The rising full-moon cast silver light down on an unease camp. Frostmask fluffed her fur out against the cold as she watched her clan-mates murmuring and shooting uncertain glances to each other. It was a little after sun-down, so ShadowClan would be leaving for Fourtrees soon, but the mood in camp was quite the opposite of the excitement that normally foresaw gatherings. For the first time in Frostmask's life, ShadowClan would be walking into a meeting with two overtly hostile clans. The idea of brushing pelts with cats who only a little while ago ransacked their camp was setting everyone on edge.
Frostmask's gaze tracked across the clearing, and her eyes narrowed for a moment as they rested on Redclaw's tortoiseshell pelt before she looked away. Frostmask had returned to her warriors duties a few days after her conversation with Redclaw, but they had not spoken since. It seemed clear that Redclaw was trying to give her space, which Frostmask was grateful for, but Frostmask also knew that the situation was unsustainable. With their apprentices being littermates, Lizardpaw and Featherpaw would soon wonder why they weren't training together anymore. Frostmask tail twitched. Still, she couldn't say how long it would be until she felt ready to forgive Redclaw.
She sighed, giving her head a small shake as she tried to direct her thoughts away from her. Frostmask's eyes continued their journey through the camp to now rest on Lizardpaw's white pelt. He was sitting with his litter-mates close to the entrance of the medicine cats' den, watching the entrance of the cave intently. Hollowpaw, Cedarpaw, Cicketpaw, and their father Dustleap were inside. Clearstream had made a quiet announcement earlier that Buzzardpaw would pass soon, and his family had gone in to say goodbye. Lizardpaw and his littermates were now waiting outside in quiet support of their den-mates.
Frostmask's ears twisted back, her gaze resting on Lizardpaw.
Buzzardpaw's death felt so pointless. He was so young, with the promise of a full life in front of him, and yet it was ended prematurely because ShadowClan didn't have the proper herbs to cure his disease.
Frostmask closed her eyes for a brief moment, her chest tightening.
The hardship of this past moon was almost unbearable, and with the rest of leaf-bare looming over them, she knew it was far from over. All she could do was hope that she and the ones she cared about would have the strength to make it through.
Frostmask forced a deep breath, easing the tension in her chest some as she composed herself for the night. She and Lizardpaw had both been chosen to attend the gathering.
Frostmask scowled faintly to herself. She figured it was another way Sedgestar was trying to apologize and show that he trusted her, but she didn't feel moved by the gesture. She might've even declined attending, if it wasn't for Lizardpaw. This was his first gathering, and she knew he was looking forward to it, despite the dark mood that hung over the clan like a rising storm.
And, Buzzardpaw's death will surely sour the occasion even further.
Frostmask's tail twitched as her mind turned turn to Paledusk. She wasn't particularly looking forward to seeing him either. She hoped he wouldn't approach her— as far as Frostmask was concerned, there was nothing more for them to say to each other.
"Any news?" a low voice asked, snapping Frostmask out of her thoughts.
She turned to see Sedgestar approaching her. In a colossal act of self-control, Frostmask squashed the urge to narrow her eyes at him derisively. Instead, she just flicked her gaze back towards the medicine cats' den.
"About Buzzardpaw," Sedgestar added when she didn't immediately respond.
"No," Frostmask murmured with another tail twitch.
She heard the sound of Sedgestar sitting down next to her even though she still refused to take her gaze off of the Clanrock to look at him.
"We won't leave for the gathering until it's over," he said. "If that makes us late, so be it. The other clans can wait on us."
Frostmask just nodded in response, her gaze drifting over to Lizardpaw again.
"You'll have to watch out for him," Sedgestar murmured, following her gaze. "I know all apprentices are excited for their first gatherings, but with Lizardpaw's disability…"
"You don't have to worry," Frostmask meowed curtly. "I won't let anything happen to him."
At this point, Frostmask hardly noticed the fact that she communicated with Lizardpaw silently rather than with her voice. But, she knew that the other Clans would immediately see him and his paw-signs as odd. Her stomach clenched at the thought of Lizardpaw being mocked for it by the warriors and apprentices he came across. Or worse… being called out for it by a leader in front of everyone, as Frostmask had been for her rogue blood when she was just an apprentice.
"Good," Sedgestar said with a nod. "Also, I wanted to tell you that Redclaw came to speak to me a few days ago."
This made Frostmask finally look over at him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"I thought you decided not to tell anyone," Sedgestar meowed, his voice mild and his amber gaze unreadable.
Frostmask shrugged, trying to project indifference, although she felt the fur on the back of her neck starting to bristle defensively.
