Destiny~Chapter 20

Instructions

The sun had already started setting when the clan finally relaxed, as much as they could, on top of the ledge that overlooked camp. Dark, muddy water had overflowed the camp below with only the top of high rock peaking through the murky water. Nightshade had settled with Thornpad, her legs weak and sore while her pelt was spotted with dried mud that creeped up her legs and tinted the white patches of her fur a shade of lightbrown. Having fallen asleep with the soft licking of Thornpad against her ear she finally allowed her body to rest just before the sun started to rise. The clan was tired and exhausted. Heronfeather who seems forever grumpy now mumbling to himself as he went through the herbs he was able to gather beforehand. Honeypool standing close to the kits as she allowed the queens to rest. Stageleap going around camp to check on everyone and keeping the numbers of those who weren’t along with them. As Nightshade finally fell asleep Thornpad looked around, his forest eyes heavy with sleep as he looked over his exhausted clancat. The kit rounded Creekfrost and Vineripple were together, voices lowered and hushed as they both looked at Sheepstep. The white tom's body was still shaking with grief. Thornpad noticed his mother, Dovewish, wasn’t among the group. “Thornpad.” Stagleap’s voice was smooth and relaxed, the attitude of the she-cat was like a flowing river that moved with grace of it’s cool waters that seemed to flow through her as she stared down at the two of them. “Is she alright?” She asked gesturing to she-cat exhausted at his side with specks of concern in her oak colored eyes. His eyes lowered down to the fragile figure next to him. Compared to the well built and taller Tom the she-cats body was one of the opposite. Her fur sleek and short to her body with the only muscle showing under her pelt was ones of her legs as the fur around her ribs looked like a forever state of hunger with her lean and agile body. Nightshade’s ears lowered as the rise and fall of her chest was steady in her state of sleep. “She’s okay, just tired from tonight, I’m pretty sure everyone is after last night's events. I believe you are too Stagleap,” he said gesturing over the restless state of her pelt and the way the fur on her neck stood on end. The she-cats eyes narrowed for a moment before shaking her head, “No no as leader I need to make sure my clan is looked after before I worry about something little like sleep,” she said with a low easy-going chuckle. “Now try to get your own while you can Thornpad,” she said calmly, dipping her head slightly before turning to walk over to the medicine cat. Watching the long tail of the she-cat walk away from him allowed his body to get crushed with a wave of exhaustion. It wasn’t in his control or want to try and force himself to stay awake so his let his eyes to shut and for him to drift off to sleep. It was sunrise when Thornpad woke to find Nightshade not against him, instead he found her black form standing by the honey colored she-cat. “Are you sure everything is alright? Did Dewkit swallow any water?” Her voice was one of concern as she looked down at the sleeping body of the kits. “Nightshade like I told Stagleap last night if he did he would have coughed it up by now! Besides, Heronfeather already looked over them and the queens last night so stop worrying about them so much. They’re fine,” she reassured softly, placing a gentle paw over hers. Her shoulders relaxed and she purred softly to the honey colored she-cat, “Alright fine I trust you Honeypool. Just let me know if you or them need me.” Her tone was once again easy going before she stood and turned away with a wave of her tail. Walking away she noticed the thick fur of Lionheart nearby. The black and white fur of Sparrowcall pressed against him as she walked over. The aged warriors seemed to relax in the early morning light. Lionheart’s brown eyes narrowed as he looked up at the clear morning sky. “Lionheart,” her voice was hushed so as to not disturb the rest of the clan that rested not far away. “Is there any news of the clans after the flood?” she asked, standing a few tail lengths away. “Stagleap had taken a few experienced warriors out before sunrise to look over the damages and to look for prey, but with most of the water still resting in our territory it’s still a danger.”His head lowered to look over at her, his voice stern and a sharp edge of anger hitting her ears causing the she-cat to lower her ears slightly. “Any idea on when they’ll be back?” Hearing the quiet sigh come from his mate Lionheart huffed. “I don’t know when they’ll be back Nightshade, now /please/ just be patient.” Nightshade stood there eyes narrowed as she looked up at the elder warrior. With a monent longer of silence she too sighed before turned and padded away back to the warmth of Thornpad’s side. ____