Dawnheart padded through the fern tunnel after his Clanmates. His brain was buzzing with excitement and anxiety. He was about to go to his first gathering as a warrior!
Slatefang fell into step beside his denmate as the patrol streamed out into the forest.
"This is so exciting!" Dawnheart blurted out.
Slatefang caught Dawnheart's gaze with sparkling green eyes. The usually stoic warrior was alert and bright-eyed. His tail was kinked high over his back and he carried himself with squared shoulders and a straight back.
A grumpy voice called from behind Dawnheart
"Get a move on kits. You're in the way."
Dawnheart looked over his shoulder to see Spottedfur and Foxtail bringing up the rear of the patrol. The younger warriors slowed and moved to the side to let the she-cats pass.
Spottedfur flicked her companion over the ear.
"They aren't kits anymore, Foxtail." She turned and rested her amber gaze on Dawnheart. There was deep pride there. "They're warriors."
"Any cat that has seen less than five leaf-bares is a kit to me." Foxtail grumbled.
Spottedfur purred. "You grumpy old shrew."
Dawnheart caught Spottedfur's eyes and they shared a knowing look. The day that Foxtail stopped grumbling would be the day StarClan gained a new warrior.
Slatefang let the ginger elder shuffle past him. "After you." He said with a bow of his head.
"You're damn right." Foxtail muttered. She nosed her way through the undergrowth. Her white-tipped tail disappeared beneath the fronds and her muttering began to fade.
Spottedfur purred and glanced between Dawnheart and Slatefang.
"You're good boys." She said. Her eyes glowed.
Slatefang leaned over and gave Spottedfur a firm lick on the top of her head. The she-cat let out a loud purr.
"I should chase her down. StarClan knows she's not waiting for me." Spottedfur said. She waved her tail at the warriors and disappeared after her friend.
Slatefang and Dawnheart followed.
They caught up with the patrol as the cats were rounding the final bend in the river. Before them lay the vast glittering lake. The full moon shone brightly on the still surface of the water.
Dawnheart gazed at the perfect reflection. No matter how many times he saw this it would always take his breath away.
The CedarClan patrol spilled out over the bank and made their way across smooth, colorful stones to a small inlet where the shadowed forms of cats were flitting about on the bank.
As the patrol drew closer to the rest of the cats, Blizzardstar and Whiteshade broke off from the group and leapt across the water to a mound of gray stones about a fox-length from the water's edge. The two large white cats sat among the other Clan leaders and deputies that were waiting there.
Dawnheart and Slatefang joined the rest of their Clanmates among the other Clans.
"Dawnpaw! Slatepaw!" a familiar voice called out from a group of younger cats huddled beside the steep embankment.
Dawnheart looked to see who had spoken. It was Wingpaw, a black WillowClan tom who Dawnheart had met a few gatherings ago. He and Slatefang padded over to the group of what looked like apprentices and young warriors and settled down on their haunches.
"Actually, it's Dawnheart and Slatefang now." Dawnheart mewed. He puffed out his chest.
Wingpaw's eyes grew wide.
"Congratulations!" Wingpaw said. His yellow eyes sparkled. He sat up straighter. "I'm a warrior too. My name is Wingshadow."
Dawnheart's tail curled in delight. "That's fantastic!"
Slatefang nodded. "Well done."
"How is WillowClan?" Dawnheart cheerfully mewed to Wingshadow.
Wingshadow's reaction was not what Dawnheart had expected. The WillowClan warrior shrugged. "Fine." He mewed curtly.
Before Dawnheart could respond a loud yowl sounded from behind them.
"The gathering will now begin!" Griffonstar, PineClan's leader, had called for attention.
Dawnheart and Slatefang shuffled on their hind paws to face the Greatrocks. Dawnheart glanced over at Wingshadow, but the black tom's expression was calm and attentive.
The chatter around the inlet died down under Griffonstar's sharp yellow gaze. The dark ginger she-cat was crouched at the edge of a sharp rock balanced at the top of the Great Rocks.
Her deputy, Beartooth, was sitting just below her. His dark eyes swept around the clearing. A silent dare shone in his gaze.
Griffonstar began the meeting with the usual reports of new warriors and kits.
Dawnheart joined the four Clans as they raised their voices in celebration of StarClan's gifts. A shudder passed down his spine. Soon these voices would be welcoming him to the rank of warrior.
