Cinderspirit padded after Bramblestar and the few other cats going to the Gathering. They had just reached the tree bridge.
"Let's go." Bramblestar meowed, leading the way across the tree.
The others followed. They entered the clearing, where all of the other four clans waited for them. They sat down as Bramblestar jumped up into the oak tree, where the other leaders were perched. There were murmurs from the other clans. They were curious to where the rest of Stealthclan is.
"Let the Gathering begin." Bramblestar yowled, not as enthusiastic or loud as usual.
"We heard dogs the other sunrise, but they didn't come near our camp." Snarlstar reported. "Littleclan is doing fine."
"Good hunting in Pondclan, but nothing else to report." Wetstar announced.
"Thunderclan is doing well, not much to report besides the fact that we heard a pack of dogs, that sounded like it came from Stealthclan territory." Squirrelstar reported.
Mallowstar cleared her throat. "Nothing to report from Heartclan."
Bramblestar heaved a sigh, clearly reluctant to talk about the dog attack. "The dogs attacked Stealthclan." He began slowly. "There are very few cats left. We're all injured, one cat even lost a leg. Another warrior went missing. All of our queens and elders are dead. Things are going much slower than usual now. We are too injured to help train our only apprentice and our young kit must eat fresh-kill when he should be drinking the milk of his mother. It is hard for us to even hunt."
There were gasps from the crowd and a few questions.
"Which cats are still alive?"
"Which cat lost a leg?"
"Are you okay?"
"How many lives did you lose?"
"Silence!" Snarlstar hissed at the cats.
"Do you need us to send warriors to help you?" Mallowstar asked Bramblestar.
"We could use some help, yes." The dark tabby admitted, sagging his shoulders. Then he sighed heavily. "We can't even rebuild what's left of the camp. The few of us that came were barely able to come."
"As soon as I return to Heartclan camp after this Gathering, I will send some warriors to aide your clan."
"Thank you." Bramblestar meowed gratefully. "Stealthclan appreciates all of the help it can get."
Silence fell and no cat spoke.
"This Gathering is at an end." Squirrelstar meowed quietly, jumping down from the tree.