mintpaw

~~~

THE CAMP WAS A MESS when Mintpaw and Clearfrost returned. The ragdoll immediately went to work, ordering Mintpaw to fetch herbs or cobwebs, licking poultice on different wounds. However, the gray tabby couldn't focus; her attention was still on what Clearfrost had told her in the Battle Cave.

She was relieved over Berryfern, that the deceased medicine cat's threats were all pretty much empty. However, there was one sentence Clearfrost said about the prophecy that made her head spin:

"You know what must happen for it to be achieved."

Because Mintpaw didn't. The prophecy, as far as she knew, had no mentions of how it was meant to be activated or fulfilled. She ran through the lines in her mind:

From lily and ice three will be born,

Okay, that was easy enough. Their mother's name being Lilylight and father's being Icestrike, it was pretty simple to see that the prophecy was about her and her brothers.

With the power of stars, they were adorn.

So they had some special powers or something, which was backed up by the last line.

Grants the most powerful wish the Clans will ever see.

The three of them could somehow grant a wish. That's what Ivorystar and Rainstar were fighting over. They both obviously have a wish they want granted, and the war was over Mintpaw and her brothers.

That's why the gray tabby couldn't stop trembling whenever the prophecy was mentioned. Because how were they going to 'share the power'? What would that mean for her? And her brothers?

Mintpaw ran through the lines again and again and again. There was nothing stated in the prophecy that told her how to fulfill it. Was she missing a line? She must be. 'Born' and 'adorn' rhyme, but there's nothing to pair with 'see'. There was probably a line before the last that Ivorystar and Clearfrost didn't mention in their conversation, or she didn't hear.

Mintpaw ruffled her fur. Did she really want to know what the line is? How to fulfill the prophecy? If she was being honest, not really. This whole war was caused by the prophecy. It had brought so much harm to the Clans. Why would she want to prod deeper with it?

No, it was best to just leave it alone.

~~~

THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed slowly. Each day had the same routine, of checking up on the countless patients, chewing up more poultice, replacing the spider webs with new ones, and getting herbs. 

Mintpaw knew it was wrong, but she was growing steadily tired of the medicine cat life. She wanted excitement, an adventure, and though she could become a good medicine cat due to her sharp memory, she was bored. She wanted to go into the forest and return carrying a delicious piece of prey rather than disgusting herbs, rise to a full rank sooner, and not have to deal with StarClan anymore.

StarClan. Stupid, stupid StarClan which had ruined her life. StarClan meant the prophecy. StarClan meant Berryfern. Therefore, StarClan meant the war and threats, the things that made her guilty to spend time with Dapplepaw.

Speaking of which, today was the night that she was supposed to meet the silver bengal in the supposed tunnels. Mintpaw had said yes in the heat of the moment, but now she was realizing what a rash decision that had been. 

RiverClan had destroyed her camp and hurt plenty of her Clanmates. And Dapplepaw had beat up her own brother pretty badly. She was supposed to feel some sort of hatred, right? Out of loyalty for both her Clan and Snakepaw?

But to Mintpaw's surprise, she felt nothing at all. Why should she? Why should she have sentiment towards a brother who she shared no bond with? Why should she feel loyal to a Clan whose victory in the war would mean her demise? She still wasn't sure on how the prophecy was fulfilled, but surely, they'd round her and her brothers up, and keep them as prisoners?

Maybe if ShadowClan won, they'd be allowed to live the lives they had now. But surely, the prophecy would come out, and everyone would keep a close eye on her, watching her as though she were a freak. And did she really want to continue this life, where she served a Clan that wanted to use her?

Whichever Clan wins, it would be a lose-lose situation. She might get treated worse in RiverClan, but who knows? Besides, Dapplepaw was in RiverClan. She'd have a friend there.

A noise at the entrance distracted her. Mintpaw glanced over her shoulder to see Snakepaw limping in. A sneer twisted onto his face. "Where's Clearfrost?"

"She wanted to speak to Rosepool privately," the gray tabby replied, matching her brother's icy tone. "They think there was an outbreak or something in RiverClan."

"An outbreak of what? Prey?"

"A disease outbreak," Mintpaw snapped, amazed at her brother's stupidity.

Snakepaw lashed his tail, sitting down. "Why would they care? Isn't it better for us, if more of RiverClan dies?"

Mintpaw didn't answer his question. "What do you need?"

"My leg's bleeding again." Snakepaw stuck a hind leg out, and sure enough, it was covered completely in crimson. "Foxstorm wanted me to get it checked out so it heals quicker. My Warriors Assessment is coming up soon." His voice was tinted with pride, but Mintpaw didn't care, so she didn't congratulate him.

The only thing she felt was envy. Who knows how much longer her apprenticeship could take? Theoretically, as long as Clearfrost wanted.

"I'll get something for your leg."

Snakepaw seemed rather put off at Mintpaw's lack of congratulations when she returned. "Aren't you going to say anything to me?"

"You haven't become a warrior yet, why do I need to congratulate you?" the gray tabby snarked, pressing cobwebs onto his wound. "For all I know, you could fail."

"Like I'm going to fail," Snakepaw bragged, ruffling his fur. "I'm the best apprentice in all four Clans!"

"Really? Then who gave you that?" Mintpaw nodded at the gash she was now spreading poultice on, knowing very well that it was Dapplepaw. "Seems like a certain RiverClan apprentice is out-doing you."

Snakepaw's eyes darkened. "You need to stop hanging around Dapplepaw. She's the enemy. Look what she did to me, to our Clan."

Mintpaw felt a rise of guilt at his words. "I know. She's just... someone to talk to." Her brother's right. Maybe she shouldn't go meet Dapplepaw tonight.

"Well, you need to figure out where your loyalties lie."

Mintpaw bristled. Any of her previous compliance was now replaced with anger. How could he say that? Despite her previous thoughts, she was still a ShadowClan cat. Was she not here, taking care of his leg, doing a job she hated for the good of the Clan? "I can't believe you-"

"I'm serious, Mintpaw," Snakepaw meowed coldly. "Figure out who your true friends are."

The gray tabby finished bandaging his leg, straightening to stare her brother in the eyes. "You're right," she replied slowly, "I should figure out who my true friends are."

"Good." Snakepaw looked satisfied and left.

That night, after making sure Clearfrost was asleep, Mintpaw ducked out of the medicine den, bounding to the dirt tunnel, and crawled out. She didn't waste any time dusting herself off, heading straight for the Thunderpath.

Because Snakepaw was right. She did need to figure out who her true friends were.

And she didn't have any friends in ShadowClan.