Might as well do a few more chapters and see of the passion returns.
Dawn of Dusk
Book One
Chapter 11
Emberpelt burst though the thick bramble wall into the camp. He had run all the way back, and his chest was heaving. Somewhere along the way, he had begun to panic. What if he was caught by WindClan? That would mean the death of Fawnspots, and possibly him as well. Under such strict rule, the cats of the moor had to watch their backs.
The flame colored tabby entered the mossy overhang where Littlestar slept. The black furred leader's eyes fluttered opened. "Emberpelt, what are you doing in here?" He asked, rising from his nest.
"WindClan," Emberpelt gasped. "They are planning something. I can't tell you much…" Littlestar cut in.
"We all know that! They have been at war with RiverClan for almost two seasons –which RiverClan more then deserves- over that boggy area by HorsePlace. That is their plan. Go back to bed; and wash yourself up too, you look terrible." The ThunderClan leader motioned his white tipped tail to the entrance of the den, hoping the medicine cat would leave him be.
"You don't understand, Littlestar! Their plan is bigger that that, way bigger. They plan to take RiverClan first, then form as alliance with ShadowClan and take over ThunderClan as well!"
"Nonsense," said Littlestar. "Where did you get this 'information' anyway?" Emberpelt gulped. He couldn't tell Littlestar about his meetings with Fawnspots.
"That doesn't matter," he said boldly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "All I know is that we have to enter that war on the RiverClan side. Please, trust me. StarClan is telling me to do this." The last part was partly a lie, but if Littlestar respected anyone, it was StarClan. The back furred tom thought for a moment.
"Emberpelt, though I think that your 'WindClan is out to get us all' story is completely fabricated, I do see other benefits of us entering the war. RiverClan will owe us a favor, peace will be restored, and ThunderClan can show everyone that we are the great power of the forest." The black furred leader's eyes sparkled. He wanted what was best for ThunderClan, and could envision them defeating WindClan and being respected by every cat on the Lake.
"Thank you, Littlestar, thank you for taking my advice and seeing the good in my plan." Had is really been that easy for Emberpelt to stop this madness? Had he just saved them all?
"You need sleep, young one. I will announce this new action at sunhigh. Go ahead and inform Cloverbreeze." Emberpelt licked the leader's shoulder before exiting the den, seeking his mentor. He didn't want to tell her about Dovepaw or Fawnspots just yet, that would have to wait. ThunderClan's new position in the war would be enough shock to her for one day.
* * * *
The sun was high above ThunderClan's hollow when Littlestar and Tigerstripe took their places on the high ledge. "Cats of ThunderClan, come to the clearing for a meeting! Yes, kits too," he added to Lilykit, who was peaking her head out of the nursery. "Early this morning, Emberpelt and I had a little talk," Suddenly, a voice interrupted.
"I knew he had a thing for Ripplepaw!" Everyone turned to Lilykit. Complete silence. Emberpelt could swear he heard crickets chirping. Lilykit, realizing her mistake, back away slowly, laughing nervously all the time.
"Anyway," said Littlestar. "He had convinced me to take up an offensive on WindClan." Everyone in the clearing gasped.
"Why though? ThunderClan hasn't enjoyed such peace since the reign of Minnowstream!" Exclaimed Blackpetal.
"And, if we don't do something, we may never have perfect peace again. In order for everything to work as smoothly as possible, things must be planned to the slightest detail. Starting with Lilykit." Every cat in the clearing once again turned to the little cream colored kit. Her eyes where sparkling brightly.
"We are here today to give this clan kit her apprentice name. Come forward." Lilykit walked forward, her head held up proudly. "Eagleshadow, you are a senior warrior and have trained many apprentices into fine warriors. You shall mentor Lilypaw." The old tabby warrior looked very much pleased and went to stand by his new apprentice. "You are compassionate and kind, yet you know when to fight. Pass all you can onto this young apprentice." Mentor and apprentice touched noses and walked together to the edge of the crowd. Lilypaw was talking quickly to Eagleshadow about training and sleeping in the apprentice den, among other things.
"I wish to take care of Dawnstar today while I am still in a good mood. The stubborn bitch really gets to me. Cloverbreeze, come with me to RiverClan camp." Cloverbreeze nodded and followed the black furred leader out of camp.
* * * *
Cedarstrike's eyes blinked rapidly at the sudden burst of light. He was lying in a sandy cave on a bed of moss. The scents of RiverClan drifted into his nose, and the possibly of danger heightened his senses. Standing in the corner of the sun-dappled den was a very large gray cat with large white spots. His breathing was steady, leaving Cedarstrike to guess he was sleeping.
