Chapter 3: Secret Meeting
Squirrelpaw and I set out, following Brambleclaw's scent trail. Despite the covert nature of Brambleclaw's meeting, it seemed Brambleclaw wasn't making any sort of effort to suppress his trail. It was rather easy to follow. Being that this meeting was being held at Fourtrees, the other cats involved were likely from another clan. Who could be meeting there? Are any of them from my irksome sire's clan? Soon enough, Squirrelpaw and I were close enough to make out some voices. While we couldn't make out what they were saying, I could at least tell there were four individuals including Brambleclaw. Unfortunately, we were running out of cover. We'd be rustling the bushes soon enough if we got closer. Not to mention the white of my fur and Squirrelpaw's bright orange fur stuck out in the darkness.
"They're so close, but I can't hear a thing. Darkpaw, you get closer." Squirrelpaw whisper commanded me.
"Why me?" I complained back,
"Because you are sneakier than me. If I try, they'll think dawn came far too early with all my orange." Squirrelpaw chastised.
"But I have white." I rebutted, getting a light snack to the face.
"Just stay low then. Your back and tail are black. It'll be fine. I'll be right here to back you up if things go wrong." Squirrelpaw stated, giving me an apologetic smile.
"Fine. I'm going to sneak to that bush just ahead. I should be able to make it out from there." I answered, lowering into a near crawl.
Stealthily, I crept along, being careful not to misstep onto a branch or loose soil. I kept a careful pace, ears alert for any attention thrown this direction and eyes keen looking for obstacles or signs that the meeting cats noticed my approach. After a tense crossing, I managed to position myself under the bush, concealing my brighter fur by laying flat. I strained my ears to catch what they were saying.
"… And you think Starclan called all of us for a reason?" A male but unfamiliar voice questioned.
"Calm down Crowpaw. We all had that same dream, and they called us all here for a reason." Answered a female with a lighter voice. I believe I could recognize this one. Stonestep was talking to her once at a Gathering. Feathertail was her name, wasn't it.
"And what are we supposed to do with that information anyways. Talk to Midnight they said. What does that even mean? Who or what is Midnight, and why do we need to talk to it? Can't they just tell us themselves?" Crowpaw growled out.
"Let's be objective here. We obviously don't have all the pieces yet. Whatever this is, it's big. Starclan may be vague at times, but they never go out of their way to be confusing. I think they wanted us to meet first before they send us another sign." Mewed another female. Again. This one I could probably figure out. Father spoke to her once at a Gathering. I believe her name was Tawnypelt.
"Just great. I snuck out of camp for nothing! Mudfur is going to have me on tick duty for a moon if he finds out. Thanks for nothing!" Growled Crowpaw again.
"We'll figure this out. Everyone, keep alert. We don't know when or how Starclan will let us know what to do next." Answered Brambleclaw.
What followed was the sounds of cats pushing through the bushes that lined Fourtrees, each headed back to their respective clans. I settled myself to wait for them all to pass, but I suddenly felt a warmth by my side. I turned quickly to look at whoever just snuck up on me.
"What did they say?" I heard whispered into my ear.
I was not expecting the sudden noise, accidentally arching my back and letting out an involuntary hiss. It was Squirrelpaw, and she must have snuck up here while the others were leaving. Squirrelpaw winced at my sudden hiss, but it turned out she wasn't the only one to notice it. I heard rustling nearby as a large tabby came into view.
"I know you're in there Squirrelpaw." Brambleclaw mewed, seeing Squirrelpaw's bright pelt through the leaves.
Squirrelpaw, knowing she was caught, pulled herself out, hoping to conceal my presence. "Well Bramblebutt, care to explain? I'm sure dad wouldn't take to kindly to you meeting other clan cats like this." Squirrelpaw mewed with an accusatory tone.
I could tell Brambleclaw was staring Squirrelpaw down, trying to force her to concede to silence, but if I knew anything about Squirrelpaw, she was far too willful to concede to that. The silence continued before a brief chuff came from Brambleclaw. He clearly lost the stare down. Suddenly, I heard a sniff from Brambleclaw. He suddenly seemed aware that something was amiss.
"What are you doing sniffing me like that?" Squirrelpaw stated with an affronted tone.
Brambleclaw took on an amused manner as he answered. "I was just taking in your scent a moment. I didn't think you'd have the nerve to follow me all on your own. Of course, you'd never just risk yourself. You just had to bring your lackey into this. Isn't that right Darkpaw?"
Squirrelpaw erupted with anger at that. "Darkpaw is not my lackey! How dare you say something so insulting! We are equals, and I'd never force him to do something he wouldn't want to do. I should tear off your ears for saying something so cruel!" Squirrelpaw hissed.
"And yet, you didn't say he wasn't here. Come on out Darkpaw. I know you're here. I smelled it on Squirrelpaw." Brambleclaw commanded.
I'd been caught. I pulled myself from the bushes, and my eyes met Brambleclaw's. He seemed to be attempting the same stare down tactic with me, but it wouldn't work. He'd already insulted me knowing I was within earshot. I pulled on an instinct that was ingrained into my dreams, making my eyes cold and piercing. Brambleclaw shivered under their scrutiny. He broke first, turning away.
"You two shouldn't be out here. Apprentices shouldn't be out of camp without their mentor." Brambleclaw chastised, clearly trying to deflect.
"And warriors shouldn't be conspiring with other clans. Any good warrior would investigate such suspicious behavior as yours. Father would be proud of me for doing so." I stated, clearly letting him know that I wasn't going to back down and let him get away with this.
"It's a Starclan thing. Apprentices shouldn't be involved." He answered, trying to shut us down again.
"Then I'll tell Father." I replied in a flat tone that couldn't be anything but truthful.
"Fine. I'll tell you two. Just don't go blurting it out. I and those three other cats all received the same dream from Starclan. We don't know exactly what it meant, but something big is coming. Something so big that it threatens the whole forest. The only possible answer lies in their cryptic advice to seek Midnight. Happy?" Brambleclaw stated, clearly annoyed at being back into a corner.
"I'm still going to tell Father. If this is something that really concerns the whole forest, then it is important that all the leaders are in the know. Even the invasion by Bloodclan only warranted one clan to receive a prophecy of blood. I'm honestly both surprised and disappointed that all four of you thought it'd be a good idea to keep quiet on that." I answered, turning away and making it clear there was no more room for conversation.
I heard a grumble as Squirrelpaw trotted to my side. She'd obviously made a face at him before making her way over. We all made our way back to camp. Brambleclaw was hunched and slightly stompy in frustration at being caught. Meanwhile Squirrelpaw pranced, glad to be the one in the right and not in trouble for once. I had my own concerns. How would Father handle this, and how was he going to react when I tell him about Mapleshade? I had to suck it up. My fear of punishment meant nothing in comparison to the threat to the clan.