Post by Sunsetfur on Oct 15, 2007 21:41:56 GMT -5
A/N: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews! Sorry for the time gaps; I'm trying to finish off Gray Skies, Black Dawn, which will be finished soon. After that, I'm taking a break to work on this.
Chapter 4 . The Rainstorm
Scourge’s ninth moon passed without any notable events. Cloud watched the training of all the apprentices, taking particular interest in Larkspur. “She has warrior blood,” Moonglimmer told Scourge during one of their training sessions. “I was fighting with her the other day—I swear she’s got iron in her.”
The black cat was a little surprised. He hadn’t trained with the gray she-cat many times, and had never fought against her. She was a small cat, about Scourge’s size, quiet and shy of those she didn’t know. When Darkness told Scourge that Larkspur would be joining them for a training session with Cloud, the black cat instantly became expectant and curious. He had always considered to her to be an ordinary she-cat who’d probably become a Scavenger. But now, gossip of her skill spread around the camp.
Cloud met Darkness, Larkspur, and Scourge at the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow. Two Scavengers, Ice and Dreamsong, were there also, chatting casually with each other as they foraged in the garbage scattered in the corners. The two were siblings, and often went scavenging together. There was no wind today, and the air was pleasantly warm. A few white violets had sprung up from the cracks between the bricks, and the three ash trees were in full leaf.
Darkness and Cloud sat to the side, watching the two apprentices intently. Larkspur stood several tail-lengths away from Scourge, her light blue eyes unmoving and her gray tail flicking maddeningly. Scourge waited for her to make the first move, watching her eyes for hints on what she would do, but they remained perfectly still, staring straight ahead at Scourge. After a few long moments, he grew impatient and stalked forward several paces.
In a flash, Larkspur sprang, and Scourge ducked and skidded, missing her by inches. Scourge drew a quick, deep breath, and whipped around to face Larkspur, who was just scrabbling to her paws. Thrashing his tail, Scourge sprinted around to Larspur’s other side, and the gray she-cat whirled about before she leaped again. This time she landed on Scourge’s back, and immediately the black tom heaved himself over and rolled. He dug his paws into her belly, throwing her off before moving in again. She attempted to slink behind him, but he turned with her, facing the gray she-cat the whole time. Larkspur moved in again, faster than sight, and snaked her paws with Scourge’s, tripping him so he staggered away several fox-lengths. She immediately bounded forward and aimed a blow at Scourge’s head. It connected with more force than Scourge could have imagined capable of Larkspur. He was stunned for a few heartbeats, and she was about to bring down her paw for the final blow when the black apprentice dug his paws into her belly and sent her skidding away. Staggering slightly, Scourge picked himself up and backed away.
Scourge’s eyes rapidly swiveled around Larkspur, searching for a weakness in her defenses. Dreamsong and Ice had wandered over to sit beside Darkness and Cloud now. His eyes lit up as an idea struck him, and he quickly circled around the gray she-cat. Her own blue eyes sparkled as she matched Scourge’s movements with serpentine grace. Can’t wait too long, Scourge thought, or she’ll try for the final move.
The black apprentice sprang. He sailed over the gray she-cat’s head, and her face twisted around in surprise as Scourge landed lightly on his paws and rolled towards her, hooking his claws around her legs and swinging her around so she was on her back. Larkspur let out a screech of anger and flailed as Scourge leaped up and pinned her down by the neck with both paws.
There was silence, broken only by Larkspur’s heavy breathing.
Darkness finally meowed, “Did you make that up yourself, Scourge?”
Sheepishly, Scourge nodded.
Cloud blinked. “That was amazing, Scourge! And you fought well too, Larkspur—excellent tripping trick, as well as the head blow.” Her eyes had a meaningful glint as she studied the gray she-cat. Scourge released her, bowing his head.
“You were great,” he meowed. “I’ve never had that much of a challenge when fighting Bronze.”
Larkspur dipped her head as well. “That final move was incredible,” she replied. “You’ll have to teach us sometime.”
Scourge smiled.
Dreamsong looked dumbstruck, and Ice looked appreciative. “I wish I could do that,” the silvery-white cat meowed. “You’ve got the advantage of size, Scourge. A larger cat could never hope to pull that off.”
Scourge thought of Moonglimmer and suppressed a snicker.
“Well,” Cloud meowed, a businesslike edge to her voice. “I can’t see any reason why you two, as well as Rock and Bronze, shouldn’t graduate soon. Lion’s already decided on who will be in the Council.”
“Who?” Larkspur and Scourge spoke in unison, sharply and swiftly.
The white she-cat grinned. “You two sounded just like Bronze and Rock right there, speaking together without meaning to. Anyway, I’ll be there, as well as Darkness here, with Havoc, Sparrow, Blaze, Cedar, and Moonglimmer. I’d guess that Lion will hold it a few weeks, then have your ceremony a few days later.”
Scourge’s heart skipped a beat. “That soon?” He croaked.
