As the elderly tom released his final breaths Coldeyes could see the rays of the sun beginning to peer into the den, as if they wanted to know what happened. He looked at Ambercloud, lost for words or sounds. Her eyes bore into his with a tender sincerity.
"You heard him, Coldeyes. I will announce you as my deputy after I go to the moonpool for my nine lives... Be prepared." Ambercloud said as she left the den. Coldeyes watched her go and looked at Sandstar. The glaze of his eyes was becoming more apparent as he sat there, so many questions running through his mind.
He sighed and got up, leaving the den. He would have to ask for someone to help him transport Sandstar's body to the camp center for mourning.
"Coldeyes!" A chirpy voice called out to him. The large tom looked over to the source. It was a new apprentice, a she-cat known as Mistpaw.
"Yes?" Coldeyes asked, trying to hide the hesitation in his voice.
"Do you know where Antfall is?" The apprentice asked, "I've been on the hunt for him all day. You would think a warrior would keep a promise about taking me out for a hunting session!" She fumed. Coldstar could tell the she-cat was kidding with him, but he began to wonder where the warrior was. He shook his head and sighed, who was he to worry?
Without pause his brain reminded him of the impending responsibilities that would befall him after Ambercloud took on her nine lives. Soon he would be the one to worry.
"I don't know where he is, Mistpaw." Coldeyes admitted, hurriedly trotting away to find a warrior that wasn't hiding from their apprentice. He spotted Poppyclaw, the only warrior he really knew, sniffing around the apprentice den calling out for Southpaw.
The large tom trotted over with new found determination.
"Poppyclaw." He called out. The black tom looked over at him and offered a gentle smile.
"Hello Coldeyes-" He tried to say, but was cut off by Coldeyes.
"Sandstar has gone to -" He cut himself off as he spotted Southclaw and Dapplepaw leaving the apprentice den. He eyed them as Poppyclaw gave him a curious look.
"Sandstar.. Is gone..." Coldeyes slowly said in a whisper, trying not to frighten the apprentices. Poppyclaw's eyes widened in shock.
"Really?" He asked. Coldeyes didn't have time to wait for the other tom to digest the knowledge.
"Yes, I need you to help bring him to the center of camp." Coldeyes said. Poppyclaw nodded without pause.
"Yes, of course." He turned to Southpaw and Dapplepaw.
"We won't be training today, Southclaw. Go tell the other warriors Sandstar has passed away. The clan needs to know." Poppyclaw ordered the younger tom. Both cats gave him wide eyed stares. The black tom turned back to Coldeyes as he bagan following him to the Highledge.
They climbed up to Sandstar's den, soon to be Ambercloud's den. They brought the tom's body to the center of camp as the apprentices spread the word of their leader's passing.