Prologue
Roosterstar sat at the entrance of the leader’s den watching the life of the clan busy past him. The apprentices play fought in the middle of the clearing while the older warriors shared tongues under the shade of the Blackbird’s Perch and the Medicine Cat Sunleaf busied herself with drying out some of her herbs on a rock near the Sick Cat’s den, the clan’s deputy Mulepelt sat near her enjoying her company. Roosterstar studied the deputy’s sleek dark brown tabby pelt, the tom was always well kept and pristine with a personality that drew others in making them long to be his friend. This was a feeling almost everyone had about the deputy including Roosterstar who felt like he could true Mulepelt with his life. But now, as he looked at him, a something seemed to change as if a slight shift in the weather and when Mulepelt’s shaded copper eyes looked over at Roosterstar he felt a shiver run down his spin.
“Roosterstar! Please come and explain to Lionleaf how it would be better if she had a warrior accompanying her when she travels close to the Cattle Farm.” Mulepelt called.
“I have to agree with him Lionleaf. I know you are very capable of protecting yourself but those dogs that live on that farm are ferocious beasts. It would make the entire clan feel safer.” Roosterstar purred as he trotted over to the two cats.
“Yes I am sure that is so Roosterstar but I can’t be bothered to be slowed down by anyone else.”
“If you just have one other cat with you it shouldn’t slow you down too much.” Roosterstar pushed on.
“Fine, but it has to be Dustwind. He is the swiftest of all the warriors.” Lionleaf sighed in defeat.
“Good it is settled I will go and talk to Dustwind now!” Mulepelt rose to his feet and began to walk off, his eyes meeting with Roosterstar’s sending a shiver down his spine once again.
Roosterstar had to keep himself from jumping aside as Mulepelt walked past. Looking at those eyes were like looking at the eyes of a rattlesnake or one of the farm dogs. They looked as if they were calling for blood, his blood. A storm was on the horizon and was aimed at Roosterstar. Reluctantly he pushed the feeling away and turned to the Medicine cat for distraction.
“So are you going out again?” He purred.
Lionleaf seemed to ignore his question as she turned away from the lavender that she was gathering up and looked at him with an uncharacteristic look. “We need to talk. Now.”
Picking up the lavender Lionleaf trotted off to her den. For some reason Roosterstar seemed to be noticing every emotional detail in all of the cat’s eyes today. First Mulepelt’s now Lionleaf’s,yet unlike the former’s hers were full of fear and panic.
The medicine cat’s den was warm and full of the smell of lavender which was Lionleaf’s favorite scent. The smell of it always made Roosterstar feel calm and reminded him of when he was a young kit living in the nursery so he never complained when the smell transferred over to the Leader’s Ledge.
“Starclan came to me last night. Roosterstar they told me something horrid.” Lionleaf spoke with her back to him as she stored her herbs. “Do you know what they told me?” She took a deep breath and turned to look at him as she continued. “You are going to die tonight. And we both know who is going to take your last life.”
Roosterstar looked over his shoulder at the darkness of the cave behind him. He knew beyond that was his killer and he was astonished with the feeling he had. He felt a feeling of acceptance and peace. He decided in that moment that if he had the opportunity to he would not fight back, he would not struggle, he would take this with pride and was glad that he would finally be able to join Starclan.
“Roosterstar! Please come and explain to Lionleaf how it would be better if she had a warrior accompanying her when she travels close to the Cattle Farm.” Mulepelt called.
“I have to agree with him Lionleaf. I know you are very capable of protecting yourself but those dogs that live on that farm are ferocious beasts. It would make the entire clan feel safer.” Roosterstar purred as he trotted over to the two cats.
“Yes I am sure that is so Roosterstar but I can’t be bothered to be slowed down by anyone else.”
“If you just have one other cat with you it shouldn’t slow you down too much.” Roosterstar pushed on.
“Fine, but it has to be Dustwind. He is the swiftest of all the warriors.” Lionleaf sighed in defeat.
“Good it is settled I will go and talk to Dustwind now!” Mulepelt rose to his feet and began to walk off, his eyes meeting with Roosterstar’s sending a shiver down his spine once again.
Roosterstar had to keep himself from jumping aside as Mulepelt walked past. Looking at those eyes were like looking at the eyes of a rattlesnake or one of the farm dogs. They looked as if they were calling for blood, his blood. A storm was on the horizon and was aimed at Roosterstar. Reluctantly he pushed the feeling away and turned to the Medicine cat for distraction.
“So are you going out again?” He purred.
Lionleaf seemed to ignore his question as she turned away from the lavender that she was gathering up and looked at him with an uncharacteristic look. “We need to talk. Now.”
Picking up the lavender Lionleaf trotted off to her den. For some reason Roosterstar seemed to be noticing every emotional detail in all of the cat’s eyes today. First Mulepelt’s now Lionleaf’s,yet unlike the former’s hers were full of fear and panic.
The medicine cat’s den was warm and full of the smell of lavender which was Lionleaf’s favorite scent. The smell of it always made Roosterstar feel calm and reminded him of when he was a young kit living in the nursery so he never complained when the smell transferred over to the Leader’s Ledge.
“Starclan came to me last night. Roosterstar they told me something horrid.” Lionleaf spoke with her back to him as she stored her herbs. “Do you know what they told me?” She took a deep breath and turned to look at him as she continued. “You are going to die tonight. And we both know who is going to take your last life.”
Roosterstar looked over his shoulder at the darkness of the cave behind him. He knew beyond that was his killer and he was astonished with the feeling he had. He felt a feeling of acceptance and peace. He decided in that moment that if he had the opportunity to he would not fight back, he would not struggle, he would take this with pride and was glad that he would finally be able to join Starclan.