Rise of the Clans #1: Scarlet Monsoon: Chapter 10

   Four black hounds began to encircle Silver Stripe. Saliva splitting, jaw slamming, paw thudding, they slowly progressed towards her. The hard movement of their giant paws and massive muscles tormented her with fear. Breath escaped Silver Stripe’s lungs, making her frantically breathe, in desperate rapid attempts. Panic swamped over her, panicking her every muscle and every sinew. Unsteadily slipping to her paws, Silver Stripe’s vision was blurred as she looked down at the ground.

   Wait, she registered, that’s sand! Am I in camp?

   “What the…?”

   There was no doubt in her mind that she was in the WindClan camp; there were dipping moorlands all around her, and the Tallrock stood in its regular fixed position. But everything else was different. The camp was deserted. There were no scents and no cats. Boulders and rocks were crushed into tiny fragments, the gorse barrier and tunnel had disappeared, and nearly impossible to see flecks of grass lay randomly across the clearing. Most notably, crushed yellow buds littered the floor, sliced into smaller pieces by cruel claws.

   Every part of Silver Stripe’s body was now standing on end. “StarClan, save me!” she cried out, flattening her ears.

   As the dogs got closer and closer, Silver Stripe closed her eyes. But it couldn’t hide her memories of the hounds. She could still see their soulless, disturbing, destructive eyes. Pure black and full of venomous malice, they penetrated her eyelids. Silver Stripe shook and trembled, feeling her legs growing weaker, with every passing heartbeat.

   Pointing her nose to the sky, Silver Stripe prayed, Please, StarClan, do something! But, to her horror, the sky was entrenched with everlasting darkness.

   The brutish creatures were within four fox-lengths, and it felt as though, their breath was polluting her body. If there had been any straps of fur still down, they shot up. Sand flew up against her muzzle as the hounds got even closer. Now they were within leaping distance. Horrified, Silver Stripe gasped in pure terror as each dog threw themselves onto her.

   Suddenly, her upper body flung forwards. Letting out hoarse breathes, Silver Stripe realised her fur was standing on end, bristling. The dream had kept her shivering. That dream… it feel too real.

   Four days had passed since Silver Stripe’s narrow escape from the dogs. And she was just glad to be alive. Amazed that she had escaped, her Clanmates had been given fresh hope against the dogs. After she had talked with Skystar, under a quarter moon ago, she realised that she must cherish every moment in her life. But, ever since her encounter with the dogs, her dreams had been haunted by the terrifying faceoff. Silver Stripe now dreaded falling to sleep each night, and it clawed at her in the waking world. Some nights, they were so bad that Black Ear would wake her up, claiming she’d been screeching and twitching.

   Pale light flittered down from the skies above as Silver Stripe raised her head, stretching as she did so. The sun was rising, and there were a couple of clouds displayed around its blue yonder. She gave her pale tabby fur a short groom and noticed that Black Ear and White Tail weren’t in their nests. Worried, she bounded into the clearing, sending spots of sand swirling with her dashed movements.

   “Watch it!” a cat furiously hissed from a nearby gorse bush.

   She skidded to an abrupt stop. In the half-light, Silver Stripe could see a black she-cat, who was covered in a web of scars. It was Fern Leaf – she was sitting underneath a gorse bush, lying in her nest, and leaning over a piece of prey.

   But, scanning the clearing, Silver Stripe felt panicked as she failed to spot her brothers. She knew that Black Ear could handle himself, but what about White Tail? Silver Stripe’s shiver returned as she remembered the appearance of the chilling hounds. Everything in their features filled her with anxious dread. How would her nervous brother fare face to face with them?

   Twisting around, Silver Stripe was reminded of Fern Leaf, making her wonder, does she where they are? “Hey, Fern Leaf, do you know where Black Ear and White Tail are?” Silver Stripe pleaded to the lean-muscled black she-cat, worried of her answer.

   “How am I supposed to know?” Fern Leaf flashed back. Seeing the hurt look in Silver Stripe’s eyes, Fern Leaf reconsidered, “Sorry, Silver Stripe. I’m just feeling tired and stressed.” The scarred she-cat sighed as she went on, “It’s a lot of responsibility being in charge of all the training exercises.”

   The sunrise after Gorse Fur’s patrol found the dogs, Windstar had announced that Fern Leaf would lead the training sessions, telling the Clan it would help defend themselves from the dogs. With a darker tone, Windstar had also told them that it would get them ready for a battle against them. Initially, Fern Leaf had rejected Windstar’s proposal, but Windstar persuaded her that she knew the most about dogs in the Clan.

