Chapter 4
Shadepaw's Future
Three moons later, leaf-fall was just starting, and Dawnclan was growing stronger. Rowanstar walked out of her den as the sun set behind her. She was about to name three apprentices, Wolfpaw, Lightningpaw, and Squirrelpaw as warriors. She jumped up on the willow branch above her den, and then called for the clan to gather. "All cats old enough see the world gather in font of my den for a Clan meeting." He words echoed out over the camp, and she saw the cats begin to respond to her call. Once they were all present, she called out over the small crowd. "Wolfpaw, Lightningpaw, Squirrelpaw, please step forward." The three apprentices stepped forward. Wolfpaw looked content, like he was expecting this, but Lightningpaw was totally surprised, and Squirrelpaw looked excited. Rowanstar smiled, and then continued. "I, Rowanstar, leader of Dawnclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these three apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your code and I commend them to you as warriors. Wolfpaw, Lightningpaw, and Squirrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Wolfpaw smiled slightly, looking silently confident. "I do," he meowed. His eyes gleamed, showing his pride. Rowanstar nodded.
She turned to Lightningpaw. He sat staring at his paws, looking nervous, and for a brief moment Rowanstar wondered if something was wrong. He then looked up to meet her gaze, and with the same confidence as Wolfpaw. "I do," he meowed. Rowanstar nodded again.
She turned to the last apprentice, the only she-cat of the three. Squirrelpaw smiled wide as she nodded and said, "I do." Rowanstar nodded to the young she-cat as a smile spread of her her maw.
"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warriors names: Wolfpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Wolfheart. Starclan honors you for your kind heart and confidence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Dawnclan." Wolfheart bowed his head respectfully, and Rowanstar touched her nose to his bowed head.
She then turned to Lightningpaw. "Lightningpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Lightningpelt. Starclan honors you for your bravery and honesty, and welcomes you as a full warrior of Dawnclan." She touched her nose to his head too, and then turned to Squirrelpaw once more.
"Squirrelpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Squirreltail. Starclan honors you for your fighting spirit, and for you courage, and welcomes you as a full warrior of Dawnclan." As she touched her nose to the red she-cat's head, the clan began calling out the knew warrior's names. "As is tradition, these new warriors must stand vigil tonight while we sleep. It will start once the sun has disappeared beyond the horizon, so be ready, you three." She then dismissed the clan as she jumped down from the willow branch she sat in. She watched as her deputy, Sabblestorm, padded up to the three knew warriors and meowed his congratulations. When he moved away, Rowanstar padded up to him. "Sablestorm, tomorrow, I would like you to take our newest warriors on a patrol. It will be a good thing for them go on a patrol now that they're warriors."
"Of course, Rowanstar. I bet they will be very happy to go." he then smiled. "I bet they'll want to sleep first."
Rowanstar rolled her eyes, allowing her formal demeanor to fall as his did. "Duh, furball," she joked. "I expected you would have already known that." She had always been close to her deputy; they had trained together, and Rowanstar was only a few moons older than him.
He laughed. "I'll send them out on the midday patrol," he informed her.
"The morning patrol I'll handle," Rowanstar said. When she noticed his surprised expression, she said, "I feel as if I'm always just sitting around camp, giving orders. I've decided I'm going to go on a boarder patrol at least once a moon. Most of the time I'll stay here like I do to take care of issues, but I don't always want to be cramped up."
He nodded slowly. "Alright, I think that should be okay. On the ones you go, I'll stay behind, so there's someone to run the camp when your gone," he meowed. She nodded. After a pause, he added, "Want to share some prey with me?"
She smiled at her old friend. "Sure." He nodded, and then padded over to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed a large piece of prey. He brought it back over to her, and the two ate the prey. As they did, they chatted about different things, mainly the state of the three clans. So far, peace had remained amongst them, but she had noticed many patrols on both Duskclan and Chanceclan's boarders. Clearly they did not trust each other, and it made her nervous. She would prefer to not have her clan stuck in the middle of their fighting.
"Hey, Rowanstar, you in there?" Sablestorm meowed. She blinked, realizing she had accidentally tuned out the tortoiseshell tom. She felt her fur grow a little hot with embarrassment.
"Sorry. Did you say something?" she meowed apologetically.
"Yeah, I asked what you think of Chanceclan," Sablestorm meowed.
"Oh... you already know what I think," she replied.
"I'm asking for your honest opinion, the one you haven't told anybody. The one you wouldn't dare tell the clan," Sablestorm insisted.
