Sealfin yawned and stretched. The other three cats were still huddled together in the snow, asleep.Ripplestar's breaths were ragged and quick. Old age was setting in, now that she had only one life. Sealfin felt a pang of guilt.

Blizzardcloud was twitching and hissing in his sleep. Sealfin could sense his fear and desperation.

He's dreaming about Frostpelt, she thought sadly to herself.

Ravenheart lay absolutely still, but for her slow, even breaths.

Could she be speaking to Willowmoon? All of these cats had suffered losses that were haunting them even while they slept. She took a deep breath and prodded Blizzardcloud gently with her tail. His ears pricked forward and his pale green eyes fluttered open in an instant.

"The coyotes aren't attacking, are they?" Blizzardcloud mewed nervously. Sealfin shook her head and laid her tail on Blizzardcloud's flank briefly.

"We're going back to IceClan camp. We're driving out the coyotes."

Blizzardcloud and Sealfin sat and watched as Ravenheart's whiskers began to twitch. Blizzardcloud got up and prodded Ravenheart with his paw. Her eyes slid halfway open and she gave a great yawn. Ripplestar was waking up herself, clambering to her paws clumsily.

"Ripplestar," Sealfin said hesitantly "We were planning on going back to camp. IceClan camp. We wanted to free our Clan. I thought that you should stay here with the polar bears, so that, you know, we wouldn't risk losing our leader."

Ripplestar and Sealfin were both silent for a moment.

"I'm not an elder yet, Sealfin." she said. Sealfin lashed her tail. "Let's get going, then!" Ripplestar mewed. Sealfin ran in front of her and turned to face the group.

"Stop!" Sealfin yowled. The group stared. "Are we just going to trot in without a plan and expect to not get killed? I know I won't! That's harebrained!"

"Do you have a plan?" Blizzardcloud asked.

"Yes, actually, I do." she turned and took a deep sniff. "Ravenheart, our Clanmates are on the side of our territory bordered by the ice cliffs. Sneak around that way and tell them to start battling. Set up a base there so warriors can be healed. Blizzardcloud, you go with her and eliminate the guard."

Blizzardcloud and Ravenheart nodded, and Sealfin turned to speak to Ripplestar.

"I expect the coyotes will have taken our dens, which, as you know, are on a large hill. They are likely to use that to watch the borders. Blizzardcloud and Ravenheart, be very careful so that you're not spotted. You have a very conspicuous pelt. The ice cliffs may be crumbling, so be careful. Ripplestar, we'll just have to move very slowly, half-buried in snow. We'll be going there simply to fight, so once we get to the camp there is no use being sneaky. You clear?" Everyone mewed agreement and unsheathed their claws. Sealfin padded over to Ravenheart.

"Good luck and-" she stopped abruptly.

"Goodbye for now." Ravenheart finished. They joined their partners and moved out to battle.