Dawnheart nudged Slatefang with his shoulder and caught his eye. Slatefang looked apprehensive. Perhaps he was just nervous.
"…The fox may have passed into your territory, Eaglestar." Griffonstar was saying. She turned and dipped her head to Eaglestar, the new leader of AlderClan.
"Thank you for the warning." Eaglestar said.
Dawnheart watched the golden tabby, curious. Palestar had always been the face of AlderClan to Dawnheart. This new cat looked strange. He was a large, commanding presence unlike his predecessor who had become quite frail in his old age.
Griffonstar finished her report with a flick of her tail. She stepped back and nodded at the other leaders.
Before Blizzardstar or Cougarstar could move, Eaglestar rose to his sturdy paws. He took a few steps to the edge of the rock and sat. His golden tabby pelt shone in the moonlight. Silence fell over the Clans.
"Cats of all Clans." Eaglestar rumbled. "As you know, last moon our beloved leader, Palestar, returned to StarClan. I can only hope that I live up to his great legacy."
The large tom bowed his head in a moment of silence for his lost leader.
Every cat fell quiet.
Dawnheart had never heard such a complete silence before. Palestar had been well loved and respected among all four Clans. Dawnheart felt a pang of grief for AlderClan. He couldn't imagine any cat replacing Blizzardstar in his heart.
Eaglestar let the moment stretch on for a few more heartbeats before he began again.
"AlderClan has but one announcement; I have chosen Riverwhisper as my deputy."
An excited murmur rippled through the crowd as cats looked around to spot the new deputy. A gray tabby she-cat rose to her paws from beside a group of AlderClan warriors. She made her way up the rock pile and settled beside Beartooth and Whiteshade.
A cry rose up from the AlderClan warriors, getting louder with every heartbeat. Soon every cat was chanting.
"Palestar! Eaglestar! Riverwhisper!" It was a rare moment in Clan life where Clan boundaries and rivalries were thrown to the wind. Every voice rose in excitement, sorrow, and joy.
Dawnheart noticed something that made his heart wither.
Cougarstar was sitting with her eyes half closed, muzzle shut, looking almost bored. Her deputy, Owlears, was also looking nonplussed. Her mouth moved along with the cries of the Clans, but there was no sincerity in her posture.
Dawnheart was shocked.
"Look at Cougarstar!" He hissed to Slatefang as the noise died down.
Slatefang narrowed his eyes at the WillowClan leader.
"Such disrespect." Slatefang shook his head, his neck fur rising in anger.
Dawnheart glanced over at Wingshadow. The young warrior was avoiding looking up at the Great Rocks. His ears were folded back and his tail was twitching. He was clearly ashamed of his leader's behavior.
Dawnheart looked around at other WillowClan cats. Most of them were watching Eaglestar with respectful attentiveness, but there were a few who were muttering to one another.
"Blizzardstar is going to speak." Slatefang hissed.
Dawnheart snapped his attention back to the Greatrock. Eaglestar was backing away from the edge of the rock and Blizzardstar was rising to his paws.
"CedarClan fully welcomes you, Eaglestar and Riverwhisper. May StarClan light your paths." Blizzardstar nodded to each cat in turn.
Dawnheart felt a swell of pride for his leader. Blizzardstar was truly a cat with integrity.
"CedarClan has new warriors to announce." Blizzardstar went on.
Dawnheart stiffened. This was it! All troubled thoughts of Cougarstar left his mind. He felt Slatefang shiver beside him.
"We welcome Slatefang and Dawnheart tonight."
"Dawnheart!" Slatefang leapt to his paws and cried out his friend's name.
Dawnheart's chest swelled with pride and excitement. He stood as well and yowled forSlatefang.
Soon the air was filled with shouts for the new warriors.
Dawnheart knew that not every cat was saying his name. In fact, he could hear several voices pointedly only saying Slatefang's name, but he didn't mind. Slatefang was next to him and Blizzardstar was watching him with pride in his gaze.
After the noise had gone for a few heartbeats, Blizzardstar lifted his tail for silence.
"Yes, well done." He purred. "However, we have more solemn news as well." The huge white tom turned to Cougarstar.
A hush fell over the Clans.
Dawnheart's feeling of pride faded. A sense of foreboding replaced it. He knew this had to happen, but his anxiety was making it hard to imagine it ending well.
