Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 23

Emberspirit stared at a freshly upturned pile of dirt, his mind fuzzy and grief mingled with acceptance in his heart. 

Wildclaw was at his side, gazing at the pile with sorrow-filled green eyes. "She will be remembered." 

Emberspirit nodded mutely before he rose and turned, padding into camp silently and into the warriors den. 

No cat stopped him as he laid down and covered his face with his paws and tail, moving into a tight ball. 

Lynxstar frowned as she watched him before she gestured for the Clan to come around.

"Emberspirit will need time to grieve." Lynxstar said softly, "Until he is fit Swiftwhisper will be acting deputy, if you want to be on patrols or have questions ask him."  She announced.

"How long will he be down?" Lionscar asked, his amber eyes filled with sorrow. "He's suffered so much."

"What if he never recovers?" Darkpoppy asked, gazing at Lynxstar. She and Shadefern had taken the news of Redflares dead rather hard, the old tom was now laying near the elders den entrance, his ears pressed against his head and his eyes filled with regret and sadness. "DeltaClan will need a new deputy."

"He will recover!" Gorsepaws tiny mew cried out and Tigershade stared at his apprentice in shock. "Emberspirit told everyone to believe that I would recover, so now we have to believe he will too! I won't give up on him, even if you all do!" His yowl echoed in the clearing, rendering the Clan speechless.

Tigershade nodded in approval, pride in his eyes. "Gorsepaw is right, our deputy will recover. We just have to be patient."

Swiftwhisper nodded, "Just give him space and time, Lilycloud," The she-cat, who was gazing at where her mate had disappeared, looked at the white tom. "I want you to make sure he eats, but you mustn't get distracted from training Reedpaw, am I clear?"

The she-cat nodded, "Yes, I'll make sure he eats." She murmured.

The acting deputy nodded, "Good, now Lionscar, Gorsepaw, and Raggedfur can go check on the BreezeClan border. Nightfrost, Beetlestream, Trouttail, and Nutpaw can you guys fish for us? Even with new-leaf so close prey is still only just starting to return."

The cats nodded and padded away as Lynxstar oversaw the progress.

"I need someone to help me collect more herbs." Berrywish called from the reed tunnel, making the cats turn or perk up. The white she-cat was sodden, it seemed she had washed in the lake.

"I can go!" Goldenpaw meowed, earning an approving look from Nightfrost. 

"Go right ahead, listen to what she tells you to do!" Swiftwhisper called to her as the golden-brown she-cat bounced away.

Barkpaw rose, "Wildclaw can I go hunting?" He asked, gazing at his mentor.

"No, we need to work on your water combat, Redmist care to help?" Wildclaw asked the she-cat who nodded.

With that out of the way, Swiftwhisper dismissed his Clanmates and padded up to Lynxstar. "Our apprentices are almost warriors," He murmured, "by new-leaf there will be nothing for them learn."

"There is always time to learn," Lynxstar told him, "but yes you are correct. I have been keeping an eye on there training. Gorsepaw has progressed remarkably quick."

"Have you thought of their warrior names yet?" Swiftwhisper asked, gazing at his old friend and leader.

The tan she-cat nodded, "You will know when the time comes."

Swiftwhisper dipped his head and padded away, leaving his leader alone to think about the destiny of her Clan.

---A bit of a timeskip---