mumbleheart we get to go on rising patrol. Let me get Whiteleap, Rose-eye and Bluepaw" Snowfall said

"But there are only two hours until the Elders come and take Grayfoot away" he whimpered.

"Grayfoot is not gone forever" Snowfall purred

There was comfort in the older warrior's words but the comfort did not reach Mumbleheart all that reached him was more worry. Worry about the clan. Worry about Whiteleap that he would leave him too. Worry about the prophecy, the prophecy that had not reached Grayfoot in time. The prophecy that Falconstar did not want to be part of.

If Moonclan really was there they were not helping him out very much. He did not want to go on a patrol that his mother set up to make him feel better. He could not believe that his mother would do such a thing. Slowly he got up to follow Snowfall and Whiteleap to get Rose-eye and Bluepaw.

"I wonder why the mystery of who killed Littlewave is causing so much contention." Mumbleheart mewed. As they passed Barknose hissing you killed Littlewave at Flamesky.

"It is because she was everyone's friend. It doesn't help that Moonstar did not figure out who did it and Sunstar did not even try. So after moons of contention, the clan just figured that Falconstar just would not try to figure it out."

"Of course she would figure it out. Littlewave was her mother"

"I just hope that I do in the time before something really bad happens," Falconstar said as she walked up, "Mumbleheart, Rose-eye, and Snowfall can you come to the gathering tonight?"

"Shure I don't see why we can't," Rose-eye said

The only cats that Mumbleheart recognized at the gathering that was not part of Falconclan was Stormstar the leader of Stormclan, Mousestar the leader of Mouseclan, Applestar the leader of Appleclan, Smallhop the deputy of Stormclan, Applewater the deputy of Mouseclan, Mapleleaf the deputy of Appleclan, Coalfur a warrior from Mouseclan who had been an apprentice when Mumbleheart had been an apprentice, Juniperberry a warrior from Mouseclan who had helped Jayflight with the kits that he had found on his way back from the Starstone, and Stormwing who is the medicine cat from Appleclan.

"Cats of all clans!" Applestar yowled

"Mouseclan shall start with the prophecy!" Mousestar called

Mumbleheart never understood why the leaders always started with the prophecy that was supposed to save and protect.

"There will be four. One of each." Mousestar started

"F has hardship," Falconstar said

"S is the last of the last" Stormstar said

"M has half of what she has," Mousestar said

"A surfers betrayal," Applestar said

"Mouseclan is doing well we just got two new apprentices! Their names are Waterpaw and Snowpaw. Prey is scarce since fall leaf came so early. We have had a round of Leopards tail but nothing too serious." Mousestar said finishing of

"Appleclan is doing well hunting has been good," Applestar said stepping back

"Falconclan is doing well we had a litter born the Kit's names are Thunderkit, Lionkit, and Bumblekit. The mother of these fine kits is Cherrybloom. We are recovering from the attack from the dogs. We lost Grayfoot in the process." Falconstar stopped there and took a step back.

"We are sorry to hear that" Stormstar mewed, "Stormclan is doing well prey is scarce since the no-pelts have been scaring away the fish"

This ended the gathering and the four clans headed out saying goodbye to one another and started for home. Saying goodbye to Coalfur Mumbleheart stood up and padded after Moonsong and Barknose.