EOTW: Code of the Forest: Chapter Twenty Four

Warriors Series 5.5: Echoes of the War
Book 5: Code of the Forest
Chapter Twenty Four

     Silentstorm spat out blood, snarling at the retreating tom. Everything was going wrong. Breeze had unexpectedly brought new allies to the camp to help him fight, the Clans were outnumbered again, and all around her were the dying shrieks of her friends and Clanmates. She had tried to save Berrynose, but a she-cat had torn his belly open, and then Poppyfrost had died trying to avenge him. Birchfall was gone too, and so was Toadfoot, and Whisp, and so many others. Some on Breeze's side were dead too – Heathertail had killed Sol when the coward had tried to escape the Clan, and Silentstorm had heard Olivenose and Snow driving Shrew out of camp. But most of the dead were Clan cats and their allies.

     I failed. The thought kept repeating in Silentstorm's mind, even as she fought to catch her breath. She had learned as much as she could about the prophecy, she had found new allies for the Clan, she had done everything she could to try to ensure the Clans' survival. And she had still failed. The Clans were outnumbered, cats were dead, and they were unable to escape.

     She had tried several times to reach Breeze during the battle, so she could kill him and end the battle, but she was always blocked from him. Whenever too many cats tried to attack him, it always seemed like there were more rogues in the way. By now, she was losing hope she would ever reach him. All she could hope for at this point was the possibility of helping some of the young cats escape.

     I'm sorry, Rock, she thought almost bitterly, as she started to race through camp, ducking and weaving through the throng of fighting cats. But you're going to have to find someone else for your precious prophecy. I don't think I'm making it out of this one.

     The she-cat tried to sniff out some of the apprentices – she would guide them out of camp, and try to distract any cat that tried to stop them from escaping. If some of the apprentices got out in time, and were able to run back to the city to warn the elders and queens, maybe they could escape in time to find somewhere to hide that Breeze wouldn't discover. Some of us have to survive, she thought grimly. It should be the young cats.

     She nearly tripped over Slugpaw's body as she hurried through the camp. The RiverClan apprentice was sprawled out, throat torn open and jaws trickling with blood. Silentstorm suppressed a shudder, turning and racing away, intent on finding cats who she could still save.

     Suddenly, a huge weight crashed into her, a snarl in her ear as she was wrestled to the ground. “Where do you think you're going, forest fool?” Silentstorm recognized the low growl of Scorch.

     Silentstorm twisted around, grabbing Scorch's pelt in her jaws and pulling Scorch to the ground with her. “Murderer!” she hissed. The two massive she-cats tumbled together, kicking and writhing as each tried to keep the other pinned. At their full strength, the two she-cats were evenly match. But even after practicing and training the last few days, Silentstorm was still clumsier and weaker than usual from having carried her kits. Eventually, Scorch got her pinned. She dug her claws into Silentstorm's shoulder, keeping her shoulders and hips pinned. Silentstorm screeched as Scorch's fangs burrowed into her neck, biting down harder and harder.

     Suddenly, something pulled Scorch's weight off of Silentstorm. The she-cat gasped as air rushed back into her lungs, trying to get her bearings back. There was a fierce snarling from multiple cats, and Silentstorm caught the scents of Cosima and Velma. The queen quickly scrambled to her paws, joining the kittypets in their attack on Scorch. Scorch was backing way, frustration in her snarl as she tried to block the attacks from the three she-cats.

     Blood boiling with rage, Silentstorm rose onto her hind paws, bringing her front paws crashing down on the side of Scorch's neck, claws tearing through her flesh. Scorch gave a gargled cry, stumbling back as the blood gushed from her wounded neck. Cosima and Silentstorm advanced on her, ready to attack again, but Scorch turned and stumbled away. She was quickly swept up in the chaos of sounds and scents in the battle, and Silentstorm could no longer tell where she'd gone.

     “Well, I doubt she's coming back,” Silentstorm snorted. “That was a pretty bad wound.” She turned to Cosima, rasping, “Thank you. I'd have been crowfood if you hadn't shown up.”