“That soon.”
Larkspur exhaled deeply.
Dreamsong finally managed to find her voice. “Well,” she mewed brusquely. “We should be going, shouldn’t we, Ice?”
Scourge watched the gray she-cat discreetly. She looked deeply shaken, with a mixture of awe, surprise, and something…envious in her eyes. The black cat was puzzled. Dreamsong was widely regarded as a prissy she-cat, though no one told her this. She was considered one of those cats who shrieked at the sight of a rat, gossiped with her friend from the Fire, Emerald, about toms, and was often seen lazing about. No one ever thought she wished for the life of a fighter.
Hmm, Scourge wondered sarcastically. Envy of our skill, or brief attention?
Larkspur had evidently noticed Dreamsong’s curious look as well. She shot a quick, meaningful glance at Scourge before falling into step behind Darkness. The black cat smirked slightly back at her, and she hissed playfully before miming Dreamsong’s light-stepping gait. Scourge choked back a mrrow of amusement.
---
There was absolute silence in the camp as the sun fell farther and farther towards the horizon, which was unusual. Usually at this time, friends would sit together outside their dens with each other to talk and eat together. Apprentices often trained in corners or scuffled with one another. But not now—even Blacksnow’s kits were silent.
Cats were seated outside of their dens, but only an occassional whisper spun through the air like a feather between them. All eyes were constantly drawn to the front wall, where Lion was expected to appear at any moment. The Council had left to discuss the four apprentices in private at the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow. Scourge, Rock, Bronze, and Larkspur were hidden away in their den with nervous eyes and dark faces.
It was two weeks from the day Scourge had fought Larkspur, and the Council was due back soon. At twilight, the four would graduate from the long apprenticeship every Silver and Fire cat went through.
Scourge had begun to realize in the past few weeks how much he had grown. He was a small cat, like Larkspur, but his head was now only a few inches lower than Moonglimmer’s. His legs were longer, too, and he began to feel slightly stretched. Now, as he lay curled in his nest, the anticipation weighed on his heart like a stone. Only his eyes showed from the knot of black fur and grass of himself and his nest, gleaming in the light of the fading sunlight. Rock, Larkspur, and Bronze looked the same.
This is our last night here, Scourge realized. Tonight, the four of us will sleep around the Tree, and then we’ll be separated…according to which position we’re assigned to.
Scourge knew that all four of them wouldn’t all become the same thing. It had never happened in the past. At least we’ll still live in the same camp. It’s not like we’ll be separated forever. Now as he thought about it, the black cat realized how much he’d miss the den: Bronze’s good-natured personality, Rock’s boisterous and show-offish nature, and Larkspur’s quiet and peaceful aura.
They lay in silence, each with their own musings, for a while longer. As the last streaks of orange faded into gray, a yowl sounded from outside the den.
“They’re back!” Came Eagle the Scavenger’s cry. “The Council is here!”
Scourge’s heart skipped a beat. It was time.
Bronze and Larkspur immediately leaped up and dashed out of the den, with Rock scrambling behind, trying to get between the two. Scourge followed quickly, emerging into a crowd of Silver cats that had parted to let the four apprentices pass. The black tom padded to sit beside Bronze in front of the Tree. Its silver ribbon-streams stirred in the breeze, and a few spun away on the wind to be caught in the grasses and weeds that sprouted from the cracked ground. Dusk and Wind promptly scurried after them and fondled the silver strands with their paws before Blacksnow ushered them back to the crowd, snapping, “Show some respect! I don’t care if it’s tinsel made by humans and scrounged from the street—”
Lion was standing near the entrance at the front wall, with the rest of his Council behind him. The golden tom bowed his head regally to the four cats before him, and they all returned this gesture in unison. Scourge’s heart hammered as Lion stepped forward.
“We have come to a decision.”
Scourge saw Moonglimmer standing between Blaze and Cedar, and she smiled at the black cat encouragingly. Scourge immediately wondered if there were any loose pieces of moss in his fur, and fought not to lick his chest.
Lion continued in a booming tone. “The Council has discussed Larkspur, Scourge, Bronze, and Rock for several hours now. Based on the reports of Elites and Scavengers alike, as well as what I’ve observed myself, we have come to an agreement on where these cats’ duties lie.”
It seemed that the entire Silver, all gathered around the Tree, was holding its breath. Lion’s emerald gaze swept the alleyway, finely intensifying the extreme tension.
“These young cats have trained since the end of their kithood, and have grown into fine young warriors. Like the generations before him, ancient and recent, they have grown from ignorant kit to steadfast apprentice to noble warrior. Our enemies will look upon the Cats of the Silver, the warriors of the Moonlit Water, and tremble!”
Lion drew a deep breath, and Scourge felt his heart twist.
“Come forward.”
With a single movement, all four cats took a pawstep closer to Lion.
