
Number of Cats: 26
(12 Mollies 14 Toms)
It was after everyone had come back from patrols and training that Honeyear called Hopstripe to come see him. "yes?" she asked after they had moved away. She knew what it was about. "you will do it tonight." Hopstripe froze for a second, then nodded slowly. "Alright..." she gulped. She was worried... But not worried about killing the deputy. Worried about disappointing Honeyear. Honeyear smiled. "Great. Just remember, nothing that happens must trace back to us." he spoke sternly despite his smiling face. Hopstripe nodded, looking tense. Honeyear looked at her for a second. Strangely, he had come to care about the young warrior, a little like a younger sister or daughter. She was always so excited, so happy to do what he wanted. Honeyear found himself wishing everything would go well for her. "Honeyear?" Hopstripe asked, having perfectly well noticed he was deep in thoughts. Honeyear shook himself. "Hm? Oh, let's train a little more." he said. Hopstripe was confused, but she nodded and got ready to train.
Leafstrike and Ravenfeather chatted happily as they walked back to camp after their hunting patrol. "it feels so great to be back! My hunting and fighting skills have gone down though, I need to practice." Ravenfeather was saying. Leafstrike nodded. "I noticed. It's true you didn't get much chance to practice in the last, what, eight moons?" he replied. Ravenfeather nodded. "yes. Eight moons... Our kits grew up so quickly didn't they?" she purred. Leafstrike smiled and nuzzled her gently. "I know. Before we know it, they'll be warriors, in our footsteps." Ravenfeather smiled. "yes. I'm glad Smokewhisker and Barleystorm are their mentors, they are good warriors." Ravenfeather agreed. Leafstrike nodded. "not as good as you though." he smiled cheekily. Ravenfeather laughed. "not right now. My reflexes are a lot slower than usual!" she protested. Leafstrike shrugged. "we can train a little if you like, tonight." Ravenfeather smiled. She could see the camp ahead. "Alright!" she agreed.
Whisperleap had managed to drag herself from the nursery and was now lying in the sun, watching the apprentices play with a happy smile. One day, her own kits would be doing that... Mikestep went up to her. "Whisperleap, you should be careful. You are so close to having your kits!" he said, coming closer. Whisperleap laughed. "oh come on Mikestep, I'll be fine. I'm careful, don't worry!" she told him playfully. Mikestep sighed. Since Whisperleap was expecting, he had become worried for her. A bit too much, in Whisperleap's taste. "I know, but..." Mikestep laid down beside her and nuzzled her. "I just don't want anything to happen." he murmured. Whisperleap licked him on the head. "I'll be fine." she repeated. Then they simply sat calmly, watching the kits with bright, happy eyes.
Fawnthroat watched Whisperleap and Mikestep, her eyes filling with tears. But she blinked them away suddenly. She should be used to having lost Brackenheart by now, shouldn't she? She sighed heavily. Some wounds never healed, even for her, who knew all possible herbs. She heard a noise behind her and jumped. "are you alright?" it was Freckleface. He sounded a little worried. Fawnthroat blinked a little more to make sure no tears were left. "yes, yes." she said, but her voice broke. Freckleface sighed. "no you're not..." he looked in the direction she was looking in and sighed. "it's because of what happened in Waveclan, isn't it?" he asked quietly. They rarely referred to what had happened with the actual words. Just... What happened. Fawnthroat forced a smile. "yes. I miss Brackenheart." she knew he was probably dead, killed by a fox or a badger. She was very lucky to have survived. Freckleface smiled sadly. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, mum." he spoke softly. Fawnthroat felt tears rise even more and she nuzzled him. "oh, don't be! I love you, Freckleface. I loved you since you were born, even when I had to leave." she murmured. Freckleface smiled and nuzzled her back. "thank you." he whispered back.
Dark slowly fell, until Hopstripe knew it was time. The apprentices had gone to their den, and the camp was mostly silent except for a few groups of cats talking together. Hopstripe knew exactly where Ravenfeather was. In a corner of camp, practicing with Leafstrike. And she also knew how to get her away from there. She walked there, looking worried. "Ravenfeather!" she said as she came closer. Ravenfeather stopped training and looked at her. "What's wrong?" the deputy asked. Hopstripe seemed to hesitate, looking at Leafstrike. "Ravenfeather, I need to speak to you privately." she whispered, making herself sound very worried. Ravenfeather frowned. This sounded serious. "Alright, come on then." she sighed. "Leafstrike, don't wait for me!" she told her mate. And, with a twitch of the tail to tell Hopstripe to follow, she started walking towards the edge of camp. They walked for a few minutes, and left camp in direction of the river. It's roar grew steadily louder as the two mollies came closer, finally hidden from anyone at camp. Since Ravenfeather was still facing away from her, Hopstripe took a deep breath... And launched herself on the deputies back, claws out.