"She already knew. I don't think it really counts," she pointed out. "And, besides. I didn't decide either way what I was going to do. You told me that I could tell anyone, if I wanted."
"Yes," Sedgestar agreed, inclining his head towards her slightly. "That is still true. Although if you are planning on making it common knowledge to the clan, it may be best coming from me. I could hold a meeting about it."
Frostmask's eyes narrowed, and she repressed the urge to growl. Even though Sedgestar had told her that she had every right to do with the information what she wished, it seemed like that wasn't entirely true. He was still trying to manage or control the secret even now. Even when it belonged to her.
Maybe Paledusk has a point about Sedgestar's manipulations.
Frostmask sent the thought away with a flick of her ears. She couldn't linger on it now— Sedgestar was too good at reading others for that.
"I didn't decide that," Frostmask said cooly. "I haven't even told anyone else yet. I just wanted to talk to Redclaw about it."
Sedgestar nodded.
"You're upset with Redclaw for keeping it from you," he said.
Frostmask twitched her tail in a manner which said 'Obviously,' but she didn't respond.
"If it makes you feel any better, when she met with me, she practically clawed my whiskers off," Sedgestar meowed, a hint of amusement appearing in his voice.
Frostmask's brow furrowed.
You deserved it.
But, she still didn't say that, or anything, out loud. Sedgestar rose to his paws, seeming to accept that he wouldn't get anymore conversation out of her.
"Keep your eyes and ears sharp at the gathering," he meowed over his shoulder as he began to pad off. "I want everyone on the lookout for any of SkyClan's or RiverClan's motivations or weaknesses."
Frostmask gave a curt nod, and she watched as Sedgestar headed over to where Grovepelt and Emberflower were sitting together, deep in conversation. Frostmask turned her head away from him as a new set of paw-steps approached her. Autumnleap came over to her side, greeting her with a gentle bump of his forehead against the side of her face.
"Hey," Frostmask said in greeting, relaxing some as he settled down next to her.
"I saw Sedgestar talking to you," Autumnleap meowed, angling his ears towards the leader. "What was that about?"
Frostmask felt herself tense back up again.
"Nothing really. I think he's still trying to make me feel better for what he did." Frostmask's tail twitched. "I think that's the whole reason he invited me to this gathering. He's trying to win me back over."
"You still sure you don't want me to talk to him?" Autumnleap said with a small growl, his gaze searing holes into Sedgestar's back.
Frostmask brushed her tail along his flank in a soothing gesture.
"It's okay. I'm dealing with it," she murmured. "I just wish that I wasn't going to this dumb gathering. Or, that you were coming with me at least."
Autumnleap glanced away from Sedgestar to look at her.
"Well, I don't blame Sedgestar for wanting to keep a big guard at the camp," Autumnleap said. "I mean, I know tonight's a truce, but I wouldn't put anything past those fox-hearts."
He inclined his head to the side.
"Although, why don't you want to go to the gathering?" he asked.
Frostmask's ears flattened against her head.
"Well for one thing I don't like feeling like Sedgestar's manipulating me," she said with a soft growl. "Like 'I let you go to the gathering, and in return you forgive me for accusing you of betraying the clan.' It's not that easy. And, also…"
Frostmask hesitated, her thoughts turning to Paledusk, but she couldn't tell Autumnleap about that.
"Also I just don't want to see any of SkyClan's ugly-dog faces," she growled instead, lashing her tail.
Autumnleap chuckled lightly, pressing his pelt against her side.
"Put your claws away, tigress," he teased. "I doubt Sedgestar would be pleased if you attacked a SkyClan cat and broke the truce."
Frostmask twitched her tail.
"Of course I wouldn't start a fight," she grumbled. "But, if a SkyClan cat goes for one of us first…"
"Then I'm sure you'll have all of ShadowClan's blessing, and StarClan's as well, to tear them to shreds," Autumnleap said lightly with a purr, giving her cheek a gentle lick and making all of her thoughts screech to a stop.
Frostmask cleared her throat and tried to cover her suddenly prickling pelt by bending her head to groom her chest fur with a few swift strokes. A moment later, Poolcloud and Dewleaf came trotting over to them, offering Frostmask a welcome distraction.
"Hey guys," Poolcloud meowed before settling down on the ground in a crouch next to them, carefully tucking his paws under himself.
Dewleaf nodded in greeting, taking a seat next to Poolcloud as well and leaning herself into his fluff.
"You ready for the most awkward gathering in history?" Poolcloud said, his gaze resting on Frostmask.
Frostmask sighed.
"Let's just get it over with," she meowed, her tail flipping behind her.