“I say this before the Cats of the Silver and the spirits of the Great Unknown, the birds and the sky, the setting sun and the void: Bronze, Larkspur, Rock, and Scourge, do you pledge your hearts to the Silver, in battle and peace, in death and life?”
A chorus of “I do” resounded around the alleyway. Lion’s eyes sparkled as he ruffled his golden tabby pelt and continued in a clear, loud voice.
“Then I present you to the Silver as apprentices no more. Under the dying light of the sun, I name you warriors: now you shall be known as Bronze the Elite, Larkspur the Elite, Rock the Scavenger, and Scourge the Elite.”
A yowling of approval swelled from the crowd. Scourge’s heart exploded into a victory song, and the sound spun around him in a frenzied chant of congratulations and calls of laughter. The black cat’s pale blue eyes flitted throughout the crowd, and he saw Moonglimmer pushing towards him.
“Congratulations, Scourge!” The white-gold she-cat meowed happily, flicking her tail across his cheek. “We all voted for you to be an Elite—unanimous decision right away. Same with Larkspur and Bronze. We weren’t altogether sure on where to place Rock: he’s an average fighter and average hunter. Lion decided to make him a Scavenger so the Elites wouldn’t become too numerous.”
Scourge nodded. He had only just realized that Moonglimmer was no longer the only female Elite. “So…you’ll have Larkspur with you now, eh?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied enthusiastically. “I’m so glad she’s an Elite; it’s been so long since a she-cat became something other than a Scavenger.”
“Yes.” Scourge grinned as his friend hurried off to greet the gray she-cat. He caught sight of her standing next to Bronze, surrounded by cats calling out words of praise. Blaze was there, as well as Havoc and Stormingwind, conversing with the new Elites. Rock was sitting a few fox-lengths away from his brother, encircled by cheerful Scavengers.
Scourge padded over to Bronze and Larkspur, tilting his head to both of them before meowing, “So, it’s just the three of us now.”
“What do you mean?” Bronze replied, watching Scourge curiously.
“Well…you know. It used to all four of us together in the apprentices’ den, but now we’re separated for the first time since kithood.”
“Yes,” Larkspur sighed, scratching one of her claws absentmindedly on the stone. “I’ll miss Rock, and the apprentices’ den.” The gray she-cat cast a glance at the overgrown, human-made box of wood, almost hidden beneath sheltering leaves and fronds of green. The ribbon she had found at the start of her apprenticeship still fluttered in the gentle, brief breeze, caught on a twisting twig.
Scourge caught the scent of the breeze: it was cool and moist, with the scent of rain and clouds, though the darkening sky was clear. “Rain’s coming,” he meowed.
Bronze nodded slowly. “Just what we need. Our first day as full warriors and we’ll just be stuck in the camp waiting for the storm to pass.”
Larkspur snorted.
“What?” Bronze meowed reproachfully, turning sharply to face her and narrowly avoiding hitting his muzzle to hers. Their whiskers brushed, and Larkspur flinched back awkwardly. “You want to be stuck in a den with the Elites all day?”
“You’re talking about them as if you aren’t one now,” she countered smoothly. Scourge repressed a chuckle as she continued, “Anyway, it’ll give us a chance to get to know them better—what’s expected of us, our duties, and so on.”
Bronze stared at her in disbelief. Turning to Scourge, he muttered, “She-cats.”
“I must agree,” Scourge replied happily. “Far too sensible for their own good.” Larkspur’s blue eyes smoldered in good-natured annoyance.
“I’d watch it if I were you,” Larkspur meowed lightly, flicking her tail across the noses of both toms. “Don’t forget that I’m one of the only two female Elites, and that means something.”
The Elites’ den was the largest den in the Silver camp. It was made of a dented metal box, rusted at the corners and with a large tear in the left side. Like the other dens, weeds grew over the top and clustered around the edges. Tall dandelions grew around the entire perimeter, competing with tangled, mahogany-green vines of poison ivy. The ruptured side had been well insulated with discarded cloth and bits of paper, as well as dead leaves and wilting moss. The floor was thickly blanketed with leaves, moss, and a ragged, tattered length of pale red cloth. Nests were interwoven with little trinkets scrounged from the streets, including brightly-colored glass marbles, small copper or silver coins, bits of ribbons or paper, and even a thin metal tube that leaked black juice from its pointed tip that tasted foully of metallic machines. Soft rustles and quiet mews, purrs, and murmurs sounded softly from all around the large den, issuing from most of the cats sleeping there.
Scourge rolled over restlessly in the nest he had made in the back-left corner of the Elites’ den, with Larkspur on his left and Bronze beside her. Larkspur seemed to be sleeping, but Scourge caught the flash of Bronze’s amber eyes every now and then, and the absence of the brown and gold tom’s usual grunts and snores was significant enough. The black cat wasn’t sure how he’d get used to the noise and great number of cats in the den.