   Silver Stripe felt a stab of sympathy for Fern Leaf as she realised what high pressure her Clanmate must be under. Fern Leaf is having to train every single WindClan cat. It must be draining work.

   The pale tabby she-cat dipped her head in apology. “I’m sorry. I was being inconsiderate, and I shouldn’t have disturbed you like that.”

   “It’s okay.” Fern Leaf meowed, flexing her body. “And by the way, I’ve not seen them.” Her green eyes moved from Silver Stripe to the Tallrock. “Windstar’s on the Tallrock. You could ask her,” she advised.

   Going towards Windstar, Silver Stripe called over her shoulder, “I will. Thanks, Fern Leaf.”

   “No problem,” she heard Fern Leaf’s faint voice fade as she scramble towards the leader of WindClan.

   She could hear a few cats sleeping as she kept on moving towards Windstar. Due to this, Silver Stripe made sure to set her paws down as lightly as possible. Luckily, the sand rinsed hollow helped. She slowed, noticing two or three more empty nests. This made her wonder: Am I just overreacting? Perhaps they both went out early on a patrol? Oh well, I better make sure. Once again picking up the pace, Silver Stripe continued her walk toward the Tallrock.

   The leader of WindClan sat boldly postured atop the Tallrock. Windstar often sat there. Its raised position in the camp made it a great place to look over the sandy hollow and the surrounding hills and moorland. The leader’s proud wiry figure stood motionless. It looked like she was staring into the distance.

   “Windstar?” Silver Stripe cautiously began, aware of her leader’s notorious fierce temper.

   “Oh, Silver Stripe, I didn’t see you there,” Windstar meowed. Her yellow eyes lightening, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

   Silver Stripe had to stretch her neck upwards to meet her leader’s gaze. “Black Ear and White Tail aren’t in their nests. And I was just wondering, do you knew where they are?”

   “Ah, those two–” Windstar began.

   Phew, Windstar must know where they are.

   “–went out on the dawn border patrol with Gorse Fur and Dust Muzzle.”

   Relieved, Silver Stripe felt her fur starting to lay flat. “Thank you, Windstar,” she responded.

   Windstar’s expression didn’t change as her yellow eyes gazed down on her. “While you’re up, you may as well lead some cats on a hunting patrol.”

   Silver Stripe obediently bowed her head. “Yes, Windstar.”

   Wow, Silver Stripe thought, my first time leading a patrol! As excitement shot through her fur, she felt the anxiety towards her brothers beginning to fade.

   A gust of wind edged her short-fur as Silver Stripe pondered about who she should wake up. She stood in the middle of the clearing, scanning the gorse bushes, where the cats of WindClan slept.

   Thankfully, a friendly voice from behind offered to join the patrol. “I’ll come with you,” Dew Nose greeted. “Windstar had me training all day yesterday. It would be nice to do some hunting for a change.”

   Silver Stripe rotated around to face the brown tabby she-cat. “Thanks,” she meowed.

   The she-cat’s yellow eyes gleamed. “So,” Dew Nose let out a purr, “who else is coming?”

   “I haven’t decided yet.” Then, she named the first cat that came to mind. “I could ask Storm Pelt,” Silver Stripe decided.

   One of Dew Nose’s ears flicked forward, knowingly. “I’m sure you can persuade him,” she teased, amusement in her voice.

   Silver Stripe felt her neck fur fluff out in embarrassment. “Storm Pelt’s just a good friend,” she admitted. “He’s a nice cat.”

   Dew Nose stared at her. “Fine.” Craning her neck forward, the white-nosed she-cat lowered her voice to a murmur, to make sure that Silver Stripe would be the only one to hear. “But, just so you know, he thinks highly of you,” Dew Nose started to explain. Her whiskers quivered in the light breeze, and her yellow eyes dimmed to a darker shade. “Our family’s been through a lot recently. I hope you won’t do anything to intentionally hurt him.”

   Tensing, Silver Stripe reminded herself, Storm Pelt’s just a friend. “Of course, I wouldn’t hurt him,” Silver Stripe meowed in agreement. “Storm Pelt’s one of my best friends,” she added with a purr, thinking of the friendly and wacky mottled gray tom.

   Dew Nose’s head began to lower, but she raised it again. Compared to previously, her expression looked more welcoming. “I don’t want to force you into anything − Well, he didn’t want me to say anything,” Dew Nose paused, seeming unsure about revealing her brother’s secret. But she gave herself a small shake and continued murmuring, “but he really was upset when you went missing. He even blamed himself for leaving you there.” Dew Nose shifted her paws, nervously. “If you don’t see him in that way, perhaps it would be better to tell him sooner rather than later.”

   That’s why he sounded so worried – I don’t know what to make of it all, Silver Stripe mused. I’ve only ever thought of him as a friend.

