Chapter 21
"The cats I want for the gathering are," Firestar began, "Graystripe, Dustpelt, Sandstorm, Thornclaw, Brambleclaw, Rainwhisker, Sootfur, Spiderleg, Shrewhunter, Whitewing, Squirrelpaw, and Starrypaw."
Starrypaw twitched her ear absentmindedly as her name was spoken. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Whitewing shifting her paws excitedly. This is her first gathering as a warrior, Starrypaw recalled.
"Any queens or elders that want to come are welcome, but everyone be warned," Firestar narrowed his eyes at the crowd of ThunderClan cats that sat in the clearing, "this gathering is not going to be a kit's playdate. Expect anger from RiverClan when I accuse Hawkfrost." He flattened his ears as if he could see a future where Leopardstar was glaring angrily at him as RiverClan jeered below the Great Rock. "It might seem foolish, but I have no choice. We have proof from StarClan that Hawkfrost is a threat, and I worry the damage that could be done if he's not driven out or at the least confronted."
Starrypaw shared a disconcerted glance with Shrewhunter as he limped up beside her. His deep scratch was still bothering him, but he'd finally been allowed to return to warrior duties. The same went for Brambleclaw. Unfortunately for Cloudtail, however, his deep neck wound was still under Cinderpelt's watch since she was worried about infection and fever.
"Ashfur and Brackenfur, I want you to guard the camp." Firestar held his head high and swept his gaze across the group waiting to leave. "Everyone ready?"
He turned swiftly for the gorse tunnel, flicking his tail to signal for everyone to follow. Starrypaw turned to look at the camp behind her as they exited. Leafpaw, who was staying behind since they once again couldn't leave the camp without medicine cat help, waved her tail in goodbye as she carried fresh kill to Cloudtail in the medicine cat's den. Ferncloud's kits watched them enviously as she swept them towards the nursery. Starrypaw wondered where Goldenflower was before she noticed her in the head of their group.
"Decided to go to the gathering?" Starrypaw asked Goldenflower, lengthening her stride to catch up to the pale ginger queen.
Goldenflower nodded. "This is bound to be an interesting one, and I figured I needed to get out some since I haven't hunted or patrolled in a long time."
Starrypaw nodded, falling back in with Shrewhunter. She pressed against him to keep warm on the freezing cold night. Leafbare is right around the corner.
As they continued on, the full moon casting shadows on the frosty ground, Starrypaw began to imagine the outcome of ThunderClan's accusations against Hawkfrost. As Firestar had said, no one except her and Shrewhunter had any direct proof that could back up the accusations, and really Shrewhunter had only heard the rogues mention him once. Starrypaw was the only one with more proof due to her sign from StarClan.
Why am I the one that had to know the truth? Starrypaw thought. Why did StarClan pick me?
"Are you okay, Starrypaw?" Squirrelpaw asked suddenly, bringing her back to the present.
Starrypaw flattened her ears. "I'm scared," she admitted, shame warming her pelt.
"It'll be okay," Squirrelpaw brushed her tail along Starrypaw's flank. "ThunderClan is strong."
Shrewhunter put his muzzle against Starrypaw's ear. "I will not let anything happen to you," he whispered encouragingly.
Starrypaw felt a rush of courage and gratitude, lifting her head higher.
The ThunderClan cats slowed as they came upon the border at fourtrees. Starrypaw stretched out on her paws when the group came to a complete halt, trying to see if any other Clan was there yet.
At Firestar's signal, the cats crept down into the hollow. Starrypaw tried her best not to lose Shrewhunter, but it wasn't hard because she quickly realized that there were no cats bustling around.
WindClan hadn't arrived yet, but ShadowClan and RiverClan sat together quietly, whispering amongst eachother. Upon seeing ThunderClan, both Clans threw them glares and watched them through narrowed eyes. It seemed that despite the truce, both groups were still angry ever since their last tussles with ThunderClan.
ShadowClan and RiverClan are the only two Clans that haven't been accused of hunting on another Clan's territory, Starrypaw noted.
Many ShadowClan cats were also injured. Fresh scars were scattered across their pelts.
Starrypaw shared anxious glances with her Clanmates, only approaching the other Clans when Shrewhunter did. She followed him slowly as he approached a small group of cats. Immediately, Starrypaw noticed Hawkfrost was sitting among them.
