Chapter 6
Forestguard was trotting along beside Runningpaw, a slight
chill in the forest air. He felt a rush of elation as the frosty wind
brushed through his fur, proud to be attending his first Gathering
as a warrior.
He also looked forward to meeting his GrassClan friend,
Amberpaw. She was a brown tabby she-cat, named for her bright
amber eyes. At his first Gathering, she was the first cat from another
Clan that he met.
She had been friendly, and introduced him to several of the
other GrassClan apprentices. In turn, he had introduced her to his
friends. They had spent the evening getting to know each other and
their fellow Clanmates before the official meeting.
He sniffed the air as he waded through the shallow grass of the
marsh surrounding the Island. This was the meeting place the four
Clans had chosen long ago when they had settled at the field and
wood they lived in now.
The air smelled of prey, water, grass, and open air. There
was the smell of other cats, yes, but the scent was very faint. He
could tell that WoodClan was the first to arrive.
As they waited for the other three Clans to arrive, they generally
milled around and spoke amongst themselves. However, it was not
long before he caught the musty scent of GrassClan on the moorland
breeze. He quickly found Amberpaw in the throng of cats and padded
over to greet her.
"Hi, Amberpaw!" he meowed. "Guess what --"
"Ahem; Ambergaze now. I'm finally a warrior! Isn't that great,
Forestpaw?"
"Yeah, but... I'm Forestguard. We've both had a naming cere-
mony!"
"Wow, that is great! Hey, I think CanyonClan is coming."
He sniffed the air. Sure enough, the distinct scent of the canyon
cats was carried on the wind. He and Ambergaze walked over to greet
a group of CanyonClan warriors, and the night slowly passed.
"I wonder what's keeping RustClan?" Forestguard meowed.
"Usually, every Clan is here by now."
As if on cue, he heard paws splashing through the shallow marsh
around the Island. He looked up to see a red and white she-cat --
Redstar, the leader of RustClan -- leading a small group of warriors.
Personally, Forestguard was glad he was upwind; their stench was
horrid enough as it was!
Stonestar and Soilstar exchanged a few words with Redstar, and
then the four leaders and their deputies walked toward the center of the
small Gathering area.
Stonestar began the meeting. "To this full moon meeting of the
Clans, WoodClan brings two new warriors." He flicked his tail to
acknowledge he and his brother. "These two cats are now known as
Forestguard and Rockstorm. We also report that WoodClan is strong,
and the prey runs well."
"GrassClan has also promoted a new warrior," Stripestar meowed.
"This is Ambergaze. That is all we have to report."
Forestguard looked up at the sky, and stiffened in shock. The
moon was under the cover of clouds! A quick glance around the clearing
told him that several other cats had noticed it, too.
Briarfur seemed to notice as well, and she leaned forward to mew
reassuringly into his ear, "Now, you know it could just be weather; nothing
has happened at this Gathering so far."
Forestguard tried to smooth down the hairs on his hackles, and
return his attention to the leaders' announcements.
Soilstar continued. "...CanyonClan is as strong as ever, though
we have no special news to report. And what of RustClan, Redstar?"
Forestguard gave an inward mrrow of laughter, remembering what
Rockstorm had told him the day before. 'As strong as ever' really wasn't
that strong for CanyonClan.
"RustClan is thriving in a resource-rich territory. Many small animals
are also attracted to the shelter offered by the junkyard we have made our
home in. We are stronger than ever."
"So, if all announcements are concluded," meowed Stonestar, "then
this Gathering is over."
As the warriors gathered their began milling around, saying farewell
to their friends outside of their own Clans, a shrill, frightened yowl rang
through the night air, and a sour fear-scent flooded his nostrils.
"RustClan is attacking!"