A Stream of Ice

Chapter 7

   The team of cats walked through the enterance and into the centre of camp. There, they laid Sandypaw onto the ground. Specklestar was already on the Moss Stump calling a Clan Meeting.
She silently ordered Aldertail to stand beside her and he did.
“Tell me what happened.” she mewed, worry and sadness visible  in her voice and eyes. Sighing, Aldertail repeated what happened with the fox but in more detail. Specklestar nodded and then looked up to adress the gathered clan.

    “Cats of this Clan!  As you will have heard, Sandypaw was killed by a fox this morning” Gasps and sad whimpers echoed through the air as the cats mourned for the brave, young apprentice. Specklestar's gaze turned to look at Sparrowtail and Cricketfur.
“Cricketfur, Sparrowtail. Where were you whilst the fox was attacking? Why weren't you with your apprentices?”

    Cricketfur rose from where he was standing. “We were training them for surprise attacks Specklestar. We had no idea that the fox would come, its scent was stale and it hadn't been there for at least five sunrises. Sparrowtail and I had gone to the StreamClan border so we can sneak up on them from behind when they were least expecting it,” Sparrowtail nodded and added to what he said.
“We told Blazepaw and Sandypaw to give a warning cry if something happened, which they did. We were on our way to help, but because we were so far away we didn't get there on time.”
“May I add something?” asked Cricketfur. Specklestar flicked her tail for him to speak. Cricketfur returned the gesture respectfully.
“Thank you Specklestar.” He turned and glanced at Aldertail and Beetleclaw. “If it weren't for these two brave warriors, another life may have been lost today. And, Blazepaw, you were very brave today.”

     Specklestar nodded.
“Thank you both, none of you will be punished and, I agree with what Cricketfur said. Aldertail, Beetleclaw, your courage and loyalty are traits that I hope you will one day pass onto an apprentice. And Blazepaw, I believe that your final assessment will be soon so keep working hard. You three can have a rest today. Tonight, after we have returned from the gathering, we will mourn the death of Sandypaw as she makes her way up to StarClan to join her mother, Hazelflower. Clan dismissed.” The pretty white and tortoiseshell she-cat jumped down from the stump and went to share tongues with Luckyclaw and Oakface.

    Aldertail found himself walking towards the nursery, as he was going to do before the fox attack. He stuck his head around the corner and saw Beetleclaw talking to his mate and kits. Birchleaf was grooming herself as the kits wriggled around in her nest. She looked up as Aldertail entered and purred loudly.
“I hear that you saved Blazepaw today” she looked at him lovingly.
“Yeah. I was to late to save Sandypaw though” Guilt ran through him: if only he had ran a bit quicker through the forest, she could still be alive.Birchleaf leaned other and licked him comfortingly on the head then sat up to share tongues with him.