"Talonstrike," he greeted, nodding towards the cat Starrypaw remembered as Talonpaw and purposefully not looking at Hawkfrost. She met Talonstrike's gaze, but quickly looked away when his eyes flashed with suspicion. She couldn't help but think of their last encounter, which was a battle.
"It might be best if you go with Squirrelpaw to the other apprentices," Shrewhunter whispered.
Starrypaw nodded, knowing that he was simply trying to get her away from Hawkfrost. She headed hopefully towards where Squirrelpaw was successfully having a conversation with two very young looking apprentices. They both looked and smelled to be RiverClan. Starrypaw remembered seeing one on the patrol they'd met on the search for Shrewhunter.
"Hi, Starrypaw," Squirrelpaw greeted cheerfully. "This is Volepaw and Stonepaw. This is their first gathering."
A pretty bad gathering to be the first, Starrypaw thought but didn't say aloud. Instead she dipped her head kindly, glad that the RiverClan apprentices were at least willing to talk with ThunderClan.
"Nice to meet you guys. I bet you're excited."
Volepaw, a small brown tabby tom, nodded happily. "I can't wait to see what all the leaders have to say!" he exclaimed.
Starrypaw and Squirrelpaw exchanged a knowing glance.
"I bet it'll have something to do with the fact that ThunderClan has hunted on our territory," Blackclaw mumbled nearby, purposefully loud enough for Squirrelpaw and Starrypaw to hear.
Stonepaw and Volepaw eyed eachother anxiously, seemingly realizing that RiverClan wasn't happy with them chatting to ThunderClan apprentices.
"Sorry," Stonepaw mumbled before he and Volepaw slunk away.
That was a whole moon ago, Starrypaw thought, surely they would've addressed this problem last gathering?
"StarClan would want us to get along tonight," Squirrelpaw commented, stepping towards Blackclaw. Starrypaw's heart beat faster.
"They would also want ThunderClan to respect other Clan's boundaries," he shot back, his pelt bristling.
Squirrelpaw's fur rose along her neck, and a few cats turned their heads towards the disturbance. Unfortunately, among those cats was Hawkfrost. He rose and began padding towards them with purpose.
"Come on, Squirrelpaw," Starrypaw said, attempting to mask the shaking in her voice. "You just said StarClan doesn't want us to fight."
Before she could pull the stubborn apprentice away, Hawkfrost was at Blackclaw's side, his icy gaze flicking between them. When his eyes met Starrypaw's, she saw them flash in triump as her ears flattened and her legs began to shake.
Squirrelpaw finally seemed to see the problem. Forcing her fur to lie flat, she stepped back to Starrypaw's side. "Sorry," she finally said. "I just-"
"You should be," Hawkfrost growled. "ThunderClan obviously doesn't like to admit when they're wrong."
He stuck his muzzle into Starrypaw's face, and she cowered beneath him. "Neither do you...kittypet," he spat quietly.
Starrypaw's eyes widened. How did he know? Suddenly, she felt angry. Didn't he realize he wasn't Clanborn too? "That's a big insult coming from an outsider himself," she hissed back.
Starrypaw felt a jolt of satisfaction as Hawkfrost's eyes flashed with anger. Her satisfaction faded instantly, however, as Hawkfrost took a step closer, his nose nearly touching hers. Starrypaw could hear Squirrelpaw growling beside her, and she willed her not to attack.
"Something wrong here?"
Hawkfrost stepped back as Graystripe got between him and Starrypaw. Relief flooded through her, and seeing Squirrelpaw's expression, she guessed she felt the same way.
"Is my apprentice bothering you?" Graystripe asked, his tail thrashing.
Hawkfrost's expression was unreadable. "No," he replied. "Tensions are still high among our Clans is all."
Graystripe nodded. "Yes. That's all. Come on, Starrypaw, Squirrelpaw."
He herded the apprentices away. Starrypaw dared not look back as they headed towards where the rest of ThunderClan was sitting, besides Firestar, who was sitting by the great rock with the other two leaders.
"Starrypaw!" Shrewhunter exclaimed, limping up to her. "I'm so sorry! I really wanted to go and claw Hawkfrost's ears off, but Graystripe told me to wait here and-"
Starrypaw purred in amusement, her fear ebbing away. "It's okay, Shrewhunter. Besides, you can't claw his ears off tonight. It's the gathering remember? The truce?"
