Chapter 4
A loud caterwaul drowned out protesting SpringClan cats. At this, Stormflower rolled over and grunted. Some cats needed to be silent; others were trying to sleep. Then, Stormflower knew she had to awake and see what was causing all the commotion.
The Clan was around Tallpine, with four cats on the Tallpine: Vixenstar, Poppyfire, and two rogue prisoners. The built black tom, was, as Stormflower recognized, the leader of the rogue skirmish! The other black, younger-looking tom must've been the son of the leader tom.
"You two cats have caused more trouble for this Clan than we've had in a while," spoke Vixenstar. "I see that you know that the territory you've lived on is neutral; it's no cat's land, but all the Clans."
The old, black tom cleared his throat and said, "I know I especially caused your… deputy, as you call it, to be injured." He gave a sympathetic glance to Poppyfire, and went on, saying, "My son and I wish…to join SpringClan. We need true order, to truly belong, and this Clan can give us that."
Mumblings of protest and a few aggravated yowls came from the Clan, silenced by a fierce glare from Poppyfire, "That's a load of mouse droppings! Why should two cats who were just battling our warriors be allowed to join SpringClan?", yowled Larkwing.
"You do have a point," Vixenstar agreed. "So, with that in mind, here's what I suggest. We let the two stay in camp for a week or two. If they prove to be loyal in that time, they can stay. Now, if they disobey any Clan rules during the two-week span of time, they go."
Tawnyrose was leaning forwards with keen interest in the older black tom. The announcement at Tallpine ended, but the she-cat still stared blankly. "Hi."
"Oh, wow, great StarClan! You surprised me. So you are happy to join a Clan, I take it?"
The black tom said, "Yeah, I'm definitely glad. I see you have a leader, deputy, and many warriors."
"Yeah; we also have queens and….."
"Queens? They don't do much, do they?", asked the tom.
"They do so! They raise our future warriors, and make sure that the Clan ways can be carried on in other cats!", Tawnyrose countered back.
"Ah, I see. By the way, I am Stonefeather. My father was from a Clan, but after he met my mother, he became a rogue."
"Ah, I was wondering how you had a Clan name," Tawnyrose commented. Tawnyrose walked away, and the black tom mumbled under his breath.
"Perfect," he cackled to himself.
Stormflower wanted to get away from it all. "Hey, wait up!" , called the young black tom.
"What do you want?" , growled Stormflower.
"Oh, well I wanted to talk. By the way, I'm …"
"I don't care who you are!" , Stormflower spat. The black tom looked down in embarrassment.
" What's your name, by the way?", Ember inquired. "My father's up to something, but I don't know what." What Ember was speaking was a lie, and Stormflower could see that the tom knew something. What was Stonefeather up to, and why did Ember care to mention it?
"I am Stormflower, and my brother is Falconclaw. My best friend is Tawnyrose." Ember nodded, and then walked off. Stormflower knew something was fishy about Stonefeather, especially now that Ember had said something. She had to tell Vixenstar about this…..and soon, too.