Moonglimmer and Raven slept on either side of the den entrance. It was wide and square, but it was so draped with spirals of ivy and holly that the shape was lost behind them. Scourge stealthily crept between the two Elites, his eyes flickering around the den to ensure that no other cats were awake. Even Bronze didn’t react, so the black Elite continued out of the den.
Scourge scaled the back wall with a few scrabbling jumps, clinging to the weeds that hugged the grimy bricks. He leaped lightly down onto the sidewalk below, gazing across the street at one of the abandoned buildings of the slums. Beyond, the dark meadow-grass waved quietly in the breezes that subtly twirled about in the atmosphere. A few crickets chirped from the fields, but their low murmuring was nothing compared to the full chorus of the boggy area in the Forest. The Abandoned Street was otherwise deserted. Scourge sat for a while in front of the back wall of the Silver alleyway, his eyes closed lightly, listening to the sounds of the night. Only a few stars were visible in the overcast sky, and clouds continued to creep over the town as thunder rumbled in the distance, growing louder with each growl.
The black cat’s ears suddenly pricked up at a faint noise of movement from somewhere near the house at the other side of the street. He was reminded quickly of the night in which he had encountered the Fire cat Bone and his brother Ash.
Scourge pressed himself against the bricks as a pale shape trotted into view from the other side of the street, walking down the sidewalk as if it were daytime. Illuminated in the glow of a streetlight, Scourge could see that the cat’s light yellowish fur was short and a bit wavy, tinged with discreet hues of dark gold and pale brown. The scent of the Fire cats stung Scourge’s nose and mouth.
Another Fire cat? He thought dismissively. Is it their custom to wander out at night regularly?
Scourge wondered if he should try to slip back over the wall and return to the Elites’ den without any trouble, but his reasoning came too late. The Fire cat had spotted him already.
“Hey—hey you!” The cat called quietly, shoulder fur bristling. With an irritated flick of the tail, the she-cat—for her voice was clearly female—sprinted across the street to stand several wary tail-lengths away from Scourge.
“What?” Scourge replied smoothly, eying the Fire cat calmly.
She stared at him, her eyes sharp and gleaming. “Wait…”
“For what?” Scourge’s lips curled.
With a hiss, she snapped, “It must be you! You’re that cat Bone met a while ago, when he was looking for Ash. You helped find him.”
Scourge eyes her curiously. “How do you know?”
The Fire cat shrugged. “He mentioned your disdainful way of speaking and your night-time wanderings.”
“He said that about me?” Scourge meowed. “Considering that it was me who found his poor lost brother?”
“How could anyone blame him?” The she-cat spat. “You’re just as boneheaded as he described. I don’t even know why I’m still talking to you.”
She spun around dramatically and began to pad in the other direction, towards the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow and the Fire camp.
“Is it custom for all Fire cats to wander around in the dark?” Scourge called after her. “Maybe you’re all descended from those crazy Clan cats in the Forest. I’ve heard that they hunt and kill by night, just creeping up on innocent intruders in the dark before they rip out their throats.”
The she-cat stopped dead in her tracks. Swiftly, she spun around and sprinted towards Scourge, all the fury of a townsfolk car with her. Before Scourge could react, she had him pinned down under her, one of her front paws on each shoulder, her unsheathed claws pricking his skin and sending hair-thin strands of blood trickling down his fur.
“What did you say?” She snarled.
Scourge lay there on his back, shock coursing through his blood. The she-cat was slightly larger than him—this was no surprise, considering the black Elite’s own size—but looked younger. Yet she had completely surprised him and had managed to render him helpless.
“Never mind that,” he meowed hastily. “Get off me.”
The dappled gold she-cat looked uncertain. “Why should I? No cat in the whole town deserves to be compared to those wild cats in the Forest.”
“Are you sure about that?” Scourge meowed back. “I’ve known a few. Ever met Dreamsong of the Silver?”
“Yes, of course. I—” The she-cat stopped, absorbing what Scourge had said. A wild, hysterical light exploded in her eyes and she burst out laughing. Her claws released Scourge as she backed away several paces, snorting in amusement.
“Keep it down,” the black Elite meowed lightly. “Or you’ll wake every Silver cat in the camp.”
The she-cat attempted to control herself, her eyes dancing. When she finally regained her composure, she meowed, “So. Bone mentioned you a while ago—Scourge, is it?”
Scourge inclined his head. “That’s me. Scourge of the Silver, Elite.”
“Elite?” The she-cat echoed. “Bone said you were an apprentice, and you certainly don’t look big enough to be an—”
“I’m nine moons old, almost ten,” Scourge interrupted, his shoulder fur bristling. He winced slightly as the tips of his hairs dug into the tiny cuts the she-cat had made there. “And I’ve always been smaller than…average.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.”
“And who are you?” Scourge inquired smoothly.
She eyed him strangely. “Topaz. Topaz of the Fire.”
Scourge watched her, waiting. “And…”
“And what?”
“Your rank, if I may ask?”
