Chapter 15

The only thing more unsettling than Stainpelt's deceptive nature was how easily Steelclaw mimicked it. Carmen had only known the gray warrior a short time, but judging from Shadefur's wide golden eyes, this was all kinds of new for him. Yet he slipped into his act so naturally that the two could almost believe it.

"I never thought I'd say this," he said after a raucous laugh, "but you've finally made me proud, Glasspaw."

He'd put her down and shoved her through to the innermost ring of cats, and she stumbled into the little circle where Darkwood and Tiger sat. She perked an ear at Steelclaw, a faint smile spread across her muzzle. Darkwood turned, tail swishing slowly about, and regarded the terrified figure with obvious confusion.

"What's this about?" asked the tabby leader.

"My lessons have finally paid off!" He was beaming as he stepped forward to stand beside Glasspaw and put a paw on her back. "My apprentice came to me just now, wondering if Tiger was set to join the Clan. And what did you say to me, Glasspaw? She said, "if Tiger wants to join us, she'll have to prove she's warrior material. We don't need another cat to look after; we need someone who knows how to use their claws."

Murmurs rippled through the Clan. Pelts rustled like leaves caught in a breeze as one cat turned to the other to voice their confusion and concern. Carmen's heart was pounding so hard that she feared it might stop. She could barely hear over her own thunderous pulse. That was, until one voice rang out clear as day:

"Glasspaw said this?"

It was Fallfur, Glasspaw's calico mother, who strode over to them. The very air around her was hot. Her pelt was on end and her claws were half out. She was big for a she-cat, with broad shoulders and muscular haunches, and Steelclaw knew he was in trouble if she grew keen enough to knock some sense into him. Mosspaw was close behind.

"She did, and I've never been so proud. For the first time, she's talking like a true warrior!"

"Mm. Doesn't sound like my kit. It sounds an awful lot like something you would say."

"Yes," said Steelclaw, still perfectly feigning joy. "She is my apprentice, after all. And I'm not about to say I disagree. We are out here on the word of a pet. A cat that we've been waiting on pelt and paw when she's perfectly able to contribute."

Carmen failed to conjure up a retort when all eyes fell on her.

"Carmen is a special case and you know that," said Darkwood, a warning edge to his voice.

"Yes, yes, we know. All Glasspaw and I are concerned about is making sure it stays that way. That we don't go soft and start taking in any cat looking for a free ride. Glasspaw works hard to earn her keep. She doesn't think it'd be fair for Tiger to join us without properly earning her name, even if you are old friends. With all due respect, of course," he finished, dipping his head to Darkwood.

"Well, aren't you the little conclusion jumper," whispered Tiger so quiet that no one seemed to hear it. Her head was tilted and her fangs glinted in the light of the half moon, her muzzle split into a creepy grin.

"Is this true, Glasspaw?" questioned her mother, voice soft as she addressed her. "Are these really your feelings? Your thoughts about it?"

Say no, Carmen willed her. Say no. Say that it's all a trick. Tell them what just happened! Tell them about Stainpelt and Steelclaw and whatever it is they're doing!

"I… um…" Glasspaw looked around at her expectant Clanmates, then into Fallfur's gentle blue eyes.

The silence was suffocating.

Carmen hoped. She prayed.

But Glasspaw was stood before the whole Clan with two options before her: let Steelclaw's words be her own and have everyone believe she was a warrior, that she had some conviction after all, or announce to the world that she was a frightened kit who had no idea what was happening. That her own Clanmates were bullying her behind their back, and she wasn't brave enough to stand up to it. That maybe, as her mentor liked to tell her, she wasn't worthy enough to stand among their ranks.

She straightened. "Well, yes."

A fresh wave of voices tumbled through the muggy air. Crickets chirped nearby, unknowing. Fallfur slowly recoiled, blinking, and Mosspaw's jaws were parted for words that didn't come. They both looked between Steelclaw and Glasspaw for a long, long moment. Carmen leaned into Shadefur's shoulder without thinking. Nothing felt real, so she dug her pads into the cracked concrete beneath them just to ground herself.

"I-I don't… I don't mean to offend anyone or anything," said the apprentice over the thrumming of chatter. "It's not that I, um, have anything against you, Tiger… It's just, every other outsider who wanted to join our Clan had to earn it. So, I was just… I was just thinking it was only fair."

It felt like an eternity of hushed voices and shocked looks before the Clan decided what to make of this. When the moment came, it was clear that most were in agreement. A few even moved to congratulate Glasspaw on standing for something.

Carmen felt herself torn into two pieces; on the one hand, she didn't trust Tiger, and it would take plenty of effort if the mongrel wanted to earn that trust, especially after what just happened. On the other hand, was the knowledge of where this had really come from. She knew that she only had a snapshot of whatever was falling into place, that cats were pulling strings Carmen hadn't even begun to fathom. She knew that whatever it was, it was happening right before her eyes, and it was so much bigger than her.

"Well, this is… unexpected," said Darkwood, golden eyes narrowed at Steelclaw for a heartbeat, "but we were venturing into the topic of Tiger joining us. I've seen her capabilities first-hand, before and after she saved me from that dog."

He stood and held his head up high, as if remembering himself. "I suppose I was too hasty. It's my responsibility as leader of our Clan to ensure that any new members prove themselves as cats we can trust. Even more so in times like this. You all have no personal history with Tiger, and it makes sense that you'd need some convincing before you'd be willing to accept her as one of us."

"Alright. Tiger, if you wish to join our Clan, you'll have to earn your warrior name. From now on, you will hunt with us, fight with us, and abide the warrior Code. Honor our Clan and Code with your every action and let the Clan bear witness to your worthiness as a warrior. Should you succeed, you will be welcomed into our ranks, and your warrior name shouted out like a peal of thunder. Do you choose to undergo this trial?"

It wasn't the first time Darkwood had given a speech such as this. No doubt Rainstep and Willowpounce had heard it or some close variation. For the most part satisfied at this turn of events, the Clan awaited Tiger's answer with a hefty silence, and Carmen felt a part of her resign to whatever may come next.

"Ooh, so official," she said playfully. Then with an elegant bow, "I do indeed. You shan't be disappointed."

Call it fatigue. Call it paranoia. Call it whatever you may. To Carmen, something about that last part sounded like a threat. Or worse, a promise.