Painted by Smoke

Chapter 13

Smokepaw POV:

I sat eating a large vole when a strange odor hit my nose. I smelled salty, a bit like the lake, but... stronger and different somehow. I wrinkled my face in disgust, and I heard Robinstride's musical laugh from beside me. She often encouraged me to eat with her, as I had no other friends. Most of the other cats didn't approve of that idea, but Robinstride had never been one to care.

I looked up to see Robinstride and Brighthawk, who sat with us often but usually kept silent, looking toward the camp entrance. I turned to see one of the patrols coming in, but there were several unfamiliar cats among them. "RiverClan," Robinstride whispered. "What you smell is fish."

I nodded, watching the other cats closely. Rockyfeather had been leading the patrol with Rainleap, Firepaw, Honeystep, and Turtlepaw. The RiverClan cats consisted of an older Russian blue tom, a light sandy tom with blue-green eyes, and a handsome white tom with a brown mask and top of his tail and varying lengths of brown on his paws and legs. They didn't look hostile, as I had expected. Instead, they appeared worried, the sandy tom seeming particularly depressed. It was a look I recognized: that of grief and loss for something you once had or hoped for. Many other cats exited their dens to observe the newcomers. Turtlepaw ran off to Barkstar's den, presumably to get him.

It only took a few moments for her to return, but in that time, Robinstride told me about the new cats. "The blue tom is Lagoonstar. He's the leader of RiverClan, so whatever he's here to say must be important. I don't know the sandy tom very well, but I believe his name is Haresleep. The white and brown tom is Brindledusk. He's charming and, well..."

She was cut short as Brighthawk gave a snort of laughter behind us. Robinstride turned, and I felt her grow warm beside me. This behavior confused me, but I turned back to watch the RiverClan cats as Barkstar appeared, led by Turtlepaw. From what I knew about Barkstar, he was calm and trusting, though he was known to help other clans, even if it meant some danger for his clan. I expected he would help RiverClan if they were here to ask for it.

Robinstride and Brighthawk had been quietly bickering, but I ignored them as Barkstar opened his mouth to speak. They quieted, too, as he greeted the Russian blue tom, "Lagoonstar." He dipped his head respectfully as he spoke.

"Barkstar," Lagoonstar addressed, respectfully dipping his head so low it was nearly a bow. His voice was deep and quiet, though there was a quality about him that caused other cats to listen. That was likely how he became leader. He continued, "I have come to ask for your help."

"What can I do for you, old friend?" Barkstar inquired warmly. He sat, and so did the visitors. Turtlepaw and Firepaw scuttled off toward a stump near the Apprentices' Den to join Icepaw and Petalpaw. Honeystep and Rainleap joined Stormclaw, their mate and brother respectively, just over a fox-length away from both the RiverClan cats and the entrance. Rockyfeather remained firmly planted at the head of his former patrol, though he also sat.

Lagoonstar seemed to debate his response for a moment before replying, "Several kits have disappeared from our camp. Hareleap, here, was the father of the kits taken."

"I am terribly sorry for your loss, but that isn't exactly uncommon," Barkstar interjected. "It could have been a hawk or a fox."

"We think it was ShadowClan."

I sucked in a short breath. ShadowClan stealing kits? Barkstar similarly seemed startled at Lagoonstar's response but calmly questioned, "And what is your evidence for this claim?"

"They have been pressuring us for moons about expanding their territory, and they didn't deny it when we confronted them," Lagoonstar answered.

Barkstar mulled this request over for several moments. He finally replied, "I'm afraid there isn't much I can do from so far away. Have you asked Whitestar for assisstance?"

Lagoonstar nodded. "Of course I have, but he says that private matters between clans shall not be resolved along his border."

Barkstar sighed. "He always has been one for evidence."

Nightstalker walked up behind Barkstar and whispered something in his ear. He had been listening to the whole thing from behind Barkstar's shoulder. After a moment, Barkstar finished, "We will confront ShadowClan at the Gathering." He dipped his head. "Goodbye, my friend. I will see you there."

Lagoonstar dipped his head and turned to leave. Rockyfeather, Honeystep, and Rainleap moved to escort them out. Brindledusk opened his mouth to protest, but Lagoonstar silenced him with a nondescript look. They left and were, presumably, escorted out of our territory.

Barkstar sighed, stood, and flicked his tail. He stalked off to his den to think, Nightstalker at his side.

I turned to Robinstride, at least a bit confused. She gave me a soothing look and assured me not to worry about it. Though I was sorry for the kits who had been taken, that wasn't the thing that troubled me most about the interaction. What had Nightstalker said to Barkstar to suddenly make him change his mind?