Thanks to everyone who submitted character ideas in the last couple of weeks! They've all been a huge help.
I would have uploaded yesterday but there was a FFN error and I couldn't submit anything.
Anyways, here is chapter 12 of ĐэΛđ θҒ τĦэ ŊιğĦτ.
The kit's silver fur was short and ragged, matted with lumps of dirt.
"You should go," said Echopaw in a low voice. She didn't want to scare it or attract Maplestrike's attention. The kit cocked its head. Echopaw began to usher the kit away from the river when the other cat appeared from the ferns. A cream she-cat with ginger tipped ears stood before Echopaw, breathing heavily.
"You two need to get out of here now," said Echopaw urgently. "They'll kill yo-"
"Echopaw? What are you doing?" Maplestrike's voice drifted from across the river.
"Just marking the border," she called back, trying to keep her voice even whilst gesturing frantically at the she-cat and kit.
"Well hurry up," came Maplestrike's impatient reply. Suddenly a yowl came from much closer.
"Rouges! Echopaw's found rouges!" Cursing Flintfang, Echopaw knew the two cats would never get away.
"They won't hurt you if you don't resist," she hissed at the cats as the patrol approached. "Play along with me." Pushing the kit back to the she-cat who was presumably its mother, she hoped what she had told them was true. Quick as a flash, she transformed her face into a snarl and began to growl threateningly. Finally Flintfang and Maplestrike emerged from the river, shaking away the water impatiently. Speckleleaf approached more reluctantly. Echopaw turned to face Maplestrike.
"I found the kit sniffing around," said Echopaw, trying to make herself sound as hostile as she could.
"And what about the she-cat?" asked Maplestrike suspiciously.
"She was looking for the furball," Echopaw growled in what she hoped was an angry, irritated voice. Maplestrike nodded sharply.
"Rouges, we are taking you back to our camp for trespassing on DarkClan borders," announced Maplestrike. The cream she-cat began to utter a yowl, but Echopaw shook her head ever so slightly, and the queen's jaws clamped shut.
"Speckleleaf, go back to camp and warn Scorchstar that we have visitors," ordered Maplestrike. Speckleleaf nodded and raced away.
"Flintfang, guard the cats from the front; Echopaw, carry the kit." Flicking her tail, Maplestrike turned and plunged into the water. After assuring the she-cat with a look, Echopaw gently picked up the kit by its scruff, doing her best to ignore its whimpers of complaint. Taking a deep breath she slipped into the water and carefully made her way across, trying not to get the kit wet. After what seemed like forever Echopaw reached the opposite bank and pulled herself out of the river. The kit was still mewling. As soon as the she-cat pulled herself out of the water she started towards Echopaw, who sent her a warning glance. The she-cat reluctantly pulled away, anguish and suspicion mingled in her amber eyes. Echopaw placed herself behind the she-cat while Flintfang stalked in front. The kit still dangled limply from her jaws.
…
The patrol entered camp in this fashion. Mutters and hisses of suspicion greeted the rouges as they approached the clan, although Echopaw could hear many of the queens murmuring anxiously about the kit. She brought the kit to the base of the Blackrock where the mother was sat, and placed him gently in front of her. The rouge's eyes shone with gratitude. Scorchstar leapt silently onto the Blackrock and looked down at the rouges with obvious contempt.
"So, it seems we have visitors," he drawled. "And what might your name be, she-cat?" Echopaw nudged her.
"Scarlet," she said, not seeming in the least bit deterred by Scorchstar's tone. He narrowed his eyes.
"What about your young companion here? Does he have a name?"
"My kit is called Thistle." The clan jeered at the rouges, while Thistle whimpered and buried his head in his mother's fur.
"Now, now, there's no need to be rude," said Scorchstar silkily. Echopaw didn't know who he was talking to; the clan or Scarlet and Thistle.
"Do you know why you have been taken here?" he asked. Scarlet flattened her ears against her head.
"No," she hissed. Scorchstar tutted.
"Shame. You have been brought here on the charge of trespassing on DarkClan borders. As is our warrior code, you will be trialled for your crimes. If you are found innocent, you will be allowed to leave DarkClan territory unharmed. If not…" he trailed off ominously.
"As for the kit, we may have a different use for him," Scorchstar concluded. "The trial will take place at moonhigh tonight."
What will happen to Scarlet and Thistle? Will Echopaw's attempt to send them away be discovered? And what is the "different use" Scorchstar has in mind for an innocent kit? Why not follow ĐэΛđ θҒ τĦэ ŊιğĦτ to find out? Or you could read my new Drabbles collection to find little scraps of the DOTN past (and even the future).
I will try to post chapters more often now I'm over my writers block.
Keep reading everyone,
Maplestrike XD