The she-cat, Topaz, looked annoyed. “Elite. And I don’t like cats who judge others on their rank. Mind you, the Founders were both rogues, if you know your history.”
Chapter 4 . The Rainstorm
Scourge’s ninth moon passed without any notable events. Cloud watched the training of all the apprentices, taking particular interest in Larkspur. “She has warrior blood,” Moonglimmer told Scourge during one of their training sessions. “I was fighting with her the other day—I swear she’s got iron in her.”
The black cat was a little surprised. He hadn’t trained with the gray she-cat many times, and had never fought against her. She was a small cat, about Scourge’s size, quiet and shy of those she didn’t know. When Darkness told Scourge that Larkspur would be joining them for a training session with Cloud, the black cat instantly became expectant and curious. He had always considered to her to be an ordinary she-cat who’d probably become a Scavenger. But now, gossip of her skill spread around the camp.
Cloud met Darkness, Larkspur, and Scourge at the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow. Two Scavengers, Ice and Dreamsong, were there also, chatting casually with each other as they foraged in the garbage scattered in the corners. The two were siblings, and often went scavenging together. There was no wind today, and the air was pleasantly warm. A few white violets had sprung up from the cracks between the bricks, and the three ash trees were in full leaf.
Darkness and Cloud sat to the side, watching the two apprentices intently. Larkspur stood several tail-lengths away from Scourge, her light blue eyes unmoving and her gray tail flicking maddeningly. Scourge waited for her to make the first move, watching her eyes for hints on what she would do, but they remained perfectly still, staring straight ahead at Scourge. After a few long moments, he grew impatient and stalked forward several paces.
In a flash, Larkspur sprang, and Scourge ducked and skidded, missing her by inches. Scourge drew a quick, deep breath, and whipped around to face Larkspur, who was just scrabbling to her paws. Thrashing his tail, Scourge sprinted around to Larspur’s other side, and the gray she-cat whirled about before she leaped again. This time she landed on Scourge’s back, and immediately the black tom heaved himself over and rolled. He dug his paws into her belly, throwing her off before moving in again. She attempted to slink behind him, but he turned with her, facing the gray she-cat the whole time. Larkspur moved in again, faster than sight, and snaked her paws with Scourge’s, tripping him so he staggered away several fox-lengths. She immediately bounded forward and aimed a blow at Scourge’s head. It connected with more force than Scourge could have imagined capable of Larkspur. He was stunned for a few heartbeats, and she was about to bring down her paw for the final blow when the black apprentice dug his paws into her belly and sent her skidding away. Staggering slightly, Scourge picked himself up and backed away.
Scourge’s eyes rapidly swiveled around Larkspur, searching for a weakness in her defenses. Dreamsong and Ice had wandered over to sit beside Darkness and Cloud now. His eyes lit up as an idea struck him, and he quickly circled around the gray she-cat. Her own blue eyes sparkled as she matched Scourge’s movements with serpentine grace. Can’t wait too long, Scourge thought, or she’ll try for the final move.
The black apprentice sprang. He sailed over the gray she-cat’s head, and her face twisted around in surprise as Scourge landed lightly on his paws and rolled towards her, hooking his claws around her legs and swinging her around so she was on her back. Larkspur let out a screech of anger and flailed as Scourge leaped up and pinned her down by the neck with both paws.
There was silence, broken only by Larkspur’s heavy breathing.
Darkness finally meowed, “Did you make that up yourself, Scourge?”
Sheepishly, Scourge nodded.
Cloud blinked. “That was amazing, Scourge! And you fought well too, Larkspur—excellent tripping trick, as well as the head blow.” Her eyes had a meaningful glint as she studied the gray she-cat. Scourge released her, bowing his head.
“You were great,” he meowed. “I’ve never had that much of a challenge when fighting Bronze.”
Larkspur dipped her head as well. “That final move was incredible,” she replied. “You’ll have to teach us sometime.”
Scourge smiled.
Dreamsong looked dumbstruck, and Ice looked appreciative. “I wish I could do that,” the silvery-white cat meowed. “You’ve got the advantage of size, Scourge. A larger cat could never hope to pull that off.”
Scourge thought of Moonglimmer and suppressed a snicker.
“Well,” Cloud meowed, a businesslike edge to her voice. “I can’t see any reason why you two, as well as Rock and Bronze, shouldn’t graduate soon. Lion’s already decided on who will be in the Council.”
“Who?” Larkspur and Scourge spoke in unison, sharply and swiftly.
The white she-cat grinned. “You two sounded just like Bronze and Rock right there, speaking together without meaning to. Anyway, I’ll be there, as well as Darkness here, with Havoc, Sparrow, Blaze, Cedar, and Moonglimmer. I’d guess that Lion will hold it a few weeks, then have your ceremony a few days later.”
Scourge’s heart skipped a beat. “That soon?” He croaked.
“That soon.”
Larkspur exhaled deeply.