"Resignation— that's the spirit," Poolcloud teased, giving a brief purr.
"I'd like to think of it less as 'resignation' and more as 'stoic dignity,'" Dewleaf said, flicking her tail against Poolcloud's flank.
"In that case, you should go to the gathering instead of me," Poolcloud responded, his gaze sparkling.
"Why is that?" Dewleaf purred, her green eyes warm.
"Well, I'm pretty sure Sedgestar is trying to project an image of resilience and strength," Poolcloud said drily. "And, not an image of a bunch of cats just huddling around, waiting for the worst."
Dewleaf snorted, shaking her head in mock exasperation. Poolcloud flashed a glance at Frostmask.
"No offense," he said quickly with a purr as he remembered she was going to the gathering too. "I was talking about myself really."
Frostmask shrugged.
"None taken, I feel the same way," she responded.
"Why do you two have to be such downers," Autumnleap broke in, giving a playful eye-roll. "Where's Pineshade when you need her to knock some sense into you fluff-brains?"
Frostmask tilted her head to the side, musing on Autumnleap's question. Where was Pineshade? She hadn't been chosen for the gathering patrol, but Frostmask couldn't spot her hanging around the edges of the camp either.
"I think she went for a walk with Dampfang a little while ago," Poolcloud said, answering Frostmask's curious look. "I think she was trying to distract him. He seemedpretty sulky that he wasn't chosen for the gathering."
"Like Sedgestar would've been frog-brained enough to pick him after his outburst a few days ago," Dewleaf scoffed, flicking her ears. "Sedgestar knows better than to reward my brother's bad behavior."
"I've got to give him props for having the guts to stand up to Sedgestar like that though," Poolcloud meowed, giving a half-joking shudder. "I'd never be able to do that. Sedgestar's too scary."
"No, you're plenty brave enough," Dewleaf argued back, her tail twitching. "You just understand that Sedgestar deserves our respect."
She glanced at Autumnleap and Frostmask as if looking for support, but neither of them responded right away. Frostmask looked at Autumnleap as he glanced to the ground, giving a non-committal mutter. His gaze then flickered to Frostmask's, and she understood, that like her, he was thinking about Sedgestar's accusation of her. Frostmask broke eye-contact with him to stare down at her paws, also avoiding Dewleaf's prompting gaze.
"It's probably for the best that Dampfang isn't going to the gathering anyway," Autumnleap said before the pause could stretch on too long and turn awkward. "He's not well known for his ability to keep his claws sheathed."
Dewleaf sighed.
"I just wish Dampfang didn't have such a big head, and he wasn't so stubborn," she complained. "He could be a brilliant warrior, if only he listened to what other cats had to say a fraction more of the time, instead of always believing that what he thought was right."
Poolcloud nodded in agreement, but Frostmask just twisted her ears back. Dampfang was brave and a good fighter all right, but from her perspective, his personality needed a bit more tweaking than just the few things Dewleaf suggested to make him a good warrior.
"I think Pineshade's good for him at least," Dewleaf added, tilting her head thoughtfully. "She's the only one he listens to. I mean, besides Marshnose and Darkpelt of course."
Autumnleap rolled his eyes again.
"And, even then, he barely takes what she says into account," Autumnleap pointed out.
"Sure, but 'barely' is better than 'never,'" Dewleaf countered with a flick of her tail. "You gotta take the small victories with Dampfang."
Frostmask's attention drifted away from their conversation as, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Elmclaw emerging from the medicine cat's den. The many injuries he had received during the fight had started to seal over, but he was still missing large patches of fur on his sides.
The camp quieted as the eyes of the clan turned to the medicine cat, everyone knowing what he was going to say, but dreading it anyway.
"Buzzardpaw hunts with StarClan now," Elmclaw rumbled, his green eyes clouded with grief and anger as if he blamed himself for not being able to save the apprentice. "We will bring his body out for vigil."
A murmur of sadness passed through ShadowClan. Dewleaf and Poolcloud gazed at each other with wide, sorrowful eyes. Frostmask bowed her head, and Autumnleap sighed, pressing his pelt against hers again.
Sedgestar rose to his paws.
"He's with his mother again," Sedgestar said. "Dawntail will watch over him and guide him to our ancestor's hunting grounds."
Sedgestar cast a glance up towards the clear, cloudless sky.
"We will hold his death ceremony when we return from the gathering," he meowed. "There's no rush— the path to the stars is clear tonight."
Sedgestar called the gathering patrol to him with a wave of his tail. Frostmask rose to her paws and reluctantly stepped away from the warmth of Autumnleap's side. She touched her nose to his ear in farewell.