"hey!" Ravenfeather shouted, stumbling to the ground. She hadn't been expecting that, and was shaken. Instantly, Hopstripe jumped off and started scratching at the deputies face, hoping to get to the neck. But Ravenfeather had moons of training behind her, and with a mighty push of her hind legs got Hopstripe off. Both sprung to their feet and faced each other, Hopstripe hissing. "Hopstripe, why are you doing this?" Ravenfeather asked. She didn't want to kill the young warrior, and if she could try to make her stop... "Because." Hopstripe growled, watching for an opening. Ravenfeather seemed confused. "are you doing this just for fun? Because one day-" she stopped talking as Hopstripe launched herself at her again. Ravenfeather only parried, never attacked. But she was slowly being driven back. She got closer to the river, slowly... Behind her, the roar of the river got louder. There had been a huge Greenleaf storm the previous day and the river now threatened to leave it's banks. A sudden yowl from Hopstripe made Ravenfeather flinch, and that millisecond of inattention let Hopstripe rush forward, and with her jaws grab Ravenfeather throat. Ravenfeather stumbled back. She couldn't breathe! She shook herself, bu the young warrior's grip on her throat was tight and relentless. Ravenfeather felt her will weaken as blood streamed from the large wound on her throat, and the deputy fell to the ground. Black started creeping over her vision, she barely moved now... She knew she would not survive, even if Fawnthroat somehow ran to her and helped her. It was too late. But in a last show of strength, Ravenfeather gathered her hind legs to Hopstripe's stomach, and with a mighty heave pushed her off. Yowling, Hopstripe fell back and disappeared into the river's roaring waters. Ravenfeather only had time to see her murderer's head disappear under the water before black closed in and she fell limp.
Hopstripe felt the deputies heave make her lose her grip, and she flew into the air. She fell into the river with a splash, the force of the fall making her go under for a second. She swum up, air making itself rare. As her head finally broke through the surface, she looked around. She was so far already! Hopstripe could just make out two cats walking towards Ravenfeather. Who were they? But another wave pushed her under and she couldn't see any more. The current continued carrying her downstream, and Hopstripe became weaker. She couldn't get up to breathe enough, stars started dancing across her vision. She was pushed under once more and her head hit a sharp rock. Her vision flickered then went out, and Hopstripe's limp body continued to be carried down the river.
Night had truly fallen now, and everyone was asleep. Except for Leafstrike. He was pacing the warrior's den, worried. Why wasn't Ravenfeather back yet? And Hopstripe? He let out a growl of frustration, which made Smokewhisker look up sleepily. "Leafstrike? What's wrong?" he asked. Leafstrike sighed. "Ravenfeather still isn't back, neither is Hopstripe. I'm worried for them..." he told his friend. Smokewhisker stood. "That doesn't sound good... What about we go search for them?" Leafstrike hesitated. "Alright... But let's tell someone where we're going." he said. Smokewhisker nodded. He walked over to Sycamorewhisker. "Sycamorewhisker?" he called gently to the sleeping tom. The warrior groaned quietly, but woke. "What's wrong?" he mumbled sleepily. "Leafstrike and me are going out to search for Ravenfeather and Hopstripe. We just wanted someone to know." Smokewhisker whispered. Sycamorewhisker nodded, and promptly fell asleep again. Smokewhisker looked back at Leafstrike. "We can go now." the two toms slunk out of the warrior's den silently. Leafstrike remembered which way his mate had gone, and led Smokewhisker that way.
