~The Hidden Devotion~ CHAPTER 13~

Instructions

.........................~The Hidden Devotion~............................ .............................CHAPTER FOUR................................. ...............................By @fleurxbutterfly.............................. Pigeonpaw stood in the middle of nowhere — no Whimbrelclaw to guide him home, no Galefeather to protect him. The previous night had made everyone tense, with the announcement of Carppaw escaping RainClan’s camp and getting killed by a hawk, and Floralstar’s absence. The coming leaf-bare also set the Clan on edge, to the point where they increased punishments. For scaring away a couple plump rabbits, Pigeonpaw was to be exiled from the Clan for a quarter moon — something the Clan had disagreed on; senior warriors agreed with Goldenstar’s decision, while the younger warriors, including Whimbrelclaw and Galefeather, argued that he’s never find his way back home. The punishment was harsh, but Goldenstar had deemed it a fair punishment for starving half the Clan. Pigeonpaw felt that she sent him away because he was a burden for GlowClan to deal with. “Stay on Clan territory,” Galefeather had told him. Pigeonpaw nodded as he walked out of camp gloomily. However, to Pigeonpaw’s displeasure, Goldenstar sent Barberry to guide him off territory. Now, Pigeonpaw was lost, no sense of direction. He kept walking — well, more like stumbling — along, bumping into trees, and getting stuck in brambles. He heard nothing but distant, muffled talking. /I’ll follow it./ Pigeonpaw thought daringly. It was his only lead, and possibly the only way he could survive. As he got closer, the voices got louder, though still inaudible. They all sounded like she-cats, and there were about three of them. A strong scent of fresh light wafted through the air, getting stronger still as he approached. By now Pigeonpaw could hear their voices. “Well, what does it do?” asked a strangely familiar voice. The second voice let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ve told you, it helps cats! No one knows its true purpose except Glowstar, Rainstar, and Laurelstar. Not even me!” Pigeonpaw slowed. A rock that helps cats? The three founders of the three Clans? Who were these cats? “...deserve to know!” The first voice was saying. Pigeonpaw smelled their distinct scents now; three cats standing, and another cat that seemed unconscious. Pigeonpaw paused to find out who they were, and the names came to him as though they’d told him directly. The first cat was Floralstar; /What’s she doing here?/ The second cat was Navella; /Who?/ The third cat, who had not spoken, was Vanillapaw; /Why is she not in camp?/ and the fourth cat, unconscious, was Carppaw.