Chapter eight: Another Step
"All we have to do is wait," Sandstrike reported.
"Good," Tigerclaw nodded sharply. "Until the day comes, it's up to you to determine how you want to dispose of the fiery fool."
"At least we'll be gaining seven promising warriors, even if we lose one," Sandstrike shrugged. "I wouldn't trust Shadowclan, we can be sure they won't be this peaceful forever. And Brokenstar is still out there."
"We should probably get some sleep, I'm sure your apprentice is going to be rather tiring tomorrow," Tigerclaw advised.
"The young cats will soon outnumber the warriors," Sandstrike snorted, beginning to head back to camp.
"Just so long we outnumber Shadowclan," Tigerclaw said darkly, his eyes dark despite the nearly full moon shining above.
"Littlepaw! Lynxpaw! Redpaw! Cinderpaw! Brackenpaw! Thornpaw! Brightpaw!" The clan cheered.
"Can we go see the territory now?" Redpaw begged, before the last calls of her new name had even died away.
"Slow down," Sandstrike purred. "Why don't we go with some of the other apprentices and mentors?"
"Be quick!" Redpaw said, her ginger tail twitching with impatience. Sandstrike looked around at the other mentors.
Tigerclaw had already left the clearing with Lynxpaw. Graystripe was leading the way out of camp, followed by Littlepaw and Dustpelt, and his apprentice Thornpaw. Whitestorm was taking Brightpaw to do the elders' ticks, while Longtail and Brackenpaw were talking beneath the Highrock. Cinderpaw was standing outside the medicine den, as if unsure where to go with her mentor in the medicine den, unable to train her.
"Cinderpaw, want to come with us?" Sandstrike invited the dark gray she-cat. Her blue eyes shone with gratitude as she nodded her head.
"If you can, I'd appreciate it if you could train her until Fireheart can do it himself. He should be on his paws by the next halfmoon," Bluestar said, coming to stand beside Sandstrike.
"So long these two aren't any trouble, I see no problem," the ginger she-cat shrugged.
"Sandstrike!" Longtail called across the clearing, pausing beside the gorse tunnel. "Want to come with us?"
"Sure," Sandstrike replied, bounding across the hard earth, which was cool beneath her paws, promising chilly nights and coming snow.
"This is fourtrees," Longtail explained to the three apprentices. "We meet here at full moon gatherings with the other three clans. There is a truce so long the full moon shines."
"There's a gathering tonight, right?" Brackenpaw asked.
"Yes," Sandstrike nodded.
"Can we come?" Redpaw and Cinderpaw asked in unison.
"That's up to Bluestar and Lionheart," Sandstrike told them. "Though it's out of the question if you don't behave yourselves. And I doubt Bluestar would take all seven of you."
"We can settle this when we return to camp, why don't we move on to the Thunderpath?" Longtail suggested in a hard voice.
"It's really loud!" Cinderpaw yowled over the roar of the monsters.
"And really dangerous," Sandstrike added, guiding the young she-cat away from the edge of the black stone. "They could crush you and not even notice, so stay away from it. We'll teach you how to safely cross later in your training."
"On the way to Highstones?" Redpaw guessed.
"I hope we don't take all seven at once," Longtail grumbled. "You three are a pawful." Already Redpaw had tried to swim in the river, Brackenpaw had nearly stuck his head into a beehive, and Cinderpaw had run onto the Thunderpath's edge.
"The next moon is going to be great fun, training to energetic apprentices," Sandstrike agreed quietly as the three young cats ran through the forest ahead, Brackenpaw trailing behind.
"Stay away from Snakerocks!" Longtail yowled after them, breaking into a run before the young cats could get into even more trouble.
Sandstrike waited beside her apprentice at the top of the hollow. Bluestar flicked her tail, and Thunderclan bounded into fourtrees to join Riverclan and Shadowclan.
"Go talk to some other apprentices, but no starting fights, and no telling them Thunderclan secrets," Sandstrike instructed her apprentice. Redpaw nodded, her green eyes gleaming with excitement as she disappeared into the crowd of cats. Sandstrike sat down with senior warriors of all three present Clans, who were boasting about their victories in battle.
Nigthstar let out a yowl to start the meeting. Sandstrike frowned when she saw that Windclan's leader, Tallstar, was still missing, as well as the rest of his clan.
