Jayhaven Chronicles

“So you’re going to believe an owl.” Sedge was staring at Rapid in disbelief. “The one that almost killed you. You have to be kidding me.”

“And you let him go?” Flame shook her head in astonishment. “We could have interrogated him!”

Rapid had rounded up all the Battlers in the Academy (plus Peak) and told them about Kiirion’s warning. To his dismay, only a select few seemed to trust the lively owl.

Peak gave Sedge and Flame a sharp look. “We don’t have any proof that he’s telling the truth, but we don’t have any proof that he’s lying, either. Raising our defenses sure won’t hurt.”

One older Battler gave a snort. “And become a laughing stock? This might be some prank the owls are pulling. We don’t want to look like we’re impressionable.”

Rapid flexed his claws. They’re only thinking about their own ego. Jayhaven might be at stake! “Thank you, Peak. Look, our pride is the last thing we need to worry about if the dogs are coming.” Rapid mewed. “Can we at least send out an extra patrol every day?”

To Rapid’s surprise, Raven was the only other cat besides Peak who nodded. “You know I hate owls as much as the next cat, but surely we can at least search the area! Rapid has proved himself to be trustworthy.”

Rapid whisked his tail in gratitude, I judged Raven too harshly. Right now he’s one of the few that has any sense!

Onyx paused and seemed to think for a moment. “Well, I suppose sending an extra patrol tonight won’t harm anyone.”

Another Battler scowled and flicked his ear. “Excuse me, Onyx, but I don’t know if you heard us. I thought we talked about the owls and all that.”

Onyx’s eyes widened with sudden remembrance. “Oh! You’re right, you’re right. We can’t make hasty decisions based off the word of an owl and an eight moon old student.” Rapid opened his jaws to protest but Onyx didn’t pause. “Rapid, I don’t want you going near that clearing again.”

Rapid tried to bite his tongue, but the words flew out anyway. “Why? Because you’re afraid I’ll tell everyone about how an owl is being a better help to our guild than you?”

Onyx almost stumbled. “Don’t you dare speak like that to your leader!” He hissed in Rapid’s face.

Rapid was taken aback by the sudden harshness of their usually bumbling teacher. But he kept going. “You’re not our leader! Claw isn’t dead yet. If he had been here, we would have been safe from the dogs! You’re putting Jayhaven in danger!”

Onyx spat at him. “If anyone else had returned with your news, you wouldn’t have believed them for a second! Because that’s how narcissistic you are!”

Rapid stepped back. Onyx’s words hurt. But he couldn’t let them bother him. And with that he turned around and sulked off, vaguely aware of Peak following him and a Battler telling Onyx, “Calm down!”.

When he was outside the Academy, he sat down and stared hard at his paws.

“In case you’re wondering, I completely believe you.” Peak sat down beside him. “And I want to meet this Kiirion fellow. He sounds nice. Well, except for when he tried to knock you out. But we can’t disobey Onyx or the older Battlers.”

Rapid suddenly felt an idea flash through his anger. “Why not? Peak, if Jayhaven is in danger, we need to protect it at all costs. Why can’t we just get a little bit more information from Kiirion tonight?”

Peak shook his head. “Oh, no. I’m not going to-Oh fine!” Peak snapped. “I’ll come with you. But if we get killed, I’ll shred you. Oh, wait, that won’t work-”

Rapid cut him off. “Then it’s settled. We’ll sneak out tonight as soon as all the candles on our street are out.”

Rapid went home, immediately curling up in his den, trying to hide in the shadows just in case any other Battlers were walking by. He wanted to get some rest so he wouldn’t be tired for his escapade. He was still angry, but doubt crept in when he realized that Sedge hadn’t agreed with him. That doesn’t matter. My world doesn’t revolve around her. Rapid touched his nose to his tail and started to snooze. But a harsh voice woke him up. “Well, if it isn’t the troublemaker.”

Rapid blinked sleep from his eyes. His gaze focused on silver fur, and, Oh no.

Sedge was standing in front of him, looking as stern as Flame. “I couldn’t help overhearing your little chat with Peak.”

“You were eavesdropping.” Rapid muttered, fighting the bitterness of betrayal. Come on Rapid. You’re not that weak!

Sedge whipped her tail. “You could call it that. But I’m glad I did. You can’t trust an owl. You’re going to get killed. Get all of us killed.”

“You can trust Kiirion!” Rapid hissed, suddenly feeling defensive. “He had just been exiled. He was nice, and-”

Sedge shook her head forcefully, her gaze sharpening. “Owls have been Jayhaven’s enemy for sun-cycles. I’m not going to let you go.”

Rapid fought the urge to flex his claws. “You’re siding with those mud-brains?”

“You’re accusing us of being short sighted, but you’re being a stubborn old badger!” Sedge groaned. “You’re just causing trouble.”

“I am not!”

Sedge gave him a half angry, half sad look. “I don’t want to fight. But you have to stop making stupid decisions!”

For a split second, Rapid thought she was referring to picking Peak over her. It fueled his anger even more.

“And you’ve never done the same?” Rapid snarled. “What about when you stole my and Peak’s stuff and made fun of us? What about when you bullied cats who had done nothing? Were you thinking about causing trouble then? You were just as bad as Birch and Lily back then.” A voice inside him was begging him to stop, but he kept going. “What if you never changed?”

Sedge’s eyes flashed with hurt before starting to tear. She seemed to shrink beneath her pelt. “So that’s how it is, then.” She murmured. “I’ll always just be a part of your ‘Loudhaven.’”

Rapid was shocked at his own words. What am I doing? “Sedge, I’m sorry”

She was already slinking away. “No, I understand. You never really cared about me. Or anyone.”

Rapid stared after her. “No!” He yowled, his voice breaking. “I do care!” He started to fight tears. Anger at himself, guilt for Claw, knowing he had let down Sedge and Splash, it all came crashing down on him. I don’t deserve to save Jayhaven. He told himself. I deserve to be a commoner, not a specially trained warrior. Everything I do just falls apart.

As he quietly wept into his paws, Rapid found light sleep again, filled with dreams of hurt and grief.