Chapter 16

We had snuck out of camp easily. We found Snakeheart waiting for us.

"Hi," she greeted.

"This is my mentor, Boulderfang," I said. "He's here for my excuse why I was out and for protection. You know what lurks at these borders at night."

"You do?" Snakeheart asked.

"Yes. Now on with business," I said.

"Of course," Snakeheart said. "Things are getting really bad in SunClan. Lightstar isn't letting Molepaw become a warrior because he won't say a bad word against Silkshade."

"What? That has nothing to do with becoming a warrior," I said.

"I know. Grasstail has taken over his training on Lightstar's orders. Right now I have to do apprentice duties. I also get a retraining mentor. Coldclaw," Snakeheart said.

"That isn't right!" Boulderfang said.

"Tell that to Lightstar," Snakeheart said. "Brownclaw is pretending to agree with her to remain deputy. He believes any cat she'd choose at this point would ruin SunClan. I think Violetnose agrees."

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Not that I've heard. Brownclaw can't sneak me much information," Snakeheart said. "All I know is Lightstar is planning something. Something big. And it will mean war."

"And Silkshade will be trapped in the middle of it," I said. Snakeheart nodded.

We heard voices. The three of us crept closer.

"This war is going to happen," Flurrytail said. "And it will be the perfect way to get rid of our enemies without anyone questioning it."

"And it sounds like if we don't get rid of Silkshade by the end of it, Lightstar will," Coldclaw said.

"She has the right idea," Flurrytail said. "She is a much better leader than Wingstar."

"I just can't wait to spill some blood," Murderscar said.

We can't let them find us this time. I know Murderscar would have no hesitation.

"I scent someone," Coldclaw said. I froze. I felt Boulderfang stiffen beside me. "I know you're there, sister."

"You're no brother of mine," Snakeheart said.

"Thank you for your uninvited appearance. Please, make yourself comfortable," Coldclaw said. "You certainly aren't leaving."

"Actually, I am," Snakeheart said.

"The chances are not in your favor, even if you have Molepaw," Coldclaw said.

"I don't. I'm alone," Snakeheart said. "I may not have the strength of you three, but I have my wits."

She jumped into the stream and ran down it. Boulderfang and I snuck off as they were focused on her. We had to trust her to take care of herself.

"I'm not getting my paws wet," Flurrytail said. "I don't know where it goes anyway."

We picked up some prey on the way to make our story of going hunting seem true. We got back to camp no problem. I fell asleep easy that night.

...

I woke up in the morning. Duskpelt was assigning patrols.

"Hey, Deathpaw," he said. "Wingstar wants to see you."

I knew where this was going. I probably shouldn't have said those things to Lightstar. She was asking for it, though.

"Deathpaw, I figure you know what this is about," Wingstar said.

"What I said at the Gathering?" I guessed.

"Yes. What were you thinking?" Wingstar asked. "We are already on high tensions with them! And you probably made it ten times worse! You have a lot to learn if that's how you are treating leaders from another clan!"

"I'm sorry," I said. "Those were Boulderfang's exact words."

"I know it's frustrating. Lightstar should not be doing this," Wingstar said. "And it's probably hard for you with Silkshade missing. We can't let her get to us."

"I know," I said.

"You may go," Wingstar said.

I left there looking for Boulderfang. He probably had something for us to do today. I looked at the sky and wondered what Silkshade was doing right now.