     Cosima flicked her tail. “Don't mention it. It's just too bad she got awa... Velma!” The tortoiseshell had turned back to look at her denmate when the strangled cry escaped her. Instantly alerted, Silentstorm flicked her ears toward Velma.

     At first, she couldn't tell what had alarmed Cosima so much. Then she heard a raspy breath from Velma, and she caught the stench of blood. A moment later, Velma crumpled, falling to the ground.

     “No!” Cosima and Silentstorm rushed to the kittypet's side, crouching beside her and nosing her pelt. Silentstorm's heart sank as she discovered a hash on the side of Velma's head. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps now, her sides jerking as she tried to draw in breath.

     Cosima looked desperately at Silentstorm. “We have to help her!” she pleaded, her whole pelt trembling. “We need to get her to a medicine cat!”

     Silentstorm sighed. She wanted to help Velma as much as Cosima did, but she knew it was already too late. Velma's wound was too serious, and she had lost too much blood. “We can try,” she murmured. “But I don't think –”

     Before she could finish, Velma gave an odd jerk. She gave a few more, rasping breaths, then fell limp against he ground, her breathing falling silent. The kittypet was dead.

     Cosima gave a choked cry, burying her muzzle in her denmate's pelt. Silentstorm felt a rush of grief. She hadn't gotten to know the city cats quite as well as those that had trained them, but her father's apprentice had seemed like a good cat, determined and strong. She dipped her head to the kittypet for a moment, murmuring, “Thank you for saving my life.”

     For a moment, despair nearly overwhelmed her. There was no way the Clans could win this fight. They would all be killed before any of them got a decent shot at killing Breeze. Shade would find someone who would let her use their body, and everything would be lost. I failed.

     Suddenly, a voice whispered in her ear. “You haven't lost yet.”

     Silentstorm stiffened. “Rock?” she mewed in a low voice. Cosima didn't seem to hear her, still wrapped up in her own grief.

     “You think I did not foresee this battle?” Rock's voice challenged her in her mind. “I sent Nightfern that dream, so you could find the camp, and so you could understand the weight of what you were facing. I knew it would lead to Night finding you. I knew what needed to happen for you to win this battle. You still can win. You have to win. So fight!”

     As Rock spoke to her, Silentstorm almost started to feel something like hope again. She rose to her paws, giving a final dip of her head to Cosima and Velma's body before turning and rejoining the battle. The blind she-cat raced through the battlefield for a few moments before recognizing a nearby snarl. Darkbreeze was battling a large tom, but her frustrated yowl told Silentstorm that she was in trouble. The blind warrior raced towards her friend, tearing the large tom off of him and giving him a fierce bite to the shoulder. The two she-cats quickly worked together to drive the tom away. “Nice timing!” Darkbreeze mewed once he was gone, giving a quick shake of her pelt. “You saved my pelt.” There was a dull edge to Darkbreeze's mew, the same hopelessness that Silentstorm had been feeling, but she still managed a bit of her usual cheer.

     “Don't mention it,” the ThunderClan queen replied with a friendly flick of her tail. “Now come on, let's see if we can find some more pelts to tear.”

     Darkbreeze gave a small nod, and the two she-cats set off together into the battle. They were just getting ready to attack a scrawny tom when Silentstorm heard a desperate wail nearby. “StarClan, no! I killed Gray to save you, and you're already gone! I've murdered my own kits!”

     Silentstorm froze as she recognized the wail. “Nightfern!” Darkbreeze gasped, her pelt fluffing out in fear. Forgetting the scrawny tom, they turned and raced towards the sound, Silentstorm's heart racing in fear. They quickly came upon Nightfern wailing over two smaller bodies. Silentstorm heard Darkbreeze gasp beside her. “Oh, StarClan no.”

     Heart sick with dread, Silentstorm finally recognized the scents of Gray and Shadepaw. She recalled Nightfern's cry, and realized with a rush of horror that Nightfern had killed her own son to save the daughter that was already dead. “Oh Nightfern,” she murmured, completely lost for further words. What could a cat say in the face of something like that? How could any cat make that right?

     Suddenly, a growl sounded behind the she-cats. “You killed my loyal guard!” Nightfern didn't even look up, still wailing in grief, but Darkbreeze and Silentstorm turned to face the cat who had spoken. Silentstorm's blood surged with rage. Breeze!

