Chapter Thirty-Three
"Snowstar," Tawnyheather began quietly, approaching the queens. "May I speak with you in private?"
"Rosepetal, will you keep these two warm for me while Tawnyheather and I talk?"
"Yeah, bring them here." The former Thunderclanner agreed. Snowstar settled Zephyrkit and Blizzardkit beside Sagekit and Shadekit before leading Tawnyheather across the clearing under the tree and through the least amount of snow to the den under the stone-pile.
"What did you need?"
"There's to be a Gathering tonight. The leaders and supervisors will speak privately and the other warriors will just be there for protection on the journey. Call a clan meeting and name these cats as coming: Lightningleaf, Frosttooth, Thistleclaw, Talltoad, and Snowspot." Tawnyheather moved as though to leave but hesitated in the entry and spoke quicker. "Also, bring someone you trust."
Then she turned again and left fleetly. Snowstar stood slowly and followed the trail back to the fir.
"All of Winterclan, hear my words." Snowstar yowled loud enough for everyone to hear. The healthy members of the clan, save for Rosepetal and the kits, gathered forward to sit in front of her. "A Gathering has been called tonight for only a small patrol from each clan. The leaders' presence is required, as is that of the supervisors, and we are to bring a few clanmates as protection. The cats who will accompany Tawnyheather and I are Snowspot, Frosttooth, Lightningleaf, Snaketail, Thistleclaw, and Talltoad. Moonleap and Snakesand will be in charge until we return." Snowstar waved her tail to dismiss her clanmates and waited as Snaketail approached. Tawnyheather had already begun rounding up the rest of the patrol and sending them to wait by the usual exit.
"I wanted to thank you for including me in the patrol." The medicine cat said as they walked toward the rest of the Gathering patrol. "Although, quite so many Dark Forest cats?"
"I was told to bring cats to protect me. No one can doubt that the Dark Forest cats are strong, and I know you'll fight harder than anyone else to keep me safe." Snowstar answered, inclining her head in Snaketail's direction.
"I'll always do my best." She promised. "And can only hope that it's enough."
Snaketail fell silent as they joined the group but stayed right beside Snowstar as they travelled to the Island. As soon as they arrived, all but Tawnyheather and Snaketail drifted away from Snowstar to talk to the other cats present.
"What's she doing here?" Sorrelear snarled in Snaketail's direction. "This meeting is for clan leaders and their supervisors only."
"I was told I was supposed to protect my leader. How can I do that unless I'm close enough to her to see if there's trouble?" Snaketail asked.
"It's okay, Snaketail." Snowstar assured her quietly. "Leave us to speak."
Snaketail hesitated a heartbeat before speaking.
"If you're sure, Snowstar." She conceded, a question lurking behind her eyes. Snowstar nodded and Snaketail retreated just far enough to be out of hearing range.
"We were told to bring only cats loyal to the Dark Forest and the leaders." Brokenstar growled at Tawnyheather.
"It was my choice to bring Snaketail." Snowstar stated firmly, standing beside her mentor and supervisor. "I like having her nearby."
"Well then, Tawnyheather, as your apprentice seems willing to do other than you say, why don't you explain what this Gathering is about?" Brokenstar's amber eyes narrowed as he offered his challenge. Tawnyheather's ears flicked back in discomfort but she spoke to the leaders.
"We have reason to believe there are rebels intending to fight against those of us who once resided in the Place of No Stars. Snowstar's clanmates trust her, as I expect is true for most of you. But each of us have had reason to question your loyalty to us. So you now have a choice in front of you; find out which cats are working against us and tell us who they are and where they're meeting. Or admit that your loyalty is not to us and face the consequences of that."
There was a moment of silence before Icestar stepped forward.
"I know not what course the others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
"I'm on my own side now," Scorchstar agreed, coming up beside her. "It's better than being on your side."
"I've been fighting, killing, for you since the start." Breezestar began quietly, addressing Morningdapple specifically. "And still you won't listen to me. No, I don't want your help this time. I'm saving myself. Maybe I'm finally waking up, 'cause I'll no longer let myself be tormented, defeated every day, by you. You've always been very good at blurring truth and lies so I don't know what's real and what's not. No more."
"Traitor." Morningdapple replied with a cold fury. "We handed you the world. Power. Glory. Everything you could have wanted."
"You gave me everything I thought I wanted." Breezestar agreed. "But what I truly wanted, no one could give me. I had to find it for myself."
"What about you two?" Onestone asked, drawing attention to Snowstar and Wildstar. "Do you have any clever last words, or will you prove intelligent enough to join us against these traitors?"
"I have words." Wildstar answered, looking around instead of at Onestone. "To the tunnels!"
The supervisors took her shout as the cue to attack and the rush of motion sent the other leaders running before their conscious minds could process what Wildstar meant. After a brief scattering, they oriented themselves around the small calico and followed her.
"Snaketail, come!" Snowstar screamed, unsure of where the tabby was. Then the tunnel was in front of her and Snowstar dove into the shadows.
