“H-He has horns?” Tonan muttered. “B-But he’s...” Shika could understand Tonan’s bewilderment. Tuskel had been a clan cat all along? Why hadn’t he told anyone? Is that why he was so adamant that Shika and Fril stay away from the forest? And how did- “Why is there a crowd outside of the Medicine den?” The cats parted and turned to see a messy furred Froststar, tired Spottedberry, and an alert Loudbelly. “Shika?” Froststar mewed. “I thought you had gone back to the village.” “I did. But something attacked Tuskel and Fril couldn’t get into the medicine hut to help him.” “I see.” The leader’s orange eyes moved over to Tonan. “And you are?” “I’m Tonan. I came with Shika in case she ran into trouble.” “Mmh.” Spottedberry moved away from the white tom and peered into the den. “Wait, that’s Tuskel?” Shika looked confused. “Yeah. I’m sure i’ve told you about it countless times.” “You have, but you never described him. Frost, doesn’t he look like-” The sound of pawsteps over loose
“Shika!?” Stormfly disappeared as the sound of rushing pawsteps rapidly approached her. “Shika?” Fril reached her first. “What’s wrong- Tuskel!?” Miko rushed up behind him and she let out a fearful screech. “Dad!” The other joined them, each gasping and crying out for their chief. “F-Fril.” The silver tabby molly looked at the small tom. “S-Surely, you can help him. H-he’s not dead.” “It’ll take too long to find the herbs. I’d have to take him into the forest, to the clan cats.” Miko glanced from him to her father. “T-Then do it. Anything to make him survive. Aihu, Owl’s Hoot, help get my father onto Shika’s back. The rest of us will stay here, do a, what do the clans call it?” “A border patrol.” Shika grunted from the weight of Tuskel. “Be sure to go in teams of three or more so that whoever attacked the chief won't attack someone else. Take the canines with you for extra security. Fril-” “Wait.” Tonan nosed himself through the crowd. “I’ll come with you.” Shika shook her
“And that’s what Ashpaw had relayed to you?” “Yes.” Loudbelly looked over at Froststar. “It’s like Jaggedstar to attack during a gathering.” The fluffy tailed leader flicked his ear. “We’ll have to be on alert then. If Starclan is listening, perhaps they could prevent it from happening.” Finchcall set the last of the cobwebs on Shika’s wounds and turned to the toms. “They still speak with us medics, but they’ve told us they are powerless to stop his reign.” “How regrettable.” Froststar looked over at Fril and Shika. “You both are more than welcome to stay the night with us. The clan practically sees you both as members.” Shika shook her head, even if she wanted to stay, Tuskel’s wrath would probably set the forest on fire. Fril seemed to voice the molly’s thoughts. “Tuskel will have a fit if we don’t come home.” Loudbelly and Froststar bowed their heads. “May Starclan light your path.” They meowed. The ruin cats bow back and leave the medic den. A few cats lay in the clearing,