Dreamsong finally managed to find her voice. “Well,” she mewed brusquely. “We should be going, shouldn’t we, Ice?”
Scourge watched the gray she-cat discreetly. She looked deeply shaken, with a mixture of awe, surprise, and something…envious in her eyes. The black cat was puzzled. Dreamsong was widely regarded as a prissy she-cat, though no one told her this. She was considered one of those cats who shrieked at the sight of a rat, gossiped with her friend from the Fire, Emerald, about toms, and was often seen lazing about. No one ever thought she wished for the life of a fighter.
Hmm, Scourge wondered sarcastically. Envy of our skill, or brief attention?
Larkspur had evidently noticed Dreamsong’s curious look as well. She shot a quick, meaningful glance at Scourge before falling into step behind Darkness. The black cat smirked slightly back at her, and she hissed playfully before miming Dreamsong’s light-stepping gait. Scourge choked back a mrrow of amusement.
---
There was absolute silence in the camp as the sun fell farther and farther towards the horizon, which was unusual. Usually at this time, friends would sit together outside their dens with each other to talk and eat together. Apprentices often trained in corners or scuffled with one another. But not now—even Blacksnow’s kits were silent.
Cats were seated outside of their dens, but only an occassional whisper spun through the air like a feather between them. All eyes were constantly drawn to the front wall, where Lion was expected to appear at any moment. The Council had left to discuss the four apprentices in private at the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow. Scourge, Rock, Bronze, and Larkspur were hidden away in their den with nervous eyes and dark faces.
It was two weeks from the day Scourge had fought Larkspur, and the Council was due back soon. At twilight, the four would graduate from the long apprenticeship every Silver and Fire cat went through.
Scourge had begun to realize in the past few weeks how much he had grown. He was a small cat, like Larkspur, but his head was now only a few inches lower than Moonglimmer’s. His legs were longer, too, and he began to feel slightly stretched. Now, as he lay curled in his nest, the anticipation weighed on his heart like a stone. Only his eyes showed from the knot of black fur and grass of himself and his nest, gleaming in the light of the fading sunlight. Rock, Larkspur, and Bronze looked the same.
This is our last night here, Scourge realized. Tonight, the four of us will sleep around the Tree, and then we’ll be separated…according to which position we’re assigned to.
Scourge knew that all four of them wouldn’t all become the same thing. It had never happened in the past. At least we’ll still live in the same camp. It’s not like we’ll be separated forever. Now as he thought about it, the black cat realized how much he’d miss the den: Bronze’s good-natured personality, Rock’s boisterous and show-offish nature, and Larkspur’s quiet and peaceful aura.
They lay in silence, each with their own musings, for a while longer. As the last streaks of orange faded into gray, a yowl sounded from outside the den.
“They’re back!” Came Eagle the Scavenger’s cry. “The Council is here!”
Scourge’s heart skipped a beat. It was time.
Bronze and Larkspur immediately leaped up and dashed out of the den, with Rock scrambling behind, trying to get between the two. Scourge followed quickly, emerging into a crowd of Silver cats that had parted to let the four apprentices pass. The black tom padded to sit beside Bronze in front of the Tree. Its silver ribbon-streams stirred in the breeze, and a few spun away on the wind to be caught in the grasses and weeds that sprouted from the cracked ground. Dusk and Wind promptly scurried after them and fondled the silver strands with their paws before Blacksnow ushered them back to the crowd, snapping, “Show some respect! I don’t care if it’s tinsel made by humans and scrounged from the street—”
Lion was standing near the entrance at the front wall, with the rest of his Council behind him. The golden tom bowed his head regally to the four cats before him, and they all returned this gesture in unison. Scourge’s heart hammered as Lion stepped forward.
“We have come to a decision.”
Scourge saw Moonglimmer standing between Blaze and Cedar, and she smiled at the black cat encouragingly. Scourge immediately wondered if there were any loose pieces of moss in his fur, and fought not to lick his chest.
Lion continued in a booming tone. “The Council has discussed Larkspur, Scourge, Bronze, and Rock for several hours now. Based on the reports of Elites and Scavengers alike, as well as what I’ve observed myself, we have come to an agreement on where these cats’ duties lie.”
It seemed that the entire Silver, all gathered around the Tree, was holding its breath. Lion’s emerald gaze swept the alleyway, finely intensifying the extreme tension.
“These young cats have trained since the end of their kithood, and have grown into fine young warriors. Like the generations before him, ancient and recent, they have grown from ignorant kit to steadfast apprentice to noble warrior. Our enemies will look upon the Cats of the Silver, the warriors of the Moonlit Water, and tremble!”
Lion drew a deep breath, and Scourge felt his heart twist.
“Come forward.”
With a single movement, all four cats took a pawstep closer to Lion.
“I say this before the Cats of the Silver and the spirits of the Great Unknown, the birds and the sky, the setting sun and the void: Bronze, Larkspur, Rock, and Scourge, do you pledge your hearts to the Silver, in battle and peace, in death and life?”