It was dark as they walked, but a faint moonlight allowed them to see around. Smokewhisker and Leafstrike approached the river, which was the closest guess the two had as to where the two mollies might have gone. In Leafstrike's heart, dread started to grow. Why weren't they there? "There!" Smokewhisker suddenly said. Leafstrike looked around, his heart pounding. It was true, two figures could be seen by the river edge! But as they came close, Leafstrike instantly realized that Ravenfeather wasn't there. None had her distinctive shape. In fact, it was two unknown cats that greeted them. They were both drenched. "Hello!" Smokewhisker called. "Who are you?" despite his greeting, he sounded tense. "Smokebreath and Fogspark!" one said. But he too sounded tense. Scared, even. Leafstrike instantly picked that up. "What's wrong?" he snapped. "No-Nothing..." the other said, but it was obvious she was lying. Leafstrike didn't want to be patient. "what do you know?" he asked loudly. The cats looked away. Smokewhisker, sensing his friend was worried, put his tail on his back. "calm down." he murmured. "you are in Swallowclan territory. Why did you come?" he asked more loudly to the cats. "we had enough of our clan... We left and decided to come here." the male, Smokebreath, answered. Smokewhisker nodded. "our clan is behind us. Go and wake someone." Smokewhisker told the two. They nodded and rushed off, water dripping off them. "but Smokewhisker, why did you do that?" Leafstrike asked suddenly. "now let's just follow their scent." the two strangers hesitant answers had made Leafstrike be even more scared, and he followed Smokewhisker quickly.
They followed Smokebreath and Fogspark's scents, but soon another scent joined it. That of blood. Leafstrike was running now. Now he saw something on the ground. A still body. A cat, with long, black fur, matted with blood. "Ravenfeather!" he yelled, and ran to his mate. Tears ran down his face. No, it couldn't be! No. She couldn't be... Dead? Smokewhisker hung back. Leafstrike buried his face into Ravenfeather's fur. She was cold already. "Noo!!" he yowled, all the grief and pain obvious in his voice. "No..." he sobbed, falling to the ground by her. His eyes closed. "What happened?" he murmured. Suddenly he tensed. He felt something... I'm sorry. It was just a whisper, a gentle touch. But it was enough to make Leafstrike's heart break into a million pieces again. "Ravenfeather..." he sobbed. Smokewhisker stood back, tears filling his eyes. The deputy had been so nice to everyone... He would miss her terribly.
But suddenly Smokewhisker noticed something. "Leafstrike... Where is Hopstripe?" he asked quietly. He didn't want to disturb his friend now, but this was important. Leafstrike looked up. "I... I don't know." he voice broke. Smokewhisker turned around Ravenfeather's body. There... Hopstripe's scent ended by the water! She must have fallen in... "Leafstrike! I think Hopstripe fell in the water." Smokewhisker didn't know what to do. "go back to camp, and get help. I'll go see if I can find Hopstripe." Leafstrike seemed reluctant to leave his mate, but he understood how important this was. "Alright." he said, his voice broken. Both cats split up, Leafstrike going back to camp and Smokewhisker following the river down.
Leafstrike ran into camp, and saw that a few cats were awake. Smokebreath and Fogspark, but also Sycamorewhisker, as well as Spiderstar. "Leafstrike!" Sycamorewhisker called in relief upon seeing him. But Leafstrike's expression soon made him look worried. "what's wrong?" "Ravenfeather." Leafstrike gasped, the grief on his face evident. "she's-" the cats gasped. No... But Spiderstar got moving quickly. "Sycamorewhisker, go wake Fawnthroat. You two, go inside the warriors den. Leafstrike, wake Honeyear and Moonshadow." Sycamorewhisker rushed off while Leafstrike entered the warriors den and did so. Soon cats began to gather. "Spiderstar, Smokewhisker has gone to look for Hopstripe, who probably fell into the river. I think Fawnthroat should go that way..." Leafstrike told his leader. Spiderstar nodded. "Fawnthroat, go with Moonshadow and Sycamorewhisker. Leafstrike, you must show us where Ravenfeather is." Leafstrike gulped. He didn't want to... But he nodded anyway. "yes, Spiderstar." he murmured. Everyone got moving and the camp was soon silent.
"Hopstripe!" Smokewhisker exclaimed as he saw the young warrior lie limp by the edge of the river. His heart was beating hard. Was she dead, too? He ran closer. It didn't seem like she was breathing... Smokewhisker crouched by her, and suddenly felt a big weight seemed to drop from his shoulders. Hopstripe's chest rose and fell, very slightly. So she was alive. Smokewhisker looked around. What could he do? He needed to wait and hope Leafstrike had gotten the message through alright. It took only a few minutes, during which Smokewhisker watched Hopstripe with a worried look, for Fawnthroat, Moonshadow and Sycamorewhisker to arrive. "What happened?" Fawnthroat asked loudly, running to them. "I don't know... She's unconscious, but alive." Smokewhisker told the medicine cat. Fawnthroat nodded. "I need to take her to the medicine den. I can't help her enough here." The other cats nodded and together started carefully carrying the unconscious Hopstripe towards camp.
