Warrior Cats: Beyond the Clans

Dawnmist's Heart - Chapter 3

Dawnpaw shoved her head into her fur, pretending to be grooming. The Gathering patrol weren't just going to be sharing news. They would be debating Demonpaw's fate with the other Clans.

StarClan, if he gets exiled, protect him. Bring him back to me. Please. Dawnpaw prayed.

Dawnpaw had so much tension in her body; tail flicking back in forth, ears twitching every few heartbeats, eyes darting around warily. Every time her sharp ears picked up footsteps, she froze, assuming it'd be Luckystar and the others, with Demonpaw's fate.

Footsteps!

Dawnpaw jerked her head up. Her fur was shiny from consistent grooming. The moon shone overhead. Golden brown fur glittered at the entrance. Luckystar! For a moment, Dawnpaw's heart stopped and she panicked.

Demonpaw was in the apprentices' den, looking annoyed. He was under guard. "Can I be let out now?" he called.

Demonpaw, please, please, try behave.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Luckystar yowled.

Dawnpaw followed the other apprentices to where they usually gathered. Demonpaw sat on his own, allowed out of the den for the trial.

"ShadowClan is hostile!" Luckystar announced. "But I have decided on a punishment."

Please. Spare him. Luckystar, I beg you.

"What is it?" Firestar seemed interested but his eyes were shadowed. "In my day we didn't punish cats for being disrespectful."

Luckystar nodded respectfully to the retired leader. "Yes, you're right, Firestar. I suppose in your day, your Clanmates didn't steal food and medicine supplies for themselves."

"I ate food out of turn as an apprentice, once," Firestar recalled. "My punishment was to look after Yellowfang, who I had captured." 

"But Demonpaw isn't even Clanborn! He was born a rogue. I'm going to send him into exile. I will also blind one of his eyes." Luckystar argued.

Dawnpaw noticed Goldenperch give a sob of relief. For what? Half blind wasn't a pleasant way to live.

Lionblaze, Foxleap, Dovewing and Brackenfur took hold of Demonpaw's legs, holding him down. The black tom tried to escape, hissing.

"Birchfall, Beetlenose! Help them!" Luckystar commanded as he almost escaped.

Beetlenose seized Demonpaw's head and thrust it onto the ground while Birchfall held down his flailing hindquarters.

Luckystar winced as she stepped down from the Highledge. "Everyone, out of the way unless you're holding him down." She meowed.

Goldenperch didn't. "I'm watching." She insisted.

Luckystar thought about it then gave a slight nod. "You have a right." She admitted.

Dawnpaw stuck her chin up and padded next to Goldenperch. She nuzzled the older cat, giving her silent support.

Dawnpaw watched Luckystar lift a forepaw up into the air.

No! Stop! She wanted to yowl.

Luckystar slashed it down into Demonpaw's right eye. He gave a wail of pain. It was heartbreaking for Dawnpaw. "Demonpaw..." she murmured pitifully.

After what seemed like several lifetimes to Dawnpaw, Luckystar stepped back and she viewed the injured cat. "That'll be enough." She decided. "Demonpaw, leave the camp at once. If we find you in our territory by tomorrow when the sun rises, all warriors have permission to chase you out."