"Three sunrises ago our trade envoy was denied an exchange at the WillowClan border. The resulting incident resulted in the near deaths of one of my warriors, and the grave injury of an apprentice." Blizzardstar began.
Dawnheart was vaguely aware of gasps and muttering from the gathered Clans. He kept his eyes fixed on Blizzardstar's calm figure.
"Cougarstar, I ask you, do you condone the actions of your warriors? Has the free trade we have cultivated for moons come to an end?" The CedarClan leader fixed his peer with a penetrating gaze.
Dawnheart was impressed by his leader's bold words. He held his breath, waiting for Cougarstar's response.
The brown she-cat looked at Blizzardstar through narrowed eyes. She licked a black paw and slowly drew it over her whiskers. She rose to her paws.
"You failed to mention the reason my warriors refused trade."
Dawnheart clenched his jaw. He knew this was coming. A loud noise of frustration escaped Slatefang's jaws. Various mutterings of confusion and intrigue rippled through the Gathering.
Blizzardstar twitched an ear but did not react.
"There was no reason. We offered you no threat. We are at peace." Blizzardstar's voice was level, but there was blue fire in his eyes.
Cougarstar didn't respond right away. Instead, she looked down from her perch to eye the angry cats in the crowd.
"I do not wish to be at peace with a Clan that does not follow the warrior code."
An uproar of angry yowls burst from the waiting CedarClan cats.
"How dare you!"
Dawnheart jumped as Slatefang leapt to his paws beside him. The tabby warrior's eyes were blazing with anger.
"Slatefang, stop!" Dawnheart hissed, but his plea fell on deaf ears. He had never seen Slatefang so angry before.
All of his claws were out and digging into the sandy shore. His fur was bushed out all over his body. He looked twice his size.
Dawnheart instinctively backed away from his friend.
"Silence!" Blizzardstar yowled. The clamor died down again.
Dawnheart kept his eyes on Slatefang. His anger had not dimmed.
"I resent that implication, Cougarstar." Blizzardstar said. His voice was still calm, but his words were growing clipped. "Could you elaborate?"
Cougarstar wrapped her tail around her paws. "A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet." she recited. She shot a glare at Blizzardstar. "How can you say you are a true warrior if you have openly accepted a kittypet into your warrior's den?"
Mutters broke out among the gathered cats. Many eyes flickered over Dawnheart like the pricks of thorns. He tried to ignore them.
"Dawnheart has fully embraced the life of a warrior. He has been branded with the warrior's mark and StarClan themselves gave me his name." Blizzardstar's words were impactful, but quick. He was losing his patience.
"So you say." Cougarstar said, eyes narrowing.
"You would call Blizzardstar a liar?" Whiteshade growled from his perch slightly below the leaders. Cougarstar ignored him.
She fixed Blizzardstar with a firm stare. "It is my right to decide who I trade with. I no longer wish to support your Clan, Blizzardstar. I am willing to reconsider if you show a willingness to recommit to the spirit of the warrior code." Her pale eyes drifted down to where Dawnheart sat, frozen.
Blizzardstar was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was low with anger. "If that is what you wish, Cougarstar, then I cannot stop you."
"Blizzardstar," Eaglestar said. He looked frustrated on his fellow leader's behalf. Griffonstar hadn't reacted at all.
Blizzardstar paid Eaglestar no heed. Instead he spoke to Cougarstar, who continued to look petulant.
"But," Blizzardstar continued, "If another of your warriors dares to set paw on my territory or my cats again, we will no longer have peace."
Cougarstar sneered but did not answer.
Blizzardstar turned away from Cougarstar and back to the gathering.
"CedarClan is well fed and strong. We look to the future with hope and confidence." Blizzardstar flicked his ears and turned away from the edge of the rock.
A wave of muttering broke out after Blizzardstar finished.
Dawnheart took the chance to move closer to Slatefang. He brushed his flank to the gray warrior's side.
Slatefang shot Dawnheart a glance from smoldering eyes.
"It's okay." Dawnheart soothed. "CedarClan will be okay."
"I'm sick of it." Slatefang 's voice was distressed rather than angry. He caught Dawnheart's eye. "They can't keep treating us like this."
Dawnheart opened his mouth to reply but nothing came to his tongue. Guilt washed over him. This was his fault. Was his Clan tiring of standing up for him? He looked down at his paws. He felt tired.
