Hey guys. So we're almost done with this. Can you believe that? We have three chapters after this.
Jayleaf1- Glad you liked the humor, because that's pretty much it for this book, humor wise. Yeah a little, but I think she's allowed a few you know?;) Thanks, it's just something with my extended family. Great quote;) Hope you enjoy this.
Runningspirit26- Glad you loved the Chapter, the names and the humor;) I do my best! Hope you enjoy this!
Chapter Thirty Seven
The sun is hanging low in the sky and most of the Clan is lazing around, waiting for Blazefeather to announce who will go to the Gathering. I sit in the back, shrouded in shadows with Spiderleg at my side.
"The next attack, do you know when it is?" I ask, not even looking at him.
"No," he sounds regretful, "I tried but they said that they didn't want me knowing anything… I don't think they trust me to fight for them."
"That's understandable. Do you know anything?"
"No. Only that it will happen on a Gathering night… so maybe this one? But I've no idea because they didn't even say anything and I haven't heard any news about an attack." he replies, sounding annoyed.
"I see." I mew softly, my brain going almost too fast for me to keep up with it.
"They told me to get lost when the attack starts. What does that even mean?" he whines.
"I would assume it means that they want you to leave when the attack starts." I reply dryly.
"But why?" Spiderleg demands.
"So you won't be tempted to help us, probably." I guess, "I don't mind though, we have plenty of warriors. I would recommend a place along the ShadowClan border, maybe near the greenleaf twoleg place. It's far from camp so…."
"That is something a coward would do. I am no coward." He growls, thrashing his tail.
"I agree. You are not a coward. But you are a spy. Spies often have to play the part of cowards. I have told you a million times, if they find you out they will kill you. You must do what they tell you. You must." I mew firmly.
"But –"
"No!" I snarl, "There are no 'buts'. You must. That is the end of it." I mew, shooting him a sharp glare, my voice leaving no room for argument.
"Fine. How am I supposed to get out when they attack?" Spiderleg demands, all huff and irritation.
"There's a path in the back of the hollow, climb out using it." I reply carelessly, "I have to go over the Gathering list with Blazefeather. Good luck."
I leave him only too happy to be away from him. I am starting to doubt the wisdom of using a spy. We have not learned much from it and it's only putting me in a perpetual state of anxiousness.
Joining Blazefeather we run over the group again. Four senior warriors, Graystripe, Sandstorm, Thornclaw, and Birchfall. Four new warriors, Frozenfang, Silverwind, Owlswoop and Hailstreak. Then five apprentices and mentors, Moonpaw, Featherpaw, Bramble, Emberpaw (along with Ivypool) and Hopepaw. Then Blazefeather and I.
Of course the group isn't too happy about staying here, Nightwhisper is among the loudest protestor, but I want camp protected in case the attack is tonight. I won't take out more cats than need. This gives us enough cats to be protected if we're attack but not too many that the Clan is under defended.
"I don't understand." Nightwhisper hisses as the small patrol waits to leave.
"What don't you understand?" I ask tiredly.
"We have plenty of warriors, can't you let us come with you?" he wheedles.
"You're needed here. Understand that." I growl.
"You're being ridiculous." He mutters.
"It's one of my most endearing qualities." I reply sarcastically.
"Is it?" he asks with his eye brows raised.
"Just deal with it." I finally snap. "I don't like doing it, but I need to okay? Just watch over Lightingpaw. He overestimates his abilities."
"It must be hereditary." Nightwhisper mews tightly and I glare sharply at him until he continues, stammering, "I mean we both do. A bit."
"Just keep him safe." I press.
"Keep them and yourself safe, okay?" Nightwhisper mews in concern.
"All right. Good bye." I mew it firmly and he makes a face, which causes me to roll my eyes. I walk away from him and to the front, for once we're leaving on time. Fancy that.
As we run along the familiar path, I can't help but look back. I have a heavy feeling of worry in my stomach. I can't help but feel that the place we need to be is the one we're leaving.
