The white deputy chuckled, a rough sound not unlike sand paper. "Two in one! Won't Larkstar be proud!" she mewed.
"Come on scum," the little apprentice said brightly, fluffing her calico pelt. "Let's go now! I'm sure you will find our territory quite suitable."
The patrol made a semi-circle around the hostages and set off into the forest. Splashpaw glanced back. All of River Clan had gathered around. Icestar had waded into the water, spitting insults at the Thunder Clan warriors. Kestrelwing wailed and tried to swim out to rescue her beloved son, but succeeded only in tripping and falling head over heels.
The little she-cat fell into step with Splashpaw and Palepaw. "Sillies!" she mewed in amusement. "Look what you have gotten yourselves into! My name is Tinypaw, but after today I'm going to be a warrior for sure! Although I do HATE the name Tinypaw; it sounds nothing like a proper warrior name. If it were up to me I would choose a far nobler name like Fernwhisker or Dappledpool, but I suppose Tinypaw will have to do for now. Maybe I could ask Larkstar if it is possible for one to choose their warrior name. Yes. Yes, I might just do that. Well, what are your names?"
Splashpaw and Palepaw exchanged a puzzled glance. Tinypaw sure could talk!
"Splashpaw and Palepaw," the cream apprentice said simply, warming up to their unlikely companion. "Maybe a good warrior name for you could be Autumnsky?"
"Oh!" she squealed in delight. "Oh my, I like that name very much. Yes, it is SO much better than Dappledpool. My, I do think that Fernwhisker may have met its match! Or maybe we could combine the two names into something like Fernsky. How pretty!"
Snowytail wheeled around sharply. "You fool!" she hissed. "Don't socialize with the prisoners!!"
Tinypaw meekly obeyed and hung back for the rest of the trek.
"I think I may have made a friend," Palepaw whispered happily to Splashpaw as they approached the thorn barrier. He nodded, but secretly had his doubts. Just because Tinypaw was chatty and friendly know didn't disguise what he knew to be true: she was a Thunder Clan cat, and she had helped to steal the little island refuge his family had prized for so long. Could she be trusted?
All questions were silenced as the patrol proudly marched into the Thunder Clan camp.
"Do you have a prisoner for us?" a skeletal elder called hopefully, looking up from her mouse.
"Yes. Two in fact," the black tom purred. Splashpaw felt that the ancient she-cat was his mother by the warm tone the husky voice took on when addressing her.
"Ooh!! I hope they don't mind ticks!"
Palepaw stuck out her tongue. Splashpaw could sympathize. It looked like their stay in Thunder Clan would be infested with all sorts of chores, insults and vile.
"Please," he whispered, "please find us soon!"
Splashpaw was thrust into the elder's den. A warrior glared at him from the entrance.
"You will serve ThunderClan, kitling," he said mockingly. Kitling? That was worse than Honeybee, which Kestrelwing insisted on calling him. Splashpaw sighed. He'd rather be treated like a kit than be here. But they'll find us soon, Splashpaw thought as he scraped together soiled bedding. This is unjust imprisonment. Icestar will see to it that we return.
Splashpaw was dismayed to find that his hearing was dimmed. He heard only what Palepaw was hearing, and she was across the clearing from him.
"Get moss and soft bedding for the queens," a ThunderClan she-cat was hissing to Palepaw. "Tanglepaw and Redflower will supervise you in the forest."
"Why bother keeping us here?" Palepaw spat, her voice echoing inside of his head. "Icestar will come with an army of warriors to save us. You'll see."
"Ooh, I'm terrified," mocked the she-cat. A whoosh of air came as she stalked out of the nursery, leaving two cats to guard the prisoner as she worked.
Splashpaw angrily packed the dirty moss into a ball and rolled it out into the clearing. The black warrior standing guard snapped at him as he passed by. The warrior said something, but it was faint, since Palepaw's left ear was many tail-lengths away.
So, Splashpaw ignored him, rolling the bedding away toward the fern tunnel they had entered through.
"Hey, stop right there!" the black warrior yowled. Splashpaw turned his head to see him bounding at him. Palepaw is near, Splashpaw thought.
The dark warrior was stopped in his tracks by a gray elder.