"Prey is going to ground due to the coming leafbare, but we aren't going hungry, thanks to prey from the moor," Nightstar began.
"You can't be hunting on Windclan's land!" Bluestar exclaimed.
"Why not?" Crookedstar asked. "Windclan isn't here to defend their land, they fled instead of fighting to keep it."
"'Yes, while Shadowclan is the one who drove them out and did all the work, Riverclan seems entitled to it as well," Nightstar said coldly.
"The river is poisoned by twolegs," Crookedstar admitted. "But the rabbits of the moor are used to the harsh weather, and could be found throughout leafbare, even if the river freezes."
"Riverclan and Shadowclan have been fine before," Bluestar said sternly. "Windclan must be found and returned to their territory. Nightstar, with Brokenstar and his rogues gone, you should have less mouths to feed."
"Even if the river doesn't freeze, the fish we catch may make us sick," Crookedstar protested. "Shadowclan has the carrionplace rats if they start to starve, yet Thunderclan insists on taking Sunningrocks back from its rightful owner, and would even kill to do it!"
"Riverclan has killed many of our own warriors. Care to justify that?" Bluestar asked calmly.
"Warriors die in combat all the time," Crookedstar said.
"I take it this means Whitefang is dead?" Bluestar asked. "Because I doubt you'd bring up the fact that an apprentice took one of your nine lives." Jeers rose from the Thunderclan crowd, while Riverclan snarled in return.
"Justice will be served for Whitefang!" Leopardfur yowled.
"Feel free to try me anytime!" Sandstrike called, unsheathing her claws.
"Stop!" Bluestar looked at the clouds above, which were beginning to drift across the moon. "We must discuss the problem of Windclan, and keep the peace."
"The problem of Windclan has been solved," Nightstar growled. "We keep their land. Riverclan and Shadowclan will split the moor, perhaps Riverclan can give Thunderclan a slice of their territory by the gorge in return, as well as let them keep Sunningrocks."
"We are not giving up territory for foxhearts," Crookedstar snapped.
"And we are not claiming Windclan territory," Bluestar retorted. "I will send Lionheart and Runningwind to find Windclan and return them to their rightful home by the next halfmoon."
"So Thunderclan is prepared to stick out their necks for a Clan that can't keep their land? What if we drive them out again?" Nightstar asked.
"Then Thunderclan will help them keep the four clans in the forest, the way our ancestors meant it to be," Bluestar told him, her blue eyes blazing. "Shadowclan and Riverclan have survived before. If you have a problem, take it up with Starclan."
"Hey, look who finally decided to show up!" Sandstrike called to the top of the Sandy Hollow. Fireheart watched as the pale ginger warrior was tackled by her two apprentices while she'd been distracted.
"Seems like you've managed to teach them a lot," Fireheart observed while Sandstrike had her face shoved into the sand.
"Unfortunately I haven't managed to teach them how to be quiet," Sandstrike grumbled, shaking out her fur once the two had let her up. "They chatter more than a pair of blackbirds. It's a miracle they've caught any prey with the noise they make."
"Hey! I caught a rabbit yesterday!" Redpaw objected indignantly.
"And I nearly caught a squirrel yesterday," Cinderpaw added.
"And why didn't you catch it?" Sandstrike prompted.
"It ran up a tree," Cinderpaw replied, her blue eyes showing her confusion. "And I don't know how to climb after it."
"Most warriors aren't great at tree hunting," Fireheart reassured her. "Every time I tried I could barely move a pawstep for fear of falling.
"I could teach you," Sandstrike offered.
"You should teach all three of us," Cinderpaw suggested.
"Another day, if I can barely walk here I shouldn't risk breaking more bones by climbing trees," the ginger warrior snorted.
"You're that bad at it? I thought kittypets climbed on narrow twoleg fences," Sandstrike made an attempt to tease him.
"I'm not a kittypet, it's been a long time since I've had to balance on fences," Fireheart protested.
"Cinderpaw, show Fireheart your roll and leap," Sandstrike instructed. While the two apprentices faced each other, preparing to fight, Sandstrike told Fireheart, "Anytime you're up for it, I'll teach you how to hunt squirrels."
"Thanks," Fireheart nodded to her. He turned to his apprentice. "Cinderpaw, roll faster, or you'll get crushed in battle!"
