Puddlestrike was lying on her side besides a tree, her blue eyes looking into the distance. She rolled over to be met with the bark of the oak that was behind her. She needed to think. A lot.
Bring the storm to the place where the sun touches the water. The second part is the sun-drown place; I know that much. But what in the Clans' name is the storm? Puddlestrike pondered. Something caught her eye and she shifted her head to see a spider. It was brown with long legs. She smiled a bit, "Hello little spider." she mewed softly.
The spider crawled forward and Puddlestrike shifted around to lay on her stomach, her paw besides her muzzle. She watched the spider slowly crawl onto her nose, it's small black eyes staring at her.
"Do you know what the storm is?" she mumbled. She scoffed and smiled, "Of course not. I'm just a crazy deputy talking to a spider."
The spider crawled off her nose and disappeared into the bracken, Puddlestrike watching the spider leave. She blinked, "Thanks for listening." she muttered.
Puddlestrike stretched and stood up, arching her back and spreading her toes. Puddlestrike shook out her fur and turned for camp. She avoided stepping on a pile of marigold. Whiptail had always been serious when it came to herb patches closer to camp, and she wasn't in the best mood to have the usually calm medicine cat chew her ear out.
A mouse jumped out of some ferns and in front of Puddlestrike. The deputy cted quickly and jumped forward, biting the mouse in her jaws. With a snap, it went limp. She smiled with pleasure and held her catch proudly.
She pricked her ears to the sounds of angry meows. She looked around. The sound was coming from the east. She headed over to where the meows were coming from. As she came closer she could make out bits of words. She peeked from behind a birch tree and saw Smallscar bristling, seeming to scold Sweetwind and Pebblebreeze. Puddlestrike walked up and dropped her mouse, "What's going on?"
Smallscar faced the deputy, "These two were eating kittypet food! Look!"
Puddlestrike spotted a blue twoleg bowl, pieces of the food scattered around the edges. Puddlestrike frowned and looked at Sweetwind and Pebblebreeze, "Is this true?"
Pebblebreeze looked down, "We're sorry. It's just, the fresh-kill pile was small today and the hunting patrols brought only enough food for some warriors and so me and Sweetwind thought no one would mind if we took a bite of the kittypet food since no one else ate it."
Sweetwind nodded, "Yeah."
Puddlestrike shook her head with a sigh, "That's no excuse. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet."
Pebblebreeze and Sweetwind shared glances before looking back at Puddlestrike, "Sorry." Pebblebreeze mewed.
"Sorry catches no prey." Smallscar growled, flicking his ear.
Puddlestrike blinked, "Sweetwind, Pebblebreeze. I believe some of the honeysuckle on the elders' den needs patching up. And they could use more bedding and prey. You two will be doing those tasks for three sunrises as punishment." Puddlestrike instructed.
The two young warriors glanced at each other. Smallscar bristled and huffed, "Come on now, chop chop!"
Both Sweetwind and Pebblebreeze stalked off to catch some prey, tail drooping. Puddlestrike sniffed and walked off, heading for camp.
As she entered the quarry it seemed not too busy today. She had prepared every patrol. Perhaps not much was happening today. She padded into camp, turning to enter the warriors' den.
"Puddlestrike! Meet me and Swanstar in her den!"
Puddlestrike recognized the yowl of Whiptail. She turned, seeing Tangnose already walking into the leader's den. Whiptail angled his ear towards Swanstar's den and Puddlestrike went to follow the grey tom. She poked her head in the den, tangnose and Swanstar sitting besides each other. Tangnose twitched his whiskers, "You told us the prophecy Beaverstamp gave you yesterday. I've had some time to think and I believe I know what it means."
"You do?" Puddlestrike asked eagerly, blinking a few times to make sure this wasn't a dream.
Tangnose sniffed and he licked his paw and drew it across his face, "I thought it'd be obvious by now." He straightened himself up and looked around, "The storm is made up of wind, thunder, and sky. While rain comes every now and then, it is not always. The storm is ThunderClan, WindClan, and SkyClan. We must leave the lake, go to the sun-drown place and leave the twolegs behind before they cause anymore trouble for us."
