Chapter 7
Moonpaw crept back to camp and fell asleep in the apprentices den, and dreamed of tiny kits flinging themselves into battle and Firestorm standing over Peatfur's body.
She awoke to Amberstar calling "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Clanrock for a Clan meeting."
Blearily she shook her head and stepped out into the clearing, Thornpaw and Archpaw on her heels.
"What could it be?" Archpaw whispered to her. "We're not done our final assesments yet and Volekit and Shiftkit aren't old enough to become 'paws."
Moonpaw shrugged and sat down to listen to Amberstar.
The orange tabby Clan leader was trembling with rage as she looked at Shadeclaw, who was seated next to Stormcloud.
"ShadowClan," she began. "You all know of the disastrous attempt on ThunderClan yesterday."
As her leader's cold gaze swept over Moonpaw, the apprentice shivered.
"Shadeclaw has an announcement to make due to our failed assault on ThunderClan."
The dark tom stepped forwards, yellow eyes glinting. "ShadowClan!" he yowled. "We are weak!"
Moonpaw gasped as he continued.
"We do not have enough apprentices! We only have two kits in the nursery! ShadowClan is losing it's former glory and StarClan is unhappy. That is why we lost the battle!"
Lilyheart cried out "How can we be strong again?"
Moonpaw watched in amazement as her Clanmates were easily entranced by her mentors brave words.
"The other Clans have double the warriors we do. We must speed up the training of our apprentices and make our kits be 'paws in their place!" Shadeclaw announced.
Fallowgrass's eyes filled with terror and she pulled Volekit and Shiftkit to her.
Amberstar stepped forwards. "ShadowClan, I am on my last life, and I agree with Shadeclaw that ShadowClan is growing weaker. So I have consented with his plan of speeding the training up and recruiting rogues to help us attack ThunderClan."
Yowls of protest met her words.
Moonpaw noticed Pebbleclaw, Stonecrack, Wolfheart, Buzzwhisker, Gingerfur and Brightwhisker were all nodding in agreement to Shadeclaws words.
'No!'she thought. 'What is Shadeclaw thinking!'
"Stonecrack, Wolfheart, Gingerfur, and Moonpaw come with me to recruit the rogues." Shadeclaw said with a smirk.
Stormcloud stepped forward and spoke finally. "Shadeclaw, I do not approve of this. Amberstar," he addressed the Clan leader, "Why is ShadowClan weak? True, we do not have many kits, but it is leaf-bare and there will be more kits in newleaf."
Amberstar shook her head. "I agree with Shadeclaw."
As the dark tom lead the chosen cats out of the camp, Thornpaw touched his muzzle to her shoulder. "Be careful." he mewed wisely. "Its not just kittypets that live in Twolegplace."
Moonpaw nodded, her stomach churning in fear.
What exactly is in Twolegplace?