     “He's dead because of you!” Darkbreeze shrieked at her father, arching her back and baring her fangs. “You made him into a killer!”

     The leader of the camp was facing them, snarling as he advanced towards Nightfern. “I raised him as my son!” he snapped, lashing his tail. “He was loyal to me, and to my cause, and you killed him!” There was black hatred in his tone. “I don't care if you two are my daughters. I'll kill you both for this!”

     He started to lunge towards Nightfern, but Silentstorm was faster. The blood was roaring in her ears, rage blocking out every thought but her hatred for Breeze. You killed Jayfeather! She almost thought she could feel the small medicine cat beside her now, his gruff voice in her ears. “Kill Breeze, and you save the Clans.”

     With a roar of fury, she threw herself at the tom, tackling him and sending them both tumbling to the ground. All of the hatred and rage she had every felt for the selfish tom soared through her veins now, giving her strength as she snapped and clawed and bit. But the battle had taken its toll on her, and after two moons in the nursery and milk still in her belly, she wasn't at her full strength. Breeze quickly started to get the upper paw, putting Silentstorm on the defensive as he slashed and lunged, making her quickly dance out of reach. She felt herself getting slower as blood loss and exhaustion took hold. She screeched as his claws sliced across her chest. I can't do it!

     Suddenly, there was a yowl, and two more cats had launched themselves at Breeze. “You turned my son into a monster!” Nightfern shrieked as she joined the attack on Breeze, snapping her jaws down on his leg. Darkbreeze said nothing, but gave a dreadful snarl that carried all the same hatred and fury that Silentstorm held for Breeze.

     Breeze yowled his fury as the three she-cats managed to drag him to the ground, biting and clawing. He spat curses at them, but he was unable to fight off all three of them, and his struggles were getting weaker. Silentstorm burrowed her jaws into his shoulder, snarling viciously as she felt her teeth close down on bone. This is for Jayfeather!

     Little by little, Breeze's thrashing fell away, the tom just fighting to draw in breath now. Silentstorm knew he was dying; he had lost too much blood, and he knew it too. He gave a hoarse snarl, heavy with rage, hatred, and also with fear. It even seemed to hold a hint of regret.

     Silentstorm, Nightfern, and Darkbreeze didn't let go of the tom until he had drawn in his last, ragged breath. Only once his sides had stilled forever, and his rattling breath fell silent, did Silentstorm pry her fangs from his pelt, spitting out his blood. Breeze was stretched out in front of the three she-cats, his pelt torn and stained with blood, his jaws parted in a last desperate gasp for life. Silentstorm felt a surge of cruel satisfaction, tail lashing as she stood over the body of her hated enemy. Breeze was finally dead.

     Darkbreeze threw back her head, giving a hoarse cry of triumph. Nightfern was still shaking in rage, but as Silentstorm flicked her ears towards her, the queen gave a terse nod, something satisfied in the lash of her tail. She's avenged her kits, Silentstorm thought.

     One of Breeze's campmates noticed the three she-cats not engaged in battle. He advanced on them with a snarl, only for the snarl to die in his throat as he noticed Breeze's body. The tom gave a yelp of shock, crying out, “Breeze is dead!”

     The yowls of battle quickly broke off, giving way to wails of fear. “Breeze is dead!” A few of Breeze's campmates, apparently only having fought for fear of Breeze, turned on their campmates and helped drive them away. Those loyal to him fled, suddenly losing their confidence now that their leader was dead. Without Breeze's strength to hold them together, they were rogues again, scattering like frightened prey as the Clan cats yowled triumph behind them. Soon, the only cats left in camp were the Clan cats, their city allies, and their allies from Breeze's camp. Silentstorm could barely comprehend it. Only moments before, she had been certain that the Clan cats were all going to die. Now, they had won the battle, and Breeze was gone forever.

     As the cats around her started to realize what had happened, they approached the three she-cats, awe in their mews as they congratulated them. “You really killed him,” Larksong murmured as she limped closer, awe in her mew. “You saved us.”