"I'll see you soon," she said, pulling away.
He nodded, giving a soft purr, but that didn't hide the deep weariness that had appeared in his eyes after the announcement about Buzzardpaw's death, as it had for many of her clan-mates. Frostmask nodded goodbye to Dewleaf, and she and Poolcloud trotted over to the group together. Lizardpaw appeared at her other side quickly, but his eyes were also dulled in sadness. Frostmask lay her tail over his back in a supportive gesture.
Stay close to me at the gathering. You never know what those fox-hearts might do. She signed to Lizardpaw, feeling the ghost of Swoopstrike in her words.
Lizardpaw nodded, his expression turning steely.
Sedgestar flicked his tail, and the ShadowClan patrol followed him out of the camp.
The journey through the dark forest passed in an uneventful blur, and soon enough the ShadowClan patrol crouched at the top of the ridge that led down to Fourtrees' hollow. As Sedgestar had expected, it looked like ShadowClan was the last to arrive; the clearing already seemed full to the brim with cats. Sedgestar flicked his tail, and ShadowClan streamed down the hill in a rolling wave, before coming to a sudden stop at the edge of the clearing. The patrol grouped together loosely, reluctant to mingle with the other Clans. Only Sedgestar and Grovepelt ventured into the crowd so they could head towards the Great Rock.
"Look who finally decided to show up," a nearby grey warrior sneered at the ShadowClan patrol.
He was RiverClan cat, judging by the sleekness of his fur and the fish-scent radiating off his pelt. Dappledpelt whirled towards him, giving a loud hiss and lashing her tail. Emberflower was standing at her side, and Frostmask knew that if this was another gathering, Emberflower might have quietly scolded Dappledpelt for such overt hostility. But not tonight— this time, she shot the RiverClan tom a poisonous stare. The grey tabby warrior opened his jaws as it to snap something back at Dappledpelt, but his eyes widened slightly as he noticed that the entire ShadowClan patrol raking gazes as sharp as thorns over him. The grey tom clamped his jaws shut and rose to his paws to stiffly pad away.
Their patrol turned away from him and grouped even more tightly together, murmuring angrily among themselves like a disturbed beehive. When Frostmask glanced away from the retreating form of the RiverClan tom, she found herself suddenly surrounded by apprentices. Featherpaw and Yewpaw had come over to join Lizardpaw, and the three young cats were gazing around at the sea of pelts with wide eyes.
"Are we allowed to talk to anyone?" Featherpaw asked with accompanying paw-signs for Lizardpaw's sake.
She shot an uncertain glance back at their hostile patrol before her gaze flickered out towards the other clans. Her expression was curious, but the fur down her back also prickled with apprehension.
Frostmask followed her gaze out into the crowd.
Yes we can. Frostmask signed. It's a truce, so we should be able to talk to anyone, although it'd be best to avoid RiverClan and SkyClan for this gathering.
Frostmask paused for a moment, considering their options.
Let's find some ThunderClan cats. She decided. They're the least snake-hearted of the bunch.
The apprentices nodded, gazing at her for direction. Frostmask shot a glance back at their patrol. A few other cats had decided to brave the crowd, but it seemed clear that most of ShadowClan would be sticking to their own clan-mates tonight.
Frostmask was unsure of how she had suddenly became in charge of three apprentices instead of one, but she still led the way into the crowd, making sure the apprentices were all close to her as her gaze scanned the area for familiar pelts. A little ways away, she spotted a brown tabby, and her ears pricked, recognizing the ThunderClan apprentice Screechpaw. She flicked her tail at the apprentices to gesture for them to follow, and she trotted over to him, Lizardpaw, Yewpaw, and Featherpaw trailing behind her.
"Screechpaw!" she called.
Screechpaw was talking to a dark brown tom next to him, but his ears pricked at Frostmask's voice. He turned towards her and his amber eyes brightened as he recognized her.
"Frostmask!" he meowed, giving her a respectful a head dip as she padded up to him. "It's been a while."
"It has," she agreed with a friendly nod in response. "I hope prey's been running well in ThunderClan."
Screechpaw's gaze darkened slightly.
"Not as well as it could've been," he said with a growl. "But, I'll let Morningstar explain that."
Frostmask's brow furrowed at his dark tone. But, before she had time to dwell on it, Screechpaw's gaze flickered to the three apprentices hanging back shyly behind Frostmask.
"Hello," he meowed to them with a friendly blink.
Frostmask turned to introduce the three.