"WillowClan is strong and our claws are sharp." Cougarstar yowled above the chattering crowd. They fell silent once more.
"We welcome two new warriors here tonight; Wingshadow and Spottedowl!" Cougarstar raised her tail and began the chant to welcome the new warriors.
The reception was scattered and lukewarm. Many cats were still muttering about Cougarstar and Blizzardstar's argument.
Dawnheart raised his yowl loudly and clearly for Wingshadow and Spottedowl. He felt bad for them. Every warrior deserved to be welcomed by all four Clans.
After the chant died down, Cougarstar continued. "Each moon we grow stronger. We will fight for our Clan if need be." She made to jump down from the rocks without another word.
Owlears leapt to her paws and followed. Cougarstar landed on the bank and, without looking, waved her tail at her Clanmates for them to follow. The WillowClan cats rose to their paws and followed their leader.
Wingshadow jumped to his paws and nodded at Dawnheart and Slatefang before hurrying away. Cougarstar was already out of sight. She seemed completely uninterested in letting her cats keep up.
Dawnheart saw that a WillowClan elder was struggling to stand up among the slippery pebbles. Wingshadow fell back and helped the old she-cat to her paws and across the bank.
Soon WillowClan was gone and the inlet was left in quiet disbelief.
After a few heartbeats the remaining cats began to move about and talk to one another. Dawnheart breathed a sigh of relief.
Dawnheart looked up to see Hawkpaw and Crowpaw approaching. Two PineClan apprentices followed. Hawkpaw's steps were lively and his eyes glowed. Crowpaw brought up the rear.
"I thought Blizzardstar was going to claw Cougarstar's ears!" Hawkpaw exclaimed.
Crowpaw rolled his eyes as he sat down next to Dawnheart. "Not during the truce, mousebrain." He said.
Hawkpaw ignored his brother and plopped down.
The two PineClan cats sat as well.
All eyes fell on Dawnheart.
"What really happened at the river?" Flamepaw, one of the PineClan cats, asked.
Dawnheart gave a brief explanation of the confrontation.
Flamepaw and his Clanmate, Pebblepaw, listened intently. When Dawnheart was finished, Flamepaw shook his head.
"What a foolish reason to stop trade," he said. "Who knows what unintended consequences this will have?"
Pebblepaw nodded vigorously.
Dawnheart felt relieved that cats of other Clans were coming to the same conclusion. Cougarstar's actions were worrisome to say the least.
"I know PineClan stands with you." Flamepaw rested his tail on Dawnheart's shoulder.
Dawnheart dipped his head at the apprentice. Flamepaw had to be only about a half-moon younger than Dawnheart, but he showed wisdom for his age. Being the deputy's apprentice had given him moons of extra experience.
"Beartooth told me that Cougarstar became leader much too early." Flamepaw continued. "She was a young deputy when Runningstar was killed. A lot of the older warriors think she's too inexperienced to lead."
"Not to mention she handed her littermate the deputyship." Hawkpaw added with a sniff. "She's insulated herself from criticism."
Crowpaw blinked at his brother. His mouth was half-open.
"What?" Hawkpaw straightened his back. "I know stuff."
The group of young cats chatted for a little while longer. Dawnheart didn't join in. He let his worries flutter about in his head. Leaf-bare was fast approaching. CedarClan couldn't afford to be dragged into a war with WillowClan over something so trivial. And what were they going to do without catmint?
Dawnheart was jolted out of his thoughts by the arrival of a gray tabby PineClan warrior. He waved his tail at Flamepaw and Pebblepaw.
"Griffonstar says we should get going." The tabby said.
Pebblepaw and Flamepaw stood.
"It was nice to meet you." Flamepaw mewed. He dipped his head to the CedarClan warriors.
Dawnheart and Slatefang nodded back. The PineClan cats padded away to join the rest of their Clanmates.
Griffonstar raised her tail and led the Clan away through the thicker trees at the opposite side of the bank.
Hawkpaw rose to his paws and stretched. "What a night!" he said. His gray eyes were sparkling.
Crowpaw flicked an ear but didn't pause cleaning his tail. Slatefang just grunted and looked away. Dawnheart purred weakly.
Hawkpaw seemed unaffected by his companions' apathy.
