Chapter 10.
"What? Why would I do something like that?" asked Ivypaw.
It was another training session between her and her mentor. Brightheart was pacing back and forth restlessly. It looked like she was troubled by something and Ivypaw wanted to help her in any way she could. Brightheart deserved that after teaching Ivypaw all about fighting.
It was only a couple days after Briarlight's burial but clanlife had been gloomy and depressing. More and more Ivypaw had gone to sleep to escape the clanlife to learn from Brightheart. Learning from her was way better than dealing with the sorrow in the camp. Plus she continued to get better and better the more she spent here.
Brightheart on the other paw was enjoying the time Ivypaw spent in this realm. The more Ivypaw spend here, the more she could feel her presence growing. That was excellent. Her plan was working. Soon she would be out of Tigerstar's annoying domain. She would finish what she started in the clans, yes it would all happen. But she still needed more time. First plan first. She needed to get the backing of RiverClan again.
"Like I said," spoke Brightheart, "I need you to visit RiverClan to give them a message for me."
"But the gathering won't be for a while," said Ivypaw. "I can't just leave and go to RiverClan territory."
Brightheart struggled to rein in her emotions. She had to stay calm or risk losing everything by scaring Ivypaw away. "Ivypaw," she began. "You need to understand something. We won't be able to get anywhere unless you understand this. I need RiverClan to know that I'm looking out for them. I cannot do that without your help. I need you to deliver my message for me."
Ivypaw looked unsure but she nodded. "Okay, if it will make you happy. What's the message?"
Brightheart purred happily and she patted her tail on the young she-cat's head. "Good," she said. "And do not worry about the messeage. You will know what it is when you get there. Trust me on this one. Sneak out of the clan tonight and go straight to RiverClan. Be wary of ShadowClan though. They may be hunting about."
"Okay," said Ivypaw. She nodded and began the trip back to the living world.
Brightheart on the other hand sat on her haunches. She would have to wait here for a while longer.
Ivypaw
Ivypaw couldn't believe she was doing this! Getting out of camp was quite easy; she just used the small slope in the back of the dirtplace. Now she was running through the forest like she had badgers on her tail. She was surprised when her mentor had asked for this. It was even weirder that Brightheart didn't even give her the message.
She shook her head. She couldn't doubt her mentor! Brightheart knew what she was doing. Soon Ivypaw reached the border between ShadowClan and ThunderClan. She hesitated for only a moment before crossing. Brightheart would never steer her wrong!
Even though she was by the lake and in the neutral ground, she kept glancing over at the pine trees in fear. What would she do if a ShadowClan patrol caught her? How could she explain this? She picked up her pace even more. The sooner she was out of ShadowClan territory the better.
It was over faster than she had expected. One second she was on ShadowClan territory, the next she was on RiverClan. She looked back in disbelief. That was quick. Now feeling more confident, she crossed deeper into RiverClan territory. For some reason she had a feeling of where the camp was and she followed it.
She didn't see it at first but the hiss of a cat told her she must be right there.
"What are you doing here ThunderClanner?" A mottled gray tom stepped out of the shadows of one of the huge lush trees. Ivypaw thought his name was Pebblefoot or something like that.
"I…" Ivypaw took in a deep breath. She couldn't be nervous. She had a job to do! A job for her mentor. "I have brought a message from my mentor Brightheart."
Pebblefoot now looked curious instead of hostile. "From Brightheart? Oh. Then, are you Ivypaw?" Ivypaw nodded and Pebblefoot purred happily. "Icewing told the clan about you. About how you know the truth."
"Yes," agreed Ivypaw. "I know now that Firestar was weakening the clans with his kittypet heritage."
Pebblefoot purred again and gestured for Ivypaw to follow him. He took her to a row of rocks that lead to a small island-like area in between the two rivers. While he went into the water to swim, Ivypaw took the rocks. Surprisingly, Pebblefoot waited for her and pointed out which rocks would be good to step on and which ones would be very slippery. It felt weird for Ivypaw that Pebblefoot was so adamant for her to get to the camp.