"This is Yewpaw and Featherpaw," she said along with paw-signs, flicking her tail towards them in turn. "And, my apprentice Lizardpaw. They've been training for about a moon and a half. It's their first gathering."
"Hi," Yewpaw and Featherpaw chorused, while Lizardpaw gave a polite nod.
Frostmask could see that Screechpaw was gazing at her paw-signs curiously, but he didn't say anything about it, just turning to incline his head towards the dark brown tom at his shoulder, who had been silent thus far.
"This is my brother Barredpaw," Screechpaw said.
Barredpaw gave them a nod.
Lizardpaw touched his tail against Featherpaw's shoulder and signed to her.
"How do you know Frostmask?" Featherpaw interpreted, turning to gaze at Screechpaw, her eyes wide and curious.
"We fought together in a battle…" Screechpaw said, his brow becoming more furrowed as Featherpaw signed as he spoke, interpreting his words for Lizardpaw. "… I'm sorry, what are you doing with your paws and tail?"
"She's translating for Lizardpaw," Frostmask answered for her. "Lizardpaw is deaf so we communicate with him mostly through a language we call 'paw-sign.' He developed most of it himself when he was only a kit. He's very clever."
Frostmask did her best to keep her voice neutral as she explained, although she already felt some hairs down her back stiffen defensively. Thankfully, Screechpaw just looked mostly curious. But, then Barredpaw leaned around his brother, his brow furrowed as his gaze flickered from Frostmask to Lizardpaw and back.
"He's training to be a warrior, you said?" Barredpaw asked. "Aren't you worried about him getting hurt in a battle?"
Frostmasked blinked.
"I worry about all my clan-mates getting hurt," she responded icily.
"Yes, but—" Barredpaw insisted.
"Lizardpaw can fight just fine," Yewpaw growled, leaping to his brother's defense. "He's deaf, not frog-brained."
Barredpaw scowled, meeting Yewpaw's glare as the two apprentices sized each other up. Lizardpaw's ears had twisted back, his expression clearly uncomfortable, but Frostmask wasn't sure if he had picked up on that they were arguing about him. Screechpaw touched his tail-tip to Barredpaw's shoulder soothingly, clearly trying to defuse the situation.
"Developing a whole new language is very impressive," Screechpaw meowed, turning back to the ShadowClan cats. "Anyway, do you guys want to hear the rest of the battle story?"
"Yes!" Featherpaw said, while Lizardpaw nodded after she interpreted Screechpaw's question for him. Yewpaw still shot Barredpaw a sour look, but after a pause he nodded at Screechpaw as well.
As Screechpaw described the battle against SkyClan for the ThunderClan camp, embellishing a few parts, (Frostmask certainly did not remember hundreds of SkyClan warriors falling from the sky like rain) Frostmask's attention began to drift across the crowd. Her gaze made its way to the Great Rock, and she stiffened as her eyes fell on Paledusk's white pelt sitting at the base of it. However, her attention was quickly pulled away as she saw Sedgestar bounding up the side of the Great Rock, where the other four leaders were already waiting for him. Sedgestar shot them all a narrowed glance before settling on the very edge of the Great Rock, the farthest away from them as possible.
"So ShadowClan did decide to come." Rabbitstar's loud voice drifted over to Frostmask, cutting through the sounds of the dozens of voices of the crowd. "I was beginning to think that bog you live in finally decided to swallow you up."
Frostmask pricked her ears to listen for Sedgestar's response.
"Perhaps WindClan should just learn patience," her leader said sharply. "Not all cats are as fidgety and flighty as you."
Rabbitstar studied Sedgestar closely, his eyes narrowing.
"Your tail's in a twist," he commented snidely, surprising Frostmask with his perception. "Normally you like to stick your nose in the air, like you're better than the rest of us. But, tonight you're looking for a fight."
Sedgestar's tail twitched, and he didn't respond. Rabbitstar's gaze flickered around the other leaders. Morningstar was glowering at Fennelstar. Fennelstar's tail was lashing. Willowstar was pointedly ignoring all the other leaders. Rabbitstar's large ears pricked in understanding as he studied the hostility radiating between his rivals.
"Oh. So that's it then," Rabbitstar said, turning back to Sedgestar as a smug expression drifted across his muzzle.
Sedgestar's tail lashed, but before he could do anything, Rabbitstar turned aside, striding to the front of the Great Rock, where he let out a loud yowl that echoed through the clearing. Quiet settled over the Clans as everyone turned to look up at the Great Rock.
"It's another full moon!" Rabbitstar yowled. "Let this leaf-bare Gathering begin."