There was a moment of silence in the den. Puddlestrike flicked her tail. It made sense! So much sense! Why hadn't she thought of that?
"Are you mad?" Whiptail snapped, his fur bristling, "This is our home, Tangnose."
"I know, Whiptail. I'm not an idiot." Tangnose growled, "Don't you remember the stories? How the StarClan cats taking forms of owls guided one cat from every Clan to the lake? They struggled to get here because twolegs took over. We-"
"Exactly!" Whiptail interrupted his mentor, standing up, "They struggled to find this place!"
"They struggled because they didn't know the lake existed! We know where the sun-drown p;ace is. We don't even need owls to guide us." Tangnose mewed.
Whiptail frowned, "Noteveryone will like this. I know I certainly don't. We have to stay here! Stay strong!"
"We will die if we do, Whiptail!" Tangnose argued, unsheathing his claws. He faced Swanstar, "Swanstar. You see my point, yes?"
Swanstar looked between the two medicine cats. She nodded, "I do. But I also agree with Whiptail. Not everyone will want to leave… so if they want, they can stay."
Puddlestrike pressed her ears on the back of her head, "Swanstar… are-are you suggesting we leave our clanmates?"
Tangnose gasped, "No. Everyone must come. Otherwise they face death."
"So be it." Swanstar said nonchalantly, "If they wish to stay then they can. Who am I to say they can't?"
"You're the leader, Swanstar!" Tangnose growled.
Whiptail smiled, "I, unlike others, like this compromise. We could move to the other Clans were twolegs aren't watching our every move."
"Of course you like it you fox-faced mouse-heart." Tangnose hissed, causing Whiptail to flinch.
"Stop bickering." Swanstar growled. She flicked her tail and faced the exit, "I have made a decision. My word is final! Do you understand?"
Whiptail and Tangnose glanced at each other with looks of hate. Tangnose sighed, "Fine."
Swanstar nodded, "Good. I'll inform the Clan at the gathering for all to hear."
Whiptail smirked, "Marvelous."
Tangnose huffed and left the den, "Suck up." he muttered.
Puddlestrike watch Whiptail leave after his mentor. She walked up to Swanstar, "Are you-"
"Final, Puddlestrike." Swanstar hissed.
Puddlestrike nodded, leaving the den. She gave one last glance over her shoulder before climbing down the quarry stone. She looked around camp. Who would want to stay?
She saw a pale brown tabby running towards her, recognizing Meadowpelt. Admittedly, she didn't know the she-cat well, but she had had a conversation or two with the she-cat, nothing memorable though.
"Puddlestrike! Guess what?" Meadowpelt said excitedly, as if the two had been bestest of buds.
"Hm?" Puddlestrike grunted,shaking off any remains of past worries.
"I'm having Quietheart's kits! Oh, isn't it wonderful? We'll finally have apprentices around the camp! "
The past worries came back. Kits!? She had forgotten about queens. What queen could leave and travel across rivers and thunderpaths with or expecting kits?
She faked a soft smile, "Oh, that is wonderful, Meadowpelt. I didn't know you and Quietheart were mates."
"Oh we are, we are. I haven't told him yet," she giggled, "Oh, I can't wait to see his face! He'll be so excited, don't you think?"
"Y-yes. Naturally." Puddlestrike nodded. She walked away from the giggling she-cat.
How long was it to the sun-drown place even? Would all the Clans have to stop if any cat began kitting? Probably…
This only raised her fears. The gathering was in four days! What would happen in four days? She bit her lip. Hopefully nothing.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Puddlestrike shifted in her place under the tree. She looked up at Swanstar. The leader looked fine and comfy, as if nothing new was going to happen at this gathering.
But something is going to happen this moon. Some of us are leaving. That's not nothing. It's probably the biggest thing that'll happen tonight!
"Wait!? Really?"