Shrewhunter rolled his eyes playfully, but then his expression grew serious. "The truce won't stop me from protecting you any way I can."
Starrypaw lowered her head in slight embarrassment. Due to the danger, she had to be treated like a frightened kit. However, she knew that her Clan wanted her to be kept safe. She hoped StarClan willed the same, especially since she had shared the information that could save ThunderClan. Now I just might have to share it with all four Clans! Bluestar never said anything about that!
Starrypaw turned back to face the hollow, bristling when she saw Hawkfrost glaring at her with the same expression she had seen before: unmistakable hatred.
"Maybe it's best if you stay by me," Shrewhunter said, his neck fur standing on edge.
Suddenly, movement caught Starrypaw's eye as WindClan slipped into the clearing. To her surprise, many warriors looked rough, covered in scratches and wounds. RiverClan and ShadowClan reacted the same way to them as they had done with ThunderClan.
"Do you think they had a battle with ShadowClan?" Starrypaw whispered, noticing just how many WindClan cats were injured.
"It's possible," Sandstorm answered. "I wouldn't put it past Blackstar seeing as he immediately attacked us when he had the same accusations as he did against WindClan."
Starrypaw watched as Tallstar greeted Firestar much more warmly than the other leaders had. After having been rudely rejected by hostile glares, WindClan made their way over to ThunderClan.
Two young apprentices bolted ahead, skipping excitedly on their paws. Starrypaw realized they looked familiar and stepped forwards to greet them.
"Hi! Who are you guys? Is this your first gathering?" she asked.
One of the apprentices, a light brown tabby tom, spoke up first.
"I'm Owlpaw and this is Weaselpaw. And no, we were here last moon. I don't remember you though."
Starrypaw's eyes widened as she came to the conclusion that these WindClan apprentices were the kits she had seen in their camp almost a couple moons before.
Weaselpaw, a ginger tabby tom with white paws, studied Starrypaw up and down. "You don't look young enough for this to be your first gathering," he added. "How come you weren't here last moon?"
Starrypaw shrugged. "I just wasn't chosen to come."
"Oh," he simply said.
"Are you the only ThunderClan apprentice? I remember Whitepaw. Where is she?" Owlpaw asked.
Starrypaw shook her head. "I have two sisters: Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw. Leafpaw isn't here, but Squirrelpaw is. Also, Whitewing is a warrior now!"
Starrypaw waved her tail in Squirrelpaw's direction until she joined them. The four apprentices chatted a bit more until the leaders all leapt up onto the great rock.
"Better join your Clan," Squirrelpaw said. "See you guys later!"
Starrypaw and Squirrelpaw watched Owlpaw and Weaselpaw pad away towards where WindClan was clumping together before they went and joined their own Clan.
When Starrypaw rejoined Shrewhunter, she found him talking with Crowpaw. I'll bet he's not Crowpaw anymore though.
"Hi," Starrypaw greeted softly.
The dark gray tom nodded a greeting before saying goodbye to Shrewhunter and heading off towards WindClan.
"He's a warrior now I'm sure, right?" Starrypaw asked Shrewhunter.
He nodded. "His warrior name is Crowclaw."
"Let's get this gathering started!" Leopardstar's voice rang out across the hollow. She stepped out on the edge of the great rock, her eyes glinting. "ThunderClan has continued to hunt on our territory!"
Starrypaw raised her voice to join in her Clanmates in yowls of protest. Now it makes more sense why they've continued to be hostile, she thought, but why wait until the gathering to say it? We saw Mistyfoot and a patrol at the border about a week ago.
Firestar narrowed his eyes, remaining in a calm stature. "We have no reason to hunt on your territory, Leopardstar," he reasoned, "and we have not heard any accusations since last moon. What proof do you have?"
"ThunderClan has been scented on killed prey on multiple occassions." Leopardstar flattened her ears, her tail bristling.
Firestar's ears twitched uncomfortably. "Why would ThunderClan kill prey and leave it behind? Do you think we're mouse-brains?!"
"You must be," Leopardstar spat, "because-"
"Our focus is on the twoleg place rogues! There is no reason why I would allow a warrior to cross borders to hunt for sport when we have a bigger threat right in front of us!"