Frostmask glanced over at the apprentices at her side and gave an approving nod when she saw that Featherpaw and Yewpaw were taking turns interpreting Rabbitstar's words for Lizardpaw. Her attention flickered back to the Great Rock, and she saw Rabbitstar turn to the other leaders. He gazed at the showdown brewing between them with rapt interest.
"By all means, one of you start first," Rabbitstar said, a positively gleeful look on his face.
Willowstar rose herself to her paws with a flourish of her silky striped tail.
"I'll begin then," she meowed smoothly. "RiverClan is doing well. We've had a small outbreak of white-cough, but nothing that our medicine cats can't handle. The fish are still swimming well. The river has not frozen over completely so we haven't had to worry about empty bellies."
Frostmask's eyes narrowed critically.
Is anything that Willowstar is saying about the white-cough true? They wanted our stolen herbs, so is it really nothing they couldn't handle?
Frostmask mused this information around in her head, wondering if she should tell Sedgestar and Grovepelt what she knew about the herbs. She could play it off as overhearing something at the gathering rather than telling them about Paledusk.
Willowstar paused for a moment, and Morningstar glared at her.
"Anything else to report, RiverClan?" he growled, curling his lips back in a snarl. "Like perhaps a fox-hearted attack you orchestrated with SkyClan on our territory?"
A muted wave of surprise made it through the clearing. Frostmask's ears pricked in shock. She shot a quick glance at Screechpaw. He was glaring up at Willowstar with undisguised fury. This must have been want he meant about 'letting Morningstar explain.'
Willowstar was silent for a heartbeat longer, making Frostmask wonder if she wasn't going to address Morningstar at all, but then the RiverClan leader continued.
"Oh that messy business," she said breezily with a dismissive wave of her paw as if Morningstar had accused her of looking at him funny rather than attacking his Clan. "My apologies about that. You see, SkyClan was late on their payment for something they owed us, so my warriors were just there to make sure they held up their end of their bargain this time. It's nothing personal."
"Nothing personal!?" Morningstar spat, his eyes outraged. "Your Clan helped SkyClan steal a piece of land that rightfully belongs to ThunderClan!"
Screechpaw snarled as the rest of the ThunderClan cats yowled out their anger along with their leader. All of Morningstar's fur had puffed up in fury, but Willowstar was completely unruffled. She shrugged, her expression nonchalant.
"And, now that land is under SkyClan control," she said. "So, it really sounds like something you should be discussing with Fennelstar and not with me."
"I'll claw that smug look off your face!" Morningstar thundered, whirling on her.
Willowstar still didn't even twitch a whisker, but Rabbitstar stepped between the two leaders before Morningstar could follow through on his threat. Rabbitstar tsked his tongue loudly.
"Temper, temper!" Rabbitstar chided Morningstar, as his eyes shone with malicious amusement. "Don't forget that tonight's a sacred truce."
For a moment, Morningstar looked like he was considering clawing Rabbitstar's face instead, but then the ThunderClan leader whirled around and strode to the front of the Great Rock.
"About a half moon ago, RiverClan and SkyClan worked together to take control of some ThunderClan territory," he announced with a growl. "ThunderClan now considers itself at war with SkyClan and RiverClan and will treat their cats thusly."
ThunderClan yowled out support for their leader, getting a few hostile growls and snarls in response by neighboring RiverClan and SkyClan warriors. Willowstar, however, was still treating Morningstar as if he was nothing but a pesky fly buzzing around her head. Strangely though, Fennelstar also had nothing to say in response to the ThunderClan leader. His frame looked thin and his eyes were tired, as if he wasn't feeling up to his favorite past-time of tormenting Morningstar today.
Frostmask's brow furrowed thoughtfully.
I wonder if he's ill.
Sedgestar strode forward, going to stand next to Morningstar's side.
"ShadowClan also suffered a unprompted, fox-hearted blow from SkyClan with RiverClan's help within this past moon," he growled, his voice as hard and sharp as ice. "Our Clan is recovering well despite the damage they caused to our camp… but we will not let such a raid against ShadowClan remain unchallenged. Any SkyClan or RiverClan cats caught on our territory from this point on will be treated with deadly force. Until SkyClan and RiverClan work to mend the damage they've done to their relations with ShadowClan, my warriors have my full permission to kill any SkyClan and RiverClan trespassers on sight."
Frostmask's ears perked upwards in surprise, and she saw Yewpaw's, Featherpaw's, and Lizardpaw's eyes also widened at Sedgestar's threat. Killing cats just for trespassing seemed a bit extreme… but it seemed like Sedgestar wanted to make it clear that ShadowClan was not to be trifled with. Sedgestar cast a scorching glare at Fennelstar and Willowstar, baring his fangs at them.