A chorus of “I do” resounded around the alleyway. Lion’s eyes sparkled as he ruffled his golden tabby pelt and continued in a clear, loud voice.
“Then I present you to the Silver as apprentices no more. Under the dying light of the sun, I name you warriors: now you shall be known as Bronze the Elite, Larkspur the Elite, Rock the Scavenger, and Scourge the Elite.”
A yowling of approval swelled from the crowd. Scourge’s heart exploded into a victory song, and the sound spun around him in a frenzied chant of congratulations and calls of laughter. The black cat’s pale blue eyes flitted throughout the crowd, and he saw Moonglimmer pushing towards him.
“Congratulations, Scourge!” The white-gold she-cat meowed happily, flicking her tail across his cheek. “We all voted for you to be an Elite—unanimous decision right away. Same with Larkspur and Bronze. We weren’t altogether sure on where to place Rock: he’s an average fighter and average hunter. Lion decided to make him a Scavenger so the Elites wouldn’t become too numerous.”
Scourge nodded. He had only just realized that Moonglimmer was no longer the only female Elite. “So…you’ll have Larkspur with you now, eh?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied enthusiastically. “I’m so glad she’s an Elite; it’s been so long since a she-cat became something other than a Scavenger.”
“Yes.” Scourge grinned as his friend hurried off to greet the gray she-cat. He caught sight of her standing next to Bronze, surrounded by cats calling out words of praise. Blaze was there, as well as Havoc and Stormingwind, conversing with the new Elites. Rock was sitting a few fox-lengths away from his brother, encircled by cheerful Scavengers.
Scourge padded over to Bronze and Larkspur, tilting his head to both of them before meowing, “So, it’s just the three of us now.”
“What do you mean?” Bronze replied, watching Scourge curiously.
“Well…you know. It used to all four of us together in the apprentices’ den, but now we’re separated for the first time since kithood.”
“Yes,” Larkspur sighed, scratching one of her claws absentmindedly on the stone. “I’ll miss Rock, and the apprentices’ den.” The gray she-cat cast a glance at the overgrown, human-made box of wood, almost hidden beneath sheltering leaves and fronds of green. The ribbon she had found at the start of her apprenticeship still fluttered in the gentle, brief breeze, caught on a twisting twig.
Scourge caught the scent of the breeze: it was cool and moist, with the scent of rain and clouds, though the darkening sky was clear. “Rain’s coming,” he meowed.
Bronze nodded slowly. “Just what we need. Our first day as full warriors and we’ll just be stuck in the camp waiting for the storm to pass.”
Larkspur snorted.
“What?” Bronze meowed reproachfully, turning sharply to face her and narrowly avoiding hitting his muzzle to hers. Their whiskers brushed, and Larkspur flinched back awkwardly. “You want to be stuck in a den with the Elites all day?”
“You’re talking about them as if you aren’t one now,” she countered smoothly. Scourge repressed a chuckle as she continued, “Anyway, it’ll give us a chance to get to know them better—what’s expected of us, our duties, and so on.”
Bronze stared at her in disbelief. Turning to Scourge, he muttered, “She-cats.”
“I must agree,” Scourge replied happily. “Far too sensible for their own good.” Larkspur’s blue eyes smoldered in good-natured annoyance.
“I’d watch it if I were you,” Larkspur meowed lightly, flicking her tail across the noses of both toms. “Don’t forget that I’m one of the only two female Elites, and that means something.”
The Elites’ den was the largest den in the Silver camp. It was made of a dented metal box, rusted at the corners and with a large tear in the left side. Like the other dens, weeds grew over the top and clustered around the edges. Tall dandelions grew around the entire perimeter, competing with tangled, mahogany-green vines of poison ivy. The ruptured side had been well insulated with discarded cloth and bits of paper, as well as dead leaves and wilting moss. The floor was thickly blanketed with leaves, moss, and a ragged, tattered length of pale red cloth. Nests were interwoven with little trinkets scrounged from the streets, including brightly-colored glass marbles, small copper or silver coins, bits of ribbons or paper, and even a thin metal tube that leaked black juice from its pointed tip that tasted foully of metallic machines. Soft rustles and quiet mews, purrs, and murmurs sounded softly from all around the large den, issuing from most of the cats sleeping there.
Scourge rolled over restlessly in the nest he had made in the back-left corner of the Elites’ den, with Larkspur on his left and Bronze beside her. Larkspur seemed to be sleeping, but Scourge caught the flash of Bronze’s amber eyes every now and then, and the absence of the brown and gold tom’s usual grunts and snores was significant enough. The black cat wasn’t sure how he’d get used to the noise and great number of cats in the den.
Moonglimmer and Raven slept on either side of the den entrance. It was wide and square, but it was so draped with spirals of ivy and holly that the shape was lost behind them. Scourge stealthily crept between the two Elites, his eyes flickering around the den to ensure that no other cats were awake. Even Bronze didn’t react, so the black Elite continued out of the den.