*Emberpaw*
We arrive on the island at the same time RiverClan does. Midnightstar's nervous energy has traveled through the whole patrol and infected us. I'm so jittery I can't stand still.
Hopepaw almost looks worse than me; she's looking around so often she looks like she has a permanent twitch. Hey fur is fluffed, and her tail is held erect.
"What?" I whisper, stepping closer to her as WindClan files onto the island.
"I feel it, someone coming. Someone dark." She looks petrified, her eyes wide amber pools.
"How dark? Hopepaw is it the Dark Forest?" I can that she is slipping into her fear and that I must keep her anchored. It's a fight to keep my voice calm. I wish Eaglepaw was here, he's so much better with her than I am. "Hopepaw tell me."
"It's them. They're coming. They're coming." Hopepaw mutters, her voice tight.
"Where? Who?" I ask, positioning myself in her line of sight and keeping my voice coaxing.
"Coming in now. The ShadowClan group. An apprentice." She replies almost mechanically. I look around frantically, the ShadowClan group is coming in and Tawnystar's already reached the tree.
"Is it someone whose just a part of the Dark Forest, or is it a real warrior?" I ask looking into her eyes.
"A part." Hopepaw replies, her eyes out of focus.
"Come on," I mew as the yowl sounds to start the Gathering, "We're going to find this apprentice.
As everyone's heads turn to the tree, I weave through the crowd, Hopepaw sticking to my pelt. We fight our way to the ShadowClan section and see the apprentices in the back. A group of three sits apart from the others, and a dark red tom is bragging to the others. His pelt puts me in mind of blood and I shudder.
"It's here." Hopepaw's voice is faint and her eyes are a million foxlengths away.
I turn back to the groups and see a light orange tabby tom and a calico she-cat. Neither of them seem to be too impressed with the red cat and finally, the calico makes a noise of disgust.
"You're a creep Darkpaw." She snarls before leaving.
"Can you believe her?" Darkpaw scoffs, turning to the light orange tabby.
"Yes." The tabby replies coldly.
"Watch it brother." Darkpaw growls, slapping his brother.
"Hopepaw," I whisper, "I'm going to walk over there and see if I can get a vision. I'll be right back.
I straighten up and put a look of confidence on my face before I waltz by the pair. Their conversation stops, and I feel their eyes on me. Before I can pass by them, my body goes rigid.
I'm back in that awful place and Darkpaw is training with the other cats. He seems to be just as vicious as the dead warriors.
Then I'm in camp, the sky glowing with the light of the full moon. I scan the cats for some sign that it is tonight, and I see on Eaglepaw, the small cut he got from the bramble bush when he wasn't paying attention. It is tonight.
Dark Forest warriors appear, caterwauling, and attack immediately. Blood splatters the ground and the hollow walls. A screams rents the air.
I gasp, feeling like I've been doused in cold water, I stagger and the light orange cat takes a step towards me.
"Are you all right?" he sounds concerned, his brother looks somewhat frightened.
"I'm fine." I stammer, shaking all over, "Just zoned out."
I run back top Hopepaw and nose her up. "What's happening?" she asks.
"The attack, it's happening tonight." I reply, my voice laced with fear, "We have to tell Midnightstar!"
Sorry about the cliffhanger, but the plot has it that way. I already have like the first two pages of the next one written, so barring any unforeseen circumstances the next one should be up tomorrow. It took me forever to name Darkpaw guys. It was so sad. I wanted something related to red, but they all sounded girly and red is over used so… ohh well.
Quote- "In years to come, he would be a giver of bread, not a stealer – proof again of the contradictory human being. So much good, so much evil. Just add water." ~The Book Thief.
Because come on, that is hilarious;) It's a good book so far, but I know it's going to get dark.
Okay so I still need to know who you guys want to die. I already have a plan mapped out from a suggestion from a while ago, but if you have any ideas, let me know or forever hold your peace. Hehe.
So review please=)
~Midnight