She sighed, knowing what he meant. Beyond her usual nice demeanor, there was things she felt that she rarely told anyone. "To be honest, Sablestorm, the kind of scare me... but I know Starclan sent them. Over time, I think I will get used to them," she told him softly.
"It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels that way," Sablestorm meowed. He seemed a bit relieved. The two fell into silence as they finished the prey. "I'm going to go visit Rippleshine, see how she's doing," Sabblestorm eventually said. Rowanstar nodded, and watched as he stood and headed towards the nursery. Alone, her thoughts wandered. She thought of Chanceclan again, and Duskclan's obvious hostility towards them. She figured if they did start fighting, the two clans would expect her clan to take a side. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, she thought as she stood and walked to her den. She curled up in her nest and slowly dozed.
The next morning, Rowanstar padded out of her den and moved towards the three warriors sitting in the middle of the camp. "You can speak now," she informed them, "How did it go?"
"It was silent, as expected," Wolfheart meowed. "No enemy warriors, no animal attacks, no strange visits from Starclan." His tone held just a hint of sarcasm. Lightningpelt stretched next to him, yawning. Squirreltail moved to stand next to her fellow warriors, looking sleepy.
"Get some sleep," Rowanstar meowed. She could tell the three needed it.
"Thank you," Squirreltail exclaimed, before hurrying to the apprentice's den. She then paused, and turned away. "I guess we don't sleep in here anymore, do we." She then moved across the camp and tentatively stuck her nose inside of the warrior's den. The two toms followed her, leaving Rowanstar alone. After a few moments, she followed them into the warriors den. Weaving her way carefully through the sleeping forms, she found Sandstone, Braveheart, and Silverwing. When she reached each warrior's side, she nosed their shoulders gently. Sablestorm had established this as a way to tell cats they were wanted for a patrol. That way, no talking was required, and the other cats sleeping in the den wouldn't have to be waken. She padded out just as silently, and waited with her tail wrapped around her paws for the warriors to join her.
After a few moments, Silverwing stepped out of the den. She stretched as the sun gleamed off of her silver pelt. She looked around, skimming the camp for a minute, and then her eyes landed on Rowanstar. She tilted her head to one side, looking lightly confused. "Rowanstar? Where's Sablestorm?" she asked. Clearly the she-cat hadn't expected Rowanstar. As the silver warrior spoke, Braveheart and Sandstone stepped out of the den to join Rowanstar and Silverwing.
"Sablestorm's still sleeping. I'm going to lead the patrol today; I've decided the leader should do more than sleep in her den and give orders," she explained. She then stood and headed towards the camp entrance, flicking her tail for the others to follow as she did.
The four cats padded through the chilly leaf-fall morning. They followed the boarder, starting on the side with no clan. Eventually, they made their way up and around, past Chanceclan's territory, and then came to the boarder they shared with Duskclan. As she approached the boarder, Rowanstar paused to scent the air. She could smell Duskclan's foul stench. Most was stale, but some was very recent. No, not recent, current. There's Duskclan cats nearby, she realized. She continued along the boarder, keeping her eyes opened for those Duskclan warriors. Eventually, she noticed a group of cats moving towards her on Duskclan's side. She eyed the warriors, recognizing most of them. Then, her eyes landed on the warrior at the front. She knew him immediately. Silverwing stepped forward next to her. "Shadepaw?" she murmured as she stared at the young black tom at the head of the group.
Shadepaw's ears flicked in irritation. "It's Shadestorm now," he meowed curtly.
"You joined Duskclan?" Silverwing meowed. Rowanstar knew why the she-cat was so distressed; she was the dark warrior's mother. "Why?" she sounded disappointed, or, more accurately, hurt.
"Because they accepted me! They knew who actually killed the queen and her kits; it was a rouge, Jade, who they recently chased from their territory," Shadestorm explained.
Rowanstar blinked, surprised by his words. Clearly, the warriors with her were also surprised by this. "But..." Silverwing mumbled, "The blood... and the fur in your claws..."
"That was there because I fought the rouge. He was the same color as Hazelleaf; every cat with me can confirm it," Shadestorm meowed. "I wouldn't kill an innocent mother and kit. Not for something as simple as a fight between me and her kit. The kit that died wasn't even the kit that I argued with."
For a while, the cats stood silently on the boarder. "Why didn't you tell us this earlier?" Rowanstar asked when she couldn't stand the silence anymore. "We wouldn't have sent you away..."
"I didn't tell you because... I wasn't thinking strait. I had really been in a battle like that before... and the death of my clan-mates really shook me... all the blood... their cold bodies..." Shadestorm said softly, his silver eyes looking haunted.
