FLC: Prologue

Prologue

A terrible wail rang through out the camp. Cats turned their heads and shuddered at the thought of what was happening. It had come from the nursery.
Soulcry ran to a weeping queen.
      "Why, Hiddenmist? What is the matter?" the medicine cat apprentice's soft, silky voice seemed to soothe the queen.
Hiddenmist looked up at met Soulcry's concerned gaze. Her body trembled; she could only make out two words. "My kits."
Soulcry's blue eyes widened with fear, but only for a swift moment. Her healing instincts then kicked in. She whirled around and stood tall. "Gleamingwater!" she commanded the nursing queen "Go and fetch Feralheart!" As the queen ran, the apprentice turned to a group of warriors. "Daggerstone! Apricotpatch! Go and bring back some wet moss.  Ottertwist, go and fetch a good twig!" She then turned and put her paw on the queens belly, sighing. "Won't be long now.''
Hiddenmist looked at the apprentice with a face so full of alarm, she had to turn away.
"I see Hiddenmist's kits came early." A large brown tom padded through the den and over to the queen. "How are you feeling?"
The silver she-cat's voice was barely audible. I feel lots of sever pain. Everywhere! I can't breathe very well either. Feralheart, what do I do!? ""
Feralheart looked at Soulcry, his face frozen in the same grave look as her.  
Just as Ottertwist bounded into the nursery, the kit-bearing queen let out an ear-splitting yowl. The medicine cats' heads shot up and ran over to the queen, finding a small, mewling cream fluff.
Hiddenmist's gaze clouded with pain and tears. "Ivorykit."  She whispered before closing her watery eyes.
Soulcry took the mewling kit and began to lick its pelt. Feralheart put his head to the queen's chest. He looked up, grief stricken. "Hiddenmist's with Starclan now."  Soulcry, Ottertwist and Gleamingwater gaped at the news.
Fallenstar bounded happily into the nursery. "How are Hiddenmist and her kits?" The leader looked at Feralheart's heartrending stare, Soulcry huddled with the small kit, and her eyes then landed on Hiddenmist's motionless body. Fallenstar rushed over.
Feralheart padded over and gave his leader a comforting lick on the ear. "I'm sorry Fallenstar. Your sister didn't make it."
The cream she-cat didn't speak. Her green eyes closed and she buried her cherry nose in her sister's cold fur.
Soulcry shuffled over, holding the cream she-cat by her scruff. "What should we do about Ivorykit? She has no mother to give her milk. We can't let her die."
Fallenstar's voice was muffled by her sister's silver fur. "Gleamingwater has kits."
The golden queen looked up at the sound of her name. Her face was stained with tears. "Yes, Fallenstar?"
Soulcry padded over and plopped the newborn kit in front of the nursing queen. "Will you take care of Ivorykit?"
Gleamingwater's expression changed. "Hiddenmist was a brave warrior. Her kit will remain safe with me."
Soulcry nodded her thanks.
"Soulcry?" The medicine cat apprentice turned at her calling. Fallenstar had gotten up but stayed by her deceased sister's side. "Help Feralheart and Ottertwist move her to the clearing."
The three cats nodded and hoisted Hiddenmist onto their backs. Slowly and full of sorrow, they made their way into the clearing. Warriors yowled in surprise. Apprentices raced over, curious. The entire clan buzzed, from kit to elder.
"May all cats of Cometclan gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting." The familiar yowl echoed off the trees. The grief-stricken leader sat tall. "Our beloved clan had faced a tragedy today.  Hiddenmist was expecting her litter today. She joined Starclan after giving birth." Her eyes clouded. "A vigil will be held in her honor tonight. Hiddenmist was a great warrior, a loving sister, and was bound to be a caring mother. Ivorykit is proud to be daughter of her. "
Ivorykit's eye's popped open. She let out a soft mew and was overwhelmed with what she saw. "So this is what the world is like! I can't wait to be a warrior!"