A New Horizon Book 2: The Dying Forest {COMPLETE}

Chapter 14

Falconpaw winced as Falconclaw threw him hard to the ground, his head cracked against a rock and his vision blurred. Dazed, Falconpaw struggled to stand back up. His vision cleared and he focused on Falconclaw who stood over him, looking down at him with discontent. Falconpaw stood up, his head still aching.

"Did you suddenly forget how to fight over night?" Falconclaw asked, his voice cross. His twitched his ears with annoyance. Falconpaw grit his teeth.

"No." He growled. "A lot's going on outside here, you know." He lashed his tail. "I've been focusing hard on that."

"An apprentice died, it's part of Clan life." Falconclaw growled. Anger sparked inside Falconpaw.

"Perfectly strong branches falling on apprentices is not part of Clan life." Falconpaw faced off with his shadowy mentor. "Pikepaw should not have died. Not to mention the medicine cats have no herbs and prey is sick."

Falconclaw shrugged. "That isn't my problem, I'm dead."

Falconpaw snorted. "Well I'm not dead and I'd like to keep my Clanmates from ending up like you."

"No cat will end up like me." There was a dark shadow in Falconclaw's deep amber eyes. What does that mean? Falconpaw realized that he knew nothing about Falconclaw's life when he was alive.

"How did you die?" Falconpaw questioned, something he hadn't even considered asking before.

"I was killed by another cat." Falconclaw replied, turning away from Falconpaw. "And that's all you need to know. That's enough training for tonight, come back to me in better fighting shape tomorrow night."

Falconpaw dug his paws into the damp earth under his paws. There's something he's not telling me. He flattened his ears. I'm sure I could ask some cats in the Clan about him. Falconpaw closed his eyes, allowing himself to leave the forest and wake up in his nest.

When he opened his eyes in the waking world, his head still ached. Somewhat annoyed, Falconpaw stood up. Larkpaw and Sorrelpaw were still sleeping, they had yet to get back on training since their brother died. I don't blame them. Most nights, one or both of them would wake up mewing and wailing about their brother. It's even gotten under my pelt. Some nights, Falconpaw would only see the expression on Pikepaw's face as he was killed.

Falconpaw shook his head, now wasn't the time to fret about that. I have some questions that need answered. Petalpaw and Dovepaw were gone, but Sedgepaw remained in her nest. Sharing a den with those three had been nice, they went straight to sleep and didn't chatter most nights. Then again, Sorrelpaw and Larkpaw haven't done much chattering lately.

Falconpaw left the den and stepped into the early morning air. It was chilly and Falconpaw shivered as the cold air bit at his nose and ear tips. Stupid cold weather. Falconpaw thought with annoyance. He padded through the dew laden forest until he reached camp. Now who can I talk to about Falconclaw? His eyes scanned the camp and he rested them on Dawnstar who was saying goodbye to Cinderflame as she left for patrol. She's the one who named me after him, she should know. Falconpaw trotted up to his mother, getting her attention.

"Good morning, Falconpaw." She purred. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Falconpaw informed. Dawnstar looked a bit confused but nodded and the two of them stepped into the SunTree. Falconpaw remembered when he would sleep in here as a kit, before they rebuilt the nursery.

"What do you need?" Dawnstar questioned, sitting down in her nest. Her green eyes sparkling with interest.

"Who was Falconclaw?" A shadow crossed Dawnstar's face, it made Falconpaw incredibly uncertain. "I know I was named after him, but I don't know anything about him. I know about Honeywing, so why don't I ever hear about Falconclaw?"