Cover Your Crystal Eyes (c)

((Takes place directly after the december medicine cat meeting))

Dasypaw stumbled into camp, paws trembling with both excitement and exhaustion. The bone-numbing chill left behind in the wake of the dream clung stubbornly to her pelt, but it was dulled by the racing of her thoughts. Weak dawn light was beginning to lighten the heavy-hanging darkness of the night, the half-moon fading into the warm shadow of the coming dawn. “Tigerdance.” She called hoarsely, spotting the marbled tabby appearing from his den. If her body was stronger, she might have bounded across the frost-crusted grass, but she settled for an unsteady hobble, nearly tripping over numb paws in the process. She looked up at the leader, the shine in her amber eyes softening the heavy shadow of exhaustion that had taken permanent residence in her gaze.

She took a steadying breath, about to spill everything she had learned in one rapid-fire tumble of words, but instead the cold air stung her throat and she broke off into a spasm of wheezing coughs, turning her face away quickly. Tail lashing in frustration, the bi-colored molly choked the fit back, eyes watering. “Tigerdance, I conferred with the other medicine cats, I think we’re close to a cure, or at least something better than what we’ve got currently.” She wheezed out finally, taking a minute to catch her breath. “Smokepetal will be arriving soon, to trade herbs, and make up for what I’m missing. She may have an escort of SkyClan warriors, I thought you’d like to know."

Daisypaw collapsed back onto her haunches, feeling a weight off her chest that she had some offering of hope to share, however feeble. Of course, that wasn’t the only news she had to share. The dread was beginning to creep back in, like unseen enemies flickering at the edges of her vision. Her white-tipped tail swished uneasily behind her. “There is something else too, well a few things.” She said, casting an uneasy glance at Tigerdance.

Maybe the overall strangeness of the meeting was just her inexperience. But Smokepetal and her two apprentices, the absence of anyone from RiverClan, and of course, the terrible shared dream. All of it pointed to strange pieces moving in places she couldn't see.

The bi-colored molly twitched an ear, a protest on the tip of her tongue, but she understood Tigerdance’s logic. She would need to be strong enough to help her clanmates. She dipped her head slightly in acceptance, but met her leader's gaze with a stubborn jut of her white chin. “The sickest cats will be treated first, which includes you as well. You’ve only got the one life, and WindClan needs a strong leader to outlast the times to come.” She held his gaze, unwavering, for a moment longer before she turned away with a sigh.

The exhaustion of the long night and ominous omens made her pelt feel heavy. Dasiypaw shivered, as the dream came back to her, like the chill of the wind might never fully leave her. “StarClan gave all the medicine cats the same dream. It was… vague, but troubling.There was a terrible wind, cold enough to feel like claws. The force of the gale pushed us back and away from the mountains. It brought a feeling of dread, and ill tidings. I don’t know what it means exactly, or even what threats the stars are trying to warn us about, but we should be prepared for more hardship this leaf-bare.” She wrapped her tail around her paws, but it did little to stave off the cold.

Daisypaw shook her head with a heavy sigh. “It happened so quickly, even the older medicine cats were uncertain of StarClan’s meaning. We should be vigilant, and gather our strength. I think only time will bring clarity.” She dipped her head slightly to Tigerdance. “I need to prepare the herbs for Smokepetal, I’ll let you know if the stars have any answers for us.” She heaved herself to her paws unsteadily, a determined set to her shoulders. Burdock Root for Smokepetal, and a glimmer of hope for WindClan amidst the darkness.