"Any day now," Sandstrike promised Tigerclaw. "Soon nothing will stand in your way, and Lionheart will be our last obstacle."
"You'd better hurry. With Cinderpaw, Fireheart could become deputy. Don't worry about Lionheart, I have a plan," Tigerclaw's eyes shone amber in the darkness of night. "Assuming he even survives his trip to find Windclan."
"What unfortunate accident will get him conveniently out of our way?" Sandstrike questioned.
"You'll destroy Yellowfang's catmint supply," Tigerclaw said. "I or one of my allies will go with Lionheart to collect more, but only one warrior will come back in one piece."
"Nice," Sandstrike smirked. "Let's get back before someone notices our absence."
Sandstrike curled up in her nest of moss at the edge of the warriors' den. As she drifted off to sleep, she found herself in the Place of No Stars.
"Your time is close," Thistleclaw promised her. "Fireheart and Whitestorm will soon be out of your way, and my apprentice will lead the clan."
"But you never know what you'll face," Mapleshade interrupted. "Training will continue. You may be a mentor now, but you're still our apprentice. You have much to learn."
The night went on as usual in the Dark Forest, with Sandstrike gaining several wounds, though she bested various ghosts as well.
"Impressive," Thistleclaw nodded appreciatively.
"Please, none of the fools around here can fight," Mapleshade rolled her eyes. "Thistleclaw, why don't you try to curb her arrogance?"
"No one said I was arrogant," Sandstrike retorted as the two warriors began to circle.
"I can see it in your eyes. I can't let you go back to your nest thinking you can win any fight you find yourself in, or else your arrogance could be your downfall before Tigerclaw's plans are complete," Mapleshade said. Her next words were lost to Sandstrike as she hastily dodged Thistleclaw's leap for her throat.
"I said teach her a lesson, don't kill her!" Mapleshade yowled.
"I think a few good scars are a nice lesson," Thistleclaw grinned, whipping around and rushing Sandstrike again.
"I agree," said a tortoiseshell tom as he intercepted Thistleclaw. The two mottled cats tumbled across the foul ground until Redtail pinned the Dark Forest cat. "Morning, traitor."
"Says you!" Thistleclaw spat, struggling furiously to get free. "Thunderclan would've crumbled in the first moon of your leadership!"
"Tigerclaw will wash Thunderclan away in a storm of blood!" Redtail snarled, glancing meaningfully at Sandstrike. Was it a prophecy, she wondered?
"Starclan thinks we're going to destroy the clans, just because some blood is shed on the road to salvation?" Sandstrike challenged, glaring at her father. She was no longer pleased to see him.
Redtail sent Thistleclaw running into the shadows. The other Dark Forest cats fled at the sight of a starlit warrior, whose fur was blinding to look at in such a dark place. "Tigerclaw will bring no salvation to the clans, and he has done no better before. He longs to show everyone he isn't his father, and he'll take it too far. He already has," Redtail amended. "Oakheart is not responsible for my death. Would you like to know what really happened that night? I can tell you that-"
"Sandstrike," Tigerclaw hissed in the warrior's ear. "Get up, the patrols are going out!"
"Hey! Redtail was just about to tell me something important!" Sandstrike said indignantly. Tigerclaw's eyes flashed with an emotion, too quick for Sandstrike to identify.
"Starclan's minds are addled with ignorance, they have long forgotten what hardships us living cats endure. Don't listen to any of them, should they visit you again," Tigerclaw hissed softly. "They disapprove of our plans. They only see the path where this fails, but we will show them the glorious future this suffering leads to."
"You want to rule the clans, don't you?" Sandstrike whispered. "Redtail said our plans would lead to hardship for all clans, though he also said Thunderclan would 'wash away.' What happens after Bluestar dies and you take her place?"
"You're clever," Tigerclaw smiled. "You could stand by my side as four becomes one. You could lead Tigerclan after I pass."
"Oh, so this joint clan gets your name?" Sandstrike huffed. "No credit for your henchman?"
"Perhaps we won't even call it a clan," Tigerclaw's eyes became misty with his fantasies. "We will rewrite the code or get rid of it entirely. Everyone says the code is what makes us warriors, and once we take it away, what are we? I intend to find out what we can do without Starclan's laws holding us back."
"You figure out how we get there once your path to leadership is clear," Sandstrike said as she got to her paws. "I've got a kittypet to kill."