Puddlestrike's thoughts were snapped back when she heard Fishpelt, the WindClan deputy, yowl in surprise. She leaned forward, "What? What's happening?"
Fishpelt faced her, "Antlerbreeze's mate had his kits yesterday! How many again?"
Antlerbreeze was smiling widely, which was something she didn't see the RiverClan deputy do often, "Five beautiful kits. Four ske-kits and one tom-kit."
"Have you named them yet?" Fishpelt asked.
"No, not yet. But we will. I'm thinking of calling one of the she-kits Larchkit." Antlerbreeze mewed.
"Hey now," Darkbriar, the ShadowClan deputy began, "Don't shove it in our face."
"Shove what in your face?" Antlerbreeze asked, tilting his head.
Darkbriar chuckled, "You and Beefang are the only ones with mates, bee-brain."
Antlerbreeze blinked, "Is that a bad thing?"
"Nah. I'm just pulling your tail." Darkbriar said with a purr. She looked at the other deputies, "Unless y'all got a mate over this moon."
"Nope. Still single." Fishpelt mewed quickly, "Still single."
"I'm not really looking for a mate." Puddlestrike admitted, "Not my jam."
Antlerbreeze smiled, "It might be, Puddlestrike. You'll find the right cat one day."
Puddlestrike nodded, "That's a nice thought, Antlerbbreeze."
Puddlestrike saw Beefang and Sablestar slink out of the bushes, the rest of the SkyClan cats trailing after.
Her breath caught in her throat. The gathering was about to begin.
Beefang took a place next to her as Sablestar scrambled up the tree, digging her claws into the wood to help her grip.
Puddlestrike was hardly listening as the leaders made their announcements. The only things she had heard was that Goosestar had taken up a new mate and that a SkyClan kit, Shinekit, had strayed from camp with his brother and died. She had dipped her head to respect the kit's spirit.
Her heart seemed to burst out of her chest with fear when Swanstar stood up. She was the last one. Her posture was strong, fearless. She wasn't afraid to tell the truth.
"Recently," she began, "We have been having issues with the twolegs. They have entered some of our territories and have yet to leave us be. StarClan has come and spoken to my deputy, Puddlestrike. Our former deputy, Beaverstamp, has given her a prophecy. That we make take the storm to the place where the sun touches the water. My medicine cat, Tangnose, found out it meant ThunderClan, WindClan, and SkyClan must leave the lake and go live at the sun-drown place."
Almost immediately the crowd burst out in a fit. Puddlestrike could hear mews of worry and concern, yowls of outrage and insubordination, and cries of confusion from the named Clans.
"Quiet!" Clawstar yowled, silencing the Clan cats. He cleared his throat and looked at Swanstar, "Apologies for the outburst. But why must we leave? The twolegs won't stay here forever, surely."
"They will. StarClan has told Puddlestrike that if we don't leave nothing good will come." Swanstar mewed.
Puddlestrike ducked her head as warriors from all around turned to face her. Please don't drag me into this!
"This is nonsense!" Goosestar yowled, "Leve the lake? Are you mad? All five Clans must stay together. What about the elders and queens? Newborn kits?"
"I understand your concern, Goosestar - despite you not being a part of this-, but it is StarClan's will." Swanstar mewed. She faced the crowd, "Me and my medicine cats came up with a fair idea. If any cat from SkyClan, ThunderClan, or WindClan wishes to stay here, they may."
"And go where?" a WindClan warrior, Bramblestem, yowled.
"They c-could come to RiverClan." Icestar mewed awkwardly.
"Well I'm not staying!" a RiverClan warrior yowled.
"Neither am I!" another one agreed, "The twolegs will find us! I'm not sticking around for that."
Icestar bit his lip, "Larkwhisper, Dimpelt; are you s-sure? I-I-I mean, I completely understand, b-but are you positive?"
The first one to call out nodded, "Absolutely."
"One hundred percent." The other agreed.
"I'm going with my parents!" a RiverClan apprentice Puddlestrike recognized as Chirppaw mewed.