   “Don’t worry, Dew Nose. I’ll make sure not to offend him.” Remembering a vow she made to Moth Flight seasons ago, her younger voice sounded in her head. “I'm going to be the best hunter in WindClan.” Silver Stripe didn’t care too much about being WindClan’s best hunter. But she did want the best for her Clan.

   “I just don’t want him to get hurt,” Dew Nose murmured.

   “I won’t let him,” Silver Stripe expressed through gritted teeth, making sure her tail didn’t lash against the ground, becoming annoyed with how Dew nose was going on about it. “I want to put my Clan first. Now more than ever. Besides, I’m not looking for a mate at the moment.”

   Dew Nose still seemed uncertain, but Silver Stripe was thankful when she didn’t say anymore. Storm Pelt’s my friend. That’s all there is to it, Silver Stripe concluded.

    “I’ll go wake Slate up,” Silver Stripe added. She whipped her tail, signalling for Dew Nose to go and wake another cat up.

   Slate’s nest was near hers, and she soon padded over to it. Nudging her mother with a gentle paw, Silver Stripe quietly asked, “We’re going hunting, do you want to come?”

   Her mother’s eyes flicked open, and she gathered herself to her paws. Giving a soft shake of her thick gray fur, Slate replied, “All right.”

   They re-joined Dew Nose in the middle of the clearing, who had woken up Spotted Fur. The golden-brown tom’s eyes were still heavily strained with sleep. Windstar’s extra patrols is tiring everyone out. After Silver Stripe’s return, Windstar had ordered extra patrols to be conducted along the border nearest to the barn and small forest. Every cat is working hard, but how long can we keep it up for? Silver Stripe asked herself, unsure of the answer.

   “Come on,” Silver Stripe beckoned as she led the patrol out of the sandy hollow.

   Ever since her confrontation with the dogs, Silver Stripe felt flickers of unease being outside of camp. Her mind whirled back to her dream. Haunted, she trembled. Forcing it out of her mind, Silver Stripe glanced upwards. The four Clanmates had exited the gorse tunnel and now rolling moors circled them on all sides. High above, the sky had become less pale, and the sun had begun to rise into the sky. As the sky started to transform to a light blue, a few small clouds fluttered around in the small breeze.

   “It’s a nice day again,” Slate commented from behind Silver Stripe, making small talk.

   Further back, Silver Stripe heard Dew Nose speak up, “It’s weird, considering it should be leaf-fall now,” she agreed with Slate.

   Silver Stripe couldn’t help agreeing with Dew Nose, despite their conversation earlier. The air felt weirdly light and had a lack of coolness about it. She was unable to figure out why.

   “It could mean there’s rain coming,” Slate predicted.

   “That would be nice,” Spotted Fur purred. “It’s been too hot recently.”

   Silver Stripe raised her tail for silence. She lipped her tongue over her jaw as a juicy scent caught in her nostrils. “I can smell rabbit.” As Silver Stripe could only smell a single rabbit, she instructed, “Slate, you can come with me. Spotted Fur, Dew Nose, see if you find any lapwings near the gorge. I don’t think anyone’s hunted over there for a while.”

   “Shouldn’t we stay in a bigger group,” Spotted Fur pointed out.

   Hesitating, Silver Stripe paused. What do the other patrol leaders normally do? she inwardly speculated.

   “The dogs might still be around,” Spotted Fur continued, his tail streaming out behind him; it was obviously the dappled tom was on edge.

   “Head further down the gorge’s edge,” Slate interjected. “They wouldn’t go that far down.”

   Spotted Fur still looked unsure, his amber eyes glinting. But he dipped his head to Slate.

   As Dew Nose and Spotted Fur padded away, Silver Stripe turned towards her mother. “Thanks.”

   “You’re welcome,” Slate warmly purred. “I could tell you were unsure. Don’t worry, it isn’t easy leading your first patrol. And they should be fine that far down the gorge. I would be shocked if the dogs went that far down, after you said they were panicked by a speedy tom.”

   Once her Clanmates had finished smothering her, Silver Stripe had told them what had happened. Some of them found it hard to believe that the bright ginger tom had saved her. But she had insisted that it was true. Silver Stripe hadn’t thought about the bright ginger tom too much since, but she wondered if she would ever come across him again. I never got to thank him, she realised, with a shade of regret. What if I do see him again?

   Bare moorland expanded from all around them as the two cats neared the strong smell of rabbit. The small breeze trickled against their muzzles as they prowled forwards. Partly hidden in a thicket of heather, they saw the rabbit. It was hopping in between stalks of grass, taking a few moments at each interval to nibble at the tops.

