The Blood Valley - (The Blazing Fires Book 1)

Chapter 8

Another two moons have passed. Ravenstripe's rat bites infected and killed him. Windflower was impacted the most, and Nightchaser seemed more distant. But now Featherkit, Shallowkit, Emberkit, and Dewkit were now six moons old.

"All cats able to climb the Cliffs, gather around the Cliff Rock for a clan meeting." Flashstar yowled. First, Shallowkit came tumbling near. Then, Dewkit leaped forward, ruffling her dark pelt. Featherkit followed, his glossy silver pelt gleaming. Finally, Emberkit slowly stepped forward.

"Four kits have been with us for six moons, and it is time for them to become apprentices."
Flashstar said, keeping a slight gaze at Violeteyes. "Until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Shallowpaw, Featherpaw, Emberpaw, and Dewpaw." The ginger tabby scanned the warriors below her.

"Shallowpaw, your mentor shall be Brindlepelt." Brindlepelt gave a bright smile. "Featherpaw, your mentor shall be Frosttuft." Frosttuft raised her head proudly. "Emberpaw, your mentor shall be Mossgaze." Mossgaze gave a half-hearted smirk. "And Dewpaw, your mentor shall be Violeteyes." Violeteyes looked up at her leader, in shock. "Dismissed!" Flashstar leaped down from the Cliff Rock, and trotted over to Lionclaw.

"Congratulations!" Breezelily padded to her kit, putting her tail tip on her kit's shoulder. "You know, I've trained a few apprentices before. If you ever need advice, feel free to come to me." The she-cat purred.

"You've trained an apprentice? Who?" Violeteyes's ears twitched.

"My first apprentice's name was Shrewwing. He was a nice cat. He was Windflower's father, you know," Breezelily sighed. "And I also trained Nightchaser. She turned out to be a fine warrior." Before Violeteyes could reply, Dewpaw came bounding over.

"Hey, Violeteyes! Can we start training?" The dark blue apprentice asked.

"Sure! We can explore the territory." The light warrior purred.

"If we may, can we come too?" Mossgaze padded forward. Emberpaw was trailing behind him.

"Uh, sure, I guess." Violeteyes shrugged, before heading towards the fern tunnel.

It was nearly sundown by the time Violeteyes returned with Dewpaw and Emberpaw. Mossgaze claimed to have scented something strange and trailed off in the forest. Frosttuft was still out in the forest with Featherpaw. Shallowpaw had just returned with Brindlepelt.

"Shallowpaw! How was training today?" Loudspark jolted to Shallowpaw's side. "It was great! I got to see the whole forest!" The young apprentice purred.

"I can tell you two are close." Dewpaw teased.

"Yeah, we're best friends." The brown warrior smiled. Then, the ferns near the entrance shook.
Could Mossgaze be back?  Violeteyes wondered, but the thought cleared when an unfamiliar scent rolled into the air. Then, not one, not two, but three reddish sand-colored animals lunged into camp. They looked a lot like dogs. Their claws had small tufts of white fur on them. Coyotes! Violeteyes gasped.

"Get the apprentices to safety! Drive those coyotes out of here!" Flashstar yowled. Dewpaw and Shallowpaw scrambled away into the leader's den, which was being guarded by Loudspark.

"What? But I want to help fight!" Emberpaw's claws slid out.

"You don't know how to fight yet! Now get in the den!" Loudspark growled. With a sigh, Emberpaw joined her sisters.

ValleyClan warriors flung themselves at the coyotes. Flamestorm raked at one of the creature's flanks. Flamestorm was then kicked into the walls of camp with a loud thud. Violeteyes rushed towards him, but she was grasped by the scruff and pushed to the ground. The red coyote loomed above her. Then, a brown-spotted warrior clawed at the coyote, blood spilling everywhere. Violeteyes scrambled away, looking for an opening to attack.
Violeteyes charged at a coyote and nipped at its legs. Breezelily was also fighting the coyote, yet she was wounded badly. The two warriors clawed at the coyote until it scampered away. The young warrior saw Flamestorm slowly rising to his feet. Thank StarClan he's okay!

The other coyotes rushed out of camp, wailing with pain. Flashstar climbed onto the Cliff Rock. "An attack like this never happened in ages. Coyotes don't just come in and attack. They must have been led here. That means there is a traitor among us," Flashstar growled. "But for now, we will prepare a vigil for our fallen clan mate, Brownspot." A pang of guilt struck Violeteyes's heart as Lionclaw slowly dragged her father's bloody body into the clearing.

"Brownspot!" Breezelily wailed. She crouched next to her mate's body. "You've been by my side for as long as I can remember. I hope you're happy in StarClan." She sobbed.

"My littermate..." Tigerpelt breathed, his ears flattened, as he padded up to his brother, and rested his head on Brownspot's shoulder. 

Lilystomp placed her tail tip on his back. "He's with Gorsefire and Patchpetal now." She mewed softly to him.

"Flashstar, if I may, I would like to retire." Breezelily sniffled. "I don't know if I can contribute to my clan as well as I use to. Not without Brownspot."

"Then, thank you for your service to this clan, and we wish you many moons of rest." The ginger leader dipped her head as the former warrior trudged towards the elder's den to grieve on her own before the vigil.