Rowanstar sighed shakily, realizing the huge mistake she had made. "I'm sorry Shadestorm... I... I had no idea... I would gladly welcome you back into the clan."
At this, Shadestorm's ears lay flat against his head. "I don't want back. nobody will trust me and that clan of yours now. You realize that, right? You've ruined any chance I had at happiness there. I'm fine where I'm at, in Duskclan," he hissed.
Rowanstar swallowed hard. She knew right away that Cinderstar would use this to his advantage against Dawnclan. "Well... um, if you change your mind, the offer stands." She then turned to her clan and meowed, "Let's keep going; we still have a lot of distance to go before night falls."
Just as the sun was setting two nights later, Rowanstar was munching on a peace of prey when Sablestorm comes running into camp. "Rowanstar," he mutters, breathless, "There's Duskclan warriors at the boarder, demanding to see you. They say if you don't come, they're going to march strait here."
She stood up instantly. "Let's grab some warriors. How many were there with them?"
"There's several. Whispspirit, Thornmouth, Shadestorm, Adderstripe, even Cinderstar showed up. There are a couple others I don't know," Sablestorm said in reply.
"Alright. Grab Sandstone, Wolfheart, Gingerclaw, Braveheart, and Silver- no, not Silverwing. I'm not going to make her fight her son... bring Lightningpelt too," Rowanstar instructed. Sablestorm nodded, disappeared into the warrior's den, and returned with the requested warriors. Together, the seven warriors ran to the boarder. They paused before reaching the boarder, and peered out at the waiting cats. "Alright, lets go. Try not to act hostile; I would rather prevent a war if I can. Let them attack first, if it must happen." Rowanstar stood up strait, her head and tail held high, making it clear who was in charge of the warriors next to her and the territories behind her. "Cinderstar? What is the meaning of this? You do realize you have no right to demand to see me."
"I have every right, when one of your warriors murder my deputy," the tom growled, glaring at Rowanstar.
"How dare you accuse my warriors of murder! Do you have any proof?" Rowanstar asked coldly.
"Shaestorm, my new deputy, witnessed the cat's death, at the hands of one of your warriors. Lightningpelt, was it?" Cinderstar meowed, as he glanced at Shadestorm. The dark tom nodded his agreement. Cinderstar turned back to Rowanstar, looking furious.
"I did not kill Willowwhisp!" Lightningpelt hissed from amongst the Dawnclan ranks. Rowanstar heard Sablestorm hush him. "No! I will not be blamed for this crime!"
Shadestorm sighed. "Lightningpelt, you were my friend when I still lived in your clan, but I cannot let this go. Why did you do it? Were you trying to start a war?" The dark tom looked distressed as he stared at Lightningpelt.
"I didn't do it!" Lightningpelt exclaimed. Rowanstar stared at Shadestorm, seriously starting to wonder if he was telling the truth. He eyed Lightningpelt for a little while longer, and then dropped his head, shaking it a bit in sadness. Rowanstar blinked, about to believe him, and then noticed the slight smile on his face. Realization dawned. He's setting Lightningpelt up. She had no clue why the former Dawnclaner would do something like that, but she had no doubt that he had dropped his head to try and hide the smile.
"I demand justice. Lightningpelt must die for his crimes," Cinderstar demanded.
"You have no right to demand this, and I do not believe the word of one cat of an enemy clan. I will fight for Lightningpelt's life if I must, but I would prefer us to move on," Rowanstar meowed calmly.
"What about Willowhisp! I want justice for his death!" Cinderstar growled.
"Justice? The death of an innocent warrior wouldn't be justice. I'm warning you, Cinderstar, I will not allow you to harm one of my warriors," Rowanstar replied. Though her tone remained calm, the threat in her words was clear.
"So be it," Cinderstar murmured, and, to Rowanstar's surprise, turned and walked away, signalling for his warriors to follow. She had been certain that it would have lead to fighting. As she watched them leave, she dismiss the feeling that she hadn't seen the last of this. She then turned, and with a flick of her tail, started back towards her own camp.
"Are you sure we're doing the right thing?" Sablestorm muttered as walked up next to her. "We have no more proof then them that Lightningpelt didn't kill Willowhisp."
"I am certain," Rowanstar clipped.
"How?" Sablestorm pushed.
She stopped, and turned to face her deputy. "Because I saw the look in Shadestorm's eyes as he called Lightningstorm a murderer. He was lying. Staclan strike me down now if he wasn't." She sighed. "I don't trust him. He seemed so smug, and confident. We caught him for murder once, there's nothing saying he won't do it again. He's planning something, and I don't like it."