"Chirppaw-" Antlerbreeze began, before stopping himself. He nodded, "That's very brave of all of you. Especially you, Chirppaw. You were a good apprentice."
"Thank you." Chirpaw mewed.
"Wait, are we agreeing to this?" Beefang asked, "I have kits on the way. What will happen to Sandwhisker?"
Sablestar's pelt prickled, "I-i'm… I'm not against this plan. It sounds logical. But-"
"If Sandwhisker kits come we can find a place to camp out until they're strong enough to move or at least be carried without a constant need to feed." Swanstar mewed, interrupting the SkyClan leader.
Ducktail sniffed, "I think that's a good plan. But when would we leave?"
Swanstar flicked her tail. She looked at the moon and seemed to ponder for a bit before looking back at Ducktail, "Tomorrow at moon-high. The faster we leave, the better. Before the twolegs notice we're up to anything but right after they are all asleep."
"How do we get there?" A SkyClan apprentice, Rosepaw, asked.
"The stars are bound to guide us." Clawstar mewed.
"I think I know where it is!" Shademuzzle called, "When I was a kittypet I lived near a beach. I heard about the tales of the sun-drown place. The sea! I know where it is!"
"Wonderful!" Swanstar mewed. She looked around, "We must prepare. Tell our Clans and get travelling herbs ready."
Goosestar let out a bewildered laugh, "You lot are all mad! You're gonna get yourself killed!"
Swanstar looked at him, "Thank you for your input, Goosestar." she mewed sarcastically.
Goosestar growled and looked at his Clan, "Well,none of my warriors are leaving."
"On the contrary." Darkbriar mewed. The black-and-brwn she-cat faced her leader, "I don't find it safe here. It'd be best if I left too. I advise my Clan to come with me."
"Your Clan!?" Goosestar growled, outraged, "This is my Clan. If any of you have a right mind to go with her, so be it. Be like a dirty rogue. It wouldn't be out of place for you, Darkbriar. After all your parents were rogues before-"
"Do not speak about Poppyice and Gorsewing like that! They were more like warriors than you'll ever be!"
Goosetar sputtered and looked at Darkbriar, "Fine. If you wish to leave, go!"
Darkbriar looked at her clanmates, but they all avoided her gaze, too afraid of Goosestar to do anything. The black-and-brown deputy huffed and trotted away from them. Swanstar glanced at her with sympathy, "You may join us, if you please."
"You would do that?" Darkbriar asked, looking at the black she-cat.
Swanstar nodded, "I don't see why not."
Darkbriar smiled and dipped her head, "Thank you."
Goosestar scoffed and jumped off his branch, "ShadowClan! Let's leave."
Icestar glanced at his Clan, "Let's l-leave too. May StarClan light y-your path, Swanstar, Clawstar and Sablestar."
The three other leaders nodded to the light grey tom.
Puddlestrike watched them leave, her paws shaking. How did so much happen in so little time? Clans abandoning their Clans, the discourse. It all happened much too quickly for Puddlestrike.
Darkbriar looked at the ThunderClan deputy, "You alright? You look unnerved."
Puddlestrike faced the former ShadowClan cat, "I am a bit. But, um, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Darkbriar mewed, forcing a chuckle, "Besides, it was probably for the best I left. Too much for me to handle, heh."
Puddlestike frowned, "Alright."
Sablestar crawled down the tree, "My warriors will be prepared for tomorrow, Swanstar."
The ThunderClan leader nodded, "Thank you."
"As will mine." Clawstar mewed. The grey tabby tom faced his Clan, "Let's head out, WindClan!"
Puddlestrike watched the Clans disperse, the RiverClan cats that had decided to leave we're invited to SkyClan, which they took gratefully.
Puddlestrike followed her Clan leave in a complete haze, Dustclaw and Shorewish walking beside her. She looked out at the trees as they broke to moorland. Everything was happening so quickly. It was happening now. She fluffed out her fur with anxious excitement.
This was it.
They were about to begin their journey.