~the next day~
Barely any of the warriors had slept that night, and as the sun rose many looked at it with bleary eyes. Leafstrike had pushed himself through the night, and as his saw his kits leave the apprentice den his heart squeezed. He couldn't tell them! But he didn't need to, as they soon saw their mothers limp body in the center of camp. Ferretpaw and Fuzzypaw ran forward. "mum?" Fuzzypaw asked in a weak voice. She looked up at her father. "Dad? What's wrong with mum?" she asked, her voice shaking. Inside, Fuzzypaw knew what was wrong. Ferretpaw was frozen, his eyes on his mother's closed eyes. "I'm sorry, Fuzzypaw. Ferretpaw." Leafstrike whispered. He slowly came closer, but Fuzzypaw turned away. "What happened? Why did she die?" her high-pitched voice rose over the mostly silent clan. "Why didn't you do anything about it?" Tears rolled down her face. Leafstrike felt tears rise for the thousands time that day. "I wish she hadn't! But I-" he looked away. "I couldn't save her." he chocked out. He watched Fuzzypaw run away, but Ferretpaw still hadn't moved. Tears still ran down his face. "I loved you, mum." he chocked out, then ran away in direction of his sister.
At some point, Spiderstar knew it was time to make the announcement. Everyone had seen what had happened, but it hadn't been made official just yet. He jumped onto the high rock. "May all cats able to catch their own prey gather beneath this rock!" he yowled. The clan slowly gathered, although a few were missing. Ravenfeather, of course. Fawnthroat had stayed by Hopstripe, who had only briefly woken during the night. Whisperleap was too close to kitting to come out, and Ferretpaw and Fuzzypaw still hadn't come back. "As you all know, our deputy, Ravenfeather, has died yesterday... Has been murdered." Spiderstar hated to have to say that, but it was true. Fawnthroat had confirmed it to them, Ravenfeather had died of a wound to the throat. "That means I need to choose a new deputy..." Spiderstar looked around. One cat had often helped him, had a good leadership and was serious at work. "Honeyear, please step forward." Honeyear barely disguised his smile as he did. "May Starclan approve my choice, of choosing Honeyear as my next deputy." the camp was silent. No-one felt like cheering, not now.
"Honeyear, please give out patrols." Spiderstar said, jumping down. Just then, there was a cry from the nursery. Mikestep paled and started running to it. What was wrong with Whisperleap? But he saw Fawnthroat hurry from the medicine den too, and stopped. It was time! So he went back to the high rock and listened to Honeyear give out patrols, his heart beating. Despite knowing what was happening, he was worried for his mate. "Barleystorm, Barkknot, Moonshadow, Brambleburr, Freckleface and me will go on a hunting patrol." Honeyear decided, looking around. "For the others, rest." he knew everyone would be tired, and even though he wanted to, he knew he should wait before making them work. The cats he had chosen were the ones that had gotten some sleep the previous night, and were maybe the least affected by what had happened. "If you all know what you should be doing, let's go." he said, and started looked around for his companions to join him. Cats streamed back to their dens and the camp was soon silent, except for Whisperleap's cries of pain.
(Ravenfeather has been murdered by Hopstripe! Honeyear has become the new deputy of Swallowclan
Hopstripe almost drowned! She also hit her head on a sharp rock
Whisperleap is kitting!
Ashpaw and Fawnthroat are helping Whisperleap
Spiderstar going to the moonpool to tell Starclan of his decision to make Honeyear deputy
Barleystorm, Honeyear, Barkknot, Moonshadow, Brambleburr and Freckleface hunting patrol
Rest of the clan mourning
Fogspark and Smokebreath have joined Swallowclan!)
