Chapter 7

The Second Gathering

Six full moons after StarClan had appeared Ripplestar and Willowstar padded into four trees side by side, their faces smug as they climbed on top of the High Rock where Echostar was already waiting. "Where is Brackenstar? Why is there no one from ShadowClan?" Willowstar asked.

"Why would the great ThunderClan care?" Echostar snarled, wary of the alliance.

"Because I know we didn't attack them," Ripplestar replied coolly.

Willowstar flicked her tail and nodded to three cats as they padded into the Four Trees. "You there! She-cat, you were in ShadowClan, were you not?"

Fallenheart flicked her tail and sat down, Leopardpaw and a warrior beside her. "Yes, what of it?" she asked, gazing around the meadow, silently acknowledging the cats she knew from the midnight meetings in what used to be ShadowClan.

Tigerheart glanced quickly at Stonehenge. "You must act like nothing has changed" Stonehenge's words echoed in his head, "you can't feel sorry for the clan either; they'd kill you if Echostar commanded it." Featherfoot pressed herself reassuringly against him in her quiet way.

Stonehege answered Tigerhearts glance with a slight nod, 'This is what I have to do. I have to keep Echostar in my blindfold.' With a low growl Stonehenge addressed the she-cat, "Where's Brackenstar? Why is ShadowClan not at the Gathering?" he demanded.

"They're dead." She answered somberly and simply. A few cats shifted uncomfortably.

'One down, two to go,' Ripplestar smirked.

"All those cats…gone… but how?" Summerbreeze whispered, loud enough for the gathering to hear.

Fallenheart looked sympathetically at the strange orange and white spotted she-cat, "Brackenstar was killed and the rest fought amongst themselves."

Ripplestar narrowed her eyes, "How was it that ShadowClan's leader could have lost his nine lives and you three survive?"

"He had three lives, but was killed once. I believe StarClan has taken your nine lives and given you one." Leopardpaw mewed, taking a step forward, her tail touching Fallenheart.

"What would give you that idea?" Willowstar sneered, "Have you gone to the MoonStone?"

"No, I…" She looked to Fallenheart nervously. The grey tabby nodded. "I… they came to me, in a dream and I saw four figures and eight hearts came from each of them."

Willowstar narrowed her eyes, "It means nothing, Brackenstar was always risky, he probably only had one life left."

"We should kill them," Echostar growled, her tail lashing. "I distinctly remember telling someone to kill them before." She muttered to Stonehenge, her claws glinting in the moonlight.

"There are always survivors Echostar, these three are insignificant. What could three cats really do?" he purred smoothly, recognizing the traitorous accusation in Echostar's voice.

Willowstar purred smugly, "Will you surrender now Echostar, and swear loyalty to WindClan? I mean really, what does it matter how ShadowClan fell? They're gone, that's all that matters." Her harsh laughter turned to Fallenheart, "You are obviously a strong warrior and a survivor, swear loyalty to me and you will be welcomed into WindClan."

Stonehenge flicked his ears impatiently, 'Now, confuse them and break up the alliance, just like we planned.' He cleared his throat and leaned over to Ripplestar. "Can't you see the murderous and traitorous look in those ShadowClan cats? Willowstar just asked them to join you, what do you think that clever she-cat down there wanted? She'd probably wait and kill you in your sleep. Willowstar made a fools mistake asking her to join WindClan…"

Ripplestar shot Stonehenge a thoughtful, agitated look.

"Oh, and can you believe how she wanted loyalty sworn to her and WindClan, without a second thought about RiverClan?"

Ripplestar hissed, "Shouldn't you have asked my opinion on their joining first? Or swearing loyalty to both of us, not just you?"

Fallenheart nudged Leopardpaw and Dustbowl, "Let's go, Stonehenge will fill us in on the details later." The warrior and apprentice nodded and padded out of the Four Trees.

"Ripplestar! Don't let the ThunderClan Deputy twist my words against us. Are you so blind that you cannot see his lies?" Willowstar hissed.

"You're calling me blind now, are you?" Ripplestar hissed, his nose inches from Willowstar's face.

"And now we wait," Stonehenge purred, flicking his tail at Echostar as he watched Fallenheart leave.

Echostar grinned, 'He's smart, strong, he could be Deputy of the entire forest… but would that be enough?' The pale she-cat looked Stonehenge up and down, his grey fur sliding nicely against his muscle. 'Given the chance he would-'

A resounding crack split through the meadow, silencing the bickering leaders. The massive oak at the southeast corner of Four Trees groaned and sagged, its branches snapping as it crashed to the ground. Cats were shrieking and yowling with pain and fear.

"W-we should… should get back to our camps," Willowstar sputtered, turning on her paws and running from the fallen tree, Ripplestar on her tail.

'It's a sign, a sign from StarClan,' Summerbreeze thought, 'three trees…three clans.'

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