Prologue
Moonlight glimmered across the surface of the lake, which was smooth as glass. Two cats, a tortoiseshell tom and a black tabby she-cat, stalked through the forest. The two cats moved swiftly and silently, the tom leading the she-cat. They crossed a small stream, then the she-cat stopped.
"Stop" the she-cat called to the tom, breaking the silence that hung over the lake like a blanket.
"What's wrong?"
"I just don't want to do this. You and I both know what's going to happen. We find a patrol, then they chase us out," the she-cat said.
"No, these may not." the tom replied "Besides, I don't know about you, but I'm starting to feel lonely with only one other cat as company."
"Oh, I see. I'm not enough for you? Is that it?"
"No, you know what I mean. You know I don't like living like this. I'm not cut out for it."
"Bloodclaw, can I ask you something? Why are you so obsessed with these cats? Why can't we find some other cats instead?"
"Yah, like that's going to happen. During all this time, how many cats have we encountered?" retorted Bloodclaw, "Besides, not all these cats are the same, hence them living in different clans."
"So you'll willing to travel to each of the clans and beg?"
"I don't beg, but I'm willing."
"You maybe, but not me."
"Wait, Swiftpelt. Please don't go."
"I'm sorry Bloodclaw, but I don't want to do this. It's not you, I just can't. I don't know how to explain," Swiftpelt said, 'Farewell, Bloodclaw. I hope we meet again." With that, she left, leaving the tom filled with grief.