Monarch of Glory-Part Four

Dreamstar woke in her den. Soaringheart wasn't there, so she decided to go on a walk. She slowly got up, and went into the clearing. A few cats were up, and getting the dawn patrol sorted out. Dreamstar looked around, proudly, even in the hardest of times, this clan can make it through. Then everything was shattered as cats came rushing into the entrance.

"What happened here! We just had something happen!"

Dreamstar looked around worriedly. She couldn't take all this excitement....all this stress. Then she saw Soaringheart being carried in. His leg was twisted the wrong way and he was bleeding heavily. Dreamstar shook her head and closed her eyes. Not wanting anything like this to ever happen again. Then she felt a tail brush her shoulder. She looked up to see Grayshadow standing in front of her.

"We....we found him with his leg in a fox-trap....It was right by the river....and Ripplestar was trying to free him. He's lost a lot of blood....only just before we came to camp did he stop yowling in pain. Ripplestar's here too. I'm so sorry Dreamstar."

Grayshadow left to the warrior's den where Adder was waiting, his eyes clouded in fear. Dreamstar looked around at her clan. They didn't know what to think. They were all starving, cats were sick, and we were running out of herbs to help. Dreamstar saw Snowshine and Silverfang come out and pull Soaringheart into their den. Then Dreamstar spotted Everkit narrowing her eyes in horror. She didn't want this either. Dreamstar breathed in quickly. Fear scent was mingling everywhere. Then she felt a muzzle brush hers.

"I tried....I tried to be quicker. But I wasn't....I told my patrol to run back to camp to get more warriors... so we could dig them out. I saw a few around the river. I'm sorry. Come on let's go for a walk."

Ripplestar purred and led the shocked leader out of the chaotic camp. Ripplestar continued to walk until he was at the border to the empty territory. Dreamstar's eyes lifted when she scented the smell of prey and herbs. She looked around to see a pile sitting across the border. Ripplestar licked her cheek.

"Take it. I know you need it. Take some more territory as well. BlackClan are slowly moving more of their camps away. Too many cats. Just the main camp stays in the middle. You need this territory."

Dreamstar shook her head. She needed to get back to camp. To help the clan get through this. She needed to get Everkit to talk. Dreamstar looked at Ripplestar. They were on a hill, overlooking the barren territory, with hints of prey and herbs, and a little of BlackClan, but not much more. The sun was setting, and as Dreamstar looked up at Ripplestar, he was silhouetted by the red sunset. Dreamstar smiled and whispered.

"For the heart to die, the heart has to live."

Ripplestar looked at Dreamstar in confusion but lay down beside Dreamstar. Dreamstar shook the lightly falling snow off of her pelt and looked up.

"Maybe this is the time to choose....to choose the one....the one to be my, monarch of glory....."