Leopardstar and the entire clearing was silent as every cat remained frozen. His argument is hard to contradict, Starrypaw thought.
"Besides, when this all began, a warrior led an attack on our Clan against your will." Leopardstar's eyes flashed in anger, but Firestar continued. "I know you didn't want me to speak of that, and I kept your wish last gathering, but these false accusations are leaving me no choice."
Firestar stepped forwards, tail lashing. The anxiety he seemed to have carried earlier was gone.
"Hawkfrost is a traitor!"
Ear-piercing screeches and yowls split the chill night air. Starrypaw glanced up, surprised to see the sky cloudless. StarClan, is this really what you want?
"How could you accuse a warrior like that?!" Leopardstar stalked towards Firestar, pelt bristling. "You get angry at a mere border skirmish, but then you decide that there is dishonesty among my Clan?!"
RiverClan cats yowled in agreement below.
"That was more than a mere border skirmish," Firestar replied, his voice much calmer than the RiverClan leader's. "But that's besides the point, however. We have direct proof that Hawkfrost has lied to his Clan unless he has told them himself."
Leopardstar's nostrils flared. "And what proof is that? Place it in front of me, and I'll believe you."
Firestar took a deep breath. "We have recieved a sign from StarClan that Hawkfrost is involved with the twoleg place rogues. On top of that, one of our warriors along with an apprentice heard the rogues say his name when speaking about information from inside the Clans."
"If StarClan has sent you a sign, then Mudfur should've recieved one as well!"
Firestar shook his head. "This sign was not sent to our medicine cat, but StarClan has chosen an apprentice to-"
"You believe the word of an apprentice about a warrior not involved with your Clan? Stay on your side of the border, Firestar! In more ways than one!"
Firestar turned to make eye contact with Starrypaw, causing her to freeze in fear as she figured out what he wanted. With a flick of his tail, he signaled her to come towards the great rock.
Her paws seemingly didn't want to move, but Starrypaw forced herself to push through the crowd to the foot of the great rock. To her relief, Shrewhunter was glued to her side the whole way.
"StarClan has spoken to this apprentice, Starrypaw," Firestar repeated, "and her and Shrewhunter were the cats who overheard the rogues speaking about Hawkfrost."
"How did they ever hear the rogues say anything?" a voice Starrypaw didn't recognize rang out from the crowd.
"Does ThunderClan enjoy hanging out with kittypets?" another voice jeered. Starrypaw tensed at the mention of her origin, and Shrewhunter threw her a sympathetic glance.
Firestar narrowed his eyes towards the cats who had spoken out. "No. I did not want to disclose this information, but during the last half-moon, a large patrol of twoleg place rogues attacked us. Shrewhunter and Starrypaw were in the forest at the time that the patrol was approaching our camp, and they overheard them saying that Hawkfrost had told them we would have no medicine cats that night."
Since the gathering had started, Starrypaw had avoided Hawkfrost's gaze, but now she searched him out, wanting to see his reactions to these accusations. There was a gap between the cats where she could see him, and to her surprise, he looked calm and amused. That's more suspicious than if he was angry, she thought.
It was silent as everyone took in all that was being said. With a sigh, Leopardstar spoke out once more, sounding slightly defeated but mostly frustrated.
"Fine then. Since you continue to be so persistent, the only thing I can do to defend Hawkfrost is to have him defend himself. Hawkfrost," she gazed down at the brown tabby warrior, her emotions unreadable, "are these accusations against you true? Are you giving Clan information to these rogues?"
Hawkfrost made quick eye contact with Starrypaw and undisguised anger flashed in his gaze. Starrypaw shuddered as he held his head high to look at his leader. His earlier temper hidden, his eyes now held a glint of amusement, and he almost looked excited.
"As a matter of fact," he began, tail twitching calmly, "yes they are, and yes I am."
Gasps spread throughout the clearing, and whispers littered the air. Starrypaw wasn't surprised, and she looked up to see Leopardstar's eyes flash in a mixture of anger, fear, and embarrassment.
"What are you saying!? Are you claiming you have betrayed your Clan?!"
Hawkfrost shook his head slowly. "I have not betrayed my Clan because my Clan is not RiverClan."
"What Clan is your Clan then? You've never belonged to another!"
