Magicstar's Story

Chapter 21

The moon had risen by the time Magicclaw and the medicine cats stepped into the Fireclan camp, they had left Shadowclaw at the edge of the thunderpath-instead of crossing it however, he had showed them a tunnel that led underneath the thunderpath. That surprised Magicclaw, she had patrolled the Darkclan border many times and she had not seen it.

"Magicclaw, you're back!" A yowl broke into her thoughts as she saw Frostpaw bounding over to her, excitement lighten his ice blue gaze, his sleek light gray and white fur were fluffed up from the cold. "What did the other clans say?" He went on excitedly.

"That's for Firestar to hear first," Magicclaw told her apprentice.

His head and tail drooped for a moment then he raised them again, "your kits have been so much fun! Yellowkit has already gotten the hunter's crouch down!" Magicclaw couldn't help stifling a purr of amusement. "Well, you can help me look after them, since I'll be taking up your training after tomorrow." Frostpaw gave an excited bounce and went off to the apprentice's den.

Magicclaw padded slowly over to Firestar's den, but something was holding her back. How would her leader react when the truth came out? Stop being mousebrain! She scolded herself. Giving her head a small jerk, she stepped through the lichen that hang over the entrance, inside the den there's a quiet cove; carved out by an ancient stream that dried up seasons upon seasons ago, the walls were smooth and there was a mossy nest at one side. A orange heep of fur lay on it, slowly Magicclaw creeped toward it.

"Firestar?" She hissed softly, Firestar slowly raised her head, she had light orange muzzle with specks of white. With a jolt, Magicclaw realized how old her leader looked, how long would it be before she joined their ancestors in Silverclan? Magicclaw pushed the thought away. Firestar can't die, not now!

"Yes, Magicclaw?" Firestar's meow was blurred with sleep, she gave herself a shake and a quick grooming before facing Magicclaw again.

"All the clans have agreeds to come to fourtrees at dusk, Firestar." Magicclaw mewed. FIrestar nodded slowly.

"Have they allowed Shadowclaw and Spiritfur to come?" She asked, the question surprised Magicclaw, so she just nodded. "Good, hopefully we can get this over with, I've never seen you three close together before. Why should they know who the rogue leader is?" Her questioning gaze rested on Magicclaw, that question she couldn't answer.

"You'll find out at dusk," Magicclaw answered simply. Firestar nodded, as if understanding, but Magicclaw doubted the idea pleased her. "Very well, take the dawn patrol out, then rest." She nodded and backed out of the den. Padding across the clearing, she poked her head into the warriors' den.

"Paleshadow, Meadowbreeze, Frostspeck!" Magicclaw called softly, some of her uneasiness leaving her. The cats she called slowly and silently stalked out of the den and met her. Frostspeck was a brown she-cat with a pale underbelly, and little specks of white on her back, she had dark blue eyes that reflected water of the river.

"You're back!" Paleshadow mewed as she rubbed her muzzle against Magicclaw's, "how was the journey?" Meadowbreeze asked excitedly.

"I'll explain it when we get moving," Magicclaw replied softly, she didn't always like to be at the center of attention and this is one of the times. Yes, she was deputy so she was used to it but, this was about her father, how can she like the attention she's getting when her father might be the reason Ivyheart, the deputy before TIgerheart and before Magicclaw, and her mentor, had been killed? Magicclaw shook her small head to clear it, her black ears twitching.

She lead the way through the gorse tunnel and lead the way up the ravine, Magicclaw remembered with a jolt that her father had taught her how to climb rocks as steep as these, why hadn't she remembered before? Magicclaw tried remembering all that her father had taught her, Scourge had taught her about the different types of herbs and plants and how to use them properly. She let out a small growl.

"All you alright, Magicclaw?" Meadowbreeze's mew broke threw her thoughts, Magicclaw turned to see her patrol looking at her with worried eyes.

"I'm fine, just, worried" Magicclaw replied, she wasn't going to admit that she was thinking of sinking her claws into her father's neck. She shivered, how could she think of doing that? He was her father for Silverclan's sake!

Paleshadow brushed her tail against Magicclaw's flank, but said nothing.

"Come on," She mewed, the sun was already rising.

Frostspeck took the lead this time, leading the way toward the Darkclan border. Magicclaw picked up a familiar scent, Shadowclaw? What's he going here? The border was still a few fox-lengths away.

"Magicclaw!"

Frostspeck hissed and came to a halt, glaring at a dark-gray tom that had spoken. "What are you doing here?" She snarled, but the tom wasn't paying attention to her, his gaze was fixed on Magicclaw.

"You have to come quick, my patrol found something on our border with Fireclan." he panted. "I..I think it might be one of your warriors."

Magicclaw's blood turned cold as ice, what happened? She wanted to as Shadowclaw what he meant but instead nodded and followed. Magicclaw and her patrol followed him to the tunnel, a strong scent of blood hit her and almost made her gag.

"Here." Shadowclaw mewed, he voice no more then a whisper.

Magicclaw stepped forward, trying to gag at the stench of blood, she looked into the tunnel and saw with horror that there was cat laying there, covered in blood.

It was Leaffeather.