His head was pounding still from the wounds that Dawnstar had delivered, and he had no idea what had happened between the time that Littlewhisper had dragged him into the clearing and now. "Ugh…" He murmured involuntarily. The gray and white tom rose from his sleep.
"Glad to see you're up," he said gruffly. This must be the infamous Heronflight, Thought the dark tabby loner. Heronflight unfolded a leaf and began to chew the contents into a paste. He then applied the strong smelling poultice to Cedarstrike's head wound. He did this with remarkable skill that had been perfected over many years as RiverClan's medicine cat.
He then walked over to a patch of soft earth. Not far from the surface was another bundle, this one filled with small, dark seeds. "Take one," he said. "They will sooth your pain." Cedarstrike was careful as first, for in the back of this mind, he thought that maybe the bitter old tom was trying to poison him. After a moment, he lapped up the seeds, swallowing hard.
"Thanks," he grunted, laying his head back down on the soft moss. Heronflight nodded and went back to his work, pretending that Cedarstrike wasn't even there. "So," said the dark tabby, trying to strike up a conversation. "How is everything? RiverClan doing well?" Cedarstrike could have really cared less about RiverClan, his heart belonged with ThunderClan, and his loyalty to them was still strong. The livelihood of this Clan didn't mean a thing to him.
"Fine," was the gray and white tom's only answer. Suddenly, he turned his head to the entrance of the den, his ears perking up. Outside was a small black cat with ThunderClan scent, followed by a creamy she-cat with slight tabby stripes.
"We wish to speak with Dawnstar," the ThunderClan cats asked a young warrior. The RiverClan cat wrinkled his nose at the other Clan's smell.
"This way," Cedarstrike was overcome with fear for a moment. He was wanted for the murder of his best friend by ThunderClan. If Littlestar saw him, he was as sure as dead. At least Cloverbreeze was there; she was always nice to him.
"Can I take a walk?" The tabby loner asked Heronflight.
"Are you completely insane? You where just beaten within an inch of you life and want to go for a walk? Mousebrained fool." Cedarstrike retained from hissing at the RiverClan medicine cat.
"I'm not important; if I die, that's one less cat for you to care for and your Clan to feed."
"In that case, go right ahead." Cedarstrike was starting to like these cats; they cared only about themselves and their Clan, just like he did.
It took great effort for Cedarstrike to rise. He fought off the pain and limped to the entrance of the den, looking left and right for Cloverbreeze and Littlestar. What were they doing here anyway? Dawnstar hated ThunderClan.
A tortoiseshell she-cat walked into the clearing, her eyes meeting Littlestar's. This meant danger. "What are you doing in RiverClan, old friend?" Her voice was filled with malice.
"I am here to help you with your little WindClan problem." Said Littlestar. The two leaders where locked in a staring contest of epic proportions.
"I have no WindClan problem," answered Dawnstar. "I am simply waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
"The perfect moment is now," said the black furred leader. "You are too weak to strike. Your Clan can't keep this up." Dawnstar hissed.
"Are you calling RiverClan weak? I will have you know that RiverClan is proud to be the most powerful force on the Lake." The tortoiseshell began to pace in circles around Littlestar.
"You are powerful no longer, but I can help. Leaf Bare is coming; the Clans need a rest from this war." Dawnstar's claws were unsheathing.
"I will end the war in my own time!"
"Like it or not, I am going to help you." Said Littlestar. Cedarstrike was finding this rather amusing. Both leaders were stubborn and enjoyed the pride which came with power. Neither was going to back down easily. It was a battle of wills.
"If I agree, will you leave my Clan?" Dawnstar finally said. Littlestar nodded.
"It is only fair. For one night, you did everything I asked of you, now I will repay you. Pleasure seeing you, Dawnflower." Dawnstar hissed.
"As with you, Littlefoot."
With that, it was official; ThunderClan was in this war.
* * * *
Emberpelt sat in the clearing. It was only sunhigh; the day was only half over. There was still time for one last missing. "Ready or not, here I come, Dovepaw."
This is moving along well; Cedarstrike is still in RiverClan, ThunderClan is in the war, Emberpelt is going after Dovepaw in the next chapter. Oh, and about this, "It is only fair. For one night, you did everything I asked of you, now I will repay you." That is very important to Littlestar and Dawnstar's histories. I wonder if anyone knows what it meant...
