Cloverstem watched as Squirrelfur and Frostflower dragged the gray warrior across the clearing for her vigil. Coalpelt and Gingerclaw sat guard in front of the former loners. They had been moved to the prisoners den, to be watched at all times. They were fed once a day, and were only allowed to leave the den once as well. Every cat blamed them for Dovewing's death, even though Cloverstem couldn't understand why. They weren't even in the camp when it had happened. Every cat knew that she was murdered, but what they didn't know was it wasn't them. A ThunderClan cat did it, and Cloverstem wanted to know who. She had tried to tell Ivystar her theory, but she wouldn't listen. Grief for her sister mudded her seances and made her hate them more and more with each breath.
The den where they stayed was dark and muddy, and very uncomfortable. There were very few pieces of bedding, which included dirty scraps of moss, and a little but of sharp bracken, which poked them when they laid down. But that wasn't even the worst part, the worst was Beetlepaw. He was constantly complaining about the lack of food and his boredom, but he had to learn that no one cared, not for him or any of the loners. The whole clan hated them.
Cloverstem was finally able to drift off to sleep once they threw out the bracken, and picked out most of the thorns from the moss, and cuddled close to each other for warmth, it wasn't much, but at least they weren't alone.
Cloverstem was asleep for what seemed like seconds, only to be awaken ruffly by Foxleap and Stormcloud, who had replaced Gingerclaw and Coalpelt sometime during the night.
"Get up! It is time for your trial!" Foxleap snarled as he shook her vigorously.
She got up hesitantly, followed by her friends, until only Beetlepaw remained.
"I said wake up!" Coalpelt snarled, spitting in his face and raking his pelt when he just curled up tighter, hoping to catch at least a couple moments more of sleep. He jumped up after that, in fear of being attacked by Coalpelt, and pelted off after Cloverstem, Sandfall, Willowpool and Brightwing.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!" Ivystar yowled, and cats emerged quickly from their dens, not wanting to miss the trial.
"Cats of ThunderClan, today is the trial of Cloverstem, Sandfall, Willowpool, Brightwing and Beetlepaw. They are accused of the murder of Dovewing, a very loyal cat to ThunderClan and a mother to Moonlight and Frostflower, and my sister. At the end of the trial, they will either be declared innocent or guilty, and be sentanced accordingly. Are there any questions?" Ivystar meowed loudly in a commanding tone. When no cat said anything, she continued. "Will the accused please step forward into the clearing to plead their case."
They started to walk forward, then Lionblaze, the deputy, blocked their path.
"Only one is needed to represent." He growled.
They all voted, and decided that Cloverstem should go, even though she voted against herself.
She padded into the clearing and cleared her throat.
"I am Cloverstem, and I am reprenting me and my friends," she started awkwardly. "I would like to bring attention to the fact that none of us were in the camp on the day of the murder. Me, Sandfall, Willowpool and Brightwing had fallen asleep on the lakeshore, and Beetlepaw was out training with Spiderleg. There isn't any way were we could have killed Dovewing. In addition, Dovewing was our friend, we felt close to her, why would we kill her? We both knew the hardships of birth, and losing our mates, we shared a bond, and we were just as devastated as you were when she was found dead."
"All for the exile of these loners, please move to the nursery. All for release, remain in the clearing." Ivystar yowled, and Cloverstem watched as more than half the clan padded towards the nursery, including Ivystar herself. The vote was taken, and they had lost. They were to be exiled.
"ThunderClan has spoken! You shall be stripped of your warrior names, and be cast out of our territory!" Ivystar yowled.
"But Ivystar, if they are cast out, aren't they more of a threat? They could attack our patrols!" Cherryfall meowed, shaking with fear.
"Let's keep them prisoner!" Called another voice from the back, and a yowl of agreement rose up.
"Let it be so." Ivystar meowed commandingly. "From this day forth, these cats will be known as Clover, Sand, Willow, Bright and Beetle. They are no longer warriors, but prisoners to be watched. There will be a permanent guard watching over them. Lionblaze, set a scheduel for the shifts. They can only eat and go out once a day, unless ordered by me or Lionblaze. They will do as we say. Foxleap, Stormcloud, escort them to their den!"
Stormcloud and Foxleap half led, half dragged them to their den, the prisoners den. Not in Clovers wildest dreams would she have thought that her return would result in her inprisonment.