"My Clan is VenomClan, and my name is no longer Hawkfrost, but Hawkstar!" Starrypaw's eyes widened, and there was another spread of whispers throughout the gathering. Regardless, Hawkfrost continued. "I will lead VenomClan into the forest, and all four Clans will become one under my leadership!"
Starrypaw's heart beat wildly, and she shared a horrified glance with Shrewhunter. Where does Viper come into this? she thought in the meantime. Could I have been wrong?
"These words are ridiculous, Hawkfrost!" Leopardstar exclaimed, sounding incredulous.
"But they are true!" he declared. "And as I previously stated, I would like to be addressed as Hawkstar!"
"You have no right to hold that name!" Blackstar butted in. "Unless StarClan has given you nine lives, then you do not deserve the title!"
Hawkfrost narrowed his eyes. "Once I am leader of all Clans, then StarClan will grant me my nine lives. Why then, does it matter if I don't wait to give myself the title if it's inevitable that I will one day hold it?"
Yowls full of anger and disbelief rose up.
"Go ahead! Be angry!" Hawkfrost looked as if he was beginning to lose his temper. "You can disagree with me, but your choice in the end will determine life or death!"
"What does he mean by that?" Starrypaw whispered to Shrewhunter.
"I'm not sure," he replied.
There was a long moment of silence. The only thing Starrypaw could hear was the quick breathing of every angry cat in the clearing and blood roaring in her ears.
"Hawkfrost," Leopardstar said, causing the brown tabby to lash his tail as she refused to use his preferred name, "if these awful things you have said are true, then I have no choice but to exile you from RiverClan."
Every cat turned to see Hawkfrost's reaction. His icy blue eyes flashed indignantly, but there was no suprise in his expression.
"Alright then," the RiverClan leader continued. "Hawkfrost, you have proven to be a traitor among RiverClan and a danger to all four Clans..." she paused, seemingly contemplating the choice she was about to make. "I hereby exile you from RiverClan!"
Cats parted around Hawkfrost to allow him space to leave, but he didn't move.
"I'll give you until sunhigh to leave the territories! If you are seen after that point, you will be treated as a stranger, and I give any cat here permission to run you out."
Hawkfrost rose to his paws, scanning the crowd around him with unreadable emotions. Suddenly, his gaze landed on Starrypaw, and his eyes filled with anger. She froze in fear, her eyes widening.
"It's all your fault!" he exclaimed, bolting through the crowd towards her.
Other cats moved out of his way, completely confused as to what he was doing. ThunderClan, however, knew exactly what he was talking about. Shrewhunter jumped in front Starrypaw, planting his paws firmly on the ground, and then Firestar jumped down from the great rock to land beside him.
It didn't matter who got in his way. Hawkfrost leaped over the two protective cats and landed on top of Starrypaw, pinning her to the ground and knocking the air out of her. His heavy paws pushed hard on her shoulders, and he unsheathed his claws threateningly beside her throat.
In the second Hawkfrost was on her, Firestar and Shrewhunter had pounced on his back, pulling him away from her. He made sure to dig his claws deeper in her fur so that as he was yanked away, he tore her pelt.
Shrewhunter and Firestar didn't grapple with Hawkfrost for long before they had him pinned to the ground. The warrior writhed under their weight, but he soon realized fighting was in vain, and he lay still.
"Hawkfrost, you have left me no choice." Leopardstar spoke once more, shaking her head in disbelief. "I was hoping you would prove better than your father," she paused, leaving everyone to question what she meant. "Tigerstar was a horrible murderer," the entire gathering gasped.
That's why Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost look so alike! Starrypaw thought as she rose shakily to her paws. They're...brothers!
"I assumed you might take a different path than him," Leopardstar continued, ignoring the whispers that had started up once more throughout the hollow, "and those assumptions I was glad to see were true, until now. You no longer have until tomorrow to leave the territories, you must leave now!"
Starrypaw checked to ensure that Hawkfrost's claws hadn't torn through her skin. Luckily, she was not bleeding, but the places where her fur had been ripped off burned in the cold night air.
Firestar and Shrewhunter stepped off of Hawkfrost, and with one last fierce glare at all the cats around him, the warrior, now rogue, raced off into the trees and into ThunderClan territory. Starrypaw guessed he was going towards twoleg place.