- Leader:
Spiderstar | 71 moons | Male | X
Lives: ★★★★★★★★★
Deputy:
Honeyear | 53 moons | Male | X
Medicine Cat:
Fawnthroat | 74 moons | Female | X
Medicine Cat apprentice:
Ashpaw | 11 moons | Female | X
Warriors:
Leafstrike | 59 moons | Male | X
Moonshadow | 53 moons | Female | X
Smokewhisker | 35 moons | Male | X
Barkknot | 55 moons | Male | X
Mikestep | 22 moons | Male | X
Freckleface | 45 moons | Male | X
Hopstripe | 22 moons| Female | X
Barleystorm | 45 moons | Female | X
Sycamorewhisker | 48 moons | Male | X
Brambleburr| 48 moons | Female | X
Beetlewing | 14 moons | Male | X
Specklefang | 14 moons | Female | X
Sandpelt | 18 moons | Male | X
Smokebreath | 37 moons | Male | X
Fogspark | 37 moons | Female | X
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]X[/url]
Apprentices:
Pebblepaw | 10 moons | Male | X
Firepaw | 9 moons | Male | X
Ferretpaw | 7 moons | Male | X
Fuzzypaw | 7 moons | Female | X
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]X[/url]
Queens:
Wheatfur | 56 moons | Female | X
Whisperleap | 21 moons | Female | X (kitting!!)
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]X[/url]
Kits:
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]X[/url]
Elders:
Fauna | 175 moons | Female | X
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]X[/url]
Ally Clans:
Mapleclan | purrfect
Lotusclan | wolfie
Quarzclan | Sunnymcsun
Blueclan | miss universe
Boulderclan | shasta blue
Clan Name | UsernameEnemy Clans
Clan Name | Username
Clan Name | UsernameBorders:
North: Clan name | Owner
East: Clan name | Owner
South: Clan name | Owner
West: Sorrelclan | Skygold
Medicine Store
Borage leaves | It produces more and better milk. It also brings down fevers. | x1
Catmint | Best remedy for the deadly greencough, which kits and elders usually catch in the season of leaf-bare. Can also be used for whitecough.| x2
Cobwebs | To soak up and stop (or slow) the bleeding. It may also be used to bind broken bones.| x1
Feverfew | Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially good for headaches.| x0
Poppy seeds | They can help a cat sleep, soothe shock or distress, or ease pain. Not recommended for nursing queens.| x1
Alder bark | cures toothache. | x1
Lavender | Cures fever and chills. Also used to hide the scent of death. | x2
Hawkweed | Like catmint, can be used for greencough| x1
Bindweed | Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place. | x1
Broom | It is used to make poultices for broken legs and wounds. | x1
Dandelion | Eases breathing or kitten-cough, as well as cracked or sore pads. | x0
Chervil | For infected wounds and bellyache, respectively. Can also be used during kitting. | x0
Thyme | Calms nervousness, anxiety, and cats who are in shock.| x1
Dock | Soothes scratches, though can sting when being applied. Soothes sore pads. If placed in nests, it can ease the pain of wounds.| x1
Lungwort | Cures yellowcough. | x1
Marigold | Stops infection. Stops bleeding. Used for inflammation of stiff joints. | x2
Ivy leaves | Used to carry and store other herbs. | x1
Name | Effect | x?Fresh-Kill Pile:
(5 servings per post)
Mice | x4 | 4 servings (used up)
Vole | x3 | 3 servings
Small fish | x2 | 4 servings
Big fish | x0 | 0 servings
Bird | x1 | 1 servings (used up)
Rabbit | x2 | 4 servings
Total: 11 servings left over/ 2 posts[b]Mentors:
Sycamorewhisker| Pebblepaw| 4: fighting, hunting, climbing, swimming
Fawnthroat| Ashpaw| 3: Finding plants in the forest, Plants against illnesses, Plants against wounds
Honeyear | Firepaw | 3: Fighting, hunting, climbing
Smokewhisker | Fuzzypaw | 1: climbing
Barleystorm | Ferretpaw | 1: climbing
Mentor | Apprentice | no. of training sessions: which training sessionsDeceased Cats:
Ravenfeather | 58 moons | Female | Murdered by Hopstripe | X
Cat Name | Cat age at death | Gender | Cause of Death | [url=link]X[/url]Mates:
Leafstrike and Ravenfeather
Barkknot and Wheatfur
Barleystorm and Sycamorewhisker
Whisperleap and Mikestep
Name and NameCrushes:
Honeyear -> Brambleburr
Name ->/<-> Name
Families:
Wheatfur+???= Firepaw
Silvershade+Badgerclaw (Both Thicketclan)= Beetlewing, Specklefang
Ravenfeather+Leafstrike= Ferretpaw, Fuzzypaw
Fawnthroat+Brackenheart (Waveclan)= Freckleface
Barleystorm+Sycamorewhisker= Sandpelt
???+??? (Ivyclan) = Fogspark, Smokebreath