Banned - Epilogue

Epilogue

I dropped my swallow on top of Coyotehowl's squirrel and looked up.  The clearing was alive and bright, covered in a light haze from the heat of summer.  One could never guess that there had been a battle for our very lives here many seasons ago.  But I had lived through that battle, and survived.

I grabbed a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile and made my way over to the elders' den.  Their den was a small cleft in the rock, one that opened up the deeper it went.  It was nice and roomy, which was good for the cranky elders sometimes.

I passed Splashrain on my way; the older warrior dipped his head to me, and I returned the greeting.  He must be going to see his mate, Snowgust.  She had just given birth to a litter of three kits yesterday; she must have been proud.

I paused, watching as Splashrain spoke a few words to Spiritsight outside the nursery.  The medicine cat's white pelt gleamed, banded with many shades of tawny and silver.  As I watched his brother, Wolfcry, emerged from the nursery.  He spoke a word to Splashrain, and the dark gray tom puffed up in pride.

Shiverfrost and Dewfoot stood at the base of the Highrock, speaking to each other.  The deputy nodded and raced up the tumble of rocks to his leader's den.  Dragonstar and Dew-foot had always been close, since before I was born.

I turned away from the scene and padded to the nursery.  I met Auroraflight on my way in.  The former medicine cat blinked gently at me.  "She's not doing well," she mewed softly.  "Moonburst and Riverwind have gone outside; we figured you'd need some time alone."

I nodded in thanks, my mouth full of rabbit.  Auroraflight bent her head and padded off, heading in Spiritsight's direction.  I pushed my way past the curtain of lichen and paused, letting my eyes adjust to the gloom.

It was difficult to spot her, for her pelt was as black as the shadows that had inspired her name.  But I saw Shadowsong's eyes, bright sky-blue in the gloom.  I padded over and dropped the rabbit at her paws.  "You should eat," I encouraged.  "You have to keep your strength up and fight this disease."

She dropped her eyes, as silent as ever.  I could see the pain in the depths of them; maybe she was just waiting for it all to be over and gone.

I turned to leave, my heart heavy.  I just reached the entrance when a voice called me back.

Musicsoar?

I turned back, meeting my mother's eyes.  "What is it, Shadowsong?"

Could you...could you sing it for me one more time...the song Amzur gave me...the song of IceClan?

I laid down next to her, placing my paws on top of hers.  "Of course I can," I whispered.


"When leaf-bare comes bringing cold, cold snow,
When the Clans attack, holding StarClan low,
We stand strong, holding back the woe,
We are IceClan.

When the rivers flood spilling water all 'round,
When earthquakes rumble and shake the ground,
We stand strong, with the song of sound,
We are IceClan.

When summer burns, and crickets tone,
When blood is spilt and we give all we own,
We stand strong, how we have grown,
We are IceClan.

When the Clans all die we'll be the last,
When the sky cracks open and the stars are cast,
We stand strong, never looking to the past,
We are IceClan."

Shadowsong sighed, a sound full of bliss, and closed her eyes for the last time.