A Stream of Ice

Chapter 6

   Aldertail immediately stopped, ears perked and alert. He bolted through the forest, listening out for more screeched of pain and terror. Another yowl rang in his ears which was followed by an angry hiss: this was definitely not training.

   He followed the sound and found himself running quickly to the training hollow, and although he ran as fast as he could, he felt as though he wouldn't be fast enough. Slightly behind him, he saw the black and white pelt of Beetleclaw flash through the undergrowth. Aldertail skidded to a halt as his paws reached the cold ground of the hollow where apprentices had trained for many moons. A look of pure horror flashed on Beetleclaw's dark face and Aldertail knew that the look was reflected on his own face.

   Infront of them, a fox, with a few wounds, was circling Blazepaw. Behind the young tom who was bravely fighting off the fox that was twice his size, was a bloody, small cream body.

   Sandypaw was dead.

   Claws unsheathed and teeth bared, Aldertail lunged at the fox and tore away at the soft layer of fur that covered its body. He raked his claws viciously along its side, making it scream out in pain. From behind the vixen, Beetleclaw dived out, slipped under the beast and scratched it's unprotected belly. The fox realised it was very outnumbered and at a big disadvantage. It growled angrily before turning and racing away from the three cats. Beside him, Beetleclaw let out a battle cry to scare the vixen off for good.

      A screech of pain and sadness made the warriors turn around to look at Blazepaw. The golden-brown cat was burying his muzzle into Sandypaw's lifeless body. A pang of remorse and sympathy for the young cat filled Aldertail from paw to tail as be remembered that the two cats were littermates.

      Suddenly, the bushes behind them rustled and Sparrowtail and Cricketfur dived out, alarmed.
“What Hap-” Cricketfur began, then froze midsentence as he saw his apprentice, dead and injured on the ground. Blazepaw said nothing.

    “Fox attack. Me and Beetleclaw weren't here the whole time and when we got here, there was nothing we could do for her.” He shook his head, “Blazepaw was very brave though, he helped to fight off the fox.”

   Blazepaw's tail flicked slightly but he didn't get up.
“Come on Blazepaw,” Cricketfur took a step forward, “We can take her to camp together.”
“I'll run ahead to warn the cats at camp” Sparrowtail said, sadly. Aldertail nodded and watched as she ran off.

   Blazepaw stood up and looked bravely at Cricketfur.
“Ok” he managed, his voice cracking. Together, Aldertail and Cricketfur stood up and lifted Sandypaw up onto Blazepaw's back. Then, they stood close beside him, making sure he wouldn't fall and they padded slowly and silently back to camp.