Firestar shook the scuffle off and leapt back on to the great rock. He turned to Leopardstar, muttering something to her that seemed to be kind because the RiverClan leader dipped her head in response.
"Starrypaw!" Shrewhunter exclaimed, limping up to her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Starrypaw replied, forcing a purr despite her racing heart. She saw with a jolt of alarm that Shrewhunter had reopened the wound on his leg. "You shouldn't have fought with him!" she hissed.
Shrewhunter shook his head. "I'll be fine! He could've badly hurt you!"
Starrypaw sighed and brushed her cheek against Shrewhunter's. There was no point in being upset with him.
"Cats of all Clans," Firestar spoke out. "I apologize for the disturbance tonight, but-"
The ThunderClan leader broke off as the hollow was plunged into darkness. Yowls of fear rose up throughout fourtrees, and Starrypaw looked up to see that a large cloud had covered the moon.
"It seems that StarClan doesn't want this meeting to continue!" Tallstar exclaimed.
"Let's go, ShadowClan!" Blackstar called out to his Clan as he leapt down from the great rock.
Leopardstar flicked her tail to signal to RiverClan as she hopped down as well. Starrypaw noticed all the RiverClan cats looked quite disconcerted, and she couldn't blame them. They had just watched a Clanmate they had hunted with and slept beside be exiled for threatening to take over the Clans.
Starrypaw stayed close to Shrewhunter and Firestar as they weaved between the many cats to reach the rest of ThunderClan. Shrewhunter's pace was slow, and Starrypaw could tell his wound was bothering him badly. She began to get worried about the possibility of infection.
Out of the corner of her eye, Starrypaw saw Owlpaw padding after Tornear, who must've been his mentor. She turned to meet his gaze, which was before filled with curiousity at seeing her for the first time. It was now filled with sympathy, and Starrypaw tore her eyes away, now feeling angry that she was being held as weak as a kit in need of constant protection.
"Are you okay, Starrypaw?"
Sandstorm ran up, sniffing Starrypaw up and down. The rest of ThunderClan looked on anxiously behind her.
"I'm fine," she responded stiffly. "Where's Cinderpelt? Shrewhunter's reopened his wound."
The cats parted as Cinderpelt limped up, shaking her head. Firestar sat patiently as she checked Shrewhunter's leg over, indicating for ThunderClan to wait with a flick of his tail.
"I'd say you've set yourself back another week, mouse-brain," Cinderpelt said, flicking Shrewhunter with her tail. Starrypaw couldn't tell if she was angry with him or not.
Shrewhunter lifted his head. "I don't care if you say I never get to be a warrior again. I'd do anything to protect Starrypaw."
The medicine cat threw him an amused glance, and he flattened his ears in embarrassment. "Or any of my Clanmates."
"You've got yourself a good one, Starrypaw," Rainwhisker hissed in her ear, causing her to jump. The dark gray tom's whiskers twitched, and Starrypaw playfully threw him a frustrated glare, unable to hide a purr.
Her purr faded quickly, however, as she noticed Whitewing's degraded look. Her ears and tail hung low, and Starrypaw felt a pang of sympathy for the new warrior. None of the Clans had had a chance to mention new warriors and apprentices.
Starrypaw slinked up to Whitewing, pressing her nose encouragingly into her shoulder fur. "I'm sorry that this had to be your first gathering as a warrior."
Whitewing rested her muzzle between Starrypaw's ears. "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. I'm sorry that Hawkfrost is so angry with you."
Starrypaw pulled away slowly, frustrated that Hawkfrost had been brought up aloud. It's not like he doesn't already plague my mind! she hissed inwardly. Suddenly, she felt bad. The white she-cat was simply trying to be kind.
"Let's go, ThunderClan," Firestar declared, breaking into Starrypaw's thoughts. "I've got a lot to say to the rest of the Clan tonight."
The thought of staying up later to attend a Clan meeting made Starrypaw's jaws open in a yawn as they started the walk back to camp. It was slow, not only due to Shrewhunter's injury, but also because everyone was on high alert for Hawkfrost.
About halfway back to camp, Firestar stopped everyone. Hawkfrost's scent was recent, and a trail seemingly led towards twoleg place.
"Graystripe," Firestar began, turning to face the cats behind him, "I want you to lead a patrol to follow Hawkfrost's scent and make sure he's really left the territory. Take Brambleclaw and Whitewing with you."
