Roaring Thunder: Rising Flames

Chapter 3

Stormpaw curled up in her nest, and fell asleep. Her sleep was filled with dreams.

"Hello Stormpaw," a silver tabby she-cat meowed. "I'm Silverpool, Dewstar's daughter."

"What do you have to do with me?" Stormpaw asked. Silverpool's eyes were the same blue as Stormpaw's.

Weird, Stormpaw thought.

"I can't tell you," Silverpool meowed. Stars swirled around the she-cat's paws. "Only dew can tell you." Stormpaw puzzled over this, when Silverpool started to walk away.

"Wait!" Stormpaw yowled. "What do you mean that only dew can tell me?" She started to dash after Silverpool, but then she jerked awake. Stormpaw was breathing heavily.

"Can't a cat get any sleep?" Moonpaw groaned. "I can't sleep with you yowling in your sleep."

"Sorry," Stormpaw mumbled.

"You should be nicer!" Jaypaw protested. "I couldn't sleep, but at least I didn't complain!"

"But she's your sister," Moonpaw sniffed. Jaypaw frowned.

"She's your denmate," Stagclaw stuck his head in. "Stormpaw, this way. Dawn patrol. Mossyleaf wants you, Jaypaw. You are coming with us." Stagclaw and Stormpaw padded out of the apprentice's den with Jaypaw. The camp was alive with sounds, but the sounds of coughing erupted from the elder's den.

"Stop coughing in my face!" Briarclaw roared. She sounded as fierce as a LionClan warrior.

"I'm trying not to!" Amberfleck wailed.

"Well try harder!"

"Stop fighting!" Raggedfur shouted.

"Harrumph," Briarclaw huffed. 

Stormpaw, Stagclaw, Mossyleaf and Jaypaw headed out. As they were passing Sunningrocks, Stormpaw scented RiverClan. A RiverClan apprentice and his mentor stood on the rocks.

"Hey drypaws!" the RiverClan apprentice yowled. "I hear that you hate fish! How insult-"

"Dewpaw," the warrior hissed. "Stop it." 

Dewpaw, Stormpaw thought. He has the same blue eyes as me. His fur is silver tabby and his name is Dewpaw. Is he the one that Silverpool talked about? He doesn't seem like someone who could tell me what Silverpool has to do with me. Stormpaw glanced behind her at Dewpaw. He was arguing with his mentor.

"Elder duty for a moon!" Stormpaw heard Dewpaw's mentor growl.

Why does the river seem to be calling out to me? Stormpaw thought. 

"Stormpaw," Stagclaw meowed, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Open your jaws. What can you scent?" Stormpaw opened her jaws. Mouse and leaves filled her mouth. A strong, musky odor wormed it's way into her mouth.

"I smell a strong, musky odor I've never scented before," Stormpaw replied. Stagclaw looked worried.

"Aren't we going to follow it?" Jaypaw asked. Stagclaw sighed.

"That is badger scent," Stagclaw explained. "Badgers are dangerous." Jaypaw looked worried. Stormpaw unsheathed her claws and flexed them.

"We should track it," Stormpaw meowed. "Make sure it doesn't stay in our territory." Stagclaw and Mossyleaf exchanged glances.

"You're right," Stagclaw sighed. "We should." Stormpaw and Jaypaw sniffed out the scents, and their mentors followed.

"I've lost the trail!" Jaypaw cried.

"It's still there," Stormpaw replied. Jaypaw sniffed around, his face lifting.

"I've found it!" he exclaimed. Suddenly, a black and white shape loomed over the cats. It roared in anger.

"Stop! No hurt cats!" a big badger roared. She stood in between the cats and badger. She roared and the badger ruefully walked away.

"Wh-who are you?" Stormpaw asked. She was trembling all over.

"I am Midnight," she said. "Speak many languges. Badger, fox, rabbit, cat."

"Wow," Jaypaw breathed. He glanced at Stormpaw.

"Midnight," Stagclaw meowed. "We thank you for your help." The young deputy bowed gratefully and turned to leave. The patrol headed home.

Could Midnight help me? Stormpaw wondered. I'll go tonight. I'll speak with Midnight.