Chapter 33: Gathering Evidence
It was finally time. The full moon hung overhead as our clan congregated to assign who would come to the Gathering. Dustpaw, given his new revelation on his needed training, was selected as an attending apprentice along with Sandpaw. Among the warriors selected were Fireheart, Whitestorm, Graystripe, Goldenflower, and me. Tigerclaw, being the deputy, would be in attendance as well. Tonight would be an interesting one. Shadowclan was remade. The retrieval of Windclan would be discussed, and on top of that, it was time to make my play to get Tigerclaw back under control.
We departed swiftly. Our attendance at this Gathering was pertinent. Though, as we left, I felt a certain pain inside me. For this brief amount of time, I'd be leaving Ravenfeather behind. I shook it off just assuming that it was meaningless clinginess. What kept the pain stifled was the fact that I'd be busy. There was no time to contemplate feelings when I had a job to do.
As we entered the clearing, I immediately made for Riverclan. The most important one to question was Mudfur. Getting a confirmed cause of death about Oakheart was key, but I also needed to make it sound as if it was just an inquiry and not a baited question. I managed to catch him before he met up with the other medicine cats.
"Mudfur. Just the cat I wanted to see. My name's Smudgefoot by the way. I've kind of got a loaded question I want to ask. It pertains to the death of both your clan's former deputy and ours." I asked carefully.
Mudfur seemed to size me up a moment before replying, "And what could I tell you that your clan will not?"
I dipped my head in false embarrassment. "You see, that incident happened on the same day my friend and I joined the clan. Seemingly to prevent us from looking at that day as a tragedy, the clan has been rather tight lipped about what exactly occurred. It's been on my mind ever since. I don't want you to feel obligated to answer, but how did Oakheart die? To hear he fell in battle against Redtail when they both were known as honorable warriors seems a bit farfetched."
Mudfur changed his tone to try and reassure me. "Oakheart's death was not on Redtail's paws. An unlicky happenstance was what stole his life that day. It could have happened to any cat. To die by a random rockfall was a tragedy my clan was forced to face. Rest easy knowing that your former deputy retained his honor."
I nodded my head seemingly reassured by Mudfur's words. "Thank you Mudfur. You've given me the words I needed."
As I left Mudfur behind, I had to suppress the malicious grin that wanted to grow upon my face. Tigerclaw's alibi was now in shambles. I even shot Tigerclaw a look to confirm that he witnessed me getting that piece of information. He did, much to his detest.
The next cat I targeted was Mistyfoot. She was on that patrol, so she'd know if any cat stuck behind after the rockfall. I'd bait her into revealing the proof I needed. I found her with her former apprentice, a molly by the name of Silverstream.
"Mistyfoot. I've heard about you. Many cats in Thunderclan secretly praise how you keep yourself coolheaded in even the most dire situations and your beauty." I began.
"Listen buddy. I'm not looking for a relationship, especially one that's between clans." She responded coldly.
I couldn't help letting out a laugh. She'd misread me. "You think I'd be into you? Seriously? Listen, I've got a good thing going for me already. I'm not really into the whole romance thing. That doesn't mean I cannot appreciate beauty." I teased.
Mistyfoot seemed embarrassed by my response and instinctively groomed herself a bit to smooth down her risen fur. "I apologize. Too many cats have already taken a pass at me. I just didn't want to deal with another."
I nodded in acceptance. "I understand. My words did come off as a bit flirty. Now that that misunderstanding is cleared up, are we cool?"
Mistyfoot didn't seem to totally get my last phrase, but she seemed to understand the intent. "Yes. I suppose we are 'cool' now."
"I know this is far too late, but I've got to express my condolences of the passing of your father Oakheart. I'd just entered the clan about that time, so I only now got a real understanding of what happened. It must have been so terrifying to see him killed in such an unnatural event." I baited.
"It truly was. Sunning Rocks has been fought over for generations. For him to die in a rockfall was unheard of. Our clan feared it was an act of Starclan and fled immediately after to report to Crookedstar. We all got back exhausted and scared. I don't think a single one of us slept without nightmares until our medicine cat confirmed at the halfmoon that it was a pure chance thing. It wasn't Starclan's wrath." She replied, somewhat reliving the memory.
I had to keep myself from smiling that evil smile that wanted to reveal itself. I'd gotten exactly what I needed. Mudfur confirmed that Oakheart died first, and Mistyfoot proved that no Riverclan cat remained after the battle. Without a single Riverclan cat present, and since Redtail was confirmed alive as they retreated, the improbable became the only possibility. Tigerclaw killed Redtail. There was no denying that. Now the truth balanced on a knife's edge. The only question was when and how I'd spin it.
The rest of the Gathering was predictable. Bluestar made it known that Windclan's retrieval was necessary. The other clans stated they would not stop Windclan themselves from returning. It is important to note that they did not say they'd facilitate Windclan's return, nor did they state they'd support any efforts to return Windclan. It was an obvious political move to make themselves seem generous while not actually giving up the territory. It was on Thunderclan to return Windclan, and the two other clans might even hamper the efforts to return the wayward clan.
Bluestar and Tigerclaw pulled Fireheart, Graystripe, and I aside as we returned. They carried a serious aura as they sat us down in the leader's den. While Bluestar probably selected me for my manipulative capabilities, the way Tigerclaw looked at me showed that he wanted me out of the camp, at least for a while to figure out how to deal with me. I don't believe he considered me an enemy, but I was a threat. He needed time to weigh the pros and cons of continuing to associate with me.
"Graystripe, Fireheart, and Smudgefoot, I've brought you three here to task you with an important mission. Since you three are the youngest warriors, the other clans haven't had a good chance to memorize you and your scents. We need you to go out and retrieve Windclan. This is a dangerous mission. You'll be traveling into unknow territory and won't have the support of the rest of the clan while out there, but I believe you three could do it. Will you accept this mission?" Bluestar asked, or rather tasked.
"We'll do it. We won't fail you." Fireheart replied, his stance both firm and heroic.
A smile graced Bluestar's face at her former apprentice's resolve. "I believe you will. Do your clan proud. Tigerclaw will get you three prepared for your mission."