Warriors: Broken Shore

Chapter 2: Assessment Day

Dove winces as Mellowdawn dabs the damp webbing onto fresh wounds, and the medicine cat's ears go down as Strawfall speaks up.

"Mousebrained patrols," he muttered in a growl as he holds his right paw to his chest, glancing at the other three cats in the den as Mellowdawn noses a couple of dandelion leaves to Dove.

"We should've known Ratbelly would return with Honeydawn and her warriors," Auburnclaw states, licking the thin gash above the smaller tom's eye, "He said she would know." Strawfall just shakes his head, becoming hunched. 

Mellowdawn hums, "It's not new though, is it?" she asks, rhetorically. She sighs, "You've had an introduction to their clan though, Dove, and-" 

"Auburnclaw, Strawfall," Lakestar's stern voice cuts through the medicine den, eyes narrow and ears tall, "What happened?"

"Ivoryclan, their patrol attacked us," Strawfall stands on three paws, his foreleg still raised, "We tried avoiding a fight but they didn't listen, Lakestar."

The white tom only nods to the short warrior, turning to Mellowdawn, "No cat has harmful wounds? Permanent ones?"

The long-haired tabby shook her head side-to-side, "No, they should be fine." She perks her ears, pausing and taking her gaze off the leader before looking at Strawfall, "I do recommend you rest though, Strawfall, you're leg should recover quickly if you do. No hunting or training until tomorrow's sun-high."

The pale cat nodded before making his way to the entrance of the den, "I'll do so where I can find a sunning spot." He tells her before disappearing through the thin vines covering the exit. Mellowdawn nodded, watching Auburnclaw follow the small tom. 

Dove's tail twitches, still shook from the sudden fight that had broken out earlier, "And this happens often?" he asks, rather suddenly.

He receives a nod from Lakestar, "Unfortunately," a sigh rests under his words - clearly tired of the ongoing battles. "The clan's becoming desperate to end it. He glances at Mellowdawn, who sits with her eyes closed - both toms grow silent.

There were a few beats of quiet before the medicine cat speaks up, a visible shiver through her fur. Lakestar looks on expectedly. 

"Starclan," She murmurs before opening her yellow eyes, "A cat of two-faces will break the border - he will hurt the trust of a leader. Regret will haunt him."

Dove perks his ears in confusion, but the tall tom next to him speaks, "A prophecy?"

Mellowdawn half nods, "Cat of two-faces-" she pauses before a sigh escapes her and she shakes her head, "Deception in a warrior, it's far too clear, but the rest I almost fear." Her tail twitches, "We will certainly find out."

Lakestar only nods, turning to pad out of the den, "Its past sundown, rest. Both of you." He says before exiting. Dove's ears twitch.

"I suppose Goldie was right, clan-cats have very different beliefs," He sits down, curling his tail around his paws. 

"Silentstone has taught you what Starclan is, yes?" Mellowdawn asks as she curls into a sandy bed of moss and small feathers.

"Sort of?" The tom replies, laying down as well, "He told me about the clan's ancestors being there. And a little about prophecies. Do- do all cats receive them?"

"Well, medicine cats and leaders have the strongest connection with Starclan, but there have been few cases of such," Mellowdawn replies, one ear perked, "I haven't heard one from another cat, well, other than my mentor." Dove nods and the she-cat then questions, "Did Silentstone tell you about anything else-?"