Sablestorm fell silent. Rowanstar turned away, and started back towards camp. When she reached the camp, Heatherwhisker approached her, a troubled look in her eyes. "Heatherwhisker?" Rowanstar meowed, "Is something wrong?"
"I need to talk to you alone, right away, Rowantstar," Heatherwhisker replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"To the treetops, then." Rowanstar padded towards the tree above her den, and the medicine cat followed. After climbing up into the high branches of the willow, Rowanstar sat down, and turned towards Heatherwhisker. "What is it that you need to tell me?"
Heatherwhisker plopped down with a sigh. "Rowanstar, Starclan visited me today."
"Really? Did they have something to say?" the tabby she-cat meowed back.
"Yes, and none of it was good," Heatherwhisker whispered.
"Tell me," Rowanstar demanded, nervousness coursing through her.
"They gave me a prophecy..." Heatherwhisker paused, and then she shifted her gaze away from the leader. She took on a far off look, and then started to softly meow the words Starclan had told her. "Darkness approaches, that will engulf the forest. Dawn cannot break the darkness, and Dusk always gives away to midnight. There is a Chance to save the clans, but fear of something unknown may prevent this Chance. If left unchallenged, an eternal night will rule."
Chilling silence fell over the two she-cats. After a moment, Heatherwhisker meowed, "Rowanstar, what could this darkness be?"
Rowanstar looked up to meet her medicine cat's gaze, and meowed one word; "Shadestorm."
ALLIANCES
Dawnclan
Leader
Rowanstar- Brown tabby she-cat with white markings and golden eyes.
Deputy
Sablestorm - Tortoiseshell tom with golden eyes. Apprentice, Owlpaw
Medicine Cat
Heatherwhisker - Dark copper tabby she-cat with white markings.
Warriors
Sandstone - Sand colored tom.
Wolfheart - Dark gray and black tortoiseshell tom with blue-gray eyes.
Gingerclaw - Ginger colored tom.
Braveheart - Once timid black she-cat.
Lightningpelt - golden tabby tom.
Silverwing - Pretty silver she-cat with a small scar above her eye.
Squirreltail - squirrel colored she-cat.
Apprentices
Owlpaw - Tan tom with a white belly, chest, and chin. He has pale blue eyes.
Queens
Rippleshine - Siamese she-cat.(mate- Sablestorm Kits- Gingerkit, Silverkit, Gentlekit, Sandkit)
Elders
Cloudedeyes - old gray she-cat. Blind.
Duskclan
Leader
Cinderstar - Broad shouldered dark gray tabby tom.
Deputy
Shadestorm - Black tom with dark eyes.
Medicine Cat
Moonsoul - Dark blue point she-cat with pale blue eyes.
Warriors
Whispspirit - Blue and white tabby she-cat with gray eyes.
Thornmouth - Older, battle scarred brown tom with a very short temper. Apprentice, Clovepaw
Adderstripe - Brown tom with markings that resemble a snake, and a sandy belly and paws.
Apprentices
Clovepaw- Dark brown tabby tom.
Chanceclan
Leader
Fallstar- Completely black she-cat with golden eyes and a long, jagged scar along her left side.
Deputy
Oakfur- Dark brown tabby tom with yellow-green eyes and a scar across his chest.
Medicine Cat
Aquasky - Long haired blue she-cat with yellow eyes.
Warriors
Mystictail - dark blue, almost black she-cat. She looks black with a blue sheen. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Poppypaw
Wolfclaw - Brown and gray tom with long, abnormal sized claws. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Quickpaw
Brakenclaw - Bracken colored tortoiseshell tom. Senior warrior.
Darksong - Black she-cat and sister of Fallstar. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Reefpaw
Maplefur -Red tabby she-cat with aqua eyes. She's blind in one eye, and a scar crosses that side of her face.
Shadowleap - Black and gray tom. Fallstar's brother.
Singinglark - beautiful golden tabby she-cat with a white chest, belly and paws, and piercing, icy blue eyes.
Firestripe - brown tom with white and orange calico-like markings and green eyes.
Echocliff - gray tom with dark blue eyes.
Shadedmoon - Shadedmoon is a long-haired light silver she-cat with darker patches. Her voice was damaged in the fire that killed her in her previous life, and so it's very raspy, and sometimes when her throat is dry, she can't talk at all.
Apprentices
Poppypaw - Dark orange she-cat with black patches and yellow eyes.
Quickpaw - black and white tom.
Reefpaw - pale cream colored she-cat.
Queens
Whitebird - white she-cat with pale brown speckles. (mate- Echocliff. Kits- Lightningkit and Juniperkit)