Starrypaw saw gratefully that Whitewing's spirits seemingly lifted at being chosen. She also noticed for the first time how stunned Brambleclaw looked as he followed after the Clan deputy. He's just found out he had a brother in another Clan, she thought. I bet Tawnypelt feels the same way.
When they finally slipped into camp, Starrypaw touched noses with Shrewhunter before Cinderpelt led him away towards the medicine cat's den. She wanted nothing more than to curl up, get warm, and go to sleep, but Firestar immediately jumped up onto the highrock. Starrypaw chose a spot beside Squirrelpaw, leaning against her so they could share their warmth. Leafpaw soon joined them, ears pricked with interest.
Firestar didn't call out the usual words since every cat was already in the clearing. As soon as the small patrol Graystripe had led made it back and reported, Firestar began.
"For those of you that were not at the gathering, let me go ahead and say that Hawkfrost has been exiled from RiverClan."
A couple of whispers darted around before it was silent once more.
"However, he revealed concerning information." Firestar paused, scanning his Clan before continuing. "Hawkfrost claims that the rogues are his Clan called VenomClan, and that he will lead them to rule all four Clans and territories."
Yowls of outrage came from the warriors and elders who hadn't been to the gathering. Leafpaw gave Squirrelpaw and Starrypaw a horrified look, and Squirrelpaw nodded.
"He's acting like Tigerstar did!" Ashfur yowled into the chill night air.
Firestar briefly closed his eyes. "Leopardstar revealed that Tigerstar is Hawkfrost's father."
Starrypaw waited for more yowls, but they never came. Instead, the clearing was submerged in silence, with cats casting uncomfortable glances to eachother. By the way everyone eyed Brambleclaw, it seemed they were trying not to act angry in order to spare his feelings.
Tigerstar's choices don't make up Brambleclaw's life, Starrypaw thought, hoping Brambleclaw knew that no one thought any other way. At least I hope he knows I don't think he'd be evil. Starrypaw had no idea what cats might think Brambleclaw could turn evil, and she found herself scanning her Clanmates, wondering who actually trusted the brown tabby warrior.
"In the end," Firestar spoke out once more, shattering the uncomfortable silence, "that knowledge changes nothing. Hawkfrost could've even been born in ThunderClan, and it wouldn't matter. He is still a threat, and we must be ready for him to make a move."
"Won't it be harder for him to succeed now that all the Clans know of his plans?" Brightheart asked.
Firestar's ear twitched. "There's a good side and bad side to that, Brightheart. Yes, he no longer has the complete element of surprise, of course we don't know when he plans to attack, but we do know his motives. However, now Hawkfrost can act without secrets and RiverClan boundaries holding him back. He no longer has the warrior code to worry about when it comes to the moves he plans to make. In other words, Hawkfrost doesn't need to be careful about how he acts because he is already exiled."
Starrypaw's eyes widened as soft mutters rose up from the clearing once again. She hadn't thought of it that way before.
"Why was he so willing to reveal his plans if he had it kept a secret from his entire Clan?" Sorreltail asked. Others who had not been to the gathering nodded in support of the question.
Firestar's whiskers twitched for a moment. "He was most definitely not willing. It seems he saw no other way out after being directly questioned by his leader due to our accusations being so accurate. If he had denied it, RiverClan would've been quite suspicious of him visiting twoleg place if they had found out about the visits on their own. Regardless, it angered him that he had to reveal his plans before everyone at the gathering, and he did well to hide that anger at first. However, eventually it overcame him, and he attacked Starrypaw."
Many eyes turned to rest on Starrypaw, and she shrunk down in embarrassment, her pelt hot. Squirrelpaw placed her tail comfortingly on her back.
"Thankfully, no one was injured by Hawkfrost, and he was intercepted by Shrewhunter and I, which is how Shrewhunter reopened his wound."
A few cats nodded and mumbled, seemingly impressed by Shrewhunter's courage. Starrypaw could definitely say she was.
"So," Mousefur called out, "what's next?"
The ThunderClan leader sighed. "Unfortunately there's not much we can do. Graystripe has reported that Hawkfrost did indeed leave our territory and go into twoleg place. He is now just one of the rogues, so we must continue on as we have been. The only thing different is that Hawkfrost knows Clan ways that he can share with his so called 'VenomClan;' he most likely already has given them pretty good information. I don't know where the cat named Viper is in all this. Maybe he does lead with Hawkfrost, maybe he doesn't.