"CedarClan! Let's go." Whiteshade's deep yowl rose over the small crowd of remaining cats.
Dawnheart, Slatefang, and Crowpaw stood and waited for the rest of the Clan to gather. Once every cat was present Blizzardstar dipped his head to Eaglestar and moved to the head of his patrol.
The Clan padded along the shore towards the cover of the trees, Dawnheart and Slatefang taking up the rear. Just ahead, Blackmoth was walking beside Foxtail who was talking animatedly to the warrior. Blackmoth shot a helpless look over her shoulder. Dawnheart purred and waved his tail. Blackmoth flattened her ears and gave a fake snarl before turning back to Foxtail and her ramblings.
A familiar speckled pelt split away from the patrol and waited at the edge of the group. Spottedfur waved her tail at Dawnheart and Slatefang as they approached. When they reached her, she fell into step beside them. Together they set out across the pebbly beach and towards the forest's edge.
The trio padded briskly along the CedarClan WillowClan border. The narrow river flowed inside of WillowClan's borders here. The CedarClan scent line followed the bank and joined with the river further upstream. The stony ground beneath Dawnheart's paws was firm with cold. He stepped lightly over a sharp looking rock
They reached an overhang of tangled roots and soil and took turns jumping up and onto the hillock.
Dawnheart hovered at the edge as Spottedfur clambered up the small cliff. After much grunting she dragged herself up and shook out her pelt.
"Bless my whiskers but that was exciting." She puffed. "There hasn't been such a lively Gathering in ages!"
"Aren't you worried about what this means for CedarClan? We won't have any catmint for leaf-bare." Dawnheart said, letting his worries out.
Spottedfur shrugged. "CedarClan has managed worse before, and we always came out just fine. Besides, maybe some conflict will do us good! A warrior can get too complacent, you know."
Dawnheart couldn't help but be cheered by the ageing queen's enthusiasm. "Don't get too worked up, now." He chirruped. "Save some energy for the trip home."
Spottedfur flicked her tail across his muzzle. "I'm not that old." She scolded. Her eyes sparkled with good humor. "In fact, I feel younger than I have in moons!"
As if to prove her point, Spottedfur stopped in her tracks and sank into a hunting crouch.
Dawnheart slowed to a stop, curious. The old queen's ears were perked and her tail was twitching. Dawnheart followed her eye line and saw what she had spotted.
A mouse had emerged from beneath some leaf litter. Its tiny brown nose quivered as it sensed for danger. The warriors were downwind. The mouse didn't have a chance.
Dawnheart held up his tail for Slatefang to stop. He did.
They watched as Spottedfur crept forward on light paws. It had been some time since the queen had been hunting, but her crouch was still very good. She slid forward. Her rounded belly brushed the ground.
The rustle caused the mouse to bolt. Spottedfur sprang after it.
Dawnheart jumped. "Spottedfur, wait!"
The queen didn't stop. She was too engaged in the hunt. She leapt after the fleeing creature with renewed vigor.
Slatefang darted after her. Dawnheart followed.
His belly lurched as Spottedfur, too focused on her mouse, sped down the bank and crossed the WillowClan border. She gave one final leap and flattened the mouse under her paws.
Dawnheart and Slatefang reached her as she readied herself for the killing bite.
"Stop! You crossed the border." Slatefang called. He was looking around, his tail twitching.
"Did I?" Spottedfur looked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened. "Oh, mousedung." She released the mouse. It shot away from her claws.
Dawnheart's belly wriggled. There was no sign of WillowClan. They could slip away without consequence.
"It was a mistake." He said. He tried to keep the concern from his voice. His ears flicked back and forth. It felt weird to be on another Clan's territory. "Let's go before- "
A loud yowl interrupted Dawnheart's words. The CedarClan cats looked up to see a full WillowClan patrol emerging from the undergrowth on the other side of the river.
Dawnheart's belly lurched. They had been caught.
Spottedfur shrank beside him.
A large tabby tom with a twisted tail shouldered his way to the front of the patrol. Dawnheart's stomach lurched as he recognized Twistedroot. A small calico apprentice jumped to his side.
"Prey stealers!" she shrieked.
"It was a mistake," Slatefang hissed.
Twistedroot looked from Slatefang to Spottedfur. He drew his lips back in a terrible snarl.
"Then you'll pay for it."