     Silentstorm didn't have time to reply before a head was butting against her neck, purring deeply, another cat's chin on top of her head. She could feel the vibrations of both cats' purrs against her pelt. “Oh Silentstorm,” Cinderheart murmured, while Lionblaze kept purring. “Thank StarClan you're alright.”

     “I'm fine,” Silentstorm mewed quietly to her mother. Now that the battle was over, however, exhaustion was starting to take hold of the she-cat. She sagged against her father's side, letting the tom support her.

     A moment later, Lightfoot was there too, pressing his muzzle against her neck. “I thought I would never see you again,” he murmured, giving a gentle lick to her cheek.

     Silentstorm breathed in the scent of the tom she loved, letting herself finally feel relieved. It was over, and now, she could go back to her family. Jaykit and Screechkit were waiting for her in camp – she wanted nothing more than to have them nestled against her belly again, safe and loved, in the warmth of the nursery. You'll get to see the ThunderClan nursery now, little ones, she thought tenderly. I can't wait to show you your home. She pressed her muzzle to Lightfoot's neck as the Clans cats murmured in relief and triumph around her.

     The Clans had won, but it was a hard victory. Bodies were strewn all around the camp, and all of the survivors were injured, and grieving. Silentstorm heard Ivypool's wail as she discovered the body of her father, and WindClan cats were crowding around another body. Silentstorm felt something in her gut lurch when she caught the scent of Sedgewhisker. Oh StarClan, no, she thought mournfully. WindClan has lost another leader.

     She heard one cat limping through the crowd, coming to stand before Sedgewhisker's body. “Oh Sedgewhisker,” she heard the cat murmur. The blind she-cat recognized the mew of Heathertail. “You deserved more than this.”

     “She never even got a chance to receive her nine lives,” Emberfoot mewed sadly. He stood beside his mate, Gorsetail, who was crouched beside the body of her daughter.

     Heathertail suddenly brought up her chin, raising her voice to address all of the gathered cats. “No, she never got her nine lives. But she was as much a leader as any nine-lived cat. She led WindClan through one of its hardest times, guided us and risked her life for us, even though she only had one life to risk.” She glanced at the body of her leader, saying, “We can't bring her back or change what happened. But we can give the same honor we would give to any leader. We can send her to StarClan with her leader name, Sedgestar.”

     For several moments, no cat spoke. Then, Emberfoot gave a hoarse cry. “Sedgestar!”

     Tigerstar picked up the cry next, raw grief in his mew as he called, “Sedgestar!” The cry was picked up by the rest of the cats in camp, until every cat was calling, “Sedgestar! Sedgestar! Sedgestar!”

     Once the calls began to die die, Heathertail dipped her head to Sedgestar's body. “Farewell, Sedgestar,” Heathertail called in a strong mew, as she spoke the words that would send the leader to StarClan. “May StarClan light your path as you walk the skies to join them. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter where you sleep.”

     For several moments, no cat spoke. Then, Hawkbriar took a step forward. “You're our leader now, Heathertail,” she said. “The moor is ours again; you can travel to the Moonpool.”

     Heathertail stiffened for a moment, seeming surprised, before she began to nod slowly. “I will go to the Moonpool right now, with Icefur, to receive my nine lives,” she called. Silentstorm wasn't surprised that she wanted to get it done right away – WindClan had been without a nine-lived leader for long enough. “And tonight, we will hold a vigil for every cat we lost.” She became silent for a moment, giving a thoughtful flick of her tail, before continuing, “But before I go, I will choose the new deputy of WindClan.” Silentstorm could hear the grim edge to her tone. She wants WindClan to still have a leader if something happens to her on the way to the Moonpool, she realized.

     Every cat fell silent as Heathertail called out, “I say these words before the spirits of StarClan, and the spirit of Sedgestar, so they can hear and approve my choice.” She paused, apparently searching the crowd, before calling, “Larksong will be the new deputy of WindClan!”

     Silentstorm heard the she-cat in question stiffen in surprise. Then, after a moment, she mewed, “I never expected such an honor, and I never expected to come to it after such horrors for our Clan. I'll do everything I can to help my Clan recover from these losses.”

