[Wileyfangs]

Breathing shallow, heavy the crackling of a fire drew all around the forest. The water would've been a safe bet had it not been for the falling debris and the crackling flames that were eating up the land. Swampclan fled behind Owlstar in a panicked daze and Dog had been one of them until he'd been winded by a branch that came crashing down. Panting harder now as the smoke began to rise, he fought for breath.

Just as he thought he may see the end on this night, Hareleap came to him. The thin medicine cat's spirit was silent and looked away into the distance a moment. If Dog had the strength he'd have asked to know what he had seen. But Hareleap was not forthcoming in his motives and he gruffly nudged Dog roughly.

"I didn't train you to die here," he growled at the sunbleached tom. Somewhere in the distance, Dog swore he could've heard screeching but Hareleap was insistent. Dog felt a growl of annoyance. If he was to die, he'd have wanted to do so in peace, but it was clear his former mentor wasn't going to give him that option. Squinting his eyes against the smoke he groaned as he tried to push off away from the branch.

Hareleap gazed at him a moment, eyes cold for once and his voice hardened.

"The spark of the fire's the beginning of the end for the bite is never swift. The fiercest of cackles know where to begin. The Swamp is divided till Rustle's breath guides it and the debt of death is due."

The words rang in Dog's ears like bells, harsh and calling and he found himself repeating it as the smoke began closing in. Hefting himself up he began to trudge through the ominous smoke with the last of his strength. But in the crackle of the fire, he'd swear he heard a lone yowl in the flames.