"Do I make myself clear?" he said, rumbling a low warning growl.
"An honorable warrior doesn't have to kill to win his battles," Rabbitstar cut in, his thin tail twitching.
Sedgestar whirled on him.
"You stay out of this, Rabbitstar!" he spat. "They nullified their privilege to be treated as honorable warriors when they launched this attack! They also already killed one of our warriors during the raid. We are defending our territory and our home! SkyClan and RiverClan will not have to worry as long as they stay on their lands."
Rabbitstar arched a brow at Sedgestar, curling his lip up as if to sneer something at him, but Sedgestar continued before he could.
"And, if you dare lift a claw to help either of them," Sedgestar growled with a quick glance to Fennelstar and Willowstar. "WindClan will be treated the same."
"Quite right," Morningstar growled in support of Sedgestar, giving him a curt, appreciative nod.
Rabbitstar clamped his jaws shut as his gaze narrowed, his good mood soured by Sedgestar's threat.
"Cats die in battle, Sedgestar," Fennelstar rumbled, his tail twitching but his expression composed. "It's a sad fact of life. We lost a good warrior too, who succumbed to her wounds the morning after the battle."
Sedgestar sneered at Fennelstar, curling his lips up to bare bright fangs.
"I feel no pity for cats who would deal such a fox-hearted attack," he growled.
"Then you should look inward before declaring such things," Fennelstar snapped, some fire returning to his tired eyes. "I know your cats have been trespassing. We were just paying you back in kind."
Frostmask's fur prickled, and she stiffened as she realized, as Grovepelt suspected, SkyClan indeed knew at least a bit about ShadowClan's patrols onto their territory.
"You liar!" Sedgestar yowled without missing a beat, his fur bristling. "ShadowClan will not allow you to throw around such baseless accusations!"
Sedgestar spoke with such conviction, Frostmask would've believed him, if she didn't know for a fact that his words were completely untrue.
Fennelstar bared yellowed fangs at Sedgestar.
"Then come make us," he growled in a low voice, his tone clear that he believed ShadowClan was in no state to do so.
Sedgestar gave a low, dangerous growl in return and tense silence fell over the leaders for a few heartbeats.
"…Does anyone have anything else to report?" Morningstar rumbled, casting sharp glares at the other leaders.
Fennelstar glanced away from Sedgestar, giving his head a sharp shake. Morningstar's gaze flickered to Rabbitstar, and he sneered.
"Nothing that could match the absurdity of this farce," Rabbitstar growled.
"Then this gathering is over," Morningstar growled.
He bounded down from the Great Rock first, but signaled Sedgestar over to him with a flick of his tail before the ShadowClan leader could head off. The two peeled away from the rest of the crowd for a moment, their heads bent closely together. Similarly, Willowstar and Fennelstar remained perched on the Great Rock, murmuring together. Only Rabbitstar bounded over to gather his cats to go home. Frostmask watched Sedgestar and Morningstar curiously for a moment, but her view of them was cut off by the crowd of churning cats as everyone began to find their clan-mates or head back to their own territory.
Screechpaw rose to his paws, glancing at Frostmask and the apprentices.
"Seems like our clans have similar problems again," he said with a small growl. "Best of luck to ShadowClan. May StarClan light your path."
Frostmask nodded to him, a bit caught off guard by the formal, respectful goodbye.
"And, yours," she said. "Good luck."
Frostmask gathered the apprentices to her with a wave of her tail, and they began to make their way back over to their clan. Lizardpaw's steps were dragging, his expression troubled. Frostmask glanced at him, but Featherpaw broke in before Frostmask could ask what's wrong.
Lets go talk to Dad, she signed to her brothers, nodding to indicate Rowanheart's ginger pelt which had appeared in a gap in the crowd.
Lizardpaw glanced up at Frostmask, and she nodded at him to go on ahead, forcing a cheerful expression to try to lift his mood. Lizardpaw just blinked in reply and trotted off after his litter-mates. Frostmask followed at a slower pace, her thoughts torn between the tempestuous and concern for her apprentice.
"Frostmask." A voice hissed.
Frostmask jerked, her head turning towards the voice. Paledusk was watching her from the bushes that ringed the outside of the clearing, and he jerked his chin at her to indicate for her to come over. Frostmask hesitated, her pelt bristling. Her first instinct was to walk away— go join the rest of her clan who were slowly grouping together to wait for Sedgestar. But, instead, she found her paws carrying her over to Paledusk. Despite herself, she was curious about what he wanted… and she could always tell him to leave her alone and head off if it was nothing interesting.
