BMC: The Search for Robinwing

Silverheart’s heart began to race as he heard Robinwing had disappeared.  Why would she go near Rain Clan territory alone? What if they attacked her? He shook his head.  No… that wouldn’t happen.  He couldn’t see her as the type to get into an argument for accidentally treading on Rain Clan territory.

Of course, he was one of the first cats to volunteer to go in search of Robinwing.  He, Blackclaw, and Glacierpaw decided to patrol the area together.  Maybe he could even work some scent training in with Glacierpaw on the mission.  The three of them headed down the mountains and onto the soft grass.

Silverheart ran his claws over the dirt. The dew was still fresh in the ground, and the air was definitely warmer down here than up on the high rocks.  Blackclaw soon jumped down at his side, enjoying the scent of the fresh grass on the ground.  Silverheart turned to Glacierpaw, watching her jump off the last rock and raised his head to the sky.  The sun was barely touching the peak of the mountain, meaning they had all day to search for Robinwing.

“So, where should we begin?” Blackclaw asked, breaking Silverheart from his thoughts.

Glacierpaw practically bounced over to them, the moist grass soaking her paws. “Oooh a mission! I’m so excited.  I’ve never been on a mission before.  So when do we find her?”

Silverheart chuckled. “Patience Glacierpaw.  Before we can find Robinwing, we need to pick up on her scent.  The smell of Cave Clan is too close here, and it’s hard to pick up just one, so we’ll venture a little further from camp and see what we can find.

“Okay, I’m on the job!” Glacierpaw yipped and darted forward.

“Wait, Glacierpaw!” Silverheart called out, but he knew the apprentice was too excited to listen.  Blackclaw sent him a sideways lick and chuckled. 

“She is full of energy, isn’t she?” Blackclaw mewed.

“A bit too much.  I just wish she’d think with her head and not her heart sometimes,” he replied.

“Oh, like you’re one to talk?” Blackclaw playfully nudged him with her shoulder.  He coughed his balance and smiled over to his mate.  “She’ll need you once she finds that scent.  We better go follow her.”

Silverheart nodded, and the two of them leapt into the grass.  They easily caught up with Glacierpaw, the younger kit starting to run out of energy.  She stopped at the base of the trees and tried to slow her racing heart.  Silverheart and Blackclaw trotted beside her, the scent of Rain Clan overpowering them now.

“It’ll be easier to pick up her scent at the base of Rain Clan camp.  Glacierpaw, put your nose to the ground.  What do you smell?” Silverheart asked.

Glacierpaw smelled the fresh grass underneath her.  At first, a blade went up her nose and she retracted her head to sneeze. 

“Not so close,” Blackclaw spoke and walked beside her. She lowered her head to show the young apprentice.  “Keep the grass a few whisker lengths from your nose.  You won’t pick up her scent any better if you’re closer.”

Silverheart felt his heart swell with joy watching Blackclaw interact with Glacierpaw.  He knew how much she wanted an apprentice.  The tom wondered if he should let her just have this day and teach Glacierpaw how to track.  It wasn’t his strongpoint anyway, and maybe it’d be good experience when she got her own apprentice.  He’d definitely put in a good word to Adderstar if she worked well with Glacierpaw.

“Okay,” the apprentice nodded and did as Blackclaw did.  Blackclaw opened her mouth to help her catch the scent, and Glacierpaw mimicked her. Suddenly, the silver apprentice’s head shot up, her eyes wide.

“What’s wrong?” Silverheart asked, trotting beside her.

“I got it! I got it!” Glacierpaw bounced with excitement.  Blackclaw was about to say something, but Glacierpaw was already on the trail, heading into the trees.

“Wait! That’s Rain Clan territory! Slow down!” Silverheart yowled after her.  Blackclaw, who was the faster of the two, took the lead and cut the apprentice off.  Glacierpaw skidded to a halt and ran into Blackclaw’s side.

“You must never travel into another clan’s territory on your own.  If one of the patrols caught you, you could be seen as an invader,” Blackclaw scolded.

Glacierpaw lowered her head. “I’m sorry.  I just got so excited, I didn’t think.”

Blackclaw sighed and licked the top of the apprentice’s head.  “It’s okay. You made a mistake.  Just remember for next time.”

Silveheart’s ears swiveled to the left.  The fur on his scruff began to rise. “I hate to break up the moment, ladies, but someone’s coming,” he informed them.  The two she-cats looked at each other before the trio ran off of the territory.  They could hear Rain Clan cats speaking behind them and picked up their speed.  Silverheart made sure to trail the back of the group to make sure no surprise attacks came from behind.

“Where’d they go?”

“I was sure I heard voices.”

“And that was definitely the Cave Clan scent.”

Their voices began to disappear as a new sound rolled over the trees: thunder.  Silverheart felt his heart fill with dread.  If the heavy rains came, climbing up to shelter would be near impossible.  Finally, they got out of the trees of Rain Clan and out into the clearing.  He could now see the dark clouds behind them.

“We must hurry,” he urged them. “If we get caught in the storm, we’ll never make it up the high rocks.”

“But Robinwing is still out there,” Glacierpaw mewed. “We have to go find her before the storm.”

Silverheart hissed and looked down at his paws.  How could he explain to her that leaving Robinwing alone in the storm was the best option?  He heard Blackclaw’s voice up ahead.

“Robinwing is a smart she-cat. She’ll find shelter wherever she is.”

Silverheart smiled as Glacierpaw accepted his mate’s words.  The trio climbed up the mountains as fast as they could.  Silverheart could smell the fresh rain beginning to fall on the grass, and felt sporadic drops from the sky.

“We’re almost there. Keep going,” he urged them.  However, as he opened his mouth, the sky opened up on top of them, and they were soaked in a heavy downpour.  Silverheart hissed and looked ahead.  The caves were just a few jumps from where he was.  Blackclaw kept Glacierpaw from slipping off the smooth rocks by grabbing the scruff of the apprentice’s neck.  She turned her head back to Silverheart.

“Keep going,” he urged her.  “You’re a fox length from the caves.  Get Glacierpaw inside.  I’ll be there soon.”

Blackclaw nodded her head and helped Glacierpaw to the top of the rocks.  The two she-cats made it to the top without a problem.  Blackclaw turned back around, the rainwater stinging her eyes.  Lightning flashed in the background. Silverheart leapt to the final rock, his back paws slipping off the rock.  His claws dug into the wet stone, and he let out a startled yowl.  Blackclaw leapt forward and grabbed the scruff of his neck.  She helped pull the tom to his feet, and the two ran inside the cave.

Glacierpaw leapt to her mentor’s side and rubbed up against him. He shook his wet coat and started to dry himself.

“That was fun!” Glacierpaw mewed. Blackclaw and Silverheart merely exchanged glances.  The two sat there panting, watching the heavy rain cascade over the top of the rocks. She continued, “I hope Robinwing and the other patrols are okay.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Silverheart replied.  “They’re smart cats.  Getting out of the rain will be easy for them.”

Thunder echoed inside the cave.  The three cats continued to dry each other off, hoping the rain would subside long enough for them to continue their search.