One, Two, Three

The sun hadn’t even begun to rise as Spiceshadow, Breezemoon, and Mothtrail sat in the medicine cat den. Mothtrail was shaking slightly in fear, but Breezemoon had kept reassuring the younger tom he was not required to go and that he could do it himself. But since he was still the medicine cat, Mothtrail had agreed to come, but was still uneasy with it.

Spiceshadow’s limp leg had been put into a sling around his shoulder and he had been getting used to using just three paws, but his decision could not be swayed. Breezemoon had agreed to do it, but Mothtrail still wasn’t quite confident enough to do it by himself, so his former mentor was helping. Not to mention Breezemoon was Spiceshadow’s brother. He would be helping even if he was on death row.

Deathsong padded up beside them, his blue eyes glowing in the darkness. “I’ll keep watch over the camp tonight. I’ll make sure you aren’t followed.”

Breezemoon, Spiceshadow, and Mothtrail dipped their head’s thankfully as the older tom then padded away to take his place at the camp entrance. Mothtrail picked up a leaf bundle of herbs and other necessities they would need before looking at Breezemoon with nervous eyes. The gray tom licked his apprentice’s ear before flicking his tail, summoning them to follow him. Mothtrail jumped through the barrier first and Breezemoon helped Spiceshadow, who was still dizzy on his paws.

Breezemoon turned to Mothtrail. “You go on ahead and get set up. We’ll be right there.”

Mothtrail nodded and bounded into the darkness out of sight.

Spiceshadow looked up at his brother and his eyes were filled with sadness. “I’m sorry for asking this of you. I know it is selfish. Poor Mothtrail might never recover.”

Breezemoon purred softly. “He’s strong. He’ll be fine. It’s not like we’re giving you Deathberries.”

Spiceshadow let out a soft laugh. “I’m pretty sure this will be more painful then that.”

“You won’t feel a thing. I promise.”

-----------

“P-P-P-Promise you can’t feel anything?” Mothtrail was stuttering heavily and breathing heavy too.

Spiceshadow let out a soft sigh. “I promise, Mothtrail. How’s it coming, Breezy?”

“Almost done. I’m surprised you haven’t felt anything at all though. There is so much blood I would of thought for sure that you would have been screaming in pain.”

“Nah. I’m just kinda light headed.”

“Mothtrail, give him something for that. And to clot the blood.”

“R-Right!” The younger tom nosed through the herb stack they brought before dropping the herbs in front of the former deputy and skittering a few paw steps away once more.

“There. It’s done.” Breezemoon grabbed the wet moss beside him and wiped away the blood and cleaned the wound. “Mothtrail, cobweb.”

It had gone fairly quick and completely painless. That was probably the only good thing about the numbness in his leg. The sun was now peaking over the horizon and the floor of the abandoned twoleg nest was covered in a dark pool of blood. After putting many coverings of cobweb on, Breezemoon deemed the project done and took a few steps away. “There. Stand up now.”

Spiceshadow nodded and rolled onto his stomach, for he had been on his side moments ago. His hindpaws and front paw pushed him up, his left leg no longer dangling uselessly from his shoulder. He looked down at the stump covered in cobwebs and sighed. “Thank, StarClan for numbness.”

“Come on. Let’s get back to camp before anyone notices we’re missing. Plus I need to check on Hiccupkit and Cloudkit.” Breezemoon was the first to leave the twoleg nest, followed by Mothtrail, and then Spiceshadow.

The trek to camp was silent. As they approached, Deathsong got to his paws and stepped away from the entrance. He dipped his head to the two medicine cats and former deputy and then followed them inside. Spiceshadow dizzily made his way back to the elder’s den before collapsing onto his moss nest and his eyes closing with heaviness from sleep deprivation and blood loss. He heard Breezemoon whisper something to him that he couldn’t make out before darkness swallowed him and he fell asleep.