The camp itself surprised Ivypaw. She thought it would be more…in water. It looked quite dry from Ivypaw's point of view and very quiet.
Pebblefoot led Ivypaw to a thicket patch and gestured for her to wait outside before going in. Ivypaw took the moment to look around. The different dens seemed to be in many thicket and bramble-like dens. Kind of like ThunderClan in a way.
"You can go in now," said Pebblefoot as he walked out.
Ivypaw nodded and stepped inside. The leader's den was simple and clean except for a moss bed that was currently inhabited by a small brown tabby, Volestar. "I am glad you were able to make it here without trouble," spoke Volestar and he dipped his head to Ivypaw.
The young she-cat's eyes widen. A cat that was much older than her was showing respect to her! "Ummm," she said. "You don't have to dip your head to me."
"You are Brightheart's apprentice," said Volestar as he lifted his head. "You are taught by the savior of the clans. You deserve respect. Now, what is the message Pebblefoot told me you would bring?"
"It's…" Ivypaw trailed off as her mind went blank. She felt sleepy. Very sleepy. She couldn't help it as he eyes slowly began to droop. "No! I need to deliver the message!" However it was futile. Ivypaw drifted off to sleep.
"Ivypaw?"
Ivypaw's eyes opened again and she stretched. "Hello Voletooth. Or should I say Volestar? You are leader now correct?" She looked around the den. "Definitely leader. I remember being in here with Leopardstar."
Volestar's eyes widen. "Brightheart?"
The she-cat's dark blue eyes glinted in amusement. "Yes, Volestar. It's me. Been a while correct?"
"How?"
"This she-cat is my granddaughter. Taking over her body is not that difficult. It's much easier to take over cats of the same bloodline. Anyway. That is not why I'm here. Like Ivypaw told Pebblefoot, I'm here with a message. Well, more of a mission thing."
"What is it?" asked Volestar. "You know RiverClan will follow you no matter what."
"I know," replied Brightheart. The sweet gentle voice of Ivypaw now sounded sinister as Brightheart added her own touch to it. "Now. The problem we have is that it is not over. StarClan stills wants me to continue in my duty to save the clans. They are still being corrupted by outsiders as we speak. And…" Brightheart leaned forward. "Tigerstar is planning his own invasion. Like me, he's figured out how to speak to alive cats."
"But what can we do?" asked Volestar. He looked really nervous now. Good.
"I'm figuring out a plan," replied Brightheart. "Do you have any queens at the moment?"
"Queens?" asked Volestar in surprise. He composed himself and replied, "Yes. Duskfur and Mosspelt but both are expecting kits at the moment. Why?"
Brightheart shook her head. "Don't worry about it. That is something that I'm going to have to take care of on my end. But in four moons, I want you to have two cats patrolling the Shadow-River border at night."
"Alright," said Volestar. "But may I ask why?"
Brightheart shook her head, "Better you don't know. But, I do know this. What I will do will help the clans survive. Now I should probably head back to ThunderClan before I am missed."
"I'll have somecat escort you to the border," offered Volestar.
Brightheart knew it was out of courtesy to her and not to guard her so she agreed. Before she let though she looked back. "Volestar. I want you to have somecat watching over Willowshine wherever she goes. I fear that she has been one of the cats that Tigerstar has in his possession. Be careful and watch her."
"Alright," said Volestar. "But what about her medicine cat duties?"
"Let her continue that," replied Brightheart, "Have Mothwing close by as well." She wished she could get rid of Mothwing. That half-clan cat was useless to her. However she needed Mothwing for now. That was the only reason why the dappled golden she-cat was still alive. Brightheart closed her eyes. Whatever. She released her hold on Ivypaw and returned to the Dark Forest.