"Why are you harassing this kit, Sootclaw?" the elder questioned with vague curiosity. "And why do I smell RiverClan?"
Sootclaw unsheathed his claws. "RiverClan trespassers. We've brought them back as prisoners, Elmwhisker."
Elmwhisker looked at Splashpaw, his blue
eyes dulled with age and tiredness.
"I see, have you told our
leader?"
"He's out on patrol," Sootclaw grumbled. "Snowytail, Tinypaw and I brought the fox-dung back here." He was referring to Splashpaw and Palepaw. Splashpaw wanted to growl, or argue, or run. But he was frozen to the spot, soiled bedding tickling his paws.
Elmwhisker said, "There is not need for such language, Sootclaw. But, I suppose that taking the RiverClan cats prisoner was justified, seeing as you had Snowytail with you. The deputy is second to the leader, you know. Her word is to be just as valued."
Sootclaw suppressed a growl of impatience. Of course he knew that! Who didn't know that?
But he simply dipped his head and said, "Yes, Elmwhisker. I am taking the RiverClan apprentice out to get the elders fresh bedding. Is there anything else you need?"
"Oh, no, no, don't bother with me," Elmwhisker sighed. His eyes were not on Sootclaw, but on some point beyond the warrior's shoulder. The old cat sighed, and seemed to be lost in thoughts or memories.
Sootclaw rolled his eyes. "Come on, fox-breath," he growled at Splashpaw, and the two padded out of ThunderClan camp.
"What a day!" Palepaw groaned once the two were finally alone. It was moonhigh, and most of ThunderClan was asleep.
"I know," Splashpaw growled empathetically. "I had a terrible time, too."
Palepaw settled down beside him, yawning. A ThunderClan warrior was watching them from nearby. "Well, we can rest assured that Icestar will save us."
"Maybe he won't have to," Splashpaw whispered.
"What?"
"WE could make a break for it!"
Palepaw looked at him doubtfully. "That's crazy, Splashpaw. They're guarding us full-time. Just get some rest. The Gathering's tomorrow night. Maybe RiverClan will come for us then..."
Splashpaw pressed his pelt against hers for warmth, but he didn't go to sleep for what felt like a long time. Palepaw closed her eyes, and even snored gently. Splashpaw found the sound of snoring very intriguing. He also was glad to know that hearing worked even at night, when one was asleep.
He finally slept, lulled into darkness by the comforting in and out of Palepaw's breathing....
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey come and gather under Highrock!" Larkstar yowled.
Splashpaw jolted awake. He blinked at the blinding light of the morning sun. Clearing his head, he quietly padded to the edge of the medicine cat den to get a look at what was going on. Tinypaw was sitting proudly at the foot of Highrock, purring so loudly that he--er, Palepaw--could hear it from across the clearing.
"Warrior ceremony," he muttered back to her when she looked up. Palepaw brightened.
"Let's go see!" she said eagerly and padded out to congratulate her friend. Splashpaw sighed and rushed after her.
"What are you DOING scum?!" their ever present guard hissed as they passed. Murmurs of protest resonated from the group assembled. A queen anxiously rounded up her kits and brought them back to the nursery. Larkstar looked disgruntled at the sight of the hostages. He twitched his tail in annoyance.
"Pay no attention to us!" Palepaw called up to the bristling tom. "We're just fine as can be! After all, you DID say 'all cats'! Just pretend that we aren't even here!"
With a huff, Larkstar continued the ceremonies. "Tinypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and stay loyal to Thunder Clan?" he asked, still bristling a bit.
"I do!"
"Then by the power of Star Clan, I grant you your new name. Tinypaw, from now on you shall be--"
"Wait Larkstar! I was wondering if I could choose my warrior name. I feel that the name 'Tiny' doesn't suit me," she protested. Larkstar sighed and nodded.
"I like the name....Fernsky," the calico announced. Palepaw tingled with pride that her friend had taken her ideas into account.
"Tinypaw, from now on you shall be Fernsky. Star Clan honors you as a full Thunder Clan warrior!"
They touched noses as the crowd cheered for their newest addition. "Fernsky! Fernsky! Fernsky!"
At that moment, River Clan had the camp surrounded, and Icestar was poised to strike.