"But no matter what happens, we will stay strong! ThunderClan will not fall prey to Hawkfrost and the rogues!" The cats in the clearing cheered in reply. "Brightheart, I want you and Sorreltail to guard camp tonight. Everyone else, rest well. We still have many patrols to go on and much battle preparing to do."
Firestar leapt down from the highrock and slipped into his den. The cats in the clearing turned to one another, voicing their worries. Starrypaw stretched and yawned, excited at the thought of sleep, even if it wasn't a full night's.
"Are you coming to the den, Squirrelpaw?" she asked the ginger apprentice, who was chatting openly with Leafpaw. Starrypaw was surprised by her energy.
Squirrelpaw nodded. "In just a moment."
Starrypaw shrugged. "Goodnight, Leafpaw," she said before stumbling into the apprentice's den.
She fluffed up her nest as best as she could, reminding herself to change the bedding whenever she got a chance the next day, and curled up, tucking her tail over her nose. Her mind rushed through the events of the day, but her exhaustion overpowered her worry, and soon, Starrypaw was asleep.
The forest was dark, and when Starrypaw looked up, she couldn't see through the canopy of trees.
Although there was a dim light that illuminated the way, she was sure that there was no sun or stars.
Where am I? she thought as she slipped through the undergrowth. There was no scent of prey or anything familiar. All Starrypaw could pick up was the smell of rotten wood and fungus.
"No! Try again!" a deep, menacing voice called out. Starrypaw crept towards where she could hear cats hissing and yowling.
Starrypaw paused at the edge of a clearing, eyes widening when she saw two cats tussling on the ground. Her blood ran cold when she recognized one as Hawkfrost. They both jumped back, Hawkfrost breathing heavily.
"That was much better," the other cat growled. He was a huge dark, brown tabby tom, and his front claws were frighteningly long. Starrypaw realized with a jolt of horror that she was looking straight at the cat she'd only ever heard terrifying tales about.
"Thank you, Tigerstar," Hawkfrost said, dipping his head. A scratch bled profusely behind his ear, but he ignored it. "What should I do next?"
"Well," Tigerstar began, "I'll let you decide since the guest you asked me to invite has already arrived. Remember what I said about controlling your temper though," he added hastily.
Hawkfrost's eyes lit up. His notrils flared, and he flattened his ears as his gaze clouded over with a disturbing look of excitement.
What guest? Starrypaw thought.
"Is she really here?"
Tigerstar turned and met Starrypaw's eyes, and she froze in fear. Is he talking about me?! Hawkfrost followed his gaze, and when he saw Starrypaw, his ears perked up in satisfaction.
"You might as well come out," he sneered. "You're not hiding from anyone."
Starrypaw turned and bolted off, focusing on nothing but her driving will to survive. She lengthed her stride as she heard pawsteps behind her.
It didn't matter how far and fast she ran. Starrypaw was tumbled to the ground with Hawkfrost standing over her. His expression was crazed, and his tail lashed.
"Thought you could get away?"
Starrypaw struggled under his weight, and she unsheathed her hind claws in an attempt to scratch the brown and white tabby's belly fur, but he put his full weight on top of her body, rendering her unable to move entirely.
"There's no one here to save you now," Hawkfrost hissed in her face. He dug his claws deep into her shoulders, and she yowled in pain.
"What did I do to you?!" Starrypaw grunted.
"You completely ruined my plans because you're a spy! Why would StarClan meddle with what I was destined to become? You weren't chosen by them to warn the Clans!"
"Why would StarClan want one cat to rule all the Clans?" Starrypaw shot back. "You're lying! You know that you're working against StarClan! You just refuse to accept it because you're afraid of them knowing your evil plans!"
Hawkfrost hissed and raised his forepaw, striking it across her left cheek. Starrypaw grimaced in pain. "A true warrior is never afraid! Only you would be the one to be held back by fear!" he growled.
"Now you act outside of the warrior code," Starrypaw muttered. "You are not a warrior. You're a rogue!"
Hawkfrost's eyes flashed with fury, and Starrypaw braced herself as he went towards her neck for the killing bite.