Scourge scaled the back wall with a few scrabbling jumps, clinging to the weeds that hugged the grimy bricks. He leaped lightly down onto the sidewalk below, gazing across the street at one of the abandoned buildings of the slums. Beyond, the dark meadow-grass waved quietly in the breezes that subtly twirled about in the atmosphere. A few crickets chirped from the fields, but their low murmuring was nothing compared to the full chorus of the boggy area in the Forest. The Abandoned Street was otherwise deserted. Scourge sat for a while in front of the back wall of the Silver alleyway, his eyes closed lightly, listening to the sounds of the night. Only a few stars were visible in the overcast sky, and clouds continued to creep over the town as thunder rumbled in the distance, growing louder with each growl.
The black cat’s ears suddenly pricked up at a faint noise of movement from somewhere near the house at the other side of the street. He was reminded quickly of the night in which he had encountered the Fire cat Bone and his brother Ash.
Scourge pressed himself against the bricks as a pale shape trotted into view from the other side of the street, walking down the sidewalk as if it were daytime. Illuminated in the glow of a streetlight, Scourge could see that the cat’s light yellowish fur was short and a bit wavy, tinged with discreet hues of dark gold and pale brown. The scent of the Fire cats stung Scourge’s nose and mouth.
Another Fire cat? He thought dismissively. Is it their custom to wander out at night regularly?
Scourge wondered if he should try to slip back over the wall and return to the Elites’ den without any trouble, but his reasoning came too late. The Fire cat had spotted him already.
“Hey—hey you!” The cat called quietly, shoulder fur bristling. With an irritated flick of the tail, the she-cat—for her voice was clearly female—sprinted across the street to stand several wary tail-lengths away from Scourge.
“What?” Scourge replied smoothly, eying the Fire cat calmly.
She stared at him, her eyes sharp and gleaming. “Wait…”
“For what?” Scourge’s lips curled.
With a hiss, she snapped, “It must be you! You’re that cat Bone met a while ago, when he was looking for Ash. You helped find him.”
Scourge eyes her curiously. “How do you know?”
The Fire cat shrugged. “He mentioned your disdainful way of speaking and your night-time wanderings.”
“He said that about me?” Scourge meowed. “Considering that it was me who found his poor lost brother?”
“How could anyone blame him?” The she-cat spat. “You’re just as boneheaded as he described. I don’t even know why I’m still talking to you.”
She spun around dramatically and began to pad in the other direction, towards the Time-of-the-Moon-Hollow and the Fire camp.
“Is it custom for all Fire cats to wander around in the dark?” Scourge called after her. “Maybe you’re all descended from those crazy Clan cats in the Forest. I’ve heard that they hunt and kill by night, just creeping up on innocent intruders in the dark before they rip out their throats.”
The she-cat stopped dead in her tracks. Swiftly, she spun around and sprinted towards Scourge, all the fury of a townsfolk car with her. Before Scourge could react, she had him pinned down under her, one of her front paws on each shoulder, her unsheathed claws pricking his skin and sending hair-thin strands of blood trickling down his fur.
“What did you say?” She snarled.
Scourge lay there on his back, shock coursing through his blood. The she-cat was slightly larger than him—this was no surprise, considering the black Elite’s own size—but looked younger. Yet she had completely surprised him and had managed to render him helpless.
“Never mind that,” he meowed hastily. “Get off me.”
The dappled gold she-cat looked uncertain. “Why should I? No cat in the whole town deserves to be compared to those wild cats in the Forest.”
“Are you sure about that?” Scourge meowed back. “I’ve known a few. Ever met Dreamsong of the Silver?”
“Yes, of course. I—” The she-cat stopped, absorbing what Scourge had said. A wild, hysterical light exploded in her eyes and she burst out laughing. Her claws released Scourge as she backed away several paces, snorting in amusement.
“Keep it down,” the black Elite meowed lightly. “Or you’ll wake every Silver cat in the camp.”
The she-cat attempted to control herself, her eyes dancing. When she finally regained her composure, she meowed, “So. Bone mentioned you a while ago—Scourge, is it?”
Scourge inclined his head. “That’s me. Scourge of the Silver, Elite.”
“Elite?” The she-cat echoed. “Bone said you were an apprentice, and you certainly don’t look big enough to be an—”
“I’m nine moons old, almost ten,” Scourge interrupted, his shoulder fur bristling. He winced slightly as the tips of his hairs dug into the tiny cuts the she-cat had made there. “And I’ve always been smaller than…average.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.”
“And who are you?” Scourge inquired smoothly.
She eyed him strangely. “Topaz. Topaz of the Fire.”
Scourge watched her, waiting. “And…”
“And what?”
“Your rank, if I may ask?”
The she-cat, Topaz, looked annoyed. “Elite. And I don’t like cats who judge others on their rank. Mind you, the Founders were both rogues, if you know your history.”
