The Clash of Stars Book 1: The Key

Chapter 10: Ottercall

Ottercall padded after the CoveClan patrol down the rubble path that led from the Hearth, ears flattened as she glanced back to make sure Redpaw followed. She'd been trailing after some AmberClan apprentice, which was the last thing they needed.

She fell back into step with Redpaw, fixing her sister with a firm look. "Go catch up with Tawnypond and Lakepaw," she ordered, "and stay close to them. I have to do something. Do not wander off again."

Redpaw's expression turned impudent. "I can handle walking with the Clan by myself!" she retorted. "I'm not an idiot."

Ottercall sighed. "I'm just saying that because not five minutes ago, you wandered away from the group to stalk some AmberClan cat."

Redpaw blinked, eyes wide and innocent. "Only because he was looking suspicious."

"You think every lone cat looks suspicious," Ottercall responded briskly, pointing with her tail. "Do as I say and walk with Tawnypond."

Upon hearing her name, Tawnypond looked up. Ottercall gave the angler a pointed nod towards Redpaw. Tawnypond's whiskers twitched, but she gestured for Redpaw to join her. Redpaw grumbled as she padded after her, despite the warm welcome she'd received.

Ottercall watched to make sure Redpaw was close to Tawnypond's side, and then bounded through the patrol to catch up with Shadeflower. The deputy was close to Crowflutter's side, talking her ear off as he helped her along.

Ottercall cut into the one-sided conversation. "Shadeflower, are you CoveClan's deputy or not?"

Shadeflower looked startled. "What?"

"CoveClan isn't doing perfect, you know that," Ottercall said. "The storms are getting worse. We'll be hit by them first, but if they get strong enough, they'll wreck the other territories. We can't keep that sort of thing to ourselves!"

"It seemed like they had enough on their plates, though!" Shadeflower protested.

Ottercall exchanged an exasperated glance with Crowflutter over the deputy's head.

"Shadeflower, they didn't know that before, when it was CoveClan's turn to speak," Crowflutter reminded her brother, not unkind. "You could have spoken up, you're allowed to as deputy."

Shadeflower's expression turned to one of discomfort. "With Ripplestar up there? She'd have clawed me right there and given my scales to EchoClan!"

Ottercall had to admit that he was right. Ripplestar could be ... unpredictable, and the more Ottercall watched her leadership, the more certain she was that Shadeflower had been chosen as deputy to ensure that Ripplestar went on as long as possible without being challenged.

"Nevermind, Shadeflower," Ottercall conceded. "Crowflutter, how're the other Clans?"

Crowflutter sighed. "Rough. Spiderwish and Ashrunner are getting along, at least. One of the FlashClan cats — Windshine — got hurt pretty badly. Spiderwish told me she doesn't think he'll make it."

Ottercall frowned. "And EchoClan?"

"Thanks to their armor," Crowflutter replied. "One more attack like that, though, and they'll have some casualties to deal with. And BlossomClan isn't much better. They're having trouble with growing herbs."

Ottercall's fur prickled in alarm. She'd paid enough attention to know that BlossomClan was having a shortage, but trouble growing the herbs? All of the Clans depended on BlossomClan's herbs. She didn't notice Shadeflower dart ahead in the patrol, leaving the two mollies to draw closer together, Crowflutter leaning into Ottercall's side.