Chapter Five, Part Four

Gradually night settled in. The moon was finally high up in the sky, not quite full, but big enough so that it cast a glowing light and illuminated the cats’ path. “I think it’s about time to rest for the night!” Bramblestar yelled from far up front, and Lilypaw felt relief flood her. She trailed after everyone else into a dark forest, but for once she felt at home.

            The dark treetops rustled in the faint breeze. There was a thicker amount of snow higher up there, but it didn’t freeze Lilypaw’s paws. Her feet were already numb, the blood running cold under the hardened pink pads.

            She found a fairly warm place underneath a bush. She had to share it with Amberpaw and another apprentice from RiverClan named Creekpaw, but Lilypaw didn’t care as long as they were nice and weren’t disruptive during the evening.

            In the middle of the night, a paw prodded her side, delving into a ticklish spot for her. Lilypaw roused with a giggle and glanced up, just for a moment thinking that it was Seedpaw, waking her up to inform her that she was back and back for good.

            But it was Bramblestar. “Get up,” he whispered. “Get up and follow me out here.” He tiptoed out of the brush, dark tabby fur tufts left behind on brittle branches that jutted out from the spiny leaves.

            Shocked, Lilypaw hopped up; she was shivering cold the heartbeat she stepped out from her shelter. Gently, inaudible snowflakes fell softly from the sky.

            He faced her and murmured, “I received a prophecy about you and your sisters.”

            “A… prophecy?” she muttered. “What type of prophecy?”

            Bramblestar shrugged. “I didn’t really get it,” he uttered in a low tone. “But it had part of your names in it. Here goes: A seed will be planted and a lilies and poppies will sprout; but can the cinder ashes save them all from the storm that approaches?”

            Lilypaw blinked. She thought. It sounds like Cinderheart will have to save Poppyfrost, Seedpaw, and I. So that means Seedpaw will come back! “Who gave you the message?” was all she said aloud.

            “Honeyfern,” Bramblestar answered wistfully, staring out in space beyond Lilypaw.

            “I’ve been getting visits from her, too. But she never told me anything about a prophecy that I was involved in.”

            The Clan leader leaned forward and mewed in her ear, “Whatever it may be about, I want you and Poppyfrost to help lead us all. I have a feeling that there is something hostile in the air about the tribe. Perhaps we should leave them alone for a bit. Now go back to sleep.”

            Lilypaw nodded, feeling her eyelids commence to droop again. She obeyed and padded back to the bush.

            The next morning arrived too soon for Lilypaw. Or maybe it was just the fact that she had been awake in the heart of the night just a bit too long.

            She thought back to the previous eve and wondered why Bramblestar had jumped to conclusions so quickly. Maybe he’s just desperate.

            Lilypaw smoothed her fur that had been ruffled from sleep, her rough tongue slick against her pelt. She stretched then climbed out from the bush. Creekpaw was still asleep, but Amberpaw had apparently woken up and left earlier.

            The dark tabby glanced around once she was out. Soft pine needles, orange with death, cushioned her paws as she walked. ShadowClan’s probably at home here.

            Over to the side of the small clearing most of the Clan cats had settled in temporarily, Squirrelflight, Tawnypelt, Crowfeather, and Graymist- all of the deputies- somewhat reluctantly and awkwardly sent out mixed patrols of cats to catch some prey.     

            Lilypaw started over to them to be assigned to a patrol, but Bramblestar found her first, and he took her over to a private gap in some bushes where Cinderheart and Poppyfrost already sat in waiting.

            “I told them beforepaw,” Bramblestar informed Lilypaw. “So are you and Poppyfrost willing to lead us?”

            Cinderheart narrowed her dim blue eyes and challenged her leader. “What about me?”

            Bramblestar arranged his lips into a thin, straight line. “You’re fairly close to having your kits, Cinderheart. I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”

            The gray queen scoffed but didn’t protest. “Whatever,” she mumbled.

            “Anyway,” Poppyfrost stood up, breaking the ice between her sister and Bramblestar. “I would be delighted to help you. I just can’t believe that I’m directly involved in a prophecy! It’s so neat.” She smiled.

            Tiredly Lilypaw nodded, and Bramblestar looked satisfied. “Great. Now how about you two rest up some more as much as you can before we all start journeying again? It will be a bit until all of us get fed.”