Chapter 10 A false accusation
Lightpaw and Darkpaw headed towards an old oak tree in the forest. Surprisingly enough, the tree was often a place where slave apprentices were caught slacking off, so the slaves often called it the unlucky tree. However for the medicine cats, it was a good place to find a bit of catmint and some coltsfoot. After gathering the two herbs, Darkpaw and Lightpaw carried them back to camp and placed the herbs outside Cloudberry's den. She came out and gathered the two herbs.
"Thanks boys. Did you gather the other herbs?" Cloudberry asked.
"Not yet, but we're about too." Lightpaw meowed.
Cloudberry nodded and went back into her den. Lightpaw and Darkpaw turned and headed for the enterance.
"So where are we heading now?" Darkpaw asked.
"Lets head to the river. I know Juniper berries grow there and a bit of Marigold. If we're lucky, we might even find some cobweb." Lightpaw suggested.
Darkpaw nodded and followed Lightpaw ouside of camp and headed towards the western border. As they approached the river, Lightpaw saw a lot of Juniper berries, a few Marigold, and only one Cobweb. Lightpaw and Darkpaw managed to gather the three herbs and returned to camp. They gently placed the herbs outside Cloudberry's den as she finished organizing the coltsfoot and catmint.
"So what's the last place you want to check? I was thinking the eastern border." Darkpaw suggested.
Lightpaw gave some thought into it then looked at Darkpaw.
"You're right. I remember seeing some Marigold in the area and a lot of Cobweb. We should probably head there." he agreed.
Lightpaw and Darkpaw both left camp and headed towards the eastern border. In the area, Lightpaw could see some fields of Marigold while Darkpaw looked up to see a lot of branches with Cobwebs. He climbed the trees while Lightpaw started to gather the Marigold. As they continue gathering the herbs, Lightpaw came across a similar looking plant almost like Marigold. The plant was tall with bright yellow flowers almost the same as Marigold. Darkpaw climbed down from the trees with the Cobweb and gently placed them down.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
"I don't know. Darkpaw head back to camp and see if you can find some old Marigold from Cloudberry's den and bring it here please." Lightpaw ordered.
Darkpaw nodded. He grabbed the cobwebs and headed back to camp. Lightpaw kept looking at the plant with interest. He had never seen such a flower, true the shape of it was different from the Marigold, but it had the same color as the petals. After a few moments, Lightpaw started to get concerned.
"Darkpaw should've been back here by now". Lightpaw thought.
He wanted to head back to camp, but decided it was best to give Darkpaw a little more time.
After a while, the sun started to set and now Lightpaw was getting worried. He picked up the Marigold, the plant, and the Cobwebs and ran back to camp. As Lightpaw entered the camp, he dropped the herbs and stared in horror. Every warrior gathered around Darkpaw, hissing and spatting at him. Darkpaw was laying on the ground helplessly as Whitestar stood in front of him with Daisypetal and Snaketooth behind him. The slaves stared terrified at Lightpaw and he could see Wolfpaw and Brightpaw snickering to each other.
"What did they do now?" Lightpaw wondered.
He ran to Darkpaw's aid and stood in front of him, challenging his father. Whitestar stepped back a bit as more angry yowls and hisses occurred.
"DAD WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Lightpaw hissed.
Whitestar gave Lightpaw a concerned look before sitting down with his ears down as well.
"Son listen your slave has been accused of stealing prey." he explained.
"That's impossible Darkpaw would never do that." Lightpaw said in disbelief.
"Oh really then why did I find him with my rabbit?" Snaketooth growled.
"I sent him back here, because I needed him to get some old Marigold. I saw a similar looking plant and I needed Darkpaw to get some old Marigold to compare it." Lightpaw explained.
"That doesn't explain why Darkpaw had a rabbit" Daisypetal retorted.
"I agree plus that's not what Brightpaw and Wolfpaw told me." Whitestar meowed
"So they were behind this" Lightpaw thought.
Whitestar signed and put his head down with his ears down as well.
"I'm sorry son, but your slave will have to be put through a trial by the Star Council when moonhigh comes, at Starlight falls." he announced.
Lightpaw stared in disbelief at his father as he turned and headed towards his den. Cloudberry carried Darkpaw to her den with Doespring and Lightpaw following her. Darkpaw was laying on a nest as Doespring fetched the Comfrey and Cloudberry went to gather the herbs that Lightpaw brought back. Lightpaw came in and sat next to Darkpaw.
"Darkpaw what happened?" he asked.
"It was Brightpaw and Wolfpaw. They told me that I've been working too hard and that I should have a reward. They gave me the rabbit and then walked away. I planned on eating it later, but then Snaketooth saw me and was furious. He ran up to me and then smacked me on the ground; He then broke my legs." Darkpaw meowed.
"Those foxhearts! I can't believe they would do this to you." Doespring hissed.
"My own niece and her friend. Wait till I get my claws on them." Cloudberry growled.
Lightpaw thought about what to do. He knew that if Darkpaw was found guilty, they would kill him, but if he was found not guilty, then would there be a chance Darkpaw could walk again. Lightpaw shook off the thought. He knew that he couldn't let his best friend die, but he had no info about the Star council. Only that they starry cats that like their ancestors, they watched over Lightclan.
"Don't worry I'm sure they're gonna be fair. I hope". Lightpaw gulped.
Moonhigh had came and Blackfur and Leaftumble carried Darkpaw to the Starlight falls with Lightpaw right beside them. The entire clan (except the slaves) traveled with them to the Starlight falls and after a long walk, they arrived near the entrance.
"Alright Blackfur and Leaftumble you can go." Cloudberry meowed.
The two toms turned and headed back until Lightpaw approached Blackfur.
"Don't worry Blackfur, I'll protect him." Lightpaw promised.
"I hope so." Blackfur meowed.
He turned and ran back to the clan. Lightpaw stood beside Darkpaw and grabbed him by the scruff and carried him to the entrance of Starlight falls.