   The stocky rabbit appeared to be plump, making Silver Stripe think that it would make a good meal for the Clan. Perhaps it will help Holly’s appetite. Jagged Peak’s grieving mate hadn’t eaten much since his death. Overcome by grief, her and her kits had stayed in their den, which was one of the most sheltered gorse bushes in camp. Heather Tuft and Stone Gaze still hadn’t returned to their previous selves. Instead, they always remained close to their mother, who didn’t let them out of her sight. It was obvious that Holly was afraid that the same thing would happen to them that had happened to Jagged Peak. One thing was for certain, like a fleck of heather in the wind, their playful exuberance had vanished.

   Breaking Silver Stripe from her thoughts, Slate tapped Silver Stripe’s back with her tail, signalling that she was going to circle around the rabbit. The rabbit kept on springing around the patches of grass, unaware of the two hunters. Waiting for Slate, Silver Stripe lay crouched in the heather, readying to knock the rabbit down.

   A shake in the far gorse made Silver Stripe realise that Slate was ready. Screeching, Slate came out of the gorse. The rabbit let out a shriek of bewilderment and immediately fled. But, instead of going towards Silver Stripe, the rabbit veered off. It was running towards the border that she had crossed four sunrises prior.

   Not wanting the rabbit to escape, Silver Stripe sprinted from her bundle of heather, ignoring Slate’s cry to leave it. Soon, the ground became a blur underneath her paws as she galloped to catch the rabbit. The rabbit was faster than her. Meaning, it quickly managed to pull out a convincing gap. The rabbit kept on thundering ahead, and, by this stage, she could barely see it. With a frustrated groan, she slowed, realising she had lost her prey.

   Suddenly, there was a cat in the distance. As fast as a bolt of lightning, the lean figure darted straight for the rabbit. That cat’s faster than any WindClan cat! she gaped in amazement, halting to a standstill. Scared, the rabbit made a desperate attempt to turn and avoid the outstretched claws of the new hunter. Stunned, Silver Stripe realised that the cat’s pelt was bright ginger. Hope swelled up from inside her. Could it be the same tom?

   Wanting to find out an answer, Silver Stripe bounded over to the tom. Approaching, she saw the limp rabbit at his paws; its tasty smell teasing her senses. As she got ever closer, she was surprised to see that it was the same bright ginger tom.

   Silver Stripe’s voice caught in her throat as she gazed over the tom. Sunlight blazed over his ginger pelt, making his pelt glow like flames. I’ve never seen a pelt that bright… A weird emotion stirred from inside her as she examined the tom’s lithe, compact frame, and handsome face.

   The humid air crackled with emotion.

   “Hi…,” Silver Stripe panted, not grasping how out of breath she had been. A nervous pit was forming in the depths of her stomach. “…You’re the cat who saved me…”

   “Yes…” he meowed rhythmically, his deep blue eyes brimming with interest. “I’m Blaze, what’s your name?”

   “Silver Stripe…”

   “That’s a strange name…”

   “So is Blaze…”

   “I suppose it is…”

   “Your pelt is very bright…”

   “Thanks… Your stripes are… beautiful.”

   Blaze’s bold blue gaze made Silver Stripe’s pelt prickle. “Listen…” Blaze breathed.

   Silver Stripe heard hurrying paw steps from behind her, getting closer and closer. They filled her with alarm. “That’s my Clanmate. It’s best you−”

   Blaze’s voice was suddenly more composed as he urgently meowed, “Can I meet you later? Just after moonhigh? How about here?”

   Silver Stripe was unsure. What will my Clan think? What will my family think? What would Storm Pelt think? “I don’t know.” She felt herself lurching on her paws, feeling troubled by the excitement she already felt for this mysterious tom.

   Blaze had also heard Slate’s thudding paw steps and had backtracked into a thicker section of gorse. Despite being hidden by it, he still manage to yowl out, pleadingly, “Please!”

   Not knowing whether or not she would actually meet with the strange bright ginger tom again, Silver Stripe called out, “Thanks for saving me!”

   As Silver Stripe realised Blaze was gone, an unexplainable sadness blossomed in her chest. Once again, a mixture of emotions rippled through her: Should I meet him later? He did save my life… The Clan… My family… What about Storm Pelt’s feelings?

   Waiting for Slate, Silver Stripe sat there, daydreaming. The only thing Silver Stripe could imagine was Blaze’s deep blue eyes and his flaming clumps of bright ginger fur. It was as though, Blaze was scorched in her mind. Previously, Silver Stripe had only seen him up close for a flash, however. This was different. Strange emotions of wonder and fascination were awakening from inside of her, and there was a definite strong urge to meet Blaze later.