Summer heat permeated shadowclan land, although the sun didn't shine through the clouds, nevertheless would see a grizzled scene unfold beneath. The elderly shape of a old she-cat lay on her side, within a patch of grass that nearly concealed her form if not for her torbie point tail visible through the thicket. At first glance it seemed Petalstorm passed peacefully, touring the territory at her leisure, but closer inspection would reveal a struggle, maybe even an inner one. Foam had dried along her maw and her eyes seemed stricken with pain, and a half eaten vole lay also partially hidden in the tall grass a few fox lengths away. Petalstorm had passed, but to what end?
6
Petalstorm & Whoever wants to find her
Petalstorm meets her demise
Thunderpath SC side
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
As the sun set, Heronsong padded through the brush. Petalstorm had been missing for too long, now, and her scent had led the curious warrior toward the Thunderpath. The grey she-cat's pace quickened with some apprehension. What had Petalstorm been doing so far our for so long? Heronflight made her way through the dense undergrowth, expertly avoiding wayward tree roots and dips in the ground that might have tripped others. Then all at once, she froze. Petalstorm's scent-trail was lingering with something else. The scent of death.
Heart beating suddenly faster, Heronsong hurried forward, until she came to the small clearing...where the body lay.
Heronsong gasped, nearly wanting to retreat from the sight. "Great Starclan!" There lay the stiff and lifeless body of that which she once knew to be Petalstorm. Almost out of instinct, she hurried to the elder's side, gently nosing at the fur around her face and neck, as if there might be some tiny, unheard and unseen twitch of a heartbeat or shuddering breath. Nothing. Heronsong pressed her muzzle against the dead she-cat's fur, sending a silent good-bye. An apology for her having passed alone, far from her clanmates. She gave Petalstorm's head a few comforting licks, a million thoughts racing through her mind on how this could have happened. There were no obvious wounds, no scent of sickness. The she-cat had been old, but not on death's door. Perhaps Flutterdream will be able to tell more.
Heronsong stood, determined. She struggled to get the elder's body slung over her back, as she was not nearly as strong or bulky as other cats in the clan. But she couldn't stand the thought of leaving Petalstorm alone again to run back and ask for help. It wasn't far, and it wasn't a chore. Heart heavy, shoulders aching with effort, and with the elder's paws awkwardly dragging against dirt and ferns, Heronsong made the trek back home.
