Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
Pebblepaw pranced through the deep undergrowth of ShadowClan’s greenleaf forests. She had been sent by her mentor, Shrivelspeckle, to fetch some herbs, as they were running low. All the wonderful scents of different herbs had been mingled together, causing Pebblepaw’s nose to burn, but in a wonderful way. She ripped leaves of dock off the nearest plant. She was careful to hold the chervil on the other side of the pathway molded by footprints, along with some cobweb.
Pebblepaw strode through the ShadowClan clearing, pine needles sticking to her paw pads. She was trying not to drool all over the catmint she had collected. She confidently paced into the medicine den, her head high. She placed the herbs down into the storage. Shrivelspeckle looked worse than they did before Pebblepaw left. Their fur was fluffed and ruffled, unlike their usual fur, which was sleek and well-kempt. They looked as if they had just seen a Dark Forest warrior. Shrivelspeckle eyed Pebblepaw up and down. “Shrivelspeckle, are you okay?” she whispered, trying not to alert anyone outside. They shook their head. This wasn’t the mentor she knew.
Pebblepaw awoke to a thud, and leaves falling everywhere. It was quite early, the sky was the color of mud and Silverpelt shone like little shiny rocks. She was delirious, but it was worth checking out. She padded towards where the noise came from.
A chill ran down her spine.
“SOOTSTAR! SOOTSTAR! MOOOOMMM!” The she awoke with a puddle of drool slathered on the arm she was sleeping on. She brushed herself off. “What’s the matter, Pebblepaw? Did you have a nightmare or something?” Her daughter’s blue eyes shone back at her.
“SHRIVELSPECKLE IS DEAD!”