ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Prologue

A chilly breeze swept through the clearing, ruffling Echoleaf's pelt, making her shiver. The AirClan medicine cat remained motionless, staring at the entrance of the camp where Mintpool and Robinflight disappeared. Guilt swarmed inside her as she remembered the desperation on her former apprentice's face as she blinked at her. Should I have helped her? It's easy to prove that Fernkit and Stormkit aren't her's... 

Another wave of conflict washed over her, the same one she'd felt during meeting. No, Echoleaf decided. What's done is done. There's nothing I can do to fix it. Still... 

The medicine cat's gaze swept over her Clanmates' expressions. Most of them looked pleased. She caught sight of Iceclaw tilting his head in with Skystorm as he fell in gossiping whispers with his mother. Violetpaw and Duskpaw's eyes were gleaming with excitement as they stared at the entrance, claws unsheathed, as if waiting for Mintpool to return and disobey Thistlestar's orders.

Echoleaf let out a sigh as she stared at the apprentices. They looked so eager to attack a cat that had once been their healer. How could cats' minds change so easily? As she took another glance at all her Clanmates, she noticed only Adderclaw looked displeased about exiling Mintpool. He seemed to be having the same thoughts she did, his eyes glimmering with guilt and regret. Was he wishing that he'd stuck up for his sister as well?

The gray she-cat swept her tail with a sigh. As she observed him grow up, Adderclaw wasn't particularly the loud or flashy type. He'd much rather follow than lead. Whenever Robinflight and Mintpool had a distribute, he'd always keep quiet. Or, if the other apprentices helped Robinflight, he'd jump to her side as well. And with the whole Clan against Mintpool, there was a small chance he was going to stand up for his sister. 

Guilt surged through Echoleaf once more. The only two cats who looked somewhat regretful had kept quiet. She knew Mintpool didn't have kits; there was no sign of pregnancy. A single word from her could've saved the tabby from exile. Yet, she said nothing. 

I did the right thing, Echoleaf thought, trying to convince herself. StarClan sent that warning. It was clearly about Mintpool. She's dangerous. She shouldn't be in the Clan. It's good that she's exiled. I did the right thing, keeping quiet. However, as much as she tried to repeat those words, she was not able to convince herself.

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Mamba let out a hiss of annoyance as a bundle of snow crashed onto her pelt. "Fox-dung!" Her tail lashed in anger, mostly towards herself. With that crash of snow, all the prey would be scared away.

"Mamba?" A voice sounded behind the snow-topped trees as Cobrastrike poked his head out. "What happened?"

The black she-cat huffed, shaking the last of the snow off of her. "The stupid snow crashed onto me!" She glanced down at her paws, where two mice lay, then gave another annoyed lash of her tail. She'd need to find more prey before nightfall. "The prey around here will all be scared away."

Cobrastrike ruffled his pelt. Although he was new, he'd risen quickly in the rogue ranks, taking the role of leader, gaining respect from every cat. And she was his second in command. He was quick-witted, changing the way the rogue group worked. It was more Clan-like, Mamba supposed, but it made sure no cat went hungry. And it seemed to unite them more, which would be helpful against the Clans.

The tom tilted his head. "How about we steal from FireClan again?"

A bubble of a cruel purr rose in Mamba's throat. "We've already raided them before. How about WaterClan this time?"

Cobrastrike nodded, turning his head to look over his shoulder. "Snake! Poison!"

Instantly, two cats appeared. Snake, a brown tabby tom with a long tail, padded out from behind bushes, a vole hanging from his jaws. Poison came soon after him, her black fur topped with snow to disguise her pelt and her green eyes glimmering with anger, jaws empty. It was clear her hunt had been unsuccessful.