"Keep track of the cat in front of you." Snowstar breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Snaketail's warning. "Don't get lost."
Moments after Snaketail's call, piercing yowls echoed around them and Snowstar unintentionally sped up. The din made it impossible to locate anyone by sound so Snowstar was forced to follow Icestar's scent blindly.
Light eventually began to diffuse the dark and Snowstar could see Wildstar just ahead of Icestar as the pale calico called ahead to her allies.
"Enigma, attack!"
"Protect the leaders!" Snaketail added a moment later. When they reached the cave, the crowd of cats waiting there enveloped the smaller group and all of them waited tensely for the attack they were sure was coming. After several long moments, Snaketail and Panther crept carefully back the way the leaders had come. It seemed a very long time to Snowstar, and she was just beginning to get worried, when they finally returned.
"It seems the Dark Forest cannot follow us here." Panther announced and Snowstar joined everyone else in relaxing visibly; she sat down to wash her frayed claws gently. There were places in the tunnels where the dirt was hard as stone.
"However," Panther continued. "There is an unknown number of their cats waiting at the beginning of the Island tunnels. One of them called for Snowstar to come out."
"She didn't actually ask that you come out." Snaketail corrected, walking over to Snowstar. "Tawnyheather just said she wanted to talk to you and claimed she was alone."
"Then I'll talk to her." Snowstar decided.
"That could prove dangerous." Panther warned.
"We'll go with her." Breezestar stated, coming up to stand on the opposite side of Snowstar from Snaketail. "Even if we are outnumbered, the three of us together should be able to get us all to safety."
Panther hesitated, then flicked one ear in grudging acceptance.
"Crowfeather, will you act as guide?"
"No." The dark-furred warrior answered shortly, not looking at his son.
"I will!" Darkpaw volunteered. He had to wait for Rosethorn, Brighttalon, and Panther's permission but led Snowstar, Breezestar, and Snaketail eagerly back into the tunnel as soon as he got it. Tawnyheather was sitting in front of the tunnel's outer entry, her form silhouetted by the rising dawnlight.
"Tawnyheather." Snowstar announced her presence quietly.
"The others have left, back to the camps. Brokenstar left me to collapse this tunnel. Will you, and your allies, be okay if I do so?" Tawnyheather's head turned from side to side often as she spoke, her fur bristling uncomfortably.
"We'll be fine." Snowstar promised distractedly. "But Tawnyheather, why?"
"I truly deserved my place in the Dark Forest, but that doesn't mean I'm evil. Now, go back far enough to be safe. I need to pull this down and inform Winterclan of your unfortunate death."
Snowstar tried to continue speaking but Tawnyheather was already clawing at the dirt above the tunnel and the four living cats were forced to flee back toward the cave.
By the time they returned, all of Enigma and a few Fireclan cats had gathered in the cave around the three leaders who had stayed behind. With a wave of her tail, Panther suggested Snowstar, Snaketail, and Breezestar join Icestar, Scorchstar, and Wildstar. Darkstar joined his siblings at the back of the crowd.
"What happened up there?" Panther asked, sitting down. The six cats questioned looked at each other to see who would answer and Icestar finally stepped forward.
"The supervisors know that Enigma exists but they don't know much more than that. We were told to betray you or be deemed traitors by them. We chose to be called traitors rather than actually become such."
"When our clanmates wake, they will be told that we are dead." Snowstar added.
"If these cats represent the law," Brighttalon muttered to Rosethorn. "I'd rather be an outlaw."
"However," Snowstar continued, turning to look at Snaketail. "Only the leaders were supposed to be there. You should have been at home with the clan."
"Being away from you, my love," Snaketail murmured just loud enough for Snowstar to hear. "Would be a fate worse than death. I'm glad you invited me along."
"Does anyone have a good reason we shouldn't take these cats in." Panther asked, looking around. Crowfeather narrowed his eyes in complaint but offered no reason.
"I have a question." Tawnypelt spat, approaching Scorchstar aggressively. "How much did you know about the attack against me?"
"Again-" Scorchstar cut himself off partway through the word and sighed as though in defeat. "Only what Brokenstar told me when he brought Dewstripe, Sparrowhawk, and Toadfoot back to camp. He claimed Toadfoot caught you trying to hurt Rosekit so you attacked him but Dewstripe and Sparrowhawk interrupted you. I should have known better than to believe that. I'm sorry, Tawnypelt."
"Brokentail can be pursuasive." Tawnypelt conceded after a long moment. "He doesn't deserve the title of leader any more than any of you do. Not one of you earned that position. If you want to be accepted here, go by your warrior names. Don't try telling us to call you –star."
"I'm happy to be Scorchfur again." The dark gray tom said readily. "I never wanted to be leader."
"I did want to be leader," Icewing admitted. "But not like this. If ever I do get to lead my clan, it will be by Starclan's blessing."
"I'll be Wildear again." The calico accepted his a shrug. Breezestar nodded his agreement.
"I am so done being leader." Snowstar sighed, laying down. "Leaders don't seem to get any rest."