     Cats were murmuring to each other, their mews approving. After a few moments, Nightfern called out from beside Silentstorm, “Larksong!” More cats began to pick up the cry, calling, “Larksong! Larksong!”

     Bramblestar limped out of the crowd, something very sluggish about his movements. Did he lose a life? Silentstorm wondered. “It's too late for us to go back to the city tonight,” he called to the listening cats once the cheers died down. “We will stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we'll return to the city, and bring the rest of our Clanmates back home.”

     Silentstorm heard another cat approaching the crowd near Sedgestar's body. “My son can't hurt the Clans anymore.” Night's mew was rough with grief, and she walked oddly, as though wounded. But there was no hatred for the cats who had killed her son there, only sadness. “You're welcome to our camp, and to the fresh-kill pile. We have no medicine den, but I'm sure there are herbs nearby for any medicine cats who want to gather them.”

     Bramblestar dipped his head to the she-cat. “Thank you for helping us defeat Breeze once and for all,” he said to her, gratitude in his mew. “The Clans will not forget your sacrifice.” He glanced towards Silentstorm, Darkbreeze, and Nightfern while adding, “And they will not forget the bravery of the warriors who won this victory for us tonight.”

     Silentstorm felt a rush of pride, but also dull grief. Their victory had come at a heavy price. And she alone knew that the fight wasn't over yet. Shade still awaited, and one day, she would have to make a choice that might destroy her in order to stop Shade. But for now, she would have to just enjoy the victory of the moment.

     Suddenly, Night stiffened. “Where is Scorch?” she asked in a sharp mew.

     “Last I saw her, she was running away,” Silentstorm called to her. “She was pretty badly injured – I don't know if she's going to make it.”

     Night gave a distracted nod. “We need to get to the horseplace,” she told the leaders. “You sent your apprentices there, yes?”

     Heathertail nodded. “I'll take a patrol there on my way to the Moonpool,” she told Night. “We can pick up whatever kits and queens that want to come back with us, and the patrol can take them back while Icefur and I continue on to the Moonpool.

     The patrol was organized quickly. Even though she shook with exhaustion, Silentstorm requested to come along, as did Darkbreeze. Both cats were chosen, as were Stripedclaw, Hawkbriar, Eeltooth, and Specklefoot. Silentstorm's friends came to stand beside her and Darkbreeze, pressing their noses to their pelts and murmuring congratulations. “I guess you were destined to beat the darkness after all,” Specklefoot mewed, as Eeltooth bumped his muzzle against Silentstorm's with a purr.

     Silentstorm felt something in her chest twist with regret. They think the prophecy is over, she thought sadly. And I can't tell them different – they would try to stop me. I have to go through the rest of this alone.

     As the patrol began to make its way out of camp, Silentstorm passed some of the medicine cats. She paused as she noticed Finchwing crouched beside Blazeheart, who was oddly still. Panic flared in the blind she-cat. “What happened?” she demanded, approaching her brother with her pelt bristling in fear.” Is he okay?”

     As she approached, Blazeheart shifted, grunting in pain as he did. “Silentstorm?” he rasped.

     “Your brother is going to be fine,” Finchwing told the queen. “He was bitten on the neck, but Ambertalon managed to drag the cat off of him before the wound got too deep. He just needs to rest.”

     Silentstorm was dizzy with relief. She had already lost so much today – she didn't know what she would have done if she had lost her brother on top of it all. “Thank StarClan,” she breathed.

     “Silentstorm.” The blind she-cat turned when she heard the call behind her. Darkbreeze was approaching her, flicking her tail wearily. “Heathertail and the others are waiting. We have to go.”

     Blazeheart gave a rasping mew. “Go on, Silentstorm,” he told his sister. “I'll be fine.”

     Silentstorm hesitated a moment, then lowered her head. “Get some rest,” she told her brother. “I'll be back soon, and tomorrow we can bring your kits and mine back to the forest.” Blazeheart gave a weak purr in reply.

     Once she'd finished saying goodbye, Silentstorm followed Darkbreeze, rejoining Heathertail's patrol. The patrol left the camp behind, the sounds of night all around them as they made their way through the moor.