Chapter Twenty Four

"Is it safe to move Brackenclaw?" Burnstar inquired. Swampfur considered this a moment and nodded. "We should start heading back to camp then."

"He'll need help," Swampfur said.

"I can walk on my own!" he objected. Swampfur gestured for him to try. He managed to get on his feet but his wounded shoulder gave out and he toppled to the ground again. "Fine I need a bit of help."

Swampfur purred of amusement and commanded Burnstar to take his side. Brackenclaw rose to his paws again and Swampfur and Burnstar and they staggered to the edge of the island. Getting Brackenclaw across this fallen tree was going to be a challenge. It turned out that it was just wide enough for three cats so step by step, Brackenclaw made it to the other end. They still had pretty far to walk.

"Can you wait here? I'll find someone else to help you back to camp," Burnstar asked. He had other, more important, things to attend to but he didn't want to tell them that. Luckily they understood and waited for another cat to help.

Amberlight went back to help Brackenclaw upon Burnstar's request. Surveying the cats, most of them weren't too badly injured. Sleetstorm looked, for the most part, uninjured. Stormtail had a few bleeding cuts but nothing that she wouldn't survive. Brackenclaw was definitely ShadowClan's largest injury but the three littermates, Amberlight, Ashtail and Stonefoot, had many cuts between the three of them. Amberlight was uninjured enough to help take Brackenclaw back, but Ashtail and Stonefoot would have several scars to boast after this.

"What happened with the WindClan cats?" Burnstar inquired of Stonefoot.

"They're planning to leave with Galestar's body. Owltalon looks pretty scratched up and Ravenpelt looks pretty lost…" he replied. Ravenpelt was curled up next to Galestar, murmuring softly. From what he understood, Ravenpelt had at the very last second, with Galestar's dying breath, been made deputy. Burnstar would speak with her later.

"How soon are they planning to leave?"

"I don't know. From what I can tell, soon. And Crowstar wanted to talk with you," Stonefoot told him. Burnstar nodded and went off to find the ThunderClan leader. He was sitting, consulting with Greenfern.

"Burnstar," the she-cat dipped her head and left them to talk privately.

"That wasn't we expected at all," Burnstar remarked.

"And so the prophecy comes true," Crowstar announced. Burnstar shook his head. "From the enemy came a warrior with the blaze of a true warriors. You're just as much of a warrior as any of us. And you've saved us."

"I don't think this is the conflict StarClan had in mind. I think there is something bigger coming," Burnstar informed him grimly. Burnstar wondered if he should share the second prophecy, the one referring to Floodstream and Flowerpelt. Crowstar, after all, was his father. He had never had a father to talk his problems over with or anything. Now wasn't the right time, Burnstar decided.

"Do you think the conflict is related to the clans, or some external threat?" Crowstar asked. Burnstar said that he believed he did. Crowstar sighed and gestured for Greenfern to join them again. He shared all this information with her. She, thankfully, agreed with Burnstar.

After that conversation, Burnstar summoned his warriors and they returned to camp. The three younger warriors were abuzz with excitement ready to share with the clan whereas the more senior warriors were grim, perhaps able to take guesses at what was to come.

Owltalon was still alive and Flowerpelt still had not decided where her allegiances lie, the last time they had spoken. At least Ravenpelt would be leader of WindClan. Burnstar did not know her very well, but what few times they had talked at gatherings, she seemed like a sensible cat. There was still lots to sort out.

By the time they had returned to camp it was very late. They all went to their respective dens to talk again in the morning.

"Burnstar, you've slept in!" Swiftstep prodded him gently. Burnstar was awake in a second but his limbs were weary and he wished not to get up. Duty called and Burnstar coaxed his muscles to start working and then followed Swiftstep into the center of camp. Most of the clan was already there.

"Where's Brackenclaw?" Burnstar inquired. There was a calm reassurance that he hadn't died in the night. There was also a short explanation that the events of the gathering had been explained to those who had not been present. So this little meeting was about Flowerpelt, because ShadowClan really had no other troubles other than her. Aside from the looming prophecy that foretold the death of Floodstream or Flowerpelt and the entire crises that concerned all of the clans. "Where is Flowerpelt?"

"Well, that's what we've gathered to talk about. She's still sleeping," Sootwhisker explained.

"And Cardinalflight's kits are ready to be apprenticed," Stormtail added as she ambled up to his side. Thinking again, she added, "And Floodstream's kits."

"Right, that ceremony will happen later," he told her quietly. "Now about Flowerpelt. Is there anyone who objects to her presence?" No one said anything. "So really, it's up to her. We would welcome her into our clan, but if she wants to return to WindClan, we understand. Someone should go wake her. The sooner she makes a decision, the better."

"If she wishes to return, she would probably like to see Ravenpelt off as it is," Wiseheart agreed as Ashtail went to wake her up.

A few moments later, the tortoiseshell she-cat appeared and approached the huddle of warriors. Ashtail apparently informed her of the meeting so she doesn't seem too surprised that they have had a meeting without her.

"So I understand you've had a meeting about me, whether I will stay or not. I would be glad to stay in your clan, as a ShadowClan warrior. WindClan is no longer my home, if you will accept me," she said. The confidence in her voice was admirable.

"Of course. Welcome to ShadowClan," Burnstar told her. She dipped her head in thanks and Burnstar summoned the rest of clan to announce her acceptance and the kits' apprenticeship. Respectively, Smokepaw, Risingpaw and Thornpaw. Their mentors, respectively, Brackenclaw, Rosefur and Sleetstorm. Floodstream's kits would be ready for mentors as well. With four apprentices already in training, ShadowClan had an edge on the forest.