Wildpaw stretched in her nest, savoring the warmth from the other apprentices nearby before pushing her way out of the den. Snow fell from the branches nearby and made untidy, cold clumps on her pelt. Shaking them off, Wildpaw saw Dustpaw waiting for the patrol of Sandpaw and Fireheart to come back.
"How long have you been out?" She asked.
"Not long." Dustpaw answered, although the many circles of pawsteps told Wildpaw he'd been pacing. Wildpaw settled down to wait for Runningwind beside the tabby, tucking her paws underneath her. A ginger blur exploded into the clearing.
"Fireheart, Sandpaw, how was your patrol?" Bluestar called.
"The river's frozen!" Sandpaw exclaimed. "We could cross it easily right now!"
"Thank you, Sandpaw." Bluestar replied evenly. Fireheart whispered something to Sandpaw, then the two padded into the clearing where Wildpaw and Dustpaw were.
"You two look like you had fun!" Dustpaw commented. "Drowned another RiverClan cat?" He scoffed, narrowing his eyes at Fireheart. Dustpaw glanced at Sandpaw, who appeared to be ignoring him. A look of irritation flickered across the apprentice's face.
"We found out that the river's frozen!" Sandpaw told them. "I think Bluestar's planning a raid on RiverClan!" Sandpaw was going to continue, but Bluestar yowled the summons.
"Sandpaw and Fireheart have brought good news." Bluestar informed the Clan as Wildpaw squeezed between Willowpelt and One-eye. "The river is frozen over, we will take this opportunity to make a raid on RiverClan's hunting grounds, to send the message that they must stop stealing our prey. Our warriors will track down one of their patrols and give them a warning that they'll rememeber for a long tim!" Wildpaw joined the yowls of approval that rose up.
"Tigerclaw!" Bluestar's authoritative meow could be heard even above the Clan. "Are our warriors fit enough for a raid on RiverClan?" The dark tabby nodded. "Excellent, then we shall leave at sunset." Bluestar gracefully bounded down from the Highrock.
"It feels warmer today." Wildpaw recognized Graystripe's voice. "A thaw would make the ice much too dangerous to cross." Wildpaw gave the gray warrior a curious glance. Graystripe would normally be eager to fight. Clearly, Tigerclaw thought the same.
"You're not usually reluctant to fight." The deputy's deep meow rumbled in his throat.
"Yea, Graystripe-not afraid of thos RiverClan fleabags, are you?" Darkstripe taunted. Graystripe shuffled his paws uneasily.
"Looks like he's scared!" Wildpaw craned her neck to see Dustpaw hiss from Sandpaw's side.
"Yes, of getting his paws wet!" Fireheart called lightly. "Graystripe's fallen through the ice once this leaf-bare; he's not keen to do it again." Wildpaw let out a mrrow of laughter and beside her Willowpelt also purred with amusement. The Clan meeting broke up, and Wildpaw wandered over to Frostfur, One-eye, and Mousefur.
"What do you think will happen?" Frostfur asked worriedly.
"We should attack!" Mousefur flexed her claws impatiently. One-eye flicked her tail.
"But would happens if the river thaws out and our warriors are stuck on the wrong side of the river?" The elderly she-cat fretted.
"There are stepping-stones." Mousefur pointed out.
"And RiverClan will just let you go?" One-eye sniffed disdainfully. Bluestar came out of her den, followed by the senior warriors and leaped onto the Highrock. There was no need to call the summons, however, since every cat was already in the clearing.
"Willowpelt agrees with young Graystripe." Bluestar informed the Clan. "A thaw is on the way." Wildpaw was puzzled when Graystripe gave Fireheart a defiant look. "So we will attack at once!" Wildpaw gaped as Bluestar went on.
"We will leave a patrol of warriors here to guard the camp. We have to remember the possible threat from ShadowClan. Five warriors will make the raid. I will remain here. Tigerclaw will lead the raiding party. Darkstripe, Runningwind, Fireheart, and..." Wildpaw leaned forward. "Runningwind, is Wildpaw battle ready?" Runningwind dipped his head, and Wildpaw felt her tail quiver with excitment and anticipation.
"There's no time to lose!" Bluestar continued, her fur bristling. "I can smell the warm winds. Tigerclaw will brief you as you go. Now hurry!"
Wildpaw jumped to her paws and hurried after the patrol. All the runs through the forest had strengthened her muscles, and Wildpaw could keep up better. She expected to hear or perhaps see Thistleclaw, but the transparent, well-muscled shape was nowhere to be seen.
Wildpaw felt a twinge of disappointment as she followed the patrol down the slope towards the river. They finally screeched to a halt upon reaching the river, which had become a torrent of rushing water.