"What do you want?" Frostmask growled brusquely as she brushed into the undergrowth near Paledusk.
She kept a few tail-lengths of distance between them as she stared at him, her muscles stiff. Paledusk blinked, his whiskers twitching in amusement.
"Hello to you too, sunshine," he laughed.
Frostmask growled over the sound of his purr.
"Don't call me that," she said, taking a seat. "Make this fast or someone will know that I'm missing."
Paledusk tilted his head to the side.
"My apologies for the poor joke," he said. "And, I just wanted to talk to you. See how you and your Clan are recovering."
Frostmask's eyes narrowed, immediately on guard.
"You heard Sedgestar. We're fine," she said, tensing.
"You're suspicious. I don't blame you," Paledusk meowed with a tail twitch, and Frostmask blinked, surprised by his candor. "But, my motivations are genuine Frostmask. I'd just like to get to know you."
"Do me a favor and don't," Frostmask growled, getting back to her paws to leave.
Clearly speaking to him wasn't worth her time.
"I have no reason to trust you. You're a stranger and my enemy," she said.
"And, isn't that a shame?" Paledusk asked, widening his eyes at her appealingly before she could stalk off. "Wouldn't it be better for us to be friends than enemies? For both us and our clans? There would be so much less fighting and bloodshed that way."
Frostmask blinked, her tail lashing in confusion.
"You'd say that even though Fennelstar and Sedgestar just got into that fight? Even though Sedgestar just threatened SkyClan with deadly force?" she asked.
"Well his reaction is completely understandable," Paledusk said with a shrug. "I'm sure I'd react similarly in his place."
Frostmask shook her ears, still trying to wrap her head around it.
"But, why?" she growled.
"I want to get to know my own blood, and I'd like to be able to help you," he meowed with a warm blink.
Frostmask's brow furrowed.
"So you'd be disloyal to your clan?" she pressed. "Like how you gave me the herbs even though it'd put your neck on the line?"
A shadow of a frown drifted over Paledusk's features.
"No. I won't betray SkyClan," he said. "As for why I gave you the herbs, I knew I had a lot of time and pain to make up for, and I wanted you to know that I was serious about doing so."
Paledusk purred, his charm and good humor returning.
"And, besides," he said. "Those herbs were for RiverClan, and I don't think either of us will be lamenting over those slimy eel-hearts."
Frostmask's tail twitched uncertainly.
"In fact, your loyalty to your adoptive clan is something that I admire about you," Paledusk continued. "I'd never ask you to betray them, and I'd hope you'd respect my loyalty to SkyClan the same. What I'm talking about is mutual gain. There is a way for both SkyClan and ShadowClan to benefit here."
Paledusk's ears twitched, and he lifted his head to glance over at the clearing. Frostmask followed his gaze. The remaining clans had almost all grouped separately now to wait for their leaders.
"But, I think it's time for us to depart now," Paledusk said as he stood. "Take time to think about it. And, meet me back here the night of the new-moon to give me your answer."
Frostmask blinked, but before she could even think of a response, Paledusk strode off, trotting over to the SkyClan group. Frostmask tail twitched as she turned, quickly slipping back over to ShadowClan.
Author's Note: Lots and lots of scheming this chapter… Thank you all for reading and reviewing!
Reviews:
There was a Book to Remember: Haha that's a great song! And, I agree with the sentiment… Paledusk isn't like overtly evil, but he's still like pretty terrible. But, I don't want to say much more about him though, so I don't give anything away. Although unfortunately I think Paledusk was the one doing the bullying as a kit and not the one being bullied lol. (Also your Dark Forest OC names all sound so cool!)
Stacy Rockfall: Yeah she's going through some rough times right now. And, Dampfang isn't pleased either… Thank you! You too :)
Brian.H.H: Yeah Darkpelt is mostly a stand-up guy. I mean, he's got his faults like everyone, but he definitely cares a lot for his clan. And, yeah you're spot on about Frostmask's thinking there! She just feels like she can't take the risk. About Redclaw, I think she's pretty hurt but she understands why Frostmask is being that way. Thanks! Catch you next time!
jason1777717: Yay! I'm glad to hear from you :)
SavvySpirit: I can't comment much on Sedgestar or Paledusk haha. But, as for Autumnleap, he's not giving up on his affection for Frostmask, but he's trying to be respectful of her emotions and of the fact that's she's trying to work through her issues, while also dealing with this new betrayal from Sedgestar. So, he isn't pushing her, but Frostmask definitely realizes this